Headland 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 prostrata

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 13 Sep 2021

Description

The Headland Zieria is a prostrate shrub forming mats about 0.5 m in diameter. The branches are ridged but not warted as in some other Zieria species. The leaves are paired and divided into three narrow-oval leaflets, all with blunt ends and the central one longer than the others. Both leaf-surfaces are of similar colour and are dotted with oil-glands. The flowers are small, white (pink in bud) and have four petals. The fruits are red-green and dotted with oil-glands.

Distribution

Restricted to four coastal headlands in the Coffs Harbour area of north-east NSW.

Habitat and ecology

Low grassy heath on exposed sites and wind-pruned open to sparse shrubland on more sheltered aspects.
Reproduction is primarily from seed and fruit set commences in September/October. Seeds are thought to have a short viability within the soil seedbank.
Flowering commences annually in late August and continues until late September/ October

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Inappropriate fire regime resulting in alteration of habitat.
Illegal collection of plants or flowers.
Invasion of habitat by weeds, especially Bitou Bush, Lantana, Kikuyu and Parramatta Grass.
Risk of local extinction because populations are small.
Trampling by people visiting headlands.
Encroachment of native banksia scrub into grassland threatens ecosystem structure.
Risk of extinction because of the limited distribution.
Risk of stochastic events as a result of populations being restricted to isolated headland habitats.
Reduction in rainfall

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 13 priority actions to help recover the Headland Zieria in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Be careful not to disturb any native plants on headlands as these are very restricted habitats.
Stay on established tracks on coastal headlands to avoid trampling fragile plants or causing erosion.
View or photograph wildflowers but do not pick or collect plants or flowers.
Control weeds in coastal heath areas.
Prevent ornamental plants and weeds from escaping from gardens into nearby native coastal heaths.
Undertake research to determine the most appropriate fire regime for the species.
Monitor population structure and condition.
Prevent encroachment of native species which may impact on the viability of the Headland Zieria.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1998) Zieria prostrata Recovery Plan. NSW NPWS, Hurstville 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

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Known	within 1 km of coast between Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None

Images

Form, Headland Zieria Image 1 of 5.
View slideshow.

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