Rusty Desert Phebalium - 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: Phebalium glandulosum subsp. eglandulosum

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 09 Mar 2023

Description

Rusty Desert Phebalium is a medium-sized shrub about 50 cm tall, with warty leaves, bright yellow flowers and rusty-coloured scales on the stems. The leaves are wedge-shaped, 5 mm long and 1 - 2 mm wide, and have rolled under edges. The 3 mm long flowers grow in clusters at the ends of the stems. This subspecies can be distinguished from others by its rusty rather than silver-coloured scales, and its leaves, which have no visible midvein in the centre.

Distribution

Found in the Torrington SCA and Rock of Gibraltar north-west of Glen Innes, on the New England Tablelands. Also occurs in Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Phebalium glandulosum generally flowers in spring, with the flowers very conspicuous. Fruiting occurs during spring and summer. Believed to be an obligate seeder.
Restricted to granite outcrop country on the New England Tablelands. Favours exposed and heathy granite areas with cracks and depressions of skeletal sandy soil located amongst the boulders. Sites tend to be relatively open, with the shrubs forming a spreading habit over the bare rocks.
Associated species at sites include Acacia fimbriata, Acacia latisepala, Leptospermum polygalifolium, Kunzea obovata, Brachyloma daphnoides, Calytrix tetragona, Micromyrtus ciliatus, Micromyrtus sessilis, Prostanthera staurophylla and Prostanthera teretifolia.
Likely to be killed by frequent fire.
Rusty Desert Phebalium has been recorded as locally rare, scattered, common and locally abundant in populations.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Grazing by domestic stock.
Browsing and trampling by feral goats and associated nutrient addition.
High frequency fire.
Illegal flower and plant collecting may also deplete populations.
Small population size.

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

Assist with the control of feral goats.
Protect habitat from frequent fire.
Protect known populations and habitat areas from grazing stock.
Protect areas of heath and shrubby open forest from clearing and disturbance.
Rehabilitate and protect disturbed areas of potential habitat.
Report new records of Rusty Desert Phebalium to the OEH.

Information sources

Blakely, W.F. (1941) Additions to the Australian Flora. Contributions from the New South Wales National Herbarium 1(3): 124.
Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Hunter, J.T., Clarke, P.J., Copeland, L.M., Nano, C.E., Williams, J.B. and Wills, K.E. (1998) The Vegetation and Plant Species of Torrington State Recreation Area (Division of Botany, University of New England, Armidale).
NSW Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the National Herbarium of New South Wales (Royal Botanic Gardens: Sydney).
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Torrington State Conservation Area Plan of Management.
Stanley, T.D. and Ross, E.M. (1983) Flora of South-Eastern Queensland. Volume 1. (Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane)
Steenbeeke, G. (1998) Clarence Rare Plant Species Information.
Weston, P.H. and Harden, G.J. (2002) Phebalium. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Revised Edition Volume 2 (University of New South Wales Press Ltd: Sydney).
Wilson, P.G. (1970) A taxonomic revision of the genera Crowea, Eriostemon and Phebalium (Rutaceae). Nuytsia 1(1): 1-155, pp. 28-29.
Wilson, P.G. (1998) New species and nomenclatural changes in Phebalium and related genera (Rutaceae). Nuytsia 12(2), 267-288.