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: Prostanthera askania
Gazetted date:
12 Jun 1998
Profile last updated:
12 Aug 2019
Description
An erect but spreading and sometimes scrambling, openly-branched shrub that grows from 1 – 3 metres high. The branches and leaves are strongly aromatic and densely covered with long, spreading hairs. Leaves are ovate (12 – 25 mm) long, dull dusty green in colour, with deep incisions forming lobe-like teeth, which are directed forwards. Flowers are pale mauve to mauve.
Distribution
Occurs over a very restricted geographic range (of less than 12 km) in the upper reaches of creeks that flow into Tuggerah Lake or Brisbane Water within the Wyong and Gosford local government areas. Eight populations are known from the catchments of Ourimbah Creek, Narara Creek, Dog Trap Gully, Chittaway Creek and Berkeley Creek. A further two populations are known from the Erina Creek–Fires Creek catchment. The species may also have occurred in West Gosford.
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs adjacent to, but not immediately in, drainage lines on flat to moderately steep slopes formed on Narrabeen sandstone and alluvial soils derived from it.
- Occurs in moist sclerophyll forest and warm temperate rainforest communities, and the ecotone between them. These communities are generally tall forests with a mesic understorey; Sydney Blue Gum Eucalyptus saligna and Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera are usually present, though canopy species present can be highly variable.
- Ecological knowledge about this species is very limited.
- The species is likely to be fire-sensitive given the moist forest habitats it occupies, however, its fire ecology is currently unknown.
- May be a colonising species that takes advantage of increased light following natural canopy-cover disturbance. May be out competed by invading weed species such as Lantana.
- Appears in some locations to propagate vegetatively by ‘stem-layering’ where prostrate branches take root where they remain in contact with the soil. This characteristic and the species’ tendency at many sites to form dense clumps make accurate counting of individual plants within populations difficult.
- Flowering usually occurs in spring, however, it is known that the timing of both flowering and fruiting can be variable.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Direct or indirect habitat loss as a result of development and associated infrastructure.
- Inappropriate fire regimes.
- Habitat degradation from competition by weeds.
- Trampling by recreational BMX/trail bikes and walkers.
- Unknown consequences of changes in temperature and rainfall available to the plants, leading to altered conditions which may result in increased competition from weeds or generalist natives.
- Land-use decisions and practices not consistent with the zoning.
- Insufficient understanding of distribution and/or abundance.
- Insufficient understanding of species’ phylogeny.
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
- Address current habitat degradation issues such as weed invasion (especially Lantana) and access-related issues (eg. BMX/trail bikes).
- Prevent fires occurring more frequently than each 25 years in P. askania habitat, and prevent fire altogether in rainforest.
- Minimise habitat loss and degradation by retaining and managing vegetation remnants containing the species.
- Reduce fragmentation of and improve connectivity between and within populations.
- In potential habitat, conduct surveys prior to roadside, powerline or infrastructure maintenance and weed control activities. Ensure that such activities are planned and implemented to take account of the presence of the species and to avoid damaging individual plants or degrading habitat for the species.
Information sources
- Conn, B. (1997) Four rare and/or threatened new species of Prostanthera Section Prostanthera (Labiatae) from New South Wales. Telopea 7(3), 231-244.
- Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) (2006) Approved Prostanthera askania recovery
plan.
- 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 Scientific Committee (1998) Prostanthera askania (a shrub) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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IBRA Bioregion
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IBRA Subregion
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Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
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|---|
| Sydney Basin | Pittwater |
Known
| North of the Hawkesbury River |
| Sydney Basin | Wyong |
Known
| South of Wyong River in Central Coast LGA |