Systematic Census of Australian Plants
Encyclopedia
The Systematic census of Australian plants, with chronologic, literary and geographic annotations, more commonly known as the Systematic Census of Australian Plants, also known by its standard botanic abbreviation Syst. Census Austral. Pl., is a survey of the vascular
flora of Australia
prepared by Government botanist for the state of Victoria
Ferdinand von Mueller
and published in 1882.
Von Mueller describes the development of the census in the preface of the volume as an extension of the seven volumes of the Flora Australiensis
written by George Bentham
. A new flora was necessary since as more areas of Australia were explored and settled, the flora of the island-continent
became better collected and described. The first census increased the number of described species from the 8125 in Flora Australiensis to 8646. The book records all the known species indigenous to Australia and Norfolk Island
; with records of species distribution.
Von Mueller noted that by 1882 it had become difficult to distinguish some introduced species from native ones:
In 1889 an updated edition of the census was published, the Second Systematic Census increased the number of described species to 8839. Von Mueller dedicated both works to Joseph Dalton Hooker
and A. P. de Candolle
.
The work is of historic significance as the first Australian flora written in Australia. Following its publication, research and writing on the flora of Australia has largely been carried out in Australia.
Vascular plant
Vascular plants are those plants that have lignified tissues for conducting water, minerals, and photosynthetic products through the plant. Vascular plants include the clubmosses, Equisetum, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms...
flora of Australia
Flora of Australia
The flora of Australia comprises a vast assemblage of plant species estimated to over 20,000 vascular and 14,000 non-vascular plants, 250,000 species of fungi and over 3,000 lichens...
prepared by Government botanist for the state of Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
Ferdinand von Mueller
Ferdinand von Mueller
Baron Sir Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller, KCMG was a German-Australian physician, geographer, and most notably, a botanist.-Early life:...
and published in 1882.
Von Mueller describes the development of the census in the preface of the volume as an extension of the seven volumes of the Flora Australiensis
Flora Australiensis
Flora Australiensis: a description of the plants of the Australian Territory, more commonly referred to as Flora Australiensis, and also known by its standard abbreviation Fl. Austral., is a seven-volume flora of Australia published between 1863 and 1878 by George Bentham, with the assistance of...
written by George Bentham
George Bentham
George Bentham CMG FRS was an English botanist, characterized by Duane Isely as "the premier systematic botanist of the nineteenth century".- Formative years :...
. A new flora was necessary since as more areas of Australia were explored and settled, the flora of the island-continent
Australia (continent)
Australia is the world's smallest continent, comprising the mainland of Australia and proximate islands including Tasmania, New Guinea, the Aru Islands and Raja Ampat Islands...
became better collected and described. The first census increased the number of described species from the 8125 in Flora Australiensis to 8646. The book records all the known species indigenous to Australia and Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island
Norfolk Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, but it enjoys a large degree of self-governance...
; with records of species distribution.
Von Mueller noted that by 1882 it had become difficult to distinguish some introduced species from native ones:
The lines of demarkation between truly indigenous and more recently immigrated plants can no longer in all cases be drawn with precision; but whereas Alchemilla vulgaris and Veronica serpillifolia were found along with several European Carices in untrodden parts of the Australian AlpsAustralian AlpsThe Australian Alps are the highest mountain ranges of mainland Australia. They are located in southeastern Australia and straddle the Australian Capital Territory, south-eastern New South Wales and eastern Victoria...
during the author's earliest explorations, Alchemilla arvensis and Veronica peregrinaVeronica peregrinaVeronica peregrina is a species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by several common names, including neckweed, American speedwell and purslane speedwell. It is native to the Americas, and it is known on other continents as an introduced species and a common weed...
were at first only noticed near settlements. The occurrence of Arabis glabraArabis glabraArabis glabra, or tower mustard, is a tall, slim, grey-green plant with small creamy flowers at the top of the stem. It usually grows on poor chalky or sandy soils, in open situations. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and it is widespread in North America where it is also probably...
, Geum urbanum, Agiimonia eupatoria, Eupatorium cannabinum, Cavpesium cernuum and some others may therefore readily be disputed as indigenous, and some questions concerning the nativity of various of our plants will probably remain for ever involved in doubts.
In 1889 an updated edition of the census was published, the Second Systematic Census increased the number of described species to 8839. Von Mueller dedicated both works to Joseph Dalton Hooker
Joseph Dalton Hooker
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker OM, GCSI, CB, MD, FRS was one of the greatest British botanists and explorers of the 19th century. Hooker was a founder of geographical botany, and Charles Darwin's closest friend...
and A. P. de Candolle
A. P. de Candolle
Augustin Pyramus de Candolle also spelled Augustin Pyrame de Candolle was a Swiss botanist. René Louiche Desfontaines launched Candolle's botanical career by recommending him at an herbarium...
.
The work is of historic significance as the first Australian flora written in Australia. Following its publication, research and writing on the flora of Australia has largely been carried out in Australia.
See also
- Australian Bird CountAustralian Bird CountThe Australian Bird Count was a project of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union . Following the first and successful Atlas of Australian Birds project, which led to the publication of a book on the distribution of Australian birds in 1984, it was suggested by Ken Rogers that the RAOU...
(ABC) - Flora of Australia (series)Flora of Australia (series)The Flora of Australia is a 59 volume series describing the vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens present in Australia and its external territories...
(59-volume series)