Western Australian Herbarium

29/10/2026

Stylidium julietianum — a teeny tiny triggerplant endemic to sandstone country in the Northern Territory — has been formally named and described by Aiden Webb and Kym Brennan from the NT Herbarium.

The first scientific sample of S. julietianum was collected during botanical surveys of Kakadu National Park in 1980 by the late Lyn Craven, who had the foresight to preserve plants in alcohol to make them easier to study. This material, which forms part of an expertly maintained spirit collection at CSIRO's National Collections Building ( https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2023/june/spirit-collection ), remained unidentified until WA Herbarium Curator Juliet Wege examined the plants some 43 years later.

Despite the flowers being bleached of colour, Juliet knew the moment she peered down the microscope that she was looking at a species she had never before seen amongst the thousands and thousands of triggerplant specimens she has examined and classified. She made some sketches, drafted a description, and sent the information to the team at the NT Herbarium to put it firmly on their radar. It didn’t take long for their radar to ping.

The species was relocated by Aiden and Kym in April 2025, who made the first pressed collection as part of the Jawoyn Country Bush Blitz ( https://environment.nt.gov.au/news/2025/two-way-science ). Four populations were discovered during this expedition, confirming the species was indeed new to western science. We’re thrilled that this small treasure has been named for Juliet, whose countless hours of research in herbarium specimen vaults around the country are underpinning efforts to conserve Australia’s triggerplant flora.

Today’s description of Stylidium julietianum has been enabled by Bush Blitz and the Jawoyn people who hosted the surveys that led to its rediscovery, the NT Herbarium and Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife, the Australian National Herbarium (CSIRO), the Australian Biological Resources Study (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water), and the WA Herbarium (Parks and Wildlife Service, Western Australia).

https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/science/nuytsia/1117.pdf

29/10/2026

New taxa in Amphipogon (Poaceae), Caladenia (Orchidaceae), Callithamniella (Rhodophyta, Ceramiaceae) and Stylidium (Stylidiaceae) have been published in Nuytsia along with a new name in Acacia (Fabaceae).

https://florabase.dbca.wa.gov.au/nuytsia/

Please be aware that the newly named WA taxa will only appear on Florabase once an essential upgrade to the Herbarium’s collection’s database is complete, which is taking longer than expected. We appreciate your patience.

21/10/2026

Some of our botanists have recently been let loose amongst the blooms. Herbarium Curator Juliet Wege and Identification Botanists Kylie Sadgrove and Ryan Craig travelled as far as the Ravensthorpe area, targeting novel species in Lamiaceae and Aotus (Fabaceae).

They collected a series of specimens to aid taxonomic research along with a suite of additional voucher specimens for the WA Herbarium, including material for our Reference Herbarium and images for Florabase. Two new populations of Stylidium thylax (Priority 2) were opportunistically discovered, extending its known distribution to reserves south of Newdegate and near Lake King, while 20 plants of the very poorly known Pimelea cruciata (Priority 1) were recorded.

19/10/2026

We are looking to expand our taxonomic capacity at the WA Herbarium – a permanent research position is currently advertised!

This is a simply outstanding opportunity to join a diverse team dedicated to improving knowledge of WA’s remarkable flora and caring for the state's botanical collection.

Join us in our mission to promote biodiversity, conserve our valuable ecosystems, and provide engaging attractions that connect people with nature. THIS IS A PERMANENT, FULL-TIME POSITION THIS POSITION IS BASED IN KENSINGTON APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION CLOSE AT MIDDAY ON MONDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2026 J...

01/10/2026

Gunniopsis septifraga is a salt-tolerant herb to 10 cm high with green, succulent leaves that turn yellow as the plant matures. Its solitary, sessile flowers have rounded, pyramid-shaped buds (pictured) that open to reveal a whorl of 4 stamens that alternate with the green or yellow perianth segments. The anthers dehisce and deposit pollen on the style before the flower opens, leading to self-pollination. Cleistogamy (self-fertilisation within an unopened flower) is also suspected. It flowers from June to October.

The species is named for its septifragal capsules that break into 4 segments that hold the seeds. Like most members of the family Aizoaceae, the capsules are hydrochasic, meaning that they open in response to water. This remarkable adaptation allows plants to disperse their seeds into an environment ideal for germination.

Gunniopsis septifraga grows around salt lakes or in salt pans in halophytic shrublands, often forming dense carpets. It is widespread in southern Western Australia and South Australia, extending into southern parts of the Northern Territory and north-western New South Wales.

Photos: S. Dillon

29/09/2026

We’re looking for a Senior Technical Officer with relevant experience in biodiversity data management. 1 year contract (0.8 FTE) with the possibility of extension. Applications close October 13 at noon (WST).

It’s an exciting time to join the team at the WA Herbarium as we update our biodiversity data infrastructure and associated workflows.

Join us in our mission to promote biodiversity, conserve our valuable ecosystems, and provide engaging attractions that connect people with nature. THIS IS A 12-MONTH FIXED-TERM, PART-TIME (0.8 FTE) POSITION(WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION OR PERMANENCY) THIS POSITION IS BASED IN KENSINGTON APPLIC...

04/09/2026

Dr Juliet Wege has been appointed Curator of the Western Australian Herbarium, the first female botanist to take up the role since its formation in 1929.

Juliet has worked as a taxonomist in WA for more than 25 years, naming and describing novel species from an array of genera and leading projects to document some of the state’s most at risk species. She has curated more than 20,000 specimens in Australian and international herbaria and has amassed a wealth of knowledge on Australia’s botanical history and triggerplant flora. She is a long-standing member of the Nuytsia editorial team, a contributing editor for the Flora of Australia, and a former Australian Botanical Liaison Officer at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. She will bring a passion for biodiversity conservation, a wealth of practical experience, and plenty of fresh ideas to the role.

We thank Dr John Huisman for his many and varied efforts during his term as Curator. He will continue with his algal research at the Herbarium in a part-time capacity as he transitions to retirement over the next year.

03/09/2026

Gastrolobium leakeanum can only be found perched on rocky mountain slopes in Stirling Range National Park. It is an erect shrub to 2 m high with large, broadly elliptic leaves and a vibrant red corolla that contrasts strongly with the dense, pale hairs on the calyx and flower stalks. It is one of a small number of species of Gastrolobium with resupinate flowers (i.e. they are presented upside down). This, combined with the large, red corolla, provides a hint that it is pollinated by birds (honeyeaters). Although mostly pollinated by bees, bird-pollination is thought to have evolved more than once in Gastrolobium.

Gastrolobium leakeanum was named and described by colonial botanist James Drummond in 1848 in the Perth newspaper The Inquirer (there is sufficient information in this letter to regard the species as formally published according to the exacting rules of the botanical code of nomenclature). Other iconic Western Australian species named and described by Drummond in newspaper articles include Verticordia grandis (Scarlet Featherflower) and Hakea victoria (Royal Hakea).

Photo: Ryan Craig

21/08/2026

Flannel Flowers have flourished in the National Science Week fight for Australia's favorite flower.

We have a few species here in Western Australia including Actinotus humilis, shown here flowering on sandplain near Perenjori following fire.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-21/wildflower-of-the-year-vote-blog/107022960

05/08/2026

It’s time to cast your vote for Australia’s most amazing flower from the unsung understorey.

The ABC has selected 10 finalists, all with a superpower (only 10 we cry?!). Perhaps you’ve got some thoughts on what’s missing from this list, or which bloom should reign supreme.

Our triggerplant expert Juliet Wege reckons there's only one choice. She may well be onto something…

Move over waratahs and banksias! These 10 flowers from the unsung understorey are not just pretty faces, they have surprising tricks up their sleeves.