The shortlisting process
What happens when you put a group of experts in a room to determine which nine, locally native plants best represent Melbourne? Think lively debate, tricky decisions and rich discussions, centered around a shared passion for nature and exchanging knowledge.
The expert reference group met in early October and were tasked with creating a shortlist of potential species that would become Melbourne's floral emblem candidates, from which the public would nominate their favourite.
The experts were presented with a longlist, derived from the Pre-colonial plant list for the City of Melbourne – a report developed in 2022 by expert botanists Steve Sinclair, Geoff Sutter and Mike Duncan, from the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research. The report specifies plant species that likely occurred in Melbourne prior to European colonisation, and has been reviewed by both Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
The expert reference group used this to select a shortlist of nine floral candidates for the emblem, making decisions based on core criteria, including:
- Plants that were likely to have occurred in the City of Melbourne municipality area prior to European colonisation (i.e. indigenous plants, of which approximately 700 are locally native to the Melbourne area).
- Plants that are commercially available (even if not currently widely available).
- The size and form of each plant, ensuring they can be readily grown in a variety of public and private gardens.
- Plants that culturally significant to Traditional Owners, as agreed by representatives from Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung in the reference group.
Meet our expert reference group
The expert reference group was appointed to refine and endorse the shortlist of potential species for the floral emblem. The group was comprised of experts from a range of disciplines including:
- botany and horticulture
- community representation from the Parks and Gardens Advisory Committee and Gardens for Wildlife Melbourne
- social science
- garden design
- the heritage value of City of Melbourne landscapes.
Representatives from Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (the Traditional Owners of the lands on which City of Melbourne sits) were also involved in the selection process, providing final authority on the shortlist based on their cultural knowledge.
All expert reference group members have knowledge of Melbourne’s unique culture and identity and have a connection to nature in the City of Melbourne. Each member provided advice and guidance specific to the area of expertise they were invited to represent.
Reference group facilitator
I’m a scientist on a mission to save nature in our cities and towns. My research brings together the fields of urban ecology and biodiversity conservation to ask ‘How can we make cities better places for wildlife?’
A leading expert in the field, I collaborate with councils, community groups, engineers and architects to make real change for wildlife in urban environments – from rope bridges for gliding possums, to 3D-printing nesting hollows for powerful owls, or floating wetlands on city rivers.
I'm an award-winning science communicator, bringing warmth and wit to make even the most complicated scientific concepts easily understood. You’ll often find me sharing stories about neighbourhood wildlife, and the science that goes into saving them, on radio, blogs, and social media, proudly wearing the moniker of “Melbourne’s friendly neighbourhood wildlife scientist”.
I'm Melbourne born and have spent most of my life living, studying or working here. I've been lucky to be able to build a career around caring for Melbourne's environment and helping people connect with the joy and wonder of biodiversity in our neighbourhood.
What excites Kylie about the floral emblem
The chance to introduce Melbourne to the incredible bouquet of native flowers that adorn our doorstep.
Kylie’s vote for the emblem
It's so hard to choose. I love the kangaroo grass for the way it changes colours, its iconic seed head, and how it's fun to swish your hands through. There's something so alluring about a bluebell though! I love to imagine a full meadow lit up with tiny blue stars.
What Kylie wants you to think about when voting
I want Melburnians to go with their gut!
Find Kylie online
Hi, I’m Kirsty Costa - a nature educator and science communicator who helps people build stronger connections with the natural world. At Zoos Victoria, I work with teams to design and deliver programs that support wildlife and help communities care for their local patch. I’m also the creator of Weekend Birder, a popular nature podcast and online resource that celebrates Australian birds and the people who love them. I'm especially interested in how we connect with the world around us - with places, plants, animals, and each other.
Melbourne is home and has my heart. I work and play in the City of Melbourne and grew up in the outer suburbs. My office is at Melbourne Zoo, I love birdwatching in Royal Park, and I meet my family for picnics in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Over the past 20 years, I’ve built expertise in education, communication and community engagement. I’m known for sparking curiosity and making nature more accessible to people from all walks of life - and for turning complex science into something that’s easy to understand.
What excites Kirsty about the floral emblem
What excites me most about the floral emblem is the way it invites people to slow down, get curious and notice the nature around them. It’s a chance to spark conversations, share knowledge and connect more deeply with the unique plants that make Melbourne special.
Kirsty’s vote for the emblem
I’ve got a soft spot for the chocolate lily. It smells like chocolate, which is honestly reason enough to vote for it. But it’s also a beautiful, delicate purple flower that reminds us how our senses, like smell, shape our connection to nature. I love watching it bloom in my garden every year.
What Kirsty wants you to think about when voting
I want Melburnians to think about the plants they’ve noticed, loved or been curious about in their daily lives. And not just the pretty ones! A floral emblem should feel meaningful - something that reflects Melbourne’s unique nature and sparks pride, connection and care.
Find Kirsty online
I'm a landscape architect and horticulturist. My work has a particular focus on botanic gardens (I've worked with over 20), heritage landscape management and planting design. Until recently I also taught garden design at the University of Melbourne, Burnley.
I've lived in Greater Melbourne my entire life. My professional work has given me the opportunity to work with so many of Melbourne's beautiful parks and gardens – especially the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, and I've worked on large scale heritage management plans for Fitzroy, Treasury and Carlton Gardens. I was invited due to this experience and knowledge of Melbourne's gardens, their history, heritage and the special place they hold in Melbourne's life.
Andrea’s vote for the emblem
Urghh! How do you pick a favourite plant? They're all special in different ways. But I do use the purple coral-pea (Hardenbergia violaceae or ‘Happy Wanderer’) a lot in my work as it is a beautiful, practical landscape plant (we use it as a ground cover).
What Andrea wants you to think about when voting
As an advisory group we've screened for practicality, I'm happy to leave the decision to others.
Find Andrea online
I’m the Executive Director of Horticulture, Living Collections and Natural Areas at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, where I lead the strategic care and development of the Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens. With over 30 years' experience across horticulture, ecological restoration and organisational leadership.
I’ve held senior roles including CEO of The Diggers Foundation, General Manager at Australian Ecosystems, and Marketing and Sales Manager at Regen Nurseries. As a passionate advocate for sustainable landscapes, I bring deep expertise in native plant production, public garden management and environmental education.
My connection to Melbourne comes through years of working with its plants, landscapes, and people. In my roles with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, The Diggers Club and Australian Ecosystems, I’ve spent much of my career understanding the city’s flora and how it shapes our sense of place. I’m particularly interested in sustainable gardening and how it can reconnect urban environments with local ecology. I’m passionate about how local species can tell the story of Melbourne’s environment and identity, and how thoughtful plant choices can bring ecological and cultural meaning into everyday spaces.
What excites Tim about the floral emblem
I'm excited to help Melburnians connect with their city and the local flora. I’m particularly drawn to the idea of choosing a plant that’s not only beautiful but ecologically meaningful, something that reflects the city’s commitment to sustainability and its deepening relationship with nature in an urban setting.
Tim’s vote for the emblem
Billy buttons (Craspedia variabilis). This is my choice because it is a distinctive flower shape that holds a presence, the flowers are very useable in floristry and can be worn as a lapel button-hole (boutonniere) and can also be grown in gardens across the city.
What Tim wants you to think about when voting
I want them to think about how the floral emblem could be used across all sorts of media. Imagine that this floral symbol is something that is uniquely Melburnian and a source of pride and place.
Find Tim Online
I’m Russell Larke (BSc First Class Hons, Dip Hort, Dip Cons and Land Man). I was born and raised in Melbourne and I am obsessed with Australian native plant species! I bring over 25 years of experience in horticultural science, botanic-garden management, and plant conservation, with a particular focus on the flora of southern Australia. My expertise lies in integrating practical horticulture with conservation science — developing and maintaining living plant collections that support both biodiversity outcomes and community engagement.
Currently, as Head Gardener for the Melbourne Arts Precinct Corporation, I will oversee the establishment and ongoing management of Laak Boorndap, a large-scale urban garden that demonstrates how science-based horticulture can transform city landscapes and connect people to plants and place.
Previously, as Senior Curator of Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria – Cranbourne, I led programs dedicated to the cultivation, propagation and display of rare and threatened species, developing and contributing to initiatives including the Threatened Plant Living Collection Plan (City of Melbourne) and the Raising Rarity outreach project (RBGV). These roles required technical knowledge of horticulture and plant ecology, and collaboration across government, academic, and community sectors.
What excites Russell about the floral emblem
For me, the real value of a floral emblem lies in how it can engage people. When residents see their emblem growing in local parks, schools, or streetscapes – or represented through art – it becomes more than a symbol. It turns into a shared story, a reminder of the value of the biodiversity that exists right where we live. It’s a chance to celebrate our incredible local species and to inspire everyday care and stewardship of our environment. Choosing a floral emblem is a chance to celebrate the relationship between people, plants and place. It invites people to notice nature around us, appreciate its role in our wellbeing; and recognise that by caring for these plants, we’re also caring for our community and our future landscapes.
Russell’s vote for the emblem
Xerochrysum palustre (swamp everlasting) holds a special place in my heart, as I’ve worked directly on the conservation of this species. For me, it stands as a symbol of our shared responsibility to protect species under threat. Once widespread across the seasonal wetlands of Melbourne, it has become critically endangered through urbanisation and the redirection of water from its ephemeral habitats. Choosing it as a floral emblem would remind us that our city, and its beauty, were built on diverse native ecosystems that now need our care. If people were to see this as the floral emblem, I’d want them to think not only of its beauty (and it is so pretty with its golden everlasting daisy flowers!), but of the living landscapes we have lost – and our duty to conserve and restore what remains.
What Russell wants you to think about when voting
I want people to think about what the plant represents for them – not just how it looks, but how it makes them feel. Does it connect you to the landscape or remind you of a special place? Do you love growing it, or have a memory attached to it? Maybe it’s a plant that your favourite insect or bird depends on or a species that inspires them to care and act for nature.
A floral emblem should evoke those personal connections – the ways local plants weave into our lives, our stories, and ultimately our sense of place.
Find Russell online
Company
Personal
Emmaline Bowman is a multi–award-winning Landscape Architect, former guest host on Gardening Australia, and Founder of Stem Landscape Architecture & Design.
“I am extremely passionate about native Australian plants and all wildlife. I specialise in water systems, wetland design, and the creation of gardens that integrate native and indigenous flora to help restore degraded landscapes that support local biodiversity across rural and urban areas of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
Originally growing up on a farm in East Gippsland I am now based in Melbourne. I have always drawn inspiration from nature and the unique flora and ecologies of the region. My designs celebrate the beauty and resilience of native environments, creating spaces that not only support wildlife but also to inspire people to reconnect with nature and be proud of our incredible wildlife and Australian landscapes”.
What excites Emmaline about the floral emblem
I’m excited to include a species that represents one of the many indigenous plants once abundant in this region, helping to raise awareness of our unique ecosystems and celebrate the incredible diversity of our native flora. Seeing one of these plants recognised as a floral emblem would be so wonderful. We use many of these species in our gardens every day, and I’ve long been an advocate for their inclusion, not only because they perform beautifully in the garden and cultivated landscapes, but because they also play a vital role in supporting and encouraging local wildlife.
Emmaline’s vote for the emblem
My choice is Xerochrysum palustre, swamp everlasting. A critically endangered species once widespread across the moist grasslands and wetlands of the inner and greater Melbourne regions. This bright and beautiful, pollinator-attracting plant highlights the importance of protecting and restoring our unique and degraded environments, symbolising both rare flora and threatened ecosystems.
It is a versatile plant, it can be grown successfully in pots, moist garden settings and swales. It also makes an excellent, long-lasting cut flower, and an ideal plant for promoting awareness of local conservation efforts.
What Emmaline wants you to think about when voting
Reflect on the land that once was, the rare ecosystems, the diverse wildlife this plant supports, and the deep meaning of caring for Country.
Consider how this species was cherished by First Nations Australians, and how does it represent the restoration of local ecosystems, helping to rebuild degraded landscapes, revive disused land, add to new gardens and uplift what remains.
This floral emblem stands as a symbol of our city, celebrating what makes Melbourne’s natural heritage truly unique.
Find Emmaline online
I’m Amy, an Associate Professor in Urban Horticulture. School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences (SAFES) at The University of Melbourne.
I obtained a PhD in urban ecology from The University of Melbourne in 2007. Since then, I’ve worked as a GIS Ecologist at the RBGV's Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology (2007-2016), and as the Founding Director and Principal Ecologist of bespoke consulting company Urban Ecology In Action (2017-2018), before commencing my current role at The University of Melbourne (2019-present) where I conduct research on the role of biodiversity and greenspaces in urban areas and teach the Master of Urban Horticulture at the Burnley Campus.
As an urban ecologist, I am internationally recognised for advancing understandings of how urban environments shape local plant and animal communities. My current research focuses on the intersections between biodiversity and human health and wellbeing, and how prioritising biodiversity of place can help inform the planning, design and management of urban areas to conserve and enhance biodiversity under changing climates and increasing human populations. Examples of previous collaborations include leading the biodiversity component of Metro Tunnel’s Living Infrastructure Plan, and biodiversity input and technical guidance for Living Melbourne- our metropolitan urban forest.
I have regularly collaborated with City of Melbourne urban ecology and biodiversity initiatives. I’m well versed on Melbourne’s biodiversity, which plants and animals are likely to be found in different areas of the city, how this has changed over time, and the role people can play in supporting positive outcomes for biodiversity into the future.
What excites Amy about the floral emblem
The opportunity to tell a deeper story about the biodiversity of Melbourne through the plants that are deeply connected to this place.
Amy’s vote for the emblem
My favourite plant on the short list is the native blue-bells. This plant speaks to me of resilience, adaptability and persistence. I have seen these plants growing in a crack in the sidewalk at the corner of Elgin St and Swanston St. I love that despite the changes that have been made to this landscape, nature still finds a way of reminding us it belongs here.
What Amy wants you to think about when voting
What are the stories that each plant represents and how do they resonate with your own connections to Melbourne?
Find Amy online
My expertise is not plant-based (forgive the pun): I’m a City of Melbourne resident of over 20 years and a dedicated member of the Parks & Gardens Advisory Committee. My understanding of Melbourne and its communities comes from having grown up with the city – as a student, a graduate, a corporate professional, a (dog) parent, an art lover, live music devotee and nature enthusiast.
I am currently completing a Juris Doctor Master of Laws, my background being corporate project management and commercial product development.
What excites Natasha about the floral emblem
To have a resident-voted emblem that reflects Melbourne’s unique spirit: a place where so many cultures, communities, and stories intertwine. Melbourne has a highly transient population, yet this city leaves an everlasting imprint on anyone who has called it home. An emblem can celebrate this shared connection, and how lucky we are to live in a city that actively fosters appreciation for nature, culture and community.
Natasha’s vote for the emblem
An impossible question! My top two:
Swamp everlasting
Between living in Melbourne I’ve lived interstate, in Europe and North Africa. Yet my connection to this city is everlasting and enduring. No matter where in the world I am, Melbourne stands out as a unique and special city: for its melting pot of cultures, its openness to art, music and innovation, incredible food scene and the brilliant events around the city. I think Melbourne is somewhat of an endangered species in this way – it has a spirit that is everlasting. This critically-endangered native flower beautifully captures that spirit.
Coral-pea
I mean, it’s referred to as a ‘happy wanderer’ – how much more Melbourne can you get!
The native coral-pea to me (other than being absolutely beautiful) speaks to our transient population and the incredible cultures and cultural diversity: we are a city of happy wanderers. I also see Melburnians as pragmatic, resilient and creative so love the fact this flower is utilitarian – it can be used as a dye, in food and it promotes biodiversity by attracting butterflies, pollinators and birds. A multifaceted, versatile, stunning native flower!
What Natasha wants you to think about when voting
Each native plant on this list has a story – of resilience, nourishment, biodiversity value, cultural significance. When voting, think about what Melbourne means to you: in the gardens you’ve explored, the wildlife these flowers attract, the diversity of cultures that gives our city its unique spirit. Which flower reflects this for you?
Find Natasha online
I’m Katherine an Architect, and passionate gardener. For decades I’ve been designing and shaping the built environment with the aim of enhancing people’s physical and emotional experience of space and connections. After studying and working in four countries and three other Australian capital cities, Melbourne and its unique laneways, captured my heart. I adore the vitality, rhythm, cultural diversity, energy, and opportunities of this magnificent city.
During the City of Melbourne’s 2016 pilot laneway greening project, I became Guildford Lane’s ‘accidental’ community leader and head gardener. As the benefits of greening and community building emerged, my attachment to the lane and its people deepened. During this truly transformational project, developing planted spaces became more meaningful. In 2019, my interest in Australian natives sharpened after joining the Council’s Gardens for Wildlife volunteer program to support integration of native plants throughout urban spaces.
Interestingly my relationship with Australia was sealed in 2021 at the Melbourne Town Hall during a citizenship ceremony. As part of this a Long Purple-flag native iris was presented alongside the certificate – an unforgettable gesture. So, the value and role of symbols, markers, and associations in creating powerful memories should never be underestimated.
What excites Katherine about the floral emblem
Having a native plant as a unique identifier to augment Melbourne's global recognition and to unify us with something of beauty feels important at this time in history – particularly with the focus on becoming a 'garden city'.
Katherine’s vote for the emblem
It's so hard to choose just one. I love purple, so the purple coral-pea and the chocolate lily are standouts.
The purple coral-pea flower has a hilarious face and looks like a Melbourne sports crowd when climbing all over the ground or on a fence. Useful for butterflies, tea and dyes.
The chocolate lily, because I love everything chocolate. The best part of this chocolate-scented grass with edible parts is that the small purple star flowers look like fireworks.
What Katherine wants you to think about when voting
Be curious about the symbolic attributes of the native plant. What do you imagine and what do you feel when you look at the plant? Beauty is more than the form. It's about the contribution – the plant's usefulness, and its place in nature. What associations and memories come to mind, given all that you know and love about the character of Melbourne – its vitality, resilience, vibrancy, versatility, generosity of people, ease of being in the lanes and parklands? What's the story? What's your connection?
Find Katherine online
Elder - Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
Elder - Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
I am a Traditional Owner, a direct descendant of Annie Borat, the last remaining Wurundjeri woman. My family and I have dedicated our lives to uplifting the Wurundjeri community in Melbourne.
I undertook Welcome to Country ceremonies for many years. I have welcomed dignitaries Julia Gillard and Al Gore. I have developed so many beautiful relationships with allies and key leaders. I currently am a member of the Policy & Partnerships sub-committee at the Wurundjeri Corporation. I have done lots of public speaking throughout my time.
What excites Aunty Georgina about the floral emblem
It will highlight native plants and the importance of protecting them and our environment.
Aunty Georgina's vote for the emblem
The Murnong, because of how significant it is to Wurundjeri food sources.
What Aunty Georgina wants you to think about when voting
I want them to think about out of their bodies and put themselves in Wurundjeri’s shoes. Reflecting on what it means to us, our connection to this. For everyone to share and understand how important these species are and were to our ancestors.
Find Aunty Georgina online
I am an Elder of the Wurundjeri people. I have 30-years experience as a Cultural Heritage Officer working on Country. I have learned what I know from other Elders and the knowledge passed down from our Ancestors. Back then there was much less recognition about Aboriginal rights and justice. I later moved into the excavation business, working alongside my brother Jason and as my own company. I have been undertaking Welcome and Smoking Ceremonies at Wurundjeri for over 5 years, and was previously a Director at the Wurundjeri Corporation for over 19 years.
I am extremely knowledgeable about archaeology, surveying, and Aboriginal artefact identification and management. I am a direct descendant of Uncle William Barak and Annie Borate, our esteemed Wurundjeri ancestors. I grew up in narrm (Melbourne) and the expertise I bring is my deep cultural knowledge of Country and the environment. I know the history of the Wurundjeri people and our important stories. I know of our special places and our creation stories. I also know how to date the age of trees simply by using a measuring tape.
What excites Uncle Tony about the floral emblem
Connection to Country. Will help bridge the gap in lack of understanding between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people. It will spread awareness of climate change and the need to protect and enhance native species and move away from exotic species.
Uncle Tony's vote for the emblem
Murnong because it was so significant to our people, it grew all across south-east Australia. It is iconic for us. I am also a big fan of chocolate lily due to its connection to Wurundjeri culture.
What Uncle Tony wants you to think about when voting
Understanding the story behind the plant, their connection the various species. The opportunity for education and learning. I want their selection to be meaningful for them.
For many thousands of years, the Bunurong people have cared for Country with love, ancient knowledge, spiritual connection and a vow to remain in sustainable harmony with the land. Pre-colonisation, tried and tested agricultural practices, perfected over millennia, enabled them to thrive on abundant land, creating an estate-like Country that the first European colonisers called ‘a gentleman’s park'.
1835 brought the rapid onslaught of foreign people and animals onto Bunurong Country. Ancient trees were felled, gardens of cultivated edible and medicinal plants were decimated, lush wetlands were drained, the Yarra River – Birrarung was diverted and polluted – colonisation had irrevocably altered Bunurong Country, ironically destroying the ‘gentleman’s park’ so coveted by those early land seekers.
In the spirit of reconciliation and moving forward together with a mutual respect for and deep value of nature, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation have graciously shared stories of what these plants meant to their Ancestors and to them today.
'Today, the land of our Old Ones still calls to us, and our obligations to care for Country remain as strong as ever. We acknowledge the City of Melbourne and the Indigenous Floral Emblem project as a valuable initiative to kindle that desire to care for Country within the broader community, to celebrate nature in the city, and to increase recognition of and pride in our unique and beautiful Indigenous plants.'
- a spokesperson from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
What excites Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation about the floral emblem
The possibility of the project to increase biodiversity in the urban landscape, providing support and sustenance to the pollinators - bees, butterflies and insects - so vital to a healthy ecosystem.
Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation’s vote for the emblem
All of the named plants hold important value for biodiversity and create anchor points for our native pollinators.What Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation wants you to think about when voting
Contrary to the ngamadji’s (white man’s) early observations, Bunurong Biik was not a wild, uncultivated ‘gentleman’s park’. This was a beautiful land that had been carefully, lovingly, curated and farmed by the Bunurong people over multiple millennia. Because of this, the entire ecosystem evolved uniquely - plants and animals alike - responding in kind to our Old Ones knowledgeable intervention. As much as we need our Country, our Country needs her people, having adapted and thrived through the agriculture of the Bunurong people – the tilling and aerating of soil, the purposeful and sustainable harvesting of produce, the mosaic patterning of cool burning which encouraged seed germination and resilience.
Find Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation online
