Robertson's Peppermint - 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: Eucalyptus robertsonii subsp. hemisphaerica

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 18 Mar 2022

Description

Tree to 30 m high, with persistent grey-brown bark on the trunk and larger branches. The bark is shortly fibrous (peppermint-type bark) and shedding in long ribbons. Juvenile leaves opposite, lance-shaped, dull grey-green. Adult leaves alternate, narrow-lanceolate, 7-13 cm long, 0.8-1.5 cm wide, dull grey-green. Flowerheads with more than 11 flowers and a cylindrical stem 5-8 mm long. Buds club-shaped, grey-green, 3-5 mm long. Fruit spherical or pear-shaped, 4-6 mm long.

Eucalyptus robertsonii is distinguished within the Eucalyptus radiata group by the combination of linear to narrow-lanceolate adult and juvenile leaves, glaucous (dull blue green in colour with a whitish bloom) leaves and buds, and (in the type subspecies) the conical calyptra (the cap on the buds of eucalypts). The taxon had previously been included in Eucalyptus radiata and was subsequently regarded as sufficiently distinct to warrant recognition as one of several closely-related and rather narrowly-defined species composing the radiata group.

Distribution

Known only from the central tablelands of NSW, at small disjunct localities from north of Orange to Burraga.

Habitat and ecology

Locally frequent in grassy or dry sclerophyll woodland or forest, on lighter soils and often on granite. Usually found in closed grassy woodlands in locally sheltered sites. Habitats include quartzite ridges, upper slopes and a slight rise of shallow clay over volcanics.
Associated vegetation includes variously mixed woodlands of Eucalyptus piperita, E. goniocalyx, E. dalrympleana, E. dives, E. mannifera and E. rossii.
Flowering period is February to March. Seed is dispersed locally by wind, and there is no dormancy mechanism.
Plants resprout from epicormic buds after fire. A specimen from the Mullion Creek locality was observed to be suckering freely from base to crown after fire.
Populations are usually highly localised, with trees recorded as frequent in populations.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Clearing and land use related impacts, including forestry, grazing and road maintenance activities
Senescence and lack of regeneration, especially as older even-aged stands die off with no recruitment of juveniles in presence of other threats.
Restricted distribution and low abundance of local populations render the species vulnerable to extinction from stochastic events.
Uncertainty in taxonomy.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.
Insufficient understanding of threats.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Seed collection for germination trials and plantings.
Ensure that consent authorities are aware of the location of populations and that impacts are avoided.
Implement sympathetic fire management within and in the vicinity of stands in order to ensure adequate recruitment and regeneration.
Ecological research into specific germination and disturbance requirements and limitations.
Undertake targeted surveys in order to determine full extent of species.
Exclude stock from stands and monitor population response.
Control weeds in the vicinity of populations.

Information sources

Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (1998) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 6 Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae. Cunninghamia 5(4): 808-987.
Blakely, W.F. (1927) Descriptions of nine new species of Eucalyptus. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales 61: 149-178, p. 167.
Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Brooker, M. and Kleinig, D.A. (1999) Field guide to eucalypts, Volume 1: South-eastern Australia. 2nd edn. Blooming Books, Hawthorn.
Chippendale, G.M. (1988) Myrtaceae. 1. Eucalyptus. Flora of Australia 19: 1-448.
Hill, K.D. (2002) Eucalyptus. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition. (New South Wales University Press: Sydney).
Johnson, L.A.S. and Hill, K.D. (1990) New taxa and combinations in Eucalyptus and Angophora (Myrtaceae). Telopea 4(1): 37-108.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bathurst	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Crookwell	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Hill End	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Oberon	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Orange	Known	None