Epacris hamiltonii - 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: Epacris hamiltonii

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 19 Feb 2024

Description

A shrub to one metre high. The silky hairs on both surfaces of the leaves are very distinctive, and give the leaves a soft grey/green appearance. The tube-shaped flower is white and the fruit is a small capsule 2 mm long.

Distribution

Occurs in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Found at 72 sites within three creek catchments. The creeks occur in an altitude range of 810 - 940 m a.s.l. and are all located on the northern side of the escarpment and flow into the Grose Valley. All known sites occur within a radius of approximately 5 km.

Habitat and ecology

Has a very specific habitat, being found on or adjacent to Narrabeen sandstone cliffs alongside perennial creeks, often below plateau hanging swamps. The soil generally has a spongy/peat-like consistency, with a very high moisture content.
Sites are found at the sheltered base of cliffs adjacent to wet gully or swamp vegetation, usually where a perennial or virtually perennial source of water, such as cliff seepages, is present.
Associated species include King Fern (Todea barbara), Rough Tree Fern (Cyathea australis) and Coral Fern (Gleichenia rupestris). Sundews (Drosera binata) are also common on the cliff face. Occasionally occurs beside small creek lines which are vegetated with moist gully forest species (Callicoma serratifolia, Doryphora sassafras and Ceratopetalum apetalum).
A clonal species with one plant capable of spreading over a wide area, but also reproduces via root suckers, basal sprouts and a soil-stored seedbank. Population size varies from a few isolated stems to hundreds of stems covering an area of several square metres.
Flowering occurs from August to December, and potential pollinators include European Honeybees (Apis melifera) and Eastern Spinebill honeyeaters (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris). The seed is very fine and dust like. Seed relies on gravity, slope and the action of wind and water for dispersal, though it may also get caught in the fur of mammals.
The seeds appear to have a dormancy effect that is only broken by disturbance. Seedling establishment after fire can be prolific. Adult plants are also capable of resprouting after fire.
The longevity of individual plants is unknown, but appears to be in excess of 15 years.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

High frequency or very intense fire.
Trampling by walkers.
Weed invasion including blackberry.
Habitat degradation by altered hydrological regimes.
Habitat degradation by increases in stream nutrient levels.
Infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi
The species is susceptible to extinction via stochastic processes due to its small known population size.

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

Activities to assist this species

Implement measures to prevent fire reaching habitat, and establish wildfire response plans.
Maintain natural catchment processes, and manage groundwater extraction to conserve groundwater flows.
Prevent point-source pollution from entering catchments, and reduce diffuse sources of nutrient input into catchments.
Manage visitor access to prevent trampling and potebntial spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Prepare and implement catchment-wide weed control plans.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2001) Epacris hamiltonii Recovery Plan. NPWS, Sydney.
Turton, M., Correy, B., Matthes, M. and Nash, S. (1997) Epacris hamiltonii species recovery plan. EA Project No. 453. Final report for 1996/1997 to Environment Australia.