Velvet Zieria - 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: Zieria murphyi

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 22 Aug 2023

Description

Zieria species are shrubs or small trees closely related to the genus Boronia; the four-petalled flowers and aromatic foliage are very similar. An important difference is that the Zierias usually have leaves comprising three leaflets. Velvet Zieria is unusual in that it generally also has some leaves with only one leaflet. It is a velvety shrub that grows to 2 m tall. Its leaflets are up to 50 mm long by 10 mm wide. The upper surfaces are dark green and hairy, the lower surfaces are velvety and greyish-green. The flowers are in clusters of three to nine, growing in the angles where the leaves meet the stems (leaf axils). The white to pale pink petals are up to 5.5 mm long.

Distribution

Velvet Zieria is found in the Blue Mountains at Mt Tomah and in the southern highlands where it has been recorded in Morton National Park in the Bundanoon area, and at Penrose. Several populations of fewer than 1000 plants are known to occur in both the Blue Mountains and Morton National Parks.The few populations in the Penrose area are believed to be within Morton NP and the largest is between 250 and 500 plants, but the others are much smaller.

Habitat and ecology

The Velvet Zieria is found in sheltered positions in moist gullies in moist eucalypt forest with sandy soil.
Flowering of southern populations, between Bundanoon and Penrose, has only been recorded in spring whereas flowering in northern populations has been recorded throughout the year.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Sydney Basin

Threats

Apparently an obligate seeder - i.e. killed by fire and regenerates only from seed. Frequent fire is a potential threat.
The species is potentially susceptible to infection by the disease Phytophthora cinnamomi.
The is some uncertainty about the status and distribution of populations at all locations.

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 7 priority actions to help recover the Velvet Zieria in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Do not burn populations following fire until plants have reached reproductive maturity. Do not burn within 10 years of the last fire.
Monitor populations for recovery following fire.
Populations should be mapped and monitored.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Sydney Basin	Burragorang	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Ettrema	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Moss Vale	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None

Images

Flower and foliage, Velvet Zieria
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Related information

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