The islands of Southeast Asia are awash with colour. Red rhodos, blue orchids, jade (legume) vines. What shapes the distribution of flower colours and traits across big scales however is not clear.

Using data for c. 2500 species c. 8 % of the flora we showed how flower size, colour and openness varied across islands and that climate and how big and remote islands are shape these patterns.

This study leveraged the data held in thousands of taxonomic descriptions.

Highlighting again how taxonomic work beyond species delimitation is key to macroecology. Using and expanding this data source will be key to addressing the tropical trait data gap.

The manuscript is published open access here 🙂

Header photo a Metrosideros species from the Anggi Lakes, West Papua.