Are Ancient Plants Our Future?

Some plants we enjoy today have survived climate change over geological time. Join us to see some living fossils and to hear how these species can help in our future climate.

Stories on the impacts of the changing climate are common in the media, and horticulturists and home gardeners are rightly concerned about how plants will cope as the environment changes. When selecting long-lived species for projects, landscape architects and garden designers now consider a species’ suitability for the predicted future climate before including it in their plans. Many are asking ‘what species should we plant as the climate changes?’

Australian fossil records show that some species we enjoy in parks and gardens today have survived through climate change over geological timescales. Perhaps these species provide clues about planting for the future and about how we might plant our parks and gardens to help us adapt to the changing climate.

Join paleobotanist and Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Deputy Director Dr Leonie Scriven and urban horticulturist Dr Tim Johnson of TREENET for an enjoyable stroll in Adelaide Botanic Garden to see some living fossils and hear how they can be of benefit in urban parks and gardens.

Dates: Tuesday, 3 October 2023 

Times: 10:30am - 11:30am

Location: Meet at 'The Cascade' fountain, Adelaide Botanic Garden (E12 on the map).

Tickets: $5.00 per person

For more of 'What's On' around the gardens, please visit our website to see what else is on at the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia.