Michigan Flora App
The Michigan Flora app is a companion to the Michigan Flora website also developed by the RSE team. The RSE team worked closely with U-M Herbarium staff to develop this application, which is designed to work offline for easy classification in the field where internet connections are often unavailable. The app provides convenient access to thousands of plant species records, including detailed images, descriptions, and maps, and shares a unified database with the website to maintain data accuracy and consistency.
Features
- Browse plants by family, genus, or species name
- Use keys to identify species
- View species photographs (download additional images when device space is available)
- Distribution maps based on verified specimens
- Search by common name, scientific name, family, genus, native status, plant attributes, conservation status, and county
- Access a botanical glossary, reference list, and information on various aspects of the flora
- Use primary functions with no internet connections
In the Press
- CBS Detroit: University of Michigan app helps users identify plants without relying on internet connection
- NPR Stateside: Thursday, July 30, 2026
- MLive: Need to ID a plant? The University of Michigan launched a free app to help.
- Michigan News: New plant identification app available, powered by U-M Herbarium
- Fox 2 Detroit: Michigan Flora app launched by U-M Herbarium
- PlusCode Design Blog: The University of Michigan Just Built the App This Plant Nerd Has Been Waiting For
