How Do I Find the Name of a Plant?

If you are asking “how do I find the name of a plant,” start with a common name or genus in the USDA plant finder, then confirm the accepted scientific name and symbol before planting or reporting species.

Search tips to identify a plant name

Try the common name first, then refine with scientific spelling. Filter by state distribution and growth habit when results are broad.

Confirm the USDA plant record

Open the plant card for taxonomy hierarchy, accepted symbols, and native versus introduced state lists where available.

Open the finder

Open the USDA plant name finder