Bolwarra is an Aboriginal name for the rainforest plant, Eupomatia laurina.
It is a relic of the southern hemisphere supercontinent of Gondwana, and is endangered in East Gippsland.
There are isolated populations of the plant in forests around Orbost, but they are under threat.
The summer flowers of Bolwarra are pollinated exclusively by small Elleschodes weevils, which have no other hosts.
The weevils and the Bolwarra lineage have been in this specialised relationship for more than 66 million years.
Dr Frank Greenhalgh has been studying this mutually beneficial plant: weevil relationship.
He found that the weevils are not present on the Bolwarras in the Rainforest Garden in Orbost.
He therefore recently translocated some weevils from Bete Bolong to Bolwarras in the garden.
The plants should now set fruit. It is also expected that a reservoir of weevils will develop at the site, and that some will fly to other local Bolwarras and cross-pollinate them.
Far East Victoria Landcare (FEVL) and Snowy West Landcare Group, through the Orbost Town Landcare Project, are delivering regular activities at the Orbost Rainforest Centre.
Current activities focus on appreciating, understanding and enjoying this special place.
The unique relationship between Bolwarra and the Elleschodes weevil will highlight the depth of ecological complexity within the rainforest – complexity that we are only beginning to understand.
The Orbost Town Landcare Project is also undertaking detailed mapping of plants, tracks, signs, and assets within the Orbost Rainforest.
This project is supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Landcare Grants and is administered by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.
Contact Josh Puglisi from FEVL for more information and how to get involved.
