Cambage Kunzea - 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: Kunzea cambagei

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 10 Sep 2019

Description

Cambage Kunzea is a ground cover. Like other species of Kunzea, it appears to be a relatively long-lived species with older plants having tangled mats of thick, woody stems that grow up to a metre tall. Its leaves are sweetly-scented, ellipse-shaped to 8 mm long by 3 mm wide, and finely hairy when young. The flowers are cream to yellowish in colour and grouped in head-like clusters at the ends of branches. The base of the flower is silky hairy. Petals are tiny; the flower is dominated by the numerous stamens.

Distribution

Kunzea cambagei mainly occurs in the western and southern parts of the Blue Mountains, NSW, mainly the Yerranderie/Mt Werong area, with four main populations with 20 to 150 individuals. Populations are also located west of Berrima, along the Wingecarribee River; Loombah Plateau east of Mount Werong; the Oberon-Colong Stock Route within Kanangra-Boyd National Park (NP); and Wanganderry Plateau within the Nattai NP.

Habitat and ecology

Cambage Kunzea is restricted to damp, sandy soils in wet heath or mallee open scrub at higher altitudes on sandstone outcrops or Silurian group sediments.
Flowering occurs between September and November.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Some populations have been recorded on roadsides where road maintenance (e.g. road widening, weed spraying) may be a threat.
Observations of the species in Nattai National Park need to be confirmed.
Current or potential future land management practices do not support conservation

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 7 priority actions to help recover the Cambage Kunzea in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Ensure that personnel planning and undertaking road maintenance are able to identify the species and are aware of its habitat.
On-site signs can alert maintenance staff to the presence of a threatened species.
Survey for Cambage Kunzea during the flowering and fruiting season.
Mark Cambage Kunzea sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning road maintenance work.

Information sources

Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (1998) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 6 Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae. Cunninghamia 5(4): 808-987.
Fairley, A. and Moore, P. (2000) Native plants of the Sydney district: an identification guide. 2nd Edition. (Kangaroo Press, East Roseville)
Fisher, M., Ryan, K. and Lembit, R. (1995) The natural vegetation of the Burragorang 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 4(2): 143-215.
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
Wrigley, J.W. and Fagg, M. (1993) Bottlebrushes, Paperbarks and Tea Trees and all other plants in the Leptospermum alliance. Angus and Roberston, Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Kanangra	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Oberon	Known	East of Oberon to Goulburn Road
Sydney Basin	Burragorang	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None