Indicative distribution
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: Hibbertia fumana
Gazetted date:
16 Dec 2016
Profile last updated:
14 Oct 2022
Description
A low shrub or sub-shrub with many branches at the base and branches also well branched. Foliage is small (~3 mm), hairy and slender, decurrent or nearly so onto the branches and with revolute margins. The flowers are pedunculate, with single flowers terminal on the stems, the peduncle elongating in fruit. The calyx is hairy on the outside and glabrous within. Petals are broadly bilobed, yellow, 5-7 stamens are clustered to one side of the twinned, hairy ovaries. Flowers are of the order of 10-12 mm across.
Similar to H. hirsuta from which it is distinguished by having 5-7 stamens, the vestiture and having a stalked flower. It is also considered similar to the Victorian species H. humifusa (which has the stalked flowers, vestiture and leaves) from which it is distinguished by the much smaller leaves and lack of simple hairs along the branches, although there are tufts of hairs in the leaf axils.
Other species with which it may be confused include Hibbertia aspera (peduncle of H. fumana is shorter, especially in flower, the foliage is more persistently hairy, and there are fewer stamens), H. empetrifolia (H. fumana is much more prominently stellate-hairy) and H. riparia (H. fumana has much shorter leaves). Hibbertia superans is another possible species for confusion, though H. fumana has smaller leaves.
The formal description is available in the original publication as linked here.
Distribution
Originally collected by R. Brown, Caley and Sieber from sites as diverse as 'near South Head' and 'western Sydney'.
At the beginning of the species rediscovery the only known extant population was found to occur in the Moorebank area. As a result of recent surveys populations of this species have been detected over a wider range within greater Sydney stretching from Richmond to Mittagong.
Habitat and ecology
- Species is known to occur in a long intergrade between Castlereagh Scribbly Gum Woodland and Castlereagh Ironbark Forest. Also recently found associated with aeolian sand deposits. Species has been found to occur in a variety of structural habitats including open areas, disturbed sites and also within thick ground cover dominated by a heavy cover of sedges, rushes and grasses.
- Has the potential to occur in similar intergrade alluvial habitats rich in sands and laterite in other parts of western Sydney.
- Habitat of an 1802 Caley collection 'near South Head' are uncertain, with potential communities in that area including coastal shale sandstone communities and open forest or forest communities on lateritised shale lenses. No similar alluvial sand deposits are identified in that area.
- Soil texture and character described as fine sandy clay loam, grey brown in colour.
- Community composition is noted to include Eucalyptus sideroxylon, E. fibrosa, E. parramattensis and E. sclerophylla, with Melaleuca decora. Shrub layer with Hakea sericea, Callistemon linearis, Bursaria spinosa, Grevillea parviflora, Acacia brownii, Acacia bynoeana, Pultenaea retusa, P. villosa, a diverse groundcover of Goodenia, Dianella, Poa, Stylidium, Themeda and Gonocarpus.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Fire either too frequently (limiting recruitment) or too rarely (allowing midstorey thickening) are likely to impact the species.
- Extant population consists of approximately 370 individuals
- Loss of the existing habitats across much of the distribution has occurred and may occur for as-yet-missed populations of the species
- A number of weeds are likely to impact on the plant, with particular concern for low shrubs, dense shrubs and smothering grasses.
- Construction of facilities, structures and infrastructure, permanent and temporary, that impacts on areas known to be occupied by the species. Development of the adjacent lands for a major transport hub may affect the plants, and there is a rarely-used railway line bisecting the site.
- A change to the intensity, frequency and methods of groundcover and grass management in the vicinity of airport infrastructure.
- Uncontrolled movement of vehicles in areas occupied by the species.
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 assessment of threats and factors relating to persistence of the species
- Collect and maintain a viable seed collection for the species
- Present information about the species, its habitat and distinguishing features in the publicdomain.
- Undertake to maintain suitable habitat in the known populations to ensure persistence of the species
- Undertake to assess the population number and extent as part of a regular monitoring program
- Implement and maintain restriction fencing around the population as part of the biobank maintenance to restrict access for dumping and arson
- Target potential sites in similar communities specifically for this and other species (some related) which are poorly known
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