Overview
The Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) is an online catalogue that records published names applied to Australian vascular plants. It aims to gather nomenclatural and bibliographic information about taxa that have been described from, or recorded in, Australia. The index includes accepted names, historic names later treated as synonyms, and names that are invalid or not in current use. The database is searchable and linked to supporting citations and typification details. For direct access see the APNI portal at APNI.
Contents and main features
APNI assembles a range of data fields commonly used by botanists and ecologists. Typical entries include author citations, original publication references, type specimen information and notes on nomenclatural status. The database covers vascular plants (ferns, gymnosperms and flowering plants) and records names at the species and infraspecific levels as well as higher taxa.
- Bibliographic citations and links to original descriptions.
- Typification data and references to herbarium specimens where available.
- Entries for current names, synonyms and names deemed invalid or illegitimate — users can read the nomenclatural notes and follow synonym chains.
- Annotations and user-contributed comments to clarify interpretation or highlight unresolved issues.
History and maintenance
APNI was developed to consolidate scattered printed literature, herbarium records and later electronic data into a single, searchable resource. It has been built and expanded through contributions from taxonomists, herbaria and botanical institutions across Australia. Over time the index has incorporated more detailed typification and state-based census information to support taxonomic and conservation work.
Uses, importance and examples
Researchers, land managers, horticulturists and environmental consultants rely on APNI to confirm correct plant names and trace nomenclatural history. Typical applications include preparing floras, checking legal or conservation listings, compiling species checklists for regions or projects, and supporting ecological assessments. The index also links to and complements national census data such as the Census of Australian Vascular Plants; state-by-state listings are available through the linked census records (Census data).
How to consult APNI
Users can search by name, author or publication. Entries usually provide the original reference and may point to additional databases or herbarium specimen records for verification. When citing plant names in scientific work it is common to consult APNI to ensure the correct author citation and to find the publication details for the name’s first description.