Callistemon purpurascens - 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 purpurascens

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 16 Dec 2016

Profile last updated: 19 Apr 2024

Description

A bottlebrush shrub from 3-7metres in height (with most plants about 3.5 metres high). Bark is slightly fissured and flaking on the trunk and main branches. Leaves are alternate, 30-70 mm long, 5-8 mm wide and oblanceolate. Inflorescences are spike-like, 60-120 mm long and 40-80 mm wide with 20-60 purple flowers per inflorescence. Fruit 8-10 mm wide, sometimes slightly wrinkled. The main flowering period is December.

Distribution

Known from riparian and swamp areas of the eastern Megalong Valley and Katoomba on the Blue Mountains Plateau.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in riparian and swamp habitats
In the eastern Megalong Valley, riparian areas include within the stream on sedimentary rock, often on alluvium / flood terraces, and less often on higher or wider terraces or on the toe of adjoining slopes. The associated vegetation ranges from riparian scrub to open forest, and potentially to tall open forest. Swampy areas include shrubland, woodland and forest.
Habitats of the Blue Mountains Plateau occurrences are yet to be fully described, but include both riparian and swampy areas, and dam sandstone rubble.
Flowering and fruiting occurs at 5 to 7 years of age, with the main flowering period in December.
The species may rely on disturbance events such as wind-throw of canopy trees and shrubs, or fire, to facilitate major recruitment that results in the establishment of additional adult plants.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Extremely small (less than 350 individuals) population size and extremely small area of occupancy make this species extremely vulnerable to extinction.
This species is not known to occur on conservation estate.
Weed invasion, including blackberry (Rubus anglocandicans), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and introduced grasses and sedges.
Livestock grazing is low intensity but results in pugging and increased erosion of the swampy soils, and facilitation of weed invasion.
Habitat degradation and altered hydrology due to pig wallowing.
Habitat clearing associated with rural-residential land use and bushfire risk management.
Forecast effects of climate change include possible erosion of the swampy floodplain in extreme rainfall/flood events, and a possible loss or degradation of habitat due to prolonged and severe droughts.
Competition from native vegetation with the species.
Historic and potential future catastrophic changes in hydrology due to altered drainage associated with dams.
Inappropriate fire regimes, which has altered the vegetation structure and floristic diversity.
Hybridisation with other Callistemon species.
Decline in health/loss of mature plants and a lack of seed-based recruitment due to infection by Austropuccinia psidii (Myrtle Rust).

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

Control invasive weeds such as Japanese Honeysuckle and Blackberry.
Prevent pigs from accessing and damaging habitat.
Fencing to protect habitat from grazing by cattle.
Maintain swamp hydrology and water quality.
Education about the conservation status of the species and how to protect it.
Ex-situ propagation for the purpose of maintaining an insurance population that captures the current genetic diversity and as a source of plants for potential future reintroduction/supplementation actions.