Seeds and Plants

The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) provides free samples of germplasm only to scientists, geneticists, and plant breeders - as sources of valuable traits they can incorporate into new crops. PGRU is dedicated to the preservation of germplasm (genetic resources) of selected crop plants and the breeding and improvement of apples. Preservation of plant germplasm is essential for sustaining and improving food production.

General public should contact their local Co-op Research and Extension Services [extension.org]  for information and availability of plants and plant products in their local area. You can find a list of Extension Institutions by state at Extension Institutions – Land Grant Impacts [landgrantimpacts.org].

Many retail seed companies exist for different seed types (e.g., vegetables, flowers, traditional, heirloom, organic, etc.), but it is always a good idea to ensure that they are an Accredited Seed Source [ams.usda.gov], so you expect "true" seed as advertised.

This selected list of external seed sources does not constitute endorsement by the USDA.

Commercial and Retail-Order Seed Sources (from seed growers and producers):

• Park Seed Company [parkseed.com] 
• W. Atlee Burpee [burpee.com] 
• Stokes Seeds [stokeseeds.com]
• Harris Seeds [harrisseeds.com]
• Johnny’s Selected Seeds [johnnyseeds.com]
• Seed Savers Exchange [seedsavers.org]
• Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds [rareseeds.com]
• Select Seeds [selectseeds.com
• Territorial Seed Company [territorialseed.com]
• Annie's Annuals [anniesannuals.com]
• J.W. Jung Seed Co. [jungseed.com]
• Nichols Garden Nursery [gardennursery.com]
• Thompson and Morgan [thomas-morgan.com] 
• Otis S. Twilley Seed Co [twilleyseed.com]
• Sow True Seed [sowtrueseed.com]
• Renee's Garden [reneesgarden.com]
• Totally Tomatoes [totallytomato.com]
• Priaire Moon Nursery [prairiemoon.com]
• Fedco Seeds [fedcoseeds.com]
• High Mowing Organic [highmowingseeds.com] 
• Annie's Heirloom Seeds [anniesheirloomseeds.com]
• Suppliers of Certified Organic Seed and Untreated Planting Stock (OEFFA) [certification.oeffa.org]

Seed Libraries [communityseednetwork.org] 

Your local library may also be a "seed library." There are now over 500 seed lending libraries open worldwide. If you don't have a seed library nearby, check into starting one.

 

Co-op Research and Extension Services [extension.org]  

Check for information and availability of plants and plant products in your local area. You can find a list of Extension Institutions by state at Extension Institutions – Land Grant Impacts [landgrantimpacts.org].

There are several paths that you can use to determine a plant species. Which one you take, however, will depend on what level of identification is desired.

• Digital Tools and Applications

  There are several software apps and websites available. Internet artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms exist as well. Though these may be appealing, the accuracy may be inconsistent as it depends on both the software, quality of photo used, and even the plant type. The best AI-based applications have images and locations – but validate identification and accuracy using a secondary resource. Read more on automated plant identifiers in the following Open Access research article: Assessing the accuracy of free automated plant identification applications (Hart et al, 2023) [https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10460].

  • iNaturalist [inaturalist.org]
    Developed by the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, iNaturalist is a Web- and app-based network for amateur and professional naturalists and biologists. Users can share images, request identification, and rely on the shared crowd-sourced experience of other members. Users can also track their own observations.
     
  • PlantNet [identify.plantnet.org]
    The PlantNet application tool can help identify plants using pictures. It is organized in different thematic and geographical floras.
     

  • PlantSnap [plantsnap.com]
    With a database of over 650,000 plants and over 475 million images, this application uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to identify plants or trees.
    
    (No endorsement of companies is intended in this listing, nor is criticism implied of similar companies that are not shown.)

     

• Internet Resources

  • International Society for Horticultural Sciences – ICRAs [ishs.org]
    International Cultivar Registration Authorities (ICRAs) contribute significantly to the stability and fixity of cultivated plant nomenclature. This is a list of international databases dedicated to plant variety information – recommended for flower, tree, and shrub plants
     
  • University Websites [google.com]
    Follow this link for a general Google search on plant identification resources provided by university sites.

   

• Contact Local Experts
   
  • USDA Service Center Locations [offices.sc.egov.usda,gov]
    Designed to be a single location where customers can access resources provided by multiple USDA agencies, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service. They can provide aid specific to your area.
     

  • Local Extension Services  [nifa.usda.gov]
    Your local extension service can be a key partner in identifying plants, pests, and much more. They have expertise in your growing environment across species. Extension websites (tied to land-grant universities) provide some of the most comprehensive content.

     

• Libraries 
  Check with your local library for books or databases on plant identification. They can also assist in borrowing materials from the USDA National Agricultural Library.

Informational Resources

• USDA National Invasive Species Information Center [invasivespeciesinfo.gov]
  The National Invasive Species Information Center website contains invasive species information gathered from Federal, state, local, and international sources. Concerned citizens are often the first line of defense in reporting signs and the spread of invasive species.
   
• U.S. Forest Service Invasive Plants [fs.usda.gov]
  Non-native species may appear pretty but can pose serious environmental threats. This website provides ways to prevent transport of non-native (invasive) species, learning kits, and more.
   

Contact Local Experts

• USDA Service Center Locations [offices.sc.egov.usda.gov]
  Designed to be a single location where customers can access resources provided by multiple USDA agencies, including the Natural Resources Conservation Service. They can provide aid specific to your area.
   
• Local Extension Services [nifa.usda.gov]
  Your local extension service can be a key partner in identifying plants, pests, and much more. They have expertise in your growing environment across species. Extension websites (tied to land-grant universities) provide some of the most comprehensive content.
   

Reporting

If you spot an animal or plant that you think may be invasive, report the sighting. This can be done in several ways:

• Contact your local Extension Service [nifa.usda.gov] or USDA Service Center [offices.sc.egov.usda.gov].
   
• EDDMapS - Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System App [eddmaps,org]
  Designed by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia, this app aggregates data from other databases and organizations as well as volunteer observations to create a national network of invasive species and pest distribution data that is shared with educators, land managers, conservation biologists, and beyond. All data is reviewed by verifiers prior to appearing on maps and in data queries to ensure all data is accurate. The data is made freely available to everyone. As of July 2024, EDDMapS has over 8.2 million records.
   
• Wild Spotter App - Mapping Invasives in America's WIld Places [wildspotter.org]
  Developed by the University of Georgia, USDA Forest Service, and other partners, this app empowers the public to help find, map, and prevent invasive species in America's wilderness areas, wild rivers, and other natural areas. 

Index of Plant Diseases in the United States [archive.org]

Plant Pests of Importance to North American Agriculture "This Handbook lists more than 1,200 host genera and some 50,000 parasitic and non-parasitic diseases."
 

USDA Plant Pest and Diseases [aphis.usda.gov] 

The Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) responds to many new introductions of plant pests to eradicate, suppress, or contain them through various programs in cooperation with state departments of agriculture and other government agencies.
 

Government Resources on Identifying Plant Disease [google.com]

These pre-defined search results list resources from different state governments and Departments of Agriculture. 
 

University and Extension Resources on Identify Plant Diseases [google.com]

Universities are resources for learning about different plant pathogens, pests, and diseases. Discover how to identify symptoms, recognize disease, and treat common plant afflictions.

GRIN-U [grin-u.org]
A collaboratively developed site providing freely available education and training content on genetic resource conservation and use.
 

Libraries
Check with your local library for books on plants and seeds. They can also assist in borrowing materials from the USDA National Agricultural Library.

Items to Get You Started

Plants

1. Quattrocchi, Umberto. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2000. Print.
    
2. Quattrocchi, Umberto. CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC, Taylor & Francis Group, 2012. Print.
    
3. Platt, Karen. Plant Names A-Z: The Complete Guide to Using the Correct Plant Names. 1st ed. Jan. 1999. Sheffield: K. Platt, 1999. Print.
    
4. Pell, Susan K, and Bobbi Angell. A Botanist’s Vocabulary: 1300 Terms Explained and Illustrated. First edition. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, 2016. Print.
    
5. Rehm, Sigmund. Multilingual Dictionary of Agronomic Plants. Dordrecht; Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1994. Print.
    

Seeds

1. Barstow, Megan et al. The Book of Seeds: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from around the World. Ed. by P. P. (Paul Philip) Smith. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2018. Print.
    
2. Fullilove, Courtney. The Profit of the Earth: The Global Seeds of American Agriculture [academic.oup.com]. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2017. Print.
    
3. USDA Economic Research Service. Expanded Intellectual Property Protections for Crop Seeds Increase Innovation and Market Power for Companies [ers.usda.gov]. Amber Waves, 2023.
    
4. Hanson, Thor. The Triumph of Seeds: How Grains, Nuts, Kernels, Pulses, & Pips, Conquered the Plant Kingdom and Shaped Human History. New York: Basic Books, a member of the Perseus Books Group, 2015. Print.