Eucalyptus magnificata (a tree) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the tree Eucalyptus magnificata L. Johnson & K. Hill 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. Eucalyptus magnificata was first described by Johnson and Hill in 1990 (Telopea 4(1) pp 72-74.)

2. Eucalyptus magnificata (Myrtaceae) is a tree to 15m high. Hill in Harden (1991, Flora of New South Wales Vol. 2) gives a description of the species: bark persistent on trunk and larger branches, grey with whitish patches, fibrous-flaky ('box'), smooth above, grey, shedding in short ribbons. Juvenile leaves disjunct, orbiculate, dull green. Adult leaves disjunct, broad-lanceolate or ovate, 5-10 cm long, 4-6 cm wide, green or blue-green, semi-glossy, concolorous. Conflorescence compound; umbellasters 7-flowered; peduncle terete, 7-13 mm long; pedicels terete, 2-4 mm long. Buds clavate to shortly fusiform, glaucous, 6-7 mm long, 3-4 mm diam., scar present; calyptra hemispherical or conical, shorter and narrower than hypanthium. Outer stamens infertile; anthers cuboid. Fruit conical, 7-10 mm long, 6-9 mm diam.; disc depressed; valves enclosed.

3. The species is known from only 3 widely separated areas (one of which is in southern Queensland). In NSW, it is found east of Glenn Innes and southeast of Armidale. Within these areas it is known from less than 10 scattered, small locations, only one of which occurs within a conservation reserve (Oxley Wild Rivers National Park).

4. Known population sizes are all small (5-400 plants at each location), and contain significant proportions of immature individuals.

5. The species is threatened by further land clearing, grazing impacts, disturbance from roadworks and dieback.

6. In view of 3, 4 & 5 above, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the species 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: 7/7/00
Exhibition period: 7/7/00 - 11/8/00