Taplin, Rosemary L.   (fl.1980s - 2000s)

Born in ?.

She became the tireless expert person who did plant ID's for the public stationed in the public area of the SA Herbarium, and was also a key ID person for commercial and government surveys etc.

Together with her husband Roger Taplin, from the early days of Personal Computer use, they created a very early, invaluable computing Tool called the Florlist system that enabled workers to create, record, and store their site plantlists, complete with regional Conservation Ratings. Many mourned the day they were not able to continue updating the system.

Rosemary was a volunteer with the State Herbarium working on plant identification and incorporation for over 32 years. From 1993 responsible for the families of Juncaceae and Cyperaceae. As staff numbers reduced, she became in charge of 12 families. Rosemary also did plant identification when the public came into the herbarium with specimens.

In 1987 Rosemary met Denzel Murfet when local conservationist Rudy Schuetze insisted a vegetation survey should be done on all roads slated for closure. Roadside and Railway Corridor Vegetation Surveys were then carried out first in the area around Strathalbyn then across the Fleurieu Peninsula. Both Denzel and Rosemary were part of this herculean effort over 5 years.

Over the period 1980's-2000 Denzel and Rosemary took part in 14 surveys across SA mostly together as a team, starting in the Murray Mallee, then in the Western Murraylands, Mid-north, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Eyre Peninsula, APY Lands, and finally the Gawler-Craton (Yellabinna) which required access by helicopter.

She had a close association with artist and naturalist Kath Alcock, and stayed on her property during plant surveys in the south-east of the state.

Together with David Symon, she worked on the early history of plant nurseries in South Australia.

In 2022, together with Denzel Murfet she was awarded the Nature Conservation Award by the Field Naturalists Society of South Australia.

Source: Extracted from:
The South Australian Naturalist Vol. 96, Nos 1&2 (2025) p.35-48
Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens 26 (2013) 71-96
Portrait Photo: none known.

Collecting localities for 'Taplin, R.L.' from AVH (2025)

Data from 6,878 specimens