Floras

Floras are comprehensive references that describe the plant life of a specific region, environment, or time period. The plural form, floras, is used when discussing multiple regional plant communities or sets of plant life in different contexts. In botany and biogeography, floras are authoritative sources that document which species occur in an area, how they are distributed across habitats, and how to identify them.

A typical flora provides a taxonomic list of species, including accepted names, synonyms, and authorities. It often includes descriptive notes, distribution information, habitat preferences, phenology, and notes on ecology or conservation status. Many floras also feature identification keys, usually dichotomous, as well as maps, illustrations, and references to specimens stored in herbaria. Some floras cover broad groups (vascular plants), while others focus on more limited scopes or particular ecosystems.

Floras are produced as monographs, regional surveys, or online floristic portals. They range from country-wide compilations to regional accounts within larger continents. Notable examples include regional and national floras such as those of China, North America, Australia, Britain and Ireland, and Europe as a whole. Online floras and platforms, such as digital floras, have enhanced accessibility and updates.

Floras serve researchers, conservationists, land managers, educators, and policymakers by providing baseline biodiversity data, informing conservation priorities, supporting ecological and biogeographical studies, and aiding in taxonomic standardization. Limitations include taxonomic revision, incomplete coverage of poorly explored areas, and the need for periodic updates as new species are described or classifications change.