People power needed to save plant

ENVIRONMENTAL experts are encouraging the community to get involved in efforts to save a plant found only Mount Alexander.

Ballantinia antipoda is a small plant which grows to about five centimetres tall with stalked white flowers, and once widespread through parts of Victoria and Tasmania.

In the 1800s it started disappearing and in the 20th century it was declared extinct, however was rediscovered on Mount Alexander in 1983.

Natural environment program officer at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Dr Aaron Grinter, said the number of plant sightings is dwindling.

“It’s pretty amazing to rediscover something we thought was extinct, but it also means it’s really important as well,” he said. “We have one last chance to make sure it persists.

“Being that it’s only a small population restricted to the mountain, it’s pretty important we protect it.”

With the natural environment invaded by weeds, the plant started growing in delicate moss mats on granite outcrops.

Dr Grinter said the moss is at risk at being invaded by weeds as well, and wild animals and people can easily destroy ballantinia’s growing environment.

“The moss mats are really delicate, but we have seen hikers and mountain bike riders going over these moss mats and destroying them,” he said.

“Once it’s lost in a particular location it’s likely it’s not going to come back.”

Next week a volunteer survey will be held, and Dr Grinter said he encourages people, Landcare groups and not-for-profit conservation organisations to band together and help locate the plant.

“We’re trying to cover all bases and figure out where it still is, so we have a complete picture of its condition at the moment and then we can work from there,” he said.

Volunteers are being asked to meet at BP Harcourt at 9am on Tuesday, 27 September.