Identifying Rainforest Plants of the Blackall Range: the Rainforest Ancients

Our Blackall Range rainforests contain species with ancient lineages. We know well our gymnosperms such as bunya pine, hoop pine and brown pine, ancient groups represented in the fossils of Antarctica.  But the very early groups of flowering plants are also thriving in our forests, trees, vines and herbs with primitive flowers, strange pollination systems, and interesting smells! These include the bolwarra, zigzag vine, socketwood, wilkiea, the birdwing butterfly vine, and the delicate peperomias with their minute flowers, and others.  What are the characteristics of these ancient groups? 

Join Hilary Pearl and Rowena Thomas at the Barung Nursery for a two-hour workshop learning nine species of the Ancients from our local Blackall Range forests, and visiting a few others along the way.    We recommend you bring a pen, a torch (or a phone with a torch), and your own hand lens if you have one. Magnifying lenses and hand lenses will be available to use, and  worksheets will be supplied as we delve deep into this group of plants. We will finish with a walk in the Barung Seed Forest.  

Participation is limited to 15 places so please book in to attend!

Date: Saturday 04th October, 2025

Time: 9am start to 11am

Location: Barung Landcare Native Plant Nursery, Parkland Drive, Maleny 4552