Android App
Wildflowers
of the
Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area
version 2.2.3 (BETA 17)
This Android app is an off-line version of the
award-winning web site
Created and maintained by volunteers of the
Nation Park Service
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Current version 2.2.3
Released May 2026
What's new in 2.2.3
- The May 2026 update has essentially no new functionality and only minor content changes. Changes include:
- Update the app so that it is compliant with Android 16.
- This includes the removal of the app icon from the app's toolbar.
- The 'Botanist mode' setting now adds a link on the Home page to the ANF Keys.
- The 'Swipe to Next of Series' setting no longer includes the Search Results pages.
- A modest content update:
- Update several Scientific Names from Revision 14 of the Jepson eFlora website.
- A few minor edits to the text of some of the notes.
- Initially released as a Private Beta on the Google Play Store.
- It is listed as "Early Access" and has the note "This app is in development. It may be unstable."
- This version is downloadable only by designated beta testers.
("Beta" indicates software that is still being tested and may contain bugs.)
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Note: The large size of the app can result in significant download times even over a fast Internet connection. The initial install has a download of about 500MB, and on most devices this expands to about 700MB upon installation. If you are receiving this as an update of a previous version, the download could be quite small and the installation should take only a few moments. However, depending on your version of Android, you may have to do the full download to do an update.
Link to the description on the Google Play Store
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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 > WildFlower Photo Gallery. Also, when you arrive at the WildFlower web site scroll down to the link Standard Version of the site as that is the version that most resembles this app.
Here is a direct link to this Standard Version of the WildFlower website.
History
v2.2.2 BETA 16 (May 2025)
- Released as a Public Beta (anyone can download).
- The May 2025 update was a minor update with essentially no new functionality.
- Updated several plant Scientific Names from Revision 13 of the Jepson eFlora.
- Apply a modest number of minor page format changes, primarily to improve the legibility of some of the text in the high-contrast color schemes.
- Minor revisions to the text of a few pages.
v2.2.1 BETA 15 (June 2024)
- Released as a Public Beta (anyone can download).
- The June 2024 update was a minor update with essentially no new functionality. For most people this update will be a download of only a few Megabytes. Changes include:
- Updated several plant Scientific Names from Revision 12 of the Jepson eFlora.
- Minor revisions to the text of several pages.
v2.2 BETA 14 (October 2023)
- Released as a Public Beta (anyone can download).
- The October 2023 update was 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.
v2.0 BETA 13 (March 2023)
- 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.
v1.1 BETA 12 (May 2021)
- 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.
v1.0 BETA 11 (March 2019)
- 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.
v1.0 BETA 8 (Feb 2017)
- 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.
v1.0 BETA 5 (Dec 2016)
- Third Private BETA release (only registered BETA testers).
- Fully functional with all content included.
- Close to the final form of the app.
v0.3.0 (Nov 2014)
- 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.
v0.2.4 (Oct 2014)
- 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.
Known Issues
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
All of the usual disclaimers apply.
Liability Disclaimer
If you have comments or questions:
smmflowersapp 'at' gmail.com
805-370-2301 (SMM Park Office)
Online version SMM WildFlowers
NPS Home
Santa Monica Mountains NRA Home
iPhone app SMM WildFlowers
What's Blooming
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