Dwarf Bush-pea - 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: Pultenaea humilis

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 04 Jul 2008

Profile last updated: 18 Oct 2022

Description

Pultenaea humilis is an erect to prostrate shrub, 0.2–0.8 m high with branchlets erect or drooping that are sparsely to moderately hairy. The leaves are alternate, 3.9–12.5 by 1–2.5 mm, flat, straight, smooth, leathery and light green. Leaves are sparsely hairy or may be hair free. The inflorescence is subterminal or apparently terminal and is dense to somewhat lax and leafy with bracts absent. Individual flowers are 10–13 mm long.

Distribution

Pultenaea humilis is rare in New South Wales and Tasmania, but relatively common in Victoria. In NSW, Pultenaea humilis is currently known from three confirmed localities in the NSW South Western Slopes bioregion. The extent of occurrence of Pultenaea humilis in NSW is estimated to be approximately 6000 km2. However the total population of Pultenaea humilis in NSW is not known.

Habitat and ecology

Flowering from October to December; fruiting from November to December.
Pultenaea humilis is found in isolated remnants of native woodland and forest communities that occur in extensively cleared agricultural landscapes.
Occurs on a variety of soils ranging from sandy loams to clays.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

NSW South Western Slopes

Threats

One of the populations occurs adjacent to a fire trail and may be exposed to impacts of fire management operations, such as frequent burning and use of off-road machinery, unless appropriate management plans are implemented.
Habitat fragmentation may adversely affect the viability of plant populations though enhanced risks from environmental stochasticity, disruption to pollination and dispersal of fruits or seeds, and likely reductions in the genetic diversity of isolated populations.

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

Ensure appropriate land management practices are implemented in areas where Pultenaea humilis occurs.
Conserve existing habitat, reduce habitat fragmentation and ensure ecological connectivity.

Information sources

de Kok. R.P.J. and West, J.G. (2002) A revision of Pultenaea (Fabaceae) – 1. Species with ovaries glabrous and/or with tufted hairs. Australian Systematic Botany 15, 81-113.
Jones, S. (1998) Nature at the grave’s edge. Report to the Conservation Council of the South-East Region and Canberra http://www.consact.org.au/subsites/grave/firstpage.html [accessed 26/9/2007]
Mackenzie, B.D.E. (2006) Revised distribution and conservation status assessment of Pultenaea humilis Benth. ex Hook. f. Report to the NSW Scientific Committee, Sydney.
NSW Scientific Committee (2008) Dracophyllum macranthum - vulnerable species listing. Final Determination. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Young, A. and Clarke, G. (2000) Genetics, demography and the viability of fragmented populations. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge).
Young, A., Boyle, T. and Brown, A. (1996) The population genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation for plants. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 11, 413-418.