Australian National Botanic Gardens: 50 Years

Overview

There are currently more than 140 botanical gardens and arboreta (specialising in trees) in all states and territories of Australia. It has been estimated that 5.6 million people, or 44 per cent of Australian adults, visit a botanic garden at least once every year.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens occupy around 90 hectares on Black Mountain, Canberra. The gardens were planned in the 1930s at a location in Canberra and in September 1949 the first trees were ceremonially planted. After development of the site, facilities and the living collection, the gardens were opened to the public in 1967; and in October 1970, they were officially opened by Prime Minister John Gorton. Today, the gardens contain the world’s largest living collection of Australian native flora. Its extensive collection includes around 75,000 plants from more than 6,000 species.

The gardens comprise a major scientific, educational and recreational resource. They are recognised for their role in scientific and horticultural research and for their contribution to the understanding, conservation and use of Australian plants. The gardens and CSIRO jointly manage the Australian National Herbarium — the world’s largest collection of Australian plant specimens that supports research into the taxonomic and evolutionary origins of Australian plants.

The two plants featured on the stamps in this issue are representative of the native flora grown in the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Technical specifications