Olearia cordata - 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: Olearia cordata

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 10 Sep 2019

Description

A sweetly aromatic, slender shrub up to 2 m high with typical daisy-like flowers that can be mauve to deep blue (rarely white), with a yellow centre. Stems and leaves are densely covered with hairs and glands and are slightly rough and sticky. Leaves are 10 - 40 mm long, 2 - 8 mm wide; have a heart shaped base and a long narrow tip; and are alternately scattered along the stem. Flowers up to 30 mm across. Fruit is a silky capsule with numerous long bristles.

Distribution

A NSW endemic with a scattered distribution generally restricted to the south-western Hunter Plateau, eastern Colo Plateau, and the far north-west of the Hornsby Plateau near Wisemans Ferry east of Maroota. Most known populations occur within conservation reserves (Wollemi National Park, Yengo National Park and Wisemans Ferry Historic Site).

Habitat and ecology

Populations are typically small and scattered.
Grows in dry open sclerophyll forest and open shrubland, on sandstone ridges.
Flowers November to May, with seed released from February to May, depending on environmental factors. Seed is wind dispersed and may adhere to the fur of browsers such as wallabies.
Adults are capable of resprouting following fire. Abundant seedlings have been observed following fire, but seeds are also capable of germinating in the absence of fire as there is no seed dormancy with this species and germination should occur with any significant rains soon after seed release.
Seedlings reach maturity in 1-2 years.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Habitat loss and degradation due to road and trail maintenance activities.
Frequent fire.
Small population sizes place the species at risk of local extinction due to demographic and environmental uncertainties, and natural catastrophes.
Infestation by weeds

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 7 priority actions to help recover the Olearia cordata in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Ensure personnel undertaking trail and road maintenance are able to identify the species and are aware of its habitat.
Continued habitat protection.
Ensure fire is not so frequent that plants do not have time to mature and set seed

Information sources

Benson, D.H. and McDougall, L. (1994) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 2: Dicotyledon families Asteraceae to Buddlejaceae. Cunninghamia 3(4), 709-1004.
Fairley, A. (2004) Seldom seen: rare plants of greater Sydney. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2000) Olearia cordata. Threatened species profile. NPWS, Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None

Images

Flowers, Olearia cordata Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

Related information

NSW Flora Online - Olearia cordata

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