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: Cryptocarya foetida
Profile last updated:
07 Jun 2021
Description
Stinking Cryptocarya is a small to medium-sized tree growing to 20 m tall, with a dark green crown, and brown, slightly fissured bark. The leaves are oval-shaped with a bluntly pointed tip, 5 – 12 cm long and 2 – 6 cm wide, dark green on the upper surface and paler below. The main leaf vein is prominent, yellow and characteristically crooked. The species is named from the offensive odour of the small creamy flowers, which are borne in small clusters. The purplish to black, fleshy, globular fruits are about 1 cm in diameter and enclose a single round seed.
Distribution
Coastal south-east Queensland and north-east NSW south to Iluka.
Habitat and ecology
- Found in littoral, warm temporate and subtropical rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and Camphor laural forest usually on sandy soils, but mature trees are also known on basalt soils.
- The seeds are readily dispersed by fruit-eating birds, and seedlings and saplings have been recorded from other habitats where they are unlikely to develop to maturity.
- Though seedlings can be fairly numerous, few mature trees are known.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Risk of local extinction because populations are small.
- Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for development.
- Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for agriculture.
- Habitat invasions and competition by multiple weeds (including coastal Cactus, Vine Weed, Bitou Bush, Asparagus Fern) reduces habitat suitability and suppresses recruitment and growth of the plant.
- Clearing and distrubance as a result of roadworks and track maintenance.
- Inappropriate fire regime.
- Trampling by visitors when accessing beach areas through littoral rainforest.
- Trampling by domestic stock.
- Inappropriate fire regimes degrading species habitat including increased intensity and frequency of fires from climate induced drought and extreme weather events. Littoral rainforest does not typically burn, and too frequent fire can destroy the seed bank if it occurs before plants reach maturity
- Disturbance by recreational users including illegal camping, fires, firewood collection, rubbish dumping, and clearing for camp sites
- Habitat loss from climate change inundation, sea level rise, erosion and increased extreme storm events
- Insufficient understanding of flying fox roosting damaging habitat (e.g. die-back of canopy trees and severe weed infestation) and preventing regeneration of new trees
- Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for coastal development, agriculture, roadwork, and maintenance of fire breaks and trails
- Insufficient understanding of climate change, explicitly the response of the species to drought and low soil moisture.
- Insufficient understanding of the species distribution and abundance
- Insufficient understand of the impacts of feral pigs rooting and wallowing in the species habitat.
- Uncertainty of future land management practices for plants on private land
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
17 priority actions
to help recover the Stinking Cryptocarya in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing or development.
- Support local Landcare groups and bush regeneration teams raise the profile of the species and undertake onground management.
- Avoid fire in and around areas of known habitat.
- Undertake weed control work in areas of known habitat.
- Expand and connect remaining areas of habitat.
- Exclude cattle from known habitat.
- Monitor the population dynamics and threats at known populations.
- Keep to tracks and avoid trampling on small plants.
- Provide ongoing advise to consent and planning authorities regarding the protection of the species.
- Maintain viable exsitu seedbank and/or living collection.
- Undertake survey to identify unrecorded populations.
Information sources
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Border Ranges Rainforest Biodiversity Management Plan - NSW & Queensland. (DECCW NSW, Sydney)
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
- Harden, G., McDonald, B. and Williams, J. (2006) Rainforest trees and shrubs: a field guide to their identification. (Gwen Harden Publishing, Nambucca Heads)
- Harden, G.J. (2000) Cryptocarya. Pp 135-143 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
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