Atomic Shrimp
Published 8 Jul 2022There are numerous smartphone apps that assist with identification of plants. A lot of people have proposed these for use in identification of plants to forage for the table. Just how good are these apps, and is it safe to use them in that way?
The three apps I am testing here are:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/de…
https://play.google.com/store/apps/de…
https://play.google.com/store/apps/de…0:00 Intro
1:11 Rationale and approach
3:00 Testing
10:23 Summary
12:54 Conclusions
From the comments:
Atomic Shrimp
2 days ago
A little elaboration on “certainty” — because I’m not sure I really made the point very well in the video.When you, the amateur naturalist, are the one comparing features in a reference source against a specimen, you are inevitably beginning from a position of uncertainty and working toward certainty. The identification process is not just how you identify the plant, it’s also integrally how you approach certainty that you got the identification right.
Alternatively, the process falls short of certainty, because you fail along the way, and you know you aren’t certain — you saw exactly this happen to me with the atypical hogweed specimen in this video. I tried to identify it, was confounded, and ended up uncertain.
I think these apps are great. Use them. Get out there and look at amazing nature stuff! I just don’t believe they are suited to making a life and death decision on your behalf.
