Isopogon and Petrophile Study Group

The Isopogon and Petrophile 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 publishes regular, illustrated newsletters documenting reports from members into cultivation issues, propagation methods and natural occurrences of different species.

The two genera are closely related and many are spectacular in flower. They also have a wide variety of leaf shapes, some being flat and wide, others being very narrow and divided into lobes. They are mainly plants of southern Australia with only a few species occurring in sub-tropical areas. The greatest diversity occurs in south-western Australia and it is these species that have caused the most difficulty in cultivation in eastern states of Australia. Reports from Study Group members have assisted in assessing the suitability of various species for cultivation in a range of climatic zones.

Left: Isopogon divergens. Right: Petrophile pulchella. Photos: Brian Walters

Members of the Study 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.