The Red Plant Book

If you have been enjoying the carpets of color appearing on the Israeli landscape in recent weeks, you may want to take a look at The Red Plant Book by Shmida, Polak and Fragman-Sapir, published by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. The book describes endangered plants in Israel and includes maps that identify their locations. Although the book is in Hebrew, the photographs and maps make it at least somewhat accessible to everyone.

Why should we care about flowers dying out? Aside from the pleasure and beauty of all the different kinds of wildflowers that can be seen throughout Israel, it is important to remember that biodiversity plays a vital role in sustaining the existence of ecosystems and in sustaining human life and well-being. In other words – when the flowers disappear, it is a warning sign that we would do well to heed.

Recognizing the importance of biodiversity, the United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. One of the indices of biodiversity is the percentage of wild plants and animals that are in danger of extinction. Of the 2,288 wild plant species in Israel, 414 (18.1%) were classified as endangered species. These species make up the “red list”. In fact, the “red list” includes endangered wild plant species in Israel that are most important to conserve.

In addition to the plants on the “red list” the book includes a summary of all Israeli flora; and can be used as a general guide for plant lovers.  If you are concerned about endangered plants in Israel, there are ways that you can help. Become acquainted with the endangered plants and try to look out for them wherever you go, be it nature trail or building site. If you spot an endangered plant, take a picture, note the exact location, and notify the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Identification of endangered plants in an area scheduled for development could be crucial in preserving the site. The data provided in The Red Plant Book is an impartial and accurate representation of endangered plants in Israel, and the book can be used as a resource by nature lovers and contractors alike.

A festive book launch will be held at the Botanic Gardens of Tel Aviv University, located on the Eastern part of the campus, on Prof. Klausner Street, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv. Entrance is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required, please write to: israelredbook@gmail.com.

A. Shmida, G. Polak and O. Fragman-Sapir, The Red Plant Book: Endangered Plants of Israel, vol. 2, Israel Nature and Parks Authority, Jerusalem (Hebrew), 2011.