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: Pittosporum kororoense
Gazetted date:
08 Dec 2023
Profile last updated:
22 Oct 2024
Description
Pittosporum sp. Coffs Harbour is a shrub growing to around 1.2m tall. The plant forms a low thicket due to suckering from underground stems. Young branchlets, leaf stems and flower stems are covered in loosely wavy or twisted reddish-orange hairs; leaves are otherwise hairless. Adult leaves are alternate, mostly in pseudo-whorls of 4 or 5 leaves, with one or more much smaller than the rest. Leaf stems are 2-5mm long. Leaves are hairless, and around 70-100mm long x 19-28 mm wide. The midvein is pale on both surfaces. Leaf margins are very slightly recurved. Leaves are not aromatic when crushed. The small flowers are in groups of 2-4 and are odourless.
The petals are 8-10mm long, and around 1-1.5 mm wide. Fruits are dull yellow-orange before opening, and contain 2-4 red-orange fleshy seeds.
Distribution
Pittosporum sp. Coffs Harbour is endemic to New South Wales and occurs in a small area just north of Coffs Harbour at four sites associated with wet sclerophyll-rainforest in sheltered areas, including lower, south-facing slopes, along drainage lines and in gullies, generally within 5 km of the ocean
Habitat and ecology
- Subtropical rainforest and lowland moist brushbox and eucalypt forest.
- Associated species include Brushbox (Lophostemon confertus), Flooded gum (Eucalyptus grandis), Tallowwood (E. microcorys), Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia) and Blackbutt (E. pilularis).
- Soil is a red-yellow clay podzol formed on metasediment.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Degradation and loss of habitat for the species due to land clearing for infrastructure development including housing and road construction.
- Small population size and extremely restricted distribution increasing risk of extinction from stochastic events.
- Weed invasion resulting in degradation of habitat.
- Degradation of habitat and direct damage to individuals from recreational users.
- Disturbance from agricultural activities, including herbicide spray drift impacting the species and its pollinators.
- Too severe or too frequent fire will kill adult plants.
- Potential damage to plants from browsing by feral deer.
- Lack of knowledge of extent and severity of impacts from agricultural activities including land clearing and pesticide use.
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
0 priority actions
to help recover the Pittosporum kororoense in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Liaise with Transport for NSW and local council to provide advice on habitat requirements and protection measures.
- Establish translocation population at site using ex-situ material.
- Conduct regular species monitoring.
- Undertake appropriate restoration and regeneration activities to promote habitat improvement and expansion.
- Undertake sensitive weed control, especially in close proximity to Pittosporum sp. Coffs Harbour individuals.
- Engage with local landholders and the community to raise awareness of the species and its conservation value to reduce accidental damage from recreational use.
- Engage with land managers to promote development of native vegetation buffers.
- Engage with local landholders and Transport for NSW to minimise spray drift from adjacent areas.
- Avoid fire in habitat areas.
Information sources
- NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee (2022) Determination for
provisional listing, on an emergency basis, of the species, Pittosporum sp. Coffs
Harbour (A.S.Benwell 342, NSW1102028)
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|
| NSW North Coast | Coffs Coast and Escarpment |
Predicted
| Restricted to: the Kororo and Coffs Basins near the Big Banana; and East and West of the Sky Pier Lookout in Orara East State Forest. |
| NSW North Coast | Macleay Hastings |
Predicted
| Restricted to near Mt Yarrahapinni in Yarriabini National Park. |