Introduction: General Guideline of the Flora of Pan-Himalaya：
The Himalaya and adjacent regions(pan-himalaya)form a natural phytogeographical unit, from the Wakhan Corridor eastwards to the Hengduan Mountains via the Karakorum and the Himalaya. This region covers the northeastern corner of Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, Northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Northern Myanmar, and southwestern China (S Xizang, SE Qinghai, SE Gansu, Sichuan and NW Yunnan). This region is divided into 17 subregions: Wakhan, N Pakistan Jammu Kashmir, U Ganga Indus, U Yarlung Zangbo, W Nepal, C Nepal, E Nepal, Sikkim Darjiling, Bhutan, M Yarlung Zangbo, L Yarlung Zangbo, Yarlung Zangbo-brahmaputra, Tangut, N
Hengduan, S Hengduan, and U Irrawaddy ( see the map "Subdivisions of the Pan-himalaya'
The Flora of Pan-himalaya (FLPH)will be published in English in two editions: printed and online. It treats all the native and naturalized vascular plants of this region.
The Flora will be published in 50 volumes with ca. 80 books, with the larger families divided into two to seven parts. The classification systems used in this Flora will reflect our current understanding of phylogenetic or phylogenomic relationships of the relevant groups The third edition of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system(APG II)will be adopted for the angiosperms, and up-to-date phylogenetic or phylogenomic systems for the gymnosperms, ferns and lycophytes will be followed for the treatments of those groups.
The natural and rational delimitation of species is the critical task of taxonomy, and is the most important criterion for judging the scientific value and standard of a flora. Population concepts should be employed in determining the taxonomy; character analysis should be considered as the basis for a rational taxonomic treatment. Therefore, field observations at the population level, and statistic analysis based on broad population sampling and collections are greatly encouraged to investigate the variation of characters and evaluate their taxonomic significance for the delimitation of taxa. Herbarium specimens kept at the following herbaria must be examined and identified: PE, KUN, K, BM, E, CDBI, and SZ. The authors are also encouraged to visit the herbaria of A. B. CAL, CAS, G, KATH, LE, P, TI, W, and HNWP
Delimitation of closely related species should be based on correlated discontinuous(including statistically discontinuous)variation of at least two characters. As to apomicts(such as Taraxacum spp, Sorbus spp )and vegetatively reproducing plants, macrospecies should be adopted instead of microspecies
The use of subspecies is encouraged in infraspecific classifications, but varieties only in special cases. Subspecies are geographical races and horizontally or vertically vicarious, whilst varieties are prominent ecotypes. Genotype variants within populations should not be recognized as different taxa. The description of a species should cover all its elements, Variants which do not merit formal taxonomic recognition may be noted below the description of the species.
Larger families and genera may be concisely subdivided. These systems should reflect the current understanding of phylogenetic or phylogenomic relationships, especially those generated from solid molecular and genomic data.
The concept of the genus should reflect the current understanding of phylogenies. Generic concepts strongly supported by both molecular/genomic and morphological evidence should be adopted, but those with weak support in molecular/genomic analysis and have no sound morphological evidence should not be accepted. The treatment of the more poorly known groups should be conservative and any perceived problems indicated.
Identification keys are one of the most important products of classification, and the be reflection of its usefulness. Authors should construct a key based on the examination of all relevant specimens, Where possible, keys should not be based on a single character, and must avoid vague words, such as relatively large vs. relatively small, longer vs. shorter. It is important to use easily visible characters in keys. Dichotomous indented keys such as those in the Flora of China are to be used in this flora
Description of species should be concise with emphasis on diagnostic characters, and should include habitat information and the geographical distribution, plus chromosome numbers, phenology, and other biological features, as well as reliable economic uses and conservation information where available.
Literature citation for accepted names and their basionym must be provided Important references, such as monographs and floras, should be cited, but not more than three titles(at most five if absolutely necessary ). All synonyms based on types from within the fiora area should be listed along with other synonyms that have been widely used in relevant publications
Detailed type information should be indicated after the nomenclatural citation of taxa Designation of types is highly encouraged in this flora.
A distribution map is given for each species. This will be a dot map based on the specimens seen for the flora. The vouchers are to be cited to record geographical distribution for each specie subspecies (or variety). At least one representative specimen is needed for each distribution unit (county in China, district in the other countries). For the more widely distributed taxa(across nine or more subdivisions), a larger distribution unit can be used. no citation of vouchers is needed
and the distribution outlines are also acceptable.
The nomenclatural novelties (new taxa, new combinations, and nomina nova)may be published in the flora or elsewhere
Sterile hybrids, and those hybrids not forming populations, are to be briefly discussed after the descriptions of their parents. Plants only known from cultivation may be indicated at the end of the treatment of the genus, but should not be included in the identification keys.
All genera, and at least one third of the species, should be illustrated with good quality line drawings with scale bars to indicate magnifications. The illustrations can be drawn from herbarium materials, living materials or images available, selected by the authors, or taken trom ublications with permission. Wherever possible the material used should be indicated. Diagnost characters of the species should be clearly illustrated. One plate may hold illustrations of one, two. or three species. For larger genera composite plates of diagnostic characters are encouraged
The web edition of the flora will follow the corresponding printed edition. Color photographs detailed citation of vouchers, and other sources of information are to be included only in the web dition
The physical geography, history of studies of vascular plants from this region, biogeography biodiversity conservation, general references, and key to families are to be included in the first (introductory )volume.
A comprehensive index to taxa and other subjects are to be published in the last volume More detailed guidelines and a model treatment for preparation of flora accounts will be provided by the Editorial Committee