# Trefle MCP for AI Agents AI Agent Connect > Trefle MCP gives your AI agent direct access to one of the world's largest botanical databases. It lets you search for over a million plants, explore complex taxonomy, and find geographic distribution data without leaving your chat interface. It's built for anyone who needs accurate scientific data on the plant kingdom. ## Overview - **Category:** knowledge-management - **Price:** Free - **Endpoint:** https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_afwp13WD8VplsKGPLhDMfGCauKerh8bE5SOkWGWB/ai-agent-connect - **Tags:** botany, plant-database, taxonomy, biodiversity, scientific-data ## Description You're trying to figure out where a specific plant species is native to, or you need to find every variety of a certain genus without digging through endless PDF files and outdated websites. This Connector connects your agent to the Trefle database, turning it into a specialized botanist that knows the details of over a million plants. Instead of manually searching for scientific names or trying to map out distribution zones, you just ask your agent to pull the data for you. It handles the heavy lifting of navigating complex taxonomy and scientific metadata. Whether you're building a gardening app that needs accurate species data or you're a researcher verifying a plant's classification, this connection puts the world's botanical knowledge at your fingertips. It's one of the many high-quality tools you can find in the Vinkius catalog to bridge the gap between your AI and specialized scientific databases. ## Tools ### list_distributions See all available geographic distribution zones. It helps you understand where plants are tracked globally. ### list_genera Browse all plant genera. Use this to explore the broad categories of the plant kingdom. ### list_plants Get a list of main plant species. This excludes varieties and subspecies for a cleaner overview. ### list_species See all species and sub-taxa. This is your go-to for a deep dive into specific plant varieties. ### report_species_error Notify the database about incorrect species data. Use this to help keep the botanical records accurate. ### search_plants Find specific plants by name or keyword. This is the fastest way to locate a specific plant in the database. ### search_species Look through all species and sub-taxa. This allows for more granular searches than the main plant search. ### submit_species_correction Send a specific data correction for a species. This tool lets you contribute to the accuracy of the records. ### get_distribution_plants Find plants in a specific zone filtered by establishment. You can use this to see what's native to a certain area. ### get_genus Fetch the full details for a specific genus. Use this to see the broader classification of a plant group. ### get_plant Get the complete scientific profile for a single plant. This provides the most detailed metadata available. ### get_species Retrieve the specific details for a single species. Use this to get deep-dive info on a variety. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Find all the varieties of English lavender and tell me which ones are native to Europe. ``` **Response:** ``` I found the following varieties for *Lavandula angustifolia*: | Variety | Status | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | *L. angustifolia* | Native | Common in many parts of Europe | | *L. angustifolia* 'Hidcote' | Introduced | Popular garden variety Would you like the full scientific profile for any of these? ``` **Prompt:** ``` What are the distribution zones for the genus Acer? ``` **Response:** ``` The genus *Acer* (maples) is broadly distributed. Here are the primary distribution zones available in the database: - Zone A: Northern Temperate - Zone B: East Asian - Zone C: Central European I can list the specific plants in any of these zones if you'd like. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Give me the scientific details for the plant 'rosa-canina'. ``` **Response:** ``` Here are the details for *Rosa canina* (Dog rose): - **Family**: Rosaceae - **Discovery Year**: 1753 - **Description**: A woody shrub with pink to white flowers. - **Distribution**: Widely distributed across Europe and North Africa. Would you like to see its distribution zones? ``` ## Capabilities ### Search for specific plant species Find specific plants by name or keyword to get straight to the scientific records. ### Pull full scientific profiles Get complete metadata including family names and discovery years for any plant. ### Browse global distribution zones See all available geographic zones where plant data is tracked. ### Explore botanical genera Navigate the broad categories of the plant kingdom to see how species are grouped. ### Submit data corrections Report errors or submit corrections to keep the global botanical records accurate. ### Filter plants by native status Identify which plants are native or introduced in specific geographic regions. ## Use Cases ### Verifying taxonomy for academic papers A researcher needs to know the family and discovery year for 50 different plants. They ask the agent to use get_plant for each slug to create a summary table. ### Building a native plants app A developer is building a native plants app for a specific region. They use get_distribution_plants to filter for native species in a specific zone. ### Exploring plant varieties A student is writing a paper on the genus Lavandula. They use list_species to see all varieties and get_genus for the overarching details. ### Correcting database errors A hobbyist finds a mistake in a plant's distribution data. They use report_species_error to alert the database maintainers. ## Benefits - Stop manual data entry. Use get_plant and get_species to pull scientific profiles directly into your project instead of copying from websites. - Verify distribution instantly. Use get_distribution_plants to see exactly where plants are native or introduced without searching multiple maps. - Explore complex taxonomy quickly. Use list_genera and list_species to navigate the plant kingdom's hierarchy in seconds. - Keep records accurate. Use report_species_error and submit_species_correction to maintain high-quality data for your own applications. - Find specific plants faster. Use search_plants to bypass generic search results and get straight to the scientific data you need. ## How It Works The bottom line is you get instant access to a massive botanical database without having to learn a complex query language. 1. Subscribe to the Trefle MCP on Vinkius. 2. Paste your Trefle API Token into the configuration. 3. Ask your agent to look up plant species or distribution data. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Can the Trefle MCP help me find scientific names for common garden plants?** Yes, it can. You can ask your agent to search for common names, and it will pull the scientific names and taxonomy details from the database for you. **Does the Trefle MCP include data on plant varieties and hybrids?** It does. By using the species search tools, your agent can access sub-taxa, including specific varieties and hybrids, not just the main species. **Can I use the Trefle MCP to see where specific plants are native to?** Absolutely. The Connector allows you to filter plants by their establishment status within specific geographic distribution zones. **Is the Trefle MCP suitable for building a botanical research tool?** It's a great fit. It provides access to over a million plant records, making it ideal for researchers who need to verify taxonomy and distribution data. **How do I report a mistake in the Trefle botanical database?** You can use the Connector to submit a correction or report an error directly through your agent, helping to keep the global botanical records accurate. **Can the Trefle MCP provide distribution data for specific genera?** Yes, your agent can fetch the details for a genus and then help you explore the plants associated with it across different regions. **Can I search for plants using a simple text query?** Yes, use the `search_plants` tool. It allows you to find main plant species by providing a query string like 'rose' or 'oak'. **How can I filter plants by a specific family, like Orchidaceae?** You can use the `list_plants` tool and provide a JSON string in the `query_params` field, such as `{"filter[family_name]": "Orchidaceae"}`. **Is it possible to get info on sub-species and varieties?** Absolutely. While `list_plants` focuses on main species, the `list_species` and `search_species` tools include all sub-taxa, varieties, and hybrids.