Caley's Grevillea - 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: Grevillea caleyi

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 30 May 2014

Profile last updated: 30 Jul 2019

Description

A medium to tall shrub, with long spreading branches, which grows to a height and width of up to 4 m. The divided green leaves are covered in soft, rusty hairs and are up to 15 cm long. The flowers, which open in late winter and spring, have a toothbrush-like appearance with racemes up to 8 cm in length and are dark burgundy-red in colour.

Distribution

Restricted to an 8 km square area around Terrey Hills, approximately 20 km north of Sydney. Occurs in three major areas of suitable habitat, namely Belrose, Ingleside and Terrey Hills/Duffys Forest within the Ku-ring-gai, Pittwater and Warringah Local Government Areas.

Habitat and ecology

All natural remnant sites occur within a habitat that is both characteristic and consistent between sites.
All sites occur on the ridgetop between elevations of 170 to 240m asl, in association with laterite soils and a vegetation community of open forest, generally dominated by Eucalyptus sieberi and E. gummifera.
Commonly found in the endangered Duffys Forest ecological community.
Killed by fire and relies entirely on seed that is stored in the soil for regeneration.
Generally seedlings do not flower and produce seed before 2-5 years of age. Flowering is sporadic throughout the year, but with a definite spring pulse.
Fecundity is low with only about 3% of flowers result in seed. Seed dispersal is low and predation is high, therefore it is estimated that 8-12 years is required to develop a sufficient seedbank to replace a population.
Seed dormancy mechanisms are not fully understood, however it is thought that smoke and perhaps heat may play a role in breaking dormancy.
Pollination is by birds although it is thought that this species may be self compatible.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Loss and fragmentation of habitat through clearing and development.
Inappropriate fire regimes.
Habitat degradation by invasion of weeds and pathogens.
People using remnant bushland for recreation (e.g. bike trails) and disturbing critical habitat, individual plants, and substrate.
Small population sizes in highly fragmented remnants.
Rubbish dumping.
Potential risk that species in susceptible to Phytopthora.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Implement appropriate fire management practices (recommended fire interval of 8-12 years).
Control the spread of pathogens, especially Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Implement runoff control measures.
Restrict access by fencing.
Protect known habitat areas from clearing and disturbance.
Restore degraded habitat using bush regeneration techniques.
Undertake ecological research into the life history and species ecology of this species.