Trailing Monotoca - 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: Monotoca rotundifolia

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 11 Jul 2023

Description

Trailing Monotoca is a low shrub, less than 30 cm tall. The near-round leaves have red stems and are bluish below. Like many heath leaves, they have three obvious ridges on the lower side. The bell-shaped, white, tubular flowers are tiny and erect. Fruits have not been recorded.

Distribution

In NSW Trailing Monotoca is known only from Big Badja Hill and Wadbilliga Trig. There is an unconfirmed record from west of Kybean State Conservation Area. In Victoria it is only known from Brumby Point on the Nunniong Plateau.

Habitat and ecology

The New South Wales populations of Trailing Monotoca occur in shrubland or Snow Gum woodland from 1250 to 1360m asl.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

South Eastern Highlands

Threats

Until more populations are found threats to this species are difficult to quantify.
Too frequent fire has the potential to eliminate the population.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.
Lack of knowledge on the species response to fire and the appropriate interval between fires
Small population size leading to risk of localised extinction as it is susceptible to fire, drought and potentially phytophthora.

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 0 priority actions to help recover the Trailing Monotoca in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Controlled burning operations must take the species into account - in the event that the species is burnt, there should be no further burning until the plants have reached reproductive maturity.
Stringent protection of the few known populations is required.
Research into its ecology is required.
Searches for other populations of the species in suitable habitat are needed.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1998) Flora of Victoria; Volume 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)