Oberonia titania (an orchid) - vulnerable species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the epiphytic orchid Oberonia titania Lindl., 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. Oberonia titania Lindl. (family Orchidaceae) is described by P. H. Weston (1993) in Harden, G. J. (ed).  Flora of New South Wales. Vol. 4. p. 225, UNSW Press, Sydney, as an: epiphyte with 1-several shoots in a tight clump. Leaves 4-10 per shoot, ovate to lanceolate, 1-8 cm long, 2-8 mm wide, green to greenish pink. Inflorescence 5-17 cm long,  c. 50-350-flowered, erect to pendent; pedicel plus ovary 1-1.5 mm long. Flowers red except for the gold-coloured pollinia. Dorsal sepal  c. 0.7 mm long,  c. 0.2 mm wide, narrow-ovate. Lateral sepals  c. 0.5 mm long,  c. 0.4 mm wide, broad-ovate. Lateral petals  c. 0.7 mm long, obovate. Labellum  c. 0.7 mm long,  c. 0.5 mm wide, distinctly 3-lobed, otherwise with entire margins. Flowers autumn and spring.

2. The species occurs on Norfolk Island and in Queensland and New South Wales. Within New South Wales, collections of Oberonia titania have been made north from Kendall, on the north coast. Preferred habitat in New South Wales appears to be littoral and sub-tropical rainforest and  Melaleuca swamps, but it can also occur in sclerophyll forest gorges and mangroves.

3. The species reaches its southern distributional limit in New South Wales. It is known from 10 locations, two of which occur within the conservation reserves, Dorrigo National Park and Washpool National Park.

4. Species decline has occurred due to the reduction in extent of rainforest in the region. Clearing and inappropriate fire regimes continue to threaten Melaleuca swamp forest habitat.

5. In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Oberonia titania Lindl. is likely to become endangered 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: 07/11/03
Exhibition period: 07/11/03 - 19/12/03