# New Zealand rare woollyhead plant revived with 250 seedlings

2026-08-07T14:11:56+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Times of India reports, citing Radio New Zealand, that about 250 seedlings of New Zealand’s rare woollyhead plant (Craspedia argentea) are being planted back into the Mahaka Katia Scientific Reserve. The dryland herb, found only in Central Otago’s Pisa Flats, had dwindled to just two known plants, with pollination breaking down. Conservationists collected a tiny seed supply, only three seeds from one season, two of which germinated, and began a hand-pollination and propagation programme at Dunedin Botanic Garden. After two years of work, the team produced roughly 300 seedlings from 800 seeds, far exceeding their original hopes of 20 or 30 plants. The young plants will now be monitored monthly through winter, with a trail camera watching between visits.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/new-zealands-rare-woollyhead-nearly-disappeared-from-the-wild-two-surviving-plants-helped-produce-250-seedlings-now-heading-back-to-the-reserve/articleshow/133033278.cms>

Tags: conservation, dryland flora, New Zealand, rare plant, seedlings, woollyhead
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