The 100 Plants in 2026 Challenge - webinar Q&As by Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland

Are there any particular ID guides that you recommend?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:05:45 UTC

Check out our 'Getting started' webpages on the BSBI website

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:07:19 UTC

Read about the challenge and register to join!

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:08:21 UTC

"I presume we can start in our own gardens?"

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:14:18 UTC

Yes, but do make sure you only record the wild plants, nothing that you intentionally planted

Do trees count as plants in this challenge?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:54:22 UTC

Yes, but if they are planted in an urban park for example, please add this to your record.

I appreciate we don't necessarily need a handlens, but I do like to see details so can you recommend a handlens / what to look for ie magnification when purchasing?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:55:58 UTC

Do we need to wait until the plants are in flower, before submitting a record?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:56:29 UTC

No, though many plants are easier to ID when they flower. If you are confident of your ID, feel free to submit the record:)

I think I read that you could see the plants other people were recording somewhere - maybe on irecord??? It would be nice to see what others are seeing. But I haven’t been able to find this, did I dream it?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:57:38 UTC

Yes definitely. If you are registered for the 100 plants in 2026 iRecord activity, you will be able to explore all the records submitting by hundreds of fellow participants.

Should we specify (like deliberately planted trees) if we think something is a garden escapee? not the really odd ones, but say crocuses which can be found happily settled away from home

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:57:57 UTC

Do the records from Irecord get joined up to the national biodiversity datacentre in Ireland?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:58:25 UTC

is the 100 plant challenge on the irecord app or web site please?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:58:38 UTC

Yes its on both, sign up here: https://irecord.org.uk/join/100-plants-2026-challenge. Once you've signed up all your plant records in 2026 will be added to it.

As well as trying to get 100 different species, if we come across something in multiple locations (and it's not wide spread like daisies) do we submit it to the challenge or just upload generally to iRecord?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:59:09 UTC

You can do either, the more records that are submitted the better:)

do you recommend trying to id plants in the field or to take photos to identify them later?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:59:34 UTC

Always best to have a go in the field if you can, but also always take photos for later use too. Does depend on the weather though and how much time you have :)

Often times, if you only take photos, you may find that you have missed taking a photo of the part of the plant required for ID, like the leaf hairs.

Is it equally beneficial to record native and non-native plants?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 12:59:52 UTC

Can we start straight away - I've just downloaded the app, so if I go for a walk tomorrow (and ID the flower growning out of my doorstep - which is wild) can I record them or do I need to wait?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:00:10 UTC

Please start as soon as you like!

Do you have to keep your own count - or how do you know when you have got to 100?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:00:30 UTC

You can view your own records under the activity on the iRecord website by filtering all the activity records against your name, or go to the Explore menu on iRecord where you will be able to see all the records you have submitted to iRecord

Is it OK to submit a record with a rather general ID? Like, I may know a plant is in the Euphorbia family but not be able to pinpoint the exact one?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:01:11 UTC

is there an option to record a pollinator or other insect visiting the wildflower plant?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:01:32 UTC

Oh yes, that is what is so wonderful about iRecord

If I go for a short walk (say a mile or so) and record 20 or 30 plants along that route can I upload these in one go on iRecord or does each species have to be recorded in its specific location on that route?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:01:49 UTC

If you are using the app on your mobile while you are walking you can easily enter each species as you encounter it and your GPS will track you. If entering records back at home, you should enter each record individually. Records from a single site on a specific day can be entered in one go on the website using a special form for that within the activity

Can iRecord be used in Ireland?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:02:04 UTC

Yes it can!

Can people join the challenge outside of the UK?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:02:15 UTC

The challenge is only for plants in Britain and Ireland

If we are able to spot something unique that hasn't been recorded yet, do we get recognised in some way :)

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:02:33 UTC

Is it useful for us to record species that we've already got on our 100 list, but which are in a different location?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:02:47 UTC

Yes, but try not to record the same species at the same site in the same year. You can also use 1x1km square grids as a guide- so don't record the same species within the same 1km square grid in the same year. You can view OS maps on grab a grid ref sites to see where these 1km grids are: BNHS Grab a Grid Reference Duo

So this means we are not to record Sphagnum Mosses?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:02:59 UTC

Yes mosses are included in the Bryophyte group, so although they are plants we are not including them in this challenge. However, you are of course welcome to record them on iRecord as well, they just won't count for our 100 plants challenge.

Will the records be verified? And if so, how quickly?

BSBI — 2026-02-26 13:03:12 UTC

This will depend on a number of factors. For this challenge, verification is not necessary for you record to count:)

Is there additional ID support as part of this challenge?

BSBI — 2026-03-04 14:45:48 UTC

Yes. If you have had a go yourself first, and perhaps tried an AI and you are still not certain, you can email your photos to beginnerplantID@bsbi.org and our team of volunteers may be able to help. Only use this email for help with ID for plants being submitted as part of the 100 plants challenge.

Check out some guidance here

BSBI — 2026-03-04 14:51:31 UTC

BSBI — 2026-03-06 14:18:51 UTC

How do I delete or edit one of my records on iRecord?

BSBI — 2026-03-06 14:43:21 UTC

Yes, simply go to Explore on the main menu on the iRecord website and select My Records. You can then see all your records listed under the map. Select the record you want to edit by clicking on the edit icon on the right hand side. You can then edit anything you like on your record, and you can delete it.

Can I explore activity records via the iRecord app on my phone?

BSBI — 2026-03-06 14:45:14 UTC

You probably need to visit the iRecord website to see all the activity records. You can see your own records on the app.

Can the record date and location be filled in from the photo's metadata?

BSBI — 2026-03-06 14:47:50 UTC

Not really, this would be risky as there could be errors in the process, best to input the details manually. If you are using the app in the field, the location info will be half filled in automatically if your phone's GPS is enabled.

Can you submit a plant record without a photo?

BSBI — 2026-03-06 14:49:41 UTC

Ideally a good clear photo showing the key diagnostic features of the plant should be included with your record where possible

Using iRecord to take part in the challenge

BSBI — 2026-03-09 15:56:02 UTC

Can you make a video on how to explore my own records?

BSBI — 2026-03-09 15:56:49 UTC

Yes we will do something like this as soon as we can:)

Do we stop recording on iRecord when we get to 100?

BSBI — 2026-03-12 08:10:07 UTC

No, you can continue recording for as long as you like. The aim of the challenge is to help more people see how easy it is to record plants and to ideally make it a regular lifetime habit:)

I can't see the 100 plants activity in the app on my mobile?

BSBI — 2026-03-12 08:12:27 UTC

If you have already definitely registered for the activity on the iRecord website, then go to the app on your phone and under Activities, if it is not there, drag your screen down using your finger and this should refresh the app and make the 100 Plants challenge appear for you on the app.

Guidance is available on the 100 plants webpages and there was a webinar dedicated to this

BSBI — 2026-03-12 08:14:29 UTC

How detailed a grid reference should I provide?

BSBI — 2026-03-12 08:15:49 UTC

Ideally at least a 1km2 grid reference which would look like this for example TL2530, however a 6 digit grid reference is even better for example TL254306 and an 8 digit grid ref is even better

What should we record and what should we not record?

BSBI — 2026-03-12 08:17:30 UTC

All flowering plants, conifers and other trees, ferns, horsetails and clubmosses can be recorded as part of this challenge. Mosses and Lichens don't count as part of this challenge, but you can certainly also record them on iRecord - all records of all species are valuable.

What does it mean when the circle on the photo in the iRecord app is red or green?

BSBI — 2026-03-12 08:19:44 UTC

We think this links to how certain the AI feature is in its suggested ID of the plant. Green, means it is pretty good, red means that it is not sure at all. Do remember that the AI feature is a useful supporting tool and should not be used on its own.

Do I need to edit my photos before I upload them to iRecord as part of my record

BSBI — 2026-03-24 14:21:59 UTC

As long as the photo is clear, in focus and showing the parts of the plant needed for ID then there is no need to edit it. Photos for recording do not need any artistic composition edits.

How do I record plant abundance?

BSBI — 2026-03-24 14:23:02 UTC

Can I record plants in hedges

BSBI — 2026-03-24 14:24:15 UTC

Yes definitely. Although many established hedges may have been planted a long time ago, you can definitely still record the plants making up the hedge and also all the plants growing at the base of the hedge

Watch our webinar which covers 60 plants you may want to hunt for across 20 habitats

BSBI — 2026-04-07 07:10:26 UTC

Here is a pdf list of all the species mentioned in the webinar above

BSBI — 2026-04-07 07:11:17 UTC

I have an issue with iRecord or the app, who do I contact?

BSBI — 2026-04-07 07:17:27 UTC

Please contact iRecord if you have a technical issue with their website or app. The email address for support is irecord@ceh.ac.uk

Can I upload a sketch of my plant rather than a photo?

BSBI — 2026-04-15 15:05:16 UTC

Not really, the purpose of the photo as part of a record is to help the person who is verifying the ID of your plant to ensure that it is definitely the plant you have said it is.

Here are links to a whole selection of online resources that may be useful to help you with plant ID mentioned in the recording above

BSBI — 2026-04-23 07:43:39 UTC

BSBI identification guides: https://bsbi.org/learn/resources/identification-guides

BSBI distribution maps: https://bsbi.org/recording/maps-data/distribution

BSBI Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/botanicalsocietyofbritainandireland

Plant Atlas: https://plantatlas2020.org/

Floral Images: https://www.floralimages.co.uk/default.php

Naturespot: https://www.naturespot.org/

Flora of East Anglia: http://webidguides.com/

Name That Plant: https://namethatplant.org/

WIld Flower Finder - https://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/

Pictorial Guide to the British Flora - http://www.makaques.com/

Name that Plant online ID tool

BSBI — 2026-04-23 07:44:28 UTC

Webinar covering additional online resources for ID

BSBI — 2026-04-23 14:30:12 UTC