Plants

Animals and plants aren't automatically taken off most national and state extinct species list in Australia if they are rediscovered, leaving them without protection as threatened species.

The colourful flowers of gazanias might attract you to buy them at a nursery but it is worth considering whether you are getting an invasive weed causing havoc to our landscapes.

There are signs a critically endangered plant that grows on a rural property near Armidale could have a prosperous future.

More than a year since South Australia's $230 million tomato and capsicum sector was plunged into turmoil by the first discovery of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Australia, the state has been declared free of the exotic disease.

Two dogs join the fight against one of the biggest threats to Australia's native plants, making dieback detection possible in minutes rather than weeks.

The backyards of ordinary Tasmanians are becoming urban climate refuges for a "biobank" of alpine plants threatened by climate change and bushfire.

As gardens, parks and nature strips start showing signs of spring, our indoor plants might need a little help to jump into the new season.   

Scientists hope planting shrubs will help to improve the survival of lambs, particularly twins, on West Australian farms, by providing windbreaks and food for the animals. 

Researchers say it's like Han Solo from Star Wars coming out from carbonite freezing, but for plants.

A community hub, seed bank, art gallery, cafe and retail space combine to make an Australian first between Pomonal and Halls Gap in regional Victoria.

Demand for kava is growing so large in Australia that Woolworths has started stocking the beverage, known for its calming effects. But Pacific leaders say the crop's success comes with problems.

While some people find it hard enough to keep their garden alive at home, an Australian team plans to send plants to the moon in the hope they will grow on the lunar surface.

The first reported fossilised stomach contents from a sauropod, belonging to a Diamantinasaurus that lived 95 million years ago, has confirmed a long-held theory of herbivorous behaviour.

Australian flora was once deemed too difficult to cultivate as bonsai but those misconceptions are fading with every native bud. 

Kava smuggling into the Northern Territory's remote Indigenous communities is on the rise, with local leaders fearing the black market price of the drink is draining family finances and fuelling social problems.

Three scent-detection dogs help to locate an elusive orchid that is "almost impossible to find with the naked eye", as part of efforts to protect the plant.

The corpse flower at the Australian National Botanic Gardens is at least 15 years old but had never flowered before now. 

A second stinky corpse flower started opening up on Saturday afternoon, but unlike Putricia's public display her "sister" is being kept away from curious eyes.

A researcher who studies human decomposition has analysed samples of Putricia the corpse flower during its bloom in January for its scent compounds.

Hand-pollination of the pungent corpse flower results in hundreds of seeds that will be sent across the world to help preserve the endangered species.