Epacris purpurascens var.purpurascens (a shrub) - vulnerable species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the shrub Epacris purpurascens var.purpurascens R. Br. as a VULNERABLE SPECIES on Schedule 2 of the Act. Listing of vulnerable species is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

This species is now called Epacris purpurascens Sims var. purpurascens

The NSW Threatened Species Scientific Committee undertook a review of this species in April 2024 and found that the threat status is unchanged. More information can be found in the Conservation assessment report Epacris purpurascens Banks ex Sims var. purpurascens (Ericaceae) (PDF 436KB).

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Epacris purpurascens var. purpurascens is an erect shrub 50-150 cm high. It is described in Harden, 1992 (Flora of NSW Vol. 3) as follows: stems with prominent short, broad, leaf scars and villous branchlets; leaves with an aristate tip to 1.4 mm long, margins entire, and petiole glabrous; corolla tube shorter than, to as long as the sepals, 4.3-6 mm long, lobes 4.6-5 mm long; style 5.5-6.8 mm long; fruiting capsule about 2 mm long. Epacris purpurascens var. purpurascens occurs in sclerophyll forest, scrubs and swamps, from Gosford and Sydney districts in the Central Coast botanical subdivision. It is listed under the ROTAP scheme (Briggs and Leigh 1995, Rare or Threatened Australian Plants, CSIRO, Canberra) as 2KC- (poorly known), occurring in NSW in region 57C-, Brisbane Water National Park.

2. The species is currently known from about 30 locations. The size of populations, where known, varies from very small (1-5 plants) to greater than 1000 individuals.

3. A number of the known sites are reserved, with populations recorded from several reserves including Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Muogamarra Nature Reserve, Brisbane Water National Park, Berowra Valley Regional Park and Bents Basin State Conservation Area. However, most of these populations are very small, with the largest known populations occurring within Sydney Catchment Authority areas, west of Wollongong.

4. The main threats to Epacris purpurascens var. purpurascens are clearing and too frequent fire, particularly in areas north of Sydney. Due to the fragmented nature of the northern populations, and their small size, the species is susceptible to localised extinctions.

5. In view of 2, 3 & 4 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the species is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate, and is therefore eligible for listing as a vulnerable species.

Proposed Gazettal date: 24/12/99
Exhibition period: 24/12/99 - 4/2/00