DOC's work with dactylanthus
DOC staff erecting a cage over
Dactylanthus taylori, Mangaweka Reserve
Potential for recovery
Possum browsing on flowers and preventing seed set is the greatest long-term threat to dactylanthus. Attempts to protect dactylanthus flowers by controlling possum numbers have had limited success.
Protecting the plant from possums with simple cages or exclosures has proved effective in allowing the plants to flower and produce seeds. Hand pollination also increases seed set.
On a positive note, dactylanthus plants flower profusely, which means a large supply of seeds for dispersal if flowers are pollinated.
Recent work has shown that dactylanthus can be established at a new site by spreading seed under a suitable host.
Recovery Plan in action
The original Department of Conservation Dactylanthus taylorii Recovery Plan was approved in 1995. This plan set in place a series of steps that promoted the recovery of Dactylanthus. It also outlined different management options, and a work plan.
This plan was reviewed in August 2001. The review provided a direction for future management. A revised plan was published in 2005.
The vision of this plan is:
"Dactylanthus is secure throughout its natural range. Dactylanthus is locally abundant in self-sustaining populations. Key ecosystem interactions such as those with pollinators, dispersers, consumers and hosts are restored."
The long term (50 years) goal is to have at least fifteen populations with over 500 clumps in each, including 100 females.