Interactive Key to the Genera of Lamiaceae
Colquhounia coccinea Wall.
Comprised of over 7000 species and 236 genera, the Lamiaceae is the seventh largest flowering plant family. Its cosmopolitan distribution and species richness, particularly in dryland habitats, mean that it is commonly encountered. The rationale behind this project is to facilitate identification of Lamiaceae to genus level through the creation of an interactive key.
Using the software LUCID in partnership with Factsheet Fusion, we are creating an interactive key based on a small character set. We aim to maximise user friendliness through the generation of a factsheet for each character, defining it and its states, often through diagrams, and a factsheet for each genus. The genus factsheets contain nomenclatural information taken from the World Checklist of Lamiaceae, a generic description, distribution information and images both of herbarium specimens and plants in the field.
The first full version of the key will be available in September 2008, and we hope to continually improve it based on user feedback.
Project Team
Project Leader: Bramley, Gemma