Leionema westonii - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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: Leionema westonii

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 12 Feb 2021

Profile last updated: 23 Feb 2024

Description

Leionema westonii is a shrub up to 70 cm tall. Stems are covered in spreading white hairs. Leaves are narrow elliptic (oval, broadest at middle) to linear. Leaf blades are 6-16 mm long and 1-1.8 mm wide. Flowers occur as clusters of terminal flowers and typically white in colour. The species is noted to be rhizomatous with no description of the fruit recorded.

Distribution

Endemic to NSW and known from a single population in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, approximately 40 km east of Walcha on the New England Tablelands.

Habitat and ecology

Grows within open forest on relatively flat loamy soil, close to the gorge rim.
Flowering is known to occur between January and May.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Inappropriate fire regimes (too severe and too intense) including risk from uncontrolled fires due to accidental private property fires and arson.
Drying soils and prolonged drought conditions, as a result of climate change, will lead to population declines
Competition and habitat degradation caused by feral goats. Grazing by feral goats has been identified as an issue for this species and post-fire grazing is a critical risk for the recovering population.
Low genetic diversity and potentially clonal nature limiting recruitment and long-term viability.
Small population size and lack of knowledge on whether additional populations exist.

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

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Nature conservation

Threatened species