Smooth Bush-Pea - 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: Pultenaea glabra

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 13 Nov 2024

Description

An erect shrub to 1.5 m tall with smooth hairless stems and leaves. Leaves are alternate, narrow, concave, to 20mm x 2mm, with a pointed tip. The yellow/orange pea-like flowers are borne in dense subterminal or apparently terminal inflorescences. Fruit is a swollen pod to 5 mm long. The Pultenaea glabra species complex is the subject of ongoing research.

Distribution

Restricted to the higher Blue Mountains and has been recorded from the Katoomba-Hazelbrook and Mount Victoria areas. All known populations occur within the Blue Mountains Local Government Area.

Habitat and ecology

This species is primarily associated with riparian or swamp habitat areas in the mid to upper altitudes of the central Blue Mountains on sandstone derived soils. Grows in swamp margins, hillslopes, gullies and creekbanks and occurs within dry sclerophyll forest and tall damp heath on sandstone.
Flowers September to November, fruit matures October to December.
Fire sensitive, with adults killed by fire and recruitment occurring from a persistent soil stored seed bank. Seed germination will not occur in the absence of fire as the hard-coated seed requires heat to break seed dormancy, as is typical of species within Fabaceae.
There are discernible differences between the habitat preferences of the plant where it occurs on the sandstone substrates when compared with that of the basalt cap occurrences.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Habitat loss and fragmentation due to clearing for urban development.
Habitat degradation due to weed invasion (mainly Scotch broom, privet and honeysuckle).
Inappropriate fire regimes, both frequent and infrequent fire.
Only known from a restricted distribution.
Significant, protracted drying of this species' habitat and reduction in groundwater.
Current distribution is restricted and poorly known.
Recreational visitors trampling and picking individuals.
Disturbance as a result of vegetation clearing for track 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 15 priority actions to help recover the Smooth Bush-Pea in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Implement mosaic burning of appropriate habitat on a 10 to 40 year cycle, burning only a small proportion of the habitat in any one year. Following occurrence of wildfire, monitoring is required prior to additional ecological burns.
Searches for the species should be conducted in suitable habitat in proposed development areas.
Undertake appropriate weed control activities when necessary.
Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing and further fragmentation.

Information sources

Fairley, A. and Moore, P. (2000) Native plants of the Sydney district: an identification guide. 2nd Edition. (Kangaroo Press, East Roseville)
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) NSW flora fire response database, version 1.3a.