Indicative distribution
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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Persoonia mollis subsp. maxima
Profile last updated:
13 Nov 2024
Description
A tall, branching, spreading shrub which grows 2 - 6 m high. Buds and, to a lesser extent, young branchlets and young leaves, are covered with soft, erect copper coloured hairs approximately 2 - 3 mm long. Fruits are green and resemble a small plum, becoming purplish-brown and soft when mature.
Distribution
Highly restricted, known from the Hornsby Heights-Mt Colah area north of Sydney in the Sydney Basin Bioregion. Occurs in three populations (described on a catchment basis) located over an approximate north-south range of 5.75 km and east-west distance of 7.5 km. Additional locations may exist outside the current distribution.
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs in sheltered aspects of deep gullies or on the steep upper hillsides of narrow gullies on Hawkesbury Sandstone. These habitats support relatively moist, tall forest vegetation communities, often with warm temperate rainforest influences.
- Associated species: Smooth Barked Apple Angophora costata, Sydney Peppermint Eucalyptus piperita, Red Bloodwood Corymbia gummifera, Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera, Coachwood Ceratopetalum apetalum and Black Wattle Callicoma serratifolia.
- Flowers late December – March.
- Flowers are likely to be pollinated predominantly by native bees. Self-pollination is usually unsuccessful.
- Long-lived, with the oldest individuals approximately 20 years of age. Age structure varies across the populations according to fire history, however, a large proportion of the population is reproductively immature.
- Reproductive maturity of individuals is unlikely to be reached until approximately 8 years, with peak flowering and fruiting unlikely to be reached until individuals are at least 12–15 years.
- The P. mollis complex have low seed germination rates. Persoonia seeds have a dormancy mechanism which is poorly understood and this species has not been successfully propagated from seed.
- Fire sensitive and usually killed by fire. Regeneration is from soil stored seed.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Wildfire and inappropriate hazard reduction/fire management activities (such as trail maintenance and turbo-mowing).
- Habitat degradation through weed invasion, reduced water quality and rubbish dumping.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation through clearing for development.
- Loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding depression.
- Infestation by woody weeds impact habitat and species from competition for resources.
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
14 priority actions
to help recover the Persoonia mollis subsp. maxima in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Maintain an ex-situ living collection of this species at Mt Annan Botanic Gardens.
- Implement appropriate fire management actions, including fire free interval of 12-15 years.
- OEH to be consulted when planning development to avoid and minimise impacts on populations.
- Targeted rubbish removal, weed control and bush regeneration
- Implement an annual monitoring program of representative sub-populations.
- Undertake research into ecology and genetics of this species.
- Undertake potential habitat surveys in likely habitat.
Information sources
- Bernhardt, P. and Weston, P.H. (1996) The pollination ecology of Persoonia (Proteaceae) in eastern Australia. Telopea 6(4): 775-804.
- Krauss, S.L. (1997) Low genetic diversity in Persoonia mollis (Proteaceae), a fire sensitive shrub occurring in a fire-prone habitat. Heredity 78: 41-49.
- Krauss, S.L. and Johnson, L.A.S. (1991) A revision of the complex species Persoonia mollis (Proteaceae). Telopea 4(2): 185-199.
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Persoonia mollis subsp. maxima (a shrub) Recovery Plan. NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW.
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