Lespedeza juncea subsp. sericea in the Wollongong Local Government Area - 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: Lespedeza juncea subsp. sericea - endangered population

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Population

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 15 Jun 2001

Profile last updated: 21 Mar 2022

Description

An erect or spreading perennial subshrub, 60 to 120 cm high. Leaves alternate, 3-foliate, with narrow leaflets, 7 - 25 mm long. Pink-purple pea flowers borne singularly, or in clusters of up to seven. Fruit a small pod to 3 mm long.

Distribution

This endangered population occurs south of Dapto in the Wollongong local government area. The population is disjunct from the other (non-endangered) populations of the species in NSW, which occur in western Sydney, the far South Coast and the Southern Tablelands.

Habitat and ecology

Known from just one roadside population of approximately 200 plants.
Located in a small strip of open forest dominated by Eucalyptus tereticornis (Forest Red Gum), E. longifolia (Woollybutt), and Melaleuca decora (White Feather Honeymyrtle), on Budgong Sandstone.
Also originally recorded in Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu) grassland directly across the road from this site. This grassland was subsequently cleared and the species has not regenerated.
Prefers full sun to light shade.
Flowers between February and March.
Has a long-lived seed and a soil stored seedbank
It is capable of resprouting in response to fire and flowering the following season.
Germination is reportedly triggered by fire.
It is suspected that frequent fire will lead to a decline in plant numbers, while infrequent fire may lead to local extinctions.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Further loss and fragmentation of habitat, particularly as a consequence of clearing for agriculture, road works or residential development.
Habitat degradation through weed invasion and rubbish dumping.
Inappropriate fire regimes.
Small population size limits recruitment potential and places the population at risk from demographic and environmental uncertainties, and natural catastrophes.
Weeds (e.g. exotic grasses) overgrowing and outcompeting the species
Slashing and mowing at the site impacting seed dispersal and recruitment

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Determine the need for an ex-situ conservation program.
Apply appropriate fire management practices. As an obligate seeder Lespedeza juncea subsp. sericea would probably be suited by a fire interval of approximately 5 to 25 years.
Consider off-site impacts in the assessment of nearby developments.
Restore degraded habitat using bush regeneration techniques.
Regularly monitor the health of the population.
Map known site and conduct surveys of potential habitat to locate new sites.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
Nature Conservation Council of NSW (1999) Towards an Illawarra Regional Vegetation Management Plan. (NCC, Sydney)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) NSW flora fire response database, version 1.3a.
NSW Scientific Committee (2001) Lespedeza juncea population in the Wollongong Local Government Area - Endangered population determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.