Project Outline:

The Caladenia gladiolata (Bayonet Spider-orchid) recovery project at Mount Remarkable National Park in South Australia, is a conservation initiative led by the Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species Ltd (FAME), in partnership with the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre (SASCC).

Nationally, this orchid is critically endangered, with fewer than 200 flowering individuals left in the wild. Its largest remaining population in Mount Remarkable was severely impacted by the February 2025 wildfire, which has intensified risks from weeds, habitat loss, and herbivory.

The project (July 2025 – June 2026) focuses on:

• Propagating 200 robust, genetically diverse plants using advancedin-vitro symbiotic germination with mycorrhizal fungi.
• Establishing an ex-situ insurance population at SASCC and Adelaide Botanic Gardens to secure the species’ survival.
• Using five years of baseline monitoring data to study post-fire dynamics and guide future reinforcement or translocation into the wild.
• Integrating results into conservation databases and management frameworks, while engaging with local communities and stakeholders.

Expected outcomes include securing an ex-situ population, improving scientific understanding of post-fire orchid recovery, and laying the groundwork for rewilding efforts to prevent extinction.