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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Solanum limitare
Gazetted date:
07 Nov 2003
Profile last updated:
15 Jun 2020
Description
Border Ranges Nightshade is a small shrub between 30-80 cm high. Young leaves are 6-10 cm long and 2-3.5 cm wide, lance-shaped to rounded, and are either unlobed or have 1-2 pairs of shallow lobes and prickles on both sides. Adult leaves are 7-11 cm long by 0.9-1.7 cm wide, lance-shaped, unlobed and with a sharp tip. The upper surface of the leaf is grey-green and sparsely to moderately hairy. The underside of the leaf is densely hairy, white to pale yellow. The branchlets that contain flowers or fruit are covered in dense, intertwined hairs and sparse 3-6 mm long prickles. The purple flowers are 19-31 mm across and in bunches of 3-6. Flower stalks are 11-20 mm long. The pale green fruits are 14-17 mm in diameter and occur in groups of 1-3. They are held on stalks 16-20 mm long.
Distribution
Border Ranges Nightshade occurs from the Bunya Mountains in southern Queensland south to the Kyogle and Urbenville areas in northern NSW. The species has been recorded from about six locations within NSW. However, the majority of these records are pre-1974, with few populations found in recent times, including between Mt Glennie and Mt Lindesay on the edge of the Border Ranges National Park.
Habitat and ecology
- Border Ranges Nightshade generally occurs in open Blue Gum forest with a grassy understorey or grassy eucalypt forest adjacent to rainforest edges.
- Known populations consist of very few plants at each site.
- Flowers, winter to spring, and fruit has been observed in June.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Weed invasion, particularly by Lantana, introduced grasses, Formosa Lily and Moth Vine.
- Clearing of habitat for agriculture.
- Risk of local extinction due to low population numbers.
- Risk of local extinction due to limited distribution.
- Distrubance from domestic stock.
- Habitat fragmentation.
- Lack of information regarding the species distribution.
- Lack of knowledge about the species ecology.
- Roadside maintenance.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Undertake weed control in areas of known habitat.
- Protect areas of know habitat from clearing.
- Survey for Border Ranges Nightshade prior to any slashing or weed control activity.
- Report records of Border Ranges Nightshade to OEH.
- Maintain viable ex-situ seedbank and/or living collection.
- Undertake surveys to identify unrecorded populations.
- Undertake research into the ecological and fire ecology requirements of the species.
- Monitor population dynamics and threats at known populations.
- Exclude stock from areas of known habitat.
- Raise community awareness of the species.
Information sources
- Bean, A.R. (2001) A revision of Solanum brownii Dunal (Solanaceae) and its allies. Telopea 9, 639-661.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2003) Solanum limitare (a shrub) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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