XVI International Botanical Congess

There is a growing demand from the general community for global species checklists as indices to the diverse array of biological information. The World Umbellifer Database (in PANDORA database system) aims to provide this for Apiaceae and is part of Species2000. The patchy coverage in some areas of modern Floras or monographs and conflicting taxonomic opinions cause problems when striving for a consensus taxonomy. Generic delimitation and large, widely distributed genera are a particular problem in Apiaceae and should form a focus of future research. Internet and other IT systems can be used to facilitate research e.g. Umbellifer homepage: www.rbge.org.uk/data/URC/urc.htm. Multiple taxonomies cannot be efficiently handled in current database systems. Taxonomic opinion should not be compromised by the enforcement of a consensus, future database systems should support these.