Enfield Grevillea

The Enfield Grevillea is a low growing, groundcover shrub endemic to Victoria, only being found in a very limited area around Enfield State Park, south of Ballarat, Victoria.

Enfield Grevillea is one of 39 species of grevillea which are considered threatened in Victoria.

Features

The Enfield Grevillea is a low growing plant from 0.2 to 1 m high and spreads to 3 m wide. It has bright green leaves which tend to stand out against the forest floor. Flowers vary from green to red depending on their stage of development.

For a detailed species discription see Flora of Victoria - Enfield Grevillea.

Distribution

The Enfield Grevillea has a very limited distribution across Victoria, only being found in a small area of reserved forested land in the Enfield State Park, Ross Creek State Forest and Linton/Nawnight-widwid State Forest about 30 km south of Ballarat. 

The key local Government Area is Golden Plains Shire, although the species is only recorded in reserved forest there is a possibility it could occur on private remnant bushland or roadsides in the vicinity.

Ecology & Habitat

The Enfield Grevillea is found in grassy heathy dry forest type. It has been mostly recorded on roadsides within the forest but this may not be a true reflection of the species preferred habitat. Away from roadsides it has been found on ridgelines with a north-eastern aspect. More research is needed to better understand the plant ecology.

Flowering

Flowering occurs from October to November. The colour of the flowers can vary according to their maturity and position on the plant. As the flowers mature, they change from green to more of a red colour. Flowers at the top of the plant tend to mature before the lower flowers.

Roots can extend underground and emerge as new plant which are genetically identical. It is not known how many seeds are produced from flowers and the ideal conditions for germination.

Population Status

There are estimated to be 60 populations of Enfield grevillea containing over 37, 000 plants. Important populations are recognised as those with 1000 plants or more that occur in conservation reserves. This amounts to 11 populations with about 20, 000 individuals, or 52% of all known individuals, all of which occur in Enfield State Park (Carter et al., 2006).

The Enfield Grevillea is considered Endangered due to its restricted range and vulnerability to impacts which could wipe out an entire population.

Threats

More research is required to fully understand the range of threats to this species. The very limited geographic distribution of Enfield Grevillea poses a threat in itself as populations become more vulnerable due to changes in the landscape and climate change, particularly the frequency and severity of dry conditions which increases fire hazard.

The impact of fire is currently being studied through the Enfield Grevillea Fire Response Project.

Excessively frequent and hot burns may be harmful to established plants and the success of reproduction.

Weed invasion, particularly from soil disturbance poses a risk.

Conservation & Management

Conservation of the Enfield Grevillea is being managed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) Victoria, through forest management ensuring known populations are protected from harmful disturbance.  Management includes pest plant and animal control along with ecological burning safeguards and monitoring. 

Research

Enfield Grevillea Fire Response Project

This  is a key project to improve knowledge about the species requirements and ensure its on-going survival. The project is implemented through the;

Grampians Bushfire Management Strategy 2020

• One of the long-term objectives: Persistence of rare, threatened and endemic species
• Sort-term objective; Minimise Impacts of planned burning on threatened species e.g., Enfield Grevillea. Put in place mitigation measures.

One of the key activities is to monitor plots established in a planned burn area to mprove understanding of plant response after burning.

Reproduction and genetic structure in the endangered Enfield Grevillea

This project consisted of two studies:

• assessment of floral characters, floral visitors and the impact that vertebrate and invertebrate visitors had on seed production in the species
• controlled pollination to document the potential and realised breeding system, as well as undertaking an analysis of genetic diversity and structure among selected populations.

The Enfield Grevillea was visited by birds, mammals and numerous insects but their contributions were not equal. The species was shown to be preferentially outcrossing and there was no evidence of pollination limitation. Populations of the species were genetically diverse and differentiation among some but not all populations was found.

The research was conducted primarily by two honours students (Mr A. Aristidou and Mr S. Wawrzyczek) with some additional sampling and analysis post-honours. Supervised by Dr Susan Hoebee, La Trobe University.

Projects & Partnerships

The main focus of management is through the Enfield Grevillea Fire Response Project managed by DEEAC. Community interest involves the Environmental Volunteers & Agency Network (Central West) and Napoleons Enfield Landcare Group.

References & Links

Carter, O., Murphy, A.H. & Downe, J. (2006). National recovery plan for the Enfield grevillea Grevillea bedggoodiana. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.

FFG Threatened List (2024)  Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 - Threatened List - February 2024  Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

More Information

Flora of Victoria - Enfield Grevillea 

Species profile and threats database - Enfield Grevillea, Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, Australia

Enfield Grevillea Conservation Advice – EPBC Act Threatened Species Scientific Committee 2016 pdf

Victoria’s threatened Grevillea’s

Recording of presentation on Enfield Grevillea Fire Response Project - Environmental Volunteers & Agency Network (Central West)

Environmental Volunteers & Agency Network (Central West)