Flora Iberica: A Comprehensive Botanical Record of the Iberian Peninsula
For botanists and nature enthusiasts alike, understanding the complex plant life of the Iberian Peninsula requires precise and detailed documentation. Flora Iberica serves as this vital resource, offering an extensive scientific record of the vascular plants found across Spain and Portugal. This monumental book series provides the essential tools needed to identify and study the diverse flora of the region, excluding the Atlantic islands.
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The Scope of the Project
Flora Iberica is a specialized Spanish book series dedicated to the study of vascular plants—plants that possess specialized tissues for conducting water and nutrients. The series covers three primary groups of plants:
- Pteridophytes: Non-flowering plants that reproduce via spores, such as ferns.
- Gymnosperms: Seed-producing plants that do not produce flowers or fruits, such as conifers.
- Angiosperms: Flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed within a fruit.
Each volume is meticulously crafted to include identification keys (step-by-step guides to determining a plant's identity), detailed morphological descriptions, and scientific illustrations to ensure accuracy in field and laboratory settings.
History and Publication
The project was officially conceived in 1980, with the first volume making its debut in 1986. Published by the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid (Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid), the series represents decades of collaborative scientific effort. As of 2021, the series has reached 21 published volumes.
To make this vast amount of information more accessible, an abridged version titled Claves de Flora ibérica (Keys for the Iberian Flora) was launched in 2001, providing a more streamlined approach to plant identification.
Key Facts
- Publisher: Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid (Spain).
- Project Start: 1980 (First volume published in 1986).
- Geographic Coverage: Spain and Portugal (excluding Atlantic islands).
- Total Volumes: 21 volumes published as of 2021.
- Language: Spanish.
- Standard Abbreviation: Flora Iber.
Detailed Publication Breakdown
The series is organized taxonomically, allowing researchers to locate specific plant families across various volumes. Below is a summary of the taxonomic coverage provided by the series.
| Volume Number | Taxonomic Range / Plant Families |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lycopodiaceae - Papaveraceae |
| 2 | Platanaceae - Plumbaginaceae (partim) |
| 3 | Plumbaginaceae (partim) - Capparaceae |
| 4 | Cruciferae - Monotropaceae |
| 5 | Ebenaceae - Saxifragaceae |
| 6 | Rosaceae |
| 7 (1 & 2) | Leguminosae (partim) |
| 8 | Haloragaceae - Euphorbiaceae |
| 9 | Rhamnaceae - Polygalaceae |
| 10 | Araliaceae - Umbelliferae |
| 11 | Gentianaceae - Boraginaceae |
| 12 | Verbenaceae - Callitrichaceae |
| 13 | Plantaginaceae - Scrophulariaceae |
| 14 | Myoporaceae - Campanulaceae |
| 15 | Rubiaceae - Dipsacaceae |
| 16 | Compositae |
| 17 | Butomaceae - Juncaceae |
| 18 | Cyperaceae - Pontederiaceae |
| 19 (1 & 2) | Gramineae (partim) |
| 20 | Liliaceae - Agavaceae |
| 21 | Smilacaceae - Orchidaceae |
Frequently Asked Questions
What geographic areas does Flora Iberica cover?
The series covers the vascular plants of the Iberian Peninsula, which includes Spain and Portugal. It specifically excludes the Atlantic islands.
Who is responsible for publishing this series?
The series is published by the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid in Spain.
Is there a shorter version of the series available?
Yes, an abridged version called Claves de Flora ibérica (Keys for the Iberian Flora) has been published since 2001 to provide a more concise identification resource.
What types of plants are documented in the volumes?
The volumes document pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms, covering a wide range of plant families from Lycopodiaceae to Orchidaceae.
How many volumes have been released so far?
As of 2021, a total of 21 volumes have been published in the series.