After years of trying, without success, to germinate an incredibly rare species of orchid found only around Albury, scientists have made a breakthrough.
A rare species of orchid found only around the Goulburn Murray region may have been saved by a new germination program.
Less than 30 Crimson spider-orchid plants remain in the world, confined to north-east Victoria and granite ridge country near Albury.
Dr Noushka Reiter, an ecologist involved in the program, said the team was "pretty excited" with the development.
"It's really at a point where, unless we do something within our lifetime we're likely to lose this particular species," she said.
Scientists from the Australian Network for Plant Conservation also successfully germinated the rare Sand-hill spider orchid.
Their efforts involved several years of searching for a particular type of mycorrhizal fungi, which was eventually found in New South Wales.
"We've been busy out in the field hand-pollinating the plants and managed to get some seed from both of these federally-endangered species," Dr Reiter said.
"And we've successfully managed to grow them in the lab, which is quite exciting.
"This is really a significant step for conservation of these species."
In nature the Sand-hill spider-orchid is pollinated by the male wasp, which has poor eyesight and mistakes pheremones emitted by the orchid as being from female wasps.
Scientists are unsure how the Crimson spider-orchid is pollinated, but know that it emits a mandarin-scented smell.
Dr Reiter said the New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage was looking to introduce both species back into the wild next year.
"They're looking at bolstering the wild population," she said.
Hear from Noushka Reiter in the audio player.