Just realized my plant ID method is totally different now

Emma Mason · 2026-04-21T22:30:07.269016+00:00

Back in 2010, I used to carry a massive field guide for the Pacific Northwest everywhere. I'd spend hours flipping pages, trying to match leaf shapes and flower colors from blurry photos I took on a flip phone. It was a whole process. Now, I just snap a picture with an app on my phone and get an answer in about 30 seconds. The change happened around five years ago when I was hiking near Mount Hood and got tired of the heavy bag. The apps aren't perfect, but they get me close enough to dig deeper online. I miss the feel of the book sometimes, but I ID way more plants on a walk now. Has anyone else found a specific app that's really good for tricky native grasses?

aaron8804mo ago

Wait, you had a FLIP PHONE in 2010?

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linda_reed4mo ago

Mine was a weird little sedge that the app nailed after I'd been stumped for ages. PictureThis has been solid for me, but those grasses still trip it up sometimes.

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maxl934mo ago

That Mount Hood hike sounds like the breaking point for a lot of us. I switched over for good after a trip to the Columbia River Gorge. What's the one plant that finally made you trust the app result enough to leave the book at home?

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