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These articles are the latest published in the journal. Australian Journal of Botany has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 26 July 2024

BT23089Differential copper toxicity in Amazon tree species explained by seed germination and initial seedling growth

Ana Caroline de Jesus de Castro, Josiane Celerino de Carvalho, Flávia Camila Schimpl, Joelma Keith Rodrigues, Antônia Vitória Ferreira de Souza, Andreia Varmes Fernandes, Wagner Luíz Araújo and José Francisco de Carvalho Gonçalves

 

Industrial and agricultural activities increase heavy metal concentrations in the environment, contaminating soil and plants. Seeds and seedlings of Hymenaea courbaril, Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum, and Hevea brasiliensis (Amazonian tree species) subjected to copper (500 mg kg⁻¹) were characterised by detrimental effects on germination, with negative implications for the initial seedling growth. Differential tolerance to copper was observed among species. Our findings provided insights into the resilience of tree species when facing copper-induced stress, shedding light on promising candidates for phytoremediation endeavours. Image by the authors.

BT23089 Abstract  | PDF (1.1 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 22 July 2024

BT24006Fungi associated with seeds of the invasive grass Nassella trichotoma (serrated tussock) in its native range as prospective biological control agents

Bárbara Angeletti, Freda E. Anderson and Alejandro Loydi

 

Serrated tussock is widely distributed in central Argentina and is one of the most damaging invasive species in Australia. We characterised the fungi able to colonise its seeds buried at a site in south-western Buenos Aires province, Argentina, and measured their impact on seed survival and germination during two contrasting seasons. Image by Alejandro Loydi.

BT24006 Abstract  | PDF (5.3 MB) - $35.00   | BT24006Supplementary Material (975 KB)

Published online 11 July 2024

BT23098Plant life-history data as evidence of an historical mixed-severity fire regime in Banksia Woodlands

Russell G. Miller , Neal J. Enright , Joseph B. Fontaine , David J. Merritt and Ben P. Miller

 

Information on past fire regimes can provide useful insights into species disturbance adaptations. To test the idea that contemporary demographic parameters provide a signature of past fire regimes, we assessed fire-related plant life-history strategies by using static demographic data collected along a 1–35-year fire-age chronosequence for species with a variety of traits. Species displayed a collection of life-history strategies associated with a historical mixed-severity fire regime, including adaptations for short and long fire intervals, interacting with varying fire severity. Photograph by Russell Miller.

BT23098 Abstract  |  BT23098 Full Text  | BT23098PDF (2.9 MB)  | BT23098Supplementary Material (727 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 08 July 2024

BT23110Pollination by multiple species of nectar foraging Hymenoptera in Prasophyllum innubum, a critically endangered orchid of the Australian Alps

Tobias Hayashi, Bronwyn M. Ayre , Björn Bohman, Graham R. Brown, Noushka Reiter and Ryan D. Phillips

 

For the Critically Endangered Prasophyllum innubum, pollination occurs via three species of bee and a sphecid wasp, suggesting a generalised strategy that may offer flexibility when selecting sites for conservation translocation. Fruit set averaged 72–84%, despite a minimal contribution from self-pollination. Only 4% of inflorescences were consumed by herbivores, meaning that if herbivores are a threat for this species, it is likely to be through alteration of habitat rather than direct grazing. Photograph by Tobias Hayashi.

BT23110 Abstract  |  BT23110 Full Text  | BT23110PDF (654 KB)  | BT23110Supplementary Material (737 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 24 June 2024

BT24021Determining the moisture content of Acacia seeds

Geoffrey E. Burrows

 

Moisture content (MC) is an important property of seeds, associated with many aspects of physiological seed quality. Acacias have very hard seed coats, which means that seeds can survive for decades in the soil, but in standard methods of determining MC (e.g. heating in an oven at 103°C for 17 h), the moisture in the seed might not be able to escape. The standard method can work for some Acacia species; however, to ensure accurate results, seeds should be halved before going into the oven. Image by Geoff Burrows.

BT24021 Abstract  |  BT24021 Full Text  | BT24021PDF (1.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 24 June 2024

BT23087Strategies of air space acquisition in Neotropical savanna trees differing in leaf habit

Nayara Magry Jesus Melo , Carlos Henrique Britto de Assis Prado , Denilson Rodrigo Vieira Branco and João Paulo Souza

 

We studied shoot and foliage production in 15 Cerrado tree species with distinct leaf phenology, to investigate the influence of monthly air temperature and rainfall over a growing season. Each growth strategy kept shoot and foliage production independent of monthly climate variability, emphasising the significance of characterising the leaf phenological assemblages of the vast Cerrado woody flora as inherent functional groups in a continuum of crown trait variation, enabling the identification of strategies to capture, use, and store resources in each tree group. Image by Maria Gracielle Rodrigues Maciel.

BT23087 Abstract  | PDF (1.1 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 18 June 2024

BT23084Schoenoplectus californicus (Cyperaceae) amorphous silica contribution to the silicon cycle in pampean shallow lakes: an analysis of spatio-temporal variation and silicon–lignin relations

Mara De Rito , Natalia Borrelli, Marcela Natal and Mariana Fernández Honaine

 

Silicophytoliths constitute an important source of silicon in terrestrial and aquatic environments. Schoenoplectus californicus is an important silicophytolith producer. We investigated the spatio-temporal variation in silicophytolith content of S. californicus in three shallow lakes of the Pampean region, Argentina. S. californicus is generating a constant silicophytolith production over the years and between sites. This study shows the importance of this community as a silicon source, and the implications of its displacement by other communities or urban development. Photograph taken by M. De Rito.

BT23084 Abstract  | PDF (1.3 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 13 June 2024

BT23111A near-complete dataset of plant growth form, life history, and woodiness for all Australian plants

Elizabeth H. Wenk , David Coleman , Rachael V. Gallagher and Daniel S. Falster

 

Here, we present an open-source dataset that includes trait values for plant growth form, woodiness and life history for nearly all plants in Australia. This is the first near-complete tabular compilation of these traits for Australia, designed to facilitate research on Australia’s flora. Users can download this data set, rather than transcribing trait values from floras or other resources. Image by Sophie Yang.

BT23111 Abstract  |  BT23111 Full Text  | BT23111PDF (251 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 June 2024

BT24014APCalign: an R package workflow and app for aligning and updating flora names to the Australian Plant Census

Elizabeth H. Wenk , William K. Cornwell , Anne Fuchs , Fonti Kar , Anna M. Monro , Hervé Sauquet , Ruby E. Stephens and Daniel S. Falster

 

To facilitate communication, research projects, biodiversity assessments and nurseries across Australia should use the scientific names accepted by the Australian Plant Census (APC), Australia’s national taxonomic standard for vascular plants. Here we present ‘APCalign’, an R package and browser-sourced application to efficiently align and update lists of scientific names for Australian vascular plants to the most likely currently accepted name. This package will be useful for all research outputs that require diverse scientific name lists to be updated. Image by Elizabeth Wenk.

BT24014 Abstract  |  BT24014 Full Text  | BT24014PDF (362 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 27 May 2024

BT23106The susceptibility of rare and threatened NSW species to the root-rot pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi: 2. The identification of species requiring protection or further research

Keith L. McDougall and Edward C. Y. Liew

 

The root pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is a major threat to Australia’s native plants. Little is known about its effect on plants in New South Wales. We found that some rare and threatened species can be severely affected by this pathogen but the threat is unknown for many rare species in areas such as the Blue Mountains where the habitat is highly suited to P. cinnamomi. Image by Keith McDougall.

BT23106 Abstract  |  BT23106 Full Text  | BT23106PDF (848 KB)  | BT23106Supplementary Material (697 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 27 May 2024

BT23103Deciphering of the morpho-physiological traits of two native grasses from Argentina with contrasting drought resistance strategies

Ana M. Cenzano , Idris Arslan, Ana Furlan, M. Celeste Varela and Mariana Reginato

 

The major adaptive strategy against the dry period is the high activity of secondary metabolism; mainly in leaves for the drought-tolerant grass Pappostipa speciosa, and in roots for the drought-escaping grass Poa ligularis. Photographs by Ana M. Cenzano.

BT23103 Abstract  | PDF (4.1 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 23 May 2024

BT23086Evaluating the risk to Australia’s flora from Phytophthora cinnamomi

Keith L. McDougall , Sarah Barrett, Renate Velzeboer, David M. Cahill and Tim Rudman

 

The magnitude of the extinction risk to Australia’s flora from Phytophthora cinnamomi is poorly known. Using available data, we found that the genera Andersonia, Banksia, Darwinia, Daviesia, Epacris, Gastrolobium, Grevillea, Hibbertia, Isopogon, Lambertia, Latrobea, Leucopogon, Phebalium and Styphelia have multiple species at a very high risk of extinction because of this pathogen. As many as 269 plant species may be at a very high risk of extinction on the basis of phylogenetic patterns. Photographs by Keith McDougall.

BT23086 Abstract  |  BT23086 Full Text  | BT23086PDF (2.1 MB)  | BT23086Supplementary Material (718 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 16 May 2024

BT23094Response of spiny cocklebur (Xanthium spinosum) and common cocklebur (X. strumarium) seed germination to environmental and soil factors

Amir Ahmadi, Faezeh Zaefarian , Mohammad Rezvani , Irandokht Mansouri and Brian M. Sindel

 

Information on factors affecting spiny cocklebur (Xanthium spinosum) and common cocklebur (X. strumarium) seed germination could help us determine their potential distribution in different regions and their effective control strategies. Maximum germination of both spiny cocklebur and common cocklebur was at neutral pH. Spiny cocklebur germination was less sensitive to high and low pH, salinity, flooding and surface burial than was common cocklebur germination, indicating that it may be better adapted to the broader range of conditions. Image by Faezeh Zaefarian.

BT23094 Abstract  | PDF (293 KB) - $35.00 

Published online 09 May 2024

BT23081Mitigation of disease and browsing impacts, and translocation, supports post-fire threatened flora recovery

Sarah Barrett, Colin J. Yates, Rebecca Dillon , Megan Dilly, Ben Varcoe, Darcy Martin, Bayley Castlehow and Carl R. Gosper

 

Mitigation of the impacts of Phytophthora dieback and browsing by mammalian herbivores improved post-fire survival and/or growth of threatened flora in the Stirling Range (Koi Kyeunu-ruff), Western Australia. Translocated populations had greater growth and earlier flowering than wild populations. Mitigating non-fire regime threats supported post-fire recovery of threatened flora. Photographs by S. Barrett (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions).

BT23081 Abstract  |  BT23081 Full Text  | BT23081PDF (2.6 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 09 May 2024

BT23069Seventy-five years of vegetation change after fire in Tasmanian alpine heathland

Ellen-Rose Sorensen and Jamie B. Kirkpatrick

 

We compared vegetation in alpine heath plots that regenerated after fires of 1947 and 1962. Herbs and graminoids plummeted in cover and species richness between 1998 and 2022, whereas shrubs continued to increase in cover in the 1962-burnt, but decreased in the 1947-burnt area. Shrubs exhibited compositional change up to 75 years after fire. A failure of the shrub layer to be more similar between the fire years might be due to stronger winds and higher temperatures. A predicted climate change-induced increase in diversity did not occur. Image by Jamie Kirkpatrick.

BT23069 Abstract  |  BT23069 Full Text  | BT23069PDF (1.7 MB)  | BT23069Supplementary Material (1.2 MB)   Open Access Article

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1. A near-complete dataset of plant growth form, life history, and woodiness for all Australian plants

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (4)

   Elizabeth H. Wenk , David Coleman , Rachael V. Gallagher , Daniel S. Falster

2. Pollination by multiple species of nectar foraging Hymenoptera in Prasophyllum innubum, a critically endangered orchid of the Australian Alps

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (5)

   Tobias Hayashi, Bronwyn M. Ayre , Björn Bohman, Graham R. Brown, Noushka Reiter , Ryan D. Phillips

3. The susceptibility of rare and threatened NSW species to the root-rot pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi: 2. The identification of species requiring protection or further research

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (4)

   Keith L. McDougall , Edward C. Y. Liew

4. Evaluating the risk to Australia’s flora from Phytophthora cinnamomi

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (4)

   Keith L. McDougall , Sarah Barrett, Renate Velzeboer, David M. Cahill, Tim Rudman

5. APCalign: an R package workflow and app for aligning and updating flora names to the Australian Plant Census

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (4)

   Elizabeth H. Wenk , William K. Cornwell , Anne Fuchs , Fonti Kar , Anna M. Monro , Hervé Sauquet , Ruby E. Stephens , Daniel S. Falster

6. Pollination strategies are exceptionally complex in southwestern Australia – a globally significant ancient biodiversity hotspot

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (2)

   Mark C. Brundrett , Philip G. Ladd , Greg J. Keighery

7. The leaf micromorphology and anatomy of gamba grass, Andropogon gayanus Kunth (Poaceae: Panicoideae)

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (2)

   Jeremy Farr , S. Krisantini, Melodina Fabillo

8. Collateral damage: epiphytic orchids at risk from myrtle rust

   Australian Journal of Botany 71 (8)

   Heidi Zimmer , Mark Clements, Endymion Cooper, David Jones, Robert Makinson, Katharina Nargar, Kristy Stevenson

9. Severely degraded high mountain vegetation recovers under different levels of wild herbivore grazing pressure, 1991–2021

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (3)

   Jamie B. Kirkpatrick , Kerry L. Bridle

10. Myrtaceae anther glands: morphology, anatomy and variation in glandular contents

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (2)

    P. G. Ladd

11. Mitigation of disease and browsing impacts, and translocation, supports post-fire threatened flora recovery

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (3)

    Sarah Barrett, Colin J. Yates, Rebecca Dillon , Megan Dilly, Ben Varcoe, Darcy Martin, Bayley Castlehow, Carl R. Gosper

12. Seventy-five years of vegetation change after fire in Tasmanian alpine heathland

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (3)

    Ellen-Rose Sorensen, Jamie B. Kirkpatrick

13. Impact of Phytophthora dieback on a key heathland species Xanthorrhoea australis (Asphodelaceae) (austral grasstree) and floristic composition in the eastern Otways, Victoria

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (2)

    B. A. Wilson , S. P. Casey, M. J. Garkaklis, C. Learmonth, T. Wevill

14. Maintaining separate maternal lines increases the value and applications of seed collections

    Australian Journal of Botany 71 (7)

    Marlien M. van der Merwe , Jason G. Bragg, Richard Dimon , Patrick S. Fahey , Patricia M. Hogbin, Patricia Lu-Irving, Allison A. Mertin, Maurizio Rossetto, Trevor C. Wilson, Jia-Yee Samantha Yap

15. Plant life-history data as evidence of an historical mixed-severity fire regime in Banksia Woodlands

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (5)

    Russell G. Miller , Neal J. Enright , Joseph B. Fontaine , David J. Merritt , Ben P. Miller

16. Fire responses of flora in a sclerophyll–rainforest vegetation complex in the Nightcap Range, North Coast, New South Wales

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (1)

    Andrew Benwell

17. Long-unburnt stands of snow gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieber ex Spreng) are exceedingly rare in the Victorian Alps: implications for their conservation and management

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (2)

    John W. Morgan , Michael Shackleton, Zac C. Walker

18. Determining the moisture content of Acacia seeds

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (5)

    Geoffrey E. Burrows

19. Awn length variation in Australia’s most widespread grass, Themeda triandra, across its distribution

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (2)

    Annette M. Cavanagh , Robert C. Godfree, John W. Morgan

20. From mallees to mountain ash, specific leaf area is coordinated with eucalypt tree stature, resprouting, stem construction, and fruit size

    Australian Journal of Botany 71 (8)

    Antoinette M. Portelli , Saras M. Windecker , Laura J. Pollock , Will C. Neal, William K. Morris , Rohan Khot, Peter A. Vesk

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