If you think an observation has been misidentified, you can suggest the species you think it is. Suggestions improve the data and help everyone learn.
When to Suggest
- You’re confident the current ID is wrong.
- You can see features that point to a different species.
- The habitat, substrate or season doesn’t fit the current ID.
- It looks like a common look-alike.
Suggesting on the Website
- Open the observation and scroll to the Leave a comment or suggest an ID box.
- In Suggested Fungus, start typing and choose the species (or genus) you think it is. If you choose a genus, a tick box appears: tick it if you’re sure of the genus but don’t think the species can be identified from this observation. See Understanding Genus-Level ID.
- Add a short explanation in Comment. This is optional but really helps.
- Click Submit a Suggestion.
Suggesting in the App
- Open the observation and tap Suggest an ID.
- Search for the fungus and add a comment if you like. If you choose a genus, a switch appears: turn it on if you’re sure of the genus but don’t think the species can be identified from this observation.
- Tap Submit.
Writing a Helpful Suggestion
Explain:
- Which features point to your ID: “The cap is more bell-shaped and the stem isn’t grooved.”
- What rules out the current ID: “This species doesn’t usually grow on conifers.”
- Any uncertainty: “I think this is X, but a photo of the stem base would confirm it.”
What Happens Next
- The observer is notified, according to their email settings.
- Your suggestion appears in the activity feed, where others can agree with it.
- The observer can accept it, which changes their observation to your species.
- Your suggestion is a vote for your species. When enough members agree with it for it to be clearly ahead of every other ID, the observation is confirmed as your species. An Identifier’s agreement helps it get there sooner. See How the ID System Works.
Withdrawing a Suggestion
If you change your mind, click Withdraw on your suggestion (tap Withdraw in the app). It stays visible, marked as withdrawn, so the conversation still makes sense, but it no longer counts as your vote. Members who agreed with it keep their own votes.
Good to Know
- You can’t suggest an ID on your own observation. To change your own ID, edit your observation.
- Comments can be up to 2,000 characters. On the website, to stop spam, you can post up to three suggestions on the same observation in five minutes.
Etiquette
- Be respectful: everyone makes mistakes, especially from photos.
- Be specific: say what led you to your ID.
- Be open: you might be the one who’s wrong.
- Be patient: some discussions take time.