Dryandra Study Group
The Dryandra Study Group is one of over 20 such Groups whose aims are to further knowledge about the cultivation, propagation and conservation of specific Australian plants. The Study Group has been in operation continuously since 1974 and publishes regular, illustrated newsletters documenting reports from members into cultivation issues, propagation methods and natural occurrences of different species. These reports have assisted in assessing the suitability of various species for cultivation in a range of climatic zones.
Members of the Group are mainly keen amateurs with no formal horticultural or botanical knowledge, although a number of professionals in those fields also participate. As in all study groups, the members' work is mainly carried out in their own homes and gardens and in their own spare time.
An issue of some concern to the group has been the transfer of Dryandra to an expanded Banksia genus, which is now accepted by the Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria. There remain knowledgeable people both within the Study Group and outside of it who do not regard this transfer as being justifiable (for further discussion see Dryandra: Background).
 |
 |
|
| Left: Dryandra longifolia subsp. archeos. Right: Dryandra purdieana. Under the revised classification, these species are known as Banksia prolata subsp. archeos and Banksia purdieana, respectively. Photos: Margaret Pieroni; Brian Walters |
||
A major accomplishment of the group was the publication in 2006 of The Dryandras, a magnificent hardback book, 244 pages in length, with over 320 superb full colour photographs. Authored by Margaret Pieroni and Tony Cavanagh, the book is the culmination of the work by the Dryandra Study Group leaders and members, helped by other botanists and friends. The Dryandras provides full information on all 135 taxa (94 species and 41 subspecies and varieties) as well as several unnamed species. This publication results from a unique collaboration between the Australian Plants Society Victoria and the Western Australian Wildflower Society who are the publishers, and Bloomings Books who specialise in horticultural and natural history books. Further information on the book can be found in the following articles: