Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Protecting endangered Grey Billy Buttons with help of Latrobe City Council and other local organisations

Latrobe City's protection and propagation of endangered plant species 'Grey Billy Buttons'.

By news@gippsland - 2nd March 2023 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council in partnership with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action along with Regional Roads Victoria has been managing a critically endangered population of Grey Billy Buttons locally. The species was found during roadside native vegetation assessments and determined that previous roadside slashing regimes threatened the long-term viability of the flowers as they did not have an opportunity to set seed.

Grey Billy Buttons are yellow globular flowers with leaves mainly at base in a rosette, evenly grey-green with long fine white hairs on top, sparsely whitish hairy underneath

Positive environmental outcome

Under the current project, a change in roadside slashing has been set, where the flowers are located, to allow them to seed naturally. The Royal Botanic Gardens and Latrobe Valley Gunaikurnai NRM crew have now collected a small amount of Grey Billy Button seed for propagation purposes.

Mayor of Latrobe City, Councillor Kellie O'Callaghan said the project was a great example of several local agencies working together for positive environmental outcomes. "We are really proud to be working on this project with a range of local organisations and to see that our efforts are already making a difference for these flowers."

"It is hoped that through the project additional populations of the Grey Billy Buttons will be eventually established across the region in areas they would have once occurred naturally," said the Mayor.

Pictures from Grasslands website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com