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: Genoplesium baueri
Gazetted date:
16 Nov 2012
Profile last updated:
07 Jun 2022
Description
A terrestrial orchid 6-15 cm high, fleshy, brittle, yellowish-green or reddish. Inflorescence sparse, 1-3 cm long, 1-6-flowered. Flowers approximately 15 mm across, green and red or wholly reddish. Dorsal sepal approximately 3.5 mm long, 4 mm wide; lateral sepals linear to lanceolate, 9-10 mm long, approximately 1.5 mm wide, widely divergent. Petals approximately 3 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, striped. Labellum approximately 4 mm long, approximately 2.5 mm wide, margins incurved; callus raised, of 2 linear, curved lobes extending about halfway to the labellum apex.
Distribution
The species has been recorded from locations between Ulladulla and Port Stephens. About half the records were made before 1960 with most of the older records being from Sydney suburbs including Asquith, Cowan, Gladesville, Longueville and Wahroonga. No collections have been made from those sites in recent years. Currently the species is known from just over 200 plants across 13 sites. The species has been recorded at locations now likely to be within the following conservation reserves: Berowra Valley Regional Park, Royal National Park and Lane Cove National Park. May occur in the Woronora, O’Hares, Metropolitan and Warragamba Catchments.
Habitat and ecology
- Grows in dry sclerophyll forest and moss gardens over sandstone.
- Flowers February to March.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Urban, rural residential and infrastructure development.
- Recreational users (e.g. mountain bike riders and walkers) can cause physical damage to the habitat.
- At one site in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park water leakages have changed the hydrology and caused the habitat to become too wet (the species requires well drained areas).
- Maintenance of utilities such as powerline easements has the potential to damage some known sites.
- Browsing by swamp wallabies and possibly rabbits is known to have removed flowering and fruiting stems at the site in Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden. Whilst this damage is not expected to kill plants it will adversely impact future recruitment potential.
- Weed invasions resulting in loss of habitat pose a threat to some populations around Ku-ring-gai.
Recovery strategies
A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click
here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click
here
Activities to assist this species
- Protect remaining habitat from clearing and development.
- Determine appropriate fire regimes.
- Undertake further surveys to locate any additional populations.
- Repair leaking water pipe in Ku-ring-gai National Park to restore natural hydrology.
- Erect temporary fencing at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden to reduce browsing damage to flowering and fruiting stems from Wallabies.
Information sources
- NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Genoplesium baueri (an orchid) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
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