Half a Century of Botanical Research and Discovery in Western Australia by Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Kings Park and Botanic Garden is a globally recognised botanic garden and research institution in the biodiversity hotspot of southwest Western Australia. A history of the contribution of staff and researchers at Kings Park and Botanic Garden to the knowledge and promotion of the flora of Western Australia is provided. Through an analysis of the published literature, reports, and correspondence with former staff, a strong history of collaborative, world-class research is outlined. This paper focuses on the contributions of staff and students who have discovered and promoted Western Australian flora from the planning and establishment of the Botanic Garden in 1961 up to 2015. Early research was conducted by a small number of individuals with structured research programs emerging much later. Significant contributions have been made in the fields of plant conservation, plant ecology, seed biology, ecosystem restoration, plant systematics and mycorrhizal associations. Key partnerships with universities, other government organisations and industry have been fundamental to the focus and success of research programs.