Herts Flora Group

Continuous recording of wild plants is essential for documenting changes in their occurrence and distributions, and records are welcomed from experts and beginners alike.

A system for data entry that was purpose-built for the HFG is being discontinued because the underpinning software is becoming increasingly obsolete. Instead we recommended submitting records using the widely-used iRecord portal. This can be accessed from a computer or downloaded as a mobile phone app.

Records can be input as a single observation (so-called ‘casual record') or a list of species for a particular locality. All casual records should include a grid reference with six-figure (and preferably greater) precision. Site lists should provide a grid reference central for the location being surveyed. Comments on abundance, likely status (native/introduced etc) and life-stage (seedling/flowering/fruiting etc) are always valuable. iRecord includes an interactive map that makes it straightforward to pinpoint a location and generate its reference.

All records submitted for a Herts locality will await verification by one of the recorders before being added to databases held by the Herts Environmental Records Centre (HERC) and the BSBI. If identifications are uncertain, iRecord allows you to add photos to support a record and aid verification. Identification queries (especially for rarer species) can be sent by email with attached photos to one of the recorders, but please liaise in advance before sending live material. IRecord users get a notification confirming verification (or not!), and possibly a comment if more information is required.

For advice on plant identification, or any other aspects of Herts botany, please email the Flora Group organisers with or without photos as attachments.