A rare native grass on the brink of disappearing from Victoria has been given a critical lifeline, with more than 250,000 seeds now safely secured in the Victorian Conservation Seedbank. 

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria scientists and Glenelg Hopkins CMA have spent more than a year tracking down and collecting the seeds of Adamson’s Blown Grass (Lachnagrostis adamsonii), a species that survives in scattered and often overlooked pockets across the Victorian Volcanic Plains and Midlands.   

This project was funded by the Australian Government through the Saving Native Species Program and delivered in partnership with the Glenelg Hopkins CMA. 

Growing in slightly saline areas that are seasonally wet and frequently located on working farmland, the grass can be difficult to detect, making the scale of the seed collection a significant scientific and conservation achievement. The project also uncovered 13 previously unknown sites, expanding understanding of the species' distribution and strengthening its prospects for recovery. 

Victoria’s Chief Botanist Dr David Cantrill said the work highlights both the fragility and resilience of native grassland ecosystems. 

“Adamson’s Blown Grass is part of a unique and threatened landscape that has been dramatically reduced over time,” Dr Cantrill said. “Securing seeds from across the species’ range provides a safeguard against extinction.” 

This supports a key objective in the Australian Government’s Threatened Species Action Plan to reduce the risk of extinction for Adamson’s Blown Grass as one of the Plan’s 110 priority species. 

Federal Minister for the Environment Murray Watt said seed banks are at the frontline of efforts to secure the future of precious native plants. 

“This project has certainly required persistence and commitment from the team involved, but the outcome has increased our knowledge of the species, while delivering a stronger future for our unique plant life. The Australian Government is very pleased to support this work.” 

The project brought together field expertise, seed science and conservation genetics to ensure the collection captures the full breadth of the species' diversity. Field surveys and seed collection were led by Honorary Associate Dr Austin Brown, whose long-term research on the genus has been critical to locating populations that are easily missed. 

“This is a plant that does not reveal itself easily,” Dr Austin Brown said. “Finding new populations and collecting seeds across such a wide area has been essential to making sure we are preserving what remains in the wild.” 

Behind the scenes, seedbank scientists undertook detailed research to understand how to store and germinate the species, addressing key challenges around seed dormancy, storage conditions and tolerance to saline environments. 

Dr Rebecca Miller, Acting Director Research at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, said the work ensures the seeds can be used, not just stored. 

“Collecting seeds is only part of the story,” Dr Miller said. “We need to know how to bring them back to life. By understanding how these seeds respond to different conditions, we can support reintroduction and restoration with confidence.” 

Conservation genetics research led by Dr Tara Hopley confirmed that different subspecies of Adamson’s Blown Grass have a strong genetic basis and mapped diversity across remaining populations. This ensured that seed collections captured important genetic variation which will guide future management decisions. 

“Genetic diversity is what allows species to persist and adapt,” Dr Hopley said. “By identifying and capturing that diversity, we are giving this species the best possible chance in a changing environment.” 

The project was delivered in close partnership with regional land managers, local authorities and private landholders, reflecting the importance of collaboration in protecting species that exist beyond conservation reserves. 

Dr Alastair Robinson, Manager of the Victorian Conservation Seedbank at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria said the outcome demonstrates the value of combining on ground knowledge with scientific research. 

“This work shows what can be achieved when field surveys, laboratory science and partnerships come together,” Dr Robinson said. “It is a model for how we can respond to the challenges facing threatened species.” 

Now safely stored as a living archive, the 250,000 seeds represent both a safeguard against extinction for Adamson’s Blown Grass and a resource for future recovery efforts.