About
FloraQuest is a family of professional-grade plant identification apps created by the Southeastern Flora Team at the UNC-Chapel Hill Herbarium (NCU). Designed for botanists, naturalists, students, and outdoor enthusiasts, each app puts a comprehensive regional flora directly in your pocket — no cell service required. Each FloraQuest app covers approximately 5,000 native and non-native vascular plants — including wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses — for its designated region. Currently available titles include FloraQuest: South-Central, FloraQuest: Florida, FloraQuest: Carolinas & Georgia, and FloraQuest: Northern Tier, with more regions in development. Identification is guided by easy-to-follow graphic or traditional dichotomous keys that incorporate phenology, habitat descriptions, detailed range maps, morphological details, and conservation status. Unlike AI photo-recognition tools, these structured keys can surface subtle, seasonal, or minute distinguishing features, enabling confident species-level identification. The apps include over 30,000 high-quality diagnostic photos to help compare similar species. Users can filter flora by state or physiographic province, tap hyperlinked botanical terms to access a built-in glossary, use the 'show in key' function to understand relationships to related species, and explore curated guides to top botanical exploration sites in each region. Additional photos can be downloaded optionally to save device storage. FloraQuest is available for a one-time fee of $19.99 per app on iOS and Android — replacing the need to carry multi-thousand-page printed floras into the field.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Species Coverage: Each app includes ~5,000 native and non-native vascular plants — wildflowers, trees, shrubs, grasses, and more — for its designated region.
- Graphic & Dichotomous Keys: Step-by-step identification keys incorporate phenology, habitat, range maps, morphology, and conservation status to guide users beyond what AI photo tools can achieve.
- 30,000+ Diagnostic Photos: High-quality photographs aid species comparison and ID confirmation, with optional additional image downloads to manage device storage.
- Fully Offline Field Use: All app content works without a cell signal, making it practical for remote field and wilderness botanical surveys.
- Regional Filters & Glossary: Filter flora by state or physiographic province, access a hyperlinked botanical glossary, and discover top botanical exploration destinations in each region.
Use Cases
- Field botanists and researchers identifying plant species during ecological surveys in the southeastern United States
- College and university students learning plant taxonomy and morphology in botany or ecology courses
- Naturalists and hikers wanting to identify wildflowers, trees, and shrubs encountered on trails without cell service
- Conservation professionals assessing native plant presence and invasive species distribution across states and physiographic provinces
- Master Gardeners and horticulture enthusiasts building knowledge of regional native plants for habitat restoration and landscaping
Pros
- Expert-Level Identification: Structured dichotomous and graphic keys developed by professional botanists allow identification of minute or seasonal features that AI photo tools frequently miss.
- No Internet Required: Entire app functionality — keys, photos, maps, glossary — works completely offline, ideal for fieldwork in remote or low-connectivity areas.
- One-Time Purchase: A single $19.99 payment provides permanent access with no subscription fees, making it cost-effective for regular field use.
- Scientifically Authoritative: Developed by the UNC-Chapel Hill Herbarium team, ensuring taxonomic accuracy and up-to-date regional coverage backed by academic research.
Cons
- Paid Per Region: Each geographic region is a separate $19.99 purchase, so users who cover multiple regions must buy multiple apps.
- Mobile-Only: FloraQuest is available only on iOS and Android; there is no web or desktop version for office-based or large-screen use.
- Limited to Southeastern U.S.: Coverage is focused on 19 southeastern and adjacent states; botanists working outside this range will need other references.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does FloraQuest cost?
Each FloraQuest app is available for a one-time fee of $19.99 on both iOS and Android. There are no ongoing subscription charges.
Does FloraQuest work without an internet connection?
Yes. Each app is fully self-contained and operates entirely offline, making it well-suited for fieldwork in areas without cell service.
Which regions are covered by FloraQuest?
Current apps cover the South-Central U.S., Florida, the Carolinas & Georgia, and the Northern Tier region. The suite covers 19 states in total, with more regions planned.
How does FloraQuest differ from AI photo-identification apps?
FloraQuest uses graphic and dichotomous keys built by professional botanists, allowing identification of subtle, seasonal, or minute features that AI photo tools cannot reliably detect from images alone.
How many plant species are included in each app?
Each app includes approximately 5,000 native and non-native vascular plants — including wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses — found within its covered region.
