Carrington Falls Pomaderris - 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: Pomaderris walshii

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 20 Apr 2007

Profile last updated: 22 Feb 2024

Description

Pomaderris walshii is a shrub or small tree growing up to 3 m tall. The young stems, leaf under surfaces and outer surface of the flowers are covered with a layer of white hairs mixed with flat silvery white or rusty hairs. The leaves are oval shaped at the base and have a pointy tip; they are about 36-60 mm long and 14-22 mm wide. The flowers are 100-200 together in heads 4-7.5 cm long with a wide base; individual flowers are cream to yellow and are externally covered with a soft hair.

Distribution

Pomaderris walshii has a very highly restricted distribution. It is currently known only from the upper catchment of the Kangaroo River, above the escarpment near Robertson within the Sydney Basin Bioregion. It occurs as two small populations within a total area of occurrence of about three lineal kilometres of riparian habitat, with very low numbers of individuals.

One population occurs in a conservation reserve, Budderoo National Park, with 13 known individual plants. The second population occurs on private freehold land upstream, comprises about 30 individual plants.

Habitat and ecology

Pomaderris walshii has been recorded in riparian habitat varying from shrubland to open grassy forest. Some more recent new records have found the species approximately 100 m from riparian habitat.
Because of the very low numbers of individuals the habitat constraints, ecology, and reproductive biology of P. walshii are very poorly known.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Flood damage caused by the relatively high regional rainfall of about 1800 mm per annum and the riparian habitat of the species.
Changed fire regimes may represent a threat, as may genetic consequences of small population size.
Only one recorded site with a small population size makes the species vulnerable to genetic problems and stochastic events.
Population decline would likely result from land-use change.
Grazing from sheep or cattle on private property.
Climate change and its effects on habitat may constitute a threat as the area is highly dependent on orographic rainfall.

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

Identification and investigation of other possible areas of habitat on the Illawarra escarpment.
Investigate reproduction cycles and the effect of fire and flooding on populations.
At the private site the population could possibly be excluded from grazing.

Information sources

Anderson, R.H. (1961) Introduction. Contributions from the New South Wales National Herbarium Flora Series 1-18: 1-15.
Jordan, P. (1989) Grevillea rivularis (Unpublished report, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Hurstville).
Millot, J.C. and McDougall, K.L. (2005) A new species of Pomaderris (Rhamnaceae) from the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. Telopea 11, 79-86.
Thackway, R. and Cresswell, I.D. (eds.) (1995) An interim biogeographic regionalisation of Australia: a framework for establishing the national system of reserves. Australian Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.