Geniostoma huttonii (a shrub) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the shrub Geniostoma huttonii B.J. Conn 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

This final determination has been superseded by the April 2024 final determination for Geniostoma huttonii, B.J. Conn.

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Geniostoma huttonii B.J. Conn (Loganiaceae) is described by Green (1994) as 'Scrambling shrub to 1 m tall. Stems furrowed between leaf bases, glabrous. Leaves with petiole 4-6 mm long; lamina ovate, 2-3 cm long, 1-1.6 cm broad, somewhat attenuate at base, entire, subacute to subacuminate, glabrous. Inflorescence less than 1 cm long, 1-3-flowered; pedicels c. 2 mm long; bracts c. 0.5 mm long. Calyx tube c. 0.5 mm long; lobes triangular, 1-1.5 mm long, shortly fimbriate, acute. Corolla tube 0.8-1 mm long; lobes 5 (sometimes 6), lanceolate, c. 2 mm long, acute, papillose in throat. Stamens inserted in throat; filaments c. 1 mm long, somewhat hairy at base; anthers ovoid, c. 0.5 mm long. Ovary ovoid, 0.5 mm long; style 0.2-0.6 mm long; stigma ellipsoidal, c. 0.3-0.7 mm long. Capsules globose-ellipsoidal, 5-6 mm diam., green. Seeds not recorded.'

2. Geniostoma huttonii is endemic to Lord Howe Island and was only discovered in 1991 (Conn 1993) in the southern mountains. The species is largely restricted to a particular habitat, i.e. narrow, exposed ridges (south-easterly or south-westerly) off the two mountain peaks in the southern mountains. All populations of  Geniostoma huttonii are protected within the Permanent Park Preserve.

3. Recent survey work (Hutton 2001, Auld 2003) suggests that approximately 100 mature plants of Geniostoma huttonii are known.

4. Currently, the species is subject to some disturbance from people 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 likely to be threatened by stochastic events.

5. In view, of the above, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Geniostoma huttonii B.J. Conn 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: 05/12/03
Exhibition period: 05/12/03 - 06/02/04

References

Auld T (2003) Summary of latest Survey for Geniostoma huttonii Lord Howe Island December 2002. Unpublished report to Scientific Committee.

Conn BJ (1993) A new species of Geniostoma (Loganiaceae) from Lord Howe Island.  Telopea 5, 301-304.

Green P (1994) Loganiaceae. Flora of Australia 49, 273.

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