Documentation of the algal flora of Australia had its beginnings in the
seventeenth century and has progressed sporadically but with increasing vigour
ever since. Earlier studies dealing with Australian algae were undertaken by
overseas phycologists working with specimens collected during scientific
voyages or short visits. Recent floristic studies have concentrated on
specific regions, isolated localities, or particular taxonomic or ecological
groupings. The algal flora of Australia is unevenly documented: northern
Australia remains largely uncollected for seaweeds and marine phytoplankton,
freshwater algal sampling sites are eclectically scattered across Australia,
and collecting of terrestrial algae has been almost completely neglected. At
present, numbers and names of species reported from Australia can only be
provisional, and an immense amount of floristic and revisionary work is needed
before we can match our current knowledge of the vascular plant flora. Until
recently, documentation of records was poor and voucher material seldom
adequate. We recommend extensive collecting, thorough taxonomic revisions, and
regular contribution to Floras and guidebooks. A critical corollary is the
training and employment of systematic phycologists in Australian herbaria and
universities. Only then can we follow the path that leads ‘beyond the
Floras’.
First generic record of aero-terrestrial algae Apatococcus lobatus (Chodat) J.B.Petersen for algal flora of Nepal