Yellow-flowered King of the Fairies - 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: Oberonia complanata

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 20 Dec 2002

Profile last updated: 11 Oct 2022

Description

Yellow-flowered King of the Fairies is a small orchid which grows on trees or rocks. Each plant possesses one to many shoots in a tight, iris-like clump. There are 3-8 leaves per shoot. The leaves are spear- to oblong-shaped, 3-15 cm long, 10-15 mm wide, and yellow-green in colour. About 150 to 300 tiny cream to yellowish flowers are borne on erect to drooping stems up to 20 cm long in spring and summer.

Distribution

Within NSW, there are several historical collections (all pre 1917) of this species from Byron Bay and Lismore, and a collection from Coffs Harbour from 1961. More recent observations of this species have been made from Lismore and Wollumbin.

Habitat and ecology

This species grows on trees and rocks in littoral rainforest, subtropical rainforest, dry rainforest, wet or dry eucalypt forests, dunes (including stabilised sands), stream-side areas, swampy forests and mangroves.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Loss of habitat through clearing, degradation and fragmentation of native vegetation.
Collection by orchid enthusiasts.
The species is susceptible to extinction via stochastic processes due to its small known population size and restricted distribution.

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 3 priority actions to help recover the Yellow-flowered King of the Fairies in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Protect areas of habitat from clearing or fragmentation.
Protect plants from collection.

Information sources

Bishop, T. (2000) Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Dockrill, A.W. (1992) Australian Indigenous Orchids, Revised Edition. SGAP, NSW Region, Sydney.
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Oberonia complanata (an orchid). Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None

Images

Yellow-flowered King of the Fairies, Murray Fagg <a href="http://www.anbg.gov.au" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Australian National Botanic Gardens</a>

Yellow-flowered King of the Fairies, Murray Fagg Australian National Botanic Gardens Image 1 of 4.
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