Crescent-leaved Homoranthus - 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: Homoranthus lunatus

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 21 Nov 2018

Description

Crescent-leaved Homoranthus is a low, spreading shrub to about 40 cm tall. The flattened and distinctive crescent-shaped leaves are paired on the stem, with successive pairs at right angles to each other, and 4 - 10 mm long, 1 - 2 mm thick and less than 0.3 mm wide, with a spiky tip. The yellow flowers are about 5 mm long and are borne solitary between stem and leaf with one to six flowers on each branch.

Distribution

Occurs near Tenterfield and Torrington on the New England Tablelands of NSW, including Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo National Parks near Tenterfield.

Habitat and ecology

Flowers from July to November. The species does not spread vegetatively and is an obligate seeder.
Crescent-leaved Homoranthus grows in heath, shrub and woodland communities in sandy soils on granite outcrops and slopes.
Likely to be fire-sensitive and intolerant of frequent fire disturbance.
Populations tend to be small, and scattered.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Vegetation clearing for agriculture.
Browsing by feral goats, and associated soil compaction, erosion of the rocky habitat and nutrient addition.
Risk of local extinction due to small population size and isolation.
Grazing and trampling by domestic stock.
Inappropriate fire regimes (too severe and too intense) including risk from uncontrolled fires due to lightning strikes, arson and prescribed burning. The species is an obligate seeder and is sensitive to fire.
The restricted distribution of the species make the species vulnerable to stochastic events and land management changes.
Habitat damage and distrubance from feral pigs.
Disturbance during road maintenance and construction.
Restricted distribution may increase species susceptibility to climate change impacts (including extended drought, sporadic rainfall, increased fire intensity and frequency) reducing soil moisture for plants and germination of seedlings.
Potential threat of browsing on plants by feral goats
Insufficient understanding species distribution, particularly after fire
Restricted distribution may increase species susceptibility to climate change impacts (including extended drought, sporadic rainfall, increased fire intensity and frequency) reducing soil moisture for plants and germination of seedlings. Very little information is known about the species climate response.

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 1 priority actions to help recover the Crescent-leaved Homoranthus in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Control feral goats and pigs in habitat areas.
Rehabilitate and protect disturbed areas of potential and known habitat.
Protection from frequent fires.
Exclude domestic stock from areas of known habitat.
Protect areas of known habitat from clearing and fragmentation.
Monitor population dynamics and threats at known sites.
Maintain viable ex-situ seed bank and/or living collection.
Report new records of Crescent-leaved Homoranthus to the OEH.
Undertake research into the ecological requirements and fire ecology of the species.

Information sources

Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Craven, L.A. and Jones, S.R. (1991) A taxonomic review of Homoranthus and two new species of Darwinia (both Myrtaceae, Chamelaucieae). Australian Systematic Botany 4(4): 513-533.
Hunter, J.T. (1997) A further record of Homoranthus lunatus Craven & S.R. Jones (Myrtaceae) for northern New South Wales. The Queensland Naturalist 35(1-3): 24-25.
Hunter, J.T., Clarke, P.J., Copeland, L.M., Nano, C.E., Williams, J.B. and Wills, K.E. (1998) The Vegetation and Plant Species of Torrington State Recreation Area (Division of Botany, University of New England, Armidale).
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Torrington State Conservation Area Plan of Management.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Beardy River Hills	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Stanthorpe Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Cataract	Predicted	None