The Plant List - the first working list of all known plants

Kew and Missouri Botanical Gardens in the United States are collaborating with partners worldwide to create the first working list of all known plants.

20 Sep 2010

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Cypripedium calceolus (Lady's slipper orchid)

Cypripedium calceolus, the lady's slipper orchid, is one of the species on The Plant List (Image: Wolfgang Stuppy)

The Plant List will be a landmark resource, the importance of which lies in the need for accurate identification and reliable names in all communications about plant life and its uses.

It is particularly significant because Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) calls for ‘a working list of all known plant species’ to be made available by 2010.

The Plant List will be formally released by the end of the year. It will also be a fundamental resource for Kew's essential conservation work, which includes a new index to evaluate the danger of extinction to different plant species.

Professor Stephen Hopper (Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) said "We are delighted that this collaboration has succeeded in accelerating progress towards this important Target, which is fundamental to planning, implementation and monitoring of plant conservation programmes worldwide. Without accurate names, authoritatively determined, understanding and communication about global plant life would descend into inefficient chaos, costing vast sums of money and literally threatening lives in the case of plants used for food or medicine."

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2 comments on 'The Plant List - the first working list of all known plants'

Kew Feedback Team says

22/09/2010 9:44:33 PM | Report abuse

Thanks for your comment Janet. We'll get in touch with you offline about volunteering opportunities in which you can help Kew improve access to information about plants.

Janet Lyn Bedford says

21/09/2010 1:16:35 AM | Report abuse

I believe that this is a brilliant idea and that it is one of the most worthy endeavors that a person could ever hope to be a part of. I would love to 'hear back from' 'powers that be' at Kew Gardens to volunteer to help be a helper with accuracy and quality completion of the "list of all known plant species". Please, let me help. A reply is kindly requested.

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