Prickly Bush-pea - 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: Pultenaea aristata

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 24 Jan 2024

Description

Prickly Bush-pea is a small shrub, usually less than 40 cm tall. Its unmistakable, sharp-tipped leaves are narrow and concave, to 22 mm long and 2 mm wide. There is a pair of stipules (leafy bracts) at the base of each leaf. The yellow pea-shaped flowers have red markings and a red keel (the pair of petals beneath the flower). The are clustered at the ends of the branches. Each flower is attached to a pair of enlarged stipules, and is covered with long white hairs.

Distribution

Prickly Bush-pea is restricted to the Woronora Plateau, a small area between Helensburgh, south of Sydney, and Mt Kiera above Wollongong.

Habitat and ecology

The species occurs in either dry sclerophyll woodland or wet heath on sandstone.
Flowering has been recorded in winter and spring.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Inappropriate fire regimes including risk from uncontrolled fires due to lightning strikes and arson, particularly as the species occurs as a single large population. Appropriate fire can stimulate germination, but too frequent fire can destroy the seed bank if it occurs before plants reach reproductive maturity. The threat is further exacerbated by climate change including increased droughts and higher temperatures.
Altered hydrology due to fracturing of surface by long wall mining may make habitat unsuitable for the species
Creation of new walking, mountain bike and vehicle tracks may cause direct mortality and disturbance to species
Several populations occur on roadsides and private property - these may be threatened by understorey clearing, road widening and road maintenance activities.
Deer are likely to cause disturbance by trampling the species while foraging or resting. Not known whether they directly browse the species
Altered hydrology at the site due to surface fracturing from mining activities.

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 4 priority actions to help recover the Prickly Bush-pea in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Erect on-site markers to alert road maintenance staff to the presence of this species.
Conduct further surveys in an effort to locate more individuals.
Mark Prickly Bush-pea sites and potential habitat onto maps used for planning road maintenance work.

Information sources

Fairley, A. and Moore, P. (2000) Native plants of the Sydney district: an identification guide. 2nd Edition. (Kangaroo Press, East Roseville)
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
Robinson, L. (2003) Field guide to the native plants of Sydney. 3rd Edition. (Kangaroo Press, East Roseville)