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.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Wilsonia backhousei
Gazetted date:
15 Sep 2000
Profile last updated:
17 Aug 2018
Description
Narrow-leafed Wilsonia is a perennial, sprawling, matted shrub less than 15 cm tall. The narrow, pointed, dark green, stalkless leaves are succulent and less than 20 mm long. The single white flowers are also stalkless. They have a 10 mm long slender tube with curled-back tips, from which purple-tipped stamens and style protrude.
Distribution
In NSW Narrow-leaf Wilsonia is found on the coast between Mimosa Rocks National Park and Wamberal north of Sydney (Nelson's Lake, Potato Point, Sussex Inlet, Wowly Gully, Parramatta River at Ermington, Clovelly, Voyager Point, Wollongong and Royal National Park). It grows in all southern states.
Habitat and ecology
- This is a species of the margins of salt marshes and lakes.
- Flowering occurs in spring and summer.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Trampling by grazing stock.
- Habitat may be lost or degraded due to coastal development or other activities.
- Incursion of mangroves and salt marsh species such as Phragmites australis as well as environmental weeds such as Juncus acutus
- Damage to plants, habitat and substrate by four wheel drive vehicles and other recreational vehicles
- Rubbish dumping.
- Potential for direct damage to individuals and habitat from shipping and vehicular accidents.
- Altered hydrology of wetlands leading to salt leaching and incursion of terrestrial weeds.
- Potential for pollution from various commercial sources upstream of habitat.
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
5 priority actions
to help recover the Narrow-leafed Wilsonia in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Alert local Councils to the occurrence of populations off-park (especially in the Sydney metropolitan area) and ensure that they are considered in development proposals.
- Survey proposed development sites in likely Narrow-leaf Wilsonia habitat in the spring-summer flowering season.
- Ensure runoff from agriculture, roads and urban infrastructure above wetlands is controlled.
- Exclude stock from known Narrow-leafed Wilsonia populations.
- Fence off known sites where four wheel drive vehicles have entered or where rubbish dumping occurs.
- Undertake weed control in the vicinity of known populations and likely habitat.
- Search for species in suitable habitat.
Information sources
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Wilsonia backhousei (a perennial matforming subshrub) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1999) Flora of Victoria; Volume 4, Dicotyledons Cornaceae to Asteraceae. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)
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