Released March 2024.

This app is based on the USB (2014) and the Mobile app (2016, 2024), Rainforest Plants of Australia – Rockhampton to Victoria, and the earlier Red and Green Books.

Available as a digital download (2.7Gb) directly to your computer. It can be downloaded up to 3 times over a 12-month period (from the date of purchase). It is only available to the purchaser’s devices and cannot be copied or distributed to other people.

Authors: Gwen Harden, Hugh Nicholson, Bill McDonald, Nan Nicholson, Terry Tame and John Williams

This “2nd edition USB” has been substantially revised and updated to include 16 additional species, currently accepted names and many geographical distribution updates to reflect present knowledge of rainforest trees, shrubs and climbing plants in this area. This app is based on the popular interactive key (distributed as a USB in 2014 and as a mobile app in 2016 and 2024) of the same name and the latest Red Book, Rainforest Trees and Shrubs, 2nd edition (2018) and the earlier Red and Green Books.

It will enable everyone who is interested in conserving rainforests and learning more about rainforests and rainforest species, from professionals to those who are not familiar with the use of keys or botanical terminology.

• Covers mainland eastern Australia, south of Rockhampton through N.S.W. and Victoria
• Coastal rainforest types to drier inland vine thickets
• Keys out and describes 1156 species of trees, shrubs, mistletoes and climbing plants
• Includes 1061 native species, of which 206 are listed as Rare and Threatened
• Includes c. 13,000 coloured photos and thousands of line drawings
• 164 features used in the key, they include leaves, flowers, fruit, seed and bark
• Additional features include geographic distribution, rainforest type, plant status and family
• Includes over 70 name changes for species, as well as family name changes
• The How to use section takes you through the main features of the app and how to use the key
• Hints on identifying rainforest plants section assists users not familiar with identifying rainforest plants
• This interactive key and information system is powered by Lucid

On starting, the Home screen displays the headings that enable access to various parts of the program. By clicking on any of these headings further sections and information will become available.

Home screen with the various headings

To commence the identification, click on Start identification. Across the top of the screen is the Lucid Toolbar with 14 icons. These icons assist in the keying out process, you will find that some are extremely useful in short-cutting the keying out process. See section HOW TO USE for explanation of the icons.

On start-up, the screen has 4 windows, only the Features Available and Species Remaining windows will have content. In the Species Remaining window all of the 1156 species in the key are listed in alphabetical order. In the Features Available window, at first only 3 headings are displayed. After you have made an initial selection, more features will become available.

Note: features can be selected in any order, depending on you specimen or on your knowledge. If you are not sure what any feature means, click on the page icon (next to the feature name) and an illustrated explanation screen will be displayed outlining the listed states for that feature.

Screen at start of keying out process

As one continues selecting features (listed in lower LHS window) the number of species discarded are listed in the RHS lower window and the number in the Species Remaining window decreases.

Screen part way through identification

Finally, an identification is made and the information and images in the Fact sheet can be checked against the plant.

Fact sheet for Peleya acanthoclada

Each species has a fact sheet that describes the diagnostic features of the leaves, flowers and fruit, its geographic distribution and whether the species is native or introduced and whether it is listed as rare or threatened in any of the states. Each fact sheet includes a plate of line drawings and many (often c. 11) coloured photos of general and detailed features used in the identification process.

The section on Rainforest information covers a wealth of information on rainforests. It includes Rainforest – what is it?, Rainforest types that are used in this app, the Distribution of rainforest and a new section on Myrtle Rust. Each of these sections have a number of coloured photos to illustrate examples of the rainforest.

Collage of information, map and images of Dry Rainforest

This app has been designed so that if you do not have any formal botanical training you can understand the terms used and interpret the features of the plant you are seeking to identify.

Detailed illustrated sections explain how the app works, and outlines the functions available. General sections include how to use the key, hints on identifying rainforest plants, index of scientific and common names (listed separately), detailed glossary, and information on rainforest and rainforest types.

Have you considered the following questions and answers.

Q1. Why are leaves so important in identifying rainforest plants? In Australian rainforests the majority of species are evergreen, so leaves can be found at any season.
Q2. Are all leaves similar? No, there is great variation in size, shape, type, colour, smell when crushed, etc.
Q3. How to distinguish between simple and compound leaves? It is relatively easy, once you know what to look for!
Q4. Are all leaves arranged on the stem in the same way? No, there are different ways, and it is diagnostic for a species.

The section, Hints on identifying rainforest plants answers these and other questions you might have. These detailed answers are illustrated with line drawings and with hotlinks to examples in fact sheets. Examples of illustrations from this section below.

Illustrations of some of the leaf features, from section Hints on identifying rainforest plants

The advantages of having this app on your computer:

• Once downloaded an internet connection is not required
• C. 13,000 coloured photos to assist in identification of species
• The indexes and search facility enable you to search on part or full names
• Toolbar with icons that assist in the keying out, useful in short-cutting the process
• Can be downloaded up to 3 times in 12-month period to the same email address
• Use it, you will love it!

Screenshots: © Hugh Nicholson & Gwen Harden
Front screen photo: Fitzalania bidwillii