Australian Plant Name Index (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.