Darwinia fascicularis subsp. oligantha population in the Baulkham Hills and Hornsby Local Government Areas - 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: Darwinia fascicularis subsp. oligantha - endangered population

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Population

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 03 Mar 2000

Profile last updated: 13 Nov 2024

Description

Erect or spreading shrub to 0.3 m high with branches often prostrate and producing additional roots. Leaves crowded, opposite or whorled, cylindrical or almost so, 8 - 16 mm long, without hairs or scales (glabrous). Flowers usually only 4, rarely 2 or 6, in distinct pairs and are 0.5 mm long, usually toothed; up to half as long as the petals. Style straight or slightly curved, 12 - 18 mm long, white to red.

Distribution

This endangered population is restricted to the Maroota area of Baulkham Hills and Hornsby Local Government Areas within the Sydney Basin Bioregion. This population is known from three remnant sites with an estimated total population of 500 in 1999.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs around rock platforms and in rocky heath associated with friable sandstone shallow soils. Associated species include Allocasuarina nana, A. distyla, Banksia ericifolia and Caustis flexuosa.
Flowers Spring - Summer.
Stems are killed by fire and is likely to resprouts from the base. Will also germinate from soil stored seed after fire.
Soil stored seed is persistent.
Sensitive to too frequent and infrequent fire.

Regional distribution and habitat

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Sydney Basin

Threats

Loss and fragmentation of habitat due to sand mining and rural/residential development.
Disturbance from recreational users leading to habitat degradation and physical disturbance of the species.
Lack of fire leading to altered patterns of disturbance, germination, and competition.
Illegal dumping leading to habitat degradation and physical disturbance of the species.
Lack of knowledge of species’ abundance and distribution.
Small population size and habitat fragmentation placing the population at risk of inbreeding.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Appropriate fire management.
Restrict and control access especially vehicles and goats.
Protect areas of habitat from clearing and further fragmentation
Restore degraded habitat using bush regeneration techniques.

Information sources

Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (1998) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 6 Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae. Cunninghamia 5(4): 808-987.
Fairley, A. and Moore, P. (2000) Native plants of the Sydney district: an identification guide. 2nd Edition. (Kangaroo Press, East Roseville)
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2000) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 1. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Darwinia fascicularis subsp. oligantha population, Baulkham Hills and Hornsby LGAs - Endangered population determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.