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

Published online 25 August 2025

BT25036Ovulate cone and seed biology of Wollemia nobilis (Araucariaceae) and comparison with Agathis microstachya and Araucaria cunninghamii

Geoffrey E. Burrows

 

Wollemia nobilis has separate male and female cones on a single plant (monoecious). While most gymnosperms are dioecious, Wollemia nobilis has the possibility of self-fertilisation. Seed production of a single isolated tree was studied. While some cones produced no viable seeds, in some cones 10–20% of scales had seeds with a well-formed megagametophyte and embryo. This megagametophyte and embryo could germinate more rapidly than is usually reported for the species. Wollemia nobilis can produce viable, vigorous seeds through self-fertilisation. Photograph by Geoffrey E. Burrows.

BT25036 Abstract  |  BT25036 Full Text  | BT25036PDF (4.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 12 August 2025

BT25008Trajectories of ecology past and future

Mark Westoby

 

Future ecosystems will be different. What rules govern ecosystem structures that can develop in a particular setting of physical geography and resource supply and disturbance regime? The future of ecology, both research and curriculum, lies in understanding those rules from first principles, so that humanity can make choices constructively. Image credit: Mark Westoby.

BT25008 Abstract  |  BT25008 Full Text  | BT25008PDF (1.8 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 04 August 2025

BT25022Novel root clusters in the grasstree Kingia australis (Dasypogonaceae) increase the root surface:volume ratio by 70 times

Byron B. Lamont , Andrew Weinert and Helen Duff

 

Unusual clusters of roots produced by the grasstree, Kingia australis, endemic to south-western Australia, were recently exposed by erosion of the banks of the Sabina River, 230 km south of Perth. The clusters average 8.4 × 5.5 cm in size, possessing >500 extremely hairy rootlets, with 260 per m³ of soil. Concentrated in the subsoil and perennial, the root clusters appear to enhance water and nutrient uptake throughout the year but there is a great deal yet to be learned about these novel root structures. Photograph by Byron Lamont.

BT25022 Abstract  |  BT25022 Full Text  | BT25022PDF (2.8 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 28 July 2025

BT24090Functional traits in arborescent Cactaceae: a guideline for their measurement

Walter F. Paredes Cubas , Kyle G. Dexter, Carlos Reynel Rodríguez, R. Toby Pennington and José Luis Marcelo Peña

 

The study of cacti is key to understanding how plants survive in extreme environments and how they interact with their surroundings. This article analyzes how these species have developed unique adaptations to thrive in arid zones and proposes a methodological guide for measuring their functional characteristics. The procedures described offer a useful tool to complement plant ecology studies and support conservation actions in dry ecosystems, especially in contexts of increasing anthropogenic pressure and climate change. Photograph by José Luis Marcelo Peña.

BT24090 Abstract  |  BT24090 Full Text  | BT24090PDF (989 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 25 July 2025

BT25005Control of African lovegrass by flupropanate in a flora conservation context

Carl R. Gosper , Julia Cullity and Grazyna Paczkowska

 

Two application rates of the herbicide flupropanate were tested for the control of invasive African lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) in a conservation context in Mediterranean-climate south-western Australia. Flupropanate was effective in controlling African lovegrass, with no significant off-target effects detected at a plant community or functional group level. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence regarding the use of flupropanate for invasive grass management. Photograph by G. Paczkowska.

BT25005 Abstract  |  BT25005 Full Text  | BT25005PDF (1.4 MB)  | BT25005Supplementary Material (368 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 27 June 2025

BT25020Phosphite for the prevention of disease caused by Phytophthora species in six rare or threatened species. Will it kill or cure?

K. L. McDougall and E. C. Y. Liew

 

Phytophthora species are oomycete root pathogens, which can cause great harm to threatened plant species populations. The chemical phosphite can reduce the harm by increasing plant resistance but it can also be phytotoxic. Our glasshouse study of six rare or threatened species showed that phosphite has variable effectiveness but the severe phytotoxic effects on some species highlights the need to find alternative control options. Photograph by Ed Liew.

BT25020 Abstract  |  BT25020 Full Text  | BT25020PDF (465 KB)  | BT25020Supplementary Material (241 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 June 2025

BT24087Reductions in fitness due to an endoparasitic plant are comparable to the impacts of hemiparasites

P. G. Ladd and M. E. Andrew

 

The endoparasite Pilostyles hamiltoniorum severely reduced reproductive output of the host Daviesia angulata. The main effect was reduction in the number of host flowers that resulted in reduced fruit set. The effect of the endoparasite was as detrimental to the host as was that of other types of parasites that have much larger vegetative plant bodies. Photograph by Philip Ladd.

BT24087 Abstract  |  BT24087 Full Text  | BT24087PDF (1.6 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 June 2025

BT25001Seedling survival and growth phenology in a monocarpic tree species, Cerberiopsis candelabra (Apocynaceae)

Camille Salmon , Patrick Heuret , Vanessa Hequet and Sandrine Isnard

 

Cerberiopsis candelabra, a species endemic to New Caledonia, is one of the world’s rare monocarpic trees. This canopy tree flowers once and subsequently dies. The survival and growth rate of seedlings are significant preconditions for the maintaintenance of this strategy in tropical forests. We found that this species has a high survival rate to maintain high seedling density and we show that seedling growth is continuous but strongly responsive to climate seasonality. Image by authors.

BT25001 Abstract  | PDF (11.7 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 05 June 2025

BT24027Microhabitat traits and herbivory of Calodesma collaris (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) affect the establishment of Vriesea incurvata (Bromeliaceae) plants translocated to the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil

Márcio Hisayuki Sasamori, Delio Endres Júnior , Silvana Vargas do Amaral, Simeão Moraes and Annette Droste

 

Vriesea incurvata is an epiphytic tank bromeliad endemic to the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, a biodiversity hotspot with about 90% of its domain altered. We evaluate the influence of herbivory on the survival and development of micropropagated V. incurvata translocated into two micro-environments: (1) gallery forest; and (2) forest interior. Herbivory by Calodesma collaris, together with abiotic factors, exerts differential pressure on translocated populations, with a lesser negative impact in the gallery forest. Greater spacing between plants attached to the phorophyte, in trees scattered throughout the forest fragment, might minimise the impact of caterpillars on the translocated population. Image by Márcio Hisayuki Sasamori and Delio Endres Júnior.

BT24027 Abstract  | PDF (1.5 MB) - $35.00 

Published online 29 May 2025

BT24082The assembly of the vegetation near the treeline during the Late Glacial and Holocene in south-central Tasmania

G. A. Astorga , G. J. Jordan and A. Martel-Cea

 

The study investigated the history of alpine and subalpine plants in south-central Tasmania over the past 15,000 years. By analysing fossil plant remains from Lake Dobson in Mount Field National Park researchers have uncovered evidence suggesting that the modern configuration of the vegetation near the treeline was reached c. 6000 years ago. These findings emphasise the individualistic plant responses and strategies during a time of significant environmental transformation, allowing us to understand how fast plant species can respond to such changes. Photographs by G. A. Astorga.

BT24082 Abstract  | PDF (5.4 MB) - $35.00   | BT24082Supplementary Material (411 KB)

Published online 13 May 2025

BT24083How soil fungal communities respond to invasive plant species treatments in soil from Banksia woodland, south-western Australia

Aaron J. Brace , Katinka X. Ruthrof, Joseph B. Fontaine, Ben P. Miller and Anna J. M. Hopkins

 

Invasive species are mostly controlled by herbicides that may result in non-target effects on essential soil fungi. Diverse fungal communities were obtained from a native tree and invasive grass species for herbicide testing. Herbicides containing pelargonic acid decreased species richness and Shannon diversity and fluazifop-p-butyl herbicides increased the relative abundance of pathogenic fungi. Photograph by Aaron Brace.

BT24083 Abstract  |  BT24083 Full Text  | BT24083PDF (2.3 MB)  | BT24083Supplementary Material (922 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 01 May 2025

BT24079Plant competition reshapes nitrogen utilisation in native Vachellia nilotica (Fabaceae)

Anathi Magadlela , Zinhle Lembede, Zivanai Tsvuura , Naledi Zama, Nqobile Motsomane and María A. Pérez-Fernández

 

Vachellia nilotica, a nitrogen-fixing tree, can improve nutrient-poor soils in grasslands but faces challenges from nutrient deficiencies and competition with important grasses such as red oat grass/kangaroo grass. The tree grows better in phosphorus-rich soil and forms nodules for nitrogen fixation, whereas nutrient-poor soil and grass competition reduce growth and nitrogen efficiency. This study highlights how low soil phosphorus content and plant competition with grass species can reshape legume growth and nitrogen source utilisation. Photograph by Naledi Zama.

BT24079 Abstract  | PDF (1.2 MB) - $35.00   | BT24079Supplementary Material (494 KB)

Published online 29 April 2025

BT24059Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare Lam.) invasion has only a small effect on the diversity of a subalpine grassland

Keith L. McDougall , Jackie Miles and Genevieve T. Wright

 

Leucanthemum vulgare (ox-eye daisy) has become highly invasive in subalpine communities in Kosciuszko National Park, Australia. We conducted experiments to assess the effects of its addition and removal on grassland diversity, finding that it can cause a reduction in diversity following disturbance and that herbicide effects are temporary. Despite the effects we identified, the grassland vegetation appears to be generally resilient to ox-eye daisy invasion. Photograph by Keith McDougall.

BT24059 Abstract  |  BT24059 Full Text  | BT24059PDF (2.1 MB)  | BT24059Supplementary Material (1000 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 11 March 2025

BT24020Implications of varroa mite establishment for Australian plants and their persistence

Tom Le Breton , Amy-Marie Gilpin, Chantelle Doyle and Mark K.J. Ooi

 

Varroa mite, a parasite associated with the collapse of European honeybee populations globally, has recently become established in Australia and will inevitably spread across the country. If feral honeybee populations drastically decline across Australia there may be serious consequences for native plant species in terms of their reproductive ecology and conservation. We highlight potential consequences of the spread of varroa mite, and knowledge gaps and research opportunities to prevent avoidable negative impacts on Australian flora. Illustration by Juan Camilo.

BT24020 Abstract  |  BT24020 Full Text  | BT24020PDF (663 KB)  | BT24020Supplementary Material (229 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 06 March 2025

BT24060An assessment of the accuracy of satellite-derived woody and grass foliage cover estimates for Australia

Randall J. Donohue and Luigi J. Renzullo

 

Reasonably accurate predictions of the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of green foliage cover can be made from satellite imagery. We have produced fortnightly, Australia-wide woody and grass foliage cover layers for the past 24 years and have assessed their accuracy across a range of vegetation types and productivity gradients. Data are publicly available. Image by Randall Donohue.

BT24060 Abstract  |  BT24060 Full Text  | BT24060PDF (14.8 MB)   Open Access Article

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1. Functional traits in arborescent Cactaceae: a guideline for their measurement

   Australian Journal of Botany 73 (5)

   Walter F. Paredes Cubas , Kyle G. Dexter, Carlos Reynel Rodríguez, R. Toby Pennington, José Luis Marcelo Peña

2. Implications of varroa mite establishment for Australian plants and their persistence

   Australian Journal of Botany 73 (2)

   Tom Le Breton , Amy-Marie Gilpin, Chantelle Doyle, Mark K.J. Ooi

3. Tasmania’s giant eucalypts: discovery, documentation, macroecology and conservation status of the world’s largest angiosperms

   Australian Journal of Botany 73 (1)

   Brett Mifsud , Lynda D. Prior , Grant J. Williamson, Jan Corigliano, Carl Hansen, Robert Van Pelt, Steven Pearce, Thomas Greenwood, David M. J. S. Bowman

4. An assessment of the accuracy of satellite-derived woody and grass foliage cover estimates for Australia

   Australian Journal of Botany 73 (2)

   Randall J. Donohue , Luigi J. Renzullo

5. Variable seed quality hampers the use of Themeda triandra (Poaceae) for seed production, agriculture, research and restoration: a review

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (6)

   Marne Durnin , Emma Dalziell, Suzanne M. Prober, Petra Marschner

6. Assessing the storage potential of seed collections to inform the management of wild species seed banks

   Australian Journal of Botany 73 (1)

   S. Balasupramaniyam, D. J. Merritt, F. R. Hay, E. L. Dalziell

7. Phosphite for the prevention of disease caused by Phytophthora species in six rare or threatened species. Will it kill or cure?

   Australian Journal of Botany 73 (5)

   K. L. McDougall , E. C. Y. Liew

8. Sabah’s hidden giant: Nepenthes pongoides (Nepenthaceae), a micro-endemic tropical pitcher plant from northern Borneo

   Australian Journal of Botany 72 (8)

   Alviana Damit, Nur Adillah Mohd Yusof, Jemson Jumian, Charles Clarke, Alastair S. Robinson

9. Habitat for the endangered ephemeral Monotaxis macrophylla (Euphorbiaceae) in New South Wales: how do predictions compare with the evidence?

   Australian Journal of Botany 73 (2)

   Stephen A. J. Bell

10. Trajectories of ecology past and future

    Australian Journal of Botany 73 (6)

    Mark Westoby

11. Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare Lam.) invasion has only a small effect on the diversity of a subalpine grassland

    Australian Journal of Botany 73 (3)

    Keith L. McDougall , Jackie Miles, Genevieve T. Wright

12. How soil fungal communities respond to invasive plant species treatments in soil from Banksia woodland, south-western Australia

    Australian Journal of Botany 73 (4)

    Aaron J. Brace , Katinka X. Ruthrof, Joseph B. Fontaine, Ben P. Miller , Anna J. M. Hopkins

13. Origins of the rare Australian daisy Erigeron conyzoides and its implications for biological control research and conservation management

    Australian Journal of Botany 73 (1)

    Stephanie H. Chen , Alicia Grealy, Michelle A. Rafter, Ben Gooden, Alexander N. Schmidt-Lebuhn

14. A comprehensive functional trait database of seagrasses in tropical Queensland

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (8)

    Chieh Lin , Robert G. Coles, Michael A. Rasheed, Alana Grech

15. Reductions in fitness due to an endoparasitic plant are comparable to the impacts of hemiparasites

    Australian Journal of Botany 73 (5)

    P. G. Ladd , M. E. Andrew

16. Novel root clusters in the grasstree Kingia australis (Dasypogonaceae) increase the root surface:volume ratio by 70 times

    Australian Journal of Botany 73 (5)

    Byron B. Lamont , Andrew Weinert, Helen Duff

17. Long-term surveillance of Phytophthora cinnamomi reveals no evidence of increased detections and new insights for monitoring and management

    Australian Journal of Botany 73 (1)

    T. J. Mason , K. L. McDougall, P. Craven, C. C. Simpson, G. C. Popovic, D. A. Keith

18. Control of African lovegrass by flupropanate in a flora conservation context

    Australian Journal of Botany 73 (5)

    Carl R. Gosper , Julia Cullity, Grazyna Paczkowska

19. Spatially variable recruitment response to fire severity in golden-top wattle (Acacia mariae, family: Fabaceae), a thicket-forming shrub of semi-arid forests

    Australian Journal of Botany 73 (1)

    Boyd R. Wright , Damien D. Andrew , Michael Hewins, Claire Hewitt, Roderick J. Fensham

20. ‘There must be something in the soil our little plants need’: exploring patterns of potential mycorrhizal associations in the flora of the Sunshine Coast heathlands, Queensland, Australia

    Australian Journal of Botany 72 (6)

    Hilary Pearl , Alison Shapcott

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