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Grasses of Thailand

Collecting Poaceae in dry dipterocarp forest, Doi Inthanon, northern Thailand. Photo: D.A. Simpson

The Flora of Thailand is a long term collaborative venture between institutes in Thailand, Europe and USA to document the c.10,000 species of flowering plants and ferns that occur within the country. The Flora is making good progress and latest estimates suggest completion within 15 years. Kew was one of the founder members of the Flora and continues to be a major contributor, with representation on the Editorial Board as well as preparing several family accounts. Of the remaining families to be completed Poaceae is the second largest, with an estimated 570 species. The account is being coordinated at Kew but it is very much a collaborative effort between 19 authors in institutes located in Thailand, Ireland and the UK. The work started in June 2004 and we estimate completion in 2009. Annual meetings are being held in Thailand, to bring authors together to report on progress and to keep up momentum. By the end of 2005, 30% of the account had been written. Several other outputs are also in progress or planned including: 

Six of the authors are undertaking PhD or MSc studies on grass systematics and the preparation of generic accounts forms part of their studies. At the 2005 annual meeting a grass identification course, aimed at a less specialist audience, was successfully held. Similar courses will be held at future meetings.

These will form an integral part of the account.

We intend to produce field guides to economically important species, common taxa and taxa of conservation importance.

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