Eucalyptus saxicola (a small tree) - endangered species listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the small tree, Eucalyptus saxicola J.T. Hunter as an ENDANGERED SPECIES in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing of endangered species is provided for by Part 1 of the Act.
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Eucalyptus saxicola J.T. Hunter (family Myrtaceae) is described by Hunter (2001) in Telopea Vol. 9(2) pp.403-407 as: Small tree 6-15 m tall with a box bark persistent to larger branches, then shed in long strips. Stems terete, glandular to erect-warty on juvenile and sucker stems. Juvenile leaves orbicular becoming broadly ovate, glaucous, 1.5-4 cm long, 1.5-4 cm wide, margins crenulate and slightly recurved, opposite becoming subopposite at about the fourth internode, apex rounded and mucronate to shortly acute, base deeply cordate, sessile. Intermediate leaves broadly ovate elliptic to broad lanceolate, 4-13 cm long, 3-6.5 cm wide, falcate, alternate, more or less glaucous, apex acuminate and more or less hooked, base rounded to attenuate and oblique, with petioles 1-4 cm long. Adult leaves alternate, linear to narrow lanceolate, 12.5-23 cm long, 1.1-2.3 cm wide, with conspicuous oil dots, conspicuously glossy and dark green, never glaucous, falcate, margins entire, apex acuminate and often hooked, base attenuate and oblique, petiole terete to flattened, channeled, 2-4 cm long, venation 25-35 degrees to midrib, intramarginal vein 0.8-1.4 mm from the margin, midrib flat to channeled above. Inflorescence of 7-flowered axillary umbellasters. Peduncle flattened to ovoid in section, 1-4 mm long in bud, 3-9 mm long in fruit; pedicel 1-2.4 mm long in bud, absent or to 3 mm long in fruit. Buds turbinoid to clavoid, 3.5-4.5 mm long, 2.3-2.7 mm wide, not glaucous; calyptera hemispherical to shortly beaked hemispherical, 1.5-2.3 mm long, 2.3-2.7 mm wide; hypanthium obloid, 1.5-2.4 mm long, 2.2-2.6 mm wide. Ovules in 4 rows; style terete, 2-3 mm long. Stamens irregularly inflexed; filaments 2.5-3.5 mm long; anthers dorsifixed, parallel, 0.5-0.6 mm long, white, dehiscence longitudinal; connective oil gland orbicular and abaxial. Fruits hemispherical, 3.5-5.2 long, 4.3-6 mm wide, slightly ribbed, often splitting on one side, disc level to convex, 0.4-0.8 mm wide, scar distinct; valves 3-4, level to exserted. Seeds smooth to shallowly reticulate, red-brown to yellow-brown, cuboid, strongly angular, rounded terminal or central hilum on flat polygonal surface, 0.9-1 mm long, 0.5-0.8 mm wide. Cotyledons bilobed.
2. Eucalyptus saxicola is found at Mt Canobolas near Orange, and is restricted to a few scattered stands over a distance of approximately one kilometre. The species is found on and around the margins of acid volcanic rock outcrops. Targetted searches have failed to reveal other locations. The species is known from within the Mt Canobolas State Conservation Area.
3. Total population size is small, estimated to be less than 200 individuals.
4. Eucalyptus saxicola habitat is limited to a small linear area and weeds are a threat. Roads also pass through this habitat and have reduced population size and extent.
In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Eucalyptus saxicola J.T. Hunter 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: 13/12/02
Exhibition period: 13/12/02 - 31/01/03