Spiny Gardenia - 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: Randia moorei

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 07 Aug 2024

Description

Spiny Gardenia is a tall shrub or small tree to about 8 m tall, often with coppice shoots and root suckers at the base. The paired leaves are mostly oval-shaped, and can be 2 - 6 cm long and 1 - 3 cm wide. The underside of the leaf is paler than the upper surface, and often has small pits in the angles of the veins. Flowers are small and white, with a strong sweet smell, and develop into round yellow to orange berries 6 - 9 mm long which eventually turn black. There are many seeds set in the pulp of each fruit.

Distribution

Found from Lismore in north-east NSW north to the Logan River in south-east Queensland. Sparsely distributed, with most records in the Tweed and Brunswick areas.

Habitat and ecology

Spiny Gardenis occurs in subtropical, riverine, littoral and dry rainforest. In NSW, Hoop Pine and Brush Box are common canopy species.
It is found along moist scrubby water courses at altitudes up to 360 m asl, with most records below 100 m asl.
Spiny Gardenia has been recorded flowering from July to October with flower buds recorded in May.
Fruiting can be irregular. Ripe fruit has been observed from July to August as well as in December.
Spiny Gardenia coppices and produces root suckers readily. Clumps of shrubs and small trees may represent single genetic individuals.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Clearing anf fragmentation of habitat for agricultrue.
Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for development.
Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for road development and maintenance.
Invasion of habitat by introduced weeds.
Trampling and habitat degredation from domestic stock.
Fire.
Trampling by visitors.
Salt water intrusion caused by sea-level rise
Risk of local extirpation as a result of small population size.

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 20 priority actions to help recover the Spiny Gardenia in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Protect areas of suitable habitat from clearing or development.
Remove weeds where they threaten adult plants or regeneration.
Protect areas of known habitat from fire.
Expand and connect remaining remnants of habitat.
Support local Landcare groups and bush regeneration teams raise awareness of the species and undertake onground works.
Exclude domestic stock from known populations.
Protect roadside populations from disturbance during maintenance activities.
Keep to established walking tracks to avoid trampling on small plants.
Provide ongoing advice to consent and planning authorities regarding ecological and management requirements.
Monitor the population dynamics and threats at known populations.
Undertake surveys to identify unrecorded populations.
Maintain viable ex-situ or living collection.

Information sources

Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) (2004) Recovery Plan for Randia moorei Spiny Gardenia. NSW DEC, Sydney.
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

Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	None

Related information

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