Smart phone technology continues to progress and phone users are being introduced to apps that never ever entered their minds even in dreams.  The latest to hit the market is PlantNet, a free app that can identify plants and flowers through a smart phone camera.

As explained by How Stuff Works, the app is easy to use. After downloading, just point the camera at a plant or flower and the name of the plant species appears on the screen. This is an example of a fine ultramodern usage of digital technology and many users can benefit from the applicability it brings.

Although the app is simple to use, the technology that was used to develop the app comes from complex research and development efforts that takes years to accomplish.  The software is just a part and parallel to the research efforts in Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) which is the target of giant companies like Google and Apple.  According to Modern Farmer, it is similar to Shazam, the app that identifies any music being played.  

PlantNet was first conceptualized by botanists, scientists and nature lovers. The idea was studied and research was conducted by the digital science research firm Inria. Agropolis Fondation of France corroborated with the researchers by concentrating on their interest in Agronomy.

The data bank on plants and flowers is the backbone of the app and it is designed to track threatened, exotic or invasive plant species through algorithms. The objective is to inform users about the history and origin of the plant or flower.

From France, the software was introduced throughout the world and is now being used by government and private companies.  It is a big help to farmers and foresters whose common concern is the preservation of useful plant species.

Many users appreciate the applicability of the app and some has offered to contribute to the data base by providing pictures of leaves, bark, fruit and flowers of rare and exotic plants. In due time, PlantNet will become a super comprehensive source of data.