Moombahlene Mint-bush - 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: Prostanthera staurophylla

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Profile last updated: 26 Feb 2024

Description

Prostanthera staurophylla is an upright shrub 0.4 -3.5 m tall. It has lime to dark green leaves with numerous glands, the leaves are strongly aromatic. Leaves are cross shaped and deeply 1-7 lobed, 2-9 mm long and 0.9-7 mm wide and paler below, the edges are curled under. The purple, mauve or white flowers are 8 - 12 mm long with dark markings.

Distribution

Currently known from a single granite outcrop in the Tenterfield area of the New England Tablelands.

Habitat and ecology

The total population of this species occurs at a single site and is currently estimated to contain fewer approximately 324 individuals. Approximately 15% are juvenile.
Within its only current known population, the species occurs in shallow skeletal soil in rock crevices. The site is an exposed granite outcrop near the mountain summit, with skeletal gritty loam soil.
Kunzea opposita is dominant around the outcrop, with Prostanthera staurophylla and Leptospermum novae- angliae scattered amongst the Kunzea.
Flowers from August to December. Seed dispersal mechanisms are not known.
Seed viability is low with seed viability of individuals tested generally below 10%.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

The restriction of the species to a single known population places it at risk from stochastic events.
The small population size of the single known population places it at risk from stochastic events.
Lack of knowledge regarding germination and fire requirements.
Fire
Drought
Grazing and disturbance by wallabies and kangaroos, particularly during drought periods.
Disturbance by feral pigs
Grazing and trampling by feral goats.
People accessing the site have potential to trample and damage the small number of existing individuals.
Illegal collection of wildflowers.
Introduction of Phytophthora to site of known population

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

Avoid fire until research into the impact of fire on the species is known.
Undertake research into the ecological requirements, including fire ecology, of the species.
Undertake research into germination and fire ecology.
Establish translocation site and population augmentation
Control feral goats in habitat areas.
Maintain viable ex-situ seedbank and/or living collection.
Monitor population dynamics and threats at known populations.
Undertake survey to identify unrecorded populations.
Raise landholder awareness of the species and the need to protect areas of potential habitat.
Protect areas of potential and known habitat from grazing.
Rehabilitate and protect native vegetation on disturbed granite outcrops.
Ensure protocols are in place to prevent Phytophthora entering the site of the known population.

Information sources

Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Conn, B.J. (1992) Prostanthera. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 3. (New South Wales University Press: Sydney).
Conn, B.J. (2006) Prostanthera staurophylla, in PlantNET – The Plant Information Network System of the Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney, Australia. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Hughes, L. (2005) Prostanthera staurophylla – proposed endangered species listing. NSW Scientific Committee – preliminary determination (Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW): Sydney).
Hunter, J.T. and Conn, B.J. (2006) Rediscovery of Prostanthera staurophylla F. Muell. and reinstatement of Prostanthera teretifolia Maiden & Betche (Lamiaceae). Telopea 4(4): 117-26.
Hunter, J.T., Clarke, P.J., Copeland, L.M., Nano, C.E., Williams, J.B. and Wills, K.E. (1998) The Vegetation and Plant Species of Torrington State Recreation Area (Division of Botany, University of New England, Armidale).
Mueller, F.J.H. von (1875) Labiatae. Prostanthera staurophylla. Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 9: 73.
NSW Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the National Herbarium of New South Wales (Royal Botanic Gardens: Sydney).
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Deepwater Downs	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Northeast Forest Lands	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Stanthorpe Plateau	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Tenterfield Plateau	Known	None

Images

Flowers and foliage, <I>Prostanthera staurophylla</I>. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/orkology" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology</a>

Flowers and foliage, Prostanthera staurophylla. Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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