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Monday, 10 December 2007 |
Tela Botanica is probably the biggest network
bringing together French-speaking botanists the
world over. It was created in 1999 to promote the
exchange of information between botanists and has
created numerous interesting international projects.
Their website gives free public access to the
networks and databases that the association has created,
including their Index of French Flora. This database
lists more than 80,000 names for more than 18,000
different taxa. Every entry includes the synonyms,
bibliographic references, vernacular names in French
and six other European languages and illustrations.
There is also a French translation of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature,
distribution maps of the French flora, and a project called Xper-botanica which consists of
creating dynamic tools for help in plant identification with a PC or palmtop. This incredibly rich
site also gives all the latest news about French-speaking botanical events and publications, as
well as forums on most subjects including tropical flora, carnivorous plants, orchids, lichens,
invasive species and many others. There is an online ‘let’s talk about botany’ course and
workshops are organised on various subjects.
Perhaps the most important service Tela Botanica performs, however, is the bringing
together of experts and volunteer enthusiasts to advance a great many projects and initiatives
both in France and around the world. A must for all French-speaking plant lovers.
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