Philotheca obovatifolia - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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: Philotheca obovatifolia

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Gazetted date: 13 Sep 2024

Profile last updated: 16 Sep 2024

Description

Mountain Wax-flower is a shrub up to 2 m tall. Its stems are warty and cylindrical. The leaves are 3.5 - 7.5 cm long and 14 - 25 mm wide, with a rounded tip and a small spike on the end. Its white flowers grow singly or in groups of up to five, between the stem and leaves.

Distribution

Known from only three populations in a small area in Werrikimbe National Park and Mount Boss State Forest, south-east of Walcha on the eastern edge of the New England Tablelands. Also occurs in Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Heath and woodland at higher altitudes.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Risk of local extirpation as a result of highly restricted distribution.
Frequent fires. Risk of population decline with short fire intervals (less than 5 years).
Risk of disturbance as a result of road works.
Risk of local extirpation as a result of small population sizes.
Lack of knowledge about the species distribution, population size and requirement to increase species viability.
Distrubance resulting from forestry activities.
Disturbance by feral pigs.
Likely to be goats browsing mature adults; some uncertainty about impacts.

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 8 priority actions to help recover the Philotheca obovatifolia in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Identify roadside populations of the Mountain Wax-flower and protect from disturbance during road works.
Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing and disturbance.
Implement appropriate fire regimes to manage populations of Mountain Wax-flower. Do not burn more frequently than every 5 years.
Rehabilitate disturbed areas of potential habitat.
Monitor population dynamics and threats at known populations.
Undertake surveys to identify unrecorded populations of the Mountain Wax-flower.
Undertake research into the ecological requirements, including fire ecology, of the species.
Maintain viable ex-situ seedbank and/ or living collection.
Control feral pigs and goats in areas of known and potential habitat.
Notify the OEH of any new records of Mountain Wax-flower.

Information sources

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 Scientific Committee (1999) Philotheca myoporoides subsp. obovatifolia (a shrub) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Walcha Plateau	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Comboyne Plateau	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Manning	Known	None

Images

Flower, Mountain Wax-flower Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

Related information

Get involved

Report a sighting

Nature conservation

Threatened species