Alma Theodora Lee (née Melvaine; 12 April 1912 — 20 October 1990) was an Australian botanist and plant taxonomist who worked at the National Herbarium of New South Wales, University of Sydney, and CSIRO.

[1] Born in Tingha, a small town in northern New South Wales, to Wallace Melvaine, a gold prospector and dredge operator.

[9][3] During this time, Lee broadened her interest and knowledge of plant communities with fellow students on excursions to Bulli, Colong Caves and Barrington Tops.

While a student, Lee joined the National Herbarium of New South Wales, then part of the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney.

[3] Lee returned to the National Herbarium of New South Wales in 1938 as staff botanist until 1947 when she left to raise her two sons.