Less than 40 plants of the Critically Endangered Caladenia ancylosa (Genoa spider orchid) remain in two populations in the wild.
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) scientists have been growing more than 200 seedlings this year from seed collected post the 2020 mega fires. Seed has been grown symbiotically with mycorrhizal fungi which is required for germination.
RBGV and La Trobe University Scientists this Spring will be doing pollinator studies, to locate suitable sites for future translocations and unravel any pollinator sharing that may occur with closely related species. Surveys for this species are planned in East Gippsland this Spring as part of the ‘Preventing the extinction of Victoria’s threatened flora project’ led by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.
Caladenia ancylosa seeds – Credit: Noushka Reiter
This research is funded by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action‘s Nature Fund.
The ‘Preventing the extinction of Victoria’s threatened flora’ project is led by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in partnership with La Trobe University, Australian Network for Plant Conservation, DEECA, Trust for Nature, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, Nillumbik Shire, ENVITE, Bairnsdale & District Field Naturalists Club, Friends of the Grampians Gariwerd, WAMA Botanic Gardens, Halls Gap Botanic Gardens and the Australasian Native Orchid Society Victorian Branch.
Feature image – Credit: Noushka Reiter