Pimelea curviflora var. curviflora - 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: Pimelea curviflora var. curviflora

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Gazetted date: 31 Jul 1998

Profile last updated: 12 Aug 2019

Description

A much-branched subshrub or shrub 20 to 120cm high with hairy stems. Flowers are red to yellow, hairy and occur in terminal heads of 4 - 12 flowers. Leaves are 5 - 10 mm long, 2 - 4 mm wide, with a sparsely hairy lower surface. The curved fruit is 2 - 4 mm long.

Distribution

Confined to the coastal area of the Sydney and Illawarra regions. Populations are known between northern Sydney and Maroota in the north-west. New population discovered at Croom Reserve near Albion Park in Shellharbour LGA in August 2011. Formerly recorded around the Parramatta River and Port Jackson region including Five Dock, Bellevue Hill and Manly.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs on shaley/lateritic soils over sandstone and shale/sandstone transition soils on ridgetops and upper slopes amongst woodlands. Also recorded in Illawarra Lowalnd Grassy Woodland habitat at Albion Park on the Illawaraa coastal plain.
Flowers October to May.
Has an inconspicuous cryptic habit as it is fine and scraggly and often grows amongst dense grasses and sedges. It may not always be visible at a site as it appears to survive for some time without any foliage after fire or grazing, relying on energy reserves in its tuberous roots.
Likely to be fire tolerant species capable of resprouting following fire due to the presence of a tap root. Seedlings have been observed following fire.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Habitat loss due to clearing for urban development.
Habitat degradation due to recreational activities and bush rock removal.
Risk of too frequent or too intense fires inhibiting growth or reproduction.
Invasion and competition from various woody and herbaceous weed species, including Lantana and African lovegrass.
Habitat degradation due to rubbish dumping.
Habitat degradation due to road and trail maintenance.

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 7 priority actions to help recover the Pimelea curviflora var. curviflora in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Introduce measures to prevent habitat degradation related to unrestricted access and/or trail maintenance.
Manage weed infestation.
Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing and further fragmentation.

Information sources

Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (2001) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 8: Dicotyledon families Rutaceae to Zygophyllaceae. Cunninghamia 7(2): 241-462
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2000) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 1. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Other State	ACT	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Cumberland	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Illawarra	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None

Images

Flower, <em>Pimelea curviflora</em> var. <em>curviflora</em> <a href="http://www.anbg.gov.au" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Australian National Botanic Gardens</a>

Flower, Pimelea curviflora var. curviflora Australian National Botanic Gardens Image 1 of 4.
View slideshow.

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