Greening of Gondwana. Mary E. White. 1986.

The 400 million year story of Australia’s plants.

The Australian continent was once part of the great supercontinent known as Gondwana, which comprised all the major southern landmasses. By the time Australia finally severed its last Gondwanan links with Antarctica 50 million years ago, a modern aspect flora was already established and rainforests covered most of the land.

Relict rainforests still remaining in Australia are remnants of this ancient and once widespread vegetation. These plants were the ancestors of the unique Australian flora which evolved in isolation as the continent moved slowly northwards to the position it occupies today.

Greening of Gondwana tells the fascinating story of Australia's floral heritage, from its genesis through to the last stages of evolution, and the changes that have come with intrusions such as the arrival of the white man with crops of exotic plants.