Kydra Westringia - 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: Westringia kydrensis

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 28 Apr 2022

Description

Kydra Westringia is an erect shrub to 40 cm tall. The leaves are in groups of three and occur in a whorl around the stems. The leaves are up to 8 mm long by 3.5 mm wide and are hairy when young. The flowers are like mint-bush flowers; white with a few reddish dots at the base of lobes.

Distribution

The species occurs in heath on rocky areas at Kydra Reefs, south-east of Cooma.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in heathland with larger shrubs of Allocasuarina nana and Banksia canei.
Grows on shallow rocky granite or quartzite soils.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

South Eastern Highlands

Threats

May be vulnerable to browsing by goats and further monitoring is needed to determine level of impact.
Burning of Allocasuarina nana heathland and too frequent fire incidence may have an impact on this species. Frequent burning has been observed at one of the known sites.
The highly restricted distribution and small population size make this species inherently vulnerable to localised stochastic events.

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 2 priority actions to help recover the Kydra Westringia in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Ensure personnel planning and undertaking hazard reduction burns are able to identify Kydra Westringia and are aware of its habitat; planning should carefully consider populations of this species.
Discourage burning of suitable habitat on private land in the vicinity of plants.
Control goats if they are found to browse on Kydra Westringia plants.
Monitor known population for any changes.
Undertake further research into the species’ responses to fire.
Search for further populations in appropriate habitat.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South Eastern Highlands	Kybeyan-Gourock	Known	East of Cooma, south from Badja
South Eastern Highlands	Monaro	Known	East of Cooma

Images

Kydra Westringia, John Briggs Image 1 of 5.
View slideshow.

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