Plant research

Lambertia orbifolia
(Image - Leonie Monks)

Western Australia is renowned for its diverse and spectacular wildflowers, and is one of the premier flora centres in the world. This floral richness is matched by a high number of plants that are threatened with extinction. Our research seeks to conserve and manage Western Australian flora in the wild, by reducing the likelihood of extinction of individual plant species and loss of plant communities.

What we do

Survey current and new plant populations
Monitor the health of plant populations
Collect and store seeds
Research the biology, ecology and genetics of Western Australian flora
Discover, name and describe plant species
Research ways to ameroliate threatening processes such as dieback and weeds
Carry out translocations of threatened plants
Research the taxonomy and ecology of fungi

Key activities and projects

Experimental translocation of Critically Endangered plants
Seed biology, seedbank dynamics and collection and storage of seed of rare and threatened Western Australian taxa
Wattles of the Pilbara
Integrated strategies for the control of Phytophthora cinnamomi using phosphite
Causes of rarity in four Tetratheca taxa in the goldfields ranges
Genetics and biosystematics for the conservation, circumscription and management of Western Australian flora
Fungi research
Latest projects at the Western Australian Herbarium