Velvet 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 pubifolia

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

Velvet Wattle is a shrub or small tree 3 - 8 m tall with golden yellow flowers and dark-grey bark. The leaves are hairy and feel like velvet. The adult leaves are straight or slightly curved, 2 - 10 cm long and 8 - 30 mm wide, with prominent veins and a rounded tip. Its flowers are clustered together in a long tube or spike 2 - 5 cm long and appear during September-October.

Distribution

Velvet Wattle occurs in NSW and Qld. In NSW it is known from three locations, Spring Hill, west of the Beardy River, the Gulf Road Torrington/Torrington State Conservation Area and Warrabah National Park.

Habitat and ecology

Velvet Wattle generally grows in dry shrubby woodland on acid volcanic, granite and metasediment soils.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Inappropriate fire regime. Fire events may occur too frequently (less than five years) or too seldom (greater than 30 years) between events, and / or fires may not be hot enough to promote seed germination.
Grazing by domestic stock.
Clearing and fragmentation for agriculture.
Destruction and disturbance of habitat for roadworks.
Suitable habitat exists, but sufficient survey has not occurred in order to sufficiently establish baseline population data.
Browsing by feral browsers; damages / removes adults and recruits from the population.
Small population size.

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 22 priority actions to help recover the Velvet Wattle in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare groups.
Manage fire to encourage regeneration of Velvet Wattle by implementing a fire interval of between 5 and 30 years.
Fence off known populations to protect from grazing stock.
Protect during road, railway or powerline maintenance.
Protect areas of dry shrubby woodland habitat from clearing and fragmentation.
Expand and reconnect isolated areas of habitat.
Notify the DPE of any new records of Velvet Wattle.
Survey and add sites and potential habitat to maps used for planning road maintenance work.

Information sources

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
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
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)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Beardy River Hills	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Bundarra Downs	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Eastern Nandewars	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Severn River Volcanics	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Cataract	Predicted	None

Images

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

Foliage and flowers, Velvet Wattle Botanic Gardens Trust Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

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