Betsy Rivers JackesAM (born 1935) is an Australian botanist, researcher, taxonomist and author.[2][3] Her research interests are the plants in the families Myrsinaceae and Vitaceae.[4]
Jackes initially began work as a tutor in botany at UNE in 1957, before taking on the same role at the University of Queensland (UQ) in 1963.[5] From 1973 through to 2018 she was a lecturer at James Cook University (JCU) in Townsville, Queensland, where she headed the Tropical Plant Sciences Department, and was deputy head of the School of Tropical Biology.[1][5] She is the author (or co-author) of many papers, articles, and environmental consultancy reports,[1] and has published a number of books.
On Thursday, 24 March 2021, Jackes was presented one of the highest JCU awards, a Doctor of Science honoris causa, the sixth awardee for that degree at the university.[8][9] This was for her sustained contributions to discovering and cataloguing tropical flora in northern Queensland, continued work with plant systematics and the ecology of the tropical flora.
As of 31 August 2021[update], the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) list 43 species of plants that were authored by her.[13] The following is a list of those with articles on this wiki:
Betsy's wattle (Acacia jackesiana (Pedley)), a north Queensland floral native with a limited range west and north of Townsville;[14][15] and
the fossilisedCissocarpus jackesiae (Rozefelds)[16] (also listed as Cissocarpus jackesii), a species of grape in the family Vitaceae native to Australia. The genus Cissocarpus was formed with the grouping of seeds from the Oligocenesilcretes.[17]
Jackes, Betsy R. (1996). A guide to the plants of the Burra Range. Townsville, Qld: Dept of Botany, James Cook University of North Queensland. ISBN0864435843.
Jackes, Betsy R. (1990). Plants of the tropical rainforest. Townsville, Qld., Australia: Botany Dept, James Cook University of North Queensland. ISBN086443359X.
Jackes, Betsy R. (2001). Plants of the tropics : rainforest to heath ; an identification guide. Townsville, Qld: James Cook University, School of Tropical Biology. ISBN0864436858.
Jackes, Betsy R. (1992). Poisonous plants in Northern Australian gardens including plants with irritant properties. Townsville, Qld: Botany Dept, James Cook University of North Queensland. ISBN0864433875.
^Live Stream of the 24 March – 3.00PM 2022 Graduation ceremony. Townsville, Queensland: James Cook University. 24 March 2022. Event occurs at 1:43:35. Retrieved 16 April 2022. Chancellor, James Cook University wishes to recognise Professor Betsy Jackes for her exceptional and enduring contributions to scholarship, community engagement, culture, achievements and sustained contributions at service to the university. Professor Betsy Jackes is an internationally-renowned botanist, researcher, taxonomist and author, who has devoted her professional life to discovering and cataloguing tropical flora in northern Queensland. For more than 50 years, Professor Jackes has been a passionate academic member of JCU, inspiring the next generation of botanists by sharing her extensive knowledge.
^"Species profile—Acacia jackesiana". Department of Environment and Science. The State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Science). 8 March 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
^CARPENTER, Raymond J; HILL, Robert S; GREENWOOD, David R; PARTRIDGE, Alan D; BANKS, Meredith A (2004). "No snow in the mountains: Early Eocene plant fossils from Hotham Heights, Victoria, Australia". Australian Journal of Botany. 52 (6): 685–718. doi:10.1071/BT04032.