Shelley Rowntree – ‘Unpicking the complexity of Chrysocephalum (Gnaphalieae, Asteraceae)’
2025-10-23 12:30 - 13:30 (Australia/Sydney) | ANBG Theatrette, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
Shelley, PhD candidate at the UNE and a holder of a Friends ANBG scholarship, will discuss the species limits and the dominant processes affecting the breeding and conservation of the Chrysocephalum genus.
Abstract
Shelley will look at questions about the Chrysocephalum genus, the limits of its species, and dominant processes affecting the breeding and conservation of Chrysocephalum.
The Gnaphalieae (paper daisy tribe, Asteraceae) are the largest tribe of Asteraceae in Australia, with c. 500 species. Relationships within clades remain unresolved, and generic concepts are often based on few morphological characters rather than demonstrated relatedness and inference of synapomorphies.
Chrysocephalum Walp is a medium-sized genus in the Australian Gnaphalieae occurring across all states of Australia. The project aims to answer the questions: (1) Does Chrysocephalum represent a cohesive genus? What is its relationship with other genera? (2) What are the limits of species within Chrysocephalum? What evolutionary processes explain the morphological complexity of the genus in eastern Australia? (3) What are the dominant processes affecting the breeding and conservation of Chrysocephalum?
Biography
Shelley Rowntree is a holder of a Friends ANBG scholarship and is now doing a PhD at the University of New England, Armidale, in collaboration with Centre of Australian National Botanic Research (CANBR).
Shelley left behind a career in IT to pursue her passion for plants. Her interests include the systematics and evolution of flowering plants, especially Asteraceae (daisy family) and Cyperaceae (sedges). She is passionate about documenting biodiversity and uses DNA sequence data and morphology to help make sense of diverse plant groups and evolutionary processes.
Bookings open on 19 September at https://www.trybooking.com/DDEFQ
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
It is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; talks may be booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made from about 30 days in advance until the night before the talk or until seating limits are reached.
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Many summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au.

Growing Friends Spring 2025 Native Plant Sale – Exclusive Event for Friends, Staff and Volunteers
2025-10-25 09:00 - 23:30 | Banksia Centre Car Park, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Friends, Staff and Volunteers of the ANBG will have exclusive access to hundreds of plants from a large variety of groundcovers to familiar or unusual large and small shrubs. A limited number of ferns will also be for sale.
All plants are propagated from cuttings or seeds sourced from within the Gardens, and a full list of plants is available HERE.
Plants will cost $6 a pot. All proceeds go to the Friends to support the Gardens. Sales by card only.
The sale will take place in the Growing Friends Area, off the Banksia Centre carpark.

Gardening across the Generations
2025-10-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Patrick White Terrace, Canberra, ACT, Australia
The upcoming Canberra Writers Festival will feature a dedicated gardening panel this year, Saturday 25 October. There will be a plant swap on site. Details HERE.
Location: Patrick White Lawns
Gardening connects us to the land, to our food, and to one another. This panel explores gardening across generations and families, communities and ecosystems. Anna Matilda (Everyday Permaculture: Sustainable Living for Every Space), Chloe Foster (The Rookie Gardener) and Judy Friedlander (The Bee Squad: Boosting Biodiversity in your Neighbourhood) will explore how gardening can be passed down, reimagined and shared. From beginners planting their first seedling, to building thriving pollinator-friendly biodiverse homes and balconies, to experienced growers designing with permaculture in mind. Join this interactive session full of heart and wonder for our natural world. Moderated by ABC Canberra TV News anchor, journalist and long-time garden lover, Adrienne Francis.
https://tickets.canberrawritersfestival.com.au/Events/Gardening-Across-the-Generations
