Across SEQ, Land for Wildlife Teams are working with the Queensland Threatened Plants Network and the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Threatened Species Unit to support the recovery of the endangered Black Plum (Planchonella eerwah).
The Black Plum was presumed extinct for a large part of last century until its rediscovery in 1980 at Ivory’s Knob, southwest of Ipswich. Existing records show that there are only 160-180 known individual trees left in its natural range from the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich and Scenic Rim regions.
A number of surveys have recently been undertaken on Land for Wildlife properties across SEQ aimed at identifying new populations of the species and to survey the health of existing known trees and their habitats. There is future scope for genetic analysis of the populations.
Much to the delight of landholders and Land for Wildlife Officers, a number of Black Plums have been found on the Sunshine Coast, with several mature specimens recorded in a previously unknown location!
To learn more about this species and the project, here is a great factsheet. If you think you may have Planchonella eerwah on your property, please contact your Land for Wildlife Officer.
Stephanie Keys
Land for Wildlife Officer
Sunshine Coast Council