Introduction to version 1
The Interactive Key to Malesian Seed Plants is an identification system for all
native and naturalised (i.e. introduced species with self-maintaining 'wild' populations)
families of the Flora Malesiana region (including Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines,
East Timor and Papua New Guinea).
The key is based on a small set of features of the vegetative, floral and fruit morphology and ecology.
These features were chosen because they are relatively easy to assess from any reasonably intact
flowering and/or fruiting specimen, and are readily interpreted in conjunction with the help of the
notes and illustrations contained in the key.
The key is mainly based on the books by Max van Balgooy (MALESIAN SEED PLANTS - Spot Characters (1997) and Plant Portraits (1998, 2001)) and incorporates additional information from L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz "The Families of Flowering Plants: Descriptions, Illustrations, Identification, and Information Retrieval. Version: 14th December 2000. http://delta-intkey.com/angio/". A selection of core characters has been made from these two sources; the Malesian Key Group has checked these and added additional information.