Has anyone mentioned the USDA plants website?

http://plants.usda.gov/java/

We use this a great deal in our paleoethnobotany lab.  It's searchable on
common name (although it doesn't have them all) and scientific name.  There
are photos for many plants and species distribution maps for the US and
Canada. And it has links to many states' invasive plants lists. For some
taxa, it has information about whether they are native or introduced
(although there can be problems making such determinations).

Heather

-- 
Heather Trigg, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Fiske Center for Archaeological Research
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA 02125

Phone: 617 287 6838



On 3/28/11 5:46 PM, "Lyle E. Browning" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Very true. However, the typical compiler of the fascinating interplay of
> ethnic, language and other modifiers is typically the domain of someone with
> entirely too much time on their hands and a near-obsession with compilation;(
> (British trainspotters come to mind). Where would we be without these folks.
> The danger is that it's parked somewhere without reference to the bigger
> picture. The strength of a Wiki-pedia data set is that all of us can add to
> it. As long as there's a forma classification (Linnaean) category AND a photo
> so we can all see what we're looking at (to channel that eminent philosopher
> Yogi Berra), we should be able to produce in a very few years something that
> would benefit us all. How many of us stay in one location for our professional
> lives? Would it not be wonderful to hit the ground running and speak like a
> native with the aid of such a guide.
> 
> Let's hope someone will pick up the ball and run with it.
> 
> Lyle Browning, RPA
> 
> 
> On Mar 28, 2011, at 12:24 PM, David Parkhill wrote:
> 
>> I have been watching this discussion for some time and I find it to be very
>> interesting. The one glaring facet of all this is that this country of ours
>> is a vast, complex of various names, identities and folklore. The same holds
>> true for the various backgrounds, and ethnics of the people in our society.
>> Folks in one area call a plant found in their area a separate common name as
>> the same plant found in another area. Give or take some modification
>> (possibly in structure, etc). Having taught science (biology & chemistry)
>> for a number of years I have found this to be true even in the areas of the
>> same state. People migrate. Plant life migrates with the people. Animals
>> continually change move and adapt. Change and adjust is the nature of the
>> beast.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Attempting to place all this information into one majestic compilation is
>> mind boggling. As a science teacher I did find a Federal Agency (It's hard
>> to believe) that has at least tried to answer this problem (or address this
>> opportunity). The U. S. Department of Agriculture has a wonderful series in
>> hard back books dealing with a huge amount of research in all areas (trees,
>> insects, land, plants etc.) Some of these books may be out of print. Contact
>> the U.S.D.A. for an up to date list of publications. As a Master Gardener I
>> have depended upon some of these books for important data. If you know your
>> Congressman, very well, you might prevail upon them for a copy or so.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> D. Parkhill