One of the great joys of hiking is discovering the incredible variety of plants that grow along the trail. A tiny alpine flower, an unusual fern, an ancient oak, or a colorful mushroom can easily become just as memorable as reaching the summit itself.
In fact, this curiosity isn't anything new. Long before hiking became a recreational activity, many of the people walking through forests and climbing mountains were scientists. During the 18th and 19th centuries, botanists, geologists and naturalists regularly ventured into remote areas to discover and document species that had never been formally described. You could even argue that some of the very first recreational hikers were, in fact, botanists exploring the natural world.
Today, we don't need to carry heavy field guides or spend years studying botany. Thanks to smartphone technology, anyone can identify thousands of plant species in just a few seconds.
Among the many plant identification apps available today, Pl@ntNet (PlantNet) stands out as my first recommendation for hikers. It's completely free, with no adds, available on Android, iPhone (iOS) and also on the web.
Funded by the US National Science Foundation, implemented at the University of Minnesota, the "Flyover Country" mobile app is a very useful, unique and free app for Android and iOS, which enriches the exploration experience using offline maps whether you're flying, travelling by car, or trekking through nature's wonders. It is voted one of the best science apps available today by Popular Mechanic.
