Towards a DNA database for WA flora – Prof Ian Small

Our Southwest is a world-renowned centre of diversity of flowering plants at local and regional scales. Yet we are still in an age of discovery with about a 100 new species named each year. How can we document this diversity with rapidly increasing development pressures?

DNA barcoding, which uses short sections of DNA, can help identify new species, separate native species from cryptic weeds and significant variation within a species. Until recently only the mitochondrial DNA of animals was understood and universally used. However, recent tests in South Africa and Central America have showed that chloroplast DNA can be used in the same manner for plants. For example automated gene sequencing has allowed barcoding of the entire flora of Wales (1143 species).

Can this be achieved for our flora of over 8,000 species? ‘Towards a DNA database of Western Australian Plants’ is the subject of the Wildflower Society’s 13th June 2017 talk by Professor Ian Small from the University of Western Australia. Ian is a world expert on plant DNA and its actions in improving crop yields, publishing numerous international papers on this subject. Ian is a past WA Scientist of the Year and head of the Centre of Excellence for Plant Energy Biology.

Meetings of the Perth Branch of the Society are held on the second Tuesday of each month in the Subiaco Community Centre across the road from Crossways Shopping centre in Bagot Road. Doors open at 7.45pm and the meeting begins at 8pm. Supper is served after the talk and everyone is eligible for the night’s door prize. You do not need to be a member of the Society to attend Perth Branch meetings, entry requiring a $2 door donation.