El conocimiento florístico de México

A summary of the floristic knowledge of Mexico, based on the analysis of the existant herbaria, collections and floristic studies is presented. At present it is estimated that there are 2.3 million specimens deposited in Mexican herbaria. There are 71 herbaria in Mexico, most of them located in the central part of the country. There are three floristic studies that had been concluded (Desierto de Sonora, Baja California and Valle de México) and about 13 more are in development. In total, these 16 floras cover about 70% of the Mexican territory; however, most of the floras in development still need to undertake the study of more than 50% of the taxa distributed in their respective zones and those that had been concluded need the updating of their information. It is estimated that the taxonomic studies of Mexican taxa covers about 55% of the plant species of the country. Also, this paper points out some perspectives of the floristic studies in Mexico in relation to the obtention of information from other herbaria especially the foreign ones, to the appropriate planning of botanical explorations, to the inclusion of new technologies, as well as to the herbaria support and their personnel training.