Flora of China: A Comprehensive Botanical Record of Vascular Plants
The Flora of China is a monumental scientific publication dedicated to describing the plants native to China. Serving as a modern, English-language revision of the Latin Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS), this project represents one of the most ambitious collaborative efforts in the field of botany.
The primary goal of the project was to provide a definitive account of the 31,000 species of vascular plants—plants that possess specialized conducting tissues for transporting water and nutrients—found within China. This vast catalog includes approximately 7,500 species of trees and shrubs, as well as 8,000 species that hold significant medicinal or economic value.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Scope: Covers 31,000 species of vascular plants.
- Volume: Comprises 50 published volumes.
- Timeline: Published between 1994 and 2013.
- Collaboration: Involved 478 scientists from 29 different countries.
- Digital Access: Available online via eFloras.
- Successor: Followed by the Catalogue of Life China.
Scientific Scope and Methodology
The Flora of China utilizes a modified Englerian system for the sequence of families, maintaining consistency with the FRPS while updating the circumscription—the defined boundaries of a taxonomic group—to reflect contemporary scientific understanding.
Each entry in the Flora is designed to be exhaustive, providing the following data for every species:
- Detailed botanical descriptions and identification keys.
- Essential synonymy (alternative scientific names).
- Phenology, the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena in plants.
- Provincial distribution within China and brief notes on distribution outside the country.
- Technical remarks regarding problematic taxa.
Illustrations and Digital Resources
To complement the text, the Flora of China Illustrations series was developed, providing visual documentation for approximately 65% of the species. These volumes contain some of the world's largest collections of line drawings for related genera and families.
In the digital age, this data is accessible through eFloras, where treatments of families, genera, and species are searchable. Additionally, the Flora of China Checklist, integrated with the Missouri Botanical Garden's Tropicos database, allows researchers to query botanical names, endemism status, and geographical distribution.
A Global Collaborative Effort
The production of the Flora was characterized by intense international cooperation. Chinese authors collaborated with colleagues from 29 countries, including the USA, UK, Japan, Russia, and Germany. Drafts underwent rigorous review by the Flora of China Editorial Committee, global family specialists, and regional advisors, including the late Kai Larsen (1926–2012).
The project was managed through a network of eleven editorial centers:
- International Centers: Missouri Botanical Garden (the coordination center), Harvard University Herbaria, California Academy of Sciences, Smithsonian Institution, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (Paris).
- Chinese Centers: CAS Institute of Botany (Beijing), Kunming Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Institute of Botany (Nanjing), and the South China Botanical Garden (Guangzhou).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Editors | Wu Zhengyi, Peter H. Raven, and Hong Deyuan |
| Publishers | Science Press (Beijing) & Missouri Botanical Garden (St. Louis) |
| Publication Period | 1994–2013 |
| Total Volumes | 50 |
| Language | English |
| Preceded by | Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae |
| Succeeded by | Catalogue of Life China |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of the Flora of China?
Its purpose is to provide a modern, English-language scientific description of all vascular plants native to China, updating the previous Latin-language records.
How many plant species are documented in the series?
The series documents 31,000 species of vascular plants, including roughly 8,000 medicinal or economically important species and 7,500 trees and shrubs.
Where can I find the Flora of China data online?
The data is available through eFloras, which provides searchable treatments and interactive identification keys for large genera.
Who coordinated the international effort for this project?
The Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis served as the organizational and coordination center for the project.
Is the Flora of China still being updated?
Work on the Flora of China was declared complete in 2013. It has been succeeded by the Catalogue of Life China, which also incorporates Fauna Sinica and Flora Sporophytae Sinicae.