Nature conservation

Threatened species

Botany Bay Bearded Orchid - 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: Pterostylis sp. Botany Bay
Conservation status in NSW: Endangered
Commonwealth status: Endangered
Profile last updated: 16 Dec 2022

Description

A terrestrial orchid with a slender flowering stem to 20 cm. Leaves are a narrow oval shape, 37 mm long, and 12 mm wide. Up to 12 leaves form a basal rosette that slightly ascends the stem. The flower is solitary and translucent green with dark green veins. The species is very similar to Pterostylis plumosa, however P. plumosa is found only on the tablelands and western slopes of NSW and has almost erect flowers which are larger and more robust that those of this species.

Distribution

Restricted to the Sydney region where it is known from a small number of sites within Botany Bay National Park on the Kurnell Peninsula. The species was first collected at Maroubra in 1908, although it has not been recorded at Maroubra since that time.

Habitat and ecology

  • Occupies moist level sites on skeletal sandy soils derived from sandstone.
  • Associated vegetation is coastal heath dominated by Melaleuca nodosa and Baeckea imbricata.
  • Occurs in small localised populations, usually in areas within the heath where the canopy allows filtered light to reach the ground.
  • All species of Pterostylis are deciduous and die back to fleshy, rounded tuberoids in dry or hot conditions.
  • Produces its basal rosette of leaves from mid-autumn, followed by the flowering stem.
  • Flowering occurs from August to September.
  • The above ground parts of the plant wither and dry following flowering (or seed dispersal if the flowers are pollinated) and the plant persists as an underground tuberoid through summer.
  • The time of emergence, flowering and withering is dependent on prevailing weather conditions.

Regional distribution and habitat

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


Threats

Recovery strategies

Activities to assist this species

Information sources

IBRA Bioregion IBRA Subregion Known or predicted Geographic restrictions region
Sydney BasinPittwater Known Within 10 km of Kurnell Peninsula
Sydney BasinSydney Cataract Predicted Within 10 km of Kurnell Peninsula