Slender Marsdenia - 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: Marsdenia longiloba

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 14 Jun 2020

Description

Slender Marsdenia is a slender climber of the milk vine group, with pairs of very finely pointed leaves and 5-6 tiny glands at the base of the leaves. The stems of Slender Marsdenia exude clear, watery sap when cut, unlike most of the milk vines which have milky sap. Clusters of small white star-shaped flowers are produced and are followed by long, narrow seed-capsules that split to release many seeds with tufts of long silky hair.

Distribution

Scattered sites on the north coast of NSW north from Barrington Tops. Also occurs in south-east Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Subtropical and warm temperate rainforest, lowland moist or open eucalypt forest adjoining rainforest and, sometimes, in areas with rock outcrops.
Associated species include Eucalyptus crebra, E. microcorys, E. acmenoides, E. saligna, E. propinqua, Corymbia intermedia and Lophostemon confertus.
Flowering occurs in summer.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Loss and fragmentation of habitat through land clearing for agriculture.
Disturbance to the species due to development on private land
Habitat invasion and competition by weeds reduces habitat suitability and suppresses recruitment and growth
Grazing and trampling of plants by cattle.
Forestry activities in close proximity to populations can damage habitat and individuals
Risk of local extirpation because populations are small.
At risk from the use of herbicides in weed control activities.
Road maintenance and widening damaging individuals and habitat
Physical damage and dumping by recreational users damaging individuals and habitat
Too frequent and intense fires depleting seed bank
Drought and extreme events related to climate change degrading habitat where species occurs
Storm events related to climate change degrading habitat where species occurs
Grazing, trampling and habitat degradation by feral horses and feral pigs near populations
Loss of individuals and populations to Phytophthora cinnamomi

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 16 priority actions to help recover the Slender Marsdenia in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Protect known habitat areas from disturbance by grazing.
Control weeds likely to spread into suitable habitat.
Undertake survey prior to conducting weed control activities involving herbicide application to ensure there are no impacts on the species.
Protect areas of known habitat from clearing.
Monitor threats at known populations.
Ensure roadside populations are identified and marked to protect them from roadworks and slashing.
Liaise with private landholders to convey the conservation significance of populations occuring on private property and encourage works for species protection.

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

New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Barrington	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Comboyne Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Mummel Escarpment	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Washpool	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None

Images

Foliage and flowers, Slender Marsdenia
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