BCSS - Forum

Thanks to Johan de Vries, I have added further VZ numbers for 2013-2017 to the field number database.

Thanks, Johan!

Ralph

Always nice, these additions. They are really helpful for me.
I regularly use yours and www.cl-cactus.com (always both, to check of both have the same result).

I have added some more of Norbert and Elisabeth Sarnes' SAR numbers.

I have added some further BIG numbers from Ignazio Blando.

Thanks, Ignazio!

I have just made a major update to Chris Sherrah's CS numbers. Thanks, Chris!

Collection numbers for CS are of two forms, "4.3", and "4.2_5". The former denote locality and photo number. The latter denote an actual collection, where the number after "_" is the collection number.

The photo numbers, presumably, linking in with those on his website, http://cactushabitat.com/ , somehow.

Phil_SK wrote: ↑Mon Nov 25, 2019 4:54 pm The photo numbers, presumably, linking in with those on his website, http://cactushabitat.com/ , somehow.

Yes, that's why he changed his numbering system, so people could see what the plants were in his photos.

What exactly is the field number data base? What is its purpose, who can contribute, how do you get your own acronym, etc. I have never seen an explanation of it. Thanks.

When people collect plants (or seeds, or photos, etc) from habitat, they give them a unique reference number. Typically, this is the collector's initials followed by a number. Some people (unwisely in my opinion) try to encode further information in the number too, like the year of collection, or a collection locality, making them more complex than a simple number.

Many collected plants have been propagated and are widely available with the attached collection numbers.

The database is a reference list of such numbers, storing for each item
number, genus, species, variety, locality, altitude, date, and any brief notes

The database can be searched by
collection number
species
locality
and its aim is to help collectors and researchers find out the identity (species) of a numbered plant, or where a plant grows, or what grows in a given place.

There's also an acronym database where you can find who the collector is, e.g. FR1234 => FR => Friedrich Ritter.

Anyone can make up their own acronym, but you are advised to choose one not already in use (If you are Frank Xerxes Robert, dont use FR, but use FXR).

Anyone is welcome to send me their lists for incorporation into the database (or indeed, any other lists if they have the originator's permission).

I think that about sums it up, but if you have any more questions, fire away.

There is a brief explanation of it all and how to access it at:
https://www.fieldnos.bcss.org.uk/

That explains it very well. Thank you, Ralph.