Centranthera cochinchinensis (a herb) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the herb Centranthera cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. as an ENDANGERED SPECIES in 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. Centranthera cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. (family Scrophulariaceae) is described by W. R. Barker (1992) in Harden, G. J. (ed).  Flora of New South Wales. Vol. 3. pp. 582-583, UNSW Press, Sydney, as an: erect annual herb 13-55 cm high, branched, scabrous with minute non-glandular hairs or tubercules. Leaves linear or narrow-lanceolate or ovate, 2-5.5 cm long, 1.5-4.5 mm wide, apex obtuse, margins entire to coarsely sinuate; sessile. Inflorescence 5-22 cm long; bracts leaf-like, becoming smaller up stem; pedicels c. 1 mm long. Calyx 6-10 mm long, entire to shortly 5-toothed. Corolla 13-30 mm long, pink or mauve, sometimes with white lobes and pink or purple throat; tube 10-22 mm long; lobes more or less equal, rounded. Capsule ovoid to ellipsoid, 6-7 mm long, enclosed in the greatly enlarged calyx. Flowers summer-autumn.

2. The species occurs in Australia (Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales) and in South-east Asia. Within New South Wales, the species reaches its southern distributional limit.

3. In NSW, it is known from only 6 locations from near Wooli to north of Grafton in swampy areas and other moist sites. Two locations occur within conservation reserves, Yuraygir National Park and Fortis Creek National Park.

4. It is likely that historical decline of the species has occurred due to the reduction of habitat in the region. It is threatened due to its limited distribution and at some locations by cattle grazing.

5. In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Centranthera cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. 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.

Associate Professor Paul Adam
Chairperson
Scientific Committee

Proposed Gazettal date: 12/09/03
Exhibition period: 12/09/03 - 24/10/03