平台概况
国际秋海棠数据库（International Database of the Begoniaceae）是一个面向全球秋海棠爱好者、收藏家、育种者、研究人员及所有对这类独特植物感兴趣人士的免费在线数据库。平台收录了19,643条秋海棠记录，涵盖物种（species）、品种（cultivars）、美国秋海棠学会（ABS）注册品种，以及编号未定物种（U编号植物）。数据库采用维基百科式的协作编辑模式，鼓励用户提交数据、补充照片、更新信息，共同维护数据的准确性与完整性。
发展历程
该数据库的构想始于1981年。创始人Ross Bolwell于1979年加入美国秋海棠学会（American Begonia Society），每月收到《The Begonian》杂志，从那时起便开始积累秋海棠分类与栽培知识。1981年，Mildred L. Thompson与Edward J. Thompson夫妇出版的《BEGONIAS: The Complete Reference Guide》成为数据库发展的重要参考，该书末尾的秋海棠目录为Bolwell提供了系统性分类框架。1986年，Boland使用早期电子表格程序MultiPlan建立了首个简易数据库，后逐步迁移至Excel和FileMaker格式，最终形成了今日基于Web的数据库平台。2024年，平台完成了向现代化云端架构的迁移，启用ibegonias.clientportal.cloud新域名。
数据库内容与功能
数据库内容涵盖秋海棠科植物的分类学、植物学和园艺学三大领域，并配有大量照片资料。物种信息主要来源于已故Jack Golding的秋海棠物种名录、修订及更新；品种信息则大量引用Wally Wagner开发的《世界秋海棠品种名录》（The World Checklist of Hybrid Begonias）。平台提供强大的搜索和浏览功能，用户可按物种名、品种名、注册者、来源等条件检索，查看详细记录并通过Wiki标签页提交补充信息。所有用户提交的数据在录入数据库前均需经过管理员审核验证，确保信息质量。
支持机构与合作伙伴
国际秋海棠数据库由澳大利亚和美国多个秋海棠协会及其成员共同支持，主要合作机构包括美国秋海棠学会（American Begonia Society）和澳大利亚新南威尔士州秋海棠协会（NSW Begonia Society Inc.）。数据库的建立和发展也得益于几位前辈学者的卓越贡献：Mildred L. Thompson与Edward J. Thompson夫妇的参考专著、Bessie Buxton编纂的《Buxton Check List of Begonias》、Jack Golding的物种名录与修订，以及Wally Wagner的世界品种名录。这些累积了近半个世纪的学术成果共同构成了今日数据库的知识基础。
社区参与
作为一个wiki式协作数据库，国际秋海棠数据库依赖全球秋海棠爱好者的共同参与。用户可协助更新秋海棠记录、补充照片、纠正错误信息、添加全新物种或品种记录。平台还提供”Down To Earth – with Begonias”电子资料下载，供爱好者深入学习。2024年云端化升级后，平台访问体验显著改善，注册用户可通过Wiki标签页直接与数据库管理员联系，反馈数据问题或提交编辑建议。
官方网站：https://ibegonias.clientportal.cloud/#/
Platform Overview
The International Database of the Begoniaceae is a free online resource designed for begonia growers, collectors, breeders, researchers, and plant enthusiasts worldwide. The database contains 19,643 begonia records, including species, cultivars, American Begonia Society (ABS) registered hybrids, and unidentified species (U-numbered begonias). Operated on a wiki-style collaborative model, the platform encourages users to contribute data, add photographs, and help maintain accuracy and completeness of information.
Development History
The concept for the database originated in 1981. Founder Ross Bolwell joined the American Begonia Society in 1979 and began accumulating knowledge from the society’s monthly publication, The Begonian. The 1981 reference book BEGONIAS: The Complete Reference Guide by Mildred L. Thompson and Edward J. Thompson provided a crucial taxonomic framework. In 1986, Bolwell built the first database using the MultiPlan spreadsheet program, later migrating to Excel and then FileMaker before launching the web-based platform. In 2024, the platform completed a major migration to modern cloud infrastructure, now accessible at ibegonias.clientportal.cloud.
Database Content and Features
The database integrates three major areas of begonia information: taxonomy, botany, and horticulture, supplemented by extensive photographic records. Species information draws primarily from the late Jack Golding’s Begoniaceae species lists, revisions, and updates. Cultivar data heavily references Wally Wagner’s World Checklist of Hybrid Begonias. The platform offers robust search and browsing capabilities, allowing users to query records by species name, cultivar name, registrant, origin, and other criteria. All user-submitted data undergoes administrator verification before being incorporated into the database.
Supporting Organizations and Contributors
The International Database of the Begoniaceae is supported by multiple begonia societies in Australia and the United States, with primary partners including the American Begonia Society and the NSW Begonia Society Inc. The database’s development also relied on foundational contributions from Mildred L. Thompson and Edward J. Thompson, whose reference work became a cornerstone; Bessie Buxton, compiler of the Buxton Check List of Begonias; the late Jack Golding for his species lists and updates; and Wally Wagner for developing the World Checklist of Hybrid Begonias. Together, these resources represent nearly five decades of accumulated horticultural knowledge.
Community Participation
As a wiki-style collaborative database, the International Database of the Begoniaceae relies on participation from begonia enthusiasts globally. Users can help update records, add photographs, correct errors, and contribute new species or cultivar entries. The platform also offers downloadable resources including “Down To Earth – with Begonias” for deeper learning. Following the 2024 cloud upgrade, the platform offers significantly improved user experience, with registered users able to contact administrators directly via the wiki tab on any record detail page to report issues or submit editorial contributions.
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