Bynoe's Wattle - 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: Acacia bynoeana

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Gazetted date: 17 Sep 1999

Profile last updated: 30 Jun 2023

Description

Bynoe's Wattle is a semi-prostrate shrub to a metre high. The phyllodes (‘leaves’) are shiny, stiff and narrow, 1.5 - 5 cm long and 1 - 3 mm wide. The single flower heads, on short hairy stems, appear anytime from September to March. Its seedpods are mature from September to January. The hairy branchlets distinguish the species from the similar and more common Three-veined Wattle (Acacia trinervata).

Distribution

Bynoe's wattle is found in central eastern NSW, from the Hunter District (Morisset) south to the Southern Highlands and west to the Blue Mountains. The species is currently known from about 30 locations, with the size of the populations at most locations being very small (1-5 plants). It has recently been found in the Colymea and Parma Creek areas west of Nowra.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in heath or dry sclerophyll forest on sandy soils.
Seems to prefer open, sometimes slightly disturbed sites such as trail margins, edges of roadside spoil mounds and in recently burnt patches.
Associated overstorey species include Red Bloodwood, Scribbly Gum, Parramatta Red Gum, Saw Banksia and Narrow-leaved Apple.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Due to the fragmented nature of the populations and their small size the species is susceptible to catastrophic events and localised extinction.
Habitat disturbance during road, trail and powerline maintenance.
As specimens are often found on trail margins, plants can be damaged by recreational vehicles, horse riding and pedestrian use.
Weeds can invade the species’ habitat.
The response of Bynoe's Wattle to fire is unknown, however it is likely that it can cope with fires of a frequency of not more frequent than every 10-12 years. More frequent hazard reduction burning could threaten the species’ survival.
Incomplete knowledge of the species' abundance and distribution at some locations.
Habitat loss and fragmentation due to clearing.
Browsing, potentially by native and introduced herbivores (e.g. swamp wallabies, European Hare).

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 14 priority actions to help recover the Bynoe's Wattle in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Ensure that personnel planning and undertaking hazard reduction burns are able to identify the species and are aware of its habitat.
Implement fire regimes which maintain floristic and structural diversity. Until optimal fire frequency is known, avoid repeated burning of habitat at intervals of less than five years.
Alert road and track maintenance staff to the presence of a threatened species.
Where possible, limit movement of people through Bynoe Wattle populations.
Use signs to alert visitors to the presence of this species and advise how their behaviour can effect its survival.
Control threatening weeds where necessary.
Investigate appropriate fire regime for the species.
Mark Bynoe's Wattle sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning road maintenance work.
Mark Bynoe's Wattle sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning hazard reduction work.

Information sources

Bell, S.A.J. (2008) Rare or threatened vascular plant species of Wollemi National Park, central eastern New South Wales. Cunninghamia 10(3): 331–371
Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Fairley, A. (2004) Seldom seen: rare plants of greater Sydney. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Fairley, A. and Moore, P. (2000) Native plants of the Sydney district: an identification guide. 2nd Edition. (Kangaroo Press, East Roseville)
Kodela, P.G. and Harden, G.J. (2002) Acacia. Pp 381-476 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
NSW Scientific Committee (1999) Acacia bynoeana (a shrub) - Endangered species determination - final.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW South Western Slopes	Capertee Valley	Known	None
Other State	Jervis Bay Territory	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Capertee Uplands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Crookwell	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Burragorang	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Cumberland	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Ettrema	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Jervis	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Moss Vale	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Sydney Cataract	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None