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Updates to the Website
Revised Classifications of Plant Families
Until recently the Australian heaths had been regarded as being sufficiently distinct from members of the Ericaceae (the widely distributed heath and heather family) to warrant being placed in a separate family, the Epacridaceae, which takes its name from the well known genus Epacris. However, most botanical institutions in Australia now recognise that members of the Epacridaceae are more correctly placed within the Ericaceae as the subfamily Styphelioideae. As a result, the name 'Epacridaceae' is now obsolete.
Similarly, the botanical classification of the legumes has changed. In Australia, until recently, most authorities classified them as belonging to three distinct families - Fabaceae (typical 'pea-flowered' plants), Mimosaceae (Acacia and relatives) and Caesalpiniaceae (Senna, Cassia and relatives). However, around the world the they have usually been classified in a larger Fabaceae family, with three subfamilies:
- Sub-family Faboideae (typical 'pea-flowered' plants)
- Sub-family Mimosoideae (Acacia and relatives)
- Sub-family Caesalpinioideae (Senna, Cassia and relatives).
This latter classification now seems to have been adopted by Australian herbaria.
Both of the above changes have been incorporated into the ANPSA website.
Plant Profiles
The following new or updated plant profiles have been added to the website recently:
- Auranticarpa rhombifolium - Diamond-leaf pittosporum
- Parachidendron pruinosum - Snow wood
- Tetratheca thymifolia - Black-eyed Susan
- Conostephium pendulum - Pearl flower
- Corybas aconitiflorus - Spurred Helmet orchid
- Labichea lanceolata
- Agonis baxteri
- Phebalium glandulosum - Desert phebalium
- Callicoma serratifolia - Black wattle
- Hybanthus monopetalus
- Melichrus procumbens - Jam tarts
News
Myrtle Rust Quarantine Zone Declaration - Central Coast of New South Wales
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| Myrtle Rust on willow myrtle (Agonis flexuosa 'Afterdark') Photo: Dr Angus Carnegie |
The NSW Department of Industry & Investment has declared a quarantine zone on the Gosford and Wyong Local Government Areas (LGAs) effective Friday 23 July 2010 on account of the presence of Myrtle Rust within these LGAs.
As a result, the movement of 1) any host plant material and 2) any covering, packaging, machinery, or thing which is carrying Myrtle Rust or which has been used in the culture, harvesting, or packing of host plant material, out of the quarantine area is prohibited subject to the consignment meeting the required movement conditions.
The disease attacks a range of Australian native plants in the myrtle family. A media release, photographs and further information, including the quarintine regulations, can be found on the Myrtle Rust Website
Rare New Plant Species Discovered in the Kimberley
New plant species have been discovered in remote reaches of Western Australia's Kimberley - a significant find that is expected to signal a new wave of botanical discoveries in the region.
A ground breaking Kings Park field trip to an area near the Prince Regent River and the Mitchell Plateau in March uncovered a treasure trove of new plants.
Kings Park Scientists Matt and Russell Barrett discovered at least 10 new species and re-collected a Backhousia and Auranticarpa which had never before been seen in flower.
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| A new species of Melaleuca. Photo: Kings Park and Botanic Garden |
New species discovered include Acacia, Hibbertia, a rheophyllous Melaleuca, Boronia, Triodia (Spinifex), Solanum (bush tomato) and Eucalyptus.
These discoveries - made in just six days - highlight how little we know about this unique region which is of national and international significance. They are potentially very exciting discoveries as the horticultural and medicinal values of these new species are completely unknown.
Kings Park Science Director Kingsley Dixon said the discoveries were likely to be just the tip of the iceberg.
"These finds help fill in the gaps about what we know of Kimberley flora and how it contributes to the unique biodiversity of the region.
"The Kimberley is the last great botanical frontier in Australia. To date there are around 3000 known plant species in the Kimberley, an increase from 1500 when Kings Park scientists started exploring the area in the 1980s, but there are possibly hundreds more plant species yet to be discovered," he said.
"It is amazing to think, in the Kimberley we can collect one new plant species a day; there are not many places in the world where this is still possible.
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| Russell Barrett with new Triodia species. Photo: Kings Park and Botanic Garden |
"I think many Australians will be keen to know of these new discoveries as they appreciate just how special the Kimberley is. These new discoveries are a reminder of how lucky we are to have such an amazing place in our own backyard."
"As new discoveries like these occur, the threats that undermine the Kimberley region are increasing, so if we don't move quickly we may never know what we end up losing."
"Kings Park is committed to the conservation of Western Australia's rich biodiversity and we're doing what we can to add to the Kimberley flora knowledge.
Kings Park will now work to identify, record, propagate and further research the newly found species.
Dr Matt Barrett said there was a good reason why these species have remained a secret for so long.
"It's remote, which means we have to fly in by helicopter and trek through rough terrain in sometimes extreme weather conditions, all the while trying to stay out of the way of the large numbers of crocodiles and deadly snakes that call the area home," he said.
"Some of these species are also quite shy, only coming into flower for a short period of time each year, so if you don't come at exactly the right time you will miss seeing it altogether.
"We finally managed to get fresh flowers on two rare species which we've been going back to for almost 10 years. One of them, Auranticarpa, similar to Pittosporum, was collected by Allan Cunningham on the King expedition in 1821, then not seen for 180 years until we re-found it in 2001. We've been searching for flowers on it ever since - even the original collection was only in fruit. It's closely related to Pittosporum, so the flowers have a really sweet scent - definitely worth the long chase.
The Dryandra/Banksia Controversy
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| Dryandra purdieana (Banksia purdieana) Photo: Brian Walters |
The following paper published in 2007 proposed that the genus Dryandra be subsumed into Banksia. The paper published new names in Banksia for all currently recognised Dryandra species.
Mast A R and Thiele K; The transfer of Dryandra R.Br. to Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae); Australian Systematic Botany, 26 February 2007
This revised classification has been accepted by the Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria and the new Banksia names now appear on Florabase (the website for the Western Australian Herbarium) and in the Australian Plant Census. In effect, this reclassification increases the number of Banksia species to over 200.
The new classification has come in for some criticism and at this stage ANPSA is retaining Dryandra as a separate genus, although the new Banksia names will be mentioned in conjunction with the Dryandra names where appropriate. For further information see Dryandra: Background
Sir Joseph Banks' Florilegium returns to Cooktown
The Cooktown Re-enactment Association is delighted to announce the purchase of 15 original prints from the Sir Joseph Banks Florilegium, housed at the Natural History Museum in London, made possible through the generosity of RADF funding.
Banks' Florilegium is a collection of prints from copperplate engravings of more than 200 plants collected by Banks (1743-1820) and Daniel Solander during their 48 days at the Endeavour River in 1770. Artist Sydney Parkinson started illustrating the specimens, but died from malaria late in the voyage.
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| Banksia dentata, from Bank's Florilegium. Photo: UK Natural History Museum |
Banks, a naturalist and patron of science, planned to publish the botanical results of the Endeavour voyage in a 14-volume folio work. He engaged a team of artists to complete colour drawings of the plants based on artist Sydney Parkinson's drawings. The artists worked under Daniel Solander's supervision, and could refer to the plant specimens where necessary. Banks then hired 18 master engravers to make the 743 copperplates. The project continued for 13 years and cost more than £10,000.
Banks never published his Florilegium and the specimens and copper plates were eventually transferred to the British Museum for storage in 1827. They were finally printed in full more than 200 years later, following their rescue from being melted down during WWII, and between 1980 and 1990 Alecto and the Natural History Museum in London, produced 100 prints of each engraving only.
Curated by Sandy Lloyd, Cooktown's local Botanical specialist, the display of 15 of these original prints of previously unknown plants collected at the Endeavour River by Banks and Daniel Solander, will match 15 Vera Scarth Johnson paintings of the same plants.
Local lady and botanical artist, Vera Scarth-Johnson, managed to paint 140 of the 180 Banks plates collected here before she passed away, and these reside permanently in Cooktown at the Natures Powerhouse Gallery. Sandy will display alongside these prints an example of the actual plants and will lead tours through the Botanic Gardens during the Cooktown Discovery Festival to see the plants in location.
The exhibition will be held at Natures Powerhouse Gallery in the Cooktown Botanic Gardens from Sunday, June 6, until the end of June 2010.
The Banks Florilegium prints will be donated to the Cooktown community By the Cooktown Reenactment Association, to be exhibited permanently at the Vera Scarth Johnson Gallery, Cooktown, and the intention is to purchase a new print from the Natural History Museum in London every year to be added to the exhibition.
Coming Events.....
The Society's Regions and District Groups all hold a range of activities throughout the year. Activities include plant sales, wildflower exhibitions, tree and shrub plantings, bush regeneration days, garden visits, bushwalks and regular meetings.
The activities listed here are by no means a complete programme of all activities. They have been selected as being of particular interest to those who are not (yet?) Society members. They also include activities by other organisations.
Details of other Society activities can be obtained from these web sites of the Society's Regional Groups:
| Date | Event | |
| September 2010 |
Brisbane, Queensland Spring Flower Show and Plants Market The Society's Queensland Region's annual show will be held at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha Auditorium, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong. Admission $3 - children free.
Mt Penang Parklands, Kariong, New South Wales Springtime Flora Festival The Central Coast Group of APS (NSW) will present its annual exhibition as part of the Springtime Flora Festival. Healthy, well-grown native plants will also be available for sale. In its 24th year the 2010 Australian Springtime Flora Festival is still one of the best places to be inspired. Locals and visitors alike come back year after year to refresh their garden, pick up new tips, products and plants from NSW's top propagators, wholesalers, retailers and leading landscapers. With more than 300 exhibitors and around 50,000 visitors, with free parking and easy access by public transport, the festival is the longest running large scale event of its kind in Australia and one of Australia's best Springtime events. This four day event highlights the colour and life of Springtime, indoors and out. The 2010 Festival will host the popular events such as; the local School Cook-off, seminars from Don Burke, Sandra and Graham Ross, the Australian Wildflower Pavilion and local entertainment including Sensational Seniors on Opening Day. Set in 5 hectares the Australian Springtime Flora Festival showcases everything from landscape architecture to floral design. Adding to the festival spirit there are stalls with gourmet food and wines, gardening needs, and homewares. Snacks and entertainment make the event perfect for all the family. Adults $14; Seniors, Aged and Disabled Pensioners $12.00; Children (5-16 years) $4; Family (2 adults & 3 children) $32 (cash only) Further information on the Festival's website. Adelaide, South Australia Native Orchid Show The Native Orchid Society of South Australia (NOSSA) will hold this event at St Bernadette's Church Hall, South Road, St Marys (corner of South Road and Walsh Avenue. Bulli, New South Wales Open Days, Illawarra Grevillea Park The enclosed section of the Park is only open on six weekends per year. It is a showplace for many plants; there are hundreds of grevilleas and a wide range of other native species in a landscaped setting. There are two unenclosed sections which are accessible 365 days a year.
The Park is located at the rear of Bulli Showground - turn off the Pacific Highway at the Woonona-Bulli Sports Club, just south of Slacky Creek). It is just a short walk from the Bulli railway station. Admission to the enclosed area is $5 (accompanied children free). Barbecue and picnic facilities available. Bring your lunch and make it a family day! Drinks on sale at the old Sherbrook chapel (which also has a displays and an abundance of literature on native plants). Special openings for tours from groups (such as bus tours by Garden Clubs) can be arranged. See the Park's web site for further details. |
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| October 2010 | Bulli, New South Wales Open Days, Illawarra Grevillea Park See details above. Adelaide, South Australia Spring Flower Show and Plants Sale This is the Australian Plants Society SA Region's annual show and plant sale at the Adelaide Showgrounds, Stirling Angas Hall.
Brisbane, Queensland Spring Australian Plants Sale The Society's Queensland Region's spring plants sale will be held at the Macgregor State High School, Blackwattle Street, Macgregor. |
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| July 2011 | Melbourne, Victoria XVIII International Botanical Congress
Advance notice of this important event on the world botanical calendar. Highlights of the Congress
For further Congress information and regular updates, please register your interest online. |
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| October 2011 | Adelaide, South Australia ANPSA National Biennial Conference
Australian Native Plants Society (Australia)invites you to join us at the2011 National Biennial Conference'Australian Plants in a Wondrous Web'Hosted by the Australian Plants Society, (South Australian Region) Inc.Sunday, 2nd October to Friday, 7th October 2011
To be placed on the conference mailing list, email your contact details or post them to: Conference 2011, PO Box 304, Unley, SA, 5061. Registration forms available early 2011. We look forward to the pleasure of your company! |
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