Rusty Plum, Plum Boxwood - 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: Niemeyera whitei

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 15 Jun 2020

Description

The Rusty Plum is a small to medium-sized tree to 20 m high with a very fluted or irregular trunk. The young shoots have rusty hairs, and the shoots and stems exude white milky sap if cut. The leaves are alternate, 5 - 15 cm long and 2 - 5 cm wide with a firm texture and a ‘quilted’ appearance. The undersurface of the leaves is paler than the upper surface and has prominent raised veins, including 15 to 20 pairs of curved secondary veins. Creamy green flowers form in clusters of four to 15 on the stems in spring. The Rusty Plum has globular plum-like fruit, red turning black, 2 - 5 cm in diameter. The round seed inside is very shiny, with an elliptical scar on one side. Formerly known as Amorphospermum whitei

Distribution

Rusty Plum occurs in the coast and adjacent ranges of northern NSW from the Macleay River into southern Queensland. Its distributional stronghold is on the mid north coast around Coffs Harbour.

Habitat and ecology

Found in gully, warm temperate or littoral rainforests and the adjacent understorey of moist eucalypt forest.
It occurs on poorer soils in areas below 600 metres above sea level.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Clearing of habitat for development.
Historical loss of habitat and individuals
Clearing for agriculture.
Habitat invasion and competition by multiple weeds (including Asparagus Fern and vines) reducing habitat suitability and suppressing recruitment and growth of the plant.
Inappropriate fire regimes including too frequent and intense fires are likely to destroy mature individuals and disrupt reproduction by killing resprouters
Road work and track maintenance.
Trampling by domestic stock.
Browsing of young trees that impacts regeneration of the species
Weeds competing for resources, which reduces habitat suitability and suppresses recruitment and growth of individual plants
Loss and fragmentation of habitat and reduced connectivity as a result of urban and rural development
Risk of localised extinction due to isolated populations.

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 9 priority actions to help recover the Rusty Plum, Plum Boxwood in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing and development.
Assist with the control and removal of weeds.
Protect areas of habitat from timber harvesting activities.
Protect areas of known habitat from fire.
Maintain viable ex-situ seedbank and/or living collection.
Provide advice to consent and planning authorities regarding the status and management requirements of the species.
Protect roadside populations from disturbance.
Protect known populations from domestic stock.

Information sources

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)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None