French, Christopher J.   (fl. 1990s-2020s)

Chris French is a semi-retired Chemical Engineer with experience in the energy industry in Australia, starting c. 1983.

He is an amateur photographer who developed an interest in wildflower photography in South Australia before moving to Western Australia in 1987 and joining the Western Australian Native Orchid Study and Conservation Group.

He soon developed a keen interest in native orchids, quickly recognising there were many unnamed taxa, particularly in Diuris and Pterostylis.

He has collaborated closely with David Jones, undertaking extensive field studies leading to the description of new species of Pterostylis and Diuris.

Chris also has a keen interest in native lilies and other petaloid monocots, particularly Wurmbea and Thysanotus where he has collaborated with Terry Macfarlane.

Thelymitra frenchii was first formally described in 2004 by Jeff Jeanes from a specimen collected near Jarrahdale and the description was published in Muelleria. The specific epithet (frenchii) honours "Christopher (Chris) J. French" for his assistance to the author.

Source: Extracted from:
Author details: A. Brown; K.Dixon; C.French; G. Brockman; 'Field Guide to the Orchids of Western Australia' (2013), Simon Nevil Pub.
Portrait Photo: seeking portrait.

Collecting localities for 'French, C.J.' from AVH (2025)

Data from 4,451 specimens