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: Darwinia glaucophylla
Gazetted date:
13 Dec 2002
Profile last updated:
01 Dec 2017
Description
Spreading, prostrate shrub with ascending branchlets to 15 cm high. Leaves are compressed to the side, 8 - 17 mm long, without hairs or scales, glaucous (blue-grey with a white bloom) and often tinged red-purple. Flowers tubular, in clusters of 2 - 4, yellow -green when young, turning red in upper parts as they mature; tube 7 - 8 mm long, style 12 -16 mm white and straight. Flower surrounded by red-brown bracteoles (bract like structure at base of flower), 4 - 6 mm long, falling as flower ages. Flowers borne on stalks 1.5mm long at end of small branchlets. Fruit tiny, 1 seeded to 1.5 mm diameter.
Distribution
Occurs between Gosford and the Hawkesbury River around Calga, Kariong and Mt Karing. Known from approximately 15 sites, several within or near to Brisbane Waters NP and one within Popran NP. Occurs entirely within the Gosford Local Government Area of the Sydney Basin Bioregion.
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs in sandy heath, scrub and woodlands often associated with sandstone rock platforms or near hanging swamps and friable sandstone shallow soils.
- Associated species in scrub include: Banksia ericifolia, Acacia terminalis, A. oxycedrus, Angophora hispida, Hakea teretifolia, Bauera rubioides, and in woodland: Corymbia gummifera, C. eximia, Eucalyptus haemastoma and E. punctata.
- Flowers winter and spring.
- Seed is dispersed by ants.
- Germination is from soil stored seed which requires heat to break seed dormancy. Germination is unlikely in the absence of fire.
- Killed by fire and populations may flucuate in relation to time since the last fire.
- Highly sensitive to too frequent and infrequent fire.
- Recommended fire interval is 5-10 years.
- Hybrids with D. fascicularis are readily identifiable by their erect habit.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss and fragmentation of habitat due to development.
- Habitat degradation due to trail and track maintenance, weed invasion, increased sedimentation and damage by recreational vehicles.
- Inappropriate fire regimes (too frequent & infrequent fire).
- Poor understanding of species distribution and the threats operating at sites where it occurs may lead to declines in its abundance and/or extent.
- Sand mine and proposal for extension.
- The species is susceptible to extinction via stochastic processes due to its small known population size.
- Disturbance from illegal horse riding.
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
15 priority actions
to help recover the Darwinia glaucophylla in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Appropriate fire management - recommended fire interval of 5-10 years.
- Implement sediment control programs.
- Prepare and implement guidelines for maintenance of trails and tracks to minimise disturbance to habitat.
- Restrict and control access, especially vehicles.
- Protect areas of habitat from clearing and further fragmentation.
- Restore degraded habitat using bush regeneration techniques.
Information sources
- Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (1998) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 6 Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae. Cunninghamia 5(4): 808-987.
- Fairley, A. (2004) Seldom seen: rare plants of greater Sydney. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
- Fairley, A. and Moore, P. (2000) Native plants of the Sydney district: an identification guide. 2nd Edition. (Kangaroo Press, East Roseville)
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Darwinia glaucophylla (a prostrate shrub) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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