Australian Plant Census

The Australian Plant Census is a database of accepted plant names for Australia.

Description

This is an enhancement to, and an integral part of, the Australian Plant Name Index (APNI).1

It aims to deliver a single, continually updatable, authoritative, fully synonymic census of Australia’s vascular flora.2

In 2004 the Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria (CHAH) agreed to produce a new cooperative census of Australian vascular plants. This Census will:3

• be a consensus view, endorsed by CHAH, of the taxa recognised as occurring in Australia
• provide an overview of alternative taxonomies
• provide an indication of geographic distribution for each taxon at State/Territory level
• list at least the more well-known vernacular names for each taxon
• be maintained and updated in perpetuity by CHAH

The APC will attempt to deliver a list containing all kinds of synonyms: formal (latinised) names published under the ICBN; formal (latinised) names existing in the literature but not formally published (manuscript names in current use); misapplied names in at least major works on the Australian flora; basionyms even if foreign; and informal phrase names. ‘Foreign’ synonyms will not normally be included, except on a case-by-case basis for some key groups (e.g. weeds).4

Function

• Data cleaning and manipulation
  • Data cleaning – spelling, misnaming
  • Data validating – taxonomy
• Taxonomy
  • Identification tools
• User interface
  • Personal and institutional use
  • Raw data and visual presentation

Why use this tool?

The Australian Plant Census is a major enhancement for the existing APNI, providing researchers, land managers, conservation agencies, regulatory agencies, industry and individuals with a single, unified, authoritative, annotated inventory of the Australian flora. When combined with the existing bibliographic data of APNI, and linked to other databases such as Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, the Australian Plant Census is part of an unrivalled continental-scale biodiversity resource.5

Who will use this tool?

• Data creation
  • Experts - taxonomy
• Data capture
  • Curators
• Data users
  • Expert
  • Interest groups
• ALA infrastructure

How will the tool be used?

• Online tool
• Current/accepted names are in roman type.
• 'sensu' refers to the taxonomic and nomenclatural concept adopted for the APC.
• Synonyms are in italic type.
• Not all families have been treated for the APC, those not yet treated rely on plant names recognised in the 1990 Census of Australian Vascular Plants and/or more recent data from the Australian Plant Name Index (APNI).
• Occasional comments about the status of the name are based on decisions endorsed by CHAH.
• Full references are given at the end of the web page.
• Links from plant names take you to the more extensive entry of the Australian Plant Name Index (APNI)6

Where in the data chain could this tool be used?

• Data source
• ALA central
• User’s machine

When could this tool be used?

• Before data is made available to ALA
• While data is stored with ALA
• At the time of a user request

Availability

• Australian Plant Census: http://www.chah.gov.au/apc
• CHAH - Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria: http://www.anbg.gov.au/chah/index.html
• APNI - Australian Plant Name Index: http://www.anbg.gov.au/apni/index.html
• AVH - Australia’s Virtual Herbarium: http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/
• Background: http://www.anbg.gov.au/chah/apc/background-orchard-2005.html
• Cost: free

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