Plant Name Changes - Australian Native Plants Society (Australia)

Taxonomy is that section of botany which is concerned with the valid naming of plants. Often botanists who are studying a particular group of plants will find that the relationships between individual species (or genera) are different to what has been previously published or that the previously published names are invalid for one reason or another. As a result, this research may lead to name changes resulting from:

Old, invalid names being replaced (eg. Banksia prostrata became Banksia
gardneri)
Old, superseded names being restored (eg. Hakea pugioniformis reverted to
Hakea teretifolia)
Species being reclassified to different genera (eg. Eucalyptus maculata
became Corymbia maculata – see footnote 4)
Previous single, highly variable species being divided into two or more
separate species (eg. the variable Banksia sphaerocarpa complex was divided
into 8 separate species.)
Previous similar species being combined into a single species (eg. Eucalyptus
stoatei was incorporated into Eucalyptus forrestiana as Eucalyptus forrestiana
subspecies stoatei)
Previous sub-species or varieties being raised to species status (eg. Banksia
integrifolia variety aquilonia became Banksia aquilonia).

Acceptance of name changes

Taxonomists are sometimes criticised by their peers and others for what is seen to be an excessive enthusiasm for revising plant names. Name changes can be frustrating, can be difficult to keep track of and, when changes involve a group of plants which is entrenched in folklore (such as the eucalypts or banksias), they can also result in some antagonism.

Botanical revision is rarely carried out without a great deal of research but it needs to be appreciated that publication of a name change in a botanical or other journal does not necessarily mean that the change will be accepted by the wider botanical (and general) community. As an example, a publication by Lyn Craven of the Australian National Herbarium (Novon 16 468-475; December 2006 “New Combinations in Melaleuca for Australian Species of Callistemon (Myrtaceae)“) argues that the differences between Callistemon and Melaleuca are insufficient to warrant them being retained separately and that they should be combined. As Melaleuca has precedence, adoption of Craven’s work would transfer all species of Callistemon into Melaleuca. Some state herbaria have adopted this change while others retain the two genera as separate.

A national database of plant names

The issue of some authorities accepting a re-classified plant name while others do not raises a problem for an organisation like ANPSA. What names do we accept?

Our approach is to adopt the Australian Plant Census. The Australian Plant Census provides a nationally-accepted taxonomy which is endorsed by the Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria. The Census is a work in progress and not all plants have been reviewed.

Commonly encountered name changes

The following list is not intended to be comprehensive and it should not be regarded as definitive. It concentrates on those species of Australian plants which are more commonly encountered and where name changes are likely to cause confusion. Advice of any significant errors or omissions in the list would be appreciated.

Table 1: Some Commonly Encountered Name Changes for Australian Plants

Check for a plant name in the ‘Species’ column A, then read the corresponding Previous Name or Current Name in column C or D. Currently accepted names are shown in bold text in Column D. Click on underlined names to view plant profiles for those species. Numbers in parentheses refer to footnotes at the bottom of the tables.

Species (A)	Common Name (B)	Previous Name (C)	Current Name (D)
Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. tuberosus	Native Rosella	Hibiscus rhodopetalus	**Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. tuberosus**
Acacia aulacocarpa (12)	Hickory Wattle		*Acacia disparrima* and others
Acacia armata	Kangaroo Thorn		*Acacia paradoxa*
Acacia binervia	Coast Myall	Acacia glaucescens	*Acacia binervia*
Acacia disparrima (12)	Hickory Wattle	Acacia aulacocarpa	*Acacia disparrima*
Acacia glaucescens	Coast Myall		*Acacia binervia*
Acacia paradoxa	Kangaroo Thorn	Acacia armata	*Acacia paradoxa*
Acmena smithii	Lilly-pilly		*Syzygium smithii*
Agapetes meiniana	Mountain Bells		*Paphia meiniana*
Agonis juniperina	Juniper Myrtle		*Taxandria juniperina*
Allocasuarina littoralis	Black She-oak	Casuarina littoralis	*Allocasuarina littoralis*
Allocasuarina torulosa	Forest Oak	Casuarina torulosa	*Allocasuarina torulosa*
Allocasuarina verticillata	Drooping She-oak	Casurarina stricta	*Allocasuarina verticillata*
Alloxylon flammeum	Tree Waratah	Oreocallis “wickhamii” (1)	*Alloxylon flammeum*
Alloxylon pinnatum	Dorrigo Waratah	Oreocallis pinnata	*Alloxylon pinnatum*
Alocasia brisbanensis	Cunjevoi	Alocasia macrorrhizos	*Alocasia brisbanensis*
Alocasia macrorrhizos	Cunjevoi		*Alocasia brisbanensis*
Anetholea anisata	Aniseed Myrtle	Backhousia anisata	*Anetholea anisata*
Androcalva fraseri	Brush Kurrajong	Commersonia fraseri	*Androcalva fraseri*
Asteromyrtus brassii	None widely accepted	Melaleuca brassii	*Asteromyrtus brassii*
Astroloma humifusum (18)	Native Cranberry		*Styphelia humifusa*
Astroloma pinifolium (17)	Pine Heath		*Stenanthera pinifolia*
Auranticarpa rhombifolia	Diamond-leaf Pittosporum	Pittosporum rhombifolium	*Auranticarpa rhombifolia*
Austromyrtus inophloia	Thready-barked Myrtle		*Gossia inophloia*
Backhousia anisata	Aniseed Myrtle		*Anetholea anisata*
Baeckea sp. Mt Tozer	Mt Tozer Heath Myrtle		*Sannantha tozerensis*
Baeckea ramosissima	Rosy Baeckea		*Euryomyrtus ramosissima*
Baeckea virgata (10)	Tall Baeckea		Various genera
Banksia aemula	Wallum Banksia	Banksia serratifolia	*Banksia aemula*
Banksia aquilonia	Northern Banksia	Banksia integrifolia var. aquilonia	*Banksia aquilonia*
Banksia asplenifolia	Fern Leaf Banksia		*Banksia oblongifolia*
Banksia gardneri	Prostrate Banksia	Banksia prostrata	*Banksia gardneri*
Banksia integrifolia var. aquilonia	Northern Banksia		*Banksia aquilonia*
Banksia oblongifolia	Fern Leaf Banksia	Banksia asplenifolia	*Banksia oblongifolia*
Banksia prostrata	Prostrate Banksia		*Banksia gardneri*
Banksia serratifolia	Wallum Banksia		*Banksia aemula*
Billardiera erubescens	Red Billardiera		*Marianthus erubescens*
Billardiera heterophylla	Bluebell Climber	Sollya heterophylla	*Billardiera heterophylla*
Brachyscome sp. aff. melanocarpa	“Pilliga Posy”		*Brachyscome formosa*
Brachyscome formosa	“Pilliga Posy”	Brachyscome sp. aff. melanocarpa	*Brachyscome formosa*
Brachysema celsianum (14)	Swan River Pea		*Gastrolobium celsianum*
Brachysema lanceolatum (14)	Swan River Pea		*Gastrolobium celsianum*
Bracteantha bracteata (11)	Golden Everlasting		*Xerochrysum bracteatum*
Bracteantha subundulata (11)	Orange Everlasting		*Xerochrysum subundulatum*
Callistemon ‘Injune’	Injune Bottlebrush		*Callistemon quercinus*
Callistemon macropunctatus	Scarlet Bottlebrush		*Callistemon rugulosus*
Callistemon paludosus (2)	River Bottlebrush		*Callistemon sieberi*
Callistemon pityoides (2)	Alpine Bottlebrush	Callistemon sieberi	*Callistemon pityoides*
Callistemon quercinus	Injune Bottlebrush	Callistemon ‘Injune’	*Callistemon quercinus*
Callistemon rugulosus	Scarlet Bottlebrush	Callistemon macropunctatus	*Callistemon rugulosus*
Callistemon sieberi (2)	River Bottlebrush	Callistemon paludosus	*Callistemon sieberi*
Callistemon sieberi (2)	Alpine Bottlebrush		*Callistemon pityoides*
Calytrix sullivanii (3)	Fringe Myrtle		*Calytrix tetragona*
Calytrix tetragona (3)	Fringe Myrtle	Calytrix sullivanii	*Calytrix tetragona*
Cassia artemisioides	Silver Cassia		*Senna artemisioides*
Cassia odorata	Fragrant Senna		*Senna odorata*
Casuarina littoralis	Black She-oak		*Allocasuarina littoralis*
Casuarina stricta	Drooping She-oak		*Allocasuarina verticillata*
Casuarina torulosa	Forest Oak		*Allocasuarina torulosa*
Chamelaucium floriferum subsp. diffusum	None widely accepted		*Chamelaucium* sp. Nornalup
Chamelaucium floriferum subsp. floriferum	Walpole Wax		Chamelaucium sp. Walpole
Chamelaucium sp. Nornalup	None widely accepted	Chamelaucium floriferum subsp. diffusum	*Chamelaucium* sp. Nornalup
Chamelaucium sp. Walpole	Walpole Wax	Chamelaucium floriferum subsp. floriferum	Chamelaucium sp. Walpole
Chionogentias spp. (9)	Mountain Gentian	Gentianella diemensis	Chionogentias spp.
Chrysocephalum apiculatum	Common Everlasting	Helichrysum apiculatum/H.ramosissimum	*Chrysocephalum apiculatum*
Citrus australasica	Finger Lime	Microcitrus australasica	*Citrus australasica*
Citrus glauca	Wild Lime	Eremocitrus glauca	*Citrus glauca*
Clianthus formosus	Sturt’s Desert Pea		*Swainsona formosa*
Commersonia fraseri	Brush Kurrajong		*Androcalva fraseri*
Commersonia hermanniifolia	None widely accepted	Rulingia hermanniifolia	*Commersonia hermanniifolia*
Coronidium elatum	White Everlasting Daisy	Helichrysum elatum	*Coronidium elatum*
Coronidium scorpioides	Button Everlasting	Helichrysum scorpioides	*Coronidium scorpioides*
Corymbia calophylla (4)	Marri	Eucalyptus calophylla	*Corymbia calophylla*
Corymbia citriodora (4)	Lemon-scented Gum	Eucalyptus citriodora	*Corymbia citriodora*
Corymbia ficifolia (4)	Red flowering Gum	Eucalyptus ficifolia	*Corymbia ficifolia*
Corymbia maculata (4)	Spotted Gum	Eucalyptus maculata	*Corymbia maculata*
Cryptandra scortechinii	Cotton Bush		*Spyridium scortechinii*
Dendrobium cucumerinum	Cucumber Orchid		*Dockrillia cucumerina*
Dendrobium linguiforme	Tongue Orchid		*Dockrillia linguiformis*
Dendrobium pugioniforme	Dagger Orchid		*Dockrillia pugioniformis*
Derwentia perfoliata	Digger’s Speedwell		*Veronica perfoliata*
Dianella laevis (15)	Smooth Flax Lily		*Dianella longifolia*
Dianella longifolia (15)	Smooth Flax Lily	Dianella laevis	*Dianella longifolia*
Dockrillia cucumerina	Cucumber Orchid	Dendrobium cucumerinum	*Dockrillia cucumerina*
Dockrillia linguiformis	Tongue Orchid	Dendrobium linguiforme	*Dockrillia linguiformis*
Dockrillia pugioniformis	Dagger Orchid	Dendrobium pugioniforme	*Dockrillia pugioniformis*
Dryandra sp. (16)	Various		Banksia sp.
Eremocitrus glauca	Wild Lime		*Citrus glauca*
Eremophila debilis	Winter Apple	Myoporum debile	*Eremophila debilis*
Eriostemon myoporoides	Long-leaf Wax Flower		*Philotheca myoporoides*
Eucalyptus calophylla (4)	Marri		*Corymbia calophylla*
Eucalyptus citriodora (4)	Lemon-scented Gum		*Corymbia citriodora*
Eucalyptus ficifolia (4)	Red Flowering Gum		*Corymbia ficifolia*
Eucalyptus maculata (4)	Spotted Gum		*Corymbia maculata*
Eugenia australis (5)	Scrub or Magenta Cherry		*Syzygium australe/Syzygium paniculatum***
Eugenia cyanocarpa	Blue Lilly-pilly		*Syzygium oleosum*
Eugenia floribunda	Weeping Lilly-pilly		*Syzygium floribundum*
Eugenia luehmannii	Small leaved Lilly-pilly		*Syzygium luehmannii*
Euodia elleryana	Corkwood		*Melicope elleryana*
Euryomyrtus ramosissima	Rosy Baeckea	Baeckea ramosissima	*Euryomyrtus ramosissima*
Evodiella muelleri	Little Evodia		*Melicope rubra*
Gastrolobium celsianum (14)	Swan River Pea	Brachysema celsianum	*Gastrolobium celsianum*
Gentianella diemensis (9)	Mountain Gentian		*Chionogentias spp.*
Gossia inophloia	Thready-barked Myrtle	Austromyrtus inophloia	*Gossia inophloia*
Grevillea biternata (6)	Curved Leaf Grevillea		Grevillea curviloba subsp. incurva
Grevillea curviloba subsp. incurva (6)	Curved Leaf Grevillea	Grevillea biternata	Grevillea curviloba subsp. incurva
Hakea archaeoides	Big Nellie Hakea	Hakea trineura (southern form)	*Hakea archaeoides*
Hakea coriacea	Emu Tree		Now included in *Hakea francisiana*
Hakea drupacea	Sweet Hakea	Hakea suaveolens	*Hakea drupacea*
Hakea salicifolia	Willow-leaved Hakea	Hakea saligna	*Hakea salicifolia*
Hakea saligna	Willow-leaved Hakea		*Hakea salicifolia*
Hakea suaveolens	Sweet Hakea		*Hakea drupacea*
Hakea trineura (southern form)	Big Nellie Hakea		*Hakea archaeoides*
Helichrysum acuminatum (11)	Orange Everlasting		*Xerochrysum subundulatum*
Helichrysum apiculatum	Common Everlasting		*Chrysocephalum apiculatum*
Helichrysum bracteatum (11)	Golden Everlasting		*Xerochrysum bracteatum*
Helichrysum diosmifolium	Riceflower		*Ozothamnus diosmifolius*
Helichrysum elatum	White Everlasting Daisy		*Coronidium elatum*
Helichrysum ramosissimum	Common Everlasting		*Chrysocephalum apiculatum*
Helichrysum scorpioides	Button Everlasting		*Coronidium scorpioides*
Helichrysum subulifolium	Showy Everlasting		Schoenia filifolia subsp. subulifera
Helipterum anthemoides	Chamomile Sunray		*Rhodanthe anthemoides*
Helipterum manglesii	Pink Sunray		*Rhodanthe manglesii*
Helipterum roseum	Pink Everlasting		Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea
Hibiscus rhodopetalus	Native Rosella		Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. tuberosus
Kreysigia multiflora	Bush Lily		*Tripladenia cunninghamii*
Kunzea ericoides	Burgan	Leptospermum ericoides	*Kunzea ericoides*
Leionema ambiens (7)	Forest Phebalium	Phebalium ambiens	*Leionema ambiens*
Leionema dentatum (7)	Toothed Phebalium	Phebalium dentatum	*Leionema dentatum*
Leionema phylicifolium (7)	Mountain Phebalium	Phebalium phylicifolium	*Leionema phylicifolium*
Leptospermum ericoides	Burgan		*Kunzea ericoides*
Leptospermum flavescens	Yellow Tea Tree		*Leptospermum polygalifolium*
Leptospermum lanigerum var. macrocarpum	Large-fruited Tea Tree		*Leptospermum macrocarpum*
Leptospermum macrocarpum	Large-fruited Tea Tree	Leptospermum lanigerum var. macrocarpum	*Leptospermum macrocarpum*
Leptospermum polygalifolium	Yellow Tea Tree	Leptospermum flavescens	*Leptospermum polygalifolium*
Leptospermum rotundifolium	Round-leaf Tea Tree	Leptospermum scoparium var. rotundifolium	*Leptospermum rotundifolium*
Leptospermum scoparium var. rotundifolium	Round-leaf Tea Tree		*Leptospermum rotundifolium*
Leucopogon affinis (18)	Lance-leaved beard heath		*Styphelia affinis*
Lophostemon confertus	Brush Box	Tristania conferta	*Lophostemon confertus*
Marianthus erubescens	Red Billardiera	Billardiera erubescens	*Marianthus erubescens*
Melaleuca brassii	None widely accepted		*Asteromyrtus brassii*
Melaleuca diosmatifolia	Rosy Paperbark	Melaleuca erubescens	*Melaleuca diosmatifolia*
Melaleuca erubescens	Rosy Paperbark		*Melaleuca diosmatifolia*
Melicope elleryana	Corkwood	Euodia elleryana	*Melicope elleryana*
Melicope rubra	Little Evodia	Evodiella muelleri	*Melicope rubra*
Microcitrus australasica	Finger Lime		*Citrus australasica*
Microstrobos fitzgeraldii	Dwarf Mountain Pine		*Pherosphaera fitzgeraldii*
Myoporum debile	Winter Apple		*Eremophila debilis*
Nematolepis squamea (7)	Satinwood	Phebalium squameum	*Nematolepis squamea*
Omalanthus nutans	Bleeding Heart	Omalanthus populifolius	*Omalanthus nutans*
Omalanthus populifolius	Bleeding Heart		*Omalanthus nutans*
Oreocallis pinnata	Dorrigo Waratah		*Alloxylon pinnatum*
Oreocallis “wickhamii” (1)	Tree Waratah		*Alloxylon flammeum*
Oxylobium scandens	Netted Shaggy Pea		*Podolobium scandens*
Ozothamnus diosmifolius	Riceflower	Helichrysum diosmifolium	*Ozothamnus diosmifolius*
Paphia meiniana	Mountain Bells	Agapetes meiniana	*Paphia meiniana*
Parahebe perfoliata	Digger’s Speedwell		*Veronica perfoliata*
Phaius australis	Swamp Lily	Phaius tancarvilleae	Phaius australis
Phaius tancarvilleae	Swamp Lily		*Phaius australis*
Pherosphaera fitzgeraldii	Dwarf Mountain Pine	Microstrobos fitzgeraldii	*Pherosphaera fitzgeraldii*
Phebalium ambiens (7)	Forest Phebalium		*Leionema ambiens*
Phebalium dentatum (7)	Toothed Phebalium		*Leionema dentatum*
Phebalium phylicifolium (7)	Mountain Phebalium		*Leionema phylicifolium*
Phebalium squameum (7)	Satinwood		*Nematolepis squamea*
Philotheca myoporoides	Long-leaf Wax Flower	Eriostemon myoporoides	*Philotheca myoporoides*
Pittosporum rhombifolium	Diamond-leaf Pittosporum		*Auranticarpa rhombifolia*
Podolobium scandens	Netted Shaggy Pea	Oxylobium scandens	*Podolobium scandens*
Rhodanthe anthemoides	Chamomile Sunray	Helipterum anthemoides	*Rhodanthe anthemoides*
Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea	Pink Everlasting	Helipterum roseum	Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea
Rhodanthe manglesii	Pink Sunray	Helipterum manglesii	*Rhodanthe manglesii*
Rulingia hermanniifolia	None widely accepted		*Commersonia hermanniifolia*
Sannantha tozerensis	Mt Tozer Heath Myrtle	Baeckea sp. Mt Tozer	*Sannantha tozerensis*
Senna artemisioides	Silver Cassia	Cassia artemisioides	*Senna artemisioides*
Senna odorata	Fragrant Senna	Cassia odorata	*Senna odorata*
Schoenia filifolia subsp. subulifera	Showy Everlasting	Helichrysum subulifolium	Schoenia filifolia subsp. subulifera
Sollya heterophylla	Bluebell Climber		*Billardiera heterophylla*
Spyridium scortechinii	Cotton Bush	Cryptandra scortechinii	*Spyridium scortechinii*
Stenanthera pinifolia (17)	Pine Heath	Astroloma pinifolium	*Stenanthera pinifolia*
Stypandra caespitosum	Tufted Blue-lily		*Thelionema caespitosum*
Styphelia affinis (18)	Lance-leaved beard heath	Leucopogon affinis	*Syphelia affinis*
Styphelia humifusa (18)	Native Cranberry	Astroloma humifusum	*Styphelia humifusa*
Swainsona formosa (8)	Sturt’s Desert Pea	Clianthus formosus	*Swainsona formosa*
Syncarpia glomulifera	Turpentine	Syncarpia laurifolia	*Syncarpia glomulifera*
Syncarpia laurifolia	Turpentine		*Syncarpia glomulifera*
Syzygium australe (5)	Scrub or Magenta Cherry	Eugenia australis	*Syzygium australe*
Syzygium coolminianum	Blue Lilly-pilly	Eugenia cyanocarpa/Syzygium coolminianum	*Syzygium oleosum*
Syzygium floribundum	Weeping Lilly-pilly	Waterhousea floribunda/Eugenia floribunda	*Syzygium floribundum*
Syzygium luehmannii	Small leaved Lilly-pilly	Eugenia luehmannii	*Syzygium luehmannii*
Syzygium oleosum	Blue Lilly-pilly	Eugenia cyanocarpa/Syzygium coolminianum	*Syzygium oleosum*
Syzygium paniculatum (5)	Scrub or Magenta Cherry	Eugenia australis	*Syzygium paniculatum*
Syzygium smithii	Lilly-pilly	Acmena smithii	*Syzygium smithii*
Syzygium unipunctatum	Roly Poly Satinash	Waterhousea unipunctata	*Syzygium unipunctatum*
Taxandria juniperina	Juniper Myrtle	Agonis juniperina	*Taxandria juniperina*
Thelionema caespitosum	Tufted Blue-lily	Stypandra caespitosum	*Thelionema caespitosum*
Toona australis	Red Cedar		*Toona ciliata*
Toona ciliata	Red Cedar	Toona australis	*Toona ciliata*
Tripladenia cunninghamii	Bush Lily	Kreysigia multiflora	*Tripladenia cunninghamii*
Tristania conferta	Brush Box		*Lophostemon confertus*
Tristania laurina	Water Gum		*Tristaniopsis laurina*
Tristaniopsis laurina	Water Gum	Tristania laurina	*Tristaniopsis laurina*
Veronica perfoliata	Digger’s Speedwell	Parahebe perfoliata/Derwentia perfoliata	*Veronica perfoliata*
Viola banksii (13)	Native Violet	Viola hederacea	*Viola banksii*
Viola hederacea (13)	Native Violet		*Viola banksii*
Waterhousea floribunda	Weeping Lilly-pilly		*Syzygium floribundum*
Waterhousea unipunctata	Roly poly satinash		*Syzygium unipunctatum*
Xerochrysum bracteatum (11)	Golden Everlasting	Bracteantha bracteata/Helichrysum bracteatum	*Xerochrysum bracteatum*
Xerochrysum subundulatum (11)	Orange Everlasting	Bracteantha subundulata/Helichrysum acuminatum	*Xerochrysum subundulatum*

Table 2. Some Re-classified Plant Families
Currently accepted names are shown in bold text

Superseded Family Name	Common Genera	New Family Name
Caesalpiniaceae	Cassia, Senna	Now included in Fabaceae as sub-family Caesalpinioideae
Epracidaceae	Epacris, Leucopogon, Styphelia	Now included in Ericaceae as sub-family Epacridoideae
Mimosaceae	Acacia, Parachidendron	Now included in Fabaceae as sub-family Mimosoideae
Myoporaceae	Eremophila, Myoporum	Now included in Scrophulariaceae
Sterculeaceae	Brachychiton, Guichenotia, Thomasia	Now included in Malvaceae as sub-family Sterculioideae
Xanthorrhoeaceae	Xanthorrhoea	Now included in Asphodelaceae as sub-family Xanthorrhoeoideae

The plant commonly cultivated as Oreocallis wickhamii was not, in fact, the true O.wickhamii (now known as Alloxylon wickhamii)
The Callistemon paludosus/pityoides/sieberi changes are confusing. Apparently research has shown that the plant previously referred to as C.paludosus was attributable to the original description of C.sieberi, thus requiring the reinstatement of the original name. As a result a new name (C.pityoides) has been applied to the plant previously known as C.sieberi.
Calytrix sullivanii has been incorporated into the existing species, C.tetragona.
In 1995 the genus Corymbia, of 113 species, was created by K.Hill and L.Johnson (Telopea, Volume 6(2-3)). In addition to 33 new species, Hill and Johnson transferred the four Eucalyptus species listed here, plus another 76, to the new genus. More recently, Ian Brooker absorbed both Corymbia and Angophora into Eucalyptus (Australian Systematic Botany 13, 79-148.) but this work does not appear to have gained wide acceptance and most authorities retain Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora as separate genera.
Eugenia australis is now regarded as two separate species, Syzygium australe and S.paniculatum.
The popular garden plant commonly known as Grevillea biternata is incorrectly named. The correct name is G.curviloba subsp incurva. The true G.biternata is not widely cultivated.
Extensive revision of the genus Phebalium by Paul Wilson has seen 21 species transferred to the genus Leionema, 6 species transferred to Nematolepis and 3 species transferred to Rhadinothamnus. 25 species remain in Phebalium.
Alex George (well known to many for his work in the revision of Banksia and Dryandra and for his work on the Flora Of Australia project) published a name change for Sturt’s desert pea in the ‘Western Australian Naturalist’ in 1999. He has called the plant Willdampia formosa in honour of the explorer William Dampier. This proposal, however, does not seem to have received general acceptance.
Until 1995, all Australian gentians were considered to be included under Gentianella diemensis. They have now been transferred to the genus Chionogentias and split into 14 separate species. The genus Chionogentias also occurs outside of Australia.
The species formerly known as Baeckea virgata (now Sannantha virgata) is considered to be restricted to New Caledonia and does not occur in Australia. Australian plants formerly referred to Baeckea virgata have been re-classified to a number of different genera including Sannantha, Kardomia and Harmogia.
Several species formerly included in the genus Helichrysum were transferred to the new genus Bracteantha in 1991. However, it has recently (2001) been discovered that the name Xerochrysum, published by a Russian botanist in 1990, must take precedence under the rules of botanical nomenclature. This means that Bracteantha bracteatum and B.subundulata (and several other species) are now reclassified under the genus Xerochrysum.
The name Acacia aulacocarpa is still current but has been widely misapplied and a number of forms previously referred to as A.aulacocarpa have now been transferred to other species. The form from coastal and near coastal areas of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales (and the one most commonly referred to as A.aulacocarpa in the past) is now A.disparrima.
The name Viola hederacea is still current but research has indicated that the form commonly cultivated is sufficiently distinct from the type form of that species to warrant re-classification.
All species in the genus Brachysema have been transferred to the genus Gastrolobium.
Dianella laevis is now recognised as D.longifolia in WA, NT, Qld, NSW and the ACT. Victorian populations are regarded as distinct and the name D.laevis is still current in that State.
A paper published by A R Mast and K Thiele (The transfer of Dryandra R.Br. to Banksia L.f. (Proteaceae); Australian Systematic Botany, 26 February 2007), proposed that the genus Dryandra be subsumed into Banksia. 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. The new classification has come in for some criticism but, as the Australian Plant Census has been adopted as the authority on plant names by ANPSA, the revised classifiation has been accepted on the ANPSA website.
The reclassification of two species of Astroloma to Stenanthera is accepted in the Australian Plant Census but is not accepted by some other authorities
Until recently, Styphelia comprised 14 species. However, the classification of Styphelia has been contentious for many years and a study carried out in 2020 (Crayn DM, Hislop M, Puente-Lelièvre C (2020); A phylogenetic recircumscription of Styphelia (Ericaceae, Epacridoideae, Styphelieae). Australian Systematic Botany 33 137–168) determined that many species in related genera such as Astroloma and Leucopogon warrant inclusion in an expanded Styphelia genus. This work has been accepted in the Australian Plant Census.

Thanks to the late John Wrigley, Cas Liber, John Atkinson and Angus McLeod for providing comments and suggestions.