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: Allocasuarina defungens
Profile last updated:
31 Mar 2022
Description
Dwarf Heath Casuarina is a member of the She-oak family. It is a straggly shrub to 2 m high growing from a tuber. Like all She-oaks it has wiry foliage consisting of jointed branchlets rather than leaves. Leaves are reduced to ribs on the branchlets, projecting at the nodes as small teeth. In Dwarf Heath Casuarina the foliage is blue-green, the branchlets are up to 12 cm long and the leaf teeth may overlap. Male and female flowers are inconspicuous, and are both monoecious, occurring on separate plants, and dioecious, found on the same plant. The cones are very irregular, 8 to 11 mm long, held on narrow stalks to 7 mm.
Distribution
Dwarf Heath Casuarina is found only in NSW from the Nabiac area, north-west of Forster, and at Crowdy Bay.
Habitat and ecology
- Dwarf Heath Casuarina grows mainly in tall heath on sand, but can also occur on clay soils and sandstone.
- The species also extends onto exposed nearby-coastal hills or headlands adjacent to sandplains.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss of habitat through coastal development.
- Sandmining.
- Timber harvesting activities.
- Inappropriate burning which does not allow regeneration of the species.
- Groundwater extraction by MidCoast Water and changes to water tables.
- Occurs in an ecotonal area where the species is threatened by competition from Banksia ericifolia and Hakea teretifolia.
- Limited knowledge of extent or number of populations.
- Current or potential future land management practices do not support conservation.
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
- Manage fire to encourage regeneration of Dwarf Heath Casuarina.
- Protect areas of habitat from clearing or disturbance.
- Protect areas of habitat from sandmining and timber harvesting activities.
- Report new records to the OEH.
Information sources
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
- Griffith, S.J., Wilson, R. and Maryott-Brown, K. (2000) Vegetation and flora of Booti Booti National Park and Yahoo Nature Reserve, lower North Coast of New South Wales. Cunninghamia 6(3): 645-715
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Lower North Coast of New South Wales. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
- Wilson, K.L. and Johnson, L.A.S. (2000) Allocasuarina. Pp 510-517 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
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