Special Report: A New Review of Progress on the Flora of China

Abstract

Since the author published a special report on the status of the Flora of China (T. T. Yii, Systematic Botany 4(3):257-260. 1979), we have received several letters of inquiry from different parts of the world. Our herbarium has also been sent literature, photographs of type specimens, and duplicate specimens collected in China years ago. In particular, the kindness and valuable gifts from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Edinburgh have been a great help in the compilation of the Flora of China. On behalf of Chinese botanists, I express our profound appreciation to all our colleagues in different countries. During the past four years, due to the cooperation and joint efforts of taxonomists throughout China, more than 30 families have been completed. After careful discussion and consideration by the Editorial Committee, the manuscripts of several volumes have been finalized while 12 volumes have been published and 9 more are in press. A brief description of progress on the compilation and publication of the Flora of China, as well as the regional floras published during the past few years is given in tables 1-3. There are four Chinese journals that are primarily concerned with systematic botany and in which new taxa are published. Of these journals, Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica is the oldest. From its beginning in 1951 to 1983, 21 volumes have been published (for an account of the publication dates and number of issues in each volume, see S. A. Spongberg and D. E. Boufford, Taxon 31(4):705-707. 1982). An index, including the subjects of papers for all past volumes, is currently in press. A second phytotaxonomic journal is Bulletin of Botanical Research published by the NorthEastern Forestry Institute in Harbin. The current issue for 1983 is volume 3. A third journal is Acta Botanica Yunnanica published by the Kunming Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica, and the 1983 issue is volume 5. The newest phytotaxonomic journal in China is Guihaia, a quarterly publication of the Guangxi Institute of Botany in Guilin. As of 1983 this journal is in its second volume. In addition to the Flora of China a 5-volume work, Iconographia Cormophytorum Sinicorum, was published between 1971 and 1976. This work treats some 8000 of the more common and economically important species of Chinese plants. Each species is provided with its Latin name, a botanical description and notes (habitat, distribution, uses, Chinese name), and an accurate line drawing. This work has been popular in both the domestic and foreign markets. A second edition is in press, and the first of a twovolume supplement was published in 1982. Subscriptions to Chinese botanical journals and purchase of those floras that are still in print can be arranged through Guoji Shudian, P.O. Box. 2820, Beijing, People's Republic of China. In conclusion, on behalf of the Chinese scientific workers in phytotaxonomy, I wish to express our aspiration for exchange of books, journals and herbarium specimens with our colleagues in other countries. We are particularly interested in those papers which carry original descriptions of Chinese or Asian plants. In addition we would welcome photographs of type specimens or duplicates that will be important references for the compilation of the Flora of China. Plant specimens collected from our neighboring countries and from Europe, Africa, North America, and South America will also be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your cooperation and kind assistance.