"Big" plant genera, those of 500 or more species, have not only occasioned interest among systematic botanists, but for geographical, ecological or horticultural reasons, have also become well-established popular concepts. Their size has rendered them difficult, if not impossible, to study in their entirety; there have been few full revisions since the nineteenth century. Despite their embodiment of significant taxonomic, biological and evolutionary questions, from the 1980s their importance has been more generally recognised, and recent technological and methodological developments have made it easier to come to grips with their study. This paper synthesizes growth impediments to our knowledge of these genera and possible approaches to studying them. Of the 57 genera currently thought to have 500 or more species, 22 of these were also considered in 1883 to be large (300 or more species). Others gained their prominence as a result of later exploration, some of it driven by enthusiasts. It is argued that comparisons of size, phenomena, and processes will only be possible by comprehensive study of the lineages comprising these genera and their immediate historical relatives; uncritical lists or relatively limited samples are not enough. Such studies will be of great scientific as well as cultural benefit.

World Checklist of Seed Plants

History and Concepts of Big Plant Genera

Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) is, "a widely accessible working list of all known plant species, as a step towards a complete world Flora". This paper discusses the importance of the Target to the GSPC itself, to many sectors of science and society, and to decision makers. It then examines the progress made to date and prospects for the Target's completion. Good progress has been made in bryophytes, ferns and gymnosperms with widely accessible working lists either complete or almost so for these groups. Online working lists are available for around 50% of flowering plants. In all, Target 1 is around 53% complete. It is estimated that there are around 352,000 flowering plants and that the current gap in online coverage is around 177,000 species. The major families constituting the gap are identified, the four largest being Apocynaceae, Malvaceae, Ericaceae and Apiaceae. The large majority of families for which there is no working list available are either cosmopolitan or pantropical in distribution. However, progress to date suggests that neither broad distribution nor large numbers of species in a family are insurmountable problems in compiling working lists. The major barrier to completion of Target 1 remains the availability of taxonomists to contribute to the target. Completion of Target 1 by 2010 is possible if botanical institutions recognise the importance of the Target and collaborate, lever funding and prioritise activities appropriately.

Towards Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation : a working list of all known plant species-progress and prospects

Molecular phylogeny of Menthinae (Lamiaceae, Nepetoideae, Mentheae)--Taxonomy, biogeography and conflicts.

In order to organize a new checklist for endemic vascular plants of the Korean Peninsula, 358 taxa of the Korea Forest Service and 375 taxa of the National Institute of Biological Resources were reviewed. In addition, the names of previously published endemic plants above the rank of variety were checked up to 2016. From the two lists, a total of 444 taxa were identified. Among them, 289 taxa were common on the two lists, but 69 and 86 taxa were listed only by the Korea Forest Service and by the National Institute of Biological Resources, respectively. Taxonomic documents including journal papers and dissertations were examined with regard to the 444 taxa. In some cases, opinions of Korean experts in this field were also reflected. From the results, 312 taxa in total were recognized as plants endemic to the Korean Peninsula, while 132 taxa could not be included on the endemic list. On the other hand, 48 taxa, none of which existed on the two lists, were newly listed. In conclusion, the new checklist of vascular plants endemic to Korea was confirmed, with a total of 360 taxa consisting of 64 families, 172 genera, 297 species, 4 subspecies, 51 varieties and 8 hybrids. The new common name Halla-seol-aeng-cho is given to Primula farinosa L. subsp. modesta (Bisset & S. Moore) Pax var. hannasanensis (T. Yamaz.) T. Yamaz. Sillaphyton Pimenov (Deok-u-gireum-na-mul-sok) is newly identified as a genus endemic to Korea. However, Pentactina Nakai could not be included on the list of Korean vascular endemic genera.

/pdf/a-checklist-of-endemic-plants-on-the-korean-peninsula-1uz3xnuuil.pdf

A checklist of endemic plants on the Korean Peninsula

Brauchler, C., Ryding, O. & Heubl, G.: The genus Micromeria (Lamiaceae), a synoptical update. — Willdenowia 38: 363–410. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2008 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.38.38202 (available via http://dx.doi.org/) No comprehensive revision of Micromeria is available and uncertainties about the taxonomy of the genus have lasted for a long time. Since the last synopsis many new data from both morphological and molecular genetic studies have been accumulated and, consequently, the number of accepted taxa and the delimitation of the genus have changed considerably. The authors provide a review of recent and unpublished research on the genus, a new circumscription and description of the genus and an updated distribution map. All published Micromeria names are listed with a reference to their current taxonomic position. Names of taxa currently placed in Micromeria are provided with type citations. A new combination, M. cristata subsp. kosaninii, is validated, along with the new name M. longi...

/pdf/the-genus-micromeria-lamiaceae-a-synoptical-update-5deu7jyzs7.pdf

The genus Micromeria (Lamiaceae), a synoptical update

Group of one or more populations of an organism or organisms which have distinguishing characteristics in common

World Checklist of Seed Plants

Citations

History and Concepts of Big Plant Genera

Towards Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation : a working list of all known plant species-progress and prospects

Molecular phylogeny of Menthinae (Lamiaceae, Nepetoideae, Mentheae)--Taxonomy, biogeography and conflicts.

A checklist of endemic plants on the Korean Peninsula

The genus Micromeria (Lamiaceae), a synoptical update

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Index Herbariorum: a global directory of public herbaria and associated staff. New York Botanical Garden's Virtual Herbarium.