Common name: Austral Cornflower Scientific name: Stemmacantha australis Conservation status: National: Vulnerable QLD: Vulnerable NSW: Extinct VIC: Extinct

The austral cornflower was once widespread throughout the grasslands of eastern Australia. It is now extinct in Victoria and New South Wales as a result of intensive grazing and cultivation. In Queensland its occurrence on roadside strips has maintained viable populations outside pastoral areas.

The austral cornflower occurs on Carnarvon Station Reserve and has been found close to the homestead on areas which have been lightly grazed. With further surveys, we expect to find the species in the black soil bluegrass communities.

The ability of the species to increase rapidly after fire and to recover after the removal of stock, where grazing has been light to moderate, will aid its reestablishment at Carnarvon Station Reserve.