The authors originally intended this work resulting from their researches conducted during the Expedición Botánica al Virreinato del Perú to be published in 8 vols., and by later design in 12. However, only the first 3 volumes were published, the others remaining in manuscript; the 100 plates to accompany v. 4 and also some for v. 5 were prepared. The manuscript of the entire work is preserved in the Jardin botánico de Madrid. cf. Colmeiro.

The text and plates for v. 4-5 were published in Anales del Instituto Botánico A.J. Cavanilles, v. 12-16, 1954-1959--Stafleu. Digital facsimile of the 3 vols. originally published and plates 1-325 from Biodiversity Heritage Library at this link.