Indicative distribution
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: Zieria parrisiae
Gazetted date:
31 Jul 2009
Profile last updated:
30 Aug 2021
Description
Parris' Zieria is an erect shrub growing to 3-4 m high. The leaves are distinctive, with each leaf being comprised of three spreading leaflets (trifoliate) and with the central leaflet being slightly longer than outside leaflet. The leaflets about 25 mm long and 3 - 4 mm wide and with their edges rolled under. The flowers are white, 7-9 mm in diameter and occur in clusters of up to 33 towards the ends of the branchlets. Each flower has four petals that are about 4 mm long and 2 mm wide. The fruit is a distinctive, warty, 4-chambered capsule. Each chamber splits at the top to release a single ovoid seed that is about 2 mm across.
Distribution
Parris' Zieria is known from only one population, which is split between two main patches loacted about 200 m apart in a gully on private property about 15 km west of Pambula on the NSW far south coast. A very small sub-population of less than 10 plants occurs between the two larger patches.
Habitat and ecology
- Parris' Zieria occurs in a gully on a north east facing mid-slope. The soil is skeletal grey loam overlying rhyolite rock. The site is scattered with broken rhyolite rocks and boulders.
- The main flowering period is in August and September, but flowering may commence as early as late July.
- The fruiting capsules ripen in summer and usually good crops of seed are produced.
- Seedling recruitment has been observed over many years and thus seedling viability is not a limiting factor for the species survival.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- The main threats to the survival of this species are 1) the small total population size, 2) the shortage of large and reproductively-mature plants, and 3) the extremely small area occupied by the species. These threats make this species highly susceptible to extinction through events such as wildfire, drought and severe browsing by native and non-native animals.
- The major ongoing threat to this species appears to be browsing damage caused by wallabies. Goats were a threat but they have been eradicated by the property owner.
- The site is on private land. The current owners are highly supportive of protecting this species, however future owners of the property may not be as sympathetic to the protection of the species.
- Severe drought during the 2000s caused high mortality in the population, particularly of seedlings. Climate Change forecasts are for more extreme events and this threat is thus likely to increase in the future.
- The small population size makes the species highly susceptible to extinction from fire. There is a need to exclude deliberate burning from the site and exclude wildfire as far as practicable.
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
- Initially individual wire mesh guards were constructed around selected plants to protect them from wallaby grazing. Later the whole of the three sub-populations were fenced to exclude walabies that were heavily browsing the plants. These fences need to be maintained.
- Monitor population for impacts of stochastic events.
- Seed collections for long term low temperature strorage needs to be undertaken to provide a source of propagating material should the species decline to critically low numbers in the wild at some stage in the future.
- The species occurs in sites that appear to be fire refugia, and It is likely that the species would be killed by fire. It is thus recommended that fire be excluded from the sites.
Information sources
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Zieria parrisiae (a shrub) Recovery Plan. NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW.
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IBRA Bioregion
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IBRA Subregion
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Known or predicted
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Geographic restrictions region
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| South East Corner | South East Coastal Ranges |
Known
| West of the Princes Highway and within 20 km of Pambula |