citizen-science-observations
Citizen-science observations involve the systematic collection of plant occurrence, phenology, and distribution data by volunteer observers, often coordinated through platforms that aggregate community-submitted records. This approach dramatically expands the spatial and temporal scale of botanical monitoring beyond what professional researchers alone could achieve. For plant science, such data are invaluable for tracking range shifts, documenting rare species, and understanding how plant communities respond to climate change and habitat disturbance.
Trending: Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) — 359 observations this week
Spring bloom of brittlebush is a reliable signal that desert ecosystems are waking up, and tracki...
Trending: eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) — 336 observation...
Eastern redcedar is rapidly expanding its range into grasslands and open fields near many communi...
Trending: Redstem Stork's-bill (Erodium cicutarium) — 315 observati...
Redstem Stork's-bill is one of the most common weeds invading lawns, gardens, and parks across No...
Trending: common reed (Phragmites australis) — 59 observations this week
Common reed can aggressively take over wetlands, riverbanks, and even roadside ditches near your ...
Trending: Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis) — 57 observations this week
Osoberry is one of the first native shrubs to flower each spring, meaning its observation surge i...
Nevin's Brickellbush (Brickellia nevinii) observed in Skyland Dr, S...
Nevin's Brickellbush is a rare Southern California native that supports local pollinators, and kn...
Trending: henbit deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule) — 430 observation...
Henbit deadnettle is likely blooming in your yard, garden beds, or local park right now — and und...
Trending: Blue Dicks (Dipterostemon capitatus) — 406 observations this week
Tracking when and where native wildflowers like Blue Dicks bloom each year helps gardeners, land ...
Trending: licorice fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) — 59 observations ...
Licorice fern grows on mossy rocks and tree trunks in forests and parks many people walk through ...
Trending: eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) — 54 observations this week
Tracking where eastern white pine is thriving — or struggling — helps gardeners, foresters, and p...
Beavertail Pricklypear (Opuntia basilaris) observed in Palm Desert
Beavertail Pricklypear is a low-water, high-impact native plant that thrives in hot, dry conditio...
Bigelow's Spikemoss (Selaginella bigelovii) observed in Los Gatos
Documented sightings of native plants like Bigelow's Spikemoss help conservationists and local la...
Bigelow's Spikemoss (Selaginella bigelovii) observed in 886X+MM, Sa...
Tracking where native plants like Bigelow's Spikemoss still survive helps conservationists and la...
Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) observed in Danwood Dr, Austin, TX, US
Yaupon Holly is a drought-tolerant, native alternative to imported teas and coffees that you coul...
Trending: western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) — 53 observation...
Surge in documented sightings helps scientists track where this iconic fern is thriving — or pote...
Holm oak (Quercus ilex) observed in Villanova Dr, Davis, CA, US
Holm oaks are drought-tolerant Mediterranean trees increasingly planted in California cities, and...
maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) observed in Marine Dr...
Tracking where native ferns like maidenhair spleenwort naturally grow helps gardeners and conserv...
Branched Pencil Cholla (Cylindropuntia ramosissima) observed in Riv...
Community-documented sightings of native desert cacti like Branched Pencil Cholla help scientists...
Rubber Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa) observed in Lehi, UT 84045, USA
Rubber Rabbitbrush is a tough, drought-tolerant native shrub that pollinators depend on in late s...
walkingstick cactus (Cylindropuntia imbricata spinosior) observed i...
Tracking where native cacti like walkingstick cactus are growing helps conservationists and local...
muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) observed in NW 20th St, Boca Raton, FL, US
Muscadine grapes are a tough, heat-tolerant native vine that home gardeners in South Florida can ...
sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera) observed in NW 20th St, Boca Raton, FL, US
Sea grape is a salt-tolerant, wildlife-friendly native plant that thrives in Florida gardens and ...
Scale Bud (Anisocoma acaulis) observed in Sunever Rd, Joshua Tree, CA, US
Every verified sighting of a native desert wildflower like Scale Bud helps scientists track wheth...
ballmoss (Tillandsia recurvata) observed in Trinity University, San...
Ballmoss is a fascinating indicator of air quality and urban tree health — if you see it covering...
juniper haircap moss (Polytrichum juniperinum) observed in Boones F...
Mosses like juniper haircap are quiet workhorses of healthy ecosystems — they retain moisture, pr...
Species in Topic
Anisocoma acaulis
Scale Bud