Ralston's Leionema - 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: Leionema ralstonii

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 14 Apr 2022

Description

Ralston’s Leionema is a shrub up to 1 m tall, with leaves to 5 cm long and 8 mm wide. Leaves have a notch in the blunt tip. Drooping clusters of 4 - 7 flowers grow at the branch tips; each flower has pale green petals with stamens extending well beyond them.

Distribution

Ralston’s Leionema is endemic to the coastal ranges of south-east NSW between Eden and Pambula.

Habitat and ecology

The species is largely confined to dry, rocky habitats. It is most likely to be found in dry shrub communities but can also occur in open forest.
It flowers mainly in winter.
While Ralston’s Leionema can withstand low intensity fires, infrequently burnt areas appear to provide the most suitable habitat.
The species is slow growing, relatively long-lived and possesses an ability to withstand prolonged drought conditions.
Recruitment is continuous but individual populations may be expanding or contracting depending on local 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 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.
Glasshouse trials suggest that this species is susceptible to the root rot pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Risk of extinction because populations are small.

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 Ralston's Leionema in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Phytophthora hygiene protocols should be implemented when entering sites containing this species (i.e. clean soil from shoes and equipment)
Damage caused by animals will be assessed at affected sites and appropriate protection measures such as fencing or culling implemented.
In order to find out more about possible effects, a monitoring program will be designed and implemented on any outcrops affected by fire.

Information sources

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

Within 25 km of Pambula

Images

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

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

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