My Online Plant Database (MopDB) at https://mopdb.com is a website that allows plant collectors to catalog their collection. It is primarily aimed at those who are comfortable using scientific (Latin) plant names.

It’s designed to work on any modern device, laptop, tablet, phone, etc. And it can use the devices camera to take photos.

Along with keeping records of one’s plants it also has extensive lookup facilities to help with checking the accuracy of plant scientific names (taxa). To achieve that MOPDB incorporates the plant databases from two accepted world authorities, the World Classification of Vascular Plants (WCVP by Kew Gardens) and World Flora Online (WFO) each containing the details of around 1.5 million plants.

Also included are facilities to check and report on the syntax of your scientific names according the the rules specified in the ‘International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Madrid Code)’ supplied by the ‘International Association for Plant Taxonomy’ (IAPT).

Membership is free, but you only need to become a member of MOPDB if you wish to store details of your own plants. Currently (2025) there are nearly 1000 plants already entered by members, most of whom are also members of the South Coast Cactus & Succulent Society.

Reasons for using MOPDB:

• Storing the names along with photos of your plants keeps a permanent record even after plant labels are faded or broken.
• Keep track of your plant’s history such as purchase date and place, date re-potted, etc.
• Being online you can access it anywhere there is internet. When out shopping you can check if you already have a plant before you buy another.
• Check if the name on a plant you have just acquired is the accepted name and if it’s formatted correctly. Often plants for sale are not.
• Find a plant in your collection when you have lost its name by using the advanced search for properties like flower color, common name, etc.

There is plenty of online help on each page as well as a help section. It uses a golden rule for help “if it’s blue you can click it”.
And you can export the details of your plants in spreadsheet format for safe keeping or for use elsewhere.

Note that MOPDB is used to verify that plant names used on the SCCSS website are accepted and are syntactically correct.

MOPDB was created by Mike Short.