The endangered Illawarra Irene is a type of herb that is only found between Wollongong and the Shoalhaven River, mainly near waterfalls in the escarpment.
Senior Threatened Species Officer with the NSW Department of Environment, Jedda Lemmon, said there had been very few sightings of the plant in the past four years due to the drought.
She said since rain started to fall in February, there’s been a huge surge in their numbers.
Ms Lemmon said she is now working closely with the Australian Botanic Gardens to conserve the species.
[Story Source: ABC Illawarra / Images: Jedda Lemmon]
