Tuncurry Midge Orchid - 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: Genoplesium littorale

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 31 Jul 2009

Profile last updated: 13 Nov 2024

Description

Small terrestrial orchid with a single, cylindrical leaf that encloses the flowering stem. The leaf is 10 to 25 cm long, 0.15 cm in diameter, and dark green with a reddish base. The flowering stem is 10 to 30 cm tall, bearing 5 to 30 flowers in a moderately dense spike, 1.5-3 cm long. Flowers range from mostly green to dark purple and are approximately 0.5 cm in diameter. Recent taxonomic work has proposed that the species be re-assigned to the new genus Corunastylis as Corunastylis littoralis and it is under this name that it is listed on the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Distribution

Known only from a small area in the Great Lakes Local Government Area just north of Tuncurry on the NSW mid-north Coast.

Habitat and ecology

Grows in coastal heath close to the ocean in deep, well-drained sandy soils. The vegetation consists of a variety of shrub species such as Leptospermum laevigatum, Monotoca elliptica, Ochrosperma lineare and Banksia spp. Lichens and various graminoids are often present alongside the orchids.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

NSW North Coast

Threats

Clearing of habitat for urban development.
Invasion of habitat by introduced weeds
Competition / displacement from native bracken fern
Browsing by rabbits destroying adult plants.
Off-road driving
Very small number of extant individuals; larger population required to be viable in the long term.
Possibility of disturbance from MidCoast Water, access roads and digging. Possible future residential development.
The species is likely to occur elsewhere throughout the area; identifying additional populations would increase the species' overall viability.
Pressures from landuse changes from a shift to residential including intensification of industrial uses, urban development and related activity such as fire breaks.
Illegal rubbish dumping.

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

Control invasive weed species that may compete with Genoplesium littorale.
Avoid burning when the plants are flowering from January through to March.
Avoid further clearing of the remaining habitat.
Control rabbits in remaining habitat
Restrict vehicle use in areas of habitat

Information sources

Bishop, T. (2000) Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Jones D.L. (2006) A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the Island Territories. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Jones, D.L. (2001) Six new species and a new combination in Genoplesium R.Br. (Orchidaceae) from eastern Australia. The Orchadian 13(7): 297-299

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast

Karuah Manning

Known

Within the Parish boundaries of Tuncurry, Wang Wauk and Forster

Images

Flower, Tuncurry Midge Orchid Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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