BONAP is a long‑running scientific organization that provides some of the most comprehensive, authoritative plant distribution data for North America. Their maps and databases are widely used by botanists, ecologists, land managers, conservation groups, and native‑plant enthusiasts.
www.bonap.org
🌱 What BONAP Does
📊 1. Plant Distribution Maps
• BONAP is best known for its county‑level plant distribution maps.
• These maps show where each plant species is found across the U.S., including:
• Native vs. introduced status
• Regional abundance
• Taxonomic details
📚 2. Taxonomic Databases
• BONAP maintains a massive, continually updated database of:
• Scientific names
• Synonyms
• Plant families and genera
• Accepted nomenclature
🧭 3. North American Plant Atlas (NAPA)
• Their flagship tool.
• Lets you search any plant species and instantly see:
• Distribution maps
• Taxonomic notes
• Native/introduced status
🧪 4. Research & Conservation Support
• BONAP data is used by:
• Universities
• Government agencies
• Conservation organizations
• Native plant societies
🌎 5. Geographic Scope
• Focuses on:
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Greenland
• Saint Pierre & Miquelon
🌼 Why BONAP Matters
• It’s one of the most detailed plant distribution resources available.
• Essential for:
• Habitat restoration
• Native plant gardening
• Ecological research
• Invasive species tracking
• Conservation planning
Given your love of gardening and community events, BONAP can be a great resource for choosing regionally appropriate native plants—especially in Indiana.
🌿 Want help using BONAP?
I can walk you through:
• How to look up a plant
• How to read their maps
• How to find native plants for your county
• How to compare BONAP with other tools like USDA PLANTS or iNaturalist
Just tell me what you’d like to explore!
