Botanical Encyclopedia

Tree of Life

Tree of life

Plant Kingdom (Plantae)

Plants are an amazing kingdom of multicellular organisms possessing the unique ability to photosynthesize. By converting sunlight into organic matter, they have become the true foundation of life on our planet. It was plants that shaped the Earth's atmosphere by enriching it with oxygen, and to this day they sustain the vast majority of living beings.

From microscopic mosses to giant sequoias, Earth's flora amazes with its diversity and the perfection of its adaptation mechanisms. Botany is not just the science of stems and leaves; it is the study of the very foundation of the biosphere, understanding which is critically important for our common future and for preserving harmony on Earth.

Angiosperms

The most extensive and advanced group of plants, characterized by having flowers and fruits.

Gymnosperms

An ancient group of seed plants whose seeds develop exposed on the scales of cones.

Ferns

Elegant spore-bearing plants that flourished millions of years ago and have remained faithful to the forests.

Bryophytes

Tiny pioneers of the land, forming soft emerald carpets in the most diverse corners of the planet.

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Today, science knows of more than 1073941 species of plants, and every year botanists discover about two thousand new taxa.

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Plants produce about 90% of all oxygen on Earth, and the world's forests are a key regulator of our planet's climate.

Interactive Classifier

Alphabetical Plant Index

Explore Earth's vast flora through our systematic directory. You can navigate sections using both common names and strict scientific Latin names. Our fast, three-level navigation system will help you find your way among hundreds of thousands of species in a single click.

Latest Additions

Narrow-leaved montia

Narrow-leaved montia

Montia angustifolia

A low-growing, mat-forming perennial herb endemic to the damp montane and alpine habitats of New Zealand's South Island.

Descendants: 0 Species
Montia sessiliflora

Montia sessiliflora

Montia sessiliflora

A compact, cushion-forming alpine perennial endemic to New Zealand, named for its sessile flowers that sit directly in the leaf …

Descendants: 0 Species
Montia racemosa

Montia racemosa

Montia racemosa

A fleshy, creeping perennial herb endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, notable for producing multi-flowered, raceme-like inflorescences.

Descendants: 0 Species
Montia campylostigma

Montia campylostigma

Montia campylostigma

A prostrate, mat-forming perennial herb endemic to the high-altitude habitats of New Zealand's South Island, distinguished by its curved stigmatic …

Descendants: 0 Species
White Purslane

White Purslane

Montia australasica

A creeping, mat-forming perennial herb native to southeastern Australia and Tasmania, bearing succulent linear leaves and relatively large white or …

Descendants: 0 Species
Montia calycina

Montia calycina

Montia calycina

A prostrate, mat-forming perennial herb endemic to New Zealand, featuring slender fleshy leaves and low-growing flowers nestled within prominent calyces.

Descendants: 0 Species
Montia erythrophylla

Montia erythrophylla

Montia erythrophylla

Montia erythrophylla is a rare, perennial, cushion-forming alpine herb endemic to the high-altitude scree and fellfields of New Zealand's South …

Descendants: 0 Species
Herero Purslane

Herero Purslane

Portulaca hereroensis

A low-growing, drought-adapted succulent herb native to the arid and semi-arid savannas of southern and south-central Africa.

Descendants: 0 Species
Bornean Wightia

Bornean Wightia

Wightia borneensis

A tropical hemi-epiphytic tree species of the Paulowniaceae family native to Borneo.

Descendants: 0 Species
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