The Endemic Flora of Tasmania

The Endemic Flora of Tasmania was written by Dr Winifred Curtis with coloured lithographs by botanical illustrator, Margaret Stones.

This plant collection was gathered by David Nelson and William Anderson at Adventure Bay[2] Jacques Julien Houtou de Labillardiere, a French man joined one a voyage in search of La Perouse in 1800 made significant contributions to the discovery and development of Tasmanian Flora.

Curtis was offered the chance to write ecological and descriptive notes that align with the paintings of Stones, all commissioned by Lord Talbot of Malahide.

[10] Winifred Mary Curtis and Margaret Stones took an active approach in developing their knowledge of Flora in Tasmania as they were often on field, collecting Fauna to explore.

[12] In 1924, Winifred went to University College in London, taking an interest in the study of Botany, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.She developed her passion for flora through her father, who would talk to her about trees, and her mother took pride in her garden.

[13] Most women during this period of the early 1900s would stay at home and wait to be married to a man, though Winifred's parents, ‘entertained her thoughts of a career’ encouraging her to pursue her passion.

Winifred Mary Curtis became the Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Tasmania's School of Plant Science in 1966 and over the next decade, she published seven papers.

[16] Margaret Stones provides the coloured lithographs in ‘The Endemic Flora of Tasmania’ working alongside Winifred Mary Curtis throughout the process.

[20][21] This incredibly successful book allowed for the enhancement of public interest in Tasmania flora, providing knowledgeable information and engaging pictures.