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: Acacia constablei
Gazetted date:
01 Dec 2023
Profile last updated:
01 Dec 2023
Description
The Narrabarba Wattle is a spreading smooth-barked shrub 1 - 3 m tall, with angled or flattened branchlets. Leaves are ‘feathery’, 2 - 5 cm long with 6 - 14 pairs of leaflets (each with 9 - 30 pairs of pinnules). Flower-heads appear in winter and are pale yellow to cream. Up to 12 heads grow in a spray from the base of the leaf. The pod is more or less straight and flat, 3 - 7 cm long and 6 - 9 mm wide, dark brown to black, with short fine hairs.
Distribution
This species is a South Coast endemic known from only two localities. The largest population is found at Narrabarba Hill south of Eden. The other population is found on a rocky ridgetop 1.4 km to the north on the other side of the Wonboyn River.
Habitat and ecology
- Confined to Rhyolite and Aplite rock outcrops with skeletal soils.
- It is often dominant or co-dominant in an open shrubland community which also includes Giant Honey-myrtle, Tick Bush, Coastal Zieria and Lance-leaf Platysace; the herbaceous component of the vegetation is dominated by Long-leafed Wallaby Grass (Notodanthonia longifolia) and Lepidosperma urophorum.
- Is assumed to develop a long-lived soil-stored seed bank but no data exist to confirm this.
- Apparently an obligate seeder - (i.e. it is killed by fire and then regenerates only from seed).
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Controlled and uncontrolled fires are the most serious threat to populations. In particular, high-frequency fires hinder regeneration, seed production, and successful recruitment.
- Drought is potentially a significant factor in Narrabarba wattle mortality. Effects of drought on this species may be exacerbated by other factors such as changes to vegetation structure caused by fire or competition from black she-oak and other native shrubs.
- Competition from native shrubs.
- The highly restricted distribution of this species and the current low population size make this species highly vulnerable to stochastic events such as drought and fire.
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
7 priority actions
to help recover the Narrabarba Wattle in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- No hazard reduction burning in the vicinity of these populations.
- Until the outcomes of investigations into the role of fire are complete, implement fire regimes which do not burn the habitat more than once every 15 years and that maintain floristic and structural diversity.
- Maintain protection of all known populations within Forests Corporation NSW Reserve or transfer Flora Reserve to National Park Estate
- Consent authorities should not allow extraction of rock or other developments to occur on sites supporting this species
- Investigate appropriate fire regime for the species and amend minimum recommended fire interval of 15 years if necessary.
- Ensure adequate seed collections are in long term storage in appropriate facilities in Botanic Gardens as insurance against unforeseen stochastic events that may lead to major loss of one or more of the populations.
- Investigate the role of competition from other native vegetation in the decline of the population
- Survey other potential rock habitat in the vicinity of the known population and investigate uathenticity of record near Green Cape.
Information sources
- 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 National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Draft Recovery Plan for Threatened Flora of Rocky Outcrops in South Eastern New South Wales. (NPWS, Sydney)
- Tame, T. (1992) Acacias of South East Australia. (Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst)
- Tindale, M.D. (1980) Notes on Australian taxa of Acacia No. 6. Telopea 1(6): 429-449
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