Neville B. Bonney OAM (born in 1939) is a South Australian pioneering native plant expert, ethnobotanist and published author of some 20 texts on Australian native plants (see bibliography).
A seed collector, plant propagator and has previously owned and operated a native plant nursery, he has extensive knowledge in farming plants for timber, flowers, wild foods, firewood and other purposes.
In 2021 he published From One Small Seed a Forest Is Born, a comprehensive guide to Australian native plants and their seeds, covering more than 700 species from 63 families and 240 genera.
His most recent book Treasures from the Australian Bush, was published in 2026 and focused on economically useful native Australian plants.
Bonney is an advocate for the commercialisation of "useful" indigenous flora, including wattleseed and has promoted the production and development of markets for "bush foods" in Australia and beyond.
In 2023 Bonney was a recipient of the South Australian Environment Awards Lifetime Achiever, and in February 2024 he was featured in Indaily in an article covering his life and work.
In 2026 Bonney was awarded an OAM for his service to conservation and the environment, and to the community.
As an in-demand speaker and educator, Neville continues to engage community across the country on seed collection, local plant identification, and commercial and traditional uses for native plants
Bibliography TitleRolePublisherYearISBNThe Tantanoola tigerAuthorLynton Publications19760869462326An introduction to the identification of native flora in the lower south east of South AustraliaAuthorSouth East Community College, Dept. of Further Education19770724391088Tantanoola 1879-1979Co-authorThe South Eastern Times19790959543600Trees of the south-east of South Australia : a sketchbook for identificationAuthorInstitute of Foresters, South Eastern Branch1982Carpenter Rocks and beyondAuthorNeville Bonney19870731614879Common plants of the CoorongAuthorPioneer Design Studio19880731662873Seeding for tomorrow's forestAuthorGreening Australia1992Common plants of the Flinders RangesAuthor19930646154060What seed is that? : a field guide to the identification, collection and germination of native seed in South AustraliaAuthorGreening Australia19940646198203Native plant uses of Southern South AustraliaAuthorSouth East Book Promotions Group19940646180924Direct seeding native vegetation on various soil types within South Australia : a report and recommendationsCo-authorGreening Australia1995A greener South Australia : a report on trees and shrubs established in South Australia between 1989 and 1995AuthorGreening Australia1996Economic native trees and shrubs for South AustraliaAuthorGreening Australia19970646331531Common native plants of the Coorong region : identification, propagation, historical usesAuthorAustralian Plants Society20040646442074Australian seeds : a guide to their collection, identification and biologyAuthorCSIRO Publishing20069780643092983The effect of sowing season on the reliability of direct seedingAuthorRural Industries Research and Development Corporation20071741515025Adnyamathanha and beyond : useful plants of an ancient landAuthorAustralian Plants Society20079780980301304The Rocks : les CharpentiersCo-authorLeonie O'Meara20099780646508665Knowing growing eating : edible wild native plants for southern AustraliaAuthorNeville Bonney20109780646544106What native plant is that? : Identifying and growing native vegetation in the south east of South AustraliaAuthorSouth East Natural Resources Management Board20109780646529592Jewel of the Australian desert: native peach (quandong); the tree with the round red fruitAuthorNeville Bonney20139780646911045Sheoaks. Wind Harps from the Desert to the SeaAuthorNeville Bonney20169780646960371Knowing, Growing Acacia for Food and ConservationAuthorNeville Bonney20189780648390030From One Small Seed - A Forest is Born AuthorNeville Bonney20219780648390039Ancient Flora ot the Northern Flinders RangesAuthorNeville Bonney20239780645870831Treasures from the Australian BushAuthorNeville Bonney20269781764539364
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