How to write a plant profile
1) What is a plant profile ?
A plant profile is a monograph of a plant species, in other words a document that contains an overview of the information available on the species. A plant profile content will change according to the target readers for the document. However, some standard guidelines can be given. Here I will give some guidelines that corresponds to the plant profiles that are part of the assignments of the students of the MSc in Ethnobotany at the Universiy of Kent.
2) Format:
I suggest to include at least the following categories (headings) in your plant profile:
- Illustration or photography of the plant
- Botanical name and synonims
- Vernacular name(s) of the plant
- Botanical description
- Origin, distribution and habitat
- Conservation status
- Use and plant products
- Description of plant products, harvesting and processing techniques
- Market status
- References: in the format of a scientific paper (embedded in the text and listed at the end)
3) Be particularly careful on these two points:
- Use reliable sources. Preferably peer reviewed journal articles or/and scientific books and monographs. Look for statistics on reliable sources. For example, the FAO website has a section with a lot of statistics.
- Cross-check information when you doubt the quality of the source.
- Check that the information is up to date.
- Include references for any information that you cite in the plant profile.