Couple finds extinct plant

Jessica Benton
An orchid has returned from presumed extinction to blossom in Geelong’s backyard.
Authorities have confirmed that two orchid enthusiasts rediscovered the dwarf spider-orchid, known as caladenia pumila, in the region about three months ago.
Hans Korth, who stumbled across the orchid with wife Christa, said he did not realise at first their great discovery.
The couple had been looking for special native plants in the Brisbane Ranges since fires ravaged the area in 2006, he said.
“We stumbled across this white orchid and weren’t too surprised by it at first but then we realised it was a special one when we had some experts look at it.”
The couple found the native species in a Parks Victoria reserve.
The Korths’ two plants were the only known examples of the species.
Mr Korth described the area where they discovered the orchid as “reasonably flat and grassy”.
However, they would not reveal the exact location of their find.
Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Andrew Pritchard said the dwarf spider orchid was thought extinct for “the best part of a century”.
“Until its rediscovery, the dwarf spider orchid had not been seen since 1926. The rediscovery of this species is a wonderful surprise,” Mr Pritchard said.
“To put it in perspective, when the orchid was last seen Stanley Bruce was Prime Minister, George the fifth was King and Don Bradman was a teenager vying for state selection.”
Mr Pritchard said the department and Royal Botanic Gardens were now attempting to propagate the plant through an orchid conservation program so it could be reintroduced to the wild.