Workshop on plant identification for flora of the Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley Hotel Academy, Kurri Kurri TAFE campus
7-8th April 2014
The Australian Network for Plant Conservation (ANPC) delivered a workshop on Plant Identification for flora of the
Hunter Valley in April 2014.
Learning was through a combination of theory presentations, practicals and field-based activities.
Stephen Bell of Eastcoast Flora Survey opened the workshop with an introduction to the flora of the Hunter valley – highlighting its history, diversity and ecology. Stephen has kindly allowed us to make this presentation available online. To download a pdf of the presentation click on the image above (please note that this is a 21 MB file).
Bob Makinson (Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust) then presented an introduction to plant identification, including classification, nomenclature and the use of botanical keys. Above, participants are learning how to use botanical keys by creating a key to 'participants'. Standing are the 'species' with 'orange or reddish bark'.
Participants then had plenty of time for hands-on practice in sessions on flower structure and spotting key character states for recognising major plant families. Pictured above is Paul Melehan from the Hunter Local Land Services helping participants identify the main parts of a flower.
Participants then had an in-depth look at the Fabaceae family, with presentations by Teresa James (pictured above, centre) on identifying peas and acacia, followed by a practical session where participants practiced keying out fabaceae specimens.
Day one closed with an introduction to interactive keys and online resources in plant identification.
Day two, Harry Rose from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (pictured above, centre) facilitated an in-depth look at grasses (Poaceae) and Bob Makinson introduced the Myrtaceae family.
Again, participants had an opportunity to practice their plant identification skills, keying out specimens using traditional print keys and also interactive electronic keys.
The workshop closed with a demonstration from Harry Rose on how to collect a herbarium specimen.
The ANPC would like to acknowledge and thank the support of the generous workshop presenters including: Stephen Bell, Bob Makinson, Teresa James, Paul Melehan, and Harry Rose.
Additional workshop images
Would you like a plant identification workshop similar to this in your region? Contact the ANPC National Office to discuss opportunities.