The families of angiosperms: Automated descriptions, with interactive identification and information retrieval

Abstract

A database containing automated descriptions of the angiosperm families, organised under the DELTA system, is described and illustrated with reference to its present capabilities and its potential. All 558 families are described in terms of certain basic information, including synonyms, geographical distributions, numbers of species and genera and classification according to four recent, influential classifications. Data on certain features have been widely or extensively incorporated (for example, with comprehensive coverage of variation in photosynthetic pathways, including source references); and 320 families (including all those represented in Australia) are described in sufficient morphological detail for multiple-entry, interactive identification. The interactive identification/information retrieval package is available in a form suitable for MS-DOS microcomputers.