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: Rhodamnia maideniana
Gazetted date:
19 Nov 2021
Profile last updated:
21 Oct 2024
Description
Rhodamnia maideniana is a bushy shrub, commonly 1.5–3 m high, with reddish brown fibrous-flaky bark; young shoots sparsely pubescent, glabrescent. Leaves with lamina ovate to narrow-elliptic, 5–10 cm long, 2–4.5 cm wide, apex long-acuminate with a rounded tip, base cuneate, both surfaces ? glabrous; strongly 3-veined from base, lateral veins numerous, not transverse; oil glands numerous and distinct; petiole 5–6 mm long. Inflorescences 2–4 per axil, each 1–3-flowered; peduncles 1–3 mm long. Hypanthium ? glabrous. Sepals 1 mm long, persistent, pink. Petals 3–4 mm long, white. Stamens c. 4 mm long. Style 4 mm long. Berry globose, 8–12 mm diam., black
Distribution
Rhodamnia maideniana occurs in subtropical rainforest on basaltic soils, including red-brown loams and clay loams. It can be locally common on slopes and in gullies, growing from 40 – 1000 m above sea level. The distribution of Rhodamnia maideniana extends for Ballina and inland to Alstonville in NSW up into South-east QLD (Currumbin to Springbrook National Park).
Habitat and ecology
- Found in littoral, warm temperate and subtropical rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest usually on volcanic and sedimentary soils.
- This species is characterised as highly to extremely susceptible to infection by Myrtle Rust. Myrtle Rust affects all plant parts.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Decline in health/loss of mature plants and a lack of seed-based recruitment due to infection by Austropuccinia psidii (Myrtle Rust).
- Degradation of habitat and competition from transformer weed species.
- Clearing from rural, agricultural and urban development leading to edge effects, degradation and further fragmentation.
- Habitat degradation and clearing due to forestry operations.
- Too frequent/intense fire destroying habitat and individual plants.
- Road and track development and maintenance.
- Small and fragmented population.
- Changes in rainfall and moisture availability potentially impacting the species.
- Altered species ecology in response to fire.
- Altered species ecology in response to drought
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
|
|---|