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.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Philotheca ericifolia
Profile last updated:
18 Mar 2022
Description
Much-branched and wide spreading shrub, 1-2 m high, with sparsely warty branchlets. Leaves needle-like, 4-8 mm long and about 0.5 mm wide, sparsely warty and narrow-grooved above. Flowers 1-6 in stalkless clusters, petals about 9 mm long, possibly pink, glandular warty. Fruit composed of 5 small fruitlets, each about 5 mm long and abruptly narrowed into a beak. The Scientific Committee has determined that given the relatively large total population size, its extent of occurrence and the absence of evidence for continuing decline in the species populations Philotheca ericifolia does not currently meet any of the criteria for listing of species under the Threatened Species Conservation Regulation 2002.
Distribution
Known only from the upper Hunter Valley and Pilliga to Peak Hill districts of NSW. The records are scattered over a range of over 400 km between West Wyalong and the Pilliga Scrub. Site localities include Pilliga East State Forest, Goonoo State Forest, Hervey Range, Wingen Maid Nature Reserve, Toongi, Denman, Rylestone district and Kandos Weir.
Habitat and ecology
- Grows chiefly in dry sclerophyll forest and heath on damp sandy flats and gullies. It has been collected from a variety of habitats including heath, open woodland, dry sandy creek beds, and rocky ridge and cliff tops.
- Associated species include Melaleuca uncinata, Eucalyptus crebra, E. rossii, E. punctata, Corymbia trachyphloia, Acacia triptera, A. burrowii, Beyeria viscosa, Philotheca australis, Leucopogon muticus and Calytrix tetragona.
- Flowering time is in the spring. Fruits are produced from November to December.
- Noted as being a “moisture-loving plant”, with plants common on the sides of a particular spur of the Hervey Ranges where soakage from the high background provides sufficient moisture for the plants.
- Also recorded growing in a recently burnt site (wildfire) and within a regeneration zone resulting from clearing.
- Populations comprise from 3-12 adult plants to approx. 200 plants (mostly seedlings in one population). Also described as uncommon, scattered, common, locally occasional and locally frequent. Populations in Pilliga State Forest consist of hundreds or thousands of individuals. A very large population occurs in Lincoln State Forest near Gilgandra.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Vegetation clearing and habitat disturbance.
- Forestry activities.
- Altered fire regimes (in forests where fire is suppressed to preserve the white cypress pine resource).
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
5 priority actions
to help recover the Philotheca ericifolia in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Implement appropriate fire management strategies.
- Protection from forestry activities.
- Monitoring of known populations.
- No further loss of extant populations.
Information sources
- Bentham, G. (1863) Flora Australiensis. Volume 1 (1863). (Reeve, London)
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Gross, C.L. and Mackay, D. (1998) A Review of the Biology and Ecology of Eriostemon ericifolius A. Cunn. ex Benth. Report to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service: Sydney).
- Weston, P.H. and Porteners, M.F. (1991) Eriostemon. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. New South Wales University Press, 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) A taxonomic review of the genera Eriostemon and Philotheca (Rutaceae: Boronieae). Nuytsia 12(2): 239-265, p. 251.
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