Cryptic Forest Twiner - 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: Tylophora woollsii

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 14 Jun 2020

Description

A slender woody climber that grows to 3 m long. The paired leaves are on stalks 7 - 20 mm long, and are an elongated heart-shape with a firm texture. There are two to four tiny glands at the base of each leaf-blade and the stems exude a clear, watery sap if cut. The purple to red flowers are 5 - 6 mm in size, and are produced in late summer to autumn on zigzagging branched stalks growing from the leaf junctions. They are followed by narrow seed-capsules 5 - 8 cm long, which split to release many seeds, each of which has a tuft of silky hair.

Distribution

The Cryptic Forest Twiner is found from the NSW north coast and New England Tablelands to southern Queensland, but is very rare within that range. Known on the Tablelands from the Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo areas north of Tenterfield.

Habitat and ecology

This species grows in moist eucalypt forest, moist sites in dry eucalypt forest and rainforest margins.
Flowering occurs in summer and autumn, usually between January and March but sometimes as late as November.
Thought to be wind-dispersed.
Plants appear to persist as a network of stems under leaf litter when aerial stems are absent.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Habitat clearing for agriculture.
Habitat clearing for rural and residential development.
Physical damage, particularly to roadside populations due to vehicles and associated roadworks.
Competition with weeds may prevent growth of seedlings and regenerating plants, and may increase fire risk.
Slashing and spraying of roadsides in areas of habitat.
Forestry operations may impact on individuals and their habitat.
Risk of extinction because populations are small.
Fungal infections such as Phytophthora cinnamomi may contribute to the rarity of this species.
Difficulty in identification may lead to incorrect identification and detection.

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 Cryptic Forest Twiner in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Identify and mark all known roadside populations.
Protect known habitat from clearing.
Undertake weed control works ensuring careful use of herbicides.
Enhance information on the species' identification and raise awareness of conservation significance of this species.
Ensure frequent agricultural burning does not occur in known habitat and that fire regimes implemented are as per the recommendations for the habitat in which the population occurs.
Prevent spread of disease through appropriate site management.

Information sources

Horton, S. (1998) Cryptic Forest Twiner Tylophora woollsii. Report prepared for the NSW national Parks and Wildlife Service, Coffs Harbour.
Horton, S. (1999) Cryptic Forest Twiner Tylophora woollsii Annual Population Monitoring Report. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Coffs Harbour.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Stanthorpe Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Carrai Plateau	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Cataract	Predicted	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	Macleay Hastings	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Mummel Escarpment	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Manning	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Washpool	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None

Images

Flowers and foliage, Cryptic Forest Twiner Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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