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Flora of China

The Flora of China is an international collaborative research project, and one of the most successful examples of scientific co-operation between China and the West in recent times. Managed in collaboration by Missouri Botanical Gardens and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Flora involves eleven major research institutions (4 in China, 4 in the USA, and 3 in Europe including RBG Kew), this large project draws on expertise from the botanical community world-wide.

With approximately 30,000 species of flowering plants, China is one of the most ecologically rich countries in the world, and by far the richest of the North temperate zone. One third of its native plants are endemic, that is, they are not found naturally anywhere else on Earth. China also has an exceptionally wide range of habitats, from cold temperate to humid tropical, from desert to rainforest, all merging in continuity within the one country.

RBG Kew hosts Dr Michael Gilbert who is the European co-ordinator for the project. He is also supporting several volumes with contributions to family accounts together with scientific contributors who have been or are based at Kew. A list of all contributions from 2000-2005 can be found at Annex 1.

Recently, Dr. Sylvia Phillips, a freelance grass specialist funded by the Kadoorie Foundation, and Dr Chris Stapleton, a freelance specialist in bamboos funded from Missouri Botanical Garden, have produced the manuscript for Volume 22 Poaceae (grasses) comprising accounts of nearly 900 species.

Volume 25 Orchidaceae is being co-ordinated and written by the Kew orchid team together with Kew Honorary Research Fellows and Associates. In addition, Kew staff members, Honorary Research Fellows and Associates are contributing accounts for Volume 10 Fabaceae (Leguminosae; Roger Polhill, Brian Schrire, Bernard Verdcourt), Volume 11 Euphorbiaceae et al. (Mark Coode, Petra Hoffmann, Terry Pennington, Martin Sands, Maria Vorontsova), Volume 13 Dipterocarpaceae et al. (Peter Ashton, Dick Brummitt, Brian Mathew, Iain Prance, Sue Zmarzty) and Volume 23 Arecaceae et al. (John Dransfield, David Simpson).

The purpose of the Flora is to provide baseline information enabling practical end-users, such as agronomists, ecologists and conservationists, to accurately identify their plants. The Flora provides a reliable source of correct names, detailed information on the characteristics of each species, and on geographical distribution, habitat preferences, flowering and fruiting times, and other details. Distribution data gathered during the preparation of a Flora can also be used to identify areas rich in biodiversity which may need protection, and will also highlight rarities and areas where more collecting is needed.

The work also provides and supports training for Chinese botanists many of whom have visited the Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for extended visits.

Progress so far can be viewed at the Flora website: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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