Surveying rare and vulnerable SA flora

Threats such as grazing by introduced herbivores, inappropriate fire regimes and pest weeds impact heavily on both species. Currently Ooldea Guinea Flower only grows in isolated populations in the Great Victoria Desert and nearby Gawler Rangers and the Mount Finke Grevillia is, as it sounds, found only at Mount Finke within the Yellabinna Wilderness Area.

With funds from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program (NLP2) AW are undertaking surveys to accumulate data related to the Ooldea Guinea Flower’s life cycle, growth rate, and tolerance to extreme weather and climatic conditions. To this end a number of on-going monitoring plots have been established near Ooldea. In addition, surveys undertaken to try and locate the species in other regions of the Yellabinna complex recently revealed a new population approximately 90kms further east of known locations.

Mount Finke Grevillia tends to grow on the southern slopes of the mount above 250 metres through to the summit. AW is currently mapping the population as well as attempting to determine survivability of the species including any reproduction that may occur.

This low shrub with showy red/orange flowers is at risk of destruction from fires associated with the high fuel loads produced by Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris). The AW Landscape team continue to work at eradicating this invasive species for the preservation of the Mount Finke Grevillia and for all native species within the region.