Leucopogon fletcheri subsp. fletcheri (a shrub) - endangered species listing

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

This species is now known as Leucopogon fletcheri Maiden & Betche subsp.  fletcheri.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Leucopogon fletcheri subsp.  fletcheri Maiden & E. Betche is a small shrub in the Epacridaceae. It is described in Harden 1992 Flora of New South Wales Vol.3 (UNSW Press) p.429:

Densely branched shrub to 1.8 m high; branchlets scabrous. Leaves oblong-linear, 3.7-8 mm long, 1.4-3.1 mm wide; apex acute, tip pungent to 1 mm long; base truncate; margins entire or minutely toothed; lamina thin, convex, striate-ribbed on lower surface; petiole to 0.3 mm. Flowers solitary, plus rudiment; sepals 3.4-4.6 mm long; corolla tube 3.5-4.8 mm long; ovary 1-1.9 mm long; style 5.4-7.9 mm long; fruit obovoid, 4.7-5 mm long. Grows in woodland on lateritic soils; rare, in the Springwood area.

2. Leucopogon fletcheri subsp.  fletcheri is a local Sydney endemic, with known populations occurring in four discrete clusters: St Albans; Annangrove - Kenthurst - South Maroota; Blaxlands Ridge and Springwood - Winmalee.

3. All known populations are small with the total population estimated as being less than 2,500.

4. The preferred habitat of Leucopogon fletcheri subsp.  fletcheri is clayey lateritic soils associated with the Mittagong Formation between the Wianamatta Shale and the Hawkesbury Sandstone, generally on flat to gently sloping terrain along ridges and spurs.

5. This habitat has been subject to rural and rural-residential use, and is often traversed by fire trails and access trails and potential damage from recreational vehicle use, horse riding, erosion and weed invasion.

6. No occurrence has been confirmed from within the conservation estate.

7. In view of the small number of records, the small size of the individual and total populations, the fragmented distribution of the populations and the ongoing threats to populations, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Leucopogon fletcheris ubsp.  fletcheri Maiden & E. Betche 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: 24/12/99
Exhibition period: 24/12/99 - 4/2/00