John Jessop developed an interest in grasses some 35 years ago. On joining the staff of the State Herbarium of South Australia in 1974 he took responsibility for the curation of the family and contributed much of the treatment of them for two editions of the Flora of South Australia, collaborating with Gilbert Dashorst on the second of those editions and on The Plants of the Adelaide Plains and Hills. In his retirement he continues to help with the grasses at the Herbarium.
Gilbert R.M. Dashorst trained at the Adelaide School of Art (South Australia) and has been the scientific illustrator at the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium since 1983. He is responsible for illustrating plant material for scientific research publications in Australia and overseas, handbooks and guides, and education literature. He is widely known for the high standard and wide range of techniques he brings to bear on his art. His best-known work was for The Plants of the Adelaide Plains and Hills.
Even before Fiona M. James left school, she had become interested in botanical art and acquired some experience by working for a short while with Gilbert Dashorst on illustrating a handbook called Citrus for Everyone for the Botanic Gardens of Adelaide (South Australia). She has undertaken courses at the Adelaide Central School of Art, but interrupted her studies at the Adelaide Institute to work full time on this book.