Genoplesium baueri (an orchid) - vulnerable species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the orchid Genoplesium baueri R.Br. 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. Genoplesium baueri R.Br. (family Orchidaceae) is described by P.H. Weston (1993) in Harden, G.J. (ed). Flora of New South Wales. Vol. 4. p 164, UNSW Press, Sydney as a: terrestrial herb 6-15cm high, fleshy, brittle, yellowish-green or reddish. Inflorescence sparse, 1-3cm long, 1-6-flowered. Flowers c. 15mm across, green and red or wholly reddish. Dorsal sepal broad-ovate, c. 3.5mm long, 4mm wide, apiculate. Lateral sepals linear to lanceolate, 9-10mm long, c. 1.5mm wide, widely divergent. Petals ovate, c. 3mm long, 1.5mm wide, striped. Labellum narrow-ovate to lanceolate, c. 4mm long, c. 2.5mm wide, margins incurved; callus raised, of 2 linear, curved lobes extending about halfway to the labellum apex. Flowers Dec. - Mar. Grows in sparse sclerophyll forest and moss gardens over sandstone.

2. The species has been recorded from locations between Nowra and Pittwater and may occur as far north as Port Stephens. About half the records were made before 1960 with most of the older records being from Sydney suburbs including Asquith, Cowan, Gladesville, Longueville and Wahroonga. Sequential collections, indicating population persistence at a site, have been made from several sites - Gladesville 1884, 1885, 1887, and Cowan 1948, 1949, 1950, 1955, but no collections have been made from those sites in recent years.

3. The species has been recorded at locations now likely to be within the following conservation reserves: Berowra Valley Regional Park, Royal National Park and Lane Cove National Park.

4. The species was not located during vegetation surveys conducted in the Woronora, O'Hares, Metropolitan and Warragamba Catchments between October 1998 and September 2002, though it should be noted that given the cryptic nature of Genoplesium baueri, extant populations may occur within these catchments (R. Conroy pers. comm.). For example, the species has recently been reported in the Woronora area.

5. The species has declined as a result of urban and infrastructure development, which continues, and is likely to be affected by inappropriate fire regimes.

6. In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Genoplesium baueri R.Br. 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: 23/07/04
Exhibition period: 23/07/04 - 03/09/04