Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Acacia gordonii
Gazetted date:
06 Jun 1997
Profile last updated:
12 Jul 2019
Description
An erect or spreading shrub, 0.5 - 1.5 m high, with smooth grey bark. Branchlets and leaves (phyllodes) are usually hairy. Phyllodes are alternate or sometimes whorled or clustered, straight or almost sickle-shaped, 5 - 15 mm long, about 1 mm wide, with a pointed tip. Flower heads are golden yellow arising singly in the angle between phyllodes and the stem on a hairy peduncle (stalk) that is 8 - 12 mm long. The seed pod is 25 - 55 mm long, 9 - 14 mm wide, and glaucous (dull blue-green in colour with a whitish bloom).
Distribution
Restricted to the north-west of Sydney, it has a disjunct distribution occurring in the lower Blue Mountains in the west, and in the Maroota/Glenorie area in the east. This species is known from only a few locations and current information suggests the total number of individuals may be less than 2000, with only one population supporting greater than 400 individuals. A relatively large proportion of individuals (approximately 850) occur on conservation reserve within Blue Mountains National Park. This species is found within the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Baulkham Hills local government areas.
Habitat and ecology
- Grows in dry sclerophyll forest and heathlands amongst or within rock platforms on sandstone outcrops.
- Flowers August to September and produces fruit October to February. The fruit is a pod containing hard-coated seed. The seed ultimately forms a persistent soil stored seedbank.
- Is identified in Benson and McDougall (1996) as a resprouter, however it is likely that the species’ ability to resprout following fire varies as anecdotal observations suggest (at least in one instance) few adults resprouted following a fire (Ross Doig pers. comm. 2002). Such variation in fire response is not unusual for Acacia.
- Fire promotes germination of the soil stored seedbank and seed germination will not occur in the absence of fire as the hard-coated seed requires heat to break seed dormancy, as is typical of species within Fabaceae.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Habitat loss, for example due to clearing, urban development and road maintenance.
- Habitat degradation due to recreational users in its habitat.
- Collection and removal adds to site disturbance.
- Inappropriate fire regimes (both too frequent - less than every 7 years, and too infrequent fire -unburnt for more than 20 years).
- Reduce and maintain low levels of African lovegrass in and around areas where the species occurs.
- Habitat loss and disturbance from road maintenance.
Recovery strategies
A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click
here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click
here
Activities to assist this species
- Ensure appropriate fire regime is implemented which avoids frequent fire which will kill adult plants and long absences of fire (fire is needed for germination). Mosaic burning of appropriate habitat on a 10 to 40 year cycle, burning only a small proportion of the habitat in any one year is suitable. Following occurrence of wildfire, monitoring is required prior to additional ecological burns.
- Searches for the species should be conducted in suitable habitat in proposed development areas, and protection measures should be implemented if the species is present.
- Habitat degradation due to inappropriate recreational activities and bushrock removal should be minimised and controlled.
- Survey of known populations, and potential habitat, to provide greater insight into the current status of the species, threats to its persistence and management actions required.
Information sources
- Auld, T.D. (1996) Ecology of the Fabaceae in the Sydney region: fire, ants and the soil seedbank. Cunninghamia 4(4): 531-552
- Bell, S.A.J. (2008) Rare or threatened vascular plant species of Wollemi National Park, central eastern New South Wales. Cunninghamia 10(3): 331–371
- Fairley, A. (2004) Seldom seen: rare plants of greater Sydney. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
- Kodela, P.G. and Harden, G.J. (2002) Acacia. Pp 381-476 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (1997) Acacia gordonii - Endangered species determination - final.
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