Past

Plant Identification: Botany 101

This class has passed
This class has passed

What’s it all about?

Have you ever looked at a plant and wondered what it was? Which of the approximately 1000 local native plants could it be? Or was it a weed?

Whether you are already in touch with nature or not this class will inspire you to know more about the wonderful world of plants. We are going to learn about some of our local natives and how you can figure out, from the thousands of possible plants, what it is you happen to be looking at.

What will we cover?

In this beginner’s workshop we will be learning the secrets of how and where to look so you can tell the differences between plants – known as spotting characteristics. We will explore the tools used by botanists to identify plants and then put our new skills to good use by having a go at a few “who am I?” plant games.

By the end of the class you’ll have a few solid plant ID tricks under your belt. You’ll be ready to plan a rewarding botanical experience for your next bush trip (in Melbourne or farther afield), or to figure out what you should plant on your nature strip so it is truly nature.

Who will be teaching?

Pascale connected to her inner botanist in early childhood. She kept that connection alive ‘pottering around with plants’ as well as growing a deep love of the Australian bush. She is an Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association (IFFA) member and found out about Plant Blindness while teaching plant skills to Conservation students… and it all made sense. She doesn’t know all of Melbourne’s plants (yet!) but continues to enjoy the journey.