Suspected Poisoning? Act Now.
If you or someone has consumed a wild plant, mushroom, or berry and is experiencing any symptoms — nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness, vision changes, or difficulty breathing — call immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to worsen.
Read Before Using
1. AI Can Be Wrong — Expert Verification Is Required
FieldMonocle is an AI-powered educational tool. It is not a substitute for a human expert. Identification results can be completely incorrect, even when the app displays "High Confidence." Confidence scores are statistical estimates only — they do not represent certainty.
Expert Verification Required: Before consuming, handling, or acting on any wild plant, mushroom, or organism, have your identification verified in person by a certified mycologist, botanist, or trained foraging guide. A photo is never sufficient for safe foraging decisions.
2. Never Eat Based on This App — Ever
Do not eat, drink, smoke, brew, tincture, or medically use any wild plant, mushroom, berry, lichen, or organism based solely on this app's identification.
Some of the world's most deadly species are nearly indistinguishable from common edibles — even to trained eyes. Examples include:
- ⚠Death Cap (Amanita phalloides) vs. Paddy Straw Mushroom — responsible for 90% of mushroom fatalities worldwide
- ⚠Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera) vs. Button Mushrooms — causes irreversible liver failure
- ⚠Deadly Galerina (Galerina marginata) vs. Honey Mushrooms — grows in identical habitats
- ⚠Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) vs. Wild Carrot / Queen Anne's Lace — every part is lethal
- ⚠False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta) vs. True Morel — can be toxic even when cooked
- ⚠Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) vs. edible wild greens — one of the most toxic plants in the world
3. Handle with Care
Some plants and insects cause severe skin irritation, chemical burns, or anaphylaxis from contact alone — without any consumption. Examples include Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Giant Hogweed (causes severe burns and permanent scarring), and certain caterpillars and beetles. If you do not know what it is, do not touch it with bare hands.
4. Photography Tips for Better Accuracy
Better photos lead to better AI accuracy. For any find, especially mushrooms:
- ✓Photograph the top (cap), underside (gills/pores), stem, and base
- ✓Capture the full object from a distance, then close-up details
- ✓Include a size reference (coin, hand, or ruler)
- ✓Photograph the habitat and what the organism is growing on
- ✓Take photos in good natural light — avoid flash
- ✓For wild plants: include leaves (top and underside), stem, and flower or fruit if present
5. Foraging Ethics
If you do forage, follow Leave No Trace principles: harvest only what you need, never uproot entire plants, leave the ecosystem intact for wildlife and other foragers, and always follow local laws regarding harvesting from public lands. Some species are legally protected — do not harvest protected plants regardless of edibility.
By continuing to use FieldMonocle, you acknowledge these risks and confirm that you will not make foraging, consumption, or medical decisions based solely on AI results. The creators of this app are not liable for any injury, illness, or death resulting from its use.