Why do we need a new Flora?
The Flora of New Zealand series on indigenous and naturalised vascular plants was first published in 1961, with subsequent volumes in 1970, 1980, 1988 and 2000. Since these volumes were published there have been major advances in taxonomic research on the New Zealand flora, including description of new taxa, revised generic circumscriptions, and new information on biostatus and distribution. This means there is a constant need to revise the Flora of New Zealand volumes to keep them up-to-date.
The electronic Flora of New Zealand is an opportunity to provide contemporary taxonomic information for the entire New Zealand flora. It will eventually integrate information about native and naturalised, vascular and non-vascular, and marine and terrestrial plants.
Why is an electronic Flora the best approach?
Flora users need immediate access to data that is up to date, and presented in a format that meets their requirements. Traditional approaches suffer from long delays in publishing, and are difficult to update with new research results and information. Underlying data is unavailable for other uses, as only the summarised data embodied in descriptions are presented. Data is frequently not linked to herbarium specimens.
An electronic flora gives the flexibility to adjust effort and focuses work on priority
groups, enables delivery of parts immediately on completion, and integrates data
from various research projects. It gives the opportunity to present information
in a variety of formats and tools, e.g., interactive keys, to suit the diverse needs
of Flora users.
What plant groups does the Flora cover?
The electronic Flora of New Zealand covers the New Zealand botanical region and includes flowering plants, gymnosperms, ferns, and bryophytes. It includes naturalised as well as indigenous plants.
What information does the new Flora include?
The electronic Flora of New Zealand includes information drawn from the Flora of New Zealand five volume series on vascular plants, published descriptions from scientific publications, and new taxonomic treatments. New taxonomic treatments prepared for the electronic Flora supercede those from the five volume Flora of New Zealand series.