Planting at Bot Gardens
Minister for Parks and Wildlife Bess Price said an endangered shrub has been relocated to the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens to ensure the survival of the species.
“One hundred individual plants of Helicteres macrothrix were translocated from an active rock quarry, around 100 kilometres south east of Darwin, to the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens,” Mrs Price said.
“The project came about due to expansion of a quarry owned by Alan King and Sons, who supported the project by transferring the shrubs and soil to the George Brown Botanic Gardens.
“Along with the plants, 90 cubic metres of soil and 50 cubic metres of rock from their habitat were also transported. A special bed was prepared with the soil and rock and the plants now have a new home.
“The Botanic Gardens will look after the plants and monitor their progress.”
Helicteres macrothrix is an understory plant that grows to about 50cm tall and produces a pink flower during the build-up.
The plant dies back in the dry season but grows again in the wet season and is endangered because of its limited distribution and threats from fire. Gamba grass outcompetes this native shrub and adds to the intensity of fires.
“Helicteres macrothrix has a population of about 100,000 in the very few areas it is found, and in the areas they grow, this plant can be seen as an important environmental indicator,” Mrs Price said.
“Without Mr King’s insight, effort and persistence, the translocation process would not have occurred.
“Mr King’s cooperation and willingness to provide logistical expertise, personnel and heavy machinery is greatly appreciated.”
The Helicteres garden bed is located beyond the African/Madagascan area of the Botanic Gardens in an area allocated to Northern Territory woodland and escarpment species.
Planting at Bot Gardens
Minister for Parks and Wildlife Bess Price said an endangered shrub has been relocated to the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens to ensure the survival of the species.
“One hundred individual plants of Helicteres macrothrix were translocated from an active rock quarry, around 100 kilometres south east of Darwin, to the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens,” Mrs Price said.
“The project came about due to expansion of a quarry owned by Alan King and Sons, who supported the project by transferring the shrubs and soil to the George Brown Botanic Gardens.
“Along with the plants, 90 cubic metres of soil and 50 cubic metres of rock from their habitat were also transported. A special bed was prepared with the soil and rock and the plants now have a new home.
“The Botanic Gardens will look after the plants and monitor their progress.”
Helicteres macrothrix is an understory plant that grows to about 50cm tall and produces a pink flower during the build-up.
The plant dies back in the dry season but grows again in the wet season and is endangered because of its limited distribution and threats from fire. Gamba grass outcompetes this native shrub and adds to the intensity of fires.
“Helicteres macrothrix has a population of about 100,000 in the very few areas it is found, and in the areas they grow, this plant can be seen as an important environmental indicator,” Mrs Price said.
“Without Mr King’s insight, effort and persistence, the translocation process would not have occurred.
“Mr King’s cooperation and willingness to provide logistical expertise, personnel and heavy machinery is greatly appreciated.”
The Helicteres garden bed is located beyond the African/Madagascan area of the Botanic Gardens in an area allocated to Northern Territory woodland and escarpment species.