Isopogon and Petrophile Study Group

Welcome to the Isopogon and Petrophile Study Group

The Isopogon and Petrophile Study Group is one of a number of Study Groups within the Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) whose aims are to further knowledge about the cultivation, propagation and conservation of specific Australian plants. 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.

Isopogons and petrophiles 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.

Since the inception of the group numerous newsletters have been issued documenting the reports from members into cultivation issues in various climatic zones, propagation methods and natural occurrences of different species. Past issues of the newsletters can be downloaded from this site (see the link below).

If you are interested in the cultivation, propagation, conservation and appreciation of Australia’s native flora, especially Isopogon and Petrophile, why not consider joining and helping to promote these plants more widely.

[Main Image: Isopogon divergens (Brian Walters)]

Newsletters

Regular newsletters are published several times per year. The newsletters provide a forum for Group members to discuss and record activities and experiences in cultivating and propagating Isopogon and Petrophile species, keeping up to date on scientific knowledge of the genus and reporting on field trips to various parts of Australia.

The Study Group’s newsletters are available for download from the link below (Note: These are in pdf format and will require a PDF Reader to view them).

View Newsletters

Isopogon & Petrophile Plant Profiles

The two genera Isopogon and Petrophile 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.

Profiles of a number of Isopogon and Petrophile species have been incorporated into the Acacia section of the main ANPSA website. Each profile includes a photograph and information on natural distribution, taxonomy, cultivation and propagation.

View Isopogon Profiles View Petrophile Profiles

Isopogon & Petrophile Resources

These are a few internet and other resources on Isopogon and Petrophile:

Books:

Elliot, W. R and Jones D (1990), The Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants, Vol.5, Lothian Publishing Company Pty Ltd, Melbourne.
Elliot, W. R and Jones D (1997), The Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants, Vol.7, Lothian Publishing Company Pty Ltd, Melbourne.
George, A.S (1984). An Introduction to the Proteaceae of Western Australia, Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst.
Sainsbury, R.M (2020). A Field Guide to West Australian Isopogons and Petrophiles, Rob Sainsbury’s Wildflower Books.
Wrigley, J and Fagg, M (1989), Banksias, Waratahs and Grevilleas, Collins Publishers Australia.

Journals:

Several issues of the Society’s journal “Australian Plants” are particularly useful for those interested in Isopogon and Petrophile. Back issues of Australian Plants have been digitised and can be searched and viewed online. Searching these for a particular species may find useful references.

Vol 6, No.46 March 1971; Isopogon (western)
Vol 13, No.104 September 1985; Isopogon and Petrophile of New South Wales.
Vol 13, No.104 September 1985; Isopogon and Petrophile from Seed.
Vol 19, No.149 December 1996; Petrophile (Conesticks) – a comprehensive guide to the genus.
Vol 31, No.247 Winter 2021; Entire issue devoted to Isopogon and Petrophile

Internet:

Esperance Wildflowers – Descriptions and photographs for several Western Australian species of Isopogon.
Esperance Wildflowers – Descriptions and photographs for several Western Australian species of Petrophile.
Growing Native Plants – a series of plant profiles by the Australian National Botanic Gardens; includes a number of Isopogon species.
Isopogon and Petrophile – an introduction to the two genera
Isopogon and Petrophile – another introduction to the two genera
Isopogon and Petrophile in Seed Notes for Western Australia – pdf document covering geographic distribution and habitat, reproductive biology, seed collection and germination – not just Western Australian species.
Isopogon fletcheri – a vulnerable species from the Blue Mountains