Research Scientist, Western Australian Herbarium.
0.5 FTE - taxonomic research, herbarium journal (Nuytsia) editor
0.5 FTE - botanical collections community coordinator (CCC) for the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA)
I have taxonomic expertise in the following groups: Sphaerolobium (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae), Tephrosia (Fabaceae: Millettieae), Synaphea (Proteaceae: Conospermeae) and Tetratheca (Elaeocarpaceae, formerly Tremandraceae) and have been involved in revisionary studies and phylogenetic research using both morphological and molecular characters, and conservation biology.
Butcher R (2021). Two new, orange-flowered Tephrosia (Fabaceae: Millettieae) species from the Kimberley region, in Western Australia’s monsoon tropics. Nuytsia 32, pp. 39–50
Butcher R, Cowie ID (2021). Redefinition of Tephrosia supina (Fabaceae: Millettiae), a north-west Western Australian endemic, and description of two similar species. Nuytsia 32, pp. 67–83
Butcher R (2020). Kunzea dracopetrensis (Myrtaceae: Leptospermeae), an uncommon new species from Western Australia’s south-eastern wheatbelt. Nuytsia 31, pp. 117–123
Butcher R (2020). Tephrosia cardiophylla (Fabaceae: Millettieae), a distinctive, new, conservation-listed species from Western Australia’s Kimberley sandstones. Nuytsia 31, pp. 47–51
Butcher R, Hislop M (2019). Gastrolobium sp. Harvey (G.J.Keighery 16821) (Fabaceae) is not distinct from G. capitatum. Nuytsia 30, pp. 23–24
Byrne M, Krauss SL, Millar MA, Elliott CP, Coates DJ, Yates C et al. [Binks RM, Nistelberger H, Butcher R, Barrett M, Gibson N] (2019). Persistence and stochasticity are key determinants of genetic diversity in plants associated with banded iron formation inselbergs. Biological Reviews 94, pp. 753–772
Butcher R (2018). Making it official: formal description of two orange-flowered Tephrosia (Fabaceae: Millettiae) from north-west Western Australia. Nuytsia 29, pp. 251–267
Butcher R (2018). Tephrosia pedleyi (Fabaceae: Millettiae), a new species from the west Kimberley of Western Australia. Nuytsia 29, pp. 69–73
Butcher R (2018). Treating Tephrosia (Fabaceae) for the eFlora of Australia: project progress and plans (ABSTRACT). In Mind the Gap: Australasian Systematic Botany Society 2018 Conference, Brisbane Botanic Gardens p. 52
Luu R, Butcher R, Llorens T (2018). Dwellingup synaphea (Synaphea stenoloba): interim recovery plan. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Western Australia, Interim Recovery Plan 388, 31 p.
Butcher R, van Leeuwen S, Thiele K (2017). Taxonomic studies in Tephrosia Pers. (Fabaceae) in northern Western Australia: final report for Rio Tinto Pty Ltd, Mesa A Terrestrial Offset Project. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, WA. 122 p.
Joyce EM, Butcher R, Byrne M, Grierson PF, Hankinson M, Thiele KR (2017). Taxonomic resolution of the Tetratheca hirsuta (Elaeocarpaceae) species complex using an integrative approach. Australian Systematic Botany 30, pp. 1–25
Luu R, Butcher R, Brown A (2017). Serpentine synaphea (Synaphea sp. Serpentine (G.R. Brand 103)) interim recovery plan, 2017-2022. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia, Interim Recovery Plan 380, 24 p.
Butcher R (2016). ALA: what’s waiting in the wings? (ABSTRACT). In Systematic Botany: a View From the Centre: Proceedings of the Australasian Systematic Botany Society Conference, 26-29 September, 2016, Alice Springs, Australia p. 18
Butcher R (2016). Collections community coordinator update (aka: ALA CCC FYIs). Australasian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 168/169, pp. 48–50
Butcher R, Davis R, Albrecht D, Jobson P (2016). Vascular plants report: Kiwirrkurra Indigenous Protected Area, Western Australia, 6/9/15-18/9/15. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Kensington, WA. 50 p.
Butcher R, Dillon SJ (2016). Vigna sp. central (M.E. Trudgen 1626) (Fabaceae: Phaseolae) is not distinct from V. sp. Hamersley Clay (A.A. Mitchell PRP 113). Nuytsia 27, pp. 31–32
Holland AE, Butcher R (2016). Vigna triodiophila (Fabaceae: Phaseolae), a new conservation-listed species from the Pilbara, Western Australia. Nuytsia 27, pp. 77–83
Luu R, Butcher R, Brown A (2016). Synaphea sp. Pinjarra Plain (A.S. George 17182) interim recovery plan, 2016-2021. Department of Parks and Wildlife, Western Australia, Interim Recovery Plan 363, 23 p.
Wege JA, Thiele KR, Shepherd KA, Butcher R, Macfarlane TD, Coates DJ (2015). Strategic taxonomy in a biodiverse landscape: a novel approach to maximizing conservation outcomes for rare and poorly known flora. Biodiversity and Conservation 24, pp. 17–32
Butcher R, Thiele KR (2014). An investigation of taxon boundaries in rare and range-restricted Synaphea (Proteaceae: Conosperminae) species from south-west Western Australia. Australian Systematic Botany 27, pp. 119–144
Makinson RO, Butcher R (2014). The type-host species of Puccinia cygnorum re-determined as Kunzea glabrescens (Myrtaceae). Australasian Plant Disease Notes 9, pp. 1–3
Butcher R (2013). A new, rare Tetratheca from the goldfields region.Available at https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/publications-resources/111-science-division-information-sheets. 66/2013, pp.
Butcher R, Thiele K, Tapper S-L, Byrne M (2013). The more you look, the more you find: morphology and molecules identify rare and range-restricted Synaphea R.Br. (Proteaceae) taxa from Western Australia's Swan Coastal Plain (ABSTRACT). In Systematics without Borders: 1-6 December, 2013, Sydney, Australia p. 84
Gibson N, Butcher R (2013). There are greater things in life than cricket? Tetratheca aphylla (Elaeocarpaceae), James Drummond and the exploration of the Helena and Aurora Range. Nuytsia 23, pp. 95–99
Butcher R (2012). Tackling Tephrosia (Fabaceae) in north-western Australia (ABSTRACT). In Program and Abstracts: Australasian Systematic Botany Society Conference 2012: Local Knowledge, Global Delivery: 23-28 September, Perth, Western Australia p. 22
Butcher R (2012). Tephrosia bidwillii (Fabaceae: Millettieae) does not occur in Western Australia. Nuytsia 22, pp. 41–42
Butcher R (2012). Three new species allied to the Mirbelia viminalis group (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae), from Western Australia. Nuytsia 22, pp. 75–92
Butcher R, Cockerton GTB (2012). Tetratheca spenceri (Elaeocarpaceae), a new rare and range-restricted species from the Coolgardie bioregion, Western Australia. Nuytsia 22, pp. 111–120
Butcher R, Hurter PJH (2012). Tephrosia oxalideae (Fabaceae: Millettieae), a new species from the Pilbara and Gascoyne bioregions of Western Australia. Nuytsia 22, pp. 341–349
Shepherd KA, Butcher R, Wege J (2012). Australasian Systematic Botany Society Conference 2012: Local Knowledge, Global Delivery: 23-28 September, Perth, Western Australia. Available at http://www.asbs2012perth.com/. ASBS 2012 Perth Conference Committee, Perth. 30 p.
Wege J, Butcher R, Shepherd K, Lemson K, Barrett R, Jobson P et al. [Thiele K] (eds) (2012). Program and Abstracts: Australasian Systematic Botany Society Conference 2012: Local Knowledge, Global Delivery: 23-28 September, Perth, Western Australia. ASBS 2012 Perth Conference Committee, Perth. 65 p.
Butcher R, Byrne M, Crayn D (2011). So near yet so far: evolutionary relationships among rare Tetratheca species endemic to banded ironstone ranges in Western Australia (POSTER ABSTRACT). In IBC2011, XVIII International Botanical Congress: Melbourne, Australia, 23-30 July 2011, Melbourne Congress and Exhibition Centre, Nomenclature Section, 17-22 July, 2011, University of Melbourne: Abstract Book p. 368
Davis RW, Butcher R (2011). Valid publication of Ptilotus stirlingii subsp. australis (Amaranthaceae). Nuytsia 21, pp. 31–32
Hollister C, Butcher R, Thiele K (2011). Key to Synaphea in Western Australia. Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. 1 CD-ROM
Hollister C, Lander N, Thiele K, Butcher R (2011). Keys to the Proteaceae of Western Australia. Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. 1 CD-ROM
Wege JA, Shepherd KA, Butcher R, Thiele KR (2011). Targeted taxonomy in Western Australia: positives and pitfalls (ABSTRACT). In IBC2011, XVIII International Botanical Congress: Melbourne, Australia, 23-30 July 2011, Melbourne Congress and Exhibition Centre, Nomenclature Section, 17-22 July, 2011, University of Melbourne: Abstract Book pp. 425–426
Butcher R (2010). Tetratheca sp. Mt Solus (F. Obbens 307/98) (Elaeocarpaceae) is not distinct from Tetratheca affinis. Nuytsia 20, pp. 319–320
Butcher R, Davis R, Gibson N, Wege J (2010). Weighing up the numbers: case studies in the use of numerical taxonomy for resolving conservation-listed taxa in south-west Western Australia (ABSTRACT). In Australian Network for Plant Conservation Inc.: 8th National Conference: Planning Conservation to Achieving Restoration, 28 September to 1 October 2010, Perth, W.A.: Program & Abstracts p. 19
Byrne M, Coates D, Millar M, Walker E, Yates C, Gibson N et al. [Elliott C, Butcher R, Sampson J] (2010). Conservation genetics of threatened species in the diverse flora of Western Australia (ABSTRACT). In Threatened Species Research Forum: Western Australian Ecology Centre, 9th July 2010: a Review of WA Government Research into Threatened Species p. 8
Davis RW, Butcher R (2010). Re-evaluation of Ptilotus polystachyus sens.lat. (Amaranthaceae) and creation of the new combination Ptilotus giganteus. Nuytsia 20, pp. 217–227
Davis RW, Butcher R (2010). The status of infraspecific taxa and new subspecies in Ptilotus stirlingii (Amaranthaceae). Nuytsia 20, pp. 261–270
Thiele K, Butcher R, Shepherd K, Wege J (2010). Offset C: taxonomic studies on the flora of the Burrup Peninsula and surrounding areas: Pluto terrestrial offset agreement. Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. 129 p.
Butcher R (2009). Tetratheca plumosa (Elaeocarpaceae), a new species closely allied to Tetratheca similis from south-west Western Australia. Nuytsia 19, pp. 9–16
Butcher R (2008). Platytheca anasima (Elaeocarpaceae) a new, geographically restricted species from the Whicher Range, south-west Western Australia. Nuytsia 18, pp. 31–37
Butcher R (2008). Rediscovery of Tetratheca nuda var. spartea (Elaeocarpaceae) in south-west Western Australia and elevation to specific rank. Nuytsia 18, pp. 39–47
Lander N, Butcher R (2008). The Western Australian Herbarium. PowerPoint presentation at Flora Conservation Course: Perup Forest Ecology Centre, 22-26 September, 2008. Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. 7 p.
Shepherd K, Butcher R (2008). Vale Lorraine Cobb, April 12th 1951-April 5th 2008. Australian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 135, pp. 8–11
Butcher R (2007). A report on the conservation biology of Synaphea trifolina R.Butcher ms. (=Synaphea sp. Pinjarra (R. Davis 6578)) (Proteaceae: Conospermeae), a critically endangered Pinjarra Plain endemic shrub. Department of Environment and Conservation, Kensington, WA. 89 p.
Butcher R (2007). Four new conservation-listed species of Synaphea (Proteaceae: Conospermineae) from the jarrah forest region of south-west Western Australia. Nuytsia 17, pp. 97–116
Butcher R (2007). New taxa of leafless Tetratheca (Elaeocarpaceae, formerly Tremandraceae) from Western Australia. Australian Systematic Botany 20, pp. 139–160
Butcher R (2007). Tetratheca exasperata and T. phoenix (Elaeocarpaceae), two new conservation-listed species allied to T. setigera, from south-west Western Australia. Nuytsia 17, pp. 117–126
Butcher R (2007). Tetratheca pilata (Elaeocarpaceae), a new and apparently rare species from the Ongerup area of south-west Western Australia. Nuytsia 17, pp. 127–133
Butcher R, Byrne M, Crayn DM (2007). Evidence for convergent evolution among phylogenetically distant rare species of Tetratheca (Elaeocarpaceae, formerly Tremandraceae) from Western Australia. Australian Systematic Botany 20, pp. 126–138
Butcher R, Markey AS (2007). Persoonia manotricha (Proteaceae: Persoonioideae), a new species associated with banded iron formation ranges in the midwest region, Western Australia. Nuytsia 17, pp. 135–146
Wege JA, Shepherd KA, Butcher R (2007). Preface. Nuytsia 17, p. i
Wege JA, Shepherd KA, Butcher R (2007). Special edition of Nuytsia launched. Australian Systematic Botany Society Newsletter 133, pp. 42–43
Butcher R (2006). Synaphea xela (Proteaceae: Conosperminae), a new species from the Jurien-Eneabba area of south-west Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 89, pp. 123–127
Butcher R, Wege J, Shepherd K (2006). Vale Jennifer Anne Chappill: July 26th, 1959-August 8th, 2006. 129, pp. 6–11
Butcher R, Sage LW (2005). Tetratheca fordiana (Elaeocarpaceae), a new species from the Pilbara of Western Australia. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia 88, pp. 73–76
Coates DJ, Patrick S, Butcher R (2005). Drummond to DNA: evolutionary patterns and conservation of the southwest flora. Curtin University of Technology, Department of Environmental Biology, Bulletin 27, pp. 63–76
Butcher R (2004). A survey of gazetted and proposed declared rare species of Synaphea (Proteaceae) occurring on the Pinjarra plain. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Woodvale, WA. 141 p.
Butcher R, Byrne M, Coates D (2002). A study of molecular and morphological variation within and between Tetratheca (Tremandraceae) from Windarling and Die Hardy Ranges, Coolgardie District, W.A.. Department of Conservation and Land Management, 63 p.
Rozefelds AC, Butcher R, Murray W (2002). The species of Sphaerolobium (Fabaceae) in Tasmania. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 136, pp. 153–158
Butcher R (2001). Sphaerolobium benetectum (Leguminosae: Mirbelieae), a new species from south- west Western Australia. Nuytsia 13, pp. 449–455
Butcher R, Byrne M, Coates D (2001). DNA sequence variation in the declared rare species Tetratheca aphylla, T. paynterae and T. harperi (Tremandraceae): report submitted to Portman Iron Ore. Department of Conservation and Land Management, Kensington. 28 p.
Butcher R, Chappill JA (2001). Sphaerolobium macranthum (Leguminosae: Mirbelieae) complex revised. Australian Systematic Botany 14, pp. 155–173
Butcher R (2000). Synaphea brachyceras (Proteaceae: Conospermeae), new species from the Arthur River area in south-west Western Australia. Nuytsia 13, pp. 265–271
Butcher R (1998). Sphaerolobium pubescens and Sphaerolobium rostratum (Leguminosae: Mirbelieae), a new species from Western Australia. Nuytsia 12, pp. 171–178