6pm, first Wednesday of each month

Dates: 7 August, 4 September, 2 October and 6 November 2002

Time: 6.00 - 7.00 pm (seating available from 5.00 pm)

Location: CSIRO Discovery Lecture Theatre, Black Mountain Laboratories, Cornner Clunies Ross St and Barry Drive, Canberra

Wednesday 7 August:

What’s Its Name?

Why plants change their name - blame the botanists!

The reasons for plant name changes, based on recent systematics and historical research.

Plant names are the means by which we communicate about plants, whether in our gardens or in the bush around us. All plants have a scientific name that uniquely identifies them, but sometimes these names change. This presentation explores the way in which we use scientific names, the reasons names change, how you can keep informed of these changes and what they mean. Recent name changes in the paper daisies, orchids, eucalypts (gum trees), acacias (wattles) and Sturt's Desert Pea will be discussed and explained, along with other insights into the world of plant names.

The lecture slides from the What's Its Name presentation are available with lecture text for later browsers or without lecture text for older browsers.

Wednesday 4 September:

Botanical Treasures

Unlocking the many values of Australian plants.

The changing role of herbaria from the hand lens to modern plant discovery, DNA analysis and information technology.

The lecture slides from this presentation are available as web pages or as full Powerpoint Presentation [35,668 K]

Wednesday 2 October:

Plant Invaders

It’s not only the exotics that are escaping - our crops are getting away and even some of our natives are on the move.

More details

The lecture slides from this presentation are available as web pages or as full Powerpoint Presentation [39,542 K]

Wednesday 6 November:

Bushland on Life Support

Remnant vegetation and the quality of life.

Managing remnant vegetation for conservation and sustainable production - what tradeoffs are acceptable?

More details

The lecture slides from this presentation are available as web pages or as full Powerpoint Presentation [76,590 K]

Further information: Val Oliver, Ph: 02 62465533; email Val.Oliver@csiro.au;

Updated 6 January, 2003 , webmaster

A winter/spring public lecture series presenting research from the Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research and the Australian National Herbarium, Black Mountain, Canberra.

Scientists will talk about the results and impacts of our research or associated activities in a digestible and stimulating form for the general community.