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Roadside vegetation reveals endangered species

A nationally endangered species, has recently been discovered on a Latrobe Valley roadside.

By City of Latrobe - 2nd June 2005 - Back to News

The species, Dianella amoena, was discovered by a consulting company collecting seed from grassland species for a revegetation program.

Dianella amoena, the Matted Flax Lily, is a small tufted lily, with small, purple star-shaped flowers. It occurs in grassland and grassy woodland vegetation, and is only found in eight other locations within Latrobe.

The Matted Flax Lily is under threat from a variety of sources, including grazing, weed infestation, inappropriate fire regimes, and soil disturbance.

Following its discovery, Latrobe City and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), as members of the West Gippsland Threatened Flora Network, have moved to protect stands of the lily from extinction through funding sourced mainly from DSE.

Latrobe City’s Environmental Planner, Penny Mules, said work undertaken to protect the plants has included hand-weeding immediately around plants, spot-spraying aggressive weed species such as broom, and erecting fencing to protect some plants and prevent grazing by farm animals.

"The partnership has also alerted adjacent landholders to the presence of Dianella amoena on their local roadsides and outlined what actions landholders can take to help protect it. We are also providing further information where requested," Ms Mules said.

Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Bruce Lougheed, said that the discovery of the endangered species on a Latrobe roadside, demonstrated how important retaining roadside vegetation is.

"Roadside vegetation creates corridors adjacent to farmland between patches of remnant vegetation. Often these roadsides harbour the only remnants of particular vegetation communities left in heavily cleared areas, and we frequently find endangered species within them," Cr Lougheed.

"It’s very important that residents recognise the importance of this vegetation and understand that a permit is needed before grazing, clearing or mowing any native vegetation on any roadside," Cr Lougheed said.

Other nationally threatened species being targeted for protection by the Threatened Flora Network are: Boronia galbraithiae - Aniseed Boronia; Amphibromus fluitans - River Swamp Wallaby-grass; Asplenium hookerianum - Maidenhair Spleenwort; Glycine latrobeana - Clover Glycine; Rulingia prostrata - Dwarf Kerrawang; Prostanthera galbraithiae - Wellington Mint-bush; Xerochrysum palustre- Swamp Everlasting; and Senecio laticostatus - Fin-fruit Fireweed

For further information on endangered vegetation, please contact Penny Mules at Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700, or Tania Brooker at DSE, telephone 5172 2111.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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