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citizen-science

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Citizen science is research conducted with the participation of non-professional and amateur researchers from the general public, contributing observations and data to scientific investigations. Plant science particularly benefits from this approach because botanical research requires geographic distribution and long-term monitoring across diverse ecosystems that professional researchers alone cannot achieve. Citizen scientists collecting plant observations—from species identification and phenological tracking to distribution mapping—expand the scale and reach of plant ecology and conservation research far beyond traditional field studies.

open_in_new Wikipedia
iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) — 441 observati...

Wild strawberry patches threading through your lawn or meadow edge aren't weeds — they're a groun...

pollinators
PubMed → · research article

Automating pollinator identification using artificial intelligence ...

Every bee photo you snap and upload to a nature app could soon be automatically identified by AI,...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) — 345 observations this week

Chokecherry thickets along roadsides and forest edges are ripening right now, and the dark astrin...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) — 481 observations this week

Chokecherry thickets lining roadsides and forest edges right now are loaded with clusters of tart...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) — 374 observati...

Virginia strawberry is fruiting in yards, meadows, and trail edges right now — and the tiny red b...

native-plants
iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: red trillium (Trillium erectum) — 546 observations this week

Red trillium blooming in your local forest is one of spring's most precise ecological clocks — if...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) — 1044 observations ...

Yarrow blooming in your yard or along your fence line is a free pollinator buffet — its flat-topp...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) — 411 observations ...

Wild sarsaparilla carpeting the forest floor right now is one of the clearest phenological marker...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) — 393 observations this week

Chokecherry thickets along your local trail edges are producing clusters of dark red fruit right ...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: red trillium (Trillium erectum) — 381 observations this week

Red trillium blooming in your local woods is one of spring's most reliable phenological clocks — ...

iNaturalist → · observation

Dwarf pawpaw (Asimina pygmaea) observed in Cedar Key Scrub State Re...

Dwarf pawpaw is one of the few native fruit-bearing shrubs adapted to Florida's harsh, sandy scru...

native-plants
iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) — 506 observations this week

Chokecherry thickets along roadsides and woodland edges are prime spots to watch for tiger swallo...

urban-ecology
PubMed → · research article

Worms about town: a citizen science project discovers microsporidia...

The microscopic worms tunneling through your garden soil include both plant helpers and plant des...

iNaturalist → · observation

American basketflower (Plectocephalus americanus) observed in Kelle...

American basketflower draws native bees and butterflies to North Texas roadsides and meadows — sp...

iNaturalist → · observation

white baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) observed in Mississauga

White baneberry's striking white berries on red stalks are a late-summer highlight in shaded nati...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) — 135 observations this week

Osoberry is a bellwether of spring — if you live in the Pacific Northwest, seeing it bloom means ...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) — 1427 observations this week

Mayapple's spring bloom is a reliable sign that your local forest is waking up, and tracking its ...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) — 2390 observations this week

Mayapple carpets the forest floor of nearly every eastern North American woodland in spring, and ...

iNaturalist → · observation

wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) observed in Franklin County, KY, USA

Wild bergamot is one of the best native plants you can add to a sunny garden border — it blooms m...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) — 1802 observations this week

Mayapple is likely carpeting the forest floor of any wooded park or trail near you right now — an...

iNaturalist → · observation

eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) observed in Westover Rd, Shippen...

Eastern redbud is one of the earliest native trees to bloom each spring, offering a burst of mage...

native-plants
native-plants
iNaturalist → · observation

violet woodsorrel (Oxalis violacea) observed in Kentucky, US

Violet woodsorrel thriving in Kentucky meadows and open woodlands signals healthy native ground c...

iNaturalist → · observation

blackroot (Pterocaulon pycnostachyum) observed in Hobe Sound

Blackroot thrives in the fire-maintained flatwoods and sandhills of Florida — spotting it in Hobe...

iNaturalist → · observation

wild potato vine (Ipomoea pandurata) observed in Cary

Wild potato vine's deep, starchy taproot — sometimes reaching 30 pounds — means it can survive dr...

native-plants
citizen-science
PubMed → · research article

Practical lessons from microbiome citizen-science projects.

Every soil sample you or your neighbors submit to a community microbiome project shapes the basel...

iNaturalist → · observation

lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) observed in Mill Neck, NY, USA

Lesser celandine spreads aggressively in early spring before native wildflowers emerge, and once ...

iNaturalist → · observation

Curlyheads (Clematis ochroleuca) observed in Warrenton

Confirmed sightings of rare native plants like Curlyheads help conservationists and local gardene...

iNaturalist → · observation

Trending: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) — 170 observations this week

Alfalfa is a cornerstone of both agriculture and backyard ecosystems — it feeds livestock, fixes ...

native-plants
iNaturalist → · observation

box elder (Acer negundo) observed in Western Ave, Green Bay, WI, US

Box elder is one of the few native trees that colonizes disturbed urban edges and floodplains whe...

iNaturalist → · observation

upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) observed in Tusco...

Upright prairie coneflower thrives in the dry, rocky soils most gardeners curse — spotting it nat...

iNaturalist → · observation

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) observed in Kitchener

Sweet Woodruff spreading through Kitchener's green spaces is worth knowing if you're planting a s...

iNaturalist → · observation

fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) observed in Denali Park, AK, USA

Fireweed is one of the first plants to reclaim burned or disturbed ground in Alaska's national pa...

citizen-science
citizen-science
urban-ecology
iNaturalist → · observation

white clover (Trifolium repens) observed in Murfreesboro, TN, USA

White clover spreading through your lawn is quietly fixing nitrogen from the air into the soil, d...

iNaturalist → · observation

Pinxter Flower (Rhododendron periclymenoides) observed in Millersvi...

Pinxter Flower is a native wild azalea that supports early pollinators like queen bumblebees just...

iNaturalist → · observation

bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) observed in Aurora, OH, US

Tracking where native wildflowers like bloodroot still grow helps gardeners, conservationists, an...

citizen-science
iNaturalist → · observation

partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) observed in Massachusetts, US

Citizen science observations like this help track where native woodland plants like partridgeberr...

iNaturalist → · observation

mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) observed in St Clair Ave, Grosse Po...

Mayapple carpets woodland floors and produces a fruit edible when fully ripe — spotting it thrivi...

citizen-science
iNaturalist → · observation

partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) observed in Massachusetts, US

Partridgeberry is a charming native groundcover that thrives in shady woodland gardens, stays gre...

iNaturalist → · observation

mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) observed in Long View, NC, US

Community-recorded sightings like this help scientists and conservationists track where native wi...

iNaturalist → · observation

mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) observed in R25M+R3 Riverside Park,...

Finding a native woodland plant like mayapple thriving in a busy city park shows that urban green...

iNaturalist → · observation

bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) observed in Greenville, OH, US

Every confirmed sighting of a native wildflower like bloodroot helps scientists and gardeners tra...

iNaturalist → · observation

bluebead lily (Clintonia borealis) observed in Grand-Bouctouche, Ne...

Bluebead lily is a reliable indicator of healthy, undisturbed forest understory — spotting it in ...

iNaturalist → · observation

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) observed in Oregon, US

Herb Robert is quietly spreading through Pacific Northwest gardens and forest edges, and once est...

iNaturalist → · observation

ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) observed in Brookfield

Ribwort plantain growing along roadsides and lawns in Brookfield is one of the most underapprecia...

iNaturalist → · observation

mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) observed in Oxford Pl, Charlottesvi...

Mayapple patches like this one can quietly spread through your shaded garden beds each spring, of...

iNaturalist → · observation

flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) observed in Alexandria

Research-grade iNaturalist observations like this one collectively help scientists track whether ...

iNaturalist → · observation

mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) observed in Chipping Ct, Virginia B...

Mayapple is a native woodland wildflower that can signal the health of local ecosystems — spottin...

citizen-science
iNaturalist → · observation

Pacific trillium (Trillium ovatum) observed in Washington, US

Community observations like this one help scientists track where native wildflowers are thriving ...

iNaturalist → · observation

sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) observed in Knoxville

Sweetbay magnolia is a beautiful native tree you can actually grow in your own yard — it tolerate...

iNaturalist → · observation

Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea) observed in Austin

Mealy Blue Sage is a drought-tolerant native perennial that pollinators love, making it a smart, ...

iNaturalist → · observation

willow oak (Quercus phellos) observed in Peace St at Smallwood Dr, ...

Willow oaks lining Raleigh streets provide dense summer shade and drop small acorns that feed bir...

iNaturalist → · observation

flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) observed in Maryland, US

Flowering dogwood is a beloved backyard tree whose spring bloom times are shifting with warming t...

iNaturalist → · observation

white clover (Trifolium repens) observed in Knoxville, TN, US

White clover in your lawn or local park is a living fertilizer — its roots host bacteria that pul...

iNaturalist → · observation

slender vetch (Vicia ludoviciana) observed in Austin

Slender vetch is a native wildflower that fixes nitrogen in the soil, meaning its presence in urb...

citizen-science
iNaturalist → · observation

vanilla leaf (Achlys triphylla) observed in Selma, OR, US

Vanilla leaf carpets shaded forest floors in the Pacific Northwest and its presence signals a hea...

iNaturalist → · observation

eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) observed in Knoxville

Eastern redbuds are one of the first trees to bloom each spring, and tracking where and when they...

iNaturalist → · observation

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) observed in Jasper, TN 37347, USA

Red Clover growing near Jasper, TN feeds local pollinators like bumblebees and fixes nitrogen in ...

iNaturalist → · observation

white clover (Trifolium repens) observed in Avondale Estates, GA, USA

White clover fixes nitrogen from the air directly into your lawn or garden soil, acting as a free...

iNaturalist → · observation

red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) observed in Lewisburg

Red deadnettle is one of the earliest spring bloomers to appear in gardens and lawns, meaning its...

citizen-science
iNaturalist → · observation

Closterium acerosum (Closterium acerosum) observed in Southern Spri...

The tiny algae living in ponds and streams near your neighborhood are early-warning indicators of...

iNaturalist → · observation

carpet bugle (Ajuga reptans) observed in New Burlington, OH, USA

Carpet bugle can quietly take over garden beds and spread into nearby lawns or natural areas, so ...

iNaturalist → · observation

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) observed in Hilham

Tracking where Virginia creeper grows helps gardeners and land managers understand its spread — i...

iNaturalist → · observation

Lawn daisy (Bellis perennis) observed in Stonehenge Rd, Weston, CT, US

Lawn daisies popping up in Connecticut lawns signal how deeply this European wildflower has woven...

iNaturalist → · observation

coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) observed in Oʻahu, Kailua, HI, US

Coconut palms lining Hawaiian beaches aren't native — tracking where they grow and thrive helps g...

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Species in Topic

Mayapple Alfalfa Bloodroot Eastern Poison Ivy Garlic Mustard Common blue violet Common reed Yellow Trout Lily Giant white fawn lily Jack-in-the-Pulpit Large White Trillium western skunk cabbage Common Milkweed Dame's Rocket lesser celandine Pink Lady's Slipper Red Trillium White Clover American pokeweed Chokecherry Common Yarrow Milk Thistle Salmonberry Virginia creeper Virginia Springbeauty Colt's-foot Dakota mock vervain eastern white pine Flowering Dogwood eco Foxglove Beardtongue Osoberry eco Partridgeberry Solomon's plume Wild Geranium Wild Sarsaparilla American tuliptree bird's-foot trefoil Black-eyed Susan Box Elder Broadleaf Cattail Canada anemone Canadian bunchberry Carpet Bugle Coconut Palm cut-leaved toothwort Eastern Redbud eastern redcedar Eastern Skunk Cabbage Fairy-slipper Field madder Greater celandine Madagascar periwinkle Maidenhair Spleenwort Mock Strawberry Netted Pawpaw Oxeye Daisy Pacific trillium Purple Crownvetch eco Red Columbine Red Deadnettle Red-flowering Currant Sea Grape Siberian squill Virginia bluebells Virginia strawberry White Baneberry Wild Phlox Wild Strawberry American basketflower American beech American bladdernut American sweetgum Arrowleaf Balsamroot eco Black Ash Black Cherry Black locust Blackroot Bluebead lily eco Brazos rain-lily Bristle Thistle eco Broadleaf Sea Lettuce Butterfly Milkweed eco Calla Lily Camphor Camphor Tree Canada mayflower Canadian wild ginger Carolina rose Carolina snailseed Carolina Vetch catchweed bedstraw Chinkapin Oak Christmas fern cleavers coast live oak common beargrass Common Bracken Common Groundsel Common Ivy Common Pawpaw Common Selfheal Coral Honeysuckle Crimson Clover eco crispleaf roughmoss Curlyheads Dog-tooth Violet Doll's Eyes Dwarf pawpaw Fawn Lily Field Peppergrass Fireweed Florida Hedgenettle Florida Indian Plantain eco Four O'Clock Foxtail Barley Garden Phlox Golden Alexanders Great Mullein Green False Hellebore Henderson's shooting star Herb Robert Interrupted Fern Japanese Honeysuckle Lantana Lawn daisy licorice fern Lilac chaste tree Little Sweet Betsy Mapleleaf Viburnum Marginal Wood Fern Marsh Calla Marvel of Peru Mealy Blue Sage Mile-a-minute weed mountain laurel Multiflora Rose Nodding Trillium Northern Spicebush Nuttall's Thistle Oakleaf fleabane Pacific Bleeding Heart Persian silk tree Phragmites australis eco Pigeonberry Pinxter Flower eco Purple Phacelia Purple Pitcher Plant Red Clover Red Osier Dogwood Redstem Stork's-bill Ribwort Plantain River Cane Roundleaf Greenbrier Sacred Datura Shepherd's-needle Sideoats Grama Slender Vetch Stiff Dogwood Sweet alyssum Sweet scabious Sweet Woodruff Sweetbay Magnolia Texas Persimmon Trout Lily Tuckeroo Tufted Vetch Twoleaf Miterwort Upright Prairie Coneflower eco Vanilla leaf violet woodsorrel Virginia pepperweed Virginia sweetspire Western Joshua Tree western sword fern Whitemouth Dayflower Wild Bergamot Wild Potato Vine Wild radish Willow Oak eco Woodland Phlox Woodland Stonecrop