Zieria adenophora

The Araluen Zieria (Zieria adenophora), is a small shrub found in only one place, on a slope above the Araluen Creek, near Araluen, New South Wales, Australia. In 2001 there were only 56 known plants. The plants were first collected in 1888, and they were then thought to have become extinct. The Zieria was rediscovered in the late 1980s.

What the plant looks like
It is a small shrub, which is related to the boronia plants. It is about  tall and 50 cm wide, though some plants have grown up to  tall. It has a small white or pink flower with four petals, about  long. The plant has flowers in spring, from August to October. It also has small green leaves which are trifoliate, as being in three parts like a clover leaf. The leaves have a strong smell.

Where they grow
The plants have only been found near the Araluen Creek. They are growing on a steep, rocky, hillside.

Endangered
The plant has been listed as Endangered under the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It is also listed by the New South Wales Government, Endangered (Schedule 1, Part 1) on the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. It is endangered because there are so few of the plants and they are only found in one place. A bushfire could destroy all the plants. There is also a danger from wild goats in the area. The goats do not eat the Zieria, but they could walk on the new seedlings and crush them. The goats might eat all the other plants which could lead to erosion and the soil could be washed away. Weeds growing around the plants might also stop new Zierias from growing.

Saving the plant
There is now a plan to protect the plant. These plans include:
 A fence to keep out wild goats
 Stopping any building or disturbing the site
 Studying the plant
 Trying to grow new plants in other places
 Looking for the plants in other places.

Other websites
 Photo of the Araluen Zieria from the Australian Plant Image Index

References

Category:Rutaceae
Category:Plants of Australia
Category:Shrubs