Microtis angusii (a terrestrial orchid) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list Microtis angusii D.L. Jones, a terrestrial orchid, as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Microtis angusii D.L. Jones was listed as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act as a Provisional Listing on an Emergency Basis.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. The orchid Microtis angusii was discovered in 1991 and has recently been described by D L Jones ( Microtis  angusii, a new species of Orchidaceae from Australia, The Orchadian Volume 12 Number 1, pages 10-12, September 1996).

2. It is a terrestrial orchid with affinities to M. parviflorae and M. unifoliae but more robust and having an ovate oblong labellum with shallowly emarginate apex, numerous marginal labellum excresences and united basal labellum calli. It is about 25-60 cm tall, flowering between May and October.

3. The species is currently known from only a single population of about 100 individual plants in the Warringah/Pittwater area in the north of Sydney.

4. The known site is close to a major road and has suffered considerable disturbance and degradation.

5. The species is threatened by disturbance by vehicle parking, laying of cables and collection by orchid enthusiasts.

6. In view of 3, 4 & 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

A Determination to provisionally list this species as an endangered species was gazetted on: 30/8/96
Final Determination gazetted: 6/6/97