Typhonium sp. aff. brownii (a plant) - endangered species listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the plant Typhonium sp. aff. brownii as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Listing of endangered species is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Typhonium sp. aff. brownii is a perennial deciduous tuberous geophyte. Rhizome creeping 3cm X 1cm in living plants seen. Leaves about 6 at flowering time, petiole 8-10cm long and circa 3mm broad, not sheathing in the above-ground part. Leaf blade dark green, deeply trilobed, except in juvenile plants, narrow lanceolate with a filiform tip, c. 1cm long, total c. 10cm long, midrib and main veins paler and less depressed than in other New South Wales species of the genus and with an undulate margin. The lateral lobes are similar but smaller, c. 6cm long and 1.8cm broad, and lacking the filiform tip. Peduncles short, mostly below ground, 3cm long in the Herbarium specimen which is a whole plant. Spathe 13cm long, convolute at the base into an ovoid globose chamber, 3.5cm long, housing the female organs and filiform sterile organs. Limb 7cm broad, and rather narrowly ovate, spadix almost as long as the spathe, female in the lowest 0.7cm then a c. 0.5cm zone of crowded filiform, sterile organs, then a naked zone c. 2cm long; male zone c. 2cm X 0.8cm, appendix very narrowly conical; fruit unknown. The flower is green outside, and deep purple inside, and it emits a strong faecal odour corresponding with female anthesis as do other species of the genus.
2. Typhonium sp. aff. brownii falls within the geographic range of and is locally, narrowly but significantly, distinct from the widespread Typhonium brownii. Typhonium sp. aff. brownii has a spadix that is longer than that of Typhonium brownii, but is not as long as that of Typhonium eliosurum.
3. Typhonium sp. aff. brownii appears to have been confined to the ranges up to 30km west of Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour, and has been reported from only six localities in the last 40 years, including Lower Bucca State Forest (1958), and Upper Orara (1986). The species is now known only at 20km west of Glenreagh. It has been reported from Moonee (east of Glenreagh), and west of Coramba, though specimens have not been definitely confirmed as this taxon. It has been reported from Flooded Gum Eucalyptus grandis forest.
4. Typhonium sp. aff. brownii has disappeared from all the localities it was reported from except the locality west of Glenreagh. When the habitats are significantly disturbed, dense regrowth of Lantana or Cissus follows, smothering all smaller plants.
5. No populations are known from any national park, nature reserve or flora reserve, and its numbers are now below 100 plants.
6. In view of 3, 4 and 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Typhonium sp aff. brownii 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: 24/9/99
Exhibition period: 24/9/99 - 29/10/99