Velleia perfoliata (a perennial herb) - vulnerable species listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the perennial herb Velleia perfoliata R. Br. as a VULNERABLE SPECIES on Schedule 2 of the Act and, as a consequence, to omit reference to Velleia perfoliata R. Br. 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.
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Velleia perfoliata (Goodeniaceae) was first described in 1810 by Robert Brown and is found in the central coast area of NSW.
2. Velleia perfoliata has been described by Harden (1992, Flora of New South Wales, Volume 3) as: a glaucous perennial herb with elliptic to narrow-ovate leaves, mostly 10-12cm long and 3-4cm wide, with margins toothed to entire. The flowering stalk is erect to 50 cm high, the flowers are yellow, 11-13mm long. The capsule is more or less globose, about 4mm diameter, with elliptic seeds about 3mm diameter. It flowers in spring and grows in heath on shallow sandy soils over sandstone.
3. The species is only known from the Hawkesbury District and Upper Hunter Valley in the Central Coast botanical subdivision of NSW. It is currently known to exist in 9 populations. Five of these populations are reserved whilst a further population is partly reserved. Four of the reserved sites are situated adjacent to fire trails.
4. The total number of plants in 7 populations is estimated to be less than 1000 individuals. Four of these populations consist of less than 100 plants and none have more than 300 individuals. Numbers are unknown at 2 of the sites both of which occur on private land. The population size of V. perfoliata has been known to fluctuate greatly over time. The recent discovery of the species at a few relatively secure locations warrants a change of status from Endangered to Vulnerable.
5. The main threats to V. perfoliata are track maintenance, fire suppression activities, sedimentation and subsequent competition, encroachment of weeds and removal of plants by visitors to the sites who confuse the species with weeds.
6. In view of 3, 4 & 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the species, is not currently considered endangered but is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival cease to operate.
Proposed gazettal date: 11/9/98
Exhibition period: 11/9/98 to 23/10/98