Safeguarding the future of the southern shepherd’s purse

The Southern Shepherd’s Purse (Ballantinia antipoda) is a tiny, annual plant that is only found in south–eastern Australia. The Southern Shepherd’s Purse grows in moss mats among a range of tiny native species on the top of a mountain in Central Victoria. Sadly, the species been lost from all previously known populations in Victoria and Tasmania. The Southern Shepherd’s Purse is one of Australia’s rarest plant species and faces imminent extinction.

The Southern Shepherd’s Purse is primarily threatened by increased temperatures and decreased rainfall associated with climate change. Damage to moss mats by introduced animals such as pigs and rabbits also place populations at risk. Invasive weeds also outcompete this tiny plant for light and moisture, making its habitat unsuitable and leading to population declines.

Project Strategy

The Safeguarding the Future of the Southern Shepherd’s Purse project involves planting the species into new moss mats into suitable habitat in the Victorian Pyrenees.

The Threatened Species Conservancy has worked closely with State Government, local volunteers and scientific experts to trial the most effective translocation methods. Once established in the Victorian Pyrenees, the Threatened Species will undertake translocations in selected sites in Victoria.

Conservation Status: Endangered (EPBC)

Estimated Cost of Project: $48,843.00
Funding Received: $48,843.00
Duration: 3 years

Partners:

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.