Narrow-leaved Bertya - 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: Bertya ingramii

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 20 Nov 2018

Description

Medium-sized shrub to 2.5m tall with a grey to white covering of star shaped hairs on the stems. The leaves are straight, 10 - 50 mm long and 1 - 5 mm wide, with a rough upper surface and a densely hairy underside. The leaves are alternate in a spiral pattern along the stem. The species has separate male and female flowers which look quite different but grow on the same plant. The flowers have a very short stalk or no stalk and six to seven modified leaves at the base, the outer ones being narrow, thick and very hairy. Flowering occurs from August to November. The seed capsule is 7.5-10mm long and approximately 3.5mm wide with one or sometimes two seeds.

Distribution

Occurs only on the New England Tablelands of NSW. Was previously known only from two small populations in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park but was historically more widespread on the Tablelands. A third population was discovered in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park in 2006.

Habitat and ecology

Grows among rocks or in thin soils close to cliff-edges in dry woodland with she-oaks, wattles and tea-trees.
Male and female flowers occur on the same plant. Female flowers have about 8 weeks of intermittent synchrony with male flowers. Flowers from August to November.
Capable of self polination, although fruit set is higher when outcrossed pollination occurs. Seed viability is high but seedling establishment is low.
Individuals can live in excess of 20 years.
Native ants move close to 100% of seeds to their nests.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Seed take by native ants and infestation of buds by moths.
Trampling of plants and soil compaction in habitat areas caused by bushwalkers and picnickers.
Grazing and trampling by feral goats.
Inappropriate fire regimes.
Browsing of seedlings by macropods.
Low seed production and seedling establishment.
Small known population size and restricted distribution make the species susceptible to extinction via stochastic events
Lack of knowledge of the ecological requirements of the species.
Grazing by sheep.
Lack of knowledge of the species response to fire and how fires are impacting the population.
Insufficient understanding of the impact of honeybees taking nectar from flowers without pollinating the plant reducing reproductive success.
Lengthy dry periods are becoming more common with climate change, leading to dieback and potential of local extinctions.

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 12 priority actions to help recover the Narrow-leaved Bertya in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Stay on established walking tracks when visiting national parks and other reserves to avoid damaging vegetation.
Control feral goats in areas of known and potential habitat.
Manage fire to maintain populations of Narrow-leaved Bertya.
Undertake research into the fire ecology, seed predation, seed dormancy, seedling establishment and ecological requirements of the species.
Protect and rehabilitate degraded or disturbed areas of potential habitat.
Report any new records of Narrow-leaved Bertya to OEH.
Ensure viable ex-situ seed bank is maintained.
Undertake surveys to identify additonal populations of the species.
Monitor impacts and population dynamics of known populations.
Identify conditions leading to moth infestation in buds to determine opportunities for control.
Investigate the need to supplement exisiting populatons with ex-situ germinated seedlings.

Information sources

Fatemi, M., Gross, C.L. and Bruhl J.J. (2007) The first phenetic analysis of species limits in Bertya (Euphorbiaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 20(5): 448-463
James, T.A. (1988) Bertya ingramii (Euphorbiaceae), a new species from New South Wales. Telopea 3(2) : 285-286
James, T.A. and Harden, G.J. (2000) Bertya. Pp. 414-8 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1 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)
Scott, B. (1997) The reproductive ecology of Bertya ingramii T. James (Euphorbiaceae); Why are there so few seedlings. Honours thesis, University of New England.
Scott, B. and Gross, C.L. (2004) Recovery directions for monoecious and endangered Bertya ingramii using autecology and comparisons with common B. rosmarinifolia (Euphorbiaceae). Biodiversity and Conservation 13(5): 885-899

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Armidale Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Walcha Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Gorges	Predicted	None

Images

Male and female flowers of Narrow-leaved Bertya Image 1 of 5.
View slideshow.

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