The Alice Springs Desert Park nursery has a new star amongst its vast Flora and Fauna.

Horticulturists have recently succeeded in propagating Pityrodia loricata, a near threatened plant species in the Northern Territory.

The first successful attempt at propagation at the Desert Park and the Northern Territory, Alice Springs Desert Park Nursery Manager Steve Priestley said that it is possibly the first time it has been propagated by cutting in Australia.

“Pityrodia loricata mainly occurs in arid NT and WA with a small distribution in SA.

“There are certainly some other commercial nurseries that may have but they are unlikely to have records of it as most commercial nurseries don’t keep those kind of details.

“WA Botanic Gardens are national and international leaders in propagation of unusual Australian arid species so if they haven’t done it, it may be a first.”

Pityrodia loricata is a pretty, small greyish green shrub that stands to 1m that blooms white flowers with mauve corolla.

“We Initially collected 135 cuttings with no success, we then recollected, modified the procedure of processing the cuttings and returned a 46% strike rate,” said Mr Priestley.

The cuttings will grow in nursery until autumn 2017 with the aim to have it on display thereafter.

The Alice Springs Desert Park plays a key role in showcasing the exceptional diversity of Central Australia’s unique flora and fauna.

These facilities provide opportunities for the community and tourists to immerse themselves amongst the desert’s plants and animals in a natural setting that is educational, interactive and inspiring for the visiting public.

The Alice Springs Desert Park is open from 7.30am to 6pm daily and is closed on Christmas Day.

For more information visit www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au or phone (08) 8951 8788.

Media interview: Steve Priestley, Nursery Manager, (08) 8951 8788

Media contact: Department of Tourism and Culture – Parks and Wildlife I Media Manager, 0476 844 832