More than 300 specimens of the endangered Bomaderry Zieria plant, many propagated at Wollongong’s Botanic Garden, have been planted out in their native habitat in a bid to help secure the species’ future.
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The plant, which grows about 80cm high, is only found in one location northeast of Nowra. It has been the target of a collaboration between several organisations under the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program. Evidence suggests it had lost the ability to naturally reproduce.
“This planting is important as research shows a 60 per cent decline since 1997 in the number of emergent stems of this plant,” Office of Environment and Heritage senior threatened species officer Kylie Coutts-McClelland said.
“As well as being rare, this plant is highly unusual because it doesn’t set seed, as other plants usually do.
“All evidence collected to date suggests that this plant species has lost its ability to naturally reproduce, so the planting event is an important step to help secure the Bomaderry Zieria from extinction in NSW.
“We are looking at whether we can increase the survival rates of plants we re-introduce from botanic gardens’ collections into the wild through additional watering and fencing to protect against browsers such as wallabies.
“We look forward to monitoring these plants and will continue to work with our local partners to help ensure this beautiful plant flowers for many more years to come.”
The Bomaderry Zieria is one of many endangered species being addressed as part of the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program. The program provides conservation projects that set out the actions required to save specific plants and animals from extinction.
The Bomaderry Zieria is a very pretty plant and is covered in clover-like leaves with velvety hairs. It also produces small pinkish-white flowers during winter and spring.
