Rare New Zealand Plant Gets Second Chance

Why this is here: Only two Craspedia argentia plants remained in the wild before conservationists began a program that ultimately produced about 300 seedlings for replanting.

Conservationists in New Zealand are planting about 250 Craspedia argentia seedlings at Mahaka Katia Scientific Reserve in Central Otago. The woollyhead herb nearly disappeared, dwindling to only two plants in the wild. Department of Conservation ecologist Richard Ewans initiated a breeding program after observing the plant’s decline within the protected reserve.

Botanist Geoffrey Rogers noted that the plant’s pollination network had broken down, yielding only three seeds in one season. Staff at the Dunedin Botanic Garden then spent two years hand-pollinating flowers and carefully growing the seedlings. Apprentice Jess Freeman and botanist Tom Myers were among those nurturing the plants, while home-based propagator Dhana Pillai helped acclimate them to the local climate.

Researchers successfully produced around 300 seedlings from the initial 800 seeds. They will monitor the new plants closely with trail cameras and monthly visits. Saving this species is part of a larger effort to restore the entire ecosystem at the reserve.