Australian National Botanic Gardens Growing, studying and promoting Australian plants
	GPO Box 1777 Canberra ACT 2601 AUSTRALIA	Telephone (02) 6250 9546 Facsimile (02) 62509599 Media enquiries: Paul Ziesing (M) 0418 955 661
	NEWS RELEASE

Gardens receives new Bottle Tree

A large and fully mature Queensland Bottle Tree and three different species of cycads will arrive at the Botanic Gardens for planting at the front entrance this morning. The bottle tree was discovered last year while sourcing the cycads for the Gardens.

The bottle tree and the cycads were purchased as part of a project developed by Gardens' horticulturists, Toby Golson and Stuart Donaldson, to enhance the main entrance display. The project was funded by the Friends of the Gardens, who provide funds for major projects each year.

Today's plantings take place only one month before the Gardens' Summersounds Series, which continues throughout January. This concert series is the Friends of the Gardens' major fundraising activity and proceeds raised are used to fund a variety of projects.

Queensland Bottle Trees (Brachychiton rupestris) and cycads are not only striking landscape features but also have a significant heritage and conservation value. Macrozamia moorei is listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) legislation. Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction and trade in specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

During field trips Gardens' staff collect many species to display but the majority are mostly seeds or tiny seedlings that take years to reach maturity in Canberra's cool climate.

In February this year three species of cycads (Macrozamia moorei, Cycas communis, Cycas media) and two species of palms (Livistona nitida and Livistona decipiens) were also planted at the entrance of the Botanic Gardens.

29 November 2004

Media contact:
Paul Ziesing
Communications Officer
Australian National Botanic Gardens
(02) 6250 9546 and 0418 955 661
paul.ziesing@deh.gov.au