About Us

Discover our story, mission, and the passionate team behind our scientific and artistic journey.

Flora Research Association

Rooted in science, devoted to nature.

Established in Istanbul in 2005, the Flora Research Association brings together scientists, nature enthusiasts, and dedicated volunteers with a shared mission: to study, document, and protect the rich and unique plant diversity of Türkiye.

Our work focuses on:

Conducting scientific field research on the country's flora,
Protecting endemic and endangered plant species,
Promoting plant knowledge through education, publications, and public engagement.

The Association operates through three specialized committees:

Committee for Scientific Turkish Plant Names,
Turkish Herbarium Network Committee,
The Botanical Artists Committee (BİRET).

While rooted in scientific methodology, our approach extends beyond data collection: we aim to cultivate public awareness, preserve our botanical heritage, and inspire future generations to care for nature.

©Ayşe Diden Demir, Carduus nutans L. (Eşekdikeni)

©Berat Mehani, Ceratonia siliqua L. (Keçiboynuzu)

BİRET - Botanical Artists Committee

Where science meets art—line by line, leaf by leaf.

Founded in 2021 under the umbrella of the Flora Research Association, the Botanical Artists Committee (BİRET) unites artists, botanists, and nature observers with a shared passion for botanical illustration.

BİRET promotes:

The advancement and visibility of botanical art in Türkiye,

Cross-disciplinary collaboration between art and science,

Artistic documentation of Türkiye's rich plant life.

Our members are trained artists—many with international experience—who produce works that balance scientific accuracy with visual elegance. BİRET contributes to landmark projects such as the Illustrated Flora of Türkiye and offers public workshops, exhibitions, and outreach programs. By fusing traditional illustration techniques with modern botanical knowledge, BİRET fosters a renewed appreciation for the intricate beauty and ecological importance of plants.

Anatolian Plant Legacy

Honoring Türkiye's cultivated plant heritage through botanical art.

In 2025, Türkiye proudly joins the global Botanical Art Worldwide initiative with the exhibition titled "Anatolian Plant Legacy."

This international project, coordinated by the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA), features exhibitions in 30 countries under the shared theme: Crop Diversity.

Our exhibition highlights:

Cultivated plants of Anatolia that have co-evolved with human life for thousands of years—grains, olives, grapes, saffron, legumes, and more.

Their wild relatives and local landraces that are now at risk due to modern agricultural practices.

The cultural, biological, and economic significance of these species across history.

Through this project, we aim to:

Raise awareness about the loss of agrobiodiversity,

Celebrate traditional crops and the knowledge surrounding them,

Use the power of art to promote plant conservation and cultural memory.

Anatolian Plant Legacy is the first open-call, juried botanical art exhibition of its kind in Türkiye. The selected artworks will be exhibited physically at Salt Beyoğlu in Istanbul (May 15–August 10, 2025), and simultaneously on digital platforms as part of the global launch on World Botanical Art Day – May 18.