Database of Plants & Their Uses

[Frank van de Loo]

Hi Plant Netters,
 
I downloaded the program Herbage1 (Herbage1.zip by anonymous FTP from
oak.oakland.edu in /simtel/msdos/biology), that has been mentioned here a
couple of times.  It is a little program and database of a few hundred
common or agricultural plants and their uses, particularly those relating
to traditional or folk-medicine uses (seems to me).  I recommend having a look
at it  (though my employer doesn't, etc, etc).
 
I was actually hoping for something a little different.  Can anybody direct me
to any databases that can be downloaded or readily searched over the net, that
are scientifically-oriented, and relate species to natural products identified
in them?  Or how about a taxonomical database that relates species to their
families - an electronic version of Willis' (now Mabberley's) "Dictionary
of the Flowering Plants and Ferns"?  Or how about a database of species and
their chromosome numbers and genome sizes?
 
Obviously, a bit of a wish-list.  Any pointers to such things in existence
greatly appreciated.  If they don't exist, are they under development?  Can
I encourage somebody out there to do so?
 
Cheers,
Frank van de Loo
USDA-ARS, University of Kentucky.