Scientists have estimated that there are now 390,900 plants known to science. The new tally is part of a report carried out by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It is its first global assessment of the world’s flora.
The study also found that 2,034 new plant species were discovered in 2015. However, the report warns that 21% of plants are at risk of extinction, with threats including climate change, habitat loss, disease and invasive species.
Prof Kathy Willis, director of science at RBG Kew, said: “It’s really important to know how many plant species there are, where they are and the relationship between the groups, because plants are absolutely fundamental to our well-being. They provide us with our food, our fuel, our medicines – even controlling our climate.”
Kew’s global assessment will now be carried out annually, allowing scientists to monitor how plants are changing over time.
To find out more on the new study, click here.