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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Bertya sp. (Chambigne NR, M. Fatemi 24)
Gazetted date:
27 Apr 2007
Profile last updated:
20 Nov 2018
Description
Bertya sp. Chambigne NR is a monoecious shrub to 2 (rarely 3) m high. Branchlets are terete with a variably dense covering of stalked stellate hairs. Leaves are petiolate, spirally alternate, spreading; leaf lamina linear, 15-30 mm long, 1-2 mm wide; upper surface green and sparsely covered in short, weak, soft hairs; lower surface densely covered with white stellate hairs; margin recurved to the midrib; leaf apex rounded; sessile marginal glands present at base of lamina. Inflorescences are mostly single-flowered and axillary. Male flowers are sessile, greenish to brown; calyx 5-lobed, hairless outside. Female flowers are sessile or shortly pedicellate; calyx 5-lobed, light green; lobes equal, revolute, hairless outside, with entire margins; petals absent; ovary 3-locular, sparsely covered with stellate hairs; style initially columnar, splitting into 3 long spreading red branches 3-3.5 mm long. Capsules are ellipsoid, 9 mm long, 4.5 mm wide, sparsely hairy, 1-seeded, calyx lobes persistent. Seeds are ovoid, 7.5-7.7 mm long, 3.7-3.9 mm wide; caruncle pyramidal and yellowish in colour.
Distribution
Bertya sp. Chambigne NR occurs in the NSW North Coast Bioregion within the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority management area. The species has been recorded from two disjunct locations. A single specimen collected in 1967 from Whitemans Creek north of Grafton, represents a population now thought to be extinct. The known surviving population occurs in the Chambigne Nature Reserve and on the nearby escarpment above Shannon Creek. Approximately 30% of the total population occurs within the boundary of the Chambigne Nature Reserve.
Habitat and ecology
- In the Chambigne Nature Reserve/Shannon Creek area the species appears to be restricted to dry rocky exposed cliff edges and the foot of cliff lines in shrubby sclerophyll vegetation adjacent to eucalypt-dominated communities.
- Its longevity, breeding system, seed biology, and most aspects of its ecology are unknown.
- The recruits from seed
- Total population size for the species is 1725 plants. Only 153 mature plants were found in an unburnt population
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- At risk from stochastic events due to small population size.
- At risk from stochastic events due to highly restricted distribution.
- High frequency fire which does not allow adequate time for seedbank replenishment.
- Unidentifiable factor (potentially not infectious) causing general decreases in vigour, no foliage discolouration or obvious symptoms.
- Mortality of seedlings during severe drought.
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
- Undertake research into the ecological requirements of the species, factors preventing wider dispersal and fire ecology.
- Monitor mortality, reproduction and threats within the population.
- Protect species from inappropriate fire regime.
- Maintain viable ex-situ seedbank and/or living collection.
- Establish new populations in suitable habitat.
- Undertake surveys to identify unrecorded populations.
Information sources
- Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) (2006) Koukandowie and Chambigne Nature Reserves Plan of Management. (DEC NSW, Sydney)
- Fatemi, M. (2005) A systematic analysis of Bertya (Euphorbiaceae: Ricinocarpeae). PhD thesis, Faculty of Sciences, University of New England, Armidale NSW.
- Fatemi, M., Gross, C.L. and Bruhl J.J. (2007) The first phenetic analysis of species limits in Bertya (Euphorbiaceae). Australian Systematic Botany 20(5): 448-463
- NSW Scientific Committee (2007) Bertya sp. (Chambigne NR, M. Fatemi 24) - Endangered species determination - final.
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