Callistemon pungens - 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: Callistemon pungens

Conservation status in NSW: Not listed

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 18 Mar 2022

Description

Callistemon pungens is a distinct shrub or small tree ranging from 2-5 m tall. The leaves are 2-3 cm long with a pungent tip 1-2 mm long. The flower spike is 5-6 cm long and 2.5-4.5 cm in diameter. The species is characterised by its purple stamens and small, pungent leaves.

Distribution

In NSW, the species occurs from near Inverell to the eastern escarpment in New England National Park. It also occurs in the northern tablelands of south-eastern Queensland, mainly in the Stanthorpe area. Recorded in a number of national parks and nature reserves in NSW and Queensland including Warrabah, Kings Plains, Oxley Wild Rivers and Single National Parks and Severn River, Ironbark and Mann Rivers Nature Reserves. It is also known form Torrington State Recreation Area.

Habitat and ecology

Habitats range from riparian areas dominated by Casuarina cunninghamiana subsp. cunninghamiana to woodland and rocky shrubland.
Often in rocky watercourses, usually with sandy granite (occasionally basalt) creek beds
Flowers over spring and summer, mostly in November.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Vegetation clearing for agricultural purposes.
Weed invasion (particularly by Japanese Honeysuckle and Blackberry)
Fragmentation of habitat, potentially impacting on pollination vectors, habitat loss and increasing edge effects on remaining habitat.
High frequency fire may impact on this species, a fire regime of at least 5-15 year intervals is recommended to allow the species to resprout following fire.
Over grazing and trampling by domestic stock, particularly sheep.
Road widening and maintenance activities.
Grazing by feral goats.

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 0 priority actions to help recover the Callistemon pungens in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Monitor known populations to identify key threats.
Monitor the progress of recovery, including the effectiveness of management actions and the need to adapt them if necessary.
Control and manage public access to known sites on public land.
Undertake research into the fire ecology, biological and ecological requirements of the species.
Exclude domestic stock from known populations.
Protect known populations through the development of conservation agreements and/or covenants.
Undertake ween control works in areas of known habitat.
Implement an appropriate fire management regime for local populations
Control feral goats around known populations.

Information sources

Copeland, L.M. and Hunter, J.T. (1999) Range extensions and conservation status of 18 restricted plant species in north-eastern New South Wales. Cunninghamia 6(2): 395-401
Hunter, J.T. (2002) A preliminary overview of what is reserved in the Inverell and Yallaroi Shires, North Western Slopes, NSW. Cunninghamia 7(4): 671–681
Hunter, J.T. and Bell, D. (2007) Vegetation of montane bogs in east-flowing catchments of northern New England, New South Wales. Cunninghamia 10(1): 93-111
Hunter, J.T. and Clarke, P.J. (1998) The vegetation of granitic outcrop communities on the New England Batholith of eastern Australia. Cunninghamia 5(3): 547-618
Hunter, J.T. and Hunter, V.H. (2003) Vegetation of Ironbark Nature Reserve and Bornhardtia Voluntary Conservation Agreement, Northern Tablelands, New South Wales. Cunninghamia 8(1): 93–110
Spencer, R.D. and Lumley, P.F. (2002) Callistemon. Pp 193-198 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Predicted	None
Nandewar	Peel	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Armidale Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Bundarra Downs	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Eastern Nandewars	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Glenn Innes-Guyra Basalts	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Moredun Volcanics	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Severn River Volcanics	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Tenterfield Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Tingha Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Carrai Plateau	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Cataract	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Predicted	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Manning	Known	None

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