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.
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The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Eucalyptus recurva
Gazetted date:
31 Jul 2009
Profile last updated:
14 Oct 2024
Description
The Mongarlowe Mallee is a many-stemmed shrub (mallee) that grows to 4.5 m tall. Its bark is smooth and mottled grey and orange-brown, shedding in short ribbons. The glossy-green leaves are arranged in pairs that are arranged at right angles to the adjoining leaf pair (leaves are opposite and decussate). The leaves are up to 3 cm long and 8 mm wide. The white flowers are arranged in clusters of three, on a common stalk to 5.5 mm long. Each cluster arises from the axil of a leaf, and several clusters are produced towards the ends of the branchlets. The main distinguishing character of this species - from which its name is drawn - is its conspicuously recurved leaf tips. These are very rare in eucalypts, and are much more developed in Mongarlowe Mallee than in any of its close relatives.
Distribution
The Mongarlowe Mallee is confined to the NSW Southern Tablelands where it is known from only four locations. Three of these occur near Mongarlowe (with at least a two km separation between the sites) and the third is about 30 km away near Windellama. Three of these sites support only single plants, whilst the other has three individuals present - the total known population of this species is thus only six individuals. Genetic analysis by CSIRO has confirmed that each mallee clump is comprised of a single individual (genotype). It is likely that these individuals represent a relict of a more widespread ancestor, and it is unlikely that many more individuals of the species remain undiscovered.
Habitat and ecology
- Found in shallow soils on gentle slopes in low heathland and in some cases at the margins of the heathland and adjacent low woodland; the woodlands are dominated by Brittle Gum (Eucalyptus mannifera) and Snow Gum (E. pauciflora), but scattered Candlebark (E. rubida) and Broad-leafed Peppermint (E. dives) trees are also nearby at some sites; in the Mongarlowe area the heathland is dominated by Stunted She-oak (Allocasuarina nana), with emergent shrubs of Finger Hakea (Hakea dactyloides).
- Flowering occurs in January, but very few seeds are set so the chances of recruitment of new individuals in the field is low. Seed germinated from naturally set seed has mostly produced hybrids, showing that there is a low level of cross pollination occurring with a few other locally occurring eucalypt species. The very few seedlings that have germinated from naturally set seed that appear to have been pure Mongarlowe Mallee plants have lacked vigour and ultimately died. This is not uncommon in eucalypts where self -pollination has occurred.
- Efforts by CSIRO to cross-pollinate the two plants near Mongarlowe to produce viable seed and to propagate the species using grafting and tissue culture techniques in 1992 were unsuccessful. Subsequent hand cross-pollination (using a mofified method) of four of the individuals by DPIE staff in 2001 and 2002 were successful in producing significant quantities of viable seed. The habd pollinated branches were not bagged at that time and so only about half the seed that was sown produced what appeared to be pure Mongarlowe Mallee plants whilst about half were clearly hybrids. This work demonstrated that the species is not inherintly sterile and has the capacity to be propagated using this method.
- The size and spread of the lignotubers (woody underground structures) suggests that some of the plants are of considerable age, probably several hundred years.
Regional distribution and habitat
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Threats
- This species is critically endangered due to the small population (6 individuals), 3 of which are too far apart from each other to enable cross pollination to occur. The small quantity of seed produced has been associated with hybridisation with other eucalypt species. This is preventing viable seed production, as well as recruitment. Genetic analysis by CSIRO has confirmed that the 6 known mallee clumps each represent 1 genetically distinct individual.
- With only 6 individual mallee clumps known, loss of any existing plants would significantly reduce existing genetic diversity within the species and significantly increase the risk of the species extinction.
- One plant has experienced trampling of adjoining habitat by botanical enthusiasts and is at risk from over-collection of foliage samples.
- Habitat degradation (dust, sedimentation and weeds) and possible hydrological changes at the clay mining site are potential threats to the three plants near Windellama.
- Physical damage has occurred to 1 of the plants near Mongarlowe from recreational vehicles using an access track that comes in close proximity to that plant.
- All individuals occur on private land. Most current owners are supportive of protecting this species, however future owners of the properties may not be as sympathetic to the protection of the species.
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
- Where possible exclude vehicle access to the sites.
- Ensure that the three individuals north of Mongarlowe are not disturbed by human activities.
- Ameliorate damage already sustained to the habitat of the Windellama plants.
- Minimise the number of people who know the exact location of individual plants to minimise risk of damage to the plants or the introduction of pathogens.
- Conduct further surveys in an effort to locate more individuals.
- Undertake further research into the propagation of this species and, if possible, establish a population of the species in a Botanic Garden or other suitable site.
- Undertake genetic study to determine if the six known discrete mallee clumps each represent just the one individual plant or if more than one genotype is present in any or all the clumps.
- Once successful propagation techniques are developed consider establishing more plants in the wild. Options are to enhance plant around the existing individuals or to plant at a new site where the course of nature for the natural plants will not be modified.
Information sources
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1990) Delineation of Important Habitats of Threatened Plant Species in South-eastern New South Wales. Research Report to the Australian Heritage Commission. (CSIRO, Canberra)
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Brooker, M. and Kleinig, D.A. (1999) Field guide to eucalypts, Volume 1: South-eastern Australia. 2nd edn. Blooming Books, Hawthorn.
- Crisp, M.D. (1988) Eucalyptus recurva (Myrtaceae), a new species from the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Telopea Volume 3(2): 223-230.
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Draft Recovery Plan for the Mongarlowe Mallee (Eucalyptus recurva). NSW NPWS, Sydney.
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