Plant species

Moderators

The following moderators provide knowledge and expertise for Plants:

Tapirlord  |  natureguy  |  RWPurdie  |  mainsprite  |  mcosgrove  |  NedJohnston  |  KenT  |  gregbaines

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Overview

Welcome to the world of botany!

There are a little over 1,100 plants that are native to the ACT. Canberra Nature Map (CNM) also incorporates an additional several hundred more native plant species that occur in the alpine and subalpine areas of Kosciuszko National Park, the Monaro Plains, or on sandstone in the Bungonia area. Daisies, grasses and orchids are amongst the largest families found in the region. 

Well over 10,000 plants have been introduced into our region’s gardens and pastures from overseas and other parts of Australia. Garden plantings are not of interest to Canberra Nature Map, but where plants stray from garden or amenity plantings into our bush they are of interest. Over 600 exotic and non-local natives have established in our Region’s bush.

Canberra Nature Map is particularly trying to locate species rare in the region or new and emerging weeds before they become widespread. People may not be aware what a particular plant is, but they have been good at recognising that a plant is uncommon in an area. In just two years Canberra Nature Map has more than doubled the known location of ACT rare plant records collected over the previous 110 years and has provided the first known ACT record of over a dozen new weed species, which has enabled their eradication. The continued reporting of these sorts of records are particularly encouraged.

We are also seeking species not currently included on the species lists for a particular nature reserve or area of interest, these field guides are a valuable asset and have become increasingly comprehensive. You may also like to establish a record of all plants on your own rural property or favourite piece of bush.

Strictly speaking the term “Plant” may refer to any organism within kingdom Plantae. However, the plant category on Canberra Nature Map is concerned only with Vascular Plants (flowering plants, conifers, cycads & Ferns). Non-vascular plants (Mosses, Liverworts & Hornworts) are able to be reported on CNM and fall within the category of Mosses, Lichens, Liverworts, etc. 

The plant category as a whole is broken into 15 subcategories, these group sightings of similar organisms and allow specialist experts to cover particular groups of interest. Subcategories with specialist moderators include, Orchids, Ferns & Club Mosses and Other Freshwater Plants. When uploading sightings of plants we recommend selecting a subcategory as this makes it easier for moderators. 

Identifying plant species from photographs is often difficult, particularly as botanical precedent is to key collected specimens to achieve an Identification. To make it easier for moderators, ensure that photographs include as much information on a plant as possible. For this reason we recommend submitting multiple images with each sighting.

Below is a general guide for which features to photograph & include in sightings, these are ranked in order or importance.

1.  Inflorescence (flowers)

2.  Leaf upper surface, preferably showing shape & hairs (or lack thereof)

3.  The plant in its entirety (Form)

4.  The Calyx (back of the flower)

5.  Leaf lower surface

6.  Emerging inflorescence (Flower buds)

7.  The stem, preferably showing an attached leaf & hairiness

8.  Fruit or seed pods

Where possible it is good to include multiple characteristics in one photograph in order to maximise our ability to make an ID. Bear in mind that although those characteristics placed towards the top of the guide are typically more useful this is a very general way of approaching it & identifying certain groups may require a feature that is lower down on the list. Specific photography tips can be found under subcategory headings where applicable. ANBG has some more detailed advice on photography techniques.

92 species

Acacia baileyana (Cootamundra Wattle, Golden Mimosa)

Acacia baileyana
Acacia baileyana
Acacia baileyana

Acacia baileyana x Acacia dealbata (Cootamundra Wattle x Silver Wattle (Hybrid))

Acacia baileyana x Acacia dealbata
Acacia baileyana x Acacia dealbata
Acacia baileyana x Acacia dealbata

Acacia baileyana x Acacia decurrens (Cootamundra Wattle x Green Wattle (Hybrid))

Acacia baileyana x Acacia decurrens
Acacia baileyana x Acacia decurrens
Acacia baileyana x Acacia decurrens

Acacia boormanii (Snowy River Wattle)

Acacia boormanii
Acacia boormanii
Acacia boormanii

Acacia bormannii X pravissima (hybrid) (Wedge-leaved x Snowy River Wattle (Hybrid))

Acacia bormannii X pravissima (hybrid)
Acacia bormannii X pravissima (hybrid)
Acacia bormannii X pravissima (hybrid)

Acacia brachybotrya (Grey Mulga, Grey Wattle)

Acacia brachybotrya
Acacia brachybotrya
Acacia brachybotrya

Acacia cardiophylla (Wyalong Wattle)

Acacia cardiophylla
Acacia cardiophylla
Acacia cardiophylla

Acacia cognata (Bower Wattle, River Wattle)

Acacia cognata
Acacia cognata
Acacia cognata

Acacia cultriformis (Knife Leaf Wattle)

Acacia cultriformis
Acacia cultriformis
Acacia cultriformis

Acacia dealbata X Acacia decurrens (Silver x Green Wattle (Hybrid))

Acacia dealbata X Acacia decurrens
Acacia dealbata X Acacia decurrens
Acacia dealbata X Acacia decurrens

Acacia decora (Showy Wattle)

Acacia decora
Acacia decora
Acacia decora

Acacia decurrens (Green Wattle)

Acacia decurrens
Acacia decurrens
Acacia decurrens

Acacia elata (Mountain Cedar Wattle)

Acacia elata
Acacia elata
Acacia elata

Acacia elongata (Swamp Wattle)

Acacia elongata
Acacia elongata
Acacia elongata

Acacia fimbriata (Fringed Wattle)

Acacia fimbriata
Acacia fimbriata
Acacia fimbriata

Acacia floribunda (White Sally Wattle, Gossamer Wattle)

Acacia floribunda
Acacia floribunda
Acacia floribunda

Acacia howittii (Sticky Wattle)

Acacia howittii
Acacia howittii
Acacia howittii

Acacia iteaphylla (Flinders Range Wattle)

Acacia iteaphylla
Acacia iteaphylla
Acacia iteaphylla

Acacia linearifolia (Narrow-leaved Wattle)

Acacia linearifolia
Acacia linearifolia
Acacia linearifolia

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2,148,794 sightings of 19,882 species in 6,407 locations from 11,276 contributors
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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.