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.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Micromyrtus grandis
Gazetted date:
06 Jun 1997
Profile last updated:
21 Nov 2018
Description
Severn River Heath-myrtle is an upright shrub 1 -4 m tall, with paired leaves. Its leaves are smooth or finely toothed, 0.5 - 4 mm long and 0.5 - 1.5 mm wide, with obvious oil dots (visible when the leaf is held up against the light). The tiny cream to pink flowers appear during July-September, growing in the upper part of the branches. Severn River Heath-myrtle is distinguished by its overall size which is the largest yet known in the genus and by the 5-ribbed fruit, stalked flowers and broader leaves compared to other species in its range.
Distribution
Restricted to Severn River Nature Reserve and an adjacent property, about 60km north-west of Glen Innes on the New England Tablelands.
Habitat and ecology
- Flowers from July to September; fruiting time is August to September.
- Severn River Heath-myrtle grows in heath and low woodland in crevices of acid volcanic rocky outcrops and in the shallow soil of surrounding areas, at altitudes of 600 to 750 m. It occurs in open and exposed sites.
- Associated species within low woodland include Eucalyptus crebra, Allocasuarina inophloia, Acacia sp. aff. pubifolia, Xanthorrhoea johnsonii; in heath the association comprises Leptospermum novae-angliae, Micromyrtus sessilis and Leucopogon neo-anglicus.
- Pollination is probably via insects and seed dispersal via fruit.
- Some seedling recruitment and germination is often observed after fire, however adult plants of many Micromyrtus species are killed by high intensity fire. Very few juveniles of Micromyrtus grandis were present in the population, possibly due to the age of the communities as fire had not occurred in the area for some time.
- An extended population of Micromyrtus grandis is found on a single long ridge, where the species dominates or co-dominates communities. The population is estimated as more than 1500 plants and covers an area of at least 4 hectares in total.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- The small sub-populations are at risk of localised extinction due to stochastic events such as wildfire.
- Grazing by feral goats, deer and rabbits.
- Trampling, soil compaction and nutrient addition from domestic stock.
- Clearing of habitat for fence line construction and maintenance.
- Inappropriate fire regime of either too high frequency and intensity fires or prolonged interfire intervals.
- The species is at risk of extinction fromstocastic events or inappropriate land management because of its highly restricted distribution.
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
- Control of feral goats, deer and rabbits in habitat areas.
- Manage fire to maintain populations.
- Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing and disturbance.
- Support Landcare groups raise the profile of the species and undertake onground management works.
- Regenerate and protect disturbed areas of heath and low woodland on rock outcrops.
- Report any new records of the species to the OEH.
- Undertake surveys to identify unrecorded populations.
- Undertake research into the ecological requirements and fire ecology of the species.
- Monitor population dynamics and threats of known populations.
Information sources
- Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (1998) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 6 Dicotyledon family Myrtaceae. Cunninghamia 5(4): 808-987.
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Hunter, J.T., Quinn, F.C. and Bruhl, J.J. (1996) Micromyrtus grandis (Myrtaceae), a new species from New South Wales. Telopea 7(1): 77.
- NSW Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the National Herbarium of New South Wales (Royal Botanic Gardens: Sydney).
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
- NSW Scientific Committee (1997) Micromyrtus grandis (a large shrub) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Wilson, P.G. (2002) Micromyrtus. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Revised Edition Volume 2 (University of New South Wales Press Ltd: Sydney).
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