Megalong Valley Bottlebrush - 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: Callistemon megalongensis

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 31 May 2013

Profile last updated: 27 Jul 2023

Description

A bottlebrush shrub to 4.5 m with narrow 30-45 mm leaves. Flowers in spikes of 40-50, 35 mm wide, with pink-purple stamens. Fruit 5 mm long. Correct identification of this species is largely reliant on it being in flower and it may be easily mistaken for the locally common species Callistemon citrinus.

Distribution

Known only from a small section of the eastern Megalong Valley in the western Blue Mountains. This species is primarily restricted to shrub swamps, with populations extending along the associated downstream watercourses and into the fringing vegetation of Megalong Creek. Riparian populations beyond the shrub swamps are low in density and numbers and are little more than linear outliers of the core swamp-based occurrences.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in shrubby swamp habitat and swampy woodland. Associated species include Callistemon citrinus, Leptospermum morrisonii, L. juniperinum, L. polygalifolium, L. obovatum, Empodisma minus and Grevillea asplenifolia with occasional emergent Melaleuca linearifolia and Eucalyptus camphora.
Typically flowers from mid-November to early December although this can vary with seasonal conditions. Resprouts after fire.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

The small total population size, small size of individual populations, small area of habitat, concentration of habitat within a relatively small area, and inadequate representation in formal conservation reserves make this species highly vulnerable to threatening processes.
High frequency fire, as well as intense hot fires that burn the peat layers of the swamp habitat. Also lack of fire may result in excessive weedy scrub development.
Species occurs on private land where land management practices may not be suitable for the species.
Road upgrades and maintenance of road verges, powerlines and water mains where this species occurs can cause direct damage to plants as well as erosion, sedimentation, weed invasion and other forms of degradation to the habitat of this species.
Weed invasion, particularly Japanese honeysuckle and blackberry.
Altered swamp hydrology.
Grazing by cattle and horses.
Horse riding and recreational vehicular use (recreational 4WDs and trail bikes) along informal tracks intersecting swamps containing this species.
Damage to immature individuals and habitat caused by feral pigs digging and wallowing.
Hybridisation with other Callistemon species.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Control invasive weeds such as Japanese Honeysuckle and Blackberry.
Protect individuals and habitat from damage caused by road upgrades, and maintenance of roads, powerlines and water pipes.
Protect habitat from grazing by cattle and horses, and damage by pigs
Maintain swamp hydrology and water quality.
Ecological burning at a moderate intensity that burns the shrub layer, but is not too frequent or too intense. Intense fires must be avoided as if the peat layers of the shrub swamp habitat are burnt there is likely to be long-term or even irreversible damage to the swamp’s soil, hydrology and floristics. Implement a fire interval of between 15 – 20 years at a low to moderate intensity.
Prevent access by horse riders, recreational 4WD vehicles and trail bikes to informal tracks intersecting the habitat of this species.

Information sources

Douglas, S. (2003) Mysteries of the Megalong: another rare plant for the Blue Mountains. Australasian Plant Conservation 12:5-7
NSW Scientific Committee (2003) Melaleuca sp. Megalong Valley - Vulnerable species determination - final.
NSW Scientific Committee (2013) Callistemon megalongensis - Critically endangered species determination - final