INTRODUCTION

This website enables you to build your own floristic database anywhere within our research area of North America by following the seven easy steps as [indicated in yellow]. We have simplified the process by allowing the user to click on specific plant names, thereby avoiding typos, misspellings, etc. The system offers the following capabilities.

a) It provides the most current nomenclature/taxonomy for North American vascular plants.

b) It incorporates the most detailed, accurate and comprehensive phytogeographic North American vascular plant data of any existing on-line system, including GBIF, USDA PLANTS and BISON; all of which were derived from BONAP's original database developed many years ago, and now significantly antiquated.

c) It automatically links all of BONAP's data fields to our scientific names, common names, taxonomic and nomenclatural synonyms, photographs, hundreds of biological attributes; and simultaneously produces a tailor-made key and accompanying identification system specific for plants included within your database.

d) It automatically records the dates when you first created your database and when you last modified it.

e) You can establish multiple databases and create detailed notes for each by describing the phenological or environmental conditions that exist there, or provide special notes regarding plant rarity, flowering times, or other specialized conditions (click "bubble" in Indiana, just west of Indianapolis to see example).

f) You can easily update your database with new plant records (in the Edit mode) by clicking on the plant names that you want to add or delete. By using the Nomenclator, each new name will be listed in a unique color font, different from the one used for your original list, thus enabling you to track each new entry.

g) Options are available for making your database public or private, permitting all or none of its contents to be revealed.

h) Most importantly, all of the linked data within your database, including nomenclature/taxonomy, biological attributes, keys, photographs, etc. will be updated constantly, thus eliminating data degradation.

i) Maintenance of and access to your database is free of charge.