David's Westringia - 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: Westringia davidii

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 28 Apr 2022

Description

David’s Westringia is a perennial shrub to 2 m tall. The leaves are oval in shape, 7 - 20 mm long, and arranged in whorls of three along the stems. Flowers form clusters of up to 12 and are white or mauve in colour. Individual flowers are in the form of a tube with five lobes forming two lips. Flowering can occur throughout the year.

Distribution

David’s Westringia is endemic to rocky outcrops above 250 m in elevation in the coastal ranges to the west of Eden and Pambula in NSW.

Habitat and ecology

David’s Westringia is largely restricted to shallow organic loam soils fringing rocky outcrops.
This narrow niche is an ecotone between open forest dominated by Silvertop Ash (Eucalyptus sieberi) and the rocky outcrops which support a mosaic of shrubland, scattered herbs and shrubs and bare rock.
This shrub appears to be slow growing and long-lived.
The species probably only reproduces from seed and recruitment appears to be ongoing as the populations exhibit a broad age structure from seedlings through to mature plants. Populations appear to be dynamic and may be expanding or contracting depending upon local conditions of competition.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

South East Corner

Threats

It has been postulated that the shrub communities supported by rocky outcrops would have been infrequently burnt prior to European settlement. Whether current burning practices result in more frequent burning at the edges of outcrops is unknown and this could have implications for the life history and reproductive strategy of the species.
Grazing and browsing by both introduced (goats and deer) and native mammals have been observed at several sites. While there is no evidence that this has resulted in mortality of adult plants it has the potential to reduce flowering and seed production and prevent recruitment of seedlings.
The species is likely to be threatened by phytophthora

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 11 priority actions to help recover the David's Westringia in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Damage from grazing animals needs to be assessed at affected sites and appropriate protection measures such as fencing or culling implemented.
In order to find out more about the effect of fire, a monitoring program will be required for any outcrops affected by fire.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Draft Recovery Plan for Threatened Flora of Rocky Outcrops in South Eastern New South Wales. (NPWS, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South East Corner

South East Coastal Ranges

Known

South of Bega River

Images

David's Westringia, Murray Fagg <a href="http://www.anbg.gov.au" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Australian National Botanic Gardens</a>

David's Westringia, Murray Fagg Australian National Botanic Gardens Image 1 of 5.
View slideshow.

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