NVS plant names are abbreviated to a species code derived from the first three letters of both the genus and species epithet. Duplicate species abbreviations are altered in order to maintain a unique set of species codes throughout the NVS database. The unique plant species abbreviation and corresponding name define a NVS usage of a Plant Name. The list of names within NVS is currently incomplete and has inconsistent use of synonyms, please check names on Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.

NVS names can be used or accessed in a number of ways:

• Search for a name (scientific, Maori or Common) or species code Search NVS Names

• View species distribution maps from plot data contained in the NVS database

• Link to other information about this name

• Download the current NVS names list containing unique plant species abbreviations and corresponding names

How to search for a name

You can either search for a plant by scientific (Latin) name, e.g. Ilex aquifolium, by the common name of a plant, e.g. Holly, or by NVS species code. If you are searching by common name then you can opt to search only Maori names.

To search, select the type of search you want to do (scientific, Maori, common or NVS code) and enter the text to search for in the Search text box then click the Search button. You can opt have the search do matches anywhere in words and also whether the results are sorted by name or NVS Code. The results of your search will be displayed in a selectable list from which you can view a distribution map or link to other information about a name.

Download NVS Names list

A downloadable list of current NVS Names containing unique plant species abbreviations and corresponding names is available.

The list of names within NVS is currently incomplete and has inconsistent use of synonyms, please check names on Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.



Download Current NVS Names