Slender 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 incisa

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 27 Feb 2023

Description

Slender Screw Fern is a delicate-looking ground fern with a creeping underground root. The light-green fronds are slender, up to 30 cm long, and stand erect or tangled through other vegetation. Divided fan-shaped leaflets are spaced along the stems, often in pairs. The leafless part of the stem is straw-coloured, darker at the base, and is much shorter than the frond length. The spores are produced under membranous flaps on the lobes of some of the leaflets.

Distribution

Slender Screw Fern is known from fifteen locations in New South Wales between Port Macquarie and the Queensland border. It is common in Fortis Creek National Park, Banyabba Nature Reserve and Wells Crossing Flora Reserve. Also occurs in north and south-east Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Lindsea incisa is usually found in waterlogged or poorly drained sites along creeks, dominated by Paperbarks where ferns, sedges are common. Moist shrubby eucalypt forest on metasediments.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Land development and clearing.
Frequent fire.
Alterations to drainage of creeks.
Recreation, including camping, near creeks.
Grazing and trampling by domestic stock.
Broad leaved Paspalum, Crofton weed and soil nutrification (from agriculture and urban run-off).

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 11 priority actions to help recover the Slender Screw Fern in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Protect known habitat from frequent fire.
Maintain natural drainage conditions of creeks, including poorly drained areas.
Protect areas of habitat from development.

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

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None