The objectives of this project were to sample Gossypium sturtianum (Sturt's Desert Rose) in the Flinders and Barrier Ranges and multiply the samples for research and conservation. The area for exploration forms the southern boundary of the genus. Specimen records from major herbaria were used. to plan the field trip. This was carried out 8-19 February, and samples of individual capsules were obtained from 23 sites. including the .three most southerly populations, and eight new populations. This represents a substantial sampling of a very rare plant. The typical habitat for the species was a well drained bank of a dry creek, protected from winter exposure and with local air drainage. Throughout the area of study. the plant was very rare. At about one third of the sites, only a single plant was found and only four sites had appreciable populations. Most populations showed little .sign of herbivore damage. Plants have been established from the seed samples in the glasshouse at Canberra and seed will be harvested, evaluated and processed for storage over the subsequent twelve months as part of the germplasm program