Mapping Species Distributions

HOW TO USE E-FLORA BC

Fairy Slipper (Calypso bulbosa), photo by Doug Skilton

Where to start--A Tiny Tutorial

PART I: General Botany

If you wish to know more about botanical topics in general, then use the links to our information pages. These are listed in the menu to the left. Our information pages cover a variety of topics, including the vegetation of BC, an introduction to plant taxonomy, the phytogeography of BC, and how to survey for rare plants.

PART II: Species-Specific Information (the atlas pages)

If you wish to find species-specific information, then visit our atlas pages. These will provide you with information on distribution, ecology, biology, identification, conservation status and more for each species in the province. Atlas pages can be accessed via a species search. You can use the Quick Search feature on our home page, our scrolling species lists accessed from the home page, or the Advanced Search button on the home page--this takes you to our main species search page where you can conduct specialized searching for species sub-groups.

An important subset of information in our atlas pages is the species mapping. Mapping on E-Flora BC is presented in interactive maps that allow you to explore the factors behind plant distributions. You can do this by contructing your own map, adding biogeographical layers over the distribution information.

PART III: Specialized Species Searching:

Our Advanced Search page has been set up so that in addition to searching for a particular species, you can also call up sets of atlas pages for sub-groups of species, including species of conservation concern, invasive species, poisonous species, orchids, and much more.

What can I learn by exploring E-Flora BC?

E-Flora BC is a comprehensive source of botanical information, and can give you insights into plant species in the province, including where they grow and how abundant they are in the landscape. Here are just a few of the intriguing things you can learn by using E-Flora BC:

You can learn about one of BC's smallest vascular plants, Columbian Water Meal  (Wolffia columbiana).  Visit the atlas page to learn more.   (Photo by Jamie Fenneman)

Learn about Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii), a benign-looking
plant that can cause severe dermatitis and an itchy blistery rash. Visit the atlas page to learn more. Photo by Brian Klinkenberg.

Learn about invasive species in BC, such as the Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum).  This species causes severe reactions if handled. Look for it in the extreme southwestern corner of BC.  Visit the atlas page. Photo by Hugh Griffith.

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is the source of the heart medication Digitalis. 
This colourful garden escape occurs in the southwestern portions of BC and is easily seen along our highways. It is particularly common in the Lower Mainland. Visit the atlas page to learn more. Photo by Ian Cumming.

Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmataeia) is a strange prehistoric-looking plant
that is found most frequently in the southwestern corner of the province. Visit the atlas page. Photo by Brian Klinkenberg.

The Morel (Morchella esculenta) is a delicious edible fungus. Altas pages for mushrooms are now available on E-Flora BC. Photo by Werner Eigelsreiter.

Use E-Flora BC to learn about our moss flora. These small plants are dominant in the understorey throughout BC. Photo by Rod Innes.

Use E-Flora BC to learn about poisonous plants in BC, such as Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum). Visit the atlas page to learn more about this deadly plant.