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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Doryanthes palmeri
Gazetted date:
06 Dec 2002
Profile last updated:
30 Jul 2021
Description
Giant Spear Lily is a large, succulent herb which grows as a rosette. Its hairless leaves are sword–shaped, and up to 3 m long and 20 cm wide. The flowering stalk is up to 5 m high, and bears numerous much shorter leaves to 30 cm long. The flower head contains up to 350 flowers, and is up to 120 cm long. The flowers are red or reddish–brown, 6–12 cm long, and upright to slightly spreading. The fruit is egg-shaped and 7 – 9 cm long, and contains seeds that are 15–22 mm long. Flowers occur in late winter to spring.
Distribution
Giant Spear Lily occurs in far north-east NSW and south-east Queensland. In NSW, it occurs on the coastal ranges that are part of the Mt Warning Caldera. Its southern distributional limit is Mount Billen. The species is currently known from eleven sites within NSW, five of which are conservation reserves. Most populations consist of only a few hundred individuals.
Habitat and ecology
- Giant Spear Lily occurs on exposed rocky outcrops on infertile soils or on bare rock.
- It grows in a narrow band of vegetation along the cliff-tops and on steep cliff-faces or rocky ledges in montane heath next to subtropical rainforest, warm temperate rainforest or wet eucalypt forest.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Habitat invasion and competition by multiple weeds (crofton weed, mist flower and lantana), reduces habitat suitability and suppresses recruitment and growth of the plant.
- Too frequent and intense fire, from arson, lightning strikes at the summit and other sources can cause direct mortality of plants.
- Illegal seed harvesting.
- Climate change induced drought (>6months) could affect seedlings and potentially adults. The species does have some water storage in roots but it is dependent on rainfall.
- Lack of knowledge on the species occurrences due to difficult access on cliff faces.
- Lack of knowledge on the species taxonomy including whether it is more than one species due to population isolation, small dispersal ability, and morphological differences.
- The species is susceptible to localised extinction via stochastic processes due to its small known population size and restricted distribution
- Uncertainty of future land management practices has potential to cause further impacts on the species habitat including fragmentation (e.g. from residential and agricultural development).
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
21 priority actions
to help recover the Giant Spear Lily in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect rocky ledges from erosion by staying on walking tracks.
- Discourage illegal seed collection by purchasing Giant Spear Lily only from licensed sources.
- Ensure that the risk of fires spreading into potential habitat is minimised.
- Assist with weed control programs in areas of habitat.
Information sources
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Doryanthes palmeri (giant rosette plant) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Perry, D.A. (2001) The distribution, relative abundance and conservation status of Doryanthes palmeri (Doryanthaceae) in New South Wales. Cunninghamia 7(2): 183-193.
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