Excerpts from the PlantNet Directory 1999

Excerpts (13 pages) from the 1999 Directory

From the Preface of the Directory:

PlantNet was launched in 1996 to facilitate networking and co-operation between holders of plant collections in Britain and Ireland. There are now over 100 members, including most of the botanic gardens, as well as arboreta and other important collections throughout Britain and Ireland.

A principal aim of PlantNet is the promotion of the use of plant collections for science, education, horticulture and conservation. Thus, extensive collaboration to reveal the range and content of the plant collections was an early priority for PlantNet. Over the past few years, a database of these collections has been compiled by PlantNet and co-ordinated by Dr David Rae of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and this has made possible the publishing of this

important new research directory.

The Directory includes data on the numbers of families, genera, species, taxa, accessions and plants in the living collections; herbarium specimens; and the systems of plant records. There is also information on the guiding principles underlying the collections, research and library facilities, public and professional access, interpretation and education, and the physical environment and weather conditions at the sites of the collections.

The Directory shows where plants of particular interest are located and whom to contact for more detailed information. It will be of especial interest to researchers, for undergraduate projects and studies, and to those with a serious interest in plants, amateur or professional. It will help to improve the exchange of information between plant-collection holders and will hopefully reduce duplication of effort.

The first version of the Directory is produced as a hard-copy, but PlantNet plans to have the database accessible on-line in due course.

I wish to thank all those plant-collection holders who have participated in developing the Directory, Robert Cubey, of BG-BASE for his technical expertise in building and compiling the database; Dr David Rae for co-ordinating the project for PlantNet; Judy Cheney for editing; and the Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust for encouragement and financial assistance.

Bernard Payne

PlantNet Chairman