Choose one of the categories above for a list of plant-related websites. Selected websites are all non-commercial, without advertisements, and free-access sites. The links provided have all been checked as of March 1, 2018; however, websites are occasionally moved or deleted without notice by the authors or sponsoring agency. If you do encounter a link that no longer works or a website that has changed location, please report the problematic link to the NOPD so that we can update the link.

North America

Bryophyte Flora of North America (BFNA)

Nearing completion, this comprehensive online resource represents Volumes 27-28 (mosses) of the Bryophyte Flora of North America. Some family and generic treatments for Volume 29 (liverworts) have been provisionally published online, but this volume is far from complete. The format is similar to the Flora of North America volumes on vascular plants, but what makes this bryophyte flora shine over any other flora I've seen are the exquisite illustrations by botanist Patricia M. Eckel. If you have an interest in botanical illustrations and even a rudimentary knowledge of bryophytes, you will be in awe browsing through these volumes.

CyberSedge

The best website on Carex species, featuring Harry Charles Creutzburg's excellent pen & ink illustrations from Kenneth Kent Mackenzie's classic 1940 reference, North American Cariceae. Click on the individual plant, perigynium, achene, spike, ligule, or scale drawings for an enlarged view. Compiled by Texas A&M University's Bioinformatics Working Group.

Festuca of North America

Similar in format to the Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, this comprehensive website provides detailed descriptions, distribution maps, and a few images of each North American species of Festuca, including those recently transferred to other genera.

Fire Effects Information System (FEIS)

A very useful website with information on the fire ecology and effects of fire on both plant and animal species. To access the ecological information on forest species, click on the species acronym in front of each name in the Species Reviewspage.

Flora of North America

A definitive work on North American vascular plants and bryophytes, published in 30 volumes. See this link to a list of families with published treatments; click on a family name to see the online descriptions and keys to the species. Illustrations of many species are included, as well as distribution maps of each species. The Northern Ontario Plant Database follows the nomenclature used in FNA volumes as they are published, but new research often necessitates updates in nomenclature not presented in these printed references.

Hardy Fern Library

An excellent website on ferns, developed by Tom Stewart, which provides good descriptions, illustrations, and images of North American ferns. A number of browsing options are available at the top of the website and a very useful illustrated glossary is also available.

Lichens of North America

A website about the definitive lichen book for our area, Lichens of North America (I.M. Brodo et al. 1991), which includes photographs and distribution maps for each species, as well as keys and species descriptions. Every serious botanist should have a copy of this book in their library. The website contains a sample of the magnificent lichen photographs taken by Sylvia & Stephen Sharnoff, as well as sections on Lichen Biology and the Environment, Lichens and Wildlife, and Lichens and People.

Silvics of North America

An indispensable website from the USDA; Silvics of North America, originally published in 1965, describes the characteristics of about 200 conifers and hardwood trees in North America. Excellent information on habitat, climate, soils & topography, associated species, life history, and special uses. Range maps of the tree species include Canada.