Short-footed Screw Fern - 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: Lindsaea brachypoda

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 21 Jan 2019

Description

Short-footed Screw Fern is a small fern that grows on the ground or on rocks. It can reach about 30 cm tall, but is usually much smaller. Its curving fronds are slender, with about 25 dark green leaflets either side of a straw-coloured stem. The leafless part of the stem is less than half of the frond length. Leaflets are an oblong fan-shape, slightly toothed around the upper margin, and attached at the inner, lower corner. The spores are produced inside a narrow flap around the margins of the leaflets.

Distribution

In NSW it is mainly found in a few locations north from Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park. Records exist for Tumbulgum, Mullumbimby and Mooball. It also occurs in the Northern Territory and eastern Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Very moist habitats in subtropical or warm-temperate rainforest or palm forest.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

South Eastern Queensland

Threats

Loss and fragmentation of rainforest habitat from clearing for agriculture and development.
Risk of local extinction because of low numbers.
Damage to plants from road/track maintenance and widening including gravel and graders.
Trampling by visitors.
Illegal collection by fern enthusiasts.
Degradation from weeds (e.g. trad, madeira vine, lantana, camphor laurel)
Lack of information on numbers of individuals in population and if there are critical threats from disturbance from proximity to the walking track
Flooding and bank erosion from road running through the site
Degradation of habitat and loss of individuals from erosion and landslips

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

Stay on established tracks when visiting national parks to avoid trampling plants.
Take photographs, not plants.
Identify populations along designated tracks and protect them during track-works.
Enhance rainforest habitat by removing weeds.
Protect known and potential rainforest habitat from disturbance.
Notify the DEC of any new locations of this fern.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	East of a line drawn north to south through Nimbim
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None

Related information

NSW Flora Online - Lindsaea brachypoda

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Nature conservation

Threatened species