The following is summary is provided to help answer a multitude of questions regarding the differences between BONAP and PLANTS Databases:
Over a period of approximately 15 years, from the late 1980’s to 2004, BONAP provided virtually all of the floristic data for the U.S.D.A. NRCS PLANTS Database, including all of the nomenclature, phytogeography, plus nearly all of the botanical attribute data (e.g., habit, duration, nativity and common names, etc.). The last significant revision of the BONAP data included within PLANTS Database was made in 2004. Since then, there have been virtually no updates of the taxonomy, nor U.S. state or U.S. county-level data on the PLANTS Database website.
In fact, over the past year or more, there has been virtually no activity on the PLANTS Database by NRCS personnel. By continuing to work with hundreds of taxonomists, agriculturists, state conservationalists, including botanists from the various State Heritage Programs and other researchers throughout North America, BONAP plans to provide comprehensive updates of these data semi-annually.
Rather than follow a single scheme of classification, or a specific reference for the North American flora (e.g., FNA); our taxonomy will occasionally represent different concepts and incorporate taxonomic views that we feel represent more recent monographic revisions or floristic research or in some cases more widely accepted views. Nonetheless, contrary points of view will always be considered and welcomed.