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Flowering Plants of Tamil Nadu: A Compendium,  a comprehensive checklist of angiosperms distributed in the southernmost Indian state has recorded 6723 taxa, inclusive of both wild and cultivated species. Funded by the National Biodiversity Authority,  Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board, and a few well-wishers, this richly illustrated book has more than 1400 colour images. With a diverse landscape, topography and forest types in the state, the arduous task of compiling the data of flowering plants was truly a passionate, productive and a purposeful endeavour.

The book encompasses details on the nomenclature, family, habit, flowering seasons and other pertinent information about the commercial, medicinal and horticultural significance of the species. Their distribution in global, national and regional levels have also been listed for better understanding of its phytochorionomic status. English and Tamil names, some existing and others freshly coined, provide a platform for a convincing integration into the local parlance of reference.

This compendium deals with a total of 225 families, whereby Fabaceae is the most species-rich family followed by Poaceae, Asteraceae, Rubiaceae and Orchidaceae. Euphorbia is the most species-rich genus in Tamil Nadu, with next in line being Impatiens, Cyperus, Crotalaria and Fimbristylis. The largest number of endemics in the state belongs to Cyperaceae. The globally followed APG IV classification has been adhered to in this compendium.

A visually and verbally collated referential literature, this compendium is sure to benefit taxonomists, botanists, naturalists, foresters, students, teachers and policymakers, in their understanding and appreciation of the state's floristic wealth and also to draft policies for their conservation and protection.