Plant Sciences researcher and senior lecturer Dr Nanjappa Ashwath has gained success with his push for native plants to be planted on Rockhampton campus instead of exotic species.

He has worked on the project alongside staff from Facilities Management and Plant Sciences, along with volunteer helpers.

More than 50 species (grevilleas, banksia, callistemons, sygiziums, cycads, carissas, erimophilas, etc) have now been planted in three plots near the flagpoles, with one plot being devoted to grasses and cycads.

"We have planted the seedlings at a higher density than required, as they are growing in a very harsh environment surrounded by buildings and bitumen, and as a result some species may not perform here as well as they do in the bush," Dr Ashwath said.

Native plants have been donated by the Plant Sciences Group and the Livingstone, Rockhampton and Gladstone councils. Plants have also been sourced from local nurseries.

Dr Ashwath and other members of the Society for Growing Australian Plants visited the campus over the weekend.

"They were impressed with the diversity of native species present on the campus," he said.

The SGAP members admired the excellent facility and the opportunity that we have here to demonstrate the use of native plants in landscaping.