Botanic discovery as fresh as a new daisy
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A delicate new daisy has popped up on the Redlands Coast radar.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the Slender Bottle-daisy (Lagenophora gracilis) was found by the native nursery coordinator of Council’s IndigiScapes Centre during a recent seed collecting trip in the Leslie Harrison Conservation Area at Capalaba.
“The Community Bushcare team was out braving the heat to collect native plant seeds and fruits that the nursery needs for propagation when they came across this little flower alongside the path to the Leslie Harrison Dam,” Cr Williams said.
“It caught the eye of nursery coordinator Ben Webb who thought it looked unusual, so he took some photos and discovered this fragile flower has previously never been recorded as growing in Redlands Coast.
Council’s nursery coordinator, Ben Webb, with the fragile flower that caught his eye.
“The Slender Bottle-daisy does occur in eastern Australia but its normal habitat is the floor of eucalyptus forests.
“It’s possible it has been growing at the site for some time, but simply remained undiscovered because it’s not a high-traffic area and it wasn’t flowering. It was growing under heavy canopy so obviously needs a shady spot and a particular type of soil and light.”
Mr Webb has returned to the site to locate the plant again, check for flowers and seeds for hopeful propagation.
Redland City Division 9 Councillor Adelia Berridge said the Slender Bottle-daisy discovery was very exciting.
“We really want to encourage people to look after this fragile gem,” Cr Berridge said.
“Anyone in the Leslie Harrison Conservation Area might be lucky enough to see it for themselves, when it’s in flower.”
A close-up of the daisy which has a dark green rosette.
While Bushcare volunteers work to provide seeds and fruits required for propagation, the IndigiScapes nursery has a separate team of volunteers who help sort and propagate seeds along with Mr Webb.
More information about how to volunteer on these teams can be found on Council’s website, where a calendar details where and when future seed collection trips will take place throughout the year.
Cr Williams said the discovery has really highlighted a wonderful way volunteers could contribute to the knowledge and preservation of our Redlands Coast environment.
“Many of the Bushcare volunteers are regulars who have been collecting seeds on these trips for years, and so have built up a considerable level of expertise,” she said.
“The trips are also a chance for participants to socialise and get fitter in the outdoors, and to discover Redlands Coast reserves they haven’t been to before.”
If you have an interest in Council’s Indigiscapes Native Nursery and its programs please go to the website.