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[Mandrake]

Dear members,

for your convenience, I'm leaving here a layout suggestion for Plant Datasheet entries, along with a template you can copy and paste to start your Datasheet threads.

If you have enough information and want to "adopt" a species here by starting a Datasheet thread for community reference, please name your thread with the following pattern:

[DS] Genus Species

Of course, not all fields are required when starting a datasheet. Unknown fields can be left blank, and filled or edited later on.

For nomenclature/taxonomical information, and some other basic plant species data, there's several external resources you can refer to:

Tropicos Plant Database
International Plant Names Index
The Plant List

Plant pictures can be attached at the end of the post, or included in the body of the message using external image links.

Template Description

Datasheet: Species, in scientific binomial name

1. NOMENCLATURE

Synonyms: Other binomial names that have been assigned to the species
Common Names (english): Popular, traditional or local english names of the species
Common Names (non-english): Popular, traditional or local names of the species in non-english languages
Taxonomic Position: Family of the species (for instance - Lamiaceae, Mimosoidae, etc.)

2. DESCRIPTION

Plant Type: Is it a herb, a shrub, a succulent, a tree...? Is it perennial, annual, biennial...?
Morphology: A physical description of the plant. Shape, stems, leaves, flowers, roots... detail is always good but you can keep it simple, or illustrate it with pictures.
Similarity to Other Species: Notes about similar species that can confuse correct plant identification.

3. DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY

Geographical Distribution: Countries and geographical locations where it can be natively found in the wild.
Native Habitat: In which type of ecosystems does the species thrive? Temperate forest, mountain areas, tropical rainforest, grasslands, wetlands...?
Hardiness and Environmental Requirements: Ideal temperature range, light preferences, water requirements and hardiness zone if available.
Soil Requirements: Does it like alkaline or acid soils? Should the soil ideally be sandy, loamy, silty, highly organic...?

4. PROPAGATION AND CYCLE

Types of Propagation: Is the plant mainly propagated by seed? Can it be propagated by stem/leaf/root cuttings?
Seed Germination Notes: Basic information about seed germination. Dormancy, seed viability, and known methods for starting seeds like stratification or scarification, if they apply.
Life Cycle: Notes about the life cycle of the plant.

5. HISTORY AND CULTURE

Some historical information about the plant. Ethnobotanical notes, culture and traditionally attributed uses.

6. PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS

Documented properties: Known medicinal and/or psychoactive properties. Please mark speculations as such.
Parts of the plant with therapeutic/psychoactive value: Which plant organs show relevant properties? Leaves, flowers, root...?
Chemical Constituents: Types of compounds found in the plant with therapeutic or psychoactive uses.

6. REFERENCES AND CITATIONS

STS Threads with Information: Link here other threads in the community with information about the species.
External Links: Information outside of STS.
Citation Sources: You can give credit here to the references for the information you posted above.

Template Text

Just copy and paste it into your Datasheet thread, replace the hyphens with the information, and of course modify it and illustrate it as you see fit.

[size=12pt][b][color=green]Datasheet:[/color] ---[/b][/size]

[color=green][b]1. NOMENCLATURE[/b][/color]

[color=green]Synonyms:[/color] ---
[color=green]Common Names (english):[/color] ---
[color=green]Common Names (non-english):[/color] ---
[color=green]Taxonomic Position: [/color] ---

[color=green][b]2. DESCRIPTION[/b][/color]

[color=green]Plant Type:[/color] ---
[color=green]Morphology:[/color] ---
[color=green]Similarity to Other Species:[/color] ---

[color=green][b]3. DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY[/b][/color]

[color=green]Geographical Distribution:[/color] ---
[color=green]Native Habitat:[/color] ---
[color=green]Hardiness and Environmental Requirements:[/color] ---
[color=green]Soil Requirements:[/color] ---

[color=green][b]4. PROPAGATION AND CYCLE[/b][/color]

[color=green]Types of Propagation:[/color] ---
[color=green]Seed Germination Notes:[/color] ---
[color=green]Life Cycle:[/color] ---

[color=green][b]5. HISTORY AND CULTURE[/b][/color]

---

[color=green][b]6. PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS[/b][/color]

[color=green]Documented properties:[/color] ---
[color=green]Parts of the plant with therapeutic/psychoactive value:[/color] ---
[color=green]Phytochemical Information:[/color] ---

[color=green][b]6. REFERENCES AND CITATIONS[/b][/color]

[color=green]STS Threads with Information:[/color] ---
[color=green]External Links:[/color] ---
[color=green]Citation Sources:[/color] ---

Thank you for your contributions!

- Mandrake

2 Likes BubbleCat and dEEcor like this.

[Sunshine]

Thanks for taking the time to write this up. It saved me a helluva lotta time.
+1

[dEEcor]

Is this the first attempt for a clear data sheet collection or is there already something out there where you don´t have to read a full text to get a specific information?

[dEEcor]

Where do we collect all the data sheets?

[BubbleCat]

I guess we Put them all in the botanical information subforum and maybe we should make a thread that
a) lists all plants anyone has requested (should be updated in the OP then)
b) links every plant whose request was met

So basically a collection of links and a resource for anyone feeling like contributing by making a new DS someone requested

Like:

Allium Ursinum
Banisteriopsis Caapi
...
Zinnia Acerosa


Who believes we should post updates and missing information below a DS for the original creator or if we want also the mods to update the OP ?

[dEEcor]

Sounds good. Let´s try.
What could we need update postings for?
If someone misses info he/she/it can make a request in the DS index topic. It could then be written under the DS (link). Imho mods can update the OP.

[BubbleCat]

It just appears less work, if something shows up in the index thread everyone had to check there first, if it belongs to a thread one started, then navigate to said thread and then update. If it just pops up in the newest posts as a reply to your thread, just click, read, update.

The thing with owners updating it: It's a thread they started, there's no need for a careful decision or evaluation, even if the one who started a species' DS probably is familiar with it already and can imtuitively tell if the given data appears legit and lastly: if we make it a "duty" for mods I will have at least 4 mods after me because I increased workload