Kennedia retrorsa - 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: Kennedia retrorsa

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 30 Jul 2019

Description

A vigorous, climbing perennial herb covered with rusty or white hairs. Leaves consist of three broad-elliptic to obovate or circular leaflets, 3 - 13 cm long and 3 - 10 cm wide, with the lower surface noticeably paler than the upper. The pea-shaped pink/purple or scarlet flowers are arranged in groups of 4 to 20. Each flower consists of four petals, with the upper pair possessing a distinctive white spot. Seeds are enclosed in a densely hairy flat pod about 6 cm long.

Distribution

Believed to be restricted to the Mount Dangar area and the adjacent Goulburn River catchment, within the Muswellbrook and adjacent Merriwa local government areas. Sites occur within Goulburn River and Wollemi National Parks and nearby private land.

Habitat and ecology

Found in a variety of habitats from mountainsides to riparian zones, from sheltered forest to steep, exposed rocky ridgelines.
Peak flowering occurs September to December. Seeds are produced October to December and are released at maturity, between December and January.
Seeds are hard coated, which induces a period of dormancy, and are mostly locally dispersed, accumulating in the surrounding soil.
Likely to be fire sensitive, but some individuals may survive in certain protected situations.
Current estimates are that reproductive maturity is not reached until approximately three years following germination, however, peak maturity may not be reached until 4 - 6 years.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Very little is known of the current threats to K. retrorsa.
Habitat loss and fragmentation.
Inappropriate fire regimes, particularly frequent fire.
Grazing, given that the species appears to be highly palatable.
Rubbish dumping are significant threats on areas of land under private ownership
Little knowledge of species' area of occupancy.
Weed infestation, particularly from prickly pear, may reduce seedling recruitment and threaten the future persistence.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 12 priority actions to help recover the Kennedia retrorsa in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Ensure that personnel planning and undertaking hazard reduction burns are able to identify the species and are aware of its habitat.
Grazing should be kept at minimal levels within K. retrorsa habitat.
Protect areas of known habitat from clearing.
Survey of known populations, and potential habitat, is required to gain greater insight into the current status of the species, threats to its persistence, and management actions required.