Round-leaf Pomaderris revival

In 2008, a pipeline development near Kinglake exposed a patch of rare plants, including Pomaderris vacciniifolia (Round-leaf Pomaderris), thought to be some of the last estimated 150 plants of that species left in the world.

The subsequent furore over the potential destruction of this rare plant led to it eventually becoming listed as Critically Endangered, the highest national category of risk of extinction.

Fire plays an important role in the evolution of many Australian plant species and the plants of the Kinglake Ranges have developed the ability to regenerate after a fire. The Black Saturday bushfires in 2009 stimulated germination of seeds lying dormant in the soil and gave the Round-leaf Pomaderris a boost in numbers.

The Kinglake Landcare Group have since worked with the Murrindindi Shire Council and Parks Victoria to ensure the survival of the plant by seed collecting, propagating, planting, and distributing the plant around the district.  We have planted and distributed over 1500 plants over the past 10 years. Regular audits and maintenance of previous plantings in public reserves & roadsides are also carried out. We now estimate that numbers in our district alone are in the thousands.

In a sheltered forest environment, it is a slender shrub growing to a height of 3 metres. In an open position Round-leaf Pomaderris will grow up to 4 metres tall and 2 metres wide.  The shrub is covered with creamy white flowers in late spring. The seeds of Round-leaf Pomaderris attract King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas in early summer.

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