Corunastylis sp. Charmhaven (NSW896673) - 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: Corunastylis sp. Charmhaven (NSW896673)

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 27 Sep 2013

Profile last updated: 03 Nov 2023

Description

Corunastylis sp. Charmhaven (NSW896673) is a terrestrial orchid (Weston in litt. 2012) that has recently been formally described as Genoplesium branwhiteorum (Renner et al, 2022). The listing under the BC Act and EPBC Act, however, has not changed. The species is commonly known as the Charmhaven midge orchid.

Similar to Corunastylis archeri (syn. Genoplesium archeri) it differs by having fewer, larger flowers (6-9 flowers, 6 mm across,versus 10-20 flowers, 4.5–5 mm across in C. archeri), borne on a shorter inflorescence (1.4 cm long versus 2–3.5cm long in C. archeri). Flowering has been observed from November through to March.

Distribution

Corunastylis sp. Charmhaven (NSW896673) is distributed from Morisset in the north to Warnervale in the south and as far east as Chain Valley Bay.

Habitat and ecology

It occurs within low woodland to heathland with a shrubby understorey and ground layer. Dominants include Black She-oak (Allocasuarina littoralis), Prickly Tea-tree (Leptospermum juniperinum), Prickly-leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca nodosa), Narrow-leaved Bottlebrush (Callistemon linearis) and Zig-zag Bog-rush (Schoenus brevifolius).

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Risk of extinction from stochastic events due to small population size and restricted distribution.
Loss and fragmentation of individual plants/habitat as a result of activities such as infrastructure maintenance and clearing for development.
Browsing by feral herbivores such as rabbits on stems and damage/remove individuals above ground.
Potential for disturbance due to infrastructure development in close proximity to where the species occurs.
Physical damage to plants and/or habitat as a result of recreational activities. Recreational activities may include be but are not limited to 4WDs, trail bikes, horse riders, orchid enthusiasts, bushwalkers, rubbish dumping, illegal collection of plants etc.
Erosion of soils from nearby road verges impacting soil chemistry and substrate condition
Inappropriate slashing regimes during leaf emergence, flowering and fruiting periods impacting the species reproduction.
Potential for thick undisturbed habitat that may prevent plants emerging and flowering
A restricted distribution and small total population size places the species at risk from demographic and environmental uncertainties, and natural catastrophes.
Insufficient understanding of the species ecology, including genetics, pollination, seed germination, mycorrhizae, reproductive ecology and response to fire.
Fungal attack from various strains of fungus - most likely naturally occurring strains. The fungus affects plant growth and seed production.
Inappropriate fire regimes, including too frequent or infrequent fire impacting the species survival and reproduction
Browsing by native herbivores on leaf/stem can cause damage/remove the plants above ground parts.
Inappropriate slashing regimes during leaf emergence, flowering and fruiting periods impacting the species reproduction
Invasive grasses overcrowding the species and reducing available habitat.
Competition and overshading from native and introduced plants

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

Undertake an assessment of the species status including distribution, abundance, likely threats and priority actions for recovery.
provide advice to developers, consultants and approval authorities about the existence of the species and its significance.
Assess the efficacy of rabbit control on the site

Information sources

NSW Scientific Committee (2012) Corunastylis sp. Charmhaven (NSW896673) - Critically Endangered species determination - final

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Sydney Basin

Wyong

Known

None

Images

Corunastylis sp. Charmhaven
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