Peter Jobson

Peter Jobson is an Information Botanist at the Australian Botanic Gardens Mount Annan. Having obtained a BSc (Hons) from La Trobe University Melbourne and an MSc from James Cook University Townsville, Peter plays a crucial role in managing the Botanical Information Service and facilitating updates and improvements on PlantNET, the electronic Flora of New South Wales database. 

With extensive expertise in Australian flora, Peter possesses a broad knowledge of species identification and a deep understanding of the literature in the field, including his research on the egg and bacon pea genus, Dillwynia. Additionally, Peter has a keen interest in the biogeography of the Australian flora, particularly in arid Australia, and the sandstone flora of the Monsoon tropics. 

A typical day involves identifying specimens and addressing inquiries related to PlantNET. As the manager of the Botanical Information Service team, Peter collaborates with his colleagues to solve complex identification puzzles and utilises the herbarium collections to gain insights into species variation. 

What Peter enjoys most about his job is the variety of queries he receives from the public and clients, which allows him to engage in detective work to identify lesser-known species and investigate close species relationships. Providing accurate answers to assist enquirers brings him great satisfaction. 

His passion lies in studying the flora of NSW, exploring the diversity of species and the patterns of their distribution. He finds joy in delving into specific plant groups, understanding their unique features, and contributing valuable information to enhance the collections and meet the needs of stakeholders. 

One of Peter's best memories was being landed by a helicopter on the summit of The Pilot, southwest of Mt Kosciuszko. As the first European botanists to explore the area, the experience was truly magical, offering breathtaking views and the opportunity to enumerate the species present. 

Peter has an appreciation for plant communities such as montane or alpine herbfields, heathlands, savannah grasslands, and mallee woodlands, where he finds immense happiness and fulfilment. 

Volunteer work during a university summer break solidified Peter’s passion for botany and his desire to pursue a career in the field when he was mentored by Jim Ross, then-Chief Botanist of Victoria at the National Herbarium of Victoria.  

Looking to the future of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Peter aspires to have a new and advanced version of PlantNET up and running within the next five years.