Swainsona sericea (a shrub) - vulnerable species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the perennial prostrate shrub Swainsona sericea (A. Lee) J. Black ex H. Eichler as a VULNERABLE species on Schedule 2 of that Act. Listing of vulnerable species is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Swainsona sericea (A. Lee) J. Black ex H. Eichler (Fabaceae) has been described in Harden (1991, Flora of NSW, Vol. 2) as: a prostrate or low growing perennial to c. 10 cm high; stems densely pubescent with medifixed hairs, hairs appressed or with both ends raised. Leaves mostly 2-7 cm long; leaflets 5-13, narrow-elliptic, lateral leaflets mostly 5-15 mm long, 1-3 mm wide, terminal leaflets distinctly longer than laterals, apex acute, both surfaces more or less pubescent; stipules 3-7 mm long. Racemes mostly 2-8-flowered; flowers 7-11 mm long. Calyx pubescent often with dark hairs, teeth more or less equal to tube. Corolla purple; keel apex obtuse with swellings behind tip, slightly twisted. Style tip geniculate. Pod obovate, usually 10-17 mm long, pubescent; style 6-7 mm long; stipe minute. Grows in grassland and eucalypt woodland, sometimes with Callitris species. The species is sometimes confused with Swainsona reticulata and Swainsona oroboides, but S. sericea can be distinguished by the presence of medifixed hairs.

2. Swainsona sericea has been collected from the northern tablelands to the southern tablelands and Monaro region and further inland in the slopes and plains. There has been one isolated collection from the far north west of NSW. The species occurs outside NSW in Victoria and South Australia where it is considered to be threatened. Many collections are from the 1800s or early 1900s and recent collections indicate that the species has declined significantly across its former range. Extensive surveys in the northern wheatbelt and southern box woodlands have failed to find the species, whilst is has been found very rarely in surveys of the northern tablelands and Riverina areas.

3. Only one record is known from a conservation reserve (Sturt National Park) and the species is considered rare in the reserve. This location is several hundred kilometres from the nearest other known locations. Estimates of abundance are largely unknown, but where known vary from 50-1000 plants. It is likely that less than 10,000 mature individuals remain in nature in NSW.

4. Clearing of the habitat of the species has been mostly responsible for past declines. Further clearing of remnant habitat is considered to be a threat to the species. The species may also be sensitive to grazing pressure. A number of remaining sites for the species occur on roadsides and are susceptible to disturbance associated with maintenance of these roads.

5. In view of 2, 3 and 4 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Swainsona sericea is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate, and is therefore eligible for listing as a vulnerable species.

Proposed Gazettal date: 24/12/99
Exhibition period: 24/12/99 - 4/2/001