Bombay Bossiaea - 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: Bossiaea bombayensis

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 12 Jun 2024

Profile last updated: 28 Jun 2024

Description

The Bombay Bossiaea is a wiry shrub to 1.5 m high. It has dark green flattened branches to 4 mm wide. The flowering branches usually have a zig-zag form and are heavily tinged with red when young. Leaves are present only as minute scales along the edges of the stems. Its flowers, typical of peas, appear in October. The largest petal (to 8 mm long) is dark red on its outer surface and bright yellow on its inner surface. Pods, which appear in early summer, are dark green with a red tinge and red margins (to about 2 cm long and 0.5 cm wide).

Distribution

The Bombay Bossiaea is restricted to the Shoalhaven River valley between Warri and Bombay, about 10 km west of Braidwood.

Habitat and ecology

Bombay Bossiaea grows in the steeply incised valley of the Shoalhaven River, near Braidwood on the Southern Tablelands. It is mainly found on sandy, rocky slopes and terraces above the frequent flood line in a shrubland of Callitris endlicheri, Grevillea arenaria, Lomandra longifolia, Micrantheum hexandrum, Pomaderris andromedifolia and Leptospermum polygalifolium.
Plants are presumably killed by fire but fire is not required for regeneration.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Competition from weeds such as English Broom, Willow and African Love Grass
Damage to plants associated with recreational use of river
Restricted distribution and small population size puts the species at risk from stochastic events

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 5 priority actions to help recover the Bombay Bossiaea in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Remove woody weeds (and African Love Grass) from Bombay Bossiaea sites
Restrict vehicular access to the river where plants are known to occur

Information sources

James, T.A. and Harden, G.J. (2002) Bossiaea. Pp. 510-6 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Revised Edition Volume 2. (University of New South Wales Press Ltd, Sydney)
McDougall, K.L. (2009) Four new species related to Bossiaea bracteosa F.Muell. ex Benth. in south-eastern Australia. Telopea 12(3): 347-360
NSW Scientific Committee (2009) Bossiaea bombayensis - Vulnerable species determination - final.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South East Corner	South East Coastal Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Monaro	Predicted	None

Images

Bombay Bossiaea, Keith McDougall Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

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