Wahlenbergia multicaulis (Tadgell's Bluebell) population, Auburn, Bankstown, Strathfield and Canterbury local government areas - endangered population listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the population of Tadgell's Bluebell Wahlenbergia multicaulis Benth., in the local government areas of Auburn, Bankstown, Strathfield and Canterbury, as an ENDANGERED POPULATION on Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Listing of Endangered Populations is allowed for by Section 11 of the Act.

This Determination has been superseded by the 2003 Final Determination which changed the boundary of the population.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Wahlenbergia multicaulis Benth. (Campanulaceae) is not listed on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act and thus populations of W. multicaulis are eligible for consideration for inclusion on Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Act.

2. W. multicaulis is a perennial tufted herb, 10-75cm high, glabrous or sometimes sparsely hairy. The leaves are mostly linear 4-80mm long, 1-6mm wide, and entire or with small callus teeth. The flowers are blue, with the petals 2-10mm long and forming a tube 0.5-1.5mm long at the base. It grows in forest, woodland and grassland, and flowers throughout the year.

3. In New South Wales, W. multicaulis grows mainly in the coastal and tableland districts south from Sydney and the Blue Mountains, and west along the Murray River to Mathoura. This includes the following botanical subdivisions: the Central Coast, South Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, South Western Slopes, and South Western Plains. There are very few records from the Central Coast botanical subdivision. Early collections from Hornsby, Ashfield, and Punchbowl, may now be extinct. The occurrence in the local government areas of Auburn, Bankstown, Strathfield and Canterbury, is likely to be the only known population remaining in the Sydney area and in the Central Coast botanical subdivision.

4. The population in the local government areas of Auburn, Bankstown, Strathfield and Canterbury is disjunct and at the northeastern limit of its geographical range. The population is of significant conservation value as it is the only known remaining population in the Central Coast botanical subdivision.

5. The population in the local government areas of Auburn, Bankstown, Strathfield and Canterbury has been reduced by clearing of habitat in the past. It is currently thought to consist of approximately 40-50 plants and is threatened by clearing, intrusive ballast dumping, deposition of industrial refuse and excavated material.

6. In view of 3, 4 and 5 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the population of W. multicaulis in the local government areas of Auburn, Bankstown, Strathfield and Canterbury,

• is disjunct and at the limit of its geographical range;
• is of significant conservation value as it is the only known remaining population in the Central Coast botanical subdivision;
• and has had its habitat so drastically reduced that it is in immediate danger of extinction.

Associate Professor Paul Adam
Deputy Chairperson

Gazetted: 5/9/97