Flora Malesiana: A Review 
Benjamin C. Stone 1 
Flora Malesiana, "an Illustrated Systematic Account of the Malaysian Flora”; published under 
the auspices of the Kebun Raya Indonesia, Bogor, Java, the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia, and the 
Rijksherbarium, Leyden, Netherlands; prepared on an international cooperative basis; general editor. 
Dr. C. G. G. j. van Steenis, Director of the Flora Malesiana Foundation; published by Noordhoff- 
Kolff N.V., Djakarta. Published to date: three volumes of series I, eg., I (1), 1(4), and I (5), as 
follows: 1: i-clii, 1-639 (1950); 4: i-ccxix, 1-631 (1948-54); 5: i-ccxlii, 1-595 (1955-58). 
Volume I comprises a cyclopaedia of collectors, with introductory chapters on methods and 
aims of the work, techniques of plant-collecting in the tropics, phytogeography of Malaysia, his- 
tory of collections, desiderata for future collectors, and sources of information for the cyclopedic 
part. 
Volume 4 contains an introduction and general considerations ( by van Steenis ) , a history of 
the descriptions of Malaysian plants (by H. C. de Wit), keys (by van Steenis), dates of publica- 
tion of source works (by M. J. van Steenis-Kruseman and W. T. Stearn), and a series of taxonomic 
revisions of more than 60 families (by various authors ) . 
Volume 5 consists of a list of selected bibliography, abbreviations used in citations, a long 
part on the philosophy of specific and infraspecific delimitation, and a supplement ( no. I ) to the 
cyclopaedia of collectors, and further revisions (of 24 families, by various authors ) , with indices. 
The series I, Spermatophyta, (and presumably the other series, to include other plant groups ) 
contains, besides the various other types of information, the core of the work, which is a revised 
modern systematic treatment of the plants of Malaysia, with keys, diagnoses, references, synonyms, 
distributional notes, ecological notes, and information pertaining to the uses of both wild and cul- 
tivated species. 
The undertaking is an enormous one of the greatest importance, and the perseverance of the 
editors and the quality of this achievement, in spite of considerable difficulties (not the least of 
which has been the split in Dutch-Indonesian relations resulting in a lack of financial support ) has 
excited both admiration and awe. 
From a botanical point of view, the Flora commands the greatest respect. The editorial policy 
is exemplary, resulting in a uniform treatment that makes for clarity; while the numerous scientists, 
many working in Holland, but others in other countries, have maintained the highest standards in 
their work. Especially valuable is the section in volume 5 on specific and infraspecific delimitation. 
Although on occasion verging on redundancy, there is a great deal of wisdom in it, of both the 
practical and the philosophical kind, drawn from long experience with tropical plants. This section 
ought to be required reading for all botanists, especially those who are working with tropical 
plants. At the end of this section 70 precepts are listed, intended both as guides for preparers of 
the Flora and to botanists in general. The last two bear repeating here: "Phytography requires be- 
sides a love and esteem for the metier, a memory for forms, great patience and care, a never-end- 
ing self-criticism, continuous concentrated observation of details, a great tenacity for mastering 
facts, as well as a balanced and unprejudiced outlook.” "Be always prepared to solicit disinterested 
criticism from experienced colleagues whose work you admire. Try to conquer a natural, human 
dislike and inertia to drastic improvements and emendations in agreement with your respon- 
sibility.” 
1 Department of Botany, University of Hawaii. 
Manuscript received January 28, I960. 
423 
