Bredbo Gentian - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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: Gentiana bredboensis

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 11 Dec 2009

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

Bredbo Gentian is an annual herb growing to only 10 cm tall, usually with several stems branching from near the base of the plant. Single small bell-shaped flowers are produced at the ends of the stems between September and December. The very pale blue to pure white flowers only open in periods of sunshine.

Distribution

The species is presently known only from a single population of less than 270 plants (in 2020) on private land near Jerangle (east of Bredbo).

Habitat and ecology

Bredbo Gentian grows in seepage areas in short herbfield communities in open areas amongst tea-tree.
It is an annual herb often growing on Sphagnum moss.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

South Eastern Highlands

Threats

Such a small population is at risk from natural stochastic events.
Until the population was fenced in 2009, it was threatened by trampling by cattle and habitat destruction by feral pigs.
Now that the only known population has been fenced, the site will need to be regularly monitored to ensure that potential competition from associated grasses, sedges and tea tree does not increase to detrimental levels. Careful strategic grazing of the site may be required if there is too much competition from other vegetation.
The site is on private land. The current owners are highly supportive of protecting this species, however future owners of the property may not be as sympathetic to the protection of the species.
Potential for run-off of gravel from roadside to disturb and/or destroy plants
Exotic grass infestation exacerbated by nutrient run-off and disturbance of surrounding areas due to grazing. Low levels of St Johns wort also occur on the site which needs controlling before levels increase to the point this weed has an adverse impact on the gentian and surrounding habitat.
Spray-drift from adjacent commercial pine plantation - potential to damage plants.
Pig activity has increased in the area following the 2019-20 bushfires, including immediately adjacent to and within the site.

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

Undertake feral pig control.
Fence the population to enable strategic grazing.
Monitor the population for changes.
Search likely habitat for other populations.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2003) Gentiana bredboensis - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South Eastern Highlands

Kybeyan-Gourock

Known

Within 15 km of Jerangle

Images

Bredbo Gentian, John Briggs Image 1 of 5.
View slideshow.

Related information

Get involved

Report a sighting

Nature conservation

Threatened species