Acacia pendula population in the Hunter catchment - 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: Acacia pendula - endangered population

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Population

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 29 Apr 2005

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

A disjunct population of fewer than 1000 individuals that occurs in the Hunter Valley at the eastern distributional limit of the species' range.

The trees are erect or spreading 5-13 m high with a pendulous habit. Their bark is hard, fissured, dark grey to black. Phyllodes are narrowly elliptic, straight to recurved, 5-14 cm long, and 4-10 mm wide with an innoculous apex. Inflorescences 2-7 headed racemes. Flowers light golden.

Distribution

The species occurs on the western slopes, western plains and far western plains of NSW, and south into Victoria and north into Queensland.

This Hunter population is known to occur naturally as far east as Warkworth, and extends northwest to Muswellbrook and to the west of Muswellbrook at Wybong. Only recorded to date at 6 locations: Jerrys Plains, Edderton, Wybong, Appletree Creek, Warkworth and Appletree Flat. These locations occur within the Muswellbrook and Singleton Local Government Areas, with the population potentially also occurring within the Mid-Western Regional and Upper Hunter LGA's.

The stand at Jerrys Plains is part of the community known as "Weeping Myall - Coobah - Scrub Wilga Shrubland of the Hunter Valley". This is listed under Commonwealth legislation as a "Critically Endangered Ecological Community".

Habitat and ecology

Within the Hunter catchment the species typically occurs on heavy soils, sometimes on the margins of small floodplains, but also in more undulating locations.
It is not known to occur within any conservation areas.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

All known sites within the Hunter population occur on private or non-conservation land and are potentially vulnerable to clearing (with or without approval).
Overgrazing by domestic stock including sheep, horses and cattle affects root sucker growth of the species.
The population is threatened by demographic and environmental stochasticity due to its small population size.
Roadworks have the potential to damage and disturb the species as the species is present on the roadside.
Lack of knowledge of the population's taxonomy as individuals do not produce the seeds which are required for positive identification. Unknown whether the population represents sterile hybrids or a distinct species. Identification is currently based on highly variable phyllode morphology.
Potential for subsidence as a result of longwall mining in the area. Cracking of substrate can cause root destabilisation. This also has the potential to kill individuals due to associated changes to hydrology.
Lack of knowledge on species distribution.
Weeds (including Opuntia sp. prickly pears, Bryophyllum delagoense mother of millions, Asparagus asparagoides, bridal creeper, and Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata African olive) affect root sucker growth of Acacia pendula and in the case of African olive, outcompete the species for resources through shading. The threat of weed invasion is enhanced by bird dispersal into the site.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare groups.
Undertake strategic grazing or grazing exclusion in conjunction with weed control.
Identify and protect roadside individuals during road-works.
Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing.
Encourage regeneration of remnants or disturbed areas of habitat.

Information sources

Bell, S., Peake, T. and Driscoll, C. (2007) Dealing with taxonomic uncertainty in Weeping Myall Acacia pendula from the Hunter catchment, New South Wales. Australasian Plant Conservation 16(1): 14–15
Kodela, P.G. and Harden, G.J. (2002) Acacia. Pp 381-476 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
NSW Scientific Committee (2005) Acacia pendula (a tree) population in the Hunter catchment - Endangered population determination - final.
Office of Environment and Heritage NSW (2011) Draft National Recovery Plan Weeping Myall – Coobah – Scrub Wilga Shrubland of the Hunter Valley. (OEH NSW, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Range	Predicted	Within Hunter River Catchment
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Predicted	Within Hunter River Catchment
NSW North Coast	Ellerston	Known	Within Hunter River Catchment
NSW North Coast	Upper Hunter	Known	Within Hunter River Catchment
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	Within Hunter River Catchment
Sydney Basin	Kerrabee	Known	Within Hunter River Catchment
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None

Images

Weeping Myall Woodland at Jerrys Plains Cemetery, west of Singleton. Image 1 of 5.
View slideshow.

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