The ‘Preventing the Extinction of Victoria’s Threatened Flora Program’ is leading conservation efforts for the endangered Kneed Swainson-pea, Swainsona reticulata. The Kneed Swainson-pea is listed as Endangered in Victoria under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, due to habitat destruction leaving relatively few, disjunct populations.
RBGV scientists Dr Noushka Reiter, Dr Gareth Holmes, Alex McLachlan, and horticulturist Holden Sayers have been working together to propagate the Kneed Swainson-pea. They have successfully identified the native Rhizobia which they have been using to symbiotically propagate the species on mass (pictured here). The rhizobia fix atmospheric nitrogen and convert this to a form that the plant can use. The association of our native peas with Rhizobia has allowed them to grow throughout much of Australia in our nutrient poor soils. Our long-term aim is to re-establish populations.
The ‘Preventing the extinction of Victoria’s threatened flora’ project is led by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in partnership with La Trobe University, Australian Network for Plant Conservation, DEECA, Parks Victoria, Trust for Nature, Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, Nillumbik Shire, ENVITE, Bairnsdale & District Field Naturalists Club, Friends of the Grampians Gariwerd, WAMA Botanic Gardens, Halls Gap Botanic Gardens, and the Australasian Native Orchid Society Victorian Branch.
Photo credit: Noushka Reiter