MacNutt's Wattle - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

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 macnuttiana

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Gazetted date: 19 Dec 2008

Profile last updated: 08 Feb 2022

Description

MacNutt's Wattle is an upright or spreading shrub 1 - 3 m tall. The leaves are straight or curved, 7 - 14 cm long and 3 mm wide, with a pointed tip, and one to three small glands along the edge. Its golden yellow flowers are clustered into ball-shaped heads with five to nine heads on a hairy flower stalk. It flowers during July-September.

Distribution

MacNutt's Wattle occurs only on the New England Tablelands and just extending onto the North West Slopes. Found in widely scattered locations in the Tenterfield area and west to around Torrington.

Habitat and ecology

MacNutt's Wattle grows in dry forest or woodland and heath vegetation, usually on granite or metasediments and often near streams.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Inappropriate fire regimes including risk from uncontrolled fires due to arson, frequent hazard reduction burns and escaped private property fires. Fires may be too frequent, too infrequent, or may not be of sufficient intensity to crack seed coats and allow seedling germination.
Destruction and disturbance of habitat for agriculture and development
Trampling and picking of plants by bushwalkers.
Destruction of habitat caused by erosion.
Potentially rapid destruction of localised populations by Feral Goats
Lack of knowledge on the species taxonomy including whether it distinct from other similar threatened Acacia species (e.g. A. acrionastes)
Insufficient information about the species climate response. Extended drought is likely to reduce soil moisture for adult plants and germination of seedlings.
Uncertainty of future land management practices, particularly those practices associated with mining, which could limit access or on-ground conservation of the species
Increased disturbance by recreational users including clearing for camping, rubbish dumping and illegal firewood collection
Species loss and habitat degradation caused by recreational horse riding particularly at stop-over points
Lack of knowledge of species abundance and extent.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 14 priority actions to help recover the MacNutt's Wattle in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare groups.
Stay on established walking tracks when visiting National Parks and other reserves.
Enjoy viewing and photographing native wildflowers but leave them in the wild.
Manage fire to encourage regeneration of MacNutt's Wattle.
Protect known populations and areas of potential habitat from clearing or disturbance.

Information sources

Clarke, P.J., Knox, K.J.E., Campbell, M.L. and Copeland, L.M. (2009) Post-fire recovery of woody plants in the New England Tableland Bioregion. Cunninghamia 11(2): 221–239
Copeland, L.M. and Hunter, J.T. (1999) Range extensions and conservation status of 18 restricted plant species in north-eastern New South Wales. Cunninghamia 6(2): 395-401
Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
Hunter, J.T. (2002) A preliminary overview of what is reserved in the Inverell and Yallaroi Shires, North Western Slopes, NSW. Cunninghamia 7(4): 671–681
Hunter, J.T. and Clarke, P.J. (1998) The vegetation of granitic outcrop communities on the New England Batholith of eastern Australia. Cunninghamia 5(3): 547-618
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 National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
NSW Scientific Committee (2008) Acacia macnuttiana - Review of Current Information in NSW
NSW Scientific Committee (2008) Acacia macnuttiana - Vulnerable species determination - final.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Beardy River Hills	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Deepwater Downs	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Severn River Volcanics	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Stanthorpe Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Tenterfield Plateau	Known	None

Images

Foliage and flowers, MacNutt's Wattle <a href="http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Botanic Gardens Trust</a>

Foliage and flowers, MacNutt's Wattle Botanic Gardens Trust Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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