Torrington Beard-heath - 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: Leucopogon confertus

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 08 Feb 2022

Description

Torrington Beard-heath is a small shrub with hairy stems. Its bristly, toothed leaves are 5 - 7.5 mm long and 0.8 - 1.4 mm wide, sometimes with hairy edges, and clasp the stem towards the ends of the branches. The underside of the leaves are striped and finely hairy. The white flowers have long, soft, weak or shaggy hairs.

Distribution

Known only from a few records near Torrington on the New England Tablelands.

Habitat and ecology

Torrington Beard-heath possibly occurs in open forest and woodland on rocky granite areas.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Grazing by feral goats.
Disturbance from track maintenance.
Susceptible to stochastic events and land management impacts as a result of its small population size.
Susceptibility to dieback caused by root rot fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi).
Grazing by domestic stock.
Susceptible to stochastic events and land management impacts as a result of its highly restricted distribution.
Disturbance and grazing by feral pigs.
Clearing of habitat for agriculture.
Mining.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.

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

Observe hygiene protocols and track closure signs in national parks where the species may occur.
Control of feral goats and pigs in areas of known and potential habitat.
Protect areas of potential habitat from heavy grazing by domestic stock.
Protect roadside populations from disturbance.
Protect areas of open forest and woodland in rocky areas from clearing and fragmentation.
Maintain viable ex-situ seedbank and/or living collection.
Monitor population dynamics and threats at known sites.
Undertake research into the ecological and fire ecology requirements of the species.
Fence areas of known habitat to exclude domestic stock.
Undertake surveys to identify unrecorded populations of the species.
Raise community awareness of the species and its management requirements.
Report any new records of Torrington Beard-heath to the OEH.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)