An updated checklist of the vascular flora native to the State of Palestine – West Bank

The Palestinian West Bank is located within the eastern Mediterranean biodiversity hotspot and hosts a highly diverse native vascular flora despite its limited geographic extent and pronounced environmental gradients. In this study, we present a substantially updated checklist of the native vascular plants of the Palestinian West Bank, based on critical taxonomic revision, harmonised nomenclature and comprehensive synthesis of recent floristic evidence. The update integrates newly-published distributional records, digital herbarium and biodiversity database information, refined taxonomic circumscription using current international standards and recently completed national IUCN conservation assessments. The checklist comprises 1710 taxa (1668 species and 42 subspecies) belonging to 652 genera and 102 families, including 1695 angiosperms, five gymnosperms and ten ferns. The floristic composition is dominated by Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Brassicaceae and Lamiaceae, reflecting Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian chorotypes. A total of 151 taxa are endemic or sub-endemic to Palestine and adjacent regions. The IUCN assessments indicate that 28.2% of the native flora is classified as threatened. Remarkably, 29 taxa are considered extinct or possibly extinct at the national level, highlighting ongoing habitat degradation and land-use pressures. The checklist integrates phytogeographical distribution, life forms, chorotypes, habitat preferences and conservation status, providing a robust taxonomic and biogeographical baseline. This updated inventory represents a critical reference for floristic research, biodiversity monitoring and conservation planning in the Palestinian West Bank and the wider Levant.