Moonee Quassia - 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: Quassia sp. Moonee Creek

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 21 Aug 2018

Description

Moonee Quassia is a slender or bushy shrub growing to about 1.5 m tall. Its stems are often kinked, showing periodic halts to growth. Its tough leaves are very narrow, about 10 cm long, and arranged alternately along the stems. They are glossy dark green above and paler below, with numerous veins at a wide angle to the midrib. Flowers are small and green tinged reddish, developing into distinctive finely hairy fruits made up of one to five radiating segments which are red when mature. Moonee Quassia is also known as Quassia sp. B.

Distribution

Scattered distribution from the Moonee Creek area north of Coffs Harbour to north-east of Grafton.

Habitat and ecology

Shrubby layer below tall moist eucalypt forest and tall dry eucalypt forest, including forest edges, mostly at lower altitudes.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Destruction, degradation and fragmentation of forest habitat in coastal areas through clearing, urban development and repeated disturbance.
Frequent fire.
Timber harvesting and associated road-works.
Invasion of weeds, particularly Lantana.
Risk of local extinction because populations are small.
Lack of understanding of impacts of moth larvae Atteva albiguttata to fruit development.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare groups and bush regeneration teams.
Control weeds in moist forest habitats.
Protect populations from frequent fire.
Protect areas of habitat from clearing or development.
Identify populations of Moonee Quassia and protect them during roading and logging.
Expand and connect moist forest areas.
Study impacts of predation by larval moth species on recruitment ability.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None

Images

Foliage and buds, Moonee Quassia Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

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