Neotropikey launches online key to Malvoideae

The Neotropikey team have lauched the project’s first online, multi-access genus-level key, covering the 78 genera of Malvoideae (mallow subfamily) that are native or introduced in Latin America.

View on map: UK - Kew Gardens,

24 Jun 2011

Like this
Tweet
Close Thanks for liking this page. Tell us why by adding a comment at the bottom.

2 likes
0 comments

Erelmalche rotundifolia (Image D. Stevenson, New York Botanical Garden)

About Neotropikey

The Neotropikey project, lead by Kew, was launched online in July 2010 as a free, multi-access and illustrated identification key to the flowering plant families present in the Neotropics.

Neotropikey is constantly being improved via feedback from users, and more and better images are added. The project follows the APG III classification system and recognises a total of 319 neotropical angiosperm families. To complement the family-level key, 221 family websites have now been contributed by more than 100 botanical specialists worldwide, and 57 of these include traditional dichotomous keys to genera. A CD has also been published for use in the field or in areas with no or slow internet access.

First genus-level key

The project has now moved into its second phase with the launch of its first on-line multi-access genus-level key to Malvoideae (Malvaceae s.s.), which includes 78 genera native or introduced in Latin America. From the start of the Neotropikey project, the team used Malvoideae to produce a model electronic key to genus level with the intention to engage plant taxonomists creating genus-level Lucid keys for many other Neotropical plant families. The working title of the key is “Neotropical Malvoideae-key”, but the team are keen to adopt a more catchy title, and are happy to receive suggestions. The winner and all entries will be published in the next Neotropikey newsletter which will be distributed electronically in October 2011. Please email suggestions to neotropikey@kew.org by August 31st 2011.

Following the launch of the project’s first genus-level LUCID key, the team members we are currently piloting how to best provide genus-level websites to supplement the Malvoideae-key and future genus-level keys developed under the Neotropikey umbrella.

Item from Dr Bente Klitgaard (Senior Research Botanist & Assistant Curator, RBG Kew)

Originally published in Kew Scientist, issue 39

Scientific Research & Data

Browse Kew's scientific research and data

Help Kew break new ground and inspire new generations

By making a donation to Kew today you can help our scientists to find out more about the fascinating world of plants, break new ground and inspire generations of young people to get to know plants better.

Our scientific programmes are focused on understanding plants and conserving the world's plant life and habitats at risk. Plants are essential to life on earth. In a world where the sustainability of the planet’s rich biodiversity is becoming less certain, Kew’s science work is ever more critical. Find out how your donation can make a difference.

Give now and support Kew’s vital plant science work