Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Number 87 December 2017

Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens

Patron Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove Vice Patron Mrs Marlena Jeffery

President Lesley Jackman Alison Turner Vice President TBA Secretary Jann Ollerenshaw Treasurer Helen Elliot General Committee Wendy Antionak Linda Beveridge Christianna Cobbold Owlet Nightjar, ANBG: a new bird for the ANBG birdlist (see also p 19) Jonette McDonnell David More In this Issue Public Officer TBA Exec.Director ANBG Dr Judy West Post: Friends of ANBG, GPO Box 1777 3 The Myall Gall Midge Canberra ACT 2601 Australia Telephone: (02) 6250 9548 (messages) 4 Friends help char the timber Website: www.friendsanbg.org.au 6 Bush Blitz Friends’ activities and contacts Fronds Committee: Anne Rawson 8 Friends AGM: major projects & related activities Barbara Podger Pam Rooney 9 Life memberships Denis Warne Cathy Robertson 10 Friendly Chatter [email protected] Growing Friends Membership Lesley Harland Pam Cooke Photographic Group [email protected] Schools Photographic Exhibition Growing Friends Kath Holtzapffel Guides Christianna Cobbold Friends Botanical Art Groups Botanic Art Groups Helen Hinton Plant Science Group Photographic Group Brian Moir Plant Science Group Anne Campbell 12 The ANBG Image Collection Social Events Tricia Morton Talks Convenor Doug Laing For all these groups contact: 14 Public Fund Donors [email protected] Booked Walks: 15 What's new in the ANBG Image Collections? [email protected] Fronds is published three times a year. We welcome 16 Gardens Shorts your articles for inclusion in the next issue. Material should be forwarded to the Fronds Committee by 17 Australasian Botanic Gardens Volunteer Guides mid-February for the April issue; mid-June for the Conference August issue; mid-October for the December issue. Email or post material to the Fronds Committee at 18 Friends Briefs the above addresses or, place in the Friends letterbox, located inside the Gardens’ Visitor Centre, between 21 Botanical Bookshop 9.30 am and 4.30 pm, Monday to Sunday. Editorial messages: telephone (02) 6250 9548. 22 What's On, including Thursday Talks Design and layout: Pam Rooney Printing: Union Offset Printers Cover: "Having spent the day at the Botanic Gardens, I was at the car park preparing to leave ISSN 1036 9163 when I saw four Gang Gangs feasting on gumnuts. Taking a photo I noticed a number of sawfly larvae on the branch below. I was then amazed when I realised that two were actually 2 December 2017 Fronds 87 eating the larvae. Some fell to the ground and survived, but the pair didn’t stop till all the larvae were gone. I hadn’t realised that these birds were also carnivorous. An eye opening experience." Alison Milton Another galling story in the gardens: the Myall Gall Midge Roger Farrow fter a Thursday lunchtime and surrounding area. Accordingly, I have others, although I have not recorded talk at the Gardens this April, deposited specimens of the midge with them from aerial samples taken while a friend from ANPS, Helen the Australian National Insect Collection. working on insect migration at CSIRO. Brewer, showed me some galls According to Peter Kolesik, D. glaucula is Our specimens of this Acacia in the infesting three trees of the Myall, Acacia also recorded from a related, non-weeping A gardens would be several hundred pendula, in bay three of the south-west acacia, A. omalophylla or Yarran, that kilometres further east of the nearest car park. They appeared to be a type of occurs in the same areas as A. pendula. wild populations on the western plains flower gall since they occurred on the (west of Wagga). However, A. pendula is I recently checked some flowering peduncles of the axillary flower racemes, widely planted by local Councils in parks Myalls growing along the roadside in rather than on the shoots or leaves. The and along nature strips throughout the the Riverina near Darlington Point but galls varied in colour from fresh pale western slopes and tablelands of New there were no galls present anywhere. It green to dark brown and withered which South Wales. These attractive trees are is interesting to note that the local galls is assumed to be a function of age. I also grown in rural and urban gardens also produced several different species of removed a small bunch of fresh galls and in local botanic gardens in the same parasitic wasp whose larvae would have for research purposes, dissected some areas. David Taylor from the Gardens parasitised the midge larvae. It is possible individual galls, put the rest of the bunch showed me another specimen in the that this gall midge is well controlled by in a jar, and checked the internet. My Mallee section above the car park and this parasitic wasps in the natural range of the conclusion was that they were flower tree was also covered with old Dasineura Myall. galls induced by a gall midge, Dasineura galls. David also told me there were speci- species in the family Cecidomyidae. This Dasineura is an interesting genus of gall mens of A. pendula on the median strip was confirmed when some flies emerged midge because several species have been of Southern Cross Drive at Belconnen, in the jar later on the same day. introduced for the biological control of that I then visited, and one of the three Acacia species in South Africa, by reduc- I sent some pictures of the galls and the specimens examined had small numbers ing seed production. I noted that the flies to Dr Peter Kolesik, a Dasineura of fresh Dasineura galls, although all three A. pendula at ANBG had produced far expert at Adelaide, and he confirmed that trees were heavily infested with the fungal fewer seedpods than normal. All the trees the species was D. glauca and its host is, gall, Uromycladium tepperianum. had also produced new flowers on the you have guessed it, A. pendula. He also It is therefore likely that this gall midge terminal shoots available for the emerging said that it was a new record for the ACT disperses by relatively short flights midges to infest. between scattered populations of natural stands and planted specimens of A. pendula throughout our region. It is also possible that gall-flies migrate in the upper winds like many vagile small insects, including aphids and many

Dasyneura larva All photos: Roger Farrow All photos: Dasyneura galls on A. pendula Dasyneura galls on A. pendula Dasyneura glauca Fronds 87 December 2017 3 Friends help char the timber Lachy Brown, Cave Urban

ust as fire is an essential agent of two and a half metre-high platform; and known as radial sawing. The blackened regeneration in many Australian a ladder-connected crow’s nest in the poles and boards (whose naturally tree species, so it proved to be an forest canopy. contoured edges complement the important element in the design of layers of paperbark) provide a perfect J The surrounding Melaleucas’ myriad the Gardens’ newly completed Paperbark backdrop to the dappled deep filo-pastry-thin layers of bark not only Treehouse. The Friends played a key greens of the enveloping forest. protect the living trunk against the role in a series of charring days when ravages of fire, they harbour epicormic The majority of building materials came the charring torch was applied to the buds that sprout only after the trunks from recycled sources. The soaring dead structural tree trunks rising through the have received a decent torching. and charred tree trunks are from the platform and holding the crow’s nest; Gardens. The turpentine piers, joists and to the ramp and platform’s weather- This life-giving baptism of fire sparked and decking came from demolitions of board cladding. A BBQ lunch matched the idea of giving the treehouse timbers old wharves. The rosewood handrail and the food with the activity. the same treatment by applying the ladder rungs are 100 year old Central ancient Japanese technique of Shou- Queensland fence posts from the filmset Sydney-based arts collective, Cave Sugi-Ban, literally translated as “burnt of Australia. The whole design and Urban, designed and built the Treehouse cedar board”. for a clearing in a sensitive micro-habitat building process was based on collabora- - a copse of Melaleuca thriving in spring- The charring of timbers serves the tion with the Friends, the ANBG staff, fed boggy ground just below a walking treehouse in important ways beyond the amazing building team and extended track, near the Gardens’ educational the symbolism of fire’s role as destroyer to a cultural exchange with Chilean facilities. and regenerator of life in the Australian sculptor, Carolina Pinto, who came to forest. The carbonised outer layer create the organic steelwork that grows The Treehouse is a ramp-accessible provides a natural weather shield and on and around the trunks of the tree platform, floating out among the papery gives extra protection against fire by columns and allows native vines to grow trunks, bringing unique intimacy to resisting ignition. The boards were cut through the structure and anchor it to the experience of this wild area on three longitudinally as wedges from Victorian the forest floor. levels: the understorey below-decks; a silver ash logs in a revolutionary process Dave Bassett Cave Urban Jim Gould helping with the charring Organic steelwork

4 December 2017 Fronds 87 Lesley Jackman

On the very last, and somewhat chilly day deterred some but Jim Gould of the of winter, various Friends assembled on Friends Photographic Group led the the Paperbark Lawn of the Gardens, just Friends’ effort, enthusiastically charring below the site of the Paperbark Treehouse, the trunk of a red box (Eucalyptus to find out about the mysterious Japanese polyanthemos) that has since been hoisted art of yakisugi, or carbonising wood. into place ready for concreting. Cave Urban was keen to thank the Donations have been flowing into the Friends for our support as underwriters of Public Fund for the Paperbark Treehouse, the project with an invitation to do some which was designated as a major project on-site charring of timber to be used in for the Fund in September 2015. The the build. We also enjoyed some delicious Friends would like to thank all those who charred meat and vegetables very gener- have contributed so generously so far. The ously provided by Cave Urban. Public Fund Management Committee will be considering further Gardens The work involved the use of rather projects to support early in 2018. large blowtorches, whose size may have Pam Rooney Pam Cave Urban Alison Milton Cave Urban Cave Urban Moving charred log into position Wedges of Victorian silver ash for boards

Fronds 87 December 2017 5 Bush Blitz Polly Hemming, Bush Blitz team

ush Blitz is Australia’s largest Billiton Sustainable Communities books, magnifying glasses and plant nature discovery project, with and Earthwatch Australia that sends presses; they set up base camp and start the aim to document plants multi-disciplinary teams to parts of collecting out in the field, searching for and animals across Australia. Australia where few or no biological frogs, reptiles, mammals, bats, bugs, BIt is based at the ANBG and managed surveys have ever been done. The moths, butterflies, spiders and new plant by staff from the Australian Biologi- scientific teams scour deserts, forests, species. cal Resources Study (ABRS). Since the mountains, valleys, gorges – and more program began in 2010, the Interna- recently, marine reserves – for significant Surveys aim to understand the presence tional Year of Biodiversity, Bush Blitz biodiversity finds, particularly new of all species, however there are some has discovered 1350 new species and has species. The program is the largest target taxonomic groups that represent added thousands of species records to nature discovery program in Australia some of the most abundant, yet least what is already known, increasing our and involves bringing together specialist understood, species in Australia that scientific knowledge to help us protect taxonomists, indigenous communities, are of particular interest to scientists our biodiversity for generations to come. rangers and landowners, educators and including: Arachnida (spiders), volunteers, who together are making Gastropoda (terrestrial and freshwater There are many plants and animals still an extraordinary contribution to the snails), Heteroptera (true bugs), to be discovered by science. There are protection of our country’s natural Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths), an estimated 580,000-680,000 species heritage. To date, we have sent over 180 Odonata (dragonflies), Terrestrial in Australia, but three-quarters of this scientists on 43 major field expeditions vertebrates (small mammals, reptiles and biodiversity is yet to be identified. Forty- across Australia’s national reserve amphibians), and vascular and non- five per cent of continental Australia and system, often to very remote locations. vascular plants. over 90 per cent of our marine area have Organising each expedition is a huge The identification work begins back at never been comprehensively surveyed by logistical exercise that takes months of base camp, where the survey team will scientists. detailed planning. One expedition team, try to identify what they've found using to Lake Condah, comprised almost 50 magnifying glasses, field microscopes and Bush Blitz is a unique multi-million people. dollar partnership between the reference books. Where identification Australian Government through For each blitz, the team loads up with Parks Australia and the ABRS, BHP equipment including traps, reference

What’s in a name? If a plant or animal has no scientific name its conservation status cannot be determined and it cannot be managed and protected. Taxonomy, the science of naming and describing life on Earth, provides the basis for identifying and monitoring Australia’s A. Yen biodiversity. This, in turn, generates the knowledge needed for effective LaTrobe PhD candidate Conrad Bilney environmental conservation. working with traditional owners; Kiwirrkurra Bush Blitz 2016 Chris Manchester, Australian Insect Collection National J. Otto Stephen Mahony Heteroptera (true bug) specimen found on Peacock spider: This new species of peacock A jewelled gecko (Strophurus elderi) found the Namadgi/Kosciuszko National Parks spider (Maratus sp.) was discovered by the on the Mungo NP Bush Blitz earlier in the Bush Blitz. Queensland Museum’s Dr Barbara Baehr on year, listed as vulnerable in NSW. the 2014 Carnarvon Station Bush Blitz

6 December 2017 Fronds 87 proves too complex samples are taken back to labs for a more detailed assessment, often in consultation or collaboration with other scientists. If a specimen is found to be a new species it is formally described, named and allocated to the appropriate species family, and that specimen then becomes the "holotype". The holotype is the gold standard, the reference specimen against which all other specimens will always be compared. Once the species has been identified, all that information is shared online so other researchers can use it (through Australia's Virtual Herbarium T Starrs T Starrs for plants or the Australian Zoological Catalogue Scientists with a light trap on the Great Victoria Desert Bush Blitz in September of Australian Museums for animals). Each year this year. the information collected by Bush Blitz teams will be collated into a major report on the state of Australia's biodiversity. Bush Blitz is increasing our knowledge of Aus- tralia’s ecosystems and supporting higher-level conservation planning by: discovering and docu- menting new species, finding new occurrences of threatened species, recording species range exten- sions to better understand their distribution and response to climate change, detecting potential biosecurity threats early and increasing knowl- edge of weed and pest species and their invasive potential. Bush Blitz is like the gift that keeps on giving; the list of new and updated species continues to grow on a daily basis as taxonomists progressively work through the thousands of specimens collected on Australian Museum fish collection manager Mark McGrouther setting up a gill net to trap fish on the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park Bush Blitz in 2015 our expeditions. C. Nichols Bruce Mills Teddy bear bee: A new species of teddy bear bee found Jade Tinney pinning moths; Bruny Island Bush Blitz, 2016 on the Lake Torrens Bush Blitz earlier this year.

Fronds 87 December 2017 7 Friends AGM: major projects & related activities

The following are edited summaries of reports for the year 2016-17 presented at the Friends of ANBG 29th AGM, held on 31 October 2017. Full reports are on the Friends’ website www.friendsanbg.org.au

Report from Executive Director, mangrove species is particularly interest- prints. Once the Treehouse is paid for Dr Judy West ing as it grows along a permanent fresh- in early 2018, priority will shift to pro- water stream emerging from a cliff on an jects for the Gardens' 50th Anniversary We were thrilled to announce with uplifted marine terrace approximately 35 in 2020. the Friends the winning design for the m above sea level. In the wild this tree 15th Biennial Australasian Botanic Paperbark Treehouse. The treehouse grows to 30 m high – it might stretch Gardens Guides Conference 15 – 19 stands among the grove of paperbark the conservatory! Such collaboration October 2017 was a major project involv- trees below the Banks Building and will among organisations is vital for today's ing 175 registrants from Australia, New attract visitors young and young-at- conservation work. Zealand and Scotland. The Conference heart. Sydney-based firm Cave Urban theme was Informed Guiding – Discovering won the national design competi- Summary of Report from the the Mystery and Magic of our Gardens. The tion with its design featuring recycled President, Lesley Jackman President acknowledged the prodigious timber, radially sawn cladding charred Friends President Lesley Jackman efforts of the Conference organisers – for both protection and aesthetic introduced her annual report noting it Guides and other Friends. The Confer- appeal, and rosewood balustrades sal- had been a busy year. She highlighted ence was fully subscribed and a profit is vaged from the set of Baz Luhrmann’s major areas of achievement. She noted expected. See full report on page 17. 2018 movie Australia. that the many ongoing Friends activities I would like to acknowledge the Friends are outlined in a longer written report and Friend’s Public Fund for their on- published on the website. going support of the Gardens. In addi- The Paperbark Treehouse is the largest tion to being wonderful ambassadors for project of the last 27 years. Cave Urban, the Gardens, the Friends have supported a Sydney-based firm operating interna- many of the visitor experiences devel- tionally were selected for its design and oped in the Gardens over the past 20 years. The Treehouse is another great construction. The Friends, the ANBG example of the Friends’ ongoing support. and the Public Fund are in partner- ship to develop this project, which Another exciting change this year has the Friends have underwritten up to been the opening of our new café, $280,000. Pollen. The café has gained a strong fol- lowing with friends and families enjoy- Bill Hall A campaign to promote the Public Guides Conference Convenor, Glenys ing coffees and fresh meals together. Fund to members is linked to the Bishop thanking keynote speaker, Executive Pollen has already become one of the Treehouse project. A brochure promoting Director Judy West Gardens’ many attractions with its the Public Fund to Friends and listing its beautifully-styled décor and healthy food Information Technology current projects – the Treehouse, a collecting achievements menu surrounded by the backdrop of include: introducing Google Drive for trip to Northern Queensland and a lichen the Gardens. document storage; a Public Fund online digitisation project – was included in the donation option; a trial of online point- The Gardens continues to strengthen 2017 membership mail out. our commitment to conservation with of-sale for exhibitions and plant sales; and online membership renewals planning. currently more than 15 active part- The Paperbark Treehouse, is the largest nerships targeting different rare and project the Friends have donated to the Donations to our Public Fund are threatened plants, including Banksia currently eligible for a tax deduction Tax vincentia, several Pomaderris species, Gardens in the last 27 years under the Income Tax Assessments Act, Zieria baeuerlenii, Swainsona recta and but a review is underway. The Friends more. Excitingly, our horticulture team Friends’ project support to the made a submission in 2016 to the have managed to cultivate from seed the Gardens has prioritised the Treehouse House of Representatives Standing Christmas Island mangrove, Bruguiera since 2014. Other smaller projects have Committee on the Environment gymnorrhiza, to be included in the Ian received support including the conser- Inquiry on this matter and when the Potter National Conservatory. This vation and framing of two Florilegium Treasury released a discussion paper in

8 December 2017 Fronds 87 Life Membership of the Friends: awarded to Maureen and John 2017, the Friends’ Council responded, the daily contribution made by the Connolly for their dedicated highlighting the role a Public Fund such membership team. service to the Friends. as ours can play in assisting a botanic In concluding, Lesley thanked all Maureen became a Guide in 2005 garden. Developments on this issue will who supported the Friends in the last and has been very active ever since, continue to be of keen interest. year, acknowledging the efforts of her playing a key role in at least two Friends’ Strategic Plan 2016 – 2020 was Council colleagues, including outgoing Guides training courses. She has approved in September 2016. Good pro- members David Cox, Jan Finley, Rita acted as Friends liaison with the gress has been made against all of its goals Maclachlan and David Coutts. Lesley ANBG library for many years, pre- and our relationship with the Gardens is also warmly thanked the staff and man- senting the latest books to Guides in excellent shape. agement of the Gardens for making the meetings each month. Maureen was Friends so welcome. Partnerships: The Friends continue to also actively involved in the arrange- support the summer concerts and have New Council Members ments for the recent very successful secured continuing sponsorship from Congratulations to newly elected Council Guides Conference held at ANBG. Icon Water. The 2018 season will again members: Jann Ollerenshaw (Secretary), John became a member of Council in run for two weekends. Guides continue Wendy Antoniak and Linda Beveridge. 2006. He served on both the Projects to provide twice daily Gardens tours and Social Committees before becom- and booked walks and Flora Explorer Talk following the AGM ing Secretary of Council for 4 years. scheduled and booked tours. Guiding The AGM was followed by a talk by the For some years John ran the drinks activities have had a strong focus on General Manager of the Gardens, Peter table at the Summer Concerts and on ongoing professional development. Byron, on the Global Botanic Gardens other occasions. Since leaving Council Other activities include Friends support Conference 26 – 30 June 2017 held in John has become an active member of for Enlighten, the production of Geneva, Switzerland and his subsequent the Growing Friends. In addition to Flowers Fruit and Foliage, the Botanic visit to Kew Gardens in the UK. the above activities John and Maureen Interns Program, Schools Photographic Summary of the Report from are often available to help with various Competition and Plant Science Group Treasurer, Helen Elliot, for the special events and occasions. research activities. year ended 30 June 2017 Public engagement and communica- tion are encouraging awareness and The Treasurer, Helen Elliot, reported that understanding of native plants. These our new auditor, Jeff Brewer from MGI include activities such as the Botanic Joyce Dickson, advised that the Friends’ Art and Photographic groups, Wake up financial statements should include the with the Birds, Thursday Talks, good Public Fund, to provide a complete picture relations with likeminded groups, the of our financial situation. Separate reports website and Fronds. for the Fund have also been prepared. This year functions and events, including Funding of our Guides Conference Thursday Talks, plant sales, exhibitions and Summer Concerts was well sup- and summer concerts have again contrib- ported through sponsorships and in kind uted to income. Booked walks brought in Barbara Podger support. The Public Fund has been well about $2,000. A number of projects were publicised and its continuation has been not completed by the end of the finan- actively managed through our submis- cial year, but they are expected to finish sions to Government bodies. next year. The combined Balance Sheet Member services provided support to at 30 June shows accumulated funds of 1,648 memberships this financial year, $596,212, with the payment for the Tree- a five percent increase from 2016. New house still to be finalised. The Public Fund membership benefits during the period received $24,065 in donations this year included discounts at Cool Country and has accumulated funds of $103,477. Natives, a plant nursery in Pialligo; and The Treasurer thanked her assistant, Kim a ten percent discount at the Botanic Liston, Council members, and other Bookshop’s sister shop, Australian Friends, including the Membership Team,

Choice. Lesley warmly acknowledged for their continued hard work. Barbara Podger

Fronds 87 December 2017 9 Friendly Chatter Growing Friends – Spring Sale Photographic Group The Growing Friends spring sale took place on Saturday A highlight of recent months was the Group’s fourth exhi- 11 November. As an added highlight, Dr Suzi Bond signed bition titled Exposed. Running from 5 to 22 October at copies of her book Field Guide of the Butterflies of the ACTand the Visitor Centre, the exhibition coincided with both the discussed plants that attract butterflies to the garden. Guides Conference and Floriade. It comprised framed works, unframed mounted prints, cards, and bookmarks along with Dr Suzi Bond is a Visiting Fellow at the ANU where she a monitor displaying changing images. There were also a researches the butterflies found in the ACT. Her research is number supporting speakers. driven by a fascination with local butterfly fauna and a desire to better understand their populations and ecology. Her A percentage of sales goes to support the work of the Friends, beautiful book includes detailed notes and photographs of the and a number of the works were purchased by the Friends wide range of butterflies found across the ACT, with contri- for the Gardens. The success of the exhibition was perhaps butions from Steve Holliday and John Stein. Copies of Suzi’s encapsulated by a comment from a member of the public that book are available at the Botanical Bookshop in the ANBG they had never before been made so aware of the beauty and Visitor Centre. diversity of Australian native flora and would now enjoy it with fresh eyes. Two plants in the spring sale dentified by Suzi as being used as larval food plants by local butterflies are: Polyscias sambu- We have also had a busy period in other ways, including cifolia used be Dark Pencil-blue (Candalides consimilis); and informative speakers, an excursion to Booderie National Park Pomaderrris ericephala used by Yellow Jewel (Hypochrysops at Jervis Bay, and a hands-on workshop on macro photogra- byzos). Other plants providing nectar-rich flowers that are phy and associated equipment facilitated by members of the accessible to butterflies, Brachyscome, Callistemon, Grevillea, group David Cox and Bill Hall. Kunzea, Leptospermum, Melaleuca, Pimelea and Senecio, were The new Committee is making plans for an exciting year also for sale. ahead, including more of our early morning walks followed by Growing Friends meet monthly on the first Saturday morning breakfast in the café, and a variety of guest speakers. The first of each month. Feel welcome to join us in the Joseph Banks meeting for 2018 will be held on the last Friday of February Building. We also have a working bee on the third Tuesday of in the ANBG Theatrette. each month. Please talk to one of the Growing Friends today, Details of the program are updated regularly on the Friend’s or telephone Kath Holtzapffel (6281 5817) or Yvonne Robin- Website. The Group always welcomes potential speakers and son (0423 054 013) to check location and time. new members. Contact us at [email protected]. Yvonne Robinson Brenda Runnegar

Schools Photographic Competition Exhibition The exhibition of photographs from the annual Schools Photographic Competition was held in the Visitor Centre Gallery from 25 October — 12 November. All images were taken by high school and college students in the Gardens. The competition is run by the Friends, co-ordinated by Cecilia Melano and this year judged by Helen McFadden, award winning photographer based in Canberra. In assessing each photo Helen had three questions. Is there a subject? Is there something in the photo which is in focus? Does it show me something new? Basic and useful questions for each of us when assessing our own images!

1st, Colour section, Schools Photographic Competition: The Garden 2nd, Colour Section Schools Photographic Competition: Lace. Elise in Zoom. Amanda Joyner, Canberra College Kellett, Dickson College

10 December 2017 Fronds 87 Friends Botanical Art Groups Each BAG member is entitled to submit one work that is Art in the Gardens with Friends 17th March – 15th an artist’s choice but all other works have to be vetted by April, 2018 a team of judges comprised of botanists from the ANBG Members of the Botanical Art Groups are hard at work pre- and botanical artists to ensure a high standard. Just having paring paintings for our exhibition beginning on 17th March work accepted for exhibition is an honour. Last year we next year. Botanical art requires close attention to detail and were able to hang over 100 works. A commission from each work can often take many weeks to complete. This the sale of each painting goes to the Friends to support exhibition has a special theme of ‘Threatened and Endangered the ANBG The event has been increasingly successful in Native Plants’ although other works featuring non-endan- raising funds. gered native species will also be included. The ANBG has a A beautiful bookmark is included in this edition of Fronds special role to play in preserving these plants. to help remind you. Further information will be available closer to the date. Kate Ramsey

Plant Science Group Membership of the group remains stable at around 100 with over a quarter attending each monthly talk. Talks are scheduled on the first Monday of the month (public holi- days excepted), and will resume for 2018 in February. From July to the end of this year, talks have covered a range of topics with speakers drawn from the ANU and CSIRO: • ‘Top-down rehydration: absorption of atmospheric water (vapour, dew, rain) by leaves of mangroves’ by Professor Marilyn Ball, ANU. • ‘Dispersal and disturbance drive diversity’ by Dr Crid Fraser, ANU and 2016 ACT Scientist of the Year. Darwinia carnea, Di Redwood Caladenia actensis, Spider orchid. • ‘Rhizanthella and other orchids, an update’ by Dr Jann Ollerenshaw Mark Clements, Australian National Herbarium and Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research. • ‘Life, the Universe and Pittosporaceae’ by Dr Linday Cayzer, Queensland Herbarium and the Australian National Herbarium. And the forthcoming final talk for the year: ‘Buzz Pollination of the Native Lasiandra, Melastoma affine (Melastomataceae), revisited and why plants have poricidal anthers’ by Dr Roger Farrow, Retired CSIRO Entomolo- gist. There is a relationship between insect pollinator species and flower type - beetles go to one type of flower, bees to another, butterflies to another. But Dr Farrow has observed native bees doing something strange in the Daintree, indicating other dimensions of bee behaviour at these flowers. If you are interested in joining the Plant Science Group, please email [email protected] to be included on the mailing list for upcoming talks and activities. Anne Campbell Graham Gall © Sturt's Desert Pea, ANBG, One of 3 photos Exposed: Opening night purchased by the Friends from Exposed

Fronds 87 December 2017 11 The ANBG Image Collections Image Collections team he Australian National associated with the photos (such as taxon photograph collections is its emphasis on Botanic Gardens (ANBG) name, locality, date photographed or maintaining current and authoritative has been building a collection details of event being recorded) were scientific names for the plants depicted. of photographs and illustra- incorporated into an electronic database A high proportion of the plant images Ttions for many years, beginning in the from the late 1980s. are linked to voucher specimens held at late 1960s. the ANH or to the plants in the ANBG’s In 1993, the Image Collections formed Living Collections or in some cases to part of the ANBG’s contribution to History specimens held at other herbaria. the newly-established Centre for Plant In a type-written document dated 1966 Biodiversity Research (now the Centre APII consists of portraits of whole (now stored in the ANBG archive col- for Australian National Biodiversity plants, as well as leaves, flowers, bark, lection), Dr Betty Phillips, the botanist Research). This partnership also incorpo- at the then Canberra Botanic Gardens, rates the Australian National Herbarium mentions her vision for ‘Slide Collec- (ANH) collections. tion’. She says: The numerical list and card index Scope and focus of the slide collection is in process of Besides the 35 mm slides the Image construction. So far, the slide collection Collections also include formats such as is thoroughly botanical. Whatever system black and white prints, negatives, and is finally adopted for the rest of Parks & (since 2005) digital images. The physical Gardens, this collection should definitely collections are stored in fire-proof safes. remain in the Botanic Garden…. One The Australian Plant Image Index (APII) thing which has been found useful is for is the national photographic collection botanists to take boxes of slides away on of Australia’s flora. Its aim is to have field trips - there is often an opportunity good quality images of every Australian This illustration of Amanita muscaria drawn to explain the work of the garden and for an educational project on poisonous native and naturalised plant in order the principles of conservation to people plants is an example of the various types of to provide a visual representation of who have never thought about them. botanical illustrations housed in the ANBG each taxon. One aspect that sets the Image Collections. Artist: Kathleen O’Ryan By the 1970s the collection was in collection apart from many other plant active operation, largely based on 35 mm colour slides (mostly Kodachrome). The photographs were used to record plants being grown in the then Canberra Botanic Gardens and also those collected by staff on field-trips, as well as Gardens’ events and developments. The records

Cheryl Backhouse (ANBG Image Collections Photo from ANBG Image Collections used in the Australian Horticulture Centenary Special manager) with 35 mm slides, Ellis Rowan magazine in March 2003. Photographer Barry Brown. The caption read: Prime Minister, Ben building 2010. The slides are stored in Chifley, with the Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Sir Edward Salisbury, planting trees archival hangers in fireproof filing cabinets. in 1949 to celebrate the beginning of what would become the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Photographer: Murray Fagg Courtesy of the ANBG collection

12 December 2017 Fronds 87 The ANBG Image Collections

fruit, and seeds. Some of the recent National Seed Bank, and images of tropi- and of non-flowering plants such as additions include X-ray images of leaves, cal rainforest plants originally used in mosses, liverworts, hornworts, and ferns. digital images of seeds captured by a interactive plant identification keys. APII Although the plant photos are the main camera attached to a microscope in the also includes images of fungi and lichens focus, the image collections also serve as a repository of other classes of images built up over the years. These include photos of various Australian vegetation types (for example eucalypt woodlands), portraits of botanists and staff, and historical images recording the development and activities of the Botanic Gardens. Various botanical illustrations are also incorporated in the Collections, including some produced for Gardens’ publications and some from the Flora of Australia series.

Additions to the collections Image donations are accepted if they are considered likely to add value and serve the requirements of end-users. Strong preference is given to plant images that are linked to herbarium voucher speci- mens stored in an accessible scientific Backhousia tetraptera flowers (L) and fruit (R) photographed by John W. Elliott at Mt Stuart, collection. Unvouchered images may be Townsville, QLD. accepted if they have been identified by It is a new species described in the journal of Australian Systematic Botany in 2012 a specialist in the relevant plant group, (http://www.publish.csiro.au/sb/SB12015 ). (Cont'd over page)

Statistics for the photos in the Image Collections Total number of photos in the Image Collections (slides, prints 119,391 & artwork Total number of species of vascular plants photographed in APII 15,000 (native and naturalised in Australia) As the estimated total of vascular plants in Australia* is 25,000 60% and APII holds 15,000 species, the estimated percentage of the Australian flora in APII is: With 94,965 plant photos and 71, 000 being linked to herbar- 75% ium specimens or databased plants in ANBG’s living collection, the estimated percentage of vouchered plant photographs is: Average number of APII images downloaded by public from 51,860 Atlas of Living Australia website per month Total number of species photographed in ANBG 4,324 Total number of photos illustrating Australian vegetation 1,729 Seed of Acacia cyclops photographed by Brook Total number photos showing activities, development and land- 7,290 Clinton with a microscope camera at the scapes of the ANBG ANBG National Seed Bank. * Australian Plant Census data (APC https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/APC)

Fronds 87 December 2017 13 The ANBG Image Collections such as botanists or authors of books on were largely illustrated using photos is usually retained by them, although Australian native plants. from APII. The main point of public some rights may have been assigned to access to the collections is via the ANBG the ANBG. We are interested in enhancing the non- website or via the Atlas of Living Aus- plant portion of the collections, particu- The collection is moving to a more ‘self- tralia, which uses APII as its primary larly with images of new developments serve’ supply process, with 35 mm slides source of plant images. and of events occurring in the ANBG. being scanned in-house using a high-end The copyright of images varies across scanner, as digital photography replaces Where and how are images used? the collections. For images taken by staff other formats. The image collections are widely used and volunteers in the course of their The main point of public access to the locally, nationally and internationally work, copyright belongs to the ANBG. collection is through the ANBG website. for commercial and non-commercial The copyright of images taken by other Go to www.anbg.gov.au then under purposes. Some examples of where the organisations (e.g. CSIRO) and by indi- the Botanical Resources image click images have been used are in Fronds, vidual photographers (e.g. Murray Fagg) on Plant Photographs. This opens the on websites, government publications, page ‘Search the Australian Plant Image ANBG’s interpretive signs, plant labels, Index’ which gives you access to a list of souvenirs, exhibitions and field guide possibilities, including digital images by booklets. The Growing Native Plants genus and species; all records of plant booklets that were produced by the photos including non-digital; photos of Gardens in the 1970s and early 1980s different vegetation types; and non-plant photos where you can find historical images. The process of requesting images is also outlined on the same webpage under Conditions and fees. Our current aim is to make as many images as possible available under Crea- tive Commons licences in accordance with the Australian Government’s open data policies. Access to the collection is also avail- able by appointment with the Pho- Tayloria gunnii (moss) photographed by The series of Growing Australian Plants tographic Curator (6250 9529 or Heino Lepp in southern Tasmania. published annually from 1971 used images [email protected]). from the APII

Public Fund donors ($200 plus)

The Friends would like to thank all who have given to the Public Fund James Kelly of the Friends of the ANBG since Marjorie Lindenmayer the December 2016 issue of Fronds. Jennifer Rowland Donors of $200 or more to the Public Colin Hauff Fund in that period are listed here: Annabel Wheeler W and M Bush Joan Adler Garth and Margaret Mansfield Lesley Jackman and Marcel Dimo Professor Dorothy Broom Margaret Anderson Isobel Crawford The family of Jean Cook (1915-2012), N. Landau in her memory Marlena Jeffery Another 11 donors wish to remain Sally and Geoffrey White anonymous.

14 December 2017 Fronds 87 What’s new in the ANBG Image Collections? The photos below are examples of slides tion. Ivan donated photographic slides website using: ANBG APII Ivan Hol- donated to the Australian Plant Image of Eucalypts, Melaleuca, and some other liday. All photos taken by Ivan Holliday Index (APII) by the late Ivan G. Holliday. taxa in addition to images of some of his that are available in APII can be viewed These images were donated as transparen- botanical artworks. Ivan wrote several here: https://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/ cies and have recently been scanned. Ivan books on native plants, including A Field photo?FORMAT=TABLE&BY%23020 was a keen plant photographer and took Guide to Australian Trees, and A Gardener’s =1&400=IHOLLIDAY%25 Companion to Eucalypts. many photos of street trees, which are a To search for other photos in the image different style to images currently held in A brief biography of Ivan Holliday can be collections use this link: APII and hence add value to the collec- viewed on the ANBG website. Search the https://www.anbg.gov.au/photo Cheryl Backhouse

Brachychiton acerifolius Corymbia citriodora Eucalyptus mannifera

Donation to the Friends Public Fund; Jean Cook 1915 — 2012 Jean was a founding member of the The family of the late Jean Cook (1915 – 2012) has made a generous donation to Friends. Over many years she was a the Friends Public Fund, in her memory. As desired by the family, the donation regular visitor to the Gardens, roaming will contribute to the construction of the Paperbark Treehouse. widely and chatting to staff and others (including the late Bernard Fennessy). She had a lifelong love and knowledge of Australian flora and birds. As a child growing up on the edge of Hornsby Valley (Sydney) she and a friend roamed throughout the bush. At home, she had a platform in a tree in their hillside garden where she loved to read. She passed on her love of the natural world to her children and grandchildren. Indeed, one small great grandchild called the ANBG "Grandma's garden", so often did they meet there. Jean Cook at the ANBG

Fronds 87 December 2017 15 Gardens Shorts New gardens for summer group tour packages specifically cater- rely on voucher specimens held in Look out for our new Pomaderris ing for Chinese visitors, including a herbaria for researching the flowering Garden and Research and Conserva- Breakfast with the Birds tour and a and fruiting times to gauge the best tion Garden opening this summer. Bushland Nature Walk tour. We have time for collection trips.’ Both gardens will feature a range of already developed our Visitor Guide We have been well supported on significant rare and engaging species. and Map and you may soon see some collection trips by staff from George new signage around the Gardens in Living Collections staff have been Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, Mandarin. busy with initial plantings over Kakadu National Park, ANBG Living Collections and the NSB Seedy Volun- spring. Many of the plants are Working to save Australia’s linked to Gardens’ partnership teers. threatened trees conservation projects and boost both our threatened species and living The Gardens’ National Seed Bank Help with Daisy family ID collection holdings. (NSB) is now into its third year of The image below may not be what collecting seeds to safeguard some Carefully planned planting layouts you think of when you think daisies. of Australia’s most threatened trees and landscaping include sculptured In Australia there are almost 1,000 in Kakadu National Park. The effort surfaces for water harvesting. Acces- native species – so it can be a bit of a is part of the Global Trees Campaign sible paths will allow visitors to get in challenge to tell them apart. with Kew Gardens. close and personal to see the plants A new freely-available online iden- up close. “Our field work to date has targeted tification key, published by Gardens 29 tree species in the Northern Ter- and CSIRO researchers, Alexander ritory for collection, out of 306 tree Schmidt-Lebuhn and Kirsten Cowley, species threatened with extinction covers about 100 species of shrubby nationally,” said Tom North, Manager paper daisies that make up about 20 of the NSB. per cent of Australian paper daisies. ‘This effort focusses on species new to For those who know their Latin, these conservation seed banking, in an area are the large genera Cassinia and Ozo- that has had minimal previous plant thamnus and their smaller relatives. conservation focus.’ They include some attractive orna- The seed bank conducted earlier field- mentals like Ozothamnus diosmifolius,

Australian Plant Image Index © work for the project collecting across Rice Flower, several rare and threat- Pomaderris angustifolia Victoria River Downs and Gregory ened species like Tasmanian O. reflexi- National Park in conjunction with folius (pictured here), and Cassinia Welcoming visitors from China George Brown Darwin Botanic Gar- arcuate, Sifton Bush, a species that is With China recognised as Australia’s dens, as well as in Kakadu National locally declared a noxious weed. fastest growing inbound tourism Park. The key is available at http://keys. market and the establishment of ‘The remoteness of some of the lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/cassinia/ direct flights between Canberra and targeted species means that it’s Singapore, the Gardens is taking a difficult to monitor whether there is number of steps to welcome visitors actually seed available and ready to from China. In the coming months, be collected at any given time. We we will be rolling out a few new Joe McAuliffe Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn. New ANBG Main Path sign Tom collecting for Global Trees Campagn Ozothamnus reflexifolius

16 December 2017 Fronds 87 Volunteer Guides: Australasian Botanic Gardens Volunteer Guides Conference

The ANBG guides welcomed themed tours in the ANBG which as lush oases in an otherwise dry, colleagues from interstate and showed off our Gardens. Managing drought and frost-prone land. overseas to the Australasian up to 15 groups around the Gardens Throughout the Conference we had Botanic Gardens Volunteer Guides at the same time and avoiding traffic glorious Spring weather and the Conference on Sunday 15 October for jams was a challenge but everything comments received from participants a stimulating and informative 5 day went very smoothly. from other Gardens during and after experience. There were guides from A focus on guiding techniques in some the Conference were overwhelmingly capital city Botanic Gardens and also of the National Institutions, as well as positive. Guides were enthusiastic from smaller regional gardens, New the use of digital media and science about taking home the information, Zealand and Scotland. communication on Tuesday morning, ideas and experiences from the The Conference promised mystery and was followed by visits to National Conference and using them to magic in its theme: Informed Guiding Institutions where we saw the enhance guiding in their own Gardens. different approaches and challenges – discovering the mystery and “Thank you so much for the wonderful for guides. magic of our gardens. The mystery time we had here at Canberra, and magic began after registration and Discovering the mystery and the beautiful welcoming and the orientation walks on Sunday afternoon, fascinating program.” with night walks in the Gardens. magic of our Gardens “Those of us staying at University Even the genuine 'rain' in the On Wednesday the Conference House had some great conversations Rainforest caused by the sprinklers, broke into three groups to visit a each evening about guiding and what contributed to a magical experience range of gardens in Canberra and we had seen and learned.” exploring the plants, wildlife and vistas the surrounding area, including the all lit by the lights in the Rainforest “You have certainly set the bar high Arboretum, Government House, and put us on our mettle for next and the Red Centre. Many guides were Lanyon; a total of 11 gardens. At an keen to see if night walks would be time.” (Guide from Kings Park, Perth early morning bird walk at the ANBG where the next Conference will be held) possible in their own gardens. the tawny frogmouth and scarlet Our huge thanks to Conference We were most fortunate to have Key honeyeaters were a highlight. Convenor, Glenys Bishop, and the hard Note addresses by Executive Director The final plenary session on Thursday working and talented team involved Judy West and Dr Helen Cleugh of the comprised presentations on guiding in the planning, organisation and CSIRO on Monday morning which set in our Gardens from guides at the management of the Conference. the scene for a lively Panel session Arboretum, Edinburgh Royal Botanic on ‘Climate Change in the context of Gardens, Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Thanks also to our Conference botanic gardens guiding.’ Gardens and the ANBG. sponsors, Capital Wines, Botanica World Discoveries and the Botanical Bookshop On both Monday afternoon and A full day post Conference tour visited for their generosity and support. Thursday morning Canberra guides the Monaro High Plains, and three offered a wide range of newly created Nimmitabel gardens lovingly crafted Christianna Cobbold C & S Rogers pam Rooney pam Art walk lead by Jill More & Jan Finley A guided tour at the at NGA

Fronds 87 December 2017 17 Friends Briefs Native Bees in the Gardens: but some species from the Apidae exciting news for me and emphasised and Megachilidae families were also just how limited is our knowledge 2016/17 Season present. Of these 50+ native species, of the natural world around us. It As this year’s Spring blossom arrived I was able to identify 36 species, also demonstrates the value that in the Gardens, I was still analysing which highlights the subtlety of citizen science can make to our my native bee collection from the the morphological differences understanding of the environment. last summer season. The cool winter between some species. A number days proved to be an ideal time to of the native bee genera are still You can also contribute – anyone hone my skills in bee taxonomy, and not well characterized and further with a camera can post a picture I set about the task of identifying as entomological research work will of a native bee (or other flora and many of the bees as I was able, with be required to clearly distinguish fauna) found in the ACT on the a good deal of assistance and expert the various species within these Canberra Nature Map (canberra. advice from Michael Batley from the genera. Our knowledge of native bee naturemapr.org/ ) or on the Australia- Australian Museum in Sydney. species is still far from complete and wide Bowerbird site (bowerbird. further new species are likely to be org.au) where others can help with As expected, the Gardens proved found. The remaining species in the identification. to be a popular location for bees, collection could be identified only I am continuing to study native with over 50 species of native bees to the genus level, by me at least. bees and their floral preferences in and two species of non-native bees Most native bee species do not have the Gardens this summer and will collected in the last summer season. common names, but some names are undoubtedly find more species, The non-native species were the very applied at the genus level (see images). familiar European honey bee (Apis perhaps some that have not been melifera) and the African carder Of the 36 species fully identified, it recorded here previously. If you bee (Afranthidium repetitum), which was interesting to note that 14 of have any interesting information or is gradually spreading throughout these species had not been recorded photos, please share them with me. Australia. The native species found previously in the ACT, according to Peter Abbott were mostly from the Halictidae the records in the Atlas of Living and Colletidae families, as expected, Australia (ALA). This was quite Peter Abbott Peter Abbott Peter Abbott Resin bee (Megachile oblonga) on Melaleuca Lasioglossum callomelittinum on Grevillea Leioproctus amabilis on Corymbia peltata lanceolata corrugata New Discounts for Friends Small Worlds: If you need to buy some lovely Australian gifts and can't find them an exhibition of in the Botanical Bookshop, head to photographs of moss, lichen Australian Choice in the Canberra Centre where by showing your & Fungi Friends membership card you will Brenda Runnegar receive a 10% discount. Visitor Centre, ANBG Popular plant outlet, Cool Country 10 January — 4 February 2018 Natives in Pialligo, is now offering a 5% discount for Friends. Very useful for those summer plantings!

18 December 2017 Fronds 87 Wake up with the Birds 2017 A pair of tawny frogmouths have had been spotted! An uncommon Once again this year the Friends taken up residence in a large visitor to Canberra (more common offered early morning bird walks over Eucalyptus mannifera above the north of Sydney). four week-ends in September and Protaceae section. During the four For a few lucky ones a Little Eagle October. This is always a popular weeks we watched as the nest was was spotted high over the gardens attraction to the ANBG with over 170 prepared and “Dad” doggedly sat on returning to Black Mountain. Later a visitors participating. the nest during the day. Finally two chicks appeared and started testing pair of little eagles were seen which Bird scouting began in early out wings. could indicate a nesting site nearby, September and the keen eyes and but this has not been confirmed. ears of our birding leaders and their Among the other birds seen were helpers started spotting nests and golden whistlers, yellow robins, wood To top it off, in October we were able to roosting sites. The regular birds all put ducks with chicks on the cafe lawn, offer early morning bird walks for the in their reliable appearances. tree creepers, olive whistlers, red participants in the conference of the capped robins, eastern spinebills and, Volunteer Guides of Botanic Gardens. Spotted pardalotes were very active in of course, red wattle birds, magpies two burrows in the lower Myrtaceae I would like to thank all the leaders and currawongs. section, often picking lerp from leaves and helpers who made this such an within a metre of the guests. Close Many of us noticed a sudden increase enjoyable and successful event with by the satin bower bird was regularly of people with large cameras slowly over $2,000 raised for Friends projects displaying in the bower or preening in patrolling the Grevillea section just off in the Gardens. the Eucalypts above. the mail path. Scarlet honeyeaters Andy Rawlinson

Pam Cooke Pam Male Scarlet Honeyeater Pam Cooke Pam Andy leads! Early morning bird walk, Volunteer Guides of Botanic Gardens Conference

An Australian Owlet-nightjar (Aegotheles cristatus) known Always welcomes Friends! to be in residence here at the gardens since July this year. with a 10% discount on It is a fairly common species purchases over $10, including throughout Australia but is the purchase of gift vouchers, seldom seen as it will spend on production of the customer's the daylight hours in a roost hollow normally out of view membership card for the person but occasionally coming to the whose name is on this card. hollow entrance to enjoy the No discount on redemption of sunshine. It is rare and quite gift vouchers. a privilege to see them out of their hollow during the day. www.botanicalbookshop.com.au

Lindell Emerton Lindell Emerton

Fronds 87 December 2017 19 Letter to the editor: Summer Sounds 2018 - From the Gardens to the Gardens via Black Mountain Volunteers Needed Planning for the Summer Sounds As we approach the anniversary of the Follow the signs from the Visitor Centre 2018 — Jazz in the Gardens — is well opening of the Gardens’ Bushland to the Bushland Track and follow it underway. The 2018 concerts will Nature Walk (Fronds 85, April 2017), a to the lookout, then continue on the be on two weekends: Saturday 27 reader suggests a larger walk leading on narrow footpad where some care is and Sunday 28 January followed by from the Nature Walk. needed. After about 640 m this footpad Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 February. For decades the Gardens has signposted ends on a fire trail where you turn right, The success and the smooth running the walk to the summit of Black Moun- upwards, for about 300 m to the summit of the Concerts has been dependant tain. The completion of its new Bush- road. Before reaching the road you have on the small army of volunteers that land Track now makes for a wonderful to negotiate a fence at a locked gate. have helped every year since their circular walk through the Gardens and An obscured pedestrian access is avail- inception. Many, many thanks to you around and up Black Mountain, linked able about 10 m to the right of the gate. all. by a number of footpads, fire trails Cross the road and, a little to your left, This year volunteers are again needed and tracks. This walk, from the Visitor climb the track up the bank and follow with collecting entry donations, Centre and back to it, is about 5.6 km the old, but still good, trail in front of supervising car parking, driving the and involves a total height gain of about you for about 240 m until you get to a assistance vehicles to and from the 200 m. At a leisurely 3 km an hour, carpark & picnic area. Walk to the top Eucalypt Lawn, and helping at the the walk should take under two hours. right hand corner of the carpark to join Information Tent with answering any Given the elevation gain and because the eastern loop of the Forest Track, a queries. You might even find time to the walk traverses the Gardens and the good level track, which in 500 m inter- relax on the Eucalypt Lawn and enjoy eastern, southern, western and northern sects the summit track from the Gardens. the concerts! aspects of Black Mountain, the vegeta- Turn right down the summit track and tion and the views are extremely varied. continue, following the signs, until you A link to the online sign up is The damp gullies on the eastern and reach the rear gate into the Gardens on the Friends' website under southern parts of the walk are a delight, (locked after 4.30 pm). From there to Summer Sounds 2018. If you have especially in the winter months, with the Visitor Centre is about another 1.25 not been involved with Summer fungi, lichens and mosses. Orchids, too, km, depending on your route. Concerts before, and would like may be seen. I suggest doing this walk in further information, please contact: This is a lovely walk for all ages, as long a clockwise direction as it is easier to find [email protected] as one is reasonably fit. the way. Barrie Ridgway Barrie Ridgway © Moss Spores, Black mountain Barrie Ridgway © Barrie Ridgway © Barrie Ridgway © Black mountain woodland Wax lip orchid, Glossidia major. Dewdrops on moss

20 December 2017 Fronds 87 The Plant Hunters: The adventures of the world’s greatest botanical explorers. 2017, Carolyn Fry, Hardback, 160 page, Coloured drawings and photographs, $40.00

Leaf Litter Have you ever wondered about the origin of the huge array of plants that 2006, Rachel Tonkin, Paperback, 38 we grow in our gardens, prepare for pages, Colour drawings, $18.00 the dinner table, and use in our daily lives? Such plants are rarely native This book looks at the fascinating to our region however we take their world hidden within a small patch of accessibility and ubiquity for granted, leaf litter beneath a single tree. Each unaware of the great debt we owe page opens our eyes to the incredible to the naturalists and explorers array of life living beneath the who travelled around the world in twigs, leaves, bark, and plants. This search of these then unusual plants, beautifully illustrated book takes us and brought back samples and on a journey of discovery through the seeds along with fantastic stories. seasons learning about the different Beautifully illustrated with more than plants and animals and their 150 images and documents from the importance in helping with processes archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens including decomposition, seed Kew, author Carolyn Fry tells us how dispersal and soil fertility. Just to plants were moved across the world, add to the fun, each page has ‘things how new discoveries helped to save to find’ as well as ‘lift the flaps’ lives and how, even today, hundreds revealing a sneak peek at the hidden of new species are still being world of animals’ homes, intricate discovered. tunnels, the root structure of plants Loads of information can be found and other amazing things that are in this book including chapters on going on in the soil underneath the Sir Joseph Banks, plants from down leaf litter. under, the search for spices in the Educational, beautifully presented east, the role of the modern day and with an important message Leaf botanic garden, seed stockpiling as Litter provides a very special journey well as an interesting chapter on Carl into the world beneath the trees. Linnaeus and the naming of plants. Rachel Tonkin has illustrated over The Plant Hunters is a great book 100 children’s books and Leaf Litter is to leave out on the coffee table and a shortlisted book by The Children’s dip into when you have a few spare Book Council of Australia. moments.

Rainforest Drawing, workshop with Canberra artist, Genevieve Swifte Christmas Gift Vouchers and discounts for Friends of the ANBG Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th of January Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th of February Inspired by the flora, fauna, weather and light of the Gardens' temperate rainforest gully the workshop will draw upon Genevieve’s PhD research and will incorporate alternative photographic processes and the amplification of trees and birdsong. Young artists from thirteen years of age, creative professionals, complete beginners and people with all levels of ability are welcome. For more information or to enrol, please contact Genevieve directly at: [email protected] or on 0400856922. Details: 10am to 3pm, $220 full price, $187 Friends of the ANBG

Fronds 87 December 2017 21 What’s on at the Gardens December to April 2018

Details of events are correct at the time of printing. For changes and updates please check the Friends’ website at www.friendsanbg.org.au or the Gardens’ site at: www.anbg.gov.au The Friends of the ANBG thank the many speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all who attend the events in the Gardens. The Friends use the ‘gold’ coin donations received at each activity to support Gardens’ programs and development. The Friends thank all those who have donated. Please note: unless otherwise indicated, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends from the ANBG library. A donation to the Friends for the use of this material will be gratefully accepted.

Bush Magic Storytime “Life in the Gardens” School Holiday Program First Friday of month, 10 to 11am Tues Jan 16 – Thurs Jan 25 9.00am – 5.00pm $70 per day $5 per child All-day programs of environmental, educational activities for primary school aged Follow the signs from the Café bridge children. Discover and investigate the wonders of the natural world. Daily programs Enjoy stories and craft activities in the will vary, covering a range of topics including Plants, Creepy Crawlies, Bees, Snakes, Gardens. Suitable for pre-schoolers. Seeds, Life in the Water and more. Places strictly limited. Book via ANBG website December— Bush Christmas ANBG Kids Club February — Waterhole Stories Last weekend of every month, starting February 2018 March — Dinosaurs Weekend fun with environmental, educational activities for children aged 7-12. Become a club member to receive a membership pack of goodies and discounts Bush Tucker afterDARK on monthly club activities including building native bee hotels, dip netting for Friday 1 Dec, Friday 5 Jan, underwater creatures, spotlighting for beasts of the night, and more! Details Friday 2 Feb 7pm; $50 coming soon on the ANBG website. Enjoy a summer evening in the Gardens sampling native delights with a Bush Tucker afterDARK experience. Revel Exhibitions in the sights, sounds and smells of the Australian National Botanic Gardens' Visitor Centre Gallery, Open Daily 9.30am – 4.30pm, FREE native flora by night. Bookings are Up Close essential as numbers are strictly limited. See ANBG website 29 Nov 2017 – 6 Jan 2018 Larger than life paintings of Australian flora showing the complexities Free Guided Walks and exotic shapes of many flora not necessarily looked at ‘up close’. Daily at 11.00am and 2.00pm Meet a volunteer guide at the Visitor Small Worlds, mosses, lichens & fungi Centre for a free one-hour tour of the Wed 10 Jan – Sun 4 Feb 2018 Gardens. Brenda Runnegar highlights the beauty and complexity of these Weeding Black Mountain magnificent miniature ‘other worldly’ gardens with a series of framed colour photographs. (see p 18) Removing Woody Weeds from Black Mountain and ANBG Annexes. Wayfinding on Black Mountain Check Friends website for meeting Thu 8 Feb – Sat 10 Mar 2018 place for each weeding work party. Please email your name and phone A collection of drawings, prints and glasswork representing the number to friendsofblackmountain@ observations and experiences of local artists in the form of wayfinders. gmail.com or phone Linda (0437 298 The work will capture the form, texture and colour of flora of Black 711) or Libby (02 6296 1936) so there is Mountain including two significant endangered communities. enough delicious morning tea. Saturday 2 December 8.30 — 11.30am Botanic Art Exhibition – Threatened & Endangered Saturday 6 January 8.30 — 11.30am Species Fri 16 Mar – Sun 15 Apr 2018 Saturday 3 February 8.30 — 11.30am Australian native flora by members of the Friends of the ANBG Botanic Saturday 3 March 8.30 — 11.30am Art Groups. (see p 11) Saturday 7 April 9.00 — 12.00

22 December 2017 Fronds 87 Rainforest Drawing, Thursday Talks: February to April 2018 A creative workshop with Canberra Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to Artist Genevieve Swifte. Details p21. November in the Gardens’ Theatrette. Talks last for 1 hour. Admission is by gold coin donation. There is no need to book but please note, that for safety reasons Flora Explorer tours the ANBG Theatrette seating is strictly limited to 90 people. So, do come early Weekends & public holidays, 10.30am for a seat at a Thursday Talk. & 1.30pm. Purchase tickets from the Please direct queries relating to Thursday Talks to Doug Laing, email lilley@ bookshop. Tours cost $6 for adults iimetro.com.au and $3 for children and concessions. Children under 3 travel free. February 45 minutes of discovery around the Julian Cribb is the speaker for the first Thursday Talk for 2018. Gardens He is an Australian author and science Summer Sounds: communicator. He is principal of Julian Jazz in the Gardens Cribb & Associates who provide specialist consultancy in the communication of Concerts will be held over two science, agriculture, food, mining, energy weekends in 2018: and the environment. He is a fellow of $5 adults, $2 Centrelink conc. the Australian Academy of Technological Child 12 yrs & under free. Science and Engineering (ATSE) and a As the sun goes down over the Gardens, member of the ANU Emeritus Faculty. enjoy live jazz music, great food and Thursday 1 February 12.30 pm drink, socializing and dancing on the Eucalypt Lawn. The concerts commence Julian Cribb, ATSE ‘Surviving the 21st Century’ 5.30 pm and conclude 7.30 pm Julian will talk about his latest book Surviving the 21st Century which deals with the existential crisis facing humanity in our time - and what we can do about it. Saturday 27 January – Annie and the Armadillos Thursday 8 February 12.30 pm Sunday 28 January – Laura Alice Ingram Dr Rosemary Purdie ‘Immersed in the Larapinta’ Saturday 3 February – Gypsy Jazz Project Rosemary will talk about her Larapinta Sunday 4 February – Royal Military Band Trail walk – end to end - in July 2017, of Duntroon and the plants and stunning landscape A variety of food vendors will offer tasty en route. meals & drinks or bring your own. (see Thursday 15 February 12.30 pm also p20) Mathew Higgins ‘What a high! Over Supported by Friends of the ANBG three decades of exploring our and Icon Water mountain country’ Canberra historian, writer and photographer, Matthew will talk about places that have inspired his publications and award-winning work. He will be happy to sign your copies of his books.

Sunset Cinema Thursday 22 February 12.30 pm Wed to Sat from Thu 16 Nov – Sun 23 Dr Chris Carter ‘Where the rivers run: Dec 2017 The prehistory of south-west New South Wales’ Outdoor movie screenings in the serene surrounds of the Eucalypt Lawn. A range This talk will profile key evidence of movies to suit all ages. Gates open that has come from Lake Mungo and at 6.30pm. Screenings commence at last its immediate vicinity and will also light, approx 8.30 pm. Admission prices introduce a broader perspective on vary. Bookings are essential, https:// Aboriginal occupation and the natural Rosemary Purdie Rosemary environment that supported it. www.sunsetcinema.com.au/canberra Immersed in the Larapinta

Fronds 87 December 2017 23 March April Thursday 1 March 12.30pm Thursday 5 April 12.30 pm Friends Benefits

Chris Davey & Richard Thackway Lynne Bean ‘What is to be found in As a Friend you are entitled to: ‘Phillip Island (South Pacific) the Talbragar Fossil Fish Bed?’ Three issues of Fronds a year Lynne will talk on the fossil fish – Recovery from an ecological Three hour free parking pass and plants from the Talbragar Fossil disaster’ Discount at: Richard, a research scientist, will Fish Bed, NSW, which date from the Botanical Bookshop (most items) outline land management regimes Upper Jurassic, she will also briefly Pollen that continue to transform the mention insects. Jindii Eco Spa vegetation condition on the island, Cool Country Natives in Pialligo whilst Chris will discuss the response Thursday 12 April 12.30 pm Australian Choice, Canb. Centre of avifauna to vegetation on Phillip Phil Palmer, South East Regional You also get: Island. Manager and Manager of Scottsdale for Bush Heritage Australia; please Advance details of lectures Thursday 8 March 12.30pm check the Friends website closer to Advance bookings for some events Dr Ben Wallace ‘Yunnan, land of the date for further details about his Discounts on some events plant plenty’ talk. ANBG library membership – borrow books, serials, videos, With his lifetime fascination in plants Thursday 19 April 12.30 pm Ben will discuss the floristic diversity DVDs plus use of computers and of the province of Yunnan in China, Dr Leo Joseph ‘News from the interactive CD ROMs and contributing ecological and Front: An update on bird research Function facilities – special rates geographic factors. at the Australian National Wildlife for functions at ANBG Collection (ANWC) and around the And opportunities to: Thursday 15 March 12.30 pm world’ Join Botanical Art Groups This talk will be about thorny Catherine Ross ‘Bettongs, bulbs and Growing Friends taxonomic problems in our birds, biodiversity’ Photographic Group Digging mammals such as bettongs, such as the Chestnut Quail-thrush, White-eared Honeyeater, and natural Plant Science Group bandicoots and bilbies have been Assist with Gardens' research described as ecosystem engineers, selection starring the Eastern Yellow projects and Catherine will ask whether the Robin. Become a Guide return of an ecosystem engineer Thursday 26 April 12.30 pm Relax in the Friends Lounge helps to restore biodiversity in grassy in the Ellis Rowan Building, woodlands? Dr John Bradshaw ‘Rocks, climate change and trees’ open to members 9.30 am to Thursday 22 March 12.30 pm John will assemble an eclectic mix 4.30 pm. Relax with tea/coffee Dr Mike Bourke OL (PNG) ‘The role of his recent adventures, including and lots of interesting reading. of staple food crops in food security working on technical climate in Papua New Guinea’ change solutions associated with The talk will briefly cover population his profession as a geologist, mixed distribution and food consumption with his passion for the natural and then more comprehensively environment, native plants and trees. many aspects of food security in PNG. Thursday 29 March 12.30 pm Ins_p_i_r_e_. _R_e__p_le_n__is_h_._ _C_o_n_n_ect Honorary Professor George Wilson Where friends can just 'Be'. ‘Can vulnerable animals find new homes on private land?’ 10% friends discount on all George will discuss aspects of treatments & services* price incentives, proprietorship Groups and special events. and devolved responsibility for *not redeemable on gift vouchers. management accompanied by effective regulation, to increase Ring: 6257 8777 wildlife and protected habitats. www.jindii.com.au ____ Australian National Botanic Gardens Mike Bourke taking notes, Honinabi Village, Western Province, PNG. (Thursday Talk: 22 March) 24 December 2017 Fronds 87