Image Policy

Basic principle

Because Plant Note may later include advertising or sponsorship, images are handled from the start as commercial-context assets. Sources should be traceable and rights should be clear.

Preferred sources

The site prioritizes Zhu's own photos, project-generated AI teaching images, public domain or CC0 images, and CC BY or CC BY-SA images that clearly allow commercial use. When external licensed images are used, the project aims to retain source, author, license terms, download date, use case, and attribution notes.

AI-generated images

AI-generated images are mainly used for teaching diagrams, plant organs, processes, comparisons, and concepts that are difficult to photograph. They should not mislead users into thinking they are exact photos of a specific real plant or cultivar. When plant form, organ position, or proportion matters, images should pass visual and concept checks before appearing on public pages, but they may still contain errors and should be checked against text and sources.

External images

When external images are used, the project records source URL, author, license, download date, use case, and attribution notes when applicable.

What to avoid

The site avoids unknown image sources, direct downloads from search engines, NC or ND licensed images for reused teaching assets, unclear brand or product images, trademarks, and unverified portraits.

Images do not replace checking

Images help users understand plant structures and observations, but they are not formal identification or safety guidance. Plant appearance changes with species, cultivar, environment, growth stage, and growing conditions. Users should not rely only on site images for food safety, toxicity, pesticide, medical, or legal judgments.

Image records

The project maintains image source records. If a reader finds a possible issue with source information, license status, attribution, or visual accuracy, the site may review the material and update or remove it when needed.