G UIDELINES NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS6

Seed collection is an activity that can be can be used. It stresses the importance of undertaken by people of all ages and skill preparation and planning for seed collection levels, and can be very satisfying. Any and the need to collect mature seed. robust person with some basic knowledge We assume that you already have some and equipment can easily and inexpensively experience of collecting native plant seed collect native seeds. For those involved in and a basic knowledge of how to accurately community revegetation projects, seed identify flora in the field, understand plant collection is a great way to learn more reproduction, seed biology and ecology, and about the plants being used and gives when and where to collect seed. You can communities greater ownership of all stages find out more about these subjects from in the revegetation cycle. various sources, such as standard botanical However, collecting native seed on a larger references, textbooks, field keys and local scale (for example, in every season and for a knowledge. There are also other guidelines wide range of plants) is a demanding from FloraBank that provide important endeavour. Making such an activity cost- information about seed collection. They effective adds an extra element of difficulty. include: There may be many natural, logistical and • Guideline 4: Keeping records about native bureaucratic hurdles to overcome – one seed collections could spend a lifetime learning to collect native seed efficiently in one region; only a • Guideline 5: Seed collection from woody handful of people can do it for the plants of plants for local revegetation, and their whole State, or of Australia. • Model Code of Practice for community- This guideline provides an overview of how based collectors and suppliers of native to approach seed collection and the manual plant seed. and mechanical collection methods that

Planning ahead Detailed early planning of the seed For small collections all you may need is a collection trip is essential. Planning can standard approach and a checklist of help overcome natural difficulties to equipment, but detailed planning is collection (for example, seed located in tall required for large collections at remote sites. trees, unpredictable seed maturation or Your objectives should be clear and detailed sporadic seed set). Planning can also help to a level where you can match them up to avert any bureaucratic or logistical resources at your disposal. problems that could be encountered ahead Make sure you get and give adequate of collection (for example, that sufficient notice. people and resources are on hand to harvest in the naturally short collection window Collectors need to be given adequate notice presented by nature, or that you are from seed users to properly plan collections adequately equipped to collect in remote or and guarantee seed availability. Collectors difficult to access areas). require at least six months’, but 12 months’ notice is preferable. No amount of planning can change seasonal conditions, such as naturally poor seed viability, lack of rain or high levels of seed predation by insects, but planning can ensure you are aware of these conditions and that you respond well to them.

2 GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS Target species for collection You should have a very clear idea of the You may be able to obtain seed of the species you wish to collect and which of species you require through commercial or those are priorities. To develop such a list amateur collectors and suppliers. Those you you need to consider the purpose for cannot obtain reliably from other sources collection and any specific requirements. become your target species for collection. You should include a variety of shrubs, trees, ground covers, native grasses and wetland plants in your species list.

Learn about the species you collect You should gather as much information as Correct species identification is vital, so you you can on the target species you intend to should be aware of the natural variability in collect, including: appearance (morphology) of the target • botanical description species. Several excellent field guides for various parts of Australia are available (see • identifying keys Bibliography and references). If you are in • distribution doubt about identification, forward a botanical specimen (leaves, fruits and • occurrence in the local area flowers or buds pressed between sheets of • flowering, fruiting and seeding times newspaper or blotting paper) together with a description of the plant’s location, size, • whether the fruit/seed is located within general appearance and bark to your nearest hand’s reach (2 metres) or above herbarium for checking. Many Botanic • approximate number of fruit per plant Gardens, herbaria, TAFE colleges and some • approximate number of seeds per fruit community groups run plant identification workshops which provide a good • approximate time from maturity to seed introduction to field identification. shedding (weeks, months) • whether there is uneven fruit ripening on single plants Competition in collection • safety precautions (allergenic or Seed collection is a way of life and a poisonous plants) source of income for many people. There is a very healthy commercial seed Detailed information on identification and collection industry in Australia. variability of species, flowering and seeding Information on collection locations, times, and population locations can be species collection times and other sought from regional and State herbarium important background knowledge records, field botanists, foresters, beekeepers provides the commercial edge for many or other seed collectors. Keep the of these people, so don’t be surprised if accumulated information together and add some are reticent to share this type of your own field observations. This will be a information with you. valuable resource for future collections if it is kept up-to-date.

GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS 3 Decide how much seed to collect You should decide how much seed you will your current requirements and place the need of each species and the likely number extra in storage for the poorer seed years. of plants that will need to be sampled to Remember that seed put in storage must be obtain this amount. In good seeding years fully mature and handled with more care it may be desirable to collect more than during the extraction processes.

Decide where to collect FloraBank Guideline 5: Seed collection from • New South Wales National Parks Service woody plants for local revegetation stresses and State Forests the importance of using local indigenous • Australian Capital Territory Parks and plants in revegetation and rehabilitation Conservation Service work. These provenances complement other plants and animals in the area • Victorian Department of Natural (ecologically and genetically), and pose the Resources and Environment least threat of genetic contamination. • South Australian State Vegetation It is also important in revegetation work to Committee match the environmental conditions at the • Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, collection site to those of the planting site. and Forestry Tasmania Guideline 5 covers seed quality and which plants are best for collecting seed. • Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management, Suitable collecting sites should be identified and through a combination of local knowledge, publications and advice from staff from • Northern Territory Conservation relevant organisations (such as State Commission. herbaria, national parks, and State and local Alternatively, contact your forest service or government departments). You might also State herbarium. refer to books that show species You should find out the conservation status distributions and botanical surveys of the species and whether special (conducted, for example, as part of an permission is required to collect its seed (for environmental impact assessment on major example, in the case of declared rare or development projects). Conduct field endangered flora). reconnaissance to determine the exact location of your target seed population. Seed collection opportunities sometimes Where plant densities are low (a few plants arise in association with forestry operations, per hectare), you may want to mark the land clearance, road realignment and major location of individual plants on maps or by building or construction projects. You using a handheld Global Positioning should keep a regular watch on such System (GPS) instrument. operations through contacts at your local council or in State government. Be aware Obtain permission from landowners and that the collection rights to these areas may local authorities, and according to State be allocated exclusively to particular legislation. Permits are required for collectors via public tender or other collecting on public land and also for some processes. species on private land. Initial enquiries can be directed to the following: • Queensland Environment Protection (formerly the Department of Environment) and Department of Primary Industry

4 GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS Decide when to collect

In a good year, seed quality is better than Some species ripen and shed seeds within a usual and harvesting is easier. Early spring few days (for example, some Grevillea to late summer can be an especially busy species). Here the greatest problem is time for collectors. Decide when to collect missing the seed fall altogether, so frequent by first checking the literature for guidance reconnaissance is required to check for seed on flowering and seeding times, and talking ripeness. More collectors are often needed to knowledgable locals. Some publications to obtain the quantity of seed required, and now show seed collection times and can be seed is more likely to be picked while of great assistance (for example, Bonney immature. Allow for the fact that heatwaves 1994). and bursts of hot windy weather can accelerate ripening and seed drop in some Each collector should build up a record of species (for example, wattles). collection times over a period of years. From these records, a monthly seed Opportunistic seed collection is necessary collection schedule may be drawn up as an where seed set is irregular or heavily indicator for the future, although from year influenced by seasonal factors. For example, to year, seasonal factors may cause many native grass species commonly variations in flowering, seed set and produce seed after summer rain but are less ripening times. reliable in the cool season. Maturation of seed on a single plant and single seed head In most cases there is an optimum time for is uneven. Harvesting is best undertaken collection, but a margin of weeks or even when some seed is beginning to drop but months may be available. If possible, visit most is still attached. A delay of a couple of plant populations regularly to check on days may mean most seed is lost to the seed ripeness and availability. It is especially ground (Reu 1996). useful to build up records of those species that keep seed on the plant for longer Because of the difficulties in obtaining good periods. This helps in planning a single visit seed set information, it is worth observing to a location at a convenient time for and making a few notes about the flowering collection and allows for seed from many and seeding of non-target species for a time species that retain seed to be collected at when they may be needed. Notes on the that time. field collection sheet about associate species can serve this purpose. Types of fruit and seed Woody capsules: Seed follicles: including the genera Angophora, including the genera Hakea, Grevillea and Callistemon, Eucalyptus, Leptospermum, Banksia. Melaleuca. Nuts: Papery capsules: including the genera Baumea, Carex, including the genera Bursaria, Convulvus, Cyperus, Eleocharis, Ghania, Isolepsis. Dodonaea, Lomandra, Wahlenbergia. Grains: Seed pods: including the genera Spinifex, Stipa, including the genera Acacia, Brachychiton, Themeda, Danthonia. Daviesia, Dillwynia, Glycine, Achenes: Hardenbergia, Indigofera, Jacksonia, including the genera Bedfordia, Pultenaea. Bracyscome, Helichrysum. Drupes: Cones: including the genera Acmena, Astroloma, including the genera Cyprus, Casuarina, Eleocarpus, Persoonia, Leucopogon. Allocasuarina, Exocarpus. Berries: including the genera Atriplex, Dianella, Polycias, Tetragoni. GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS 5 Collect mature seed It is essential that fully mature (ripe) seed be has already been shed from mature fruit as collected. This can be difficult. It requires this indicates that other fruit is mature. the collector to determine when the seed is Alternatively, place a sample bag of fruit in a mature and to time the harvest accordingly. warm place. If seed is shed from the fruit The interval between bud formation and within a couple of days, they are ready for maturity of seeds and fruits varies greatly collection. (even between species in a single genus) from Capsules, pods, follicles and cones usually a few weeks to as long as several years. Many open or split on maturity, allowing seeds to trees and shrubs (for example, Acacia, be shed and dispersed by wind and other Grevillea and Cassia) shed their seeds within agents. Some capsules, follicles or cones form weeks of maturity, while others retain fruit discernible valves when the seed is ripe. and seed for months (for example, Casuarinas) or years (for example, some of Pods and papery capsules become dry and the ash group of Eucalyptus). The latter may brittle as they mature, as do seed heads that build up a large store of seeds. contain grains, nuts and achenes. The number of flowers and fruits produced Pods of some species burst open when dry may vary greatly from year to year and from and discard seeds away from the plant. stand to stand of trees, and is both Collect these pods just as they change colour. genetically and environmentally controlled. Acacia (wattle) seed may be mature before Some species show genetically determined the pods open and, while some species will cycles in the timing and number of seeds hold their seed even when the pods have they produce and have big seed years when opened, it is better to make the collection bumper crops are available for collection. just as the pods are opening. Some seed may Local environmental factors such as rainfall, be lost but it will be a lot easier to extract the insects and fungi can modify this cycle. remainder. The extraction of mature seeds from green pods requires greater effort. Signs of maturity The ease with which the grains, drupes, berries or achenes may be removed is also an Crop maturity varies over the natural indicator of maturity. They should release distribution of a species due to factors such with gentle pressure when mature. as latitude, altitude, distance from the coast, and weather conditions during flowering Fleshy fruits like those of many rainforest and seed set. Determining maturity is often species soften, wrinkle and dry when they based on experience. Good records of past mature and sometimes also change colour collection times are, of course, a great (for example from green to red, orange, assistance. yellow, blue or black): this attracts fruit- eating birds and mammals which then act as Characteristics to observe include the size agents for seed dispersal. Colour change is a and colour of the fruit, whether the embryo good guide to seed maturity for Dianella, is firm and swollen and whether the seed Santalum and Solanums. In many rainforest coat collapses when cut. plants, seeds are fully mature (even Capsules, seed heads or cones in many germinated in some cases) before they drop species change colour near to maturity (often from the tree. The seed from these species from green to grey or brown) and reach full needs to be sown quickly after collection and size, turn dry and woody when mature. cannot be stored even for short periods. In Eucalypts the seed may be viable prior to You can scratch the surface of the seed capsule maturity but is not released until the follicles of Banksia cones, which are soft and capsule is mature. Cutting Eucalypt capsules green when seeds are immature and turn (gum nuts) through the middle with brown and hard when the cones are ready for secateurs will expose the seed, which will be collection. Some species, such as some of the coloured brown or black if ripe. Most Banksias and Hakeas, require extreme heat eucalypts can be collected if the capsules are (for example, a stint on the barbeque) to brown and the outlines of the valves are encourage the capsules to open and release readily visible on the top. Look for seed that the seed.

6 GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS Get the right equipment and resources The equipment you need depends on the • Maps, compass, handheld Global frequency and quantity of your seed Positioning System (GPS) instrument collection activities. Provided your safety is • Field collection data sheets, booking boards not compromised, you can ‘make do’ with and writing gear, camera and film. less specialised equipment if you only occasionally collect small quantities of seed. It may be worth developing your own However, it is not recommended that you checklist to suit the type of collections and improvise or make do with climbing gear. areas in which you carry out most of your Specialised equipment makes collection work. easier and increases productivity if Play it safe! collections are more frequent and the amount of seed collected is large. Safety is of paramount importance and Equipment needs also vary according to the amateur collectors should not be too type of vegetation. For example, you need ambitious in their collection activities. more specialised equipment to collect from Think about safety and vary the tall trees in wet forests than, say, arid-zone precautions you take to suit local bushland. conditions, tree species and collection methods. Make sure that all equipment is You will need a sound (possibly four-wheel in top condition and properly serviced. It is drive) vehicle that will get you to the advisable to work as a team, wear safety collection sites safely and carry substantial goggles, appropriate clothes, safety hat and loads if required. footwear; and take a first-aid kit. Seeds can often be collected safely from the ground or Useful equipment by using a stepladder, but if you plan to climb high trees, take extra care. For some (More versatile ‘standard’ equipment is people, tall trees may be too difficult to indicated with italics.) collect seed from safely and should be left • Trailer with high wire-mesh cage, or to professional collectors. Defer to the sturdy roof-rack with ladder experts or work with them when the going • Extension ladder, fruit-picker’s ladder, gets tough. climbing equipment and ropes • Telescopic pole pruner, pole and rope saws, aluminium extension pole (fruit knocker), throwing rope with weight • Flexible saw, bow saw • Secateurs, long-handled secateurs • Kitbag, woolpacks, tarpaulins, fruit- picker’s bags, calico drop-sheets, thin stockings or bags for enclosing plants • Petrol-driven garden blower/vacuum • Binoculars, hard hats, safety glasses, gloves • Bow and arrows, or catapult with line, or rifle and ammunition (with appropriate licences and permits) • Plant identification books • Plant press, newspaper and boxes for specimens, tags

GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS 7 Seed collecting methods Natural seed fall (seed traps) From within hand’s reach Large seeds or fruits that fall to the ground Collection by hand when mature can be collected by laying The safest and most advantageous way to tarpaulins or plastic sheeting beneath the plants. These sheets may be raised on collect seed is when it is within hand’s reach of a person standing safely on the ground purpose-built frames and funnelled into a (usually fruits below two metres in height). container to retain the seed. This technique is useful with low shrubs, especially those Wearing a bag with a wide rigid mouth allows the collector’s hands to be kept free. that are prickly (for example, Acacia Seed from small plants low to the ground, victoriae), and some rainforest species, but is unsuitable for species which have fine seeds or from low branches, may be easily collected by hand, though in some cases that are dispersed by wind (for example, (such as with prostrate groundcovers) this Eucalypts and Melaleucas). The technique is normally used when seed collection times process may be tedious and yield little seed. Try to collect from fruit in the middle or are unknown and crops may be missed. upper portions of the plant rather than the Drop sheets should not be used if there is a lower portions. likelihood of seed from nearby plants (of the Plants with pods (Acacia, Davesia, Hovea, same or different species) contaminating the Kennedia, Lotus, Pultenea, Senna): Using collection (see Guideline 5 on how to avoid sampling seed of neighbouring plants). Seed gloved hands, strip pods from branches into a belly bag or container, or shake the plant traps should be checked fairly frequently, as to dislodge seed or pods and collect them the seed is susceptible to predation and rotting if left for too long. Take care when on a drop sheet placed under the plant. With acacias for example, when the pods clearing a trap, as it is possible for snakes or are brown and split along the margins, beat biting insects to take up residence! the branches with a stick. This will dislodge Another technique is to collect seed as it the seeds and pods, which will fall onto the dehisces by enclosing the plant fully or drop sheet, which you can bundle for partially in breathable lightweight fabric transport by tying its opposite corners. (Murphy and Dalton 1996). The fabric is Plants with woody fruits (Allocasuarina, tied around the plant stem or branch and Banksia, Callistemon, Callitris, Eucalypt, the bag left in place. This technique is useful for small shrubs and bushes that are less Hakea, Melaleuca): In most cases remove small branches or, where necessary, remove than a metre in height, especially at low individual fruit using ordinary secateurs. plant densities and where seed is shed quickly or progressively over a period, or Seed release and extraction is often easier if the capsules are left attached to small where shedding times are uncertain. branches – secateurs are very useful for this Both techniques suffer from insect attack purpose. (especially by ants) and wind can remove Plants with fleshy fruit (Dianella, Kunzea, seed from drop sheets. Soil, leaf litter and Scaevola, Solanum): Pick fruit off the other material must be sieved out to obtain branches by hand when ripe. pure seed and yields are often lower with drop sheets than by other collection Plants with seed heads, such as sedges methods. A drop sheet or enclosure bag, (Gahnia, Lepidosperma), daisies (Olearia, when left in place to collect seed, may free Helichrysum and Cassinia) and native the collector for other work. For most grasses (Microlaena, Danthonia, collections you should not use plastic to AstreblaThemeda, Bothriochloa, store or transport seed or plant material as it Dichanthium, Stipa): Strip seed heads off causes the material to sweat and go mouldy. their stems by running a cupped hand along An exception can be made in the case of the seed heads in an upward motion, or cut fleshy fruit where it is important that the them off with secateurs. seed does not lose its moisture.

8 GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS Mechanical harvesting be useful is slashing and baling grass seed Perhaps the most widely used and versatile using a hay baler. For a full discussion of mechanical harvesters are the brush-cutter harvesting native grass seeds see Loch and and the portable vacuum. Clark (1996) and Reu (1996).

A brush-cutter is useful for the quick From above hand’s reach harvesting of native grasses (removing seed head from the stem), especially if fitted Above two metres in height, a collector with some form of catcher. Alternatively, requires either a device to provide longer the cut material may be raked and gathered reach or an elevated platform to stand on. in a collection bag or vacuumed. Although a variety of long-handled tools The petrol-driven garden blower/vacuum is (including saws) can be used, the most a recent addition to the seed collector’s effective are long-handled secateurs. There toolkit. Some models duct incoming are also telescopic pole pruners, but any material through a macerating fan blade pole longer than four or five metres is before depositing into the collection bag, difficult and tiring to handle. Used in others do not. It is generally better not to combination with a three-legged fruit damage seed material as it is vacuumed but picker’s ladder, long-handled secateurs for some species this may be desirable. A provide a range to about 10 metres. Pole portable vacuum is especially useful for pruners are difficult to use safely from a collecting from small, low plants or those ladder, but are easier from a fixed roof-rack with profuse and fine seed, which may be atop a vehicle. easily vacuumed either from the plant or Another widely-used tool is a lead casting from the ground immediately below the weight (fishing tackle) attached to a strong plant. braided nylon cord (25 metres of five Be careful not to contaminate the seed millimetre sash cord or nylon rope) which collection through inadvertent collection of is thrown over branches up to about 12 non-target species. It is also very easy to metres above the ground. Once the branch over-collect from individual plants, leaving is ‘lassoed’ in this way, the collector has the nothing for ecological function. option of pulling the branch down using the cord (if the branch has a diameter of A quick method suitable for some Acacias is less than 50 millimetres), or hauling a rope to lay a drop sheet in the back of a utility or over the branch to do the same thing, or trailer and back it up to one side of the tree, attaching a flexible saw blade to the line which is then shaken, or its branches and sawing through the end part of the knocked, to release the pods. branch. A rope saw uses either a chainsaw Mechanical harvesting of native grasses has blade or a flexible saw with a cord attached developed rapidly in recent years. A range at either end. This method needs two of vehicle-mounted techniques have been operators, and branches may fall close by. tried for harvesting chaffy grass seed direct Cutting causes much less damage to the from the plant. A common approach that plant and you have more control over the has had limited success is a beater harvester, portion of the branch that is removed. It is which uses rotating timber or metal paddles more suited to horizontal branching habits. to knock seed off seed heads. In the last Branches that grow at narrow angles to the decade the advent of rotating brush upright are less suitable. harvesters has led to greater success. These Harvesting from trees above 10 metres is use a soft brush that is upward rotating at the most difficult and dangerous type of the leading edge and has a collection box at seed collection. You should wear a hard hat the trailing edge of the brush. Some use a and safety goggles. Take precautions to vacuum to deliver seed to a hopper box, avoid injury from falling limbs or fruit. which may then be located away from the Your options are to use a rope saw, bow and brush. Brush harvesters may be mounted in arrow or rifle from the ground, or to climb front of a tractor or towed by a four-wheel into the tree and use hand tools. drive vehicle. Another technique that may GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS 9 If you are not up to this, you can take heavily or are in high demand. Rifles are advantage of clearing operations (forestry, very effective for collecting small amounts development, mining, building, power line of seed from a large number of trees and, for clearance) to collect seed. You may even this reason, are commonly used in research collect seed from fallen branches following collections. The technique is safe compared a wild storm or from the pruning to climbing, but requires great care and operations (along roadsides and power specialised training as well as special licences lines) of councils and authorities. Trees and permits. The technique is limited to should not be felled simply for harvesting sparsely populated areas and it can be seeds, however if a tree is being cut down expensive (ammunition and rifle servicing for other reasons, any seeds present can be costs). Climbing taller trees may be possible, salvaged. In some districts, the easiest and but agility and special attention to safety are cheapest way to collect large quantities of required. Common aids include climbing seed is to visit local clearing or timber irons, safety belts and portable or mounted harvesting operations. Obtain permission ladders. An extension ladder may be fixed to beforehand, select good parent trees and, of a tree to aid climbing up to about 12 metres course, take care with safety. The quantity into the first branches. Successful of seeds can be worth the effort. Seed in the adaptations to caving and abseiling heads of fallen trees will shed very quickly equipment have been made which have so it is necessary to keep up-to-date with greatly increased the safety of climbing at operations in your area to avoid the cost of outright speed. Climbing also disappointment (for example, on a hot day brings the collector into much closer in most coastal Eucalypt forests, seed will contact with falling branches. Great care is begin shedding within 12 hours of the tree needed when removing seed-bearing being felled). branches from within the tree crown. Using a bow and arrow is time-consuming and more suitable if trees are bearing Preparing material for transportation Collection activities may yield pure seed, the high moisture content encourages fruit only, or leaves and branches with fruit micro-organisms, fermentation and attached. The latter may need to be cut, overheating. This can reduce the seeds’ beaten or trampled to reduce its bulk for capacity to germinate. transport. A large crop should be bagged It is essential to label bags and bundles for transport. The CSIRO uses calico carefully. The identity of each bag or collecting sheets (two metres square) with container of plant material should be corners tied diagonally; close-weave calico established by a collector’s name or initials bags for small seeds; or hessian sacks for and a field collection number. See Guideline large seeds. 4 for seed collection record-keeping details. Avoid prolonged transport periods for green fruits, especially in hot weather, as

Bibliography and references Florabank is seeking to assist in the training range of information on seed collection of collectors and revegetation practitioners methodology and protocols than the brief and we are very interested in your feedback outline given above, others provide on the usefulness of this guideline and any information on topics such as seeding times further requirements you may have. and assessment of soil characteristics. Readers are encouraged to access the following references. Many provide a wider

10 GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS Australian Native Grass and Legume Seed Acacias for Human Food, Australian Tree Industry Association 1997, First Workshop Seed Centre, CSIRO Division of Forestry, of The Australian Native Grass and Legume Canberra, pp 68–73. Seed Industry Association Proceedings, Kabay D and Lewis A 1987, ‘Collection Brisbane, October. handling and storage of Australian native Australian National Parks and Wildlife plant seed’, in Langkamp PJ (ed), Service 1993, Guide to Requirements for Germination of Australian Native Plant Seed, Collecting Australian Plants and Animals, Inkata Press, pp 20–30. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Kleinig DA and Boland DJ 1977, ‘Use of Canberra. .243- and .308-calibre rifles for eucalypt Boland DJ et al. 1980, Eucalyptus Seed, seed collections’, Inst. For. Aust. Newslett., CSIRO, Melbourne. vol 18, no 3, pp 22–3. Boland DJ et al. 1984, Forest Trees of Loch DS and Clark M 1996, ‘Production, Australia, Nelson–CSIRO, Melbourne. harvesting and processing of native grass and herbaceous legume seeds: The reality Bonney N 1994, What Seed Is That? A Field and the challenge’ in Waters CM and Noad Guide to the Identification, Collection and WJ (eds), Proceedings of the Native Grass and Germination of Native Seed in South Legume Seed Industry Workshop, Roma, Australia. Queensland, 26–27 March. Brooker MlH and Kleinig DA 1983, Field Midgley SJ et al. (eds) 1983, Casuarina Guide to the Eucalypts, Inkata Press, Ecology, Management and Utilisation, Melbourne and Sydney. CSIRO, Melbourne. Costermans L 1983, Native Trees and Murphy RG and Dalton GS 1996, Shrubs of South-Eastern Australia, Rigby, ‘Understorey establishment research’, Australia. Department of Primary Industries South Cremer KW 1965, ‘Effects of fire on Australia Technical Report 249, Murray seedshed from Eucalyptus regnans’, Aust. Bridge Revegetation Centre, Murray For., vol 29, pp 252–62. Bridge, South Australia. Cremer KW 1965, ‘How eucalypt fruits Reu S 1995, Guidelines for Native Grass release their seed’, Aust. 1. Bot., vol 13, Species Establishment for Rangeland pp 11–6. Rehabilitation in Central Australia, Doran JC, Turnbull JW, Boland DJ and Department of Lands, Planning and Gunn BV 1983, Handbook on seeds of dry- Environment, Alice Springs. zone acacias: A guide for collecting extracting, Nicholson N and Nicholson H 1985, cleaning and storing the seed and for Australian Rainforest Plants, Terania treatment to promote germination of dry-zone Rainforest Nursery, via Lismore, New acacias, Food and Agriculture Organisation South Wales. of the United Nations, FAO, Rome. Ralph M 1994, Seed Collection of Australian Francis WD 1981, Australian Rainforest Native Plants, available from the author, Trees, Australian Government Publishing telephone (03) 419 3040. Service, Canberra. Turnbull JW 1975, ‘Assessment of seed Green JW and Williams AV 1969, crops and the timing of seed collections’, in ‘Collection of Eucalyptus branch specimens Report on FAO/DANIDA Training Course on with the aid of a rifle’, Aust For Res., vol 4, Forest Seed Collection and Handling, FAO, no 2, pp 19–30. Rome. Horner R 1992, ‘Collection of Acacia seeds Turnbull JW 1975, ‘Seed collection – in Central Australia’, in House APN and sampling considerations and collection Harwood CE (eds), Australian Dry-Zone techniques’, in Report on FAO/DANIDA Training Course on Forest Seed Collection and Handling, FAO, Rome.

GUIDELINE 6: NATIVE SEED COLLECTION METHODS 11 Turnbull JW and Martenz PN 1983, Aspects of Seed Collection Storage and Germination in Casuarinaceae, Australian Forest Research. Turnbull JW and Martenz PN 1981, ‘Seed Production, Collection and Germination in Casuarinaceae’, in Midgley SJ, Turnbull JW and Johnston RD (eds), Casuarina Ecology, Management and Utilisation – Proceedings of an International Workshop, 17–21 August, CSIRO, Canberra, pp 126–32. Willan RL 1985, ‘A guide to forest seed handling’, FAO Forestry Paper, 20/2. Wrigley JW and Fagg M 1979, Australian Native Plants, Collins, Sydney.

Written by the Australian Tree Seed Centre and Warren Mortlock

Published by FloraBank with the assistance of Bushcare – a program of the Commonwealth Government’s Natural Heritage Trust. The FloraBank partners are Greening Australia, CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products through the Australian Tree Seed Centre, and the Australian National Botanic Gardens. FloraBank is funded by the Bushcare program of the Natural Heritage Trust and operates under the Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and Greening Australia Limited in relation to financial assistance for FloraBank.

© FloraBank 1999 Your Comment This document is copyright. However, you may use material from the document for your personal, public or The FloraBank guidelines are a consolidation of commercial use provided that you ensure that the source of existing information and draw on the practices this material is clearly referenced to the FloraBank authors. You may not, however, modify, alter or edit any material observed at seedbanks across Australia as well as the from the document without the express prior written expertise and technical understanding of the permission of FloraBank. Australian Tree Seed Centre at CSIRO Forestry Disclaimer and Forest Products, Greening Australia’s The information contained in this document is provided Seedbanks and the Australian National Botanic for the purpose of general use only and should not be relied upon for the purpose of a particular matter. Legal advice Gardens Seedbank. The guidelines present, as far should be obtained before any action or decision is taken as is known by the authors, best practices. on the basis of any material in this guideline. The FloraBank partners do not assume liability of any kind However, they are drafts because we recognise that whatsoever resulting from any person’s use or reliance upon other people may have better approaches, and that the content of this guideline. best practices change with time. Also, our climate and vegetation is diverse and not all practices are equally applicable across Australia. If you would All enquiries to: like to comment on any of the guidelines please FloraBank Coordinator contact the FloraBank Coordinator. If you have PO Box 74, Yarralumla ACT 2600 practices or knowledge you would like Phone 02 6281 8585 to share with others you can do this through the Email: [email protected] forum pages of the FloraBank website. Website: www.florabank.org.au