Key Takeaways:
- The critically endangered forget-me-not, Myosotis petiolata, is being saved from extinction by a group of conservationists in Hawke’s Bay.
- The plant is endemic to Hawke’s Bay and is one of the most endangered plants in the country.
- A propagation programme has been established, and there are now 232 cultivated plants in the region.
- The plant is susceptible to fungal diseases, and conservation efforts are ongoing to ensure its survival.
- The goal is to re-establish the plant in its natural habitat and reduce its threatened plant classification.
Introduction to the Forget-Me-Not
The critically endangered forget-me-not, Myosotis petiolata, is a beautiful flowering plant that is endemic to Hawke’s Bay. In 2019, only one plant was found clinging to life in a limestone crevice in the Te Waka range, inland from Napier. This discovery sparked a conservation effort to save the plant from extinction. The Department of Conservation, along with local iwi, plant nurseries, councils, forestry companies, and Pan Pac, have been working together to establish a propagation programme. As a result, there are now 232 cultivated plants in the region, marking a significant milestone in the conservation efforts.
The Conservation Efforts
Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Michael McCandless is leading the conservation efforts. He emphasizes the importance of saving the plant, stating that it is a "little taonga" that is incredibly rare. McCandless notes that the plant is susceptible to fungal diseases, which makes its conservation a challenging task. Despite the challenges, the team is making progress, and McCandless is cautiously optimistic about the plant’s future. He acknowledges that there are no guarantees in conservation, but the team is moving in the right direction. The conservation efforts involve careful monitoring of the plants, experimenting with different growing conditions, and collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure the plant’s survival.
Collaboration and Propagation
Marie Taylor from Plant Hawke’s Bay is working alongside Michael McCandless to save the species. Her team has been growing hundreds of the plants from cuttings in her nursery. The team has made significant progress, and the plants have even started to flower in the nursery. Taylor notes that the plants are young and require careful attention. The team is experimenting with different locations to plant the forget-me-not, with the goal of stabilizing the population and helping it thrive. Taylor and McCandless’s dream is to re-establish the plant in its natural habitat, among the limestone rocks where it was originally found. The collaboration between the Department of Conservation, Plant Hawke’s Bay, and other stakeholders has been instrumental in the conservation efforts, and their combined expertise has helped to advance the project.
Challenges and Future Goals
Despite the progress made, the conservation team faces several challenges. The plants did not tolerate the frost well during the winter, which raised concerns about their survival. However, the plants have since recovered, and the team is learning from their experiences. McCandless would love to see the myosotis petiolata "growing like a weed" one day, and his long-term goal is to have the plant’s classification downgraded from "nationally critical" to a lower threat level. This goal is ambitious, but achievable if the team can continue to propagate the plant and establish a robust population. The team’s efforts are focused on creating a self-sustaining population that can thrive in its natural habitat, and they are working tirelessly to ensure the plant’s survival.
Conclusion and Future Directions
The conservation of the forget-me-not, Myosotis petiolata, is an ongoing effort that requires careful attention and collaboration. The team’s progress is a testament to the power of conservation efforts and the importance of protecting endangered species. As the team continues to work towards establishing a robust population, they are also learning valuable lessons about the plant’s ecology and habitat requirements. The conservation of the forget-me-not is not only important for the plant itself but also for the ecosystem as a whole. The team’s efforts are contributing to the preservation of biodiversity in Hawke’s Bay, and their work serves as a model for conservation efforts elsewhere. By supporting conservation initiatives and protecting endangered species, we can work towards creating a more sustainable and resilient environment for future generations.