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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

The Westonbirt Orchid Medal goes to Canberra’s Mark Clements

LEADING Australian orchid expert Dr Mark Clements has been awarded the prestigious Westonbirt Orchid Medal, from the Royal Horticulture Society in the United Kingdom.

Mark works at the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research, a joint initiative between Parks Australia’s Australian National Botanic Gardens and CSIRO.

Director of the National Research Collections Australia Dr Andrew Young said the medal was a well-deserved honour.

“Mark’s work in the field of orchid research is quite phenomenal, and his passion is well-known. His career spans four decades and in that time he has discovered about 250 new species of Australian orchids and curated tens of thousands of specimens,” Andrew said.

“He has dedicated his career to a better understanding of, and appreciation for, orchid biology, systematics and evolution, publishing over 100 scientific papers on the subject.

“His understanding of plant biology has enabled him to contribute significantly to the conservation of threatened species, particularly the lady slipper orchid which he helped rescue from extinction while working at Kew Gardens in the 1980s.

“Orchids manifest as some of the most breathtaking shapes, colours and forms – ducks, monkeys, birds and even people. Some spend their life underground, others grow high up in trees, many mimic scents of animals to trick male flowers into pollinating them. As highly sensitive and complex plants they play an integral role in a healthy eco-system.”

Director of National Parks, Sally Barnes said Dr Clements’ contribution to the understanding of the biodiversity, biology and conservation of Australian orchids has been significant.

“Mark began his career at the Australian National Botanic Gardens before moving to the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research,” Sally said.

“Our tropical conservatory displays rare and threatened species of orchids from around Australasia and the world, and many of these specimens were first collected by Mark and his teams. Without Mark we would not have the dazzling displays visitors flock to see each spring.

“We’re honoured to have passionate and dedicated individuals in our nation’s scientific institutions, and it’s a pleasure to see their work recognised in such prestigious company as the Royal Horticulture Society.

The Royal Horticulture Society Westonbirt Orchid Medal is awarded annually to an individual for any scientific, literary or any other outstanding personal achievement in connection with orchids.

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