What’s happening?
A citizen science observation has led to the rediscovery of a Queensland plant presumed extinct in the wild.
The species, Ptilotus senarius, had not been recorded since 1967. It was believed extinct until images of an unusual plant were uploaded to iNaturalist in June 2025.
The images were taken by horticulturalist and bird bander Aaron Bean while working on private property in the Gilbert River region of northern Queensland.
Following expert review, the identification was confirmed using a new specimen collected from the same property.
Why it matters
Researchers say the rediscovery shows how citizen science platforms are now central to biodiversity research.
Observations made by people already in the field can reach scientists quickly, especially in regions that are difficult to survey through traditional methods.
Study lead author Thomas Mesaglio from the UNSW School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences said rediscoveries create valuable research opportunities.
“Rediscoveries offer that opportunity to conduct follow-up, targeted surveys and consistent long-term monitoring to give us a better understanding of exactly where and how these species are distributed across the landscape,” Mesaglio said.
Local impact
The plant was found on private land in northern Queensland.
Researchers say private properties often hold important biodiversity records but can be hard for professional scientists to access.
Mesaglio said iNaturalist helps bridge that gap.
“iNaturalist has especially become an invaluable tool for recording biodiversity on private property, which can often be difficult to access by professional researchers,” he said.
By the numbers
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Ptilotus senarius had not been recorded in the wild since 1967, meaning the species went unseen for 58 years before this rediscovery.
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The confirmed sighting began with a single observation uploaded to iNaturalist in June 2025 from northern Queensland.
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The rediscovery was formally reported on 19 January 2026, following expert review and specimen confirmation.
Zoom in
A single upload triggered expert review through iNaturalist.
That review led to on-ground confirmation using a newly collected specimen.
Zoom out
iNaturalist is one of the world’s largest citizen science platforms.
Scientists now use it to track species ranges, confirm rare sightings, and rediscover plants thought lost.
What to look for next?
Researchers may now undertake targeted surveys in the Gilbert River region.