Australasian Native Orchid Society
The Australasian Native Orchid Society, Victorian Group is dedicated to the conservation of our orchids through conservation, cultivation, and propagation and also by discouraging the destruction of their habitat and the illegal collection of wild plants. The society, whose members live across Victoria, is active in practical orchid conservation through, education, field survey, monitoring and weeding work, seed germination and management of ex situ populations as well as public promotion of conservation, especially the needs of orchid conservation. Society members also provide negotiated assistance, either on a short or long term basis, to local groups working on conservation of their orchids.
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Conservation activities
ANOS Victoria is a strong supporter of native orchid conservation and over the years has steadily increased its commitment to conservation through projects that it has undertaken. All conservation projects are undertaken in consultation with those authorities responsible for the orchids and the property that they grow on. Some of the projects that are currently being undertaken include the following:
Pterostylis despectans (Lowly Greenhood)
This orchid grows in the central goldfields of Victoria and is under threat from white-winged choughs, rabbits and other grazing animals as well as being trodden on, driven over and dug up by prospectors. When this project was undertaken in early 2001 it was only known to grow in a few small colonies. ANOS has played an active role in monitoring, caging, pollinating flowers, propagating seedlings and searching for new colonies. As a result we have considerably extended the previously known boundaries of this orchid by discovering several new colonies as well as assisting mature plants to flower by helping to deter the threats to them.
Prasophyllum suaveolens (Fragrant Leek Orchid)
A small colony was known to exist in a country cemetery in central Victoria. These orchids were being over run with Watsonia and Broom as well as being periodically mown. ANOS has been regularly monitoring these orchids as well as tackling the weed problem by organising burns and specifically hand weeding and applying herbicide. As a result of our work the cemetery now looks more like native grassland with 151 flowering plants being monitored in 2002 compared with only 39 plants in 2000.
Pterostylis basaltica (Basalt Rustyhood)
ANOS has regularly assisted the Dept of Sustainability and Environment with monitoring and translocating this endangered Western Victorian orchid.
Pterostylis cucullata (Leafy Greenhood)
This Mornington Peninsula orchid is under threat from development and loss of habitat. ANOS has assisted with site maintenance and monitoring and will assist with establishing new colonies if suitable protected habitat can be identified.
Diuris fragrantissima (Sunshine Diuris)
This orchid, once common to the north west of Melbourne, may now be extinct in the wild. ANOS members in conjunction with Melbourne Zoo are involved with the seedling program that can hopefully one day reintroduce this beautiful orchid back to where it belongs.
Diuris punctata (Purple Diuris)
ANOS is involved with two sites close to Melbourne to protect this orchid. At one site, along a railway reserve, its habitat is being over run with Watsonia, which is being hand weeded. The second project is being undertaken for Parks Victoria in a park where orchid numbers are decreasing. ANOS members are growing these orchids from seed for future reintroduction into the Park.
Baluk Willam Reserve
This is one of the most orchid rich reserves close to Melbourne. ANOS members, who visit this reserve regularly, hold an annual working bee at the reserve in conjunction with the Friends Group and Parks Victoria to help preserve this bush for future flora lovers.
For further information about ANOS Victoria's involvement in orchid conservation, contact Andrew Dilley, Conservation Officer. adilley@primus.com.au | 
