Grevillea shiressii - 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 shiressii

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 29 Jul 2019

Description

A tall shrub to 2 - 5 m high with distinctive coloured flowers that are initially green, becoming blue-grey to mauve then translucent cream, over time. Leaves are entire, lanceolate to elliptic, 8 - 19 cm long, 1 - 3 cm wide, and hairless. Inflorescences are 2 - 9 flowered.

Distribution

Known from two populations near Gosford, on tributaries of the lower Hawkesbury River north of Sydney (Mooney Mooney Creek and Mullet Creek). Both populations occur within the Gosford Local Government Area. There is also a naturalised population at Newcastle.

Habitat and ecology

Grows along creek banks in wet sclerophyll forest with a moist understorey in alluvial sandy or loamy soils.
Flowers mainly late winter to Spring (July-December), with seed released at maturity in October. Flowers are bird pollinated and seeds are dispersed by ants.
A fire sensitive obligate seeder that is highly susceptible to local extinction due to frequent fire, however, fire is likely to be relatively infrequent in the habitat of G. shiressii.
Seed germination does occur in the absence of fire, however some physical disturbance is likely to promote seed germination.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Given restricted distribution, susceptible to local extinction due to environmental and demographic uncertainty.
Track maintenance causing physical damage and loss of some plants.
Potential for hazard reduction burns and wildlfires to occur and alter habitat.
Threat from exotic weeds inhibiting recruitment.

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

Continued habitat protection.

Information sources

Auld, T.D. and Denham, A. (1999) The role of ants and mammals in dispersal and post-dispersal seed predation of the shrubs Grevillea (Proteaceae). Plant Ecology 144, 201-213.
Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (2000) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 7b: Dicotyledon family Proteaceae to Rubiaceae. Cunninghamia 6(4).
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.