An Australian nursery has propagated 50 cuttings as part of a plan to prevent the extinction of a rare native tree. The newly described Rhodamnia zombi, which can be found in rainforests, is listed as critically endangered because its surviving populations could be killed off by myrtle rust.
The plant’s name is a nod to its “living dead” status, which it’s hoped can be reversed. Invasive myrtle rust thrives in damp, moist conditions and has spread to over 100 plants since it arrived in Australia in 2010.
Alexandra Hayes-Hatten from Barung Landcare Nursery in Queensland said it is “exciting” to be part of a program to try and save Rhodamnia zombi.
“This is just one of the few plants being hammered by it,” she told Yahoo News.
“Humans accidentally brought myrtle rust into Australia, so it’s our job to counteract it.”
Nerve-racking time as plants fail to propagate
Because Rhodamnia zombi had never been cultivated from cuttings, the nursery team was unsure if the plan would work when the project began three months ago.
One of the Rhodamnia zombi cuttings (left) and a mature flowering plant (right). Source: Barung Landcare Nursery/Milo Wakeman-Bateman
“There are some plants you just can’t grow from cuttings, and you have to grow them from seed,” Hayes-Hatten said.
Her team watched on helplessly as dozens of their cuttings died, leaving them worried their attempt had failed.
But incredibly, five of the plants struck and began to grow roots. Hayes-Hatten said they’d constantly check on their health like they were newborn babies.
“It was nerve-racking. But then to see a few continue on, we thought, Oh my God, we’ve got something,” she said.
University’s dire warning for 17 Aussie plants
Myrtle rust is threatening at least 17 species with extinction, and the University of Queensland is warning that without intervention, they will be wiped out within a generation.
One of its botanists, Professor Rod Fensham, explained the plant had not been named when it was first assessed in 2020.
“Since then, 10 per cent of the trees have died, and none of those remaining are producing flowers or fruit because of myrtle rust,” he said.
His research into the plant’s future has been published in the journal Austral Ecology.
The medium-sized tree is found around rainforests in the Burnett region of Queensland, and has dark green leaves and white flowers.
“The bright yellow fungal pathogen attacks and kills off its young shoots over and over again, meaning an infected tree can’t grow or reproduce and eventually dies,” Professor Fensham said.
The nursery is hoping to improve its propagation strike rate, and also plans to collect seeds from one area where flowering has been recorded.
Once mature, the trees will then either be returned to the bush, or taken to new locations where they will become insurance populations.
Rhodamnia zombi grows in rainforests in the Burnett region. Source: Milo Wakeman-Bateman
How Aussies can help protect rare plants
While the plant is currently too rare to make available to the public, there are other threatened species from the Sunshine Coast that can be purchased.
“Buderim Holly is a great example — it only grows in a few locations,” Hayes-Hatten said.
Other plants that are rare in the wild, but haven’t yet had their conservation status officially assessed, are also often available from local Landcare groups.
“People can help by planting them,” Hayes-Hatten said.
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