Rainforest Cassia - 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: Senna acclinis

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 13 Sep 2021

Description

Rainforest Cassia is a shrub to 3 m tall with compound leaves to 15 cm long, each with up to 6 pairs of oval-shaped leaflets at about 15 mm intervals along the central spine. There is a gland between the lower one to four pairs of leaflets. The flowers are in groups of two to five on a short stalk, hanging on the underside of the branchlets. They are bright golden yellow and cup-shaped. The seed pod is long and narrow, 12 - 15 cm long, 6 - 8 mm wide and more or less flat. Senna acclinis can easily be mistaken for introduced Senna (formerly Cassia) species which are environmental weeds.

Distribution

Occurs in coastal districts and adjacent tablelands of NSW from the Illawarra in NSW to Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Grows on the margins of subtropical, littoral and dry rainforests.
Often found as a gap phase shrub.
Flowering occurs in spring and summer and the fruit is ripe in summer and autumn.
Primarily pollinated by a variety of bees.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Clearing of habitat for agriculture.
Clearing of habitat for development.
Invasion by introduced weeds, particularly lantana, bitou bush and exotic and native vines.
Accidental removal during weed-control programs.
Distrubance and habitat damage from domestic stock.
Timber harvesting activities.
Disturbance during road/track maintenance activities.
Inappropriate fire regime, either too intense/frequent or too infrequent, preventing growth and recruitment.
Potential for disturbance or degradation of habitat close to walking tracks.
Poor knowledge of the species distribution and population dynamics.

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 8 priority actions to help recover the Rainforest Cassia in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Control and remove weeds from areas of known habitat.
Ensure correct identification of Senna weed species before removal.
Protect habitat from clearing.
Facilitate habitat restoration and connection of known populations.
Protect known roadside populations from disturbance.
Exclude cattle from known populations.
Monitor population dynamics and threats at known populations.
Implement fire regime appropriate for habitat type. Avoid high frequency fire.
Maintain viable ex-situ seedbank.
Undertake survey to identify unrecorded populations.

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

New England Tablelands	Ebor Basalts	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Stanthorpe Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Walcha Plateau	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Barrington	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Chaelundi	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Comboyne Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Dalmorton	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Gorges	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Mummel Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Hunter	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Manning	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Predicted	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Cumberland	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Illawarra	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None