Gibraltar Rock Apple - 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: Angophora exul

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 26 Feb 1999

Profile last updated: 13 Mar 2023

Description

Gibraltar Rock Apple is one of the ‘apples’, eucalypt-like trees with paired leaves. A member of the Angophora bakeri group, Angophora exul is distinguished by the very narrow leaves with long, slender petioles. It has rough grey bark and grows as a small tree up to 10 m tall. The adult leaves are smooth and straight, 5 - 12 cm long and 4 - 7 mm wide with a tapered tip. The two sides of the adult leaves are slightly different colours, with the underside paler than the top. Flowers occur at the end of the branches in groups of 3-7. The ribbed gumnuts are cup-shaped and 5 - 8 mm long and 5 - 7 mm wide.

Distribution

Angophora exul only known only from a single small stand on Gibraltar Rock, west of Tenterfield

Habitat and ecology

Flowering period is unknown. Seed is probably dispersed locally by wind or gravity, and there is no dormancy mechanism.
Gibraltar Rock Apple is a rare species occurring only on open scree on a ridge of acid volcanic outcrops. The habitat is dry open woodland on the steep south-west slopes and crest of the outcrop, with skeletal to shallow loam soil.
Associated vegetation is described as dry sclerophyll forest of Eucalyptus melanophloia dominant with Eucalyptus caleyi and Eucalyptus dealbata, as well as shrubby woodland of Angophora exul, Angophora leiocarpa and Eucalyptus dealbata with Bertya cunninghamii subsp. rupicola, Westringia amabilis and Lomandra sp. aff. glauca.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Nandewar

Threats

The small numbers and restricted distribution makes the species highly vulnerable to any catastrophic events which may alter or destroy the habitat.
The highly restricted distribution makes the species highly vulnerable to any catastrophic events which may alter or destroy the habitat.
Grazing by feral goats.
The species may be at risk of hybridisation with Angophora floribunda if too few plants exist to maintain genetic integrity and diversity within the populations.
Senescence and lack of regeneration may be threatening processes, especially as older even-aged stands die off with no juvenile recruitment.
Potential for two high intensity fires in short succession (<5 years) to significantly diminish capacity for reproduction and recruitment.
Current or potential future land management practices do not support conservation
Lack of knowledge about the ecological requirements of the species.

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 Gibraltar Rock Apple in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Assist with the control of feral goats in areas of known and potential habitat.
Protect areas of known or potential habitat from clearing or disturbance.
Report any new records of Gibraltar Rock Apple to the OEH.
Undertake research into the ecological requirements of the species including the appropriate fire regime and recruitment requirements.
Support local Landcare groups raise the profile of the species and undertake onground conservation works at known sites.
Undertake surveys to identify any unrecorded populations of the species.
Maintain viable ex-situ seedbank and/or living collection.
Monitor population dynamics and threats at known sites.
Implement appropriate fire regime for the species.

Information sources

Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Brooker, M.I.H. (2000) A New Classification of the Genus Eucalyptus L’Hér. (Myrtaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 13(1): 79-148
Hill, K.D. (1997) New species in Angophora and Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) from New South Wales. Telopea 7(2): 97-109
Hill, K.D. (2002) Angophora. Pp. 89-93 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2 Revised Edition. (University of New South Wales 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 (1999) Angophora exul - Endangered species determination - final.