Student Paulo Baleeiro in the field.
The pair encountered crocodile nests during their survey of the Parry Lagoon site near Wyndam which meant they had to stick to safe locations.
“We actually walked past it, but then went back over a nice looking area. They are really hard to see so it was really exciting to finally find it,” Dr Jobson said.
The pair have reported their findings in the
Telopea journal.
They consulted with Miriwoong Elders and senior speakers of the Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre to select the plant’s name. In the Miriwoong Language the word Baliboong refers to a swamp habitat, and the chosen name baliboo-ngarnang means “swamp-dwelling”.
“Work like this is important in understanding the true distribution of rare and threatened plants so we can better conserve and manage their habitats,” Dr Jobson said.
The plant has two different types of bladder traps it uses to catch different prey such as tiny crustaceans, nematodes and water mites. It grows in wet sand in large swamps and flowers from March to April.
The researchers recommend that further surveys are required of other swamps in the region to fully understand the plant’s distribution. This data is required to formally assess its conservation status.
Discover more
Dr Richard Jobson is one of the many scientists working in the National Herbarium of New South Wales at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Read more about the new state-of-the-art facility opening.
The Gardens' scientists and horticulturalist are working to protect and understand the Bladderwort. You can support this vital work: donate to the Botanic Gardens today.