Blue Mountains Cliff Eyebright - 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: Euphrasia bowdeniae

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 19 Feb 2024

Description

A semi-parasitic perennial herb to approx. 22 cm high. Rootlets may be connected to those of other plants. Stems are often reddish with two rows of hairs. Glossy green to reddish leaves 4 - 7.5 mm long and up to 3.2 mm wide, with tubular mauve to violet flowers 7 - 10.5 mm long.

Distribution

Endemic to the upper Blue Mountains.

Habitat and ecology

Confined to wet or damp vertical sandstone rock faces on major cliff-lines facing south or east, growing in small pockets of damp, sandy soil on ledges or at the cliff base. May also occur in damp sites at the top of cliffs. The rock faces receive seepage moisture and support a range of heath plants, particularly epacrids and ferns.
Sites are associated with the Hassans Walls soil landscape with steep Narrabeen Sandstone cliffs colluvial talus slopes developed over Illawarra Coal Measures. Altitude varies between 600-750 m.
Flowering has been recorded from September to December, with fruits from early December. Old flower heads and fruits have been observed as late as April. Seeds are small and dispersal is likely to be localised and close to the parent plant, with seed accumulating on ledges, in soil pockets or at the base of the rock face. However storage of the seed in the soil seedbank is likely to be limited by the availability of soil, with minimal soil accumulation and development in the rocky sites where this species is found.
Likely to be fire sensitive, and lacking in specialised fire-response strategies.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Demographic threats as a result of a small population size, including vulnerability to stochastic events.
Disturbance due to recreational visitors by trampling, picking or similar damage.
Lack of knowledge about the distribution of this species
Wild fire could potentially eliminate populations and any increase in fire frequency may destroy individuals and/or populations and/or their adjacent hosts.
Lack of knowledge about threats acting on known sites
Climate change.
Disturbance due to sedimentation and erosion.
Disturbance due to track upgrades.
Fire killing individuals and destroying soil seed bank causing extinction of populations
Weeds including scotch broom and blackberry outcompeting the species, smothering individuals and reducing available habitat suitable for the plants.
Disturbance as a result of infrastructure development causing changes in stormwater and increased runoff from concrete surfaces and leading to altered nutrient content and increased alkalinity of soil. This threat exacerbates the threat of weed spread and competition.

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

Protect known populations from recreational impacts by fencing, signage and/or re-routing of tracks.
Protect this species from fire.
Undertake targeted bush regeneration works where needed if weeds are a problem.
Identify, map and survey potential habitat during flowering period to establish distribution.
Monitor known sites for the operation of threats and for changes in population status.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Euphrasia bowdeniae, Threatened species profile. NPWS, Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Sydney Basin	Burragorang	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None

Images

Flowers, Euphrasia bowdeniae
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Related information

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