Angiosperms
(QK: 495)
QK495.L52 Legumes
Summary:
Bean Ref, a gateway to the WWW, is a " collection of external links and
references from literature to different aspects of research on beans
(Phaseolus and Vigna)." The site offers"... references from literature and
has links to electronically available information. The subjects are the
different aspects of research on beans (genus Phaseolus and Vigna)."
Users can search for information through the table of contents on any of the
following subjects: cell culture; taxonomy; genetics; physiology; germplasm
collections; molecular biology; cytogenetics; phytopathology; production and
consumption; conferences and organizations; databases; and communication
(electronic and printed). The author urges users to submit new references
for directory links so that the site can constantly be updated to reflect
the most recent research.
The directory's menu offers categories, which are divided by subject. Within
these divisions, an alphabetical listing of linked WWW sites is provided.
The site is maintained by Mario Nenno, Division of Cell Biology, the
University of Kaiserslauten, Germany.
To Search:
Choose search command and enter keyword; submit search. Or choose category
of interest from main menu and then select subcategory. Specific help area
is available within the site, providing detailed instructions.
Summary:
The International Legume Database and Information Service (ILDIS) is
"...dedicated to the study of the plant family Leguminosae, which
contains just under a twelfth of the world's flowering plants." The aim of
the database is to "...provide a service to legume specialists and users of
legume and legume products worldwide." Sponsored by the School of
Biological Sciences, the University of Southhampton, the site offers
searching capabilities and general subject information.
The site's main page offers links to four major areas: (1) the homepage of
the Biology Department, the University of Southhampton, via the "world wide
web" link; (2) general information on the site; (3) the ILDIS LegumeWeb
service; and (4) information about the legume plant family. General
information on the site details its organizations, newsletters, products,
and services. Information on the legume plant family, as well as access to
a gallery of plant images, is found within the fourth link. The third link
accesses the site's search engine, designed to produced detailed records on
specific plants.
The first step in searching is to select a genus name from the provided
field (Lathyrus; Orobus; Vicia). This, in turn, produces a search field,
requesting a choice in "specific epithet," or the second part of the plant's
scientific name. Submitting a choice for this field then produces the
detailed plant record, which includes: (1) taxonomy; (2) geography; (3)
descriptors; (4) bibliography; (5) a color image of the plant; and (6)
further illustrations. The first category, "taxonomy," includes the plant's
accepted name, vernacular name, synonyms, family, sub-family, and tribe.
The "geography" data specifies whether the plant is native (N), introduced
(I), or uncertain (U) for nations within Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle
East,and North America. For each nation, a specific code is noted, to
describe the plant's existence and appearance in that area.
Links at the bottom of the site's main page give access to a keyword entry
field and search engine, a help area, news area, e-mail comments section,
and contact information by phone or mail. The site is sponsored by
the Department of Biology, School of Biological Sciences; the University of
Southhampton; Southhampton, UK.
To Search:
Select topic of interest from site's main page; follow onscreen links to
yield desired information or plant records.