Zieria citriodora (a shrub) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the shrub Zieria citriodora J.A. Armstrong as an ENDANGERED SPECIES in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act, and as a consequence, to omit reference to Zieria citriodora J.A. Armstrong ms. from Schedule 2 (Vulnerable Species) 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. Zieria citriodora J.A. Armstrong (Rutaceae) was described by Armstrong (2002) in Australian Systematic Botany Vol. 13(3) pp. 330-334. A description of the species by Armstrong J. A. and Harden G. J. (2002) can be found in Harden, G. (ed). Flora of New South Wales. UNSW Press. Vol. 2. (2nd edition) pp. 283-284. They describe the species as: Procumbent shrub to 15 cm high, lemon-scented, proliferating from rhizomes; branches dotted with oil glands but not warted, more or less pubescent with simple hairs, often with tufts of longer hairs at nodes; glabrescent. Leaves with central leaflet lanceolate or linear, 4-5 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide, apex rounded to acute; margins entire, more or less recurved; both surfaces dotted with oil glands but not warted, hirsute with simple hairs; petiole 2-4 mm long. Inflorescences usually much longer than leaves, mostly 1-3-flowered. Calyx lobes triangular, c. 1.4 mm long, usually hairy. Petals 4-6 mm long, imbricate, pale pink to white, pubescent. Cocci hirsute and dotted with oil glands, often with an appendage.

2. Within New South Wales, the species has a restricted distribution and is known from only two populations in the Coutegany district of the southern tablelands of NSW, east of Cooma. The species is also known from four populations within East Gippsland, Victoria.

3. The total population size within NSW is estimated to be less than 600 individuals.

4. Neither of the known populations in NSW occur within a conservation reserve. The species is potentially threatened by browsing and grazing by herbivores. The highly erodable habitat of the species is vulnerable to degradation through trampling by herbivores and trail-bike riding.

In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the shrub Zieria citriodora J. A. Armstrong 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: 06/12/02
Exhibition period: 06/12/02 - 24/01/03