# USDA Plants Database Scraper (`lulzasaur/usda-plants-scraper`) Actor Scrape the USDA Plants Database — 70K+ species. Get scientific names, taxonomy, growth habits, native status, state distribution, and plant guides. Search by name or symbol. - **URL**: https://apify.com/lulzasaur/usda-plants-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [lulz bot](https://apify.com/lulzasaur) (community) - **Categories:** E-commerce - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $10.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## USDA Plants Database Scraper Scrape the USDA Plants Database (plants.usda.gov) to extract detailed plant species data. Access 70,000+ plant species with full taxonomy, growth characteristics, native status, distribution data, and plant guides. ### What It Does This scraper queries the official USDA Plants API to extract structured plant data. It supports searching by common names, scientific names, or USDA plant symbols. **Data extracted for each plant:** - **Identification**: Scientific name, common name, USDA symbol, group, rank - **Taxonomy**: Kingdom, division, class, subclass, order, family, genus - **Characteristics**: Growth habits (tree, shrub, forb, etc.), duration (annual, perennial, biennial) - **Distribution**: Native status by region (Native/Introduced), state-level distribution - **Resources**: Profile image URL, plant guide PDFs, fact sheet links - **Flags**: Has characteristics, wetland data, wildlife data, ethnobotany data, pollinator data ### Use Cases - **Botanical research**: Build plant species databases with full taxonomic classification - **Agriculture & gardening**: Find plants by growth habit, duration, and native regions - **Environmental studies**: Identify native vs. introduced species by state/region - **Landscaping**: Search for plants suitable for specific geographic areas - **Education**: Create comprehensive plant reference materials with taxonomy trees ### Input | Field | Type | Default | Description | |-------|------|---------|-------------| | `searchQueries` | string[] | `["oak"]` | Plant names or USDA symbols to search | | `maxListings` | integer | `100` | Max plants per query (0 = unlimited) | | `scrapeDetails` | boolean | `true` | Fetch full profiles with taxonomy/distribution | | `proxyConfiguration` | object | - | Optional proxy settings | ### Example Input ```json { "searchQueries": ["oak", "Rosa", "fern"], "maxListings": 50, "scrapeDetails": true } ```` ### Example Output ```json { "symbol": "QUAG", "scientificName": "Quercus agrifolia Nee", "commonName": "California live oak", "group": "Dicot", "rank": "Species", "kingdom": "Plants", "division": "Flowering plants", "class": "Dicotyledons", "order": null, "family": "Beech family", "familyScientific": "Fagaceae", "genus": "oak", "growthHabit": "Shrub, Tree", "duration": "Perennial", "nativeStatus": "Native (L48)", "distributionStates": "AK, HI, PR, VI", "hasCharacteristics": true, "hasDistributionData": true, "imageUrl": "https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/ImageLibrary/quag_017_shp.jpg", "plantGuideUrls": ["https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_quag.pdf"], "url": "https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=QUAG", "searchQuery": "oak", "scrapedAt": "2026-04-25T00:00:00.000Z" } ``` ### How It Works 1. Searches the USDA Plants API for each query term 2. Collects matching plant symbols from search results 3. Optionally fetches full plant profiles with taxonomy, distribution, and characteristics 4. Outputs structured JSON data to the Apify dataset The scraper calls the USDA Plants API directly (no browser needed), making it fast and efficient. Profile fetches run with controlled concurrency (10 parallel requests with rate limiting). ### Performance - **Search only** (`scrapeDetails: false`): Very fast, hundreds of results per second - **Full profiles** (`scrapeDetails: true`): ~50-100 profiles per second with concurrency - A query like "oak" returns 370+ species; "Rosa" returns 640+ species ### Cost This Actor uses pay-per-event pricing at **$0.005 per result**. A typical run scraping 100 plant profiles costs approximately **$0.50**. ### Tips - Use USDA plant symbols (e.g., "QUAG" for California live oak) for exact lookups - Common name searches (e.g., "oak", "maple", "fern") return broad results across genera - Scientific name searches work too (e.g., "Quercus", "Rosa", "Pteridium") - Set `scrapeDetails: false` for quick symbol/name lookups without full taxonomy - The USDA database includes trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses, vines, lichens, and more *** ### Run on Apify This scraper runs on the [Apify platform](https://apify.com/?fpr=lulzasaur) — a full-stack web scraping and automation cloud. Sign up for a free account to get started with 30-day trial of all features. [Try Apify free](https://apify.com/?fpr=lulzasaur) ### Related Scrapers More data tools by [lulzasaur](https://apify.com/lulzasaur): - [AbeBooks Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/abebooks-scraper) — Rare and used books - [Bonanza Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/bonanza-scraper) — Online marketplace listings - [Contractor License Verifier](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/contractor-license-scraper) — Multi-state license verification - [Goodreads Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/goodreads-scraper) — Book ratings and reviews - [Grailed Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/grailed-scraper) — Luxury fashion resale - [Houzz Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/houzz-scraper) — Home improvement professionals - [IMDb Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/imdb-scraper) — Movie and TV show data - [Nurse License Verifier](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/nurse-license-scraper) — State nursing board verification - [OfferUp Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/offerup-scraper) — Local marketplace listings - [Poshmark Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/poshmark-scraper) — Fashion resale marketplace - [PSA Population Report](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/psa-pop-scraper) — Card grading data - [Redfin Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/redfin-scraper) — Real estate listings and prices - [Reverb Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/reverb-scraper) — Music gear marketplace - [StubHub Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/stubhub-scraper) — Event ticket prices - [Swappa Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/swappa-scraper) — Used electronics marketplace - [TCGPlayer Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/tcgplayer-scraper) — Trading card prices - [ThriftBooks Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/thriftbooks-scraper) — Used book prices - [Thumbtack Scraper](https://apify.com/lulzasaur/thumbtack-scraper) — Local service professionals # Actor input Schema ## `searchQueries` (type: `array`): Plant names or USDA symbols to search for (e.g., 'oak', 'Rosa', 'QUAG'). Each query searches the USDA Plants API and returns matching species. ## `maxListings` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of plants to return per search query. Set to 0 for unlimited. The USDA API can return hundreds of matches per query. ## `scrapeDetails` (type: `boolean`): If enabled, fetches the full plant profile for each result (taxonomy, growth habits, duration, native status, images, plant guides). If disabled, only returns basic search data (symbol, name, rank). ## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`): Proxy settings. Not required for USDA API but recommended for large-scale runs. ## Actor input object example ```json { "searchQueries": [ "oak" ], "maxListings": 100, "scrapeDetails": true, "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": false } } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searchQueries": [ "oak" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("lulzasaur/usda-plants-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searchQueries": ["oak"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("lulzasaur/usda-plants-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "searchQueries": [ "oak" ] }' | apify call lulzasaur/usda-plants-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=lulzasaur/usda-plants-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "USDA Plants Database Scraper", "description": "Scrape the USDA Plants Database — 70K+ species. Get scientific names, taxonomy, growth habits, native status, state distribution, and plant guides. Search by name or symbol.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "pwjjB1Dzbq5ckb6GZ" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/lulzasaur~usda-plants-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-lulzasaur-usda-plants-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~usda-plants-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-lulzasaur-usda-plants-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/lulzasaur~usda-plants-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-lulzasaur-usda-plants-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "searchQueries" ], "properties": { "searchQueries": { "title": "Search Queries", "type": "array", "description": "Plant names or USDA symbols to search for (e.g., 'oak', 'Rosa', 'QUAG'). Each query searches the USDA Plants API and returns matching species.", "default": [ "oak" ], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxListings": { "title": "Max Plants per Query", "minimum": 0, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of plants to return per search query. Set to 0 for unlimited. The USDA API can return hundreds of matches per query.", "default": 100 }, "scrapeDetails": { "title": "Scrape Full Profiles", "type": "boolean", "description": "If enabled, fetches the full plant profile for each result (taxonomy, growth habits, duration, native status, images, plant guides). If disabled, only returns basic search data (symbol, name, rank).", "default": true }, "proxyConfiguration": { "title": "Proxy Configuration", "type": "object", "description": "Proxy settings. Not required for USDA API but recommended for large-scale runs.", "default": { "useApifyProxy": false } } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```