Boronia ruppii (a shrub) - endangered species listing
The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list Boronia ruppii Cheel sensu stricto, a shrub, as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on 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. Boronia ruppii Cheel sensu stricto is a distinct taxon to be included in the forthcoming second edition of Flora of New South Wales Volume 2. In the draft version of Rutaceae for this volume this species is described as: "Shrub 0.4-2 m high; branchlets stellate-pubescent. Leaves 1-foliate or 3-foliate; leaflets elliptic to broad-elliptic or spathulate, 4-18 mm long, 3-8 mm wide, apex obtuse or retuse, margins entire and recurved to flat, concolorous, both surfaces glabrous or sparsely stellate-hairy; petiole 1-3 mm long. Inflorescences axillary, 1-3-flowered; pedicels 3-8 mm long. Calyx stellate-tomentose. Petals 5-9 mm long, valvate, pale to bright pink, stellate-tomentose, persistent in fruit. Cocci glabrous. Flowers Sept.-Dec. Grows in eucalypt woodland, confined to Woodsreef, on serpentinite." The description is accurate except that the species appears to flower all year round. The description in the 1991 edition of the Flora of New South Wales covers a number of taxa, not just Boronia ruppii Cheel sensu stricto.
2. The species is confined to soils derived from serpentinite around Woodsreef open cut asbestos mine.
3. It is only known from 3 populations and a single plant (less than 300 plants in total). All of the known distribution lies within an area of 1.5 km by ~0.6 km.
4. The species is threatened by roadworks and fencing around Woodsreef open cut asbestos mine, and grazing by goats.
5. No plants occur in any conservation reserve.
6. In view of the small number of plants and threats to the existing plants the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Boronia ruppii Cheel sensu stricto 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: 28/4/00
Exhibition period: 28/4/00 - 2/6/00