Accuracy of plant identification applications to identify plants in suspected poisoning cases referred to the Queensland Poisons Information Centre

Abstract

Accidental exposure to potentially poisonous plants is a common reason for contacting poisons information centres. Although most exposures are mild, early identification can be critical for severe cases. Smartphone apps that use image recognition can serve as an alternative to traditional botanist identification. This study investigates the accuracy of smartphone applications compared to botanist identification in real-life plant exposure cases referred to the Queensland Poisons Information Centre. This prospective observational study analysed data from 25 plant exposure cases between February 2022 and January 2023. In these cases, images were referred to a botanist for identification and reviewed by six researchers using six different plant identification applications (Google Lens™, PictureThis, PlantSnap, LeafSnap, Plant Identifier, and Pl@ntnet™). The researchers’ identifications were then compared to the botanist’s identification. The accuracy of the applications varied considerably, PictureThis was the best, with 74% correct identification per exposure, followed by Plant Identifier and Pl@ntnet™ (both 72%). PlantSnap had the lowest accuracy (38%). Agreement between researchers using the same application also showed variation. Current smartphone plant identification applications are not reliable enough for poison information centres to use in guiding advice for plant exposure calls. Botanist identification remains the gold standard. Clinicians should be wary of their use in real-world scenarios.

Keywords

• Toxicology
• smartphone applications
• plant identification
• poisons information