A plant from Beckler's list -- Centaurium spicatum

My name is Roslyn Glow and am one of the original members of the Beckler's Botanical Bounty Project. The name of one of the plants I have collected has a fascinating, but convoluted, history. 

Centaurium spicatum (L.) Fritsch ex Janch.

This plant is a small annual (sometimes biannual) herb, from 2 to 30 cms high.  Reportedly it can have pink, red or yellow flowers, but I have seen and collected only the pink flowered specimen.

http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/6541

It is listed as Centaurium spicatum (L.) Fritsch ex Janch in the list of plants collected near Menindee by Beckler in October 1860, and in the current plant list of Kinchega National Park.

The species was first collected by Robert Brown. He was the naturalist on the Investigator, and sailed with Matthew Flinders from 1801 to 1805. On board was his friend and artist, Ferdinand Bauer. The type specimen of C. spicatum was collected in Western Australia during the 42 days of collection there in 1801.  

The plant was first published in 1810, being one of 2000 species named in Prodromus florae Novae Hollandia, half of Brown’s collections of 4000 specimens from the voyage.  It was hoped that this work would be illustrated, but it was not. Ferdinand Bauer made a prodigious number of drawings on this expedition. These remain archived, but not indexed, so it is not known if he illustrated this plant.

In 1917, this plant was reclassified by George Claridge Druce, who considered that Erythracea was an illegitimate synonym of Centaurium.  The plant then became Centaurium australe.

In 1928 Karel Domin reclassified it to Erythraea, as E.  spicata.

In 1996 the plant was restored to Centaurium, as C. australis (L.) Fritsch ex Janch.

In 2004 the Centaurium genus was revised by Mansion. Using chromosome analysis he differentiated the Australian species Schenkia australis  from others (S. spicata).  This name is accepted in the Australian Plant Census, but the previous name Centaurium spicatum, is still used in several Australian herbariums, including the State Herbarium of Victoria. 

Schenkia australisis is endemic to Australia.  It is common in all states, except Tasmania, where it is rare.  

C. spicatum, growing on the banks of the Menindee Lakes.
(Photograph copyright Roslyn Glow)

Some sources suggest that this plant is an environmental weed, and indeed it may be in some locations, but there is also the possibility that it has been confused with Centaurium erythraea, among whose common names is European Centaury.

Lake edge where C. spicatum was collected
(Photograph copyright of Roslyn Glow)

Where did Beckler's Botanical Bounty come from.... and why do we do it?

To many people our project, Beckler's Botanical Bounty, is exciting, but they often ask where the idea for the project came from. Bev Wood has contributed this post to explain.

The Burke and Wills 150^th Anniversary celebrations brought together many people with a keen interest in the Victorian exploring expedition (VEE).  The complex story and its many facets continues to create interest, investigation and study.   It brings so many aspects of life, art and science into play such as surveying, botany, zoology, the weather, the stars, health, anthropology, art, survival, food, money, politics and relationships.

The Burke and Wills Historical Society (http://www.burkeandwills.org/) came into being in 2003, when 35 enthousiasts met in Cloncurry to discuss their mutual interests.  The other organisations with a particular interest in developing interpretation of the VEE are the Royal Society of Victoria (who organised the VEE in the first place) (http://www.burkeandwills.org/) and the State Library of Victoria (keeper of most of the records) (http://burkeandwills.slv.vic.gov.au/).

Menindie was the small settlement on the Darling River (in south-west New South Wales) where Burke and Wills slept in a bed for the last time, before taking off overland for Coopers’ Creek.    Burke was impatient, the expedition was already behind time.  He halved the expedition and left the Supply Party behind at Menindie (October 19, 1860) with most of the expeditions supplies (food, drugs, camping equipment, camels and horses, and so on).

This group subsequently moved to camp on Pamameroo Creek about 10km away.  It took them a long time (three months) to re-organise themselves and follow Burke, by which time it was the height of summer and a severe drought.

Although Dr Beckler was a German Medical Doctor, he had been appointed in Melbourne as one of the VEE Expedition Officers (Scientific Observers’ Botanical Observer).  Unhappy with Burke’s leadership, he resigned at Menindie in the middle of October 1860.  Burke asked him to remain with the Supply Party to take care of the stores and the remaining animals until a replacement could be found.

In the three months he was in the area with the Supply Party (until January 26^th, 1861) he undertook two expeditions.  One was the round trip rescue of two men from death at Duroadoo on the way to Coopers’ Creek.  The second was the exploration of the nearby Scrope’s Range where he collected hundreds of new plants (taxa) which had not been seen before.   He was passionate about identifying and collecting plants and sent hundreds of them back to Dr Ferdinand Mueller, Director of the National Herbarium of Victoria in Melbourne. 

There these plants remain stored in dried, pressed and catalogued form – a very important national treasure which belongs to us all.  Beckler also completed some landscape drawings and paintings in the general area, and collected 120 new specimens of plants around Menindie itself, which I will refer to as Beckler’s List.  This is where our group known as Beckler’s Botanical Bounty comes in.

In 2009, the well known Melbourne Botanical Artist and teacher - Mali Moir (http://malimoir.com.au/ arranged an excursion to the National Herbarium of Victoria for the Botanical Illustrators group at the Royal Botanical Gardens.   As one of the students - Bev Wood - was keen to see some of the plants from the 1860 collections associated with the VEE, this was kindly arranged by the Collections Manager – Dr Pina Milne.         . 

Some of the VEE plants were on display for our visit.   Afterwards, we (Mali Moir and Bev Wood) determined that we would try to join the 2010 Burke and Wills 150^th celebrations in Menindie with an interest in “growing” our experience in botanical illustration up there somehow. 

In searching for more purpose other than the painting of the local wild flowers, Mali was made aware of Dr Hermann Beckler’s role in the VEE by Museum Victoria curator John Kean, who advised ‘look at Beckler, he’s your man’.

Dr Beckler collected his plants over the Spring period and our group of botanical artists started the first of our week long annual Spring visits to Menindee in the year 2010.    We search for any of the 120 plants on Becklers List in the area of Menindee, we collect and illustrate them, and we press a specimen each for the National Herbarium of Victoria in Melbourne (http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/science/information-and-resources/national-herbarium-of-victoria/botany-of-the-burke-and-wills-expe) and the Herbarium of New South Wales in Sydney. 

On these expeditions we have been joined by some local Menindee people, along with botanists, historians, geologists and film makers.  We need their assistance as it is a real challenge for us “City slickers” to bumble around the bush to find each plant again, let alone illustrate and press them and find a week and more in our busy lives every year to do it!!  

Yet we have undertaken such a privileged endeavour for four years now, and we just love it.  As it has for thousands of other Australians, the story of the VEE continues to fascinate us and we now feel confident that we are contributing to its legacy in a very tangible way. 

In the bush with repeated visits, we are learning heaps about the context of Botanical Illustration.  We are learning about where particular plants grow, the effect of drought and other weather conditions, and the use of the plants by the indigenous people.   We are learning to illustrate the grasses, seeds, flowers, herbs, feathers, sticks and stones and bones gathered from the bush and the rivers and creeks by our own hands. 

It gives us a real sense of connection to the specimens and the story of the VEE.  But best of all it gives us a chance to be in "country” and explore our own land and its naturally growing plants in a very intimate way.

We are often asked what we are going to do with our paintings and drawings (about 40 to date), and we are looking for an opportunity to exhibit them all at once.  In the meantime, it is our personal and collective journeys in this wide brown land and the intimate observation of some of its plants in their own environment which really counts the most.

Beverley Wood

August 2013

Beckler's Botanical Bounty 2010

The last couple of posts have been about the Burke and Wills Expedition and Hermann Beckler, the surgeon and naturalist of the expedition. When this blog was begun Mali Moir wrote about the Beckler's Botanical Project in October 2010. I am reposting some of that. 
Her passion comes shining through!



Our aim was to collect the same species of plants that Beckler collected in the same location. As botanical artists we proceeded to paint/illustrate some of the species we found.
As the fields were in spectacular bloom it was a challenge for us to choose which one we wanted to paint, and which ones were the same as Beckler's list.

We stopped at one site and noticed large patches of blue haze. This turned out to be hundreds of Wahlenbergia, the native bluebell! We were hooked and there we stayed for 3 hours discovering more and more -- the more we looked the more we found. Many daisies, salt bushes and blue bushes in full splendid colour.

Not the hazy blue Wahlenbergia, but it is the amazing habitat round Menindee

We spent 5 days in Menindee, 2 days searching, collecting and identifying, 3 days painting and illustrating.

We found 15 plants we are now painting. Out of a list of 120 we plan to return next October to continue the project.

Collecting plants for scientific research is of course very important. Illustration is a valuable tool in this research in particular as we painted these plants while they were fresh with colour.

Sunset
(photo: copyright Anne Lawson)

Botanical art is very detailed and very accurate for the purpose of scientific identification. It also invokes awareness and educates the general public to the importance of science and research through its sheer beauty.

"Artists make science visible" I have lived by this philosophy for nearly 20 years now. Without artists and art the world would be a much darker and duller place.


It is our vision to fill in some of the gaps by illustrating the plants on Beckler's list. The importance of this project is immense. 

We aim to put our work on exhibition sometime in the future.

.......... Mali

Hermann Beckler

The last post briefly outlined the Burke and Wills Expedition. This one looks the expedition's doctor and botanist, Hermann Beckler, to see why he has inspired the Beckler's Botanical Bounty Project.

This information has come from Linden Gillbank's excellent chapter, "The botanical legacy of Ferdinand Mueller and Hermann Beckler" in Burke and Wills: The scientific legacy of the Victorian Exploring Expedition (ed E. B. Joyce and D. A. McCann)

Dr Hermann Beckler left Bavaria and arrived in Moreton Bay, Queensland in 1856. Aged 27, he bought his Munich medical qualifications and a consuming desire to explore Australia's interior and to collect specimens. While in Queensland he corresponded with Ferdinand Mueller, Victoria's first government botanist. 

Beckler was excited by news from Mueller about the possibility of a job collecting plant specimens. So he joined a party droving sheep down through inland New South Wales to meet Mueller in Melbourne. He was given a job to help organise the growing Australian collection in Victoria's herbarium, and he developed his knowledge of Australian plants.

In June 1860 Beckler applied to join the Victorian Exploring Expedition Party. In his application he offered his services 'as medical officer to the expedition' and also offered 'to serve further in the capacity of botanical collector'. After some problems with his Munich medical qualifications Beckler was accepted on the expedition.

As well as being the doctor and botanist, he was also given the responsibility of co-ordinating the transportation of the supplies during the expedition. Given that there were tonnes of supplies, this was an onerous task. But, despite this time- and energy-consuming responsibility, he managed to do as his instructions directed -- keep a diary and collect specimens.

So the expedition journeyed north from Melbourne, through mud and deep red sand, to reach the European outpost of Menindee. But all was not well. Dissension smouldered and then erupted, generating two resignations -- Landells, the camel handler and Beckler. On October 16th Beckler explained to Burke that his main reason for resigning was Burke's treatment of Landells and Landells' resignation, which, given the expedition's complete dependence on camels put the safety of the expedition at risk. Furthermore Beckler told Burke that he had had inadequate time for his scientific duties and could anticipate no future improvement. He had decided to  remain with the expedition until a replacement doctor could be sent from Melbourne.

The Camp at Pamamaroo Creek, as it is today

Despite these resignations, Burke took a smaller party which left Menindee for Cooper Creek on 19th October. The larger group was to follow on. Beckler still had responsibility for the care of the animals and remaining stores.  Horribly familiar with the arduous task of moving heavy stores, he moved the depot camp up the Darling River to the Pamamaroo Camp. While stranded at the depot camp he continued collecting plant specimens. 

As well as collecting around the Menindee area, Beckler took the opportunity to explore north in the Scropes Range. This range rewarded him with many 'new' plants, about two thirds of which were expedition novelties.

Hermann Beckler, 'View of a distant range of mountains, seen from Gogirga hills'.

He also had a chance to go even further north to help rescue others of the party. Two members had left with an Aboriginal guide to try to catch Burke's group. About one month later the guide staggered back into camp, having travelled about 300 km from Torowoto Swamp. They had not managed to catch Burke, and the two Europeans were stuck in the area. The rescue party set off on 21st December and found the others six days later. Even though they were moving quickly, and the rescue was the important goal, Beckler was able to collect his plants.

In his treks north of the Darling depot he collected approximately 500 specimens. These were added to the ones he collected around Menindee and sent back to Mueller. His collection is of huge botanical importance because of the expedition's route and timing, and the number and range of his specimens. They enriched Victoria's herbarium during its early stages and were invaluable for Mueller's documentation of Australia's flora. Specimens were used to establish new taxa. The Herbarium website says

These collections are an invaluable, permanent and verifiable record of the occurrence of over 500 different species. As part of a working scientific collection, they are still used by botanists today.

The link to further information about the collection is

http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/science/information-and-resources/national-herbarium-of-victoria/botany-of-the-burke-and-wills-expedition

Beckler returned to Melbourne and gave evidence at the Commission of Enquiry that was set up to investigate the expedition. Soon after he returned to Germany where he worked as a doctor. He died on 10th December 1914.

It is Beckler's collection that has excited our interest. Our intention is to find the species that are on his list, collect a sample for the herbarium (with official collecting permission, of course) and then do a botanical painting of the specimen. To do this we have been returning to Menindee in October for the last three years -- and will be going there for a few more yet!

The Burke and Wills Expedition

In the previous post Mali mentioned that there was a link between our group of botanical artists and the Burke and Wills Expedition. (Actually, although this name has gone deep into Australian folk lore, it was officically called the ‘Victorian Exploring Expedition’.) To explain the link, firstly I need to explain the expedition.

The intention of the expedition was to find an inland route from the more settled southern areas of Australia to the northern coast, the Gulf of Carpentaria. It was organised by the Royal Society of Victoria in Melbourne, which, after much discussion, chose Robert O’Hara Burke as the leader of the expedition — a strange choice, as Burke had no experience with expeditions or the Australian interior.

Memorial in Royal Park, Melbourne

They set off on 20th August 1860, with 18 men, 25 camels, 22 horses and 6 wagons carrying 21 tonnes of equipment. This included a cedar camp table and chairs and a Chinese gong! They left Royal Park in Melbourne but only made a few miles before nightfall. The first stopping place was Essendon, in what is now Queens Park.

Camel sculpture in Queens Park, Essendon

They reached Menindee, via Swan Hill, on 12th October. It had taken two months to travel 750 km – the regular mail coach did the journey in little more than a week. There had been arguments and disputes for much of that journey. In Menindee James Landells, who was both second in  charge and the cameleer, resigned. William Wills was promoted to his position. Hermann Beckler, the surgeon, also resigned. (Remember Beckler, as he is the link to our botanic project.)

Plaque at the site

The camp site at Pamamaroo Creek

As the plaque says, at this point Burke decided to split the party, taking a smaller group ahead to Cooper Creek. The intention was that the others bring up the supplies from Menindee to Cooper Creek. Burke and his group arrived there on 11th November.












They thought they would stay there until the end of summer and avoid travelling in the heat. However Burke wanted to make a dash for the Gulf of Carpentaria. Burke, Wills, John King and Charles Gray set off for the Gulf on 16th December, with six camels, one horse and enough food for just three months. The men left at Cooper Creek were instructed to wait for 4 months.

After 59 days they reached the Gulf — well almost. The mangroves were so thick that Burke and Wills turned back to rejoin Grey and King about 5 km away from the coast. They had food for 29 days and had to endure monsoonal rains on the return journey. They shot and ate the camels. On April 17th Grey died.

Meanwhile, back at Cooper Creek, the party had waited for Burke’s return. They were low on food and, thinking that Burke and the others must have perished, decided to return to Menindee. They buried provisions, marked the tree and left in the morning of Sunday 21 April. Burke, Wills and King staggered into the camp THAT EVENING, missing the others by 9 hours. They realised that they didn’t have the strength to follow to Menindee and Burke decided that they would head south-west, to South Australia. 

They left a letter at the same tree, telling of their intentions. However, they didn’t alter the date marked on the tree. That tree became famously known as the Dig Tree. 

The Dig Tree today (Photo copyright: Beverley Wood, Sept. 2012)

Two men from the main party did return. They found the camp deserted, the tree markings the same, and assumed that Burke had not been there. They left, with Burke and the other two men only about 30 miles away.

Over the next few months Wills, and later Burke, died. King survived with the help of a local Aboriginal tribe and was found by one of the rescue expeditions that was mounted.

So that is the broad bones of the story. If you are interested in finding out more, the Burke and Wills Historical Society has a page of links to other information. There are many interesting books written about the expedition, with some of them listed here.

As mentioned before, our link is with Hermann Beckler, who was still in Menindee. More of him next time.

Beckler's Botanical Bounty continues!

 While this blog has not been very active, our group certainly has been! We went back to Menindee in 2012, collecting and painting more specimens. 

The old shearing shed in Kinchega National Park, Menindee

To remind us what this project is all about I am republishing some of Mali Moir's comments about the project.

Our project trip is called: Beckler's Botanical Bounty - The Flora of Menindee; 150th commemorative collection.

We are a group of botanical artists from Melbourne and Bendigo.

The inspiration for the trip came about through the 150th celebration of the Burke & Wills Expedition. It was originally suggested by Dr. Beverly Woods, who attends my botanical art class at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, that we go to Menindee to paint the wildflowers.

As I am a scientific illustrator I searched for scientific relevance and decided to research the roll of Dr. Hermann Beckler on the Burke and Wills trip. He was the medical doctor and botanical collector for the expedition. When the party split Dr. Beckler stayed on in Menindee for 3 months making many collections. The National Herbarium have on their record that he collected 120 taxa.

I thought, as we were collecting for our paintings, we could also collect for the National Herbarium of Victoria in Melbourne. As we were to be collecting in New South Wales, it would be a courtesy to   forward a duplicate voucher to the NSW Herbarium at the same time.

Our aim was to collect the same species of plants that Beckler collected in the same location. 

And so, in October 2010, the first group of ten artists and two botanists went to spend about a week in Menindee, and the Project had begun.

Mali at work in the shearers' quarters, Kinchega

We want to show you the paintings we are creating, the incredible flora we are finding and the adventures we are having in the stunning Big Sky country of outback NSW. They will be coming up in the following posts.

Links to Menindee Project related videos

These videos give a great background and visuals to the Menindee area...

YouTube video links about the Menindee Lakes

Foreign Correspondent ABC TV News report.
Simon Molesworth on Menindee Lakes with Ben Beeton
Bruce Knight at Lake Menindee inflow.
Barry Helms at Burke & Wills Campsite, Lake Pamamaroo.
Menindee Lake FloodGates Finally Opened 15/03/2010
Feral Animals.
Local Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Beryl Carmichael telling a story (shot at night, no visuals!) 
Eastern Coastal Silky Oak - found now in Menindee area.

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Links provided with kind permission by Ben Beeton
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Contacts -

Mali Moir

http://www.botanicart.com.au/members/mali-moir/page04.htm

Ben Beeton

http://www.benbeeton.com.au/ben-beeton/digital-fine-art

John Howland

http://art.johnhowland.com.au/gallery/index.php?/artworks/on-being/

A MAJOR update!

The full document appears later - see right column

Beckler’s Botanical Bounty:

This is the foundation project and main content contributor for The Menindee Lakes Regional Development & Education Initiative. The projects primary focus is the flora of Menindee - 150th commemorative collection.

Project Initiator and Manager

Mali Moir

SUMMARY

Dr. Hermann Beckler, medical officer and botanical collector for the Burke and Wills Victorian Exploration Expedition (VEE) in 1860 was passionate about Australian plants and collecting was his preferred profession. He collected 120 plant specimens  from around Menindee. Beckler’s collection is of huge scientific importance in the history of Australian plant research. 150 years on, botanical artists from Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Bendigo Botanic Gardens aim to revive interest in his collection and contribute comparative material valuable for research in the plant sciences. Thirty artists will render accurate botanical illustrations over 3 years culminating in a collaborative exhibition in 2012.

AIM

To celebrate the 150^th anniversary of Beckler’s 1860 botanical collection by replicating his legacy and opening avenues for future scientific research.

BACKGROUND TO BECKLER’S COLLECTION    

The National Herbarium of Victoria founded by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1853, is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, housing over 1.2 million dried herbarium plant specimens in its collection.

               

In 1860 the ill fated Victorian Exploration Expedition, known as the Burke & Wills expedition, set off to be the first to cross the Australian continent from south to north. One of the initial intentions of this expedition incorporated documentation of scientific disciplines. At the recommendation of Ferdinand von Mueller, Dr. Hermann Beckler was appointed medical officer and botanical collector for the VEE. Whilst waiting for his replacement, after resigning from the VEE, Beckler collected 120 taxa from around Menindee in central western NSW at the edge of the known districts. This was the last white settlement the VEE party would encounter before braving the unknown inland desert country.

Beckler’s collection preceded the pastoral push, therefore there is significant scientific benefits to be gained by comparing the environment in 1860 with the post-pastoralism after 150 years of intensive farming and grazing.

Beckler’s plant contributions were used by both Mueller and Bentham to establish new taxa, and in preparation for some of our earliest publications on Australia’s flora.

Overall Beckler collected nearly 1,000 plant specimens for Victoria’s National Herbarium. About 10% of these were used to establish more than 45 new taxa.[1]

In celebration of this significant 150^th anniversary of the VEE, there is great interest in understanding more of Dr. Beckler and the plants he collected. This collection is of huge importance in the history of Australian plant research.

In particular, the recent exceptional wet season may reveal interesting discoveries. Other significant areas for subsequent study are the taxa-rich hotspots of Beckler’s collection in the Scropes Ranges and the Goningberri Ranges. Further to this initial case study in Menindee, research could extend into documenting studies on invasive weed and ROTAP species.

PILOT STUDY

A pilot study trip was undertaken in October 2010, with ten artists, two of whom were botanists and one photographer.

150 years on, botanical artists from FRBG and BendigoBG aim to revive interest in Beckler’s collection. The Beckler’s Botanical Bounty group intends to collect and contribute comparative contemporary plant material along with scientifically accurate illustrations.

Artists aim to render 120 accurate botanical illustrations over 3 years resulting in a collaborative exhibition in 2012.

Feasibility for this project was evidenced by the collection of 16 herbarium-quality specimens with 15 paintings nearing completion.

Community engagement was established and media interest was aroused. Further local and national media engagement has been invited for future expeditions.

Media exposure included a two page spread in Mildura Times, three ABC rural radio programs including Bush Telegraph. Australian Geographic and The Age newspaper articles are being negotiated. There is interest for articles in Botanic News, Floreo, and Botanical Art Society Australia in Sydney and in Queensland.

METHOD

·   Travel to the site of Beckler’s last collection at Menindee in central western NSW.

·   Assemble a comparative collection of contemporary herbarium specimens.

·   Document and photograph the plant species.

·   Illustrate the same species from the same geo coordinates, during the same time of year as Beckler collected during his visit in 1860.

TASKS

Mali Moir – Overall Project Manager

There are 3 stages to the project

1/ Preparation and Research for project Beckler’s Botanical Bounty (BBB)

Time Required: Approximately 3 days

Secure NSW collection permit

Collect information on Beckler’s original 1860 plant list from Menindee area

Source and compile current data of all listed plant species in handout form

Collect and create maps of area including Google Earth overlay, correlating collection with geo coordinates

Design and print BBB Project labels to accompany all specimens collected

2/Onsite Field Work

Time Required: 7 days and 6 nights in Menindee NSW during October, November or December 2011 and 2012

Travel to location each year

Establish accommodation and work room for artists, project manager, botanist, student botanist and photographer

Conduct field studies in the form of identification, collection and documentation of chosen species

Assist artists and botanists with specimens

Assist artists in initial work to sketch, paint and illustrate chosen plant species

Compile and manage list of artworks and artists with plant species and herbarium specimens

3/Post Field Work

Time Required: Approximately 4 days

·         Manage and maintain list of artworks and artists with plant species and herbarium specimens

·         Coordinate data and image capture for Google Earth overlay maps

·         Capture plant collection data onto spreadsheet compatible with MELSR

·         Manage and care for plant collection

·         Coordinate and liaise with The National Herbarium Victoria regarding hand over of collection and data

·         Oversee illustration of botanical specimens

OUTCOMES AND SIGNIFICANCE

The re-compilation of an historical plant collection provides an important longitudinal study making it an invaluable resource for scientists, land managers and historians.

These outcomes will help raise awareness of Beckler’s role in the Burke and Wills expedition and engage the public in its botanical importance during this 150^th anniversary.

·         Render 120 accurate botanical illustrations over 3 years by approximately 30 botanical artists

·         Provide images of paintings for the State Botanical Collection, free of copyright

·         Make available photographic documentation of plant species and habitats to the National Herbarium of Victoria and New South Wales for use in research and/or publications

·         Engage botanists and environmentalists, including students, during the collection phase

·         Gift contemporary plant collection to the National Herbarium of Victoria and the National Herbarium of New South Wales. Recent valuation has indicated that the worth of a pressed herbarium specimen is approximately $50, meaning that this collection of 120+ specimens will add $6,000+ in value to the current herbarium collection

·         Establish a permanent verifiable comparative collection which will act as an invaluable resource of lasting significance for scientists, land managers and historians

·         Develop a rich data resource for further scientific study. Location maps for each species collected will be in a format compatible for entry into The National Herbarium Victoria’s MELISR plant collection database

·         Coordinate a collaborative exhibition in 2012 of paintings and sketches produced by the artists, together with supporting plant material both past and present. The Ian Potter Gallery is the preferred venue, still to be engaged.

·         Inspire interest and educate new groups into the culture and value of herbaria and the plant sciences

A substantial contribution to our great scientific institution will further enrich our public resources and act as an important tool for research in the sciences of botany and ecology. This exciting initiative has the potential to raise the profile of the National Herbarium of Victoria and the National Herbarium of New South Wales,, the botanical riches of Australia and the community who illustrate our fascinating flora.

Finding Beckler’s Botanical Bounty in the Tree of Life

This is a Life Project Collaborative (LPC) venture. The project is focused on the cataloging of taxonomic data in parallel with databasing the imagery created by the ‘Beckler’s Botanical Bounty’ project, and re-representing this within the LPC visualization systems for navigating the Tree of Life. The Life Project Collaborative will collate taxonomic data provided by Beckler’s Botanical Bounty. This data will be used to create the pathways within the LPC Tree of Life navigational tool kit. 

Key Project Personnel

John Howland: Concept & Content Developer/Educational Tools Designer /Content Manager /IT Technician

Ben Beeton: Concept & Content Developer /Educational Tools Designer

Peter Macqueen: Content Developer/Content Librarian

Mali Moir: Content Developer

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Extract Published with kind permission granted by the Author - Ben Beeton