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.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Hibbertia superans
Gazetted date:
05 Oct 2001
Profile last updated:
13 Nov 2024
Description
A low spreading shrub to 30 cm high. It has few to many weak, twisted stems and branches, covered with long shaggy hairs when young, becoming more densely hairy with longer hairs wearing off. Leaves are usually linear, 7.5 - 10 mm long. Flowers are yellow, terminal on main branches.
Distribution
Occurs from Baulkham Hills to South Maroota in the northern outskirts of Sydney, where there are currently 16 known sites, and at one locality at Mount Boss, inland from Kempsey. No populations are known from a formal conservation reserve.
Habitat and ecology
- Flowering time is July to December. The species occurs on sandstone ridgetops often near the shale/sandstone boundary.
- Occurs in both open woodland and heathland, and appears to prefer open disturbed areas, such as tracksides.
- The fruit is dehiscent and the seed has a fleshy aril which attracts ants and encourages them to disperse the seeds. The soil seedbank is persistent.
- Highly sensitive to both frequent and infrequent fire and other disturbance regimes. The recommended minimum fire interval is unknown, however the recommended maximum fire interval is 25 years.
- An obligate seeder, it is usually killed by fire, sometimes resprouting from the base. Flowers first appear from resprouting material about 2 years after fire.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing for urban and rural residential development.
- Habitat disturbance inlcuding illegal dumping
- Weed invasion.
- Impacts from road and rail maintenance.
- The species is susceptible to extinction via stochastic processes due to its small known population size and restricted distribution.
- Risk of too frequent or too intense fires inhibiting growth or reproduction.
- Potential for significant fire event to open up vegetation structure allowing for weed invasion, particularly when coinciding with heavy rainfall.
- Overshadowing from other plants.
- Slashing of sites in private landholdings reducing seed-set and recruitment.
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
12 priority actions
to help recover the Hibbertia superans in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Prevent further loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat.
- Where track maintenance activities are planned in potential habitat, systematic surveys should be conducted and appropriate protection measures should be implemented if the species is present.
- Undertake targeted surveys to determine the extent of the species distribution.
Information sources
- Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (1995) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 3: Dicotyledon families Cabombaceae to Eupomatiaceae. Cunninghamia 4(2): 143-431
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) NSW flora fire response database, version 1.3a.
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