Environment and Resource Management

Botanical information

Botanical Services


Botanists identify specimens and provide
advice and information on species.

The name of a species enables access to a range of information about that species. The Queensland Herbarium provides a plant identification service, along with information and advice on Queensland plants, algae, lichens and fungi. Relevant information on poisonous properties, distribution, weediness and conservation status is also available on request. Charges apply for commercial clients.

Botanical specimens can be sent by mail or brought to the Queensland Herbarium for identification. Plant specimens are usually presented pressed and dried in folders of newspaper. Lichens, mosses, algae and fungi have specific collecting requirements, contact us.

We are currently unable to provide an identification service for fungi except for poisons cases. However, members of the public may contribute fungi specimens to the Herbarium collections, by prior arrangement.

Why collect specimens?

Specimens are often necessary for accurate identification because many characters are microscopic or difficult to see in a photograph. Specimens are the reference point for the application of scientific names, and are a verified record (voucher) for a species occurring at a particular time and place. The significance of specimens extends beyond identification: they are the fundamental material and information used in systematic and biodiversity research, assessment and monitoring.

How to collect specimens

Before you collect, you must have the appropriate permits and permissions. If you wish to collect on private land you must obtain permission from the owner. If you wish to collect native plants on public land, you will need a permit from the department. A step by step guide on how to collecting botanical specimens is available. For Weed Spotters, further information on collecting weeds and difficult to collect plants can be obtained.

How to send specimens

Specimens must be pressed and dried before they can be sent in the mail, with some exceptions. Cacti specimens may be sent fresh in a box. Limited numbers of fresh specimens may be brought to the Herbarium building at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha. Please read How to send botanical specimens and Botanical specimens - cover sheet for further information on how to prepare and send botanical specimens for identification. Note that specimens should not be sent in plastic bags.

Send specimens to :

Plant information and advisory service
Queensland Herbarium
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha
Mt Coot-tha Rd
TOOWONG QLD 4066
Tel: (07) 3896 9326 fax: (07) 3896 9624
email: Queensland.Herbarium@epa.qld.gov.au

Plant identification resources

Identification keys to the eucalypts and wattles of the greater Brisbane area are available. Online floras include Flora of Australia, a resource accessing published volumes of the Flora of Australia series. PlantNET is an online flora of NSW including keys, illustrations, maps and descriptions of species. World Wide Wattle is a comprehensive resource concentrating on the approximately 1100 species of Australian Acacia. Interactive keys are currently being developed throughout Australia, using the LucID or DELTA software. A key to the Solanum species of eastern Australia is available on the DELTA website. The users of these keys are able to identify plants by choosing characters or selecting pictures of characters. Species are also illustrated.

Some published identifications guides for Queensland:

Andrews, S.B. (1990). Ferns of Queensland. Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.

Brooker, M.I.H. & Kleinig, D.A. (2004). Field Guide to Eucalypts. Northern Australia Volume 3, 2 nd edn. Bloomings Books: Melbourne.

Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research (2006). Euclid, Eucalypts of Australia. 3 rd edn. DVD. CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.

Hacker, J.B. (1990). Guide to the Herbaceous and Shrub Legumes of Queensland. University of Queensland Press: Brisbane.

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1990-3). Flora of New South Wales. Volumes 1-4. New South Wales University Press: Kensington.

Harden, G.J., McDonald, W.J.F. & Williams, J.B. (2006). Rainforest Trees and Shrubs, A Field Guide to their Identification. Gwen Harden Publishing: Nambucca Heads.

Harden, G.J., McDonald, W.J.F. & Williams, J.B. (2007). Climbing Plants, A Field Guide to their Identification. Gwen Harden Publishing: Nambucca Heads.

Haslam, S. (2004). Noosa's Native Plants. Noosa Integrated Catchment Association incorporated: Tewantin.

Hyland, B.P.M, Whiffin, T., Chritophel, D.C. Gray, B. & Elick, R.W.(2003). Australian tropical Rainforest Plants. CD-ROM. CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.

Jackes, B.R. (2001). Plants of the Tropics, Rainforests to Heath, an identification Guide. James Cook University: Townsville.

Jones et al.(2006). Australian Orchid Genera, an information and identification system. CD-ROM. CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.

Maslin, B.R. (co-ordinator) (2001). Wattle, Acacias of Australia. CD-ROM. Australian Biological Resource Study and Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM): Perth.

Melzer,R. & Plumb, J. (2007). Plants of Capricornia. Capricorn Conservation Council: Rockhampton.

Milson, J. (1995). Plant Identification in the Arid Zone. Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.

Milson, J. (2000a). Trees and Shrubs of north-western Queensland. Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.

Milson, J. (2000b). Pasture Plants of north-western Queensland. Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.

Moore, P. (2005). A guide to Plants of Inland Australia. New Holland Publishers: Australia.

Nicholson, N. & Nicholson, H. (1990-2004). Australian Rainforest Plants. Volumes 1-VI. Terania Rainforest Publishing: NSW.

Pearson, S.G. & Pearson, A.J. (1989). Plants of Central Queensland. Society for Growing Australian Plants: NSW.

Pedley, L. (1987). Acacias in Queensland. Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.

Queensland Museum (2003). Wild Plants of Greater Brisbane. Queensland Museum: Brisbane.

Sharp, D. & Simon, B.K. (2002). AusGrass. CD-ROM. CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.

Society for Growing Australian Plants (2002). Mangroves to Mountains. Vol. 1. A field Guide to the Native Plants of the Logan - Albert River Catchments. Logan River Branch SGAP ( Queensland Region): Brisbane.

Society for Growing Australian Plants (2005). Mangroves to Mountains. Vol. 2. A field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River Branch SGAP ( Queensland Region): Brisbane.

Stanley, T.D. & Ross, E.M. (1981-9). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volumes 1-3. Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.

Theile, K.R. & Adams, L.G. (2001). Families of Flowering Plants of Australia. CD-ROM. CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.

Last updated: 31 March 2009

Queensland Herbarium

Topics in this site