Gwen Harden Publishing

Australian Rainforest Plant Identification

Gwen Harden Publishing produces and distributes books and apps for the identification of trees, shrubs and climbers in rainforest, in Australia from Rockhampton (Qld), south through NSW to southern Victoria.

In 2018 Gwen published the 2nd edition of Rainforest Trees and Shrubs (the “Red Book”), authored by Gwen Harden, Bill McDonald and John Williams.

Due to changes in technology and the interest of users, the information in the earlier field guides was expanded and developed into interactive keys and multimedia information packages using Lucid Builder. These were prepared by Gwen Harden, Hugh Nicholson, Bill McDonald, Nan Nicholson, Terry Tame and John Williams and released as a USB in 2014 and as a Mobile app in 2016.

Following substantial updates and additions, 2nd editions were released in 2024. The “USB”, Rainforest Plants of Australia – Rockhampton to Victoria, was released as a Desktop app for computers and laptops in March 2024. Followed shortly after by the 2nd edition Mobile app (phones and tablets), Rainforest Plants of Australia – Rockhampton to Victoria.

Dorrigo rainforest plants
Rainforest Plant Identification Guide
Australian Rainforest Plant Identification
Rainforest Fruit Identification Guide
Australian Rainforest Tree Identification

Why We Are Unique

The 2nd edition Rainforest Trees and Shrubs book and the interactive digital keys in Rainforest Plants of Australia – Rockhampton to Victoria are based on the earlier field guides developed at the University of New England, Armidale by John Williams, Gwen Harden and Bill McDonald.

  • Interactive keys to 1156 species of rainforest trees, shrubs and climbing plant
  • Fact sheets for each of the 1156 species (increase of 16)
  • 70 name changes for species as well as family name changes included
  • Descriptions and many geographical distributions have been updated to reflect present knowledge
  • Key uses readily found features of rainforest plants, e.g. leaves and twigs
  • The keys are user-friendly as botanical terminology has been kept to a minimum
  • All features and states used in the key are described and illustrated with line drawings
  • Illustrated sections assist users not familiar with rainforest plants to recognize features and become confident in identifying these plants
  • Detailed guide takes you through the main features of the app and how to use the key.
  • Sections on What is Rainforest and Myrtle Rust
  • Fact sheets and rainforest types are enhanced by the most amazing, coloured photos compiled by Hugh Nicholson
  • Majority of photos taken by Hugh especially for this project (c. 13,000 in Desktop App and 8,000 in Mobile App)
  • This interactive key has been constructed on Lucid Builder 4, and the program is powered by Lucid
Dorrigo Rainforest plants

The Authors

Our common interest is rainforests and the desire to know more about them and the amazing plants that make up these complex communities.

View all authors

Gwen Harden

Gwen (Gwenneth J.) Harden was a botanist at the University of New England, James Cook University and at the National Herbarium of New South Wales (at the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney). She graduated from the University of New England with M.Sc. in botany and she is an...
Read More

Bill McDonald

Dr W. (Bill) J.F. McDonald joined National Parks Branch, Qld Department of Forestry in 1974 and transferred to Botany Branch, Qld Department of Primary Industries (incorporating the Queensland Herbarium) in 1977. He then worked on botanical survey and mapping projects...
Read More

John Williams (1932-2005)

John Beaumont Williams, affectionately known to many as JBW, lectured at the University of New England (Armidale) in Taxonomy, Anatomy and Ecology from 1957 until his retirement in 1992. In his retirement he continued to be actively involved in many research and...
Read More

Terry Tame (1934 – 2016)

Terry (Terrence Michael) Tame was a high school manual arts teacher with a life-long interest in the Australian flora having been nurtured by the naturalist Dr Edward Chisholm. After retiring to Newcastle Terry authored Acacias of South-east Australia in 1992. Terry...
Read More

Hugh Nicholson

Hugh started specializing in photographing plants when Nan and he established Terania Rainforest Nursery in the 1970s. A large part of Hugh’s input to the nursery was collection of seed. He always had his camera with him as he drove the by-ways of the New South Wales...
Read More

Nan Nicholson

Together with Hugh, Nan developed and managed Terania Rainforest Nursery for 20 years in the Northern Rivers area of N.S.W., producing rainforest plants for horticulture and for reforestation. She pioneered some of the methods now commonly used for propagation of...
Read More