THE Australian National Botanical Gardens is helping the ACT government to re-establish wild and self-sustaining populations of the Small Purple Pea (Swainsona recta) in the region.

The small herb is nationally and locally listed as an endangered species. It grows in grassy woodlands throughout the ACT, NSW and Victoria, but has been on the decline in recent years.

The government says it will carry out plantings at multiple sites across Canberra to boost some existing populations and help foster their growth in different areas.