Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens bring you the fascinating, weird and beautiful world of the small forests and carpets of the forgotten flora
An exhibition from the State Botanical Collection, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Hidden in Plain View — the forgotten flora introduces a fascinating insight into the weird and beautiful world of the small carpets and forests fungi, lichens, mosses, liverworts and hornworts, It highlights their incredible diversity of form and colour on both macroscopic and microsopic levels, provoking reactions and emotions that are expressed in a variety of media. Ausiences are enticed to investigate the influence of the forgotten flora on their daily lives through curiosities, rarities and everyday items. Come and discover the fascinating and bizarre world of these organisms and how they have triggered the imagination of artists.
Teachers are invited to join a free professional development workshop where experts will share their knowledge of fungi, lichens, mosses, liverworts and hornworts. The education material supporting the exhibition will be explained and available for purchase. For more information and bookings please contact Ro Noone, Education Officer, Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens, 5222 6053.
Discover the magic created with simple paint and water through the artistry of botanical illustrators who capture the beauty of the hidden flora. See these amazing plants through the eyes of an artist who not only captures the essence of a plant, but documents it for scientific purposes.
Explore the fabulous world of fungi through stories about the discovery of Australian fungi by our early plant hunters and well as personal stories of hunting and gathering wild mushrooms. Discover the culinary uses of some of the more intriguing varieties and prepare to be inspired.
Have some fun with marvellous mushrooms! See how easy it is to cook mushrooms alfresco and taste the freshness of this versatile food. Be inspired to grow your own mushrooms and try some new recipes at home. The whole family will enjoy this fun activity. Why not bring a picnic to enjoy in the gardens afterwards.
Hidden in Plain View features origional botanical paintings, historical and contemporary illustrations (J.D.Hooker, C.Rosser), correspondence (Ferdinand Mueller's letters 1880s), historic and contemporary books, Mueller's microscope (c.1890), and herbarium specimens from the State Botanical Collection. Many of the items in the exhibition are rarely made publicly accessible due to their precious and fragile nature. Be inspired by the stories behind some of the extraordinary people who collected, illstrated or researched these cryptic organisms and take a look at their personal tools, journals and letters.
Join our experienced guides as they reveal some of the hidden secrets of the Geelong Botanic Gardens. See and touch some of the fascinating plants which often go unnoticed in the gardens.
Be surprised by the weird and wonderful stories of the Hidden Flora. Discover what a fairy ring is, why wet forests look spooky and green, and what moss has to do with the Tryolean iceman.