Disease threatens rare grevillea’s last stand in ranges

Andrew Mathison
A NATIVE wildflower that only blooms in the Brisbane Ranges is under threat from disease.
The Brisbane Ranges grevillea has just begun to come to life for the season, showing off an impressive range of green and red colours.
But Parks Victoria ranger Peter Box fears for the survival of the plant.
He said the grevillea was one of a few rare Victorian natives prospering best in the park, near Anakie.
“Our biggest issue is that it’s susceptible, just like some other grevilleas, to a disease called phytophthora cinnamomi, which is in the park, unfortunately,” Mr Box said.
“The disease is certainly spreading.”
Grass trees around Anakie were also “very susceptible” to the disease.
Mr Box said phytophthora cinnamomi, an introduced disease, was first identified in the area about four decades ago.
“It has gone from just being isolated in one small area along Ballan Road to now covering at least a third of the park.”
Mr Box said Parks Victoria was encouraging visitors to attend a Brisbane Ranges Wildflower Show on Sunday to observe the park’s native orchids and wildflowers.
The Brisbane Ranges grevillea, also known as Grevillea steglitziana, should attract tourists to the region, he said.
“It’s not a big bush, it’s only small, but it’s a well-kept secret in some ways.”
Victoria has about 3000 native plants, of which about 600 are in the Brisbane Ranges, north of Geelong.