Australian seeds: a guide to their collection, identification and biology Edited by Luke Sweedman and David Merritt ISBN 0643092986, published in 2006 by CSIRO Publishing, colour, soft cover, 272 pages Price $A59.95 plus $11 postage within Australia or overseas airmail - please ask for a quote

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.

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