The SMM WildFlower app provides access to the entire content of the SMM Wildflower web site, including its searchable database. It is perfect for exploring the remote flower-filled areas of the Santa Monica Mountains NRA that lack an Internet connection. In addition, the app contains settings and viewing choices not present on the web site. It also works great on non-cellular devices . Finally, because all of the content resides on your device the app is generally significantly more responsive than the online web site.

The size of the app is its principal disadvantage. The app's content is significant as it includes over 1000 plants showcased by over 7500 photos. After you add the searchable database the storage burden on your device is about 700MB.

An easy way to experience the content of this app before deciding to do the big download is to visit the on-line (web) version at the Park's web site at www.nps.gov/samo. Click the dropdown Plan Your Visit > Things to Do > Look for Wildflowers. Also, when you scroll down that page to where the links are be sure to click the link to the Mobile Web Version of the site as that is the version that most resembles this app.

Here is a direct link to the Mobile Web Version of the WildFlower website.

There are some differences between the content of the web site and the app. For example, the app has a toolbar at the top of the screen providing access to some of the site's main pages. Because of this we have removed some of the unnecessary links from the pages of the app. For example, there is no need for a "Finder" link on any of the app's pages since the Finder is always available as a button on the toolbar. In the past it was worth noting that the on-line version tended to more up to date than the app. These days, however, the content changes so slowly that is no longer much of a concern.

History

• Released as a Public Beta (anyone can download).
• The October 2023 update is a minor update bringing the Android version in step with the Apple version. The main changes there that affect this app are:
  • Add three new plants and 38 new photos. The app now contains a total of 1010 plants with photos, showcased by 7,523 pictures.
  • The 'Botanist Mode' setting now switches some of the links to the plant scientific names.
  • Some minor page format changes.

• Released as a Public Beta (anyone can download).
• Apply changes made in the March 2023 update of the Apple version of the app. The changes there that affect this app include:
  • Significant layout and formatting changes. This includes a simplification of the toolbar and the way the user preferences are set. This was mostly done to improve the ease of use and accessibility of the app, but many changes were made simply to improve the look and feel of the app.
  • Reorganize the Search Results for easier comparison of the plant thumbnails.
  • Incorporate recent taxonomic changes affecting the Scientific Names of the plants.

• Released as a Public Beta (anyone can download).
• Eliminates the crash on Android 11 devices when the setting "Hide pop-up messages" is unchecked.
• Has the same content and functionality as the iPhone app.
• Has one new flower and a couple of dozen new photos.
• Updated a few dozen scientific names.
• Significant updates to some of the text.
• Many minor cosmetic improvements.

• Released as a Public Beta (anyone can download).
• This release primarily to bring the app up to date:
• Significant under the hood work for issues that have surfaced for recent versions of Android.
• Minor improvements to the appearance of the app for recent versions of Android.
• Added some new user settings.
• Flowers and photos unchanged since 2016, but modest updates to some of the text.

• First public Beta (anyone can download).
• Final form of the app.
• No significant issues reported by users in the two years prior to this release.
• BETA 8 released to address appearance and operational issues that have evolved over time as Android itself has changed.

• Third Private BETA release (only registered BETA testers).
• Fully functional with all content included.
• Close to the final form of the app.

• Second Private BETA release (only registered BETA testers).
• All content included.
• Not all features implemented yet.
• Still contains a number of minor formatting issues.
• Still contains a number of lingering usability issues.

• First private BETA release (only registered BETA testers).
• All content included.
• Not all features implemented yet.
• Many content formatting issues.
• Contains a number of usability issues.

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Known Issues

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All of the usual disclaimers apply.

For example, if something bad happens we follow the standard practice of limiting our liability to the purchase price of the app (which is zero for a free app).

Liability Statement

Privacy Statement

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If you have comments or questions:
smmflowersapp 'at' gmail.com
805-370-2301 (SMM Park Office)

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Online version  SMM WildFlowers

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