Ellen Heine


Ellen Minna Bleakly was a New Zealand-born botanist, photographer, and painter. As a botanist, Heine made contributions to research into the relationship between New Zealand insects and native flowers. She also undertook research into brown seaweeds in the genus Xiphophora. Photographs created by Heine are held in the collection of the National Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Of particular historical interest are the photographs she took of the University of Canterbury's Cass Field Station.

Early life and education

She was educated at Victoria [University of Wellington|Victoria University College] where she graduated with a Master of Science degree with honours in botany in 1929.