Book
Costermans, L. F. 1998. Native Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern Australia. Rev. ed., repr. with addendum, 1998. Sydney: Lansdowne.
Description
Native Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern Australia embraces an area that stretches from the Flinders and Mt Lofty Ranges in South Australia, across Victoria and southern New South Wales to the NSW South Coast.
It records the land and its vegetation in a scientifically accurate, but accessible, style. Virtually all species of native trees and larger shrubs in this area are described, and their occurrences are related to the features of their environment, events of the past, geology, landforms, soil, and climatic conditions. The brief descriptions of places of special interest, as well as the eight regional ‘guide-lists’ that cover the coast, hills and ranges, high-mountain country, and various inland areas, assist anyone exploring such regions to identify the trees and shrubs. [Editor’s note: This is the description for the newest publication released in 2009.]( New Holland Publishers | Native Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern Australia)
Parts, chapters and sections
Preface vi
Acknowledgments vii
- Processes which Shape the Land Geological and Evolutionary History p. 6
- Geological and evolutionary history p. 7
- Origins and Distribution of Australian Flora p. 14
- The Importance of the Soil p. 15
- Some Principles of Plant Ecology p. 18
- The Far South-cast p. 23
- Around the Pigeon House p. 26
- Mount Buffalo p. 28
- The High Country p. 31
- *The Prom’ p. 32
- Fire and Forests p. 34
- The Grampians p. 36
- Wyperfeld p. 38
- The Flinders Ranges p. 40
- A Common and Widespread Species p. 44
- B Taller Forests and Moist Valleys of the Ranges p. 58
- C Near-coastal NSW and East Gippsland p. 66
- D Higher Mountain Country p. 84
- E Inland Slopes p. 94
- F The South-western Area p. 104
- G The Semi-arid Inland p. 121
- H The Coast p. 134
- Descriptions in Family Sequence p. 142
- The Wattles p. 295
- The Eucalypts p. 329
- The Mallee Eucalypts p. 373
Glossary p. 400
Abbreviations p. 407
Index p. 409
About the Author
Leon Costermans has been working as a botanist and botanical illustrator. He is known for his work on the identification of eucalypts. Among others, he illustrated his book Native trees and shrubs of south-eastern Australia. For much of his career he lectured at the State College of Victoria and Monash University. For many years he has led field studies and vegetation surveys, and enthusiastically shared his expertise with environmental and community groups. (Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation| Costermans, Leon Francis (1933 – ))
Leon Costermans: Eucalypt Australia, Field Trip 2025
Where to find
The South Australian public library network holds multiple copies. Although not within Alexandrina libraries, it is available as an inter-library loan: See Source at Libraries SA.
Where to buy
Value(s) is available through the publishing house, local bookstores, and online resellers.
Additional information
How geology impacts plants – gardening australia
This 9 minute video discusses how geology influences the plants on the surface of Australia with host Millie Ross from Gardening Australia (2025) and Leon Costermans, geologist and botanist.
References
- Encyclopaedia of Australian Science and Innovation 2024, Costermans, Leon Francis (1933 – ) OAM, viewed on 20 May, 2026, <https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P005269b.htm>. This page provides a professional biographical account of Lean Costermans’ work as a botanical artist, botanist and geologist.
- Australian Government 2025, Costermans, Leon. F. (1933 – ), viewed on 20 May, 2026, <https://www.anbg.gov.au/biography/costermans-leon.html#:~:text=Botanist%20and%20botanical%20illustrator.,and%20holidays%20hiking%20and%20camping.>. This page is a biography of Leon Costermans.
- Gardening Australia 2025, How Geology Impacts Plants | Discovery | Gardening Australia, viewed on 20 May, 2026, <https://youtu.be/RecH4eWkktc?si=OjeFowfqD9ST1_yD>. This 9 minute video discusses how geology influences the plants on the surface of Australia with host Millie Ross from Gardening Australia and Leon Costermans, geologist and botanist.
- WorldCat 2026, Native trees and shrubs of south-eastern Australia, viewed on 20 May, 2026, <https://search.worldcat.org/title/222559065>. This page provides information about the book by Leon Costermans