Information available within the PRECIS data bank of the National Herbarium, Pretoria, with examples of uses to which it may be put

Abstract

The contents of the computerized information storage and retrieval system (PRECIS) of the National Herbarium, Pretoria (PRE) are described at length mainly by means of frequency histograms of descriptor codes. The frequency distributions found are discussed in the light of the history of the herbarium, the geography of the area and the habits of plant collectors. Two uses of PRECIS are illustrated by example. Firstly, the flowering phenology of  Eragrostis capensis, Themeda triandra and Heteropogon contortus is plotted and, secondly, the route followed by Dinter in South West Africa/Namibia from December 1933 until March 1935 is described. It is concluded that the system should be o f particular use in revisionary studies, regional floras and biogeographic research.