Micromyrtus grandis (a large shrub) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list Micromyrtus grandis J.T. Hunter (Myrtaceae), a large shrub, as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Micromyrtus grandis has been recently described by Hunter, Quinn and Bruhl (Micromyrtus grandis (Myrtaceae), a new species from New South Wales. Telopea 7(1):77-81). The species is restricted to a small area, NNE of Inverell, on the north-western slopes of New South Wales.

2. It is a large shrub (1-6m tall) in the Myrtaceae family with stringy orange-brown bark curling off in linear strips. Leaves are opposite, strongly keeled in cross section and obovate, elliptic to oblong with conspicuous oil glands in 2 distinct rows. Flowering is from July to September with indehiscent dry nuts produced from August onwards.

3. It occurs in open and exposed situations in heath and low woodland on porphyritic outcrops between 600-750 m elevation. It grows among rocks in shallow soils.

4. It is known only from a single location in Inverell Local Government Area.

5. The species is threatened by goat grazing, land clearing, road widening and possibly an inappropriate fire regime.

6. In view of 4 and 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the species is likely to become extinct in nature in NSW unless the circumstances and factors threatening it survival cease to operate.

Dr Chris Dickman
Chairperson
Scientific Committee

Gazetted: 6/6/97