Wollemi Mint-bush - 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: Prostanthera cryptandroides subsp. cryptandroides

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 07 Jan 2019

Description

A low-spreading shrub with a distinctive, pleasant aroma commonly growing 0.5 - 1 m tall and up to 1 m wide. The branches are moderately dense and are often black or obscured due to sooty mould. Leaves are light green, 5 - 9 mm long, 1 - 3 mm wide, and strongly aromatic. Flowers are lilac to mauve and occur from September to May.

Distribution

Distributed between Lithgow and Sandy Hollow on the NSW central west slopes, central tablelands and western parts of the central coast botanical regions. Populations occur in Wollemi National Park and Gardens of Stone National Park. A voucher specimen exists for the far northern tablelands near Tenterfield; however, this may represent subsp. euphrasioides.

Habitat and ecology

At Glen Davis, occurs in open forest dominated by Eucalyptus fibrosa. Other eucalypt species may be present as sub-dominants.
In the Denman-Gungal and Widden-Baerami Valley areas, occurs on rocky ridgelines on Narrabeen Group Sandstones in association with a range of communities.
Associated communities include: Narrabeen Rocky Heath, Narrabeen Acacia Woodland, Narrabeen Exposed Woodland; Open Heath of Calytrix tetragona, Leptospermum parviflorum and Isopogon dawsonii; and Open Scrubland of Eucalyptus dwyeri, Baeckea densifolia, Dillwynia floribunda, Aotus ericoides and Hemigenia cunefolia.
Individuals probably have a lifespan in the vicinity of 15 years or more.
Flowers from September to May; however is likely to flower sporadically at any time of the year depending on seasonal conditions.
Flowers possess pollination guides, suggesting it is insect-pollinated.
The species is fire-sensitive, with recruitment occurring from the soil seed bank.
Reproductive maturity is likely to occur at three to five years; does not appear to reproduce vegetatively.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Habitat loss through land degradation (such as erosion) from clearing for tracks, tanks and fences.
Trampling and grazing by domesticated and feral animals.
Inappropriate fire regimes, including too frequent and too intense fires.
Habitat modification from weed invasion.
Agricultural or residential runoff; soil eutrophification from animal excrement or application of agricultural chemicals; and erosion.
Lack of knowledge of the species fire ecology and appropriate fire intervals.
Potential threat of infection from the root-rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi, trampling by domesticated and feral herbivores, and weeds.
Lack of knowledge of species distribution and abundance limits effective management.
Disturbance of substrate and direct damage of plants from track maintenance and realignment.

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 18 priority actions to help recover the Wollemi Mint-bush in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Manage fire regimes to allow intervals of greater than 8 years; it may be important to maintain unburnt refuge areas containing large numbers of individuals for long periods of time to promote the persistence of pollination vector(s).
A buffer should be placed around sub-populations to conserve seed stored in the soil.
Protect known habitat, maintaining continuity between individuals within sub-populations, and avoid artificially creating new sub-populations.
Fill knowledge gaps and inform management.

Information sources

Benson, D.H. and Keith, D.A. (1990) The Natural Vegetation of the Wallerawang 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 2(2), 305-335.
Fallding, M., Bell, S. and Murray, M. (1997) Myambat Vegetation and Fauna Management Guidelines for Landscape Management at the Myambat Logistics Company Site. Draft prepared by Land and Environment Planning for the Department of Defence.
Miller and Gibson (1999) 1999 Rare Plant Survey - Blue Mountains and Central Western Slopes of NSW. Unpublished Report to the NSW NPWS.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Tenterfield Plateau	Predicted	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Capertee Valley	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Capertee Uplands	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Kerrabee	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None

Images

Prostanthera cryptandroides subsp. cryptandroides, flowers and leaves Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

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