User Manual

User Manual Header

User Manual

Complete guide to using LaPlant's plant cataloging and analysis features

Dashboard Overview

The Dashboard is your central hub, providing an overview of your plant collection and quick access to all features.

Quick Statistics

View at-a-glance information about your plant collection:

  1. Total number of plants in your collection
  2. Number of unique plant families
  3. Air quality impact metrics (oxygen production and CO2 absorption)
  4. Average NDVI (plant health) values

Recent Plants

See your most recently added plants with quick access to view or edit them.

Data Visualization

Interactive charts showing:

  1. Plant type distribution in your collection
  2. Plant health distribution based on NDVI values
  3. Top oxygen-producing plants
Adding Plants

LaPlant makes it easy to catalog plants with comprehensive information and AI assistance.

Basic Plant Information

Start by entering essential plant details:

  1. Plant name (common name)
  2. Scientific name
  3. Plant type (tree, shrub, herb, etc.)
  4. Plant family
  5. Upload or generate plant images

AI Plant Identification

Don't know what plant you're looking at? Use our AI identification:

  1. Upload a clear photo of the plant
  2. Click 'Upload & Identify'
  3. Review AI suggestions and select the correct match
  4. Auto-fill plant information based on the identification

Comprehensive Plant Data

Add detailed information including:

  1. Origin and historical significance
  2. Benefits and uses
  3. Care instructions (light, water, difficulty)
  4. Environmental data (oxygen production, CO2 absorption)
  5. Climate and growing conditions
  6. Landscaping applications
  7. Human safety information (toxicity, allergens)
  8. Location data with GPS coordinates

Image Analysis

Advanced vegetation analysis features:

  1. NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) calculation
  2. Plant health assessment
  3. Spectral index analysis
Plant Gallery

Browse and manage your plant collection with powerful search and filtering tools.

Viewing Options

Choose how to display your plants:

  1. Grid view for visual browsing
  2. List view for detailed information
  3. Switch between views using the toggle buttons

Search and Filter

Find specific plants quickly:

  1. Search by name, scientific name, family, or origin
  2. Filter by plant type, family, or care difficulty
  3. Sort by name, date added, or other criteria

Plant Management

Manage your collection:

  1. View detailed plant information
  2. Edit plant details
  3. Delete plants from your collection
  4. Generate QR codes for sharing
Gardens & Parks Explorer

Discover botanical gardens and parks around the world to visit and explore.

Garden Discovery

Find gardens and parks:

  1. Browse botanical gardens and city parks
  2. Search by name, location, or specialty
  3. Filter by region or features
  4. View detailed information and contact details

Navigation Options

Explore by location:

  1. Browse by country for international destinations
  2. View by US state for domestic travel
  3. Get directions to specific locations
Geo-Analysis Suite

Advanced analysis tools for understanding landscapes and environments using AI technology.

Scene Inspector

Analyze any image to identify objects and understand scenes:

  1. Upload an image of any outdoor scene
  2. Click 'Analyze Scene' to start AI analysis
  3. Review detected objects with confidence scores
  4. Get detailed descriptions of scene elements
  5. Save reports for future reference

Terrain Analyzer

Comprehensive terrain analysis for any geographic area:

  1. Click on the map to add points (minimum 3 points)
  2. Or manually enter coordinates using 'Add Point' button
  3. Points will automatically connect to form a polygon
  4. Click 'Analyze Area' to get AI-powered terrain analysis
  5. Review elevation data, slope, terrain type, and climate info
  6. Export detailed reports as PDF or CSV

Multi-Layer Environmental Analysis

Advanced terrain analysis with multiple environmental layers:

  1. Terrain Map: View basic elevation and topography
  2. Satellite Imagery: Real-time satellite view of selected area
  3. Erosion Risk: Comprehensive erosion assessment and recommendations
  4. Multi-Layer Map: Detailed environmental analysis including:
  5. - Soil composition and quality zones
  6. - Sunlight exposure patterns throughout the day
  7. - Water distribution and drainage patterns
  8. - Plant distribution and vegetation density
  9. - Microclimate zones with temperature variations
  10. Click 'Generate Map Layers' to create environmental analysis
  11. View interactive map with polygon overlay
  12. Access detailed zone information for each layer

Analysis Features

Get comprehensive terrain data including:

  1. Elevation profile (min, max, average)
  2. Topography analysis (slope and aspect)
  3. Terrain classification and vegetation zones
  4. Climate characteristics and accessibility
  5. Geological features and potential hazards
  6. Environmental conditions for each layer
  7. Downloadable reports with coordinate data
Plant Health Diagnosis

AI-powered plant disease diagnosis platform to identify issues and get treatment recommendations.

Disease Diagnosis Process

Identify plant diseases with AI assistance:

  1. Upload a clear photo of affected plant leaves
  2. Click 'Analyze Plant' to start AI diagnosis
  3. Review the plant identification and disease diagnosis
  4. Check the confidence score for accuracy assessment
  5. View detailed symptoms identified by AI

Treatment Recommendations

Get comprehensive treatment options:

  1. Organic treatment options for natural approaches
  2. Chemical treatment recommendations when needed
  3. Prevention strategies to avoid future issues
  4. Step-by-step application instructions

Diagnosis History

Track your plant health over time:

  1. View all previous diagnoses in chronological order
  2. Review past treatments and their effectiveness
  3. Monitor recurring issues in your garden
  4. Export diagnosis reports for record keeping

Best Practices for Accurate Diagnosis

Tips for getting the best results:

  1. Use high-resolution images with good lighting
  2. Focus on affected areas showing symptoms clearly
  3. Include multiple leaves or plant parts if possible
  4. Avoid blurry or low-quality images
  5. Take photos during daylight for accurate colors
Live Video Analysis

Real-time video stream analysis for continuous plant detection and monitoring, with drone integration capabilities.

Video Stream Connection

Connect to live video feeds:

  1. Enter video stream URL (RTSP, HTTP, or HLS protocol)
  2. Click 'Connect' to start the video feed
  3. Video player will display the live stream
  4. Connection status indicator shows stream health

Frame Analysis

AI-powered analysis of video frames:

  1. Manual Analysis: Click 'Capture & Analyze' to analyze current frame
  2. Automatic Analysis: Enable for continuous frame analysis every 5 seconds
  3. View detected plants with confidence scores
  4. Match detected plants against your database
  5. Review environmental conditions and terrain type

Drone Integration

Connect and monitor drone operations:

  1. View real-time telemetry (altitude, speed, battery, GPS)
  2. Monitor drone position on interactive map
  3. Create flight paths with waypoint planning
  4. Start autonomous detection missions
  5. Receive alerts for detected plants and anomalies

Mission Planning

Plan and execute drone mapping missions:

  1. Define mission objectives and parameters
  2. Add waypoints with specific actions (survey, hover, capture)
  3. Set altitude and speed for each waypoint
  4. Calculate total mission distance and time
  5. Generate AI-powered mission reports
  6. Export mission data as CSV

Analysis Export

Export video analysis data:

  1. View complete analysis history in table format
  2. Export as JSON for detailed data
  3. Export as CSV for spreadsheet analysis
  4. Include timestamps, plant detections, and conditions
AR Plant Visualizer

Visualize plants in your environment using augmented reality before planting them.

Plant Selection

Choose a plant to visualize:

  1. Browse your plant collection
  2. Select a plant from the dropdown
  3. View plant details and care requirements
  4. See placement guidance based on plant needs

AR Mode

Activate augmented reality visualization:

  1. Click 'Start AR' to enable camera
  2. Point camera at the area where you want to place the plant
  3. Plant image will overlay on your camera view
  4. Move device to see plant from different angles

Visualization Controls

Adjust plant appearance:

  1. Use scale slider to resize the plant (0.5x to 3x)
  2. Rotate plant using rotation controls
  3. Reset to default size and rotation
  4. Capture snapshot to save your visualization
Weather Forecaster

Get real-time weather data and plant care recommendations based on current and forecasted conditions.

Current Weather

View current weather conditions:

  1. Automatic location detection or manual input
  2. Temperature, humidity, and wind speed
  3. UV index and precipitation data
  4. Weather condition descriptions

Weather Forecast

Plan ahead with 7-day forecast:

  1. Daily temperature highs and lows
  2. Precipitation probability
  3. Wind conditions
  4. Weather icons for quick reference

Plant Care Recommendations

AI-powered care advice based on weather:

  1. Watering recommendations adjusted for rainfall
  2. Frost warnings and protection advice
  3. Heat stress alerts for sensitive plants
  4. Optimal gardening activities for current conditions
  5. Best times for planting, fertilizing, and pruning
Garden Planner

Comprehensive AI-powered garden planning tool with soil analysis, companion planting, and weather integration.

Garden Space Setup

Define your garden dimensions and zones:

  1. Enter garden length and width (feet or meters)
  2. Create custom garden zones with specific purposes
  3. Assign sunlight exposure levels to each zone
  4. Visual preview of your garden layout

AI Soil Analysis

Get comprehensive soil assessment and recommendations:

  1. Input current soil conditions (pH, type, drainage)
  2. Click 'Analyze Soil Conditions' for AI analysis
  3. Review overall soil health rating
  4. Get specific amendment recommendations with quantities
  5. View timing and application methods for improvements
  6. Follow maintenance schedule for optimal soil health

Advanced Companion Planting

AI-driven plant compatibility recommendations:

  1. View scientifically-backed plant pairings
  2. Learn about pest deterrence combinations
  3. Understand nutrient sharing benefits
  4. Get yield improvement strategies
  5. See placement tips for optimal results
  6. Learn which plants to keep separated

Pest & Disease Diagnosis

Identify and treat garden problems:

  1. Describe symptoms or upload affected plant images
  2. Specify the affected plant species
  3. Get AI-powered identification with confidence scores
  4. Review organic and chemical treatment options
  5. Follow prevention strategies to avoid recurrence
  6. Monitor recovery with expected timelines

Weather-Adjusted Planting Schedule

Smart scheduling based on local weather:

  1. Automatic frost date detection from weather API
  2. Planting recommendations adjusted for your climate
  3. 16-day weather forecast integration
  4. Planting suitability scores for each date
  5. Early/late season recommendations by plant

Generating Your Garden Plan

Create a comprehensive garden blueprint:

  1. Complete garden space and conditions setup
  2. Select plants from your collection
  3. Click 'Generate Garden Plan' for AI analysis
  4. Review plant placement with visual map
  5. Check companion planting recommendations
  6. Follow the customized planting schedule
  7. Export plan as PDF for reference
Data Export & Sharing

LaPlant offers multiple ways to export and share your plant data and analysis results.

Plant Data Export

Export your plant collection:

  1. Generate comprehensive plant encyclopedias
  2. Create QR codes for individual plants
  3. Download plant information in various formats

Analysis Reports

Export analysis results:

  1. Download terrain analysis reports as PDF or CSV
  2. Save scene inspection results
  3. Export plant disease diagnosis reports
  4. Include coordinate data and maps where applicable
Multi-Language Support

LaPlant supports multiple languages for a global user base.

Available Languages

Choose from multiple language options:

  1. English (default)
  2. Spanish (Español)
  3. French (Français)
  4. German (Deutsch)
  5. Portuguese (Português)
  6. Chinese (中文)
  7. Twi (Ghana local language)

Language Settings

Change your language preference:

  1. Use the language selector in the sidebar
  2. Your preference is automatically saved
  3. All interface elements update to your chosen language
Plant Data Validator (Admin)

AI-powered validation tool to verify plant data accuracy against scientific databases (admin users only).

Field Selection

Choose which data categories to validate:

  1. Environmental data (oxygen production, CO2 absorption)
  2. Care requirements (light, water, difficulty)
  3. Climate tolerance (temperature range, zones)
  4. Plant structure (canopy, roots, form)
  5. Human safety (toxicity, allergens)

Custom Thresholds

Define accuracy tolerance levels:

  1. Set acceptable deviation percentages for oxygen data
  2. Configure CO2 absorption thresholds
  3. Adjust what counts as 'accurate' vs 'too high/low'
  4. Fine-tune validation strictness

Validation Process

Run AI-powered validation:

  1. Click 'Run Validation' to analyze all plants
  2. View per-field confidence scores (0-100%)
  3. See overall accuracy assessment
  4. Get recommended corrections for inaccurate data

Feedback Loop

Improve validation accuracy over time:

  1. Confirm accurate validations with 'Yes, Correct'
  2. Provide corrections when AI is wrong
  3. Add notes and sources for corrections
  4. View feedback history to track improvements

Apply Corrections

Update plant data with recommended values:

  1. Review AI-suggested corrections
  2. Click 'Apply Corrections' to update individual plants
  3. Corrections are saved directly to the database
  4. Track which plants have been corrected
User Management (Admin)

Administrative features for managing users and permissions (admin users only).

User Administration

Manage platform users:

  1. View all registered users
  2. Manage user permissions and roles
  3. Monitor user activity and plant contributions
  4. Handle user support requests

Permission System

Control access to features:

  1. Assign specific permissions to users
  2. Control access to advanced features
  3. Manage administrative privileges
  4. Customize user experience based on roles
Tips for Best Results

Maximize your LaPlant experience with these helpful tips and best practices.

Photography Tips

Get better results with quality images:

  1. Use natural lighting when possible
  2. Take multiple angles of plants
  3. Ensure images are in focus and high resolution
  4. Include reference objects for scale when relevant
  5. Clean camera lens for clearer photos

Data Accuracy

Maintain high-quality plant records:

  1. Verify AI suggestions before accepting them
  2. Add multiple photos when available
  3. Include detailed location information
  4. Update plant information as plants grow and change
  5. Use scientific names when known for accuracy

Analysis Optimization

Get the most accurate analysis results:

  1. Provide clear, well-lit images for scene analysis
  2. Use precise coordinates for terrain analysis
  3. Select appropriate polygon areas for meaningful results
  4. Review confidence scores and adjust expectations accordingly
  5. Cross-reference AI results with expert knowledge when possible
Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions to help you get the most out of LaPlant.

Image Upload Issues

If you're having trouble uploading images:

  1. Ensure your image file is under 10MB
  2. Use common formats (JPG, PNG, WEBP)
  3. Check your internet connection
  4. Try refreshing the page and uploading again

Location Services

For GPS and location features:

  1. Enable location services in your browser
  2. Allow LaPlant to access your location when prompted
  3. Ensure you're in an area with good GPS signal
  4. Manually enter coordinates if automatic detection fails

AI Analysis Issues

If AI analysis isn't working as expected:

  1. Use high-quality, well-lit images
  2. Ensure the subject is clearly visible
  3. Try different angles or closer shots
  4. Check that you've met minimum requirements (e.g., 3 points for terrain analysis)
  5. Be patient - AI analysis can take a few moments

Performance Optimization

For the best app performance:

  1. Use a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
  2. Ensure stable internet connection for AI features
  3. Clear browser cache if experiencing slow loading
  4. Close other browser tabs if running low on memory

Need More Help?

If you can't find what you're looking for in this manual, don't hesitate to reach out for support.

Use the support widget in the bottom-right corner to get personalized assistance with any questions or issues.

LaPlant Digital Herbarium

Developed by Stephen K Adjei 🇺🇸🇬🇭

CISAT, Claremont Graduate University (CGU) PhD Student

For commercial purposes, contact the developer.