Pultenaea pedunculata (a prostrate shrub) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the prostrate shrub Pultenaea pedunculata Hook. (family Fabaceae) as an ENDANGERED species on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of that 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. Pultenaea pedunculata Hook. (family Fabaceae) is a prostrate mat-forming shrub up to 20 cm high. Leaves alternate, narrow-elliptic, 6-11 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, apex acute and recurved, margins recurved, upper surface darker than lower; stipules 2-3 mm long. Inflorescences subterminal, lax, leafy; bracts absent. Flowers 4-8 mm long; pedicels to 20 mm long; bracteoles 2-3.5 mm long, lacking stipules, linear to linear-ovate, acuminate, glabrous, attached below base of calyx tube. Calyx 3-5 mm long, sparsely hairy; lobes acuminate. Ovary hairy. Pod 5-7 mm long, turgid. (Harden 1991 Flora of NSW Volume 2).

2. In NSW it is known from the Sydney Basin Bioregion (Bankstown to Liverpool) and on the South Coast in the Southeast Corner Bioregion at Bournda.

3. It was thought to be extinct in the Sydney Region (Benson & McDougall 1991 Rare Bushland plants of Western Sydney), but has been found at two locations at Villawood and Prestons. At both these locations P. pedunculata occupies a very small area and is represented by a small number of individuals.

4. The stands in the Sydney region are threatened by low population size, developments for drainage and industry, weed invasion, rubbish and fill dumping.

5. In view of 2, 3 and 4, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Pultenaea pedunculata 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: 23/7/99
Exhibition period: 23/7/99 - 27/8/99