Muehlenbeckia costata (a scrambling herb) - vulnerable species listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the scrambling herb, Muehlenbeckia costata K. L. Wilson and R. Makinson ms, as a VULNERABLE SPECIES in Schedule 2 of the Act. Listing of vulnerable species is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.
NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Muehlenbeckia costata (family Polygonaceae) is described in Harden (1990) Flora of NSW Vol. 1, p. 286 as: a scrambler with decumbent stems, flowering stems erect to c. 50 cm high, to 4.5 mm diam. Leaves with lamina ovate to oblong - ovate, 3-8 cm long, 15-60 mm wide, base more or less cordate, often irregularly white-scabrous on the veins and margins; petiole 1-4 cm long. Inflorescences spread evenly along branches, 4-14 cm long. Perianth somewhat fleshy. Anthers 0.6-1.0 mm long. Nut subglobose, 3-ribbed near the apex with 6 additional longitudinal ridges below, 2.5-3.5 mm long, tuberculate, black, more or less shining.
2. The species occurs in Queensland and reaches its southern limit in NSW. In NSW, it is only known from granitic outcrops on the New England Batholith in the Northern Tablelands.
3. There are only five known locations within NSW. Three of these occur within the conservation reserves Bald Rock National Park, Mount Kaputar National Park and Crown Mountain Flora Reserve.
4. Muehlenbeckia costata has been described as a fire ephemeral, with large flushes of germination occurring after disturbance by fire followed by senescence after 2 or 3 years. Fluctuations in numbers of mature individuals are therefore high.
5. Threats include inappropriate fire regimes, particularly where locations containing the species remain unburnt for long periods. Also, due to the small number of locations, the species is susceptible to stochastic events.
In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Muehlenbeckia costata K. L. Wilson and R. Makinson ms is likely to become endangered 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