Homoranthus bornhardtiensis (a shrub) - endangered species listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, has made a Final Determination to list the shrub Homoranthus bornhardtiensis J.T. Hunter as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of that Act. Listing is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.
This species is now known as Homoranthus prolixus and was delisted in 2011.
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Homoranthus bornhardtiensis J.T. Hunter was described by Hunter 1998 [Two new rare species of Homoranthus (Myrtaceae: Chamelaucieae) from the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Telopea 8(1): 35-40].
2. Homoranthus bornhardtiensis as described by J.T. Hunter is a shrub to 0.3 m tall, prostrate, spreading to 1 m diameter. Stems yellow to reddish when young, turning grey-brown. Leaves opposite, decussate, 4.5 - 9 mm long, 0.6 - 0.9 mm wide and thick, aromatic; blade incurved or rarely straight, linear to oblanceolate, in transverse section subobtriangular, abaxially flat or concave, pale green to glaucous, reddish to purplish in spring; apex curved, mucronate to apiculate; petiole 0.1 - 0.5 mm long. Flowers solitary in leaf axils, 1 - 4 on undifferentiated branchlets, yellow. Peduncles 0.7 - 1.4 mm long, crowned between bracteoles; bracteoles caducous, 3.5 - 4.5 mm long, red-brown. Hypanthium 5-costate, ruminate between the rounded costae on the ovary region, 1.6 - 2.5 mm long, 1.1 - 1.7 mm wide. Sepals 1.2 - 2 mm long, 0.05 - 0.1 mm wide, apex long and hair-like, the margins entire, gland-dotted at the base. Petals orbicular, 0.7 - 0.9 mm long, 0.8 - 1 mm wide, the margin entire. Stamens 10; filaments 0.2 - 0.4 mm long; anthers 0.2 - 0.4 mm long; staminodes 20, free, 0.2 - 0.4 mm long. Style glabrous, 3.5 - 5 mm long; stigma capitate. Ovules 10. Fruit simple, dry indehiscent nut, 2.5 - 3.5 mm long, 1.1 - 1.7 mm wide, caducous after seed set, orange brown. Flowering October to November.
3. The species appears to be restricted to a few isolated granitic outcrops within the Ironbark Nature Reserve (east of Barraba) and neighbouring properties. The species has not been recorded in a survey of other granitic outcrop areas in the region. It is found in open exposed situations in shrubland and low woodland.
4. The geographic distribution of the species appears to occupy an area of c. 7 km radius, and the population may be less than 500 individual plants.
5. The species is threatened by grazing by goats and rabbits. The risk of extinction of this species is high due to low population numbers.
6. In view of 3, 4 & 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion Homoranthus bornhardtiensis J.T. Hunter is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.
Proposed Gazettal date: 23/7/99
Exhibition period: 23/7/99 - 27/8/99