Flora of Taiwan

elevation map of Taiwan showing mountain ranges in the east and lower lands in the southwest
Elevation map of Taiwan

The flora of Taiwan (Chinese: 臺灣植物誌; pinyin: Táiwān Zhíwù Zhì) is rich and varied due to the island's diverse geography and climate zones.[1] The main island is situated on the Tropic of Cancer between China and the Philippine Sea basin. There are mountains in the east, running north and south on two-thirds of the island, with many peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation, and lower, flatter, and more fertile land to the west. The tropical climate, plentiful rainfall, and wide altitudinal range make for abundant and varied vegetation. Taiwan is home to over 4300 species of vascular plants, of which it is estimated that 600 are ferns, 28 are gymnosperms, 2400 are dicots, and 1000 are monocots.[2]

  1. ^ Li, Hui-Lin (1963). Woody Flora of Taiwan. Narbeth, PA: Livingston Publishing Co. p. 9.
  2. ^ Huang, Tseng-Chieng (2003). Flora of Taiwan (2 ed.). Taipei: Department of Botany, National Taiwan University. pp. 1–2.