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: Persoonia bargoensis
Gazetted date:
07 Jul 2000
Profile last updated:
25 Feb 2024
Description
The Bargo Geebung is an erect, bushy shrub, the height of which varies between 60 cm and 2.5 m. It has slender branches with a light covering of brownish hairs on the new growth. The small, thin leaves have a lighter green lower surface. They are linear-lanceolate to lanceolate in shape, 0.8-2.4cm long and 1 - 2.3mm wide. Leaves are typically glabrous (sometimes hairy on new growth). Its yellow tubular flowers appear mainly in summer and are produced on pedicels 3-7mm long in the angles where leaves join the stem (leaf axils) on new growth. Its fruits are pear-shaped, green and pendulous, to 12 mm long. It is superficially similar to the species <I>P. nutans</I>.
Distribution
The Bargo Geebung is restricted to a small area south-west of Sydney on the western edge of the Woronora Plateau and the northern edge of the Southern Highlands. The historical limits are Picton and Douglas Park (northern), Yanderra (southern), Cataract River (eastern) and Thirlmere (western).
Habitat and ecology
- The Bargo Geebung occurs in woodland or dry sclerophyll forest on sandstone and on heavier, well drained, loamy, gravelly soils of the Wianamatta Shale and .Hawkesbury Sandstone. It favours interface soil landscapes such as between the Blacktown Soil Landscape and the complex Mittagong Formation soils (Lucas Heights Soil Landscape) with the underlying sandstone (Hawkesbury Soil Landscape and Gymea Soil Landscape). Some of the vegetation the species occurs within would be recognised as the Shale/Sandstone Transition Forest, a listed community.
- Plants are likely to be killed by fire and recruitment is solely from seed. The longevity is expected to be about 20 years.
- Like most geebungs (Persoonia species) this species seems to benefit from the reduced competition and increased light available on disturbance margins including roadsides.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss of habitat through clearing for urban and small-rural-lot development.
- Burning for hazard reduction and other unnatural ignitions have increased fire frequency and may threaten the species’ survival.
- Damage from slashing for fire hazard reduction purposes may also have a detrimental effect on this species.
- Habitat disturbance during road maintenance.
- Subsidence associated with underground coal extraction.
- Populations are often very small, presenting a threat from inbreeding depression.
- The European honey bee Apis mellifera may be a factor in the rarity of Bargo Geebung and several other geebungs. This is because although A. mellifera is able to collect pollen its method of pollen transport makes effective pollination of geebungs unlikely.
- Many Persoonia species are killed following infection by Cinnamon Fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi.
- damage from grazing/agricultural activities.
- Damage from powerline maintenance.
- Damage from illegal dumping.
- Damage from recreational vehicles and other vehicle use in areas of the species in private landholdings.
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
21 priority actions
to help recover the Bargo Geebung 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.
- Following burning, protect populations (where possible) from further fires until plants have reached reproductive maturity.
- Erect on-site markers to alert maintenance staff and road-users to the presence of this species.
- Protect known habitat areas from clearing and disturbance.
- Monitor populations for the impact of European Honey Bees and Phytophthora cinnamomi.
- Mark Bargo Geebung sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning road maintenance work.
- It is important to protect many populations rather than concentrating all efforts on one or two populations. Conduct further surveys in an effort to locate more individuals.
Information sources
- Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (2000) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 7b: Dicotyledon family Proteaceae to Rubiaceae. Cunninghamia 6(4).
- Bernhardt, P. and Weston, P.H. (1996) The pollination ecology of Persoonia (Proteaceae) in eastern Australia. Telopea 6(4): 775-804.
- Blombery, A. and Maloney, B. (1992) The Proteaceae of the Sydney Region. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst.
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Persoonia bargoensis (a shrub). Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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