Prostanthera gilesii - 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: Prostanthera gilesii

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 01 Dec 2017

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

A small, compact, spreading shrub, up to 1 m high growing as a tangle of individual plants/ramets. Leaves are 15–25 mm long, 5–10 mm wide, dark green and glossy, with a paler lower surface. Flowers are 12–15 mm long, white to yellowish-white with purple to dark mauve markings on the inner surface of the tube.

Distribution

Known only from Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area, south-west of Orange in central western NSW.

Habitat and ecology

There are two known populations within the Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area.
The largest population occurs on a protected slope above a creek in shrubby open forest dominated by tall Eucalyptus dalrympleana subsp. dalrympleana, with scattered E. canobolensis and E. dives. The soil is a deep basaltic clay-loam with alluvial deposits on the lower slopes.
The second, smaller population, occurs in a steep rock crevice of a trachyte rocky outcrop. The crevice is fed by seepage and the soil is likely to be formed from rock scree and detritus. The surrounding vegetation is heath with the occasional small tree of Exocarpos cupressiformis (native cherry) and Eucalyptus canobolensis.
Little is known about the species ecology. Mature plants characteristically form a tangled mass, making it difficult to estimate the numbers of individuals. It readily roots from layered stems and may be clonal, suggesting that genetic diversity within the species is low.
The number of mature individuals is extremely low, estimated to be fewer than 50 plants. Both populations were burnt by wildfire in February 2018 and have regenerated from rootstock.
Small amounts of ex-situ material is known to be located in botanic gardens.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

South Eastern Highlands

Threats

Risk from catastrophic events because of small number of extant populations and low species abundance.
Inappropriate fire regimes, especially high frequency fire.
Encroachment of exotic weeds, especially blackberry, into habitat where the species occurs.
Destruction of plants and habitat by feral pigs
Infection of native plants by Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Erosion of soil exposed by fire
Lack of knowledge about the ecological requirements of the species to guide management actions
Unauthorised collection of plant material has occurred previously

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 targeted searches for the species in known or potential habitat to assess any recovery post-fire.
Reinstate an appropriate fire regime (for the next decade at least this will mean prevention of fire).
Undertake weed control as required, particularly on Blackberry, using removal methods that will not impact on the species (hand pull or cut and paint weeds).
Control numbers of introduced herbivores, especially pigs, which may dig up and graze on plants.
Maintain current ex-situ programs. Where possible, determine the provenance of these plants. If required, collect further material to supplement ex-situ collections.
Promote local sales of excess material from ex-situ populations to increase the profile of the species.
Regularly monitor the number of plants and threatening processes at the two populations.
Investigate need for a third population through translocation.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Images

Clump of several individuals in Orange Botanic Gardens Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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