Nature conservation

Threatened species

Tuncurry Midge Orchid - 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: Genoplesium littorale
Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered
Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered
Gazetted date: 31 Jul 2009
Profile last updated: 26 Jul 2019

Description

Small terrestrial orchid with a single, cylindrical leaf that encloses the flowering stem. The leaf is 10 to 25 cm long, 0.15 cm in diameter, and dark green with a reddish base. The flowering stem is 10 to 30 cm tall, bearing 5 to 30 flowers in a moderately dense spike, 1.5-3 cm long. Flowers range from mostly green to dark purple and are approximately 0.5 cm in diameter. Recent taxonomic work has proposed that the species be re-assigned to the new genus Corunastylis as Corunastylis littoralis and it is under this name that it is listed on the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Distribution

Known only from a small area in the Great Lakes Local Government Area just north of Tuncurry on the NSW mid-north Coast.

Habitat and ecology

  • Grows in coastal heath close to the ocean in deep, well-drained sandy soils. The vegetation consists of a variety of shrub species such as Leptospermum laevigatum, Monotoca elliptica, Ochrosperma lineare and Banksia spp. Lichens and various graminoids are often present alongside the orchids.

Regional distribution and habitat

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


Threats

Recovery strategies

Activities to assist this species

Information sources

IBRA Bioregion IBRA Subregion Known or predicted Geographic restrictions region
NSW North CoastKaruah Manning Known Within the Parish boundaries of Tuncurry, Wang Wauk and Forster