What Xanthorrhea is that? Or is it a Kingia?

Back in 2020, presenters Geoff and Linda, along with other Western Botanical ecological consultancy staff, noticed significant variation in Xanthorrhoea (Grasstrees) while undertaking surveys in the eastern wheatbelt.  When they investigated Xanthorrhoea nana, they found three forms that were difficult to distinguish, so they began taking notes, specimens and DNA samples.  This led to observations of other species elsewhere in the south-west of WA and Central Australia, expanding their collections and developing a better understanding of the variation within the genus. With assistance from the WA Herbarium and other researchers, they are working towards a revision of the Xanthorrhoea genus in WA.

Geoff Cockerton has been working with WA native flora since 1979, commencing while at university, initially as a native seed supplier and since then as a botanical consultant, now working at Western Botanical consultancy.

Linda Dalgliesh has worked as an ecologist in WA and Qld for the past 20 years and has skills in zoology and botany.

After the main presentation there will be a short focus on Botswana with Diana Papenfus.