Coprosma inopinata (a shrub) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the shrub Coprosma inopinata I. Hutton & P.S. Green 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. Coprosma inopinata I. Hutton & P.S. Green (family Rubiaceae) is described by Green (1994) as: a Compact shrub, scrambling or prostrate with shoots to 0.5 m tall. Young stems minutely puberulous. Leaves somewhat crowded, coriaceous, not fetid when bruised; petiole 1-2 mm long, glabrous; lamina broadly lanceolate to elliptic, 0.7-1.3 cm long, 0.3-0.6 cm broad, basally rounded-obtuse, slightly thickened and sometimes slightly recurved on margins, acute or sometimes slightly acuminate; venation reticulate below; primary veins not strongly differentiated, 4 or 5 on each side of the midrib, without domatia; stipules 3-5 mm long, with rigid, usually persistent acumen 2-3 mm long. Male and female flowers solitary. Calyx lobes unequal, to 0.5 mm long. Corolla lobes 4 mm long, green with purple margins. Filaments 5 mm long, anthers 2.5 mm long. Stigmatic arms 3 mm long. Fruit ovoid, 5-6 mm long, orange.

2. Coprosma inopinata is endemic to Lord Howe Island and was only discovered in 1990 in the southern mountains. The species is largely restricted to a particular habitat, ie narrow, exposed ridges (south westerly or south easterly) and associated more sheltered pockets of vegetation off the two mountain peaks in the southern mountains. All populations of  Coprosma inopinata are within the Permanent Park Preserve.

3. Recent survey work (Hutton 2001, Hutton pers. comm.) suggests that less than 50 mature Coprosma inopinata plants are currently known and it is likely that less than 250 mature plants occur on Lord Howe Island.

4. Currently, the species is subject to some disturbance from individuals climbing Mt Lidgbird and minor weed problems. Because of the very small population size and the very limited area of suitable habitat, the species is also threatened by demographic and environmental stochasticity.

5. In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Coprosma inopinata I. Hutton & P.S. Green 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: 01/11/02
Exhibition period: 01/11/02 - 05/12/02

References

Green, P. (1994) Rubiaceae.Flora of Australia 49, 350-359.

Hutton, I. (2001) Surveys of rare plants on Lord Howe Island - June 2001. Report to NSW Scientific Committee.