Long before the COVID pandemic hit Australia has been battling with another type of pandemic.

Myrtle Rust is a plant disease threatening iconic Australian plants such as Eucalyptus, tea tree and bottle brush. One of the leading advocates for the saving of these plants is Dr Karen Sommerville, head of the project at the Australian PlantBank that uses seed banking.

Seed banking is the most compact and cost-effective method of protecting plants from the threat of extinction. In science week, it’s more important than ever that individuals educate themselves on the ways in which Australia’s most precious and threatened plants can be preserved.
The Daily was joined by Dr Somerville to discuss.

Head to http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/Learn/Sydney-Science-Trail to check it out