Kardomia prominens (a shrub) - endangered species listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list Babingtonia prominens A.R. Bean, a shrub, as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing is provided for by Part 2 of the Act. Babingtonia prominens A.R. Bean was previously provisionally listed on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act.
Formerly known as Babingtonia prominens, this species is now known as Kardomia prominens (A.R. Bean) Peter G. Wlison [NSW Government Gazette No, 113, 25 November 2011, Page 6713].
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. The shrub Babingtonia prominens is a new species described in 1997 by A.R. Bean.
2. The following description is taken from Bean, A.R. 1997 Reinstatement of the genus Babingtonia Lindl. (Myrtaceae, Leptospermoideae) Austrobaileya 4(4):627-645. A shrub to 2.5 m high. Bark grey, scaly and persistent. Stem flanges grey, flat, winged, not warty, entire. Leaves elliptic, 3.5 - 4.1 mm long, 1.8 - 2.1 mm wide, straight or somewhat curved, flat, obtuse, not keeled, entire; oil glands prominent on lower surface, evenly scattered; midrib not or faintly visible; petiole c. 0.5 mm long. Inflorescence axillary, 1 - flowered; peduncle 1.0 - 2.5 mm long; pedicels 2.5 - 6.0 mm long; bracteoles 2, linear, 1.5 - 2.5 x 0.4 - 0.5 mm, acute, persistent. Hypanthium obconical, 2.0 - 2.5 mm long, muricate, fused to the ovary except at top. Sepals compound; inner lobe obtuse, 0.3 - 0.5 x 1.0 - 1.3 mm, thick, entire; outer lobe acuminate, 1.0 - 1.3 mm long, thick, erect. Corolla white, up to 8 mm across, petals orbicular, 2.6 - 3.0 mm across, fimbriate, oil glands absent. Stamens 8 - 10, one stamen opposite each sepal, the remainder scattered, but never opposite a petal; filaments terete, not geniculate, sepaline filaments c. 0.5 mm long, other filaments c. 0.8 mm long, with brown connective gland; anthers adnate, c. 0.3 mm long, dehiscing by small slits; anther loculi fused. Style c. 0.5 mm long, set into a pit; stigma broadly capitate. Ovary 3 - locular; floral disc concave; ovules 10 - 11 per loculus, arranged in two longitudinal rows on placenta. Fruit hemispherical, 2.0 - 2.2 x 3.5 - 4.0 mm; valves woody, slightly exserted. Seeds D - shaped, with flat sides and rounded backs, c. 1.0 mm long, minutely reticulate, pale brown; hilum terminal.
3. Babingtonia prominens is endemic to the north coast of New South Wales, where it is known from two locations. The total known population size has been estimated at around 1000 plants, with most plants found at one location. Only one of the two locations is reserved (Nymboi-Binderay National Park), but fewer than 50 plants were recorded from this site in 1993, and only 2 individuals were relocated in January 2000.
4. The risk of extinction is high due to threats from quarrying, mining and grazing in one location and the very low population size in the other location.
5. In view of 1, 3 & 4 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the species 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: 21/7/00
Exhibition period: 21/7/00 - 25/8/00
Provisionally listed as an endangered species on 29 October 1999.