Plant Science Group Technical Talk: Dr Russell Barrett, 'Seduced by Sedges – a Decade of Studies on Australian Cyperaceae'. VENUE: THEATRETTE at the ANBG

Sedges are not the sexiest of plants - but they are not unimportant. As one of the larger families in the Australian flora, with species present in almost all environments across the continent, sedges play a key role in landscape ecology. Poorly studied, we are only now learning about their relationships (complex), ecological functions (many), and even how many species we have (lots!).

Illustrated from extensive fieldwork across Australia and studies in European herbaria, this talk will present an overview of what we know about sedges in Australia, and why we should all take more of an interest in this Cinderella of plant families.

Dr Russell Barrett undertook his PhD on the systematics and ecology of the sword sedges (Lepidosperma) and allied genera. He is currently based at the CSIRO Herbarium as a Research Associate.