Oberonia complanata (an orchid) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the orchid Oberonia complanata (A. Cunn.) M.A. Clem. & D.L. Jones 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. Oberonia complanata (A. Cunn.) M.A. Clem. & D.L. Jones (family Orchidaceae) is described by P. H. Weston (1993) in Harden, G. J. (ed).  Flora of New South Wales. Vol. 4. p. 225, NSW University Press, Sydney, as a: Epiphyte with 1-many shoots in a tight clump. Leaves 3-8 per shoot, lanceolate to oblong, 3-15 cm long, 10-15 cm wide, yellow-green. Inflorescence 8-20 cm long, c. 150-300 flowered, erect to pendent; pedicel plus ovary c. 2mm long. Flowers cream except for orange pollinia. Dorsal sepal c. 1 mm long, c. 0.7 mm wide, ovate to triangular. Lateral sepals 0.5-1 mm long, c. 0.7 mm wide, ovate to triangular. Lateral petals c. 1 mm long, narrow-triangular. Labellum c. 1.5 mm long, c. 1.5 mm wide, not distinctly lobed, with a shortly 2-fid tip and erose to almost fimbriate margins. Flowers spring-summer.

2. In Australia the species occurs in Queensland and New South Wales. Within New South Wales, there are several historical collections (all pre 1917) of Oberonia complanata from Byron Bay and Lismore, and a collection from Coffs Harbour from 1961. Preferred habitat appears to be rainforest, but it can also occur in sclerophyll forest, coastal scrub and mangroves.

3. Targeted searches over the last decade have not been able to confirm the presence of the species at any locations.

4. It is likely that historical decline of the species has occurred due to the reduction in extent of rainforest in the region. Historical collections of the species have come from areas which have undergone extensive clearing for development.

In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Oberonia complanata (A. Cunn.) M.A. Clem. & D.L. Jones 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: 20/12/02
Exhibition period: 20/12/02 - 07/02/03