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: Fontainea australis
Profile last updated:
21 Nov 2018
Description
Southern Fontainea is a shrub or small tree growing to 5 m tall, with separate male and female flowers. Its leaves are 6 – 9 cm long and elliptical, sometimes broader towards the tips, which have a long point, but the base is narrowly wedge-shaped. The flowers are small and white. Female flowers are borne in groups of one or two, and male flowers in small clusters. The red fleshy fruit is broadly egg-shaped, 2.3 cm in diameter, with three grooves near the tip.
Distribution
Occurs at a few locations in the Richmond Valley and Tweed Valley in NSW north to Currumbin Valley and Springbrook National Park in southeast Queensland.
Habitat and ecology
- Southern Fontainea is found in lowland subtropical rainforest, usually on basaltic alluvial flats, and also in cooler subtropical rainforest in the Nightcap Range.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for agriculture.
- Clearing of vegetation for fire management, development, land-management activities, and track creation
- Infestation of habitat by weeds.
- The species is susceptible to extinction via stochastic processes due to its small known population size and restricted distribution.
- Low genetic diversity.
- Grazing and trampling by domestic stock limiting opportunities for recruitment.
- Loss of individuals as a result of fire.
- Uncertainty of the taxonomy of the species, including its relationship to Fontainea oraria.
- Lantana creates dense thickets around the species that increase fire risk and outcompete the species post fire.
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
9 priority actions
to help recover the Southern Fontainea in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect areas of habitat from clearing or development and negotiate formal conservation agreements for populations on private land.
- Support local Landcare groups and bush regeneration teams protect and regenerate known habitat.
- Control introduced weeds in known habitat.
- Expand and connect remaining patches of habitat.
- Report new occurrences of Southern Fontainea, particularly in the Richmond Valley, to OEH.
- Undertake further genetic research and monitoring.
- Identify critical factors limiting the recovery of the species.
- Monitor known populations to identify threats and population dynamics.
- Undertake survey work to identify unknown populatons.
- Provide advice to consent and planning authorities to facilitate the protection of the species and its habitat.
- Mantain viable ex-stitu population and seedbank.
- Protect areas of known habitat from fire.
Information sources
- Floyd, A.G. (1989) Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia. (Inkata Press, Sydney)
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2000) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 1. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
- Rossetto, M. and McNally, J. (2000) Fontainea oraria Genetic Research: Final Report. Unpublished report to the NPWS. Southern Cross University Centre for Plant Conservation Genetics
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