Book Review: Phytochemistry of Australia’s Tropical Rainforest
Book Review by Glenn Leiper
Phytochemistry of Australia’s Tropical Rainforest
by Cheryll J Williams
Published by CSIRO Publishing,
584 pages, slightly shorter than A4 size, hardback
RRP $260
Firstly, let me say that I initially felt out of my depth writing this review, as this book’s specialist topic is almost overwhelming in its breadth and detail. However, as I delved into it, I found it incredibly interesting and thought-provoking, and realised I had to bring this book to native plant enthusiasts’ attention.
While the author Cheryll Williams isn’t a chemist or botanist, she has qualifications in related disciplines and her writing and attention to detail, makes it obvious to readers that she is passionate and knowledgeable about the topic. Her research has been extraordinary with references saturating every page, (3,654 references in fact), bringing elements of history and exciting revelations and discoveries into the mix that enhance the readers’ interest. In recent years, Cheryll Williams has published five other books on plants with medicinal properties, and this book complements those well.
There are 13 chapters which include copious interesting information about the following – the rainforest laurels (Cryptocarya, Beilschmiedia, Endiandra, Cinnamomum, Litsea, Cassytha, etc), the primitive Trimeniaceae family, Annonaceae (Polyalthia, Meiogyne, Fitzalania, Melodorum, Cananga, etc), Podocarpaceae (Prumnopitys, Podocarpus) and Cupressaceae (Callitris), Monimiaceae (Wilkiea, Palmeria, etc), Gymnosperms (Cycads, Bowenia, Araucaria, Wollemi Pine, Agathis, etc), Proteaceae (Grevillea, Macadamia, Helicia, Triunia, Cardwellia, Hicksbeachia, etc), Euphorbs (Fontainea and relatives), Eupomatia, Idiospermum, Myristica (Nutmegs), Elaeocarpaceae, Apocynaceae (Ochrosia, Neisosperma, Alstonia), Spices (Piper, Tasmannia, Backhousia, Mentha, Persicaria, Peperomia, etc), Birthworts (Aristolochia and Pararistolochia), Ferns (including tassel ferns and Lycopodium), aquatic plants (Nymphaea, Brasenia, Nelumbo) and others including Zieria, Toona, Duboisia, Limnophila, Curcuma,
Tylophora and Solanum.
The book is primarily about Australia’s tropical rainforest plants, but the author extends her coverage often to other species outside this climatic zone and habitat type.
I couldn’t help but read the feature boxes that she uses on many pages to add information and associated research details. Not only is there copious information about all known aspects of native plant chemistry, but there are also details on similar or allied exotic species with plenty of references to their use by Indigenous peoples in Australia and around the world, and for the purposes they were used. This is backed up by research data on the chemical make-up of these plants and the known and potential benefits of them as well.
There’s much interesting reading on topics such as essential oil extracts, anti-tumour and anti-cancer activity and alkaloids, smoke stimulants for seed germination, medicinal smoke with antimicrobial properties, and antibacterial information. The author emphasises how little we still know about certain plants’ pharmacology although for closely related overseas species there’s already an accumulated wealth of knowledge. It seems we’re still only scratching the surface in our quest for knowledge about the pharmacological and medicinal potential of our native species. The author warns that time could be running out for research on many of the tropical rainforest species because of the rapid destruction of habitat across fast 'developing' countries in tropical regions such as South America, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. Accordingly, she emphasises the need to conserve our remaining rainforest communities to ensure preservation of biodiversity and the potential benefits to mankind.
I recommend this weighty and incredibly interesting book to anyone with an interest in plants. The wealth of information presented is impressive and well presented.
Australian Native Nutmeg Myristica insipida aril wrapped seed in fruit pod. Photo Craig Nieminski. Image from the book published by CSIRO Publishing.
Book Review Published: Journal September 2022