A rare plant believed to be extinct for more than 100 years has been discovered by a State Government forest worker near Nundle in the State’s north west, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.

The long-lost member of the foxglove family, Euphrasia arguta, was discovered by Forests NSW undertaking a threatened species field survey in Nundle State Forest.

"In botanical terms, this really is a blast from the past," Minister Macdonald said.

"This species was considered extinct. It has remained unknown for more than a century since it was last recorded at Nundle, east of Tamworth, in June 1904.

"I congratulate Forests NSW’s Graham Marshall on this significant find which will help bolster the State’s knowledge of our diverse flora species.

"Forests NSW flora ecologist Doug Binns identified the rare plant and then had his conclusion confirmed by specialist, Chief Botanist with South Australia’s Department for Environment and Heritage, Dr Bill Barker.

"This discovery and the cooperation that has followed is central to our aim of ensuring that we look after the flora and fauna in our forests.

"The plant is a showy flowered annual of the foxglove family Scrophulariaceae from central New South Wales and grows 20-35cm high with densely haired branches, flowering from October to January.

"Forests NSW will now develop a conservation management plan for the plant, which was discovered in an area that was affected by fire control activities last summer."

The plant was first described by British botanist Robert Brown in 1810 from a collection he made in 1804 on the North Coast of NSW, in mountains near the Paterson River, west of Bulahdelah.

Only about five locations have been recorded since then, ranging from Mudgee in the south to Walcha, 200 kilometres to the north.

(Pron: Euphrasia arguta - U-fray-sia ar-goota)

Media note: Pictures are available

Media contact: Lyndall Derrig 0400 462 447