Mittagong Geebung - 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: Persoonia glaucescens

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Gazetted date: 04 Aug 2023

Profile last updated: 13 Nov 2024

Description

The Mittagong Geebung is an erect shrub that reaches up to 3 m tall. It has a mottled stem and brownish-red branches. Its leaves are erect and greyish-green and the young leaves are distinctively waxy. The yellow flowers are produced in the leaf axils and normally appear from late summer to autumn. The fruit resembles a small plum.

Distribution

The Mittagong Geebung's historical distribution places the northern and eastern limit at Couridjah (Thirlmere Lakes), the southern limit at Fitzroy Falls and the western limit at High Range. However, surveys prior to 2000 indicate that the species no longer extends to Fitzroy Falls or Kangaloon and that the present southern limit is near Berrima. The northern limit appears to have contracted a few kilometres south to Buxton. Further survey is required to determine if these limit contractions still affect this species distribution.

Habitat and ecology

The Mittagong Geebung grows in woodland to dry sclerophyll forest on clayey and gravely laterite. The preferred topography is ridge-tops, plateaux and upper slopes. Aspect does not appear to be a significant factor.
Within its habitat, P. glaucescens is generally rare and the populations are linear and fragmented. Under ideal circumstances, the species can be locally common, though such conditions are very rare.
Plants are killed by fire and recruitment is solely from seed.
Like most Persoonia species this species seems to benefit from the reduced competition and increased light available on disturbance margins including roadsides.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Loss of habitat through clearing for urban and small-rural-lot development.
Burning for hazard reduction and other unnatural ignitions have increased fire frequency and may threaten the species survival.
The Mittagong Geebung is endangered due to its very low seed viability.
The European honey bee Apis mellifera may be a factor in the rarity of Mittagong Geebung and several other Geebungs. This is because although A. mellifera is able to collect pollen its method of pollen transport makes effective pollination of Geebungs unlikely.
Many Persoonia species are killed following infection by cinnamon fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Due to the species' restricted distribution it is likely to be vulnerable to local extinction via stochastic processes.
Recreational users degrading species habitat.Trail bikes and 4WD causing physical damage to the species and habitat.
Habitat disturbance during road use and maintenance including slashing / grading of the road.
Slashing associated with maintenance of powerline easement.
Full extent of the species is unknown.
Weeds encroaching on the species habitat including African lovegrass and whiskey grass.

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

Ensure that personnel planning and undertaking hazard reduction burns are able to identify the species and are aware of its habitat.
Following burning, protect populations (where possible) from further fires until plants have reached reproductive maturity.
Erect on-site markers to alert maintenance staff and road-users to the presence of this species.
Protect all populations from clearing and destructive disturbance.
Monitor populations for the impact of European Honey Bees and Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Mark Mittagong Geebung sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning road maintenance work.

Information sources

Blombery, A. and Maloney, B. (1992) The Proteaceae of the Sydney Region. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst.
Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Persoonia glaucescens. Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Sydney Basin	Burragorang	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Cumberland	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Moss Vale	Known	None

Images

Fruiting branch. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/orkology" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology</a>

Fruiting branch. Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology Image 1 of 5.
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