Gyrostemon thesioides (a shrub) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the shrub Gyrostemon thesioides (Hook. f.) A.S. George as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Act. Listing of endangered species is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Gyrostemon thesioides (Hook. f.) A.S. George is a shrub which grows on hillsides and riverbanks. It is described in the Flora of New South Wales (Volume 1, Harden 1990) as: "Shrub with several stems to 70cm high, lower leaves often falling early; stems more or less angular when dried. Leaves usually narrow-linear, 5-20mm long, sometimes narrow-lanceolate or narrow-oblanceolate and to 35mm long, apex obtuse or acute. Pedicels to 1mm long. Calyx more or less deeply lobed. Stamens 9-12 in one whorl. Carpels 2, opposite; stigmas petaloid, more or less papillose, circa 2mm long. Fruit 2-2.5mm long, redbrown."

2. Gyrostemon thesioides has been recorded in New South Wales only from sites near the Georges and Nepean Rivers.

3. Gyrostemon thesioides has not been recorded from the Nepean River for almost 90 years and the Georges River area for 30 years despite searches for it in the intervening time.

4. Natural habitat along these rivers has in many places been degraded as a result of changes in land use and the spread of exotic weeds.

5. Continued degradation of its natural habitat poses a threat to the likelihood of the continuing survival of Gyrostemon thesioides.

6. In view of 3, 4 & 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Gyrostemon thesioides might already be extinct, but is not presumed extinct and is therefore eligible for inclusion on Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act as an endangered species.

Proposed gazettal date: 11/9/98
Exhibition period: 11/9/98 to 23/10/98