William Lancashire Cane (1911–1987) was an Australian plantsman who introduced many new native plant species, forms and hybrids into cultivation.
His father was killed in World War I and his mother died in 1919, leaving Cane and his three brothers to become wards of the state.
There he experimented with propagation techniques, finding success in areas deemed near impossible by others including successfully growing semi-parasitic Exocarpos species and propagating Eucalyptus species, Persoonia chamaepeuce and Calectasia intermedia (Blue Tinsel Lily) from cuttings.
[2] Cane was a long time correspondent with George Althofer of Burrendong Arboretum in New South Wales.
[2] During his time at the nursery he made numerous field trips, particularly to the remote high country of East Gippsland, and would consult with botanist Jean Galbraith regarding plant identification.