Ooline - 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: Cadellia pentastylis

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 03 Jan 2019

Description

Ooline is a medium-sized spreading tree usually about 10 m tall, and rarely to 25 m. It is very slow-growing. The glossy green leaves are 2 - 4 cm long and 15 - 20 mm wide, with broadly rounded tips. The upper sides of the leaves are darker and glossier than the undersides. The white flowers are small and usually single. Each flower produces a cluster of up to five rounded, brown berries, 3 - 5 mm wide. Cadellia pentastylis is of considerable biogeographic interest as it is a relic of an extensive rainforest vegetation that covered much of Australia in the past.

Distribution

Occurs along the western edge of the North West Slopes from north of Gunnedah to west of Tenterfield. Also occurs in Queensland. The natural range of Ooline is from 24ºS to 30ºS in the 500 to 750 mm per annum rainfall belt.

Habitat and ecology

Appears to flower spasmodically, during a general flowering period of October to January.
Dispersal of fruit and seed is probably by “passive fall” or by birds. Seeds showed a high rate of infertility at all sites, although they have been successfully germinated and established after heat application.
Forms a closed or open canopy mixing with eucalypt and cypress pine species.
There appears to be a strong correlation between the presence of Ooline and low- to medium-nutrient soils of sandy clay or clayey consistencies, with a typical soil profile having a sandy loam surface layer, grading from a light clay to a medium clay with depth.
Has the capacity to resprout from rootstock and coppice vigorously from stumps, a feature which may be critical for the species survival in a fire-prone environment.
Populations display a variety of age classes including large mature trees, suckering regrowth and seedlings. The total area occupied by Ooline is only about 1200 hectares, with remaining populations in NSW still threatened to various degrees by clearing for agriculture and grazing pressures.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Clearing and damage to trees and habitat during infrastructure maintenance including fence lines, powerlines, and road.
Clearing of habitat for agriculture and grazing.
Loss of genetic variation and inbreeding depression in smaller remnants due to fragmentation of species distribution.
Erosion of soils associated with overgrazing.
Poorly understood reproduction and life cycle of the species, including pollination requirements.
Grazing and trampling by domestic stock.
Over browsing by exotic herbivores including goats, pigs and deer.
Too frequent fire resulting in changes to community composition and structure with open canopies that favour weeds and increase risk of repeat high intensity burns.
Insect attack is also high at some locations placing further demands on the trees’ starch reserves.

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 Ooline in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare groups.
Assist with the control of feral goats in habitat areas.
Protect populations and areas of potential habitat from frequent fire.
Protect populations and habitat areas from grazing stock.
Identify roadside populations and areas of habitat and protect during road maintenance works.
Assist with the control weeds in habitat areas.
Protect populations and areas of potential habitat from clearing or disturbance.
Expand and reconnect isolated remnants of habitat.
Enter into conservation agreements to protect Ooline populations.

Information sources

Benson, J. (1993) The Biology and Management of Ooline (Cadellia pentastylis) in NSW. Species Management Report Number 2 (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney)
Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Cronquist, A.J. (1981) Family Surianaceae. In An Integrated System of Classification of Flowering Plants (Columbia University Press, New York)
Curran, T.J. and Curran, S.R. (2005) Rediscovery of Ooline, Cadellia pentastylis, near Gunnedah: notes on the habitat and ecology of this dry rainforest tree. Cunninghamia 9(2): 311–316
Harden, G.J. (2002) Cadellia. P. 324 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume Volume 2. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Heimsch, C. (1942) Comparative anatomy of the secondary xylem in the Gruinales and Terebinthales, of Wettstein with reference to taxonomic grouping. Lilloa 8.
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
Jadin, F. (1901) Contribution a l’etude des Simarubacees. Annales des Sciences Naturelles Botanique 13: 208-304.
Johnson, R.W. (1984) Flora and vegetation of the Brigalow Belt. In Bailey, A. (ed.) The Brigalow Belt of Australia (The Royal Society of Queensland, Brisbane)
Leigh, J.H. and Briggs, J.D. (eds.) (1992) Threatened Australian Plants - overview and case studies. (Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra)
Mueller, F.J.H. von (1860) Cadellia pentastylis F. Muell. Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 2: 26
Porteners, M. and Robertson, G. (2003) Threatened Plants in Western New South Wales: Information Review. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
Stanley, T.D. and Ross, E.M. (1983) Flora of South-Eastern Queensland. Volume 1. (Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane)
Thomas, M.B. and McDonald W.J.F. (1987) Rare and Threatened Plants of Queensland (Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane)
Webber, I.E. (1936) Systematic anatomy of the woods of the Simaroubaceae. American Journal of Botany 23: 577-587

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Basalts	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Northern Outwash	Predicted	None
Nandewar	Kaputar	Known	None
Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Known	None
Nandewar	Peel	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None

Images

Flowers and buds, Ooline Image 1 of 6.
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