Hartman's Sarcochilus - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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: Sarcochilus hartmannii

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 18 Dec 2020

Description

Hartman's Sarcochilus is an epiphytic orchid with upright or semi-upright stems attached by fleshy creeping roots to rocks. Stems can be up to 100 cm long, though are usually shorter. Leaves are arranged in two ranks, scattered along the stem, and are about 20 cm long by 2 cm wide and folded. The flowering stem is up to 25 cm long with as many as 25 flowers. Each flower is 3 cm across, and is white with reddish-brown spots in the central parts of the flowers.

Distribution

From the Richmond River in northern NSW to Gympie in south-east Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Favours cliff faces on steep narrow ridges supporting eucalypt forest and clefts in volcanic rock from 500 to 1,000 m in altitude. Also found occasionally at the bases of fibrous trunks of trees, including cycads and grass-trees.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

South Eastern Queensland

Threats

Illegal collection for horticulture – this showy orchid has suffered drastically from excessive collecting.
Risk of local extinction because populations small.
Invasion of habitat by introduced weeds including Crofton Weed (Ageratina adenophora) and Mistflower (Ageratina riparia).
Poor knowledge of where the species currently occurs throughout its historic range.

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 6 priority actions to help recover the Hartman's Sarcochilus in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Observe and photograph native orchids in their natural habitat but leave them wherethey are.
Buy plants only from licensed nurseries.
Protect areas with known populations from disturbance.
Assist with control of weeds near known populations.
Report any records of Sarcochilus hartmannii to the DEC.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None