Australian seeds
Australian seeds: a guide to their collection, identification and biology

Edited by Luke Sweedman and David Merritt

 

Published in 2006 by CSIRO Publishing, colour, soft cover, 272 pages

 

Price $A59.95 plus $A12 postage within Australia [up to 3 kg], overseas postage please request a quote

 

ISBN 0643092986 or ISBN 9780643092983
  • Description
  • About the editors
  • Table of contents

This is the first complete guide to the collection, processing and storage of wild seed. It provides a basic understanding to seed biology, evolution and morphology, and includes chapters on all aspects of harvesting, processing and storage of seeds. The procedures and protocols described are of international standard. Features photographs of more than 1300 Australian species, with emphasis on those that occur in Western Australia, showing size and well-shaped seed. This book is of major importance to horticulturists and agriculturists planning crop and weed control programs.

 

About the editors

 

Luke Sweedman is Curator for the WA Seed Technology Centre at Kings Park, Perth. He is an expert in the storage of species for both local and international threatened flora programs and provides material for displays for the Kings Park Botanic Gardens.

 

David Merritt is a Research Scientist at the Botanic Garden and Parks Authority and The University of WA. He has worked with native seeds since 1997 and his research interests include seed storage and dormancy, and the use of seeds in restoration.

 

Table of contents

 

Foreword

Commendation

Acknowledgements

Preface

Contributors

1. Introduction - Clare Tenner, Stephen Hopper, David Merritt, Anne Cochrane and Luke Sweedman

2. Australian Seeds through time - Stephen Hopper, Kingsley Dixon and Robert Hill

3. Seed and fruit structure - Paul Wilson and Margaret Wilson

4. Seed biology and ecology - David Merritt and Deanna Rokich

5. Seed collection in the field - Luke Sweedman and Grady Brand

6. Drying and cleaning seeds after collection - Luke Sweedman

7. Seed storage and testing - David Merritt

8. Seedbanks and the conservation of threatened species - Anne Cochrane and Leonie Monks

9. Australian seeds: a photographic guide - Luke Sweedman

10. Collection guidelines for common Australian families and genera - Luke Sweedman and Grady Brand

Appendix 1: Seed germination records

Appendix 2: Specimen vouchers for the seed photographs

Appendix 3: List of common names

Appendix 4: List of botanical names

Glossary

References

Index