Botany for Beginners: Australian Plant Families

In this 90 minute workshop for amateur botanists and plant enthusiasts, we will learn the identification and key characteristics of iconic and common NSW plant families. Through looking carefully at plants in our Living Collection we will together identify key plant characteristics and traits including specific details of flowers, fruits and leaves.

What is a plant family?

A plant family is a taxonomic grouping of plants with a shared evolutionary  history and that often share key diagnostic characteristics. It is a helpful way of recognizing plants and understanding their diversity and relationships. 

We will look at examples of: 

• Myrtaceae- includes eucalypts and bottlebrushes 

• Proteaceae – includes banksias, and grevilleas 

• Fabaceae- includes peas and wattles 

• Asteraceae- includes paper daisies 

• Poaceae – grasses  

• Ferns and other non-flowering plants 

Have fun botanising and gain a new way of seeing and understanding plants in nature and garden. Take the knowledge with you on your next visit to the botanic garden, bushwalk, or stroll down the street. 

This program is outdoors, and involves a walk on uneven terrain. 

Facilitator

Dr Lyndle Hardstaff is a plant conservation scientist at the Australian PlantBank who uses tissue culture and cryopreservation to save endangered rainforest species. She is also an experienced educator - teaching science and nature play programs to school groups at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, as well as ecology and conservation at university. 

This program is part of Australian Botanic Garden spring program inspired by the season, the living collection of Australian Plants and connecting to nature.