Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999 - Byron Shire Council

A GREENPRINT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Fragrant Myrtle (Austromyrtus fragrantissima FAMILY MYRTACEAE)
Introduction. Fragrant Myrtle is a small rainforest tree. The scientific name of this species refers to the numerous sweetsmelling
flowers (Floyd 1989). There were until recently less than 20 records for NSW and only one record in southern
Queensland (Quinn et al. 1995). In 1996 a number of individuals were recorded by the authors at Terranora in Tweed
Shire. During the current study, important new populations were discovered on Mt Chincogan and in the Hilans Corner
area. A Recovery Plan is in preparation and detailed species profiles have been prepared by Quinn et al. (1995) (NSW)
and Barry and Thomas (1994) (Queensland).
Conservation status. Fragrant Myrtle is listed on Schedule 1 (Endangered) of the TSC Act, 1995 and has a ROTAP code
of 3EC- (Briggs and Leigh 1996).
Habit. A shrub or small tree up to 5 m tall (Floyd 1989).
Flowers. White, sweet-scented. Flowering period October to February (Floyd 1989). No information about pollination
is available.
Fruit. Berry, orange-red, globular, 4-6 mm diameter, crowned by a persistent calyx. Ripe January to February (Floyd
1989). No information about dispersers is available, but the fruit is likely to be eaten by frugivorous birds.
Habitat. Floyd (1989) describes Fragrant Myrtle as occurring in lowland subtropical rainforest to 150 m altitude.
Distribution. Woodburn, NSW to Currumbin Creek, southern Queensland. Recorded in NSW from Casino;
Codrington;The Channon; Lismore; Boatharbour; Booyong; Bangalow; Ruthven; Bungawalbyn Creek; Swan Bay; Rileys
Hill; Ballina; Mullumbimby; Limpinwood; Tomewin (Floyd 1989). More recent records are from the Tweed and Byron
Shires.
Regeneration and horticulture. Seedlings are small, weak and slow. Seed and seedlings are prone to predation by rodents
(H. Bower pers. comm.). Cuttings are slow and difficult to strike (Floyd 1989). Seeds can be difficult to obtain as fruit is
produced irregularly. Natural regeneration is absent in many of the known locations where the trees are isolated in
paddocks. Sheltered situations are required.
Economic and cultural significance. Fragrant Myrtle has the aesthetic and ecological values of all native rainforest species,
otherwise, no specific uses are known.
Abundance and reservation. Fragrant Myrtle is regarded as inadequately reserved (Briggs and Leigh 1996). It is reserved
only in small reserves in the Lismore region, where populations are small. Fragrant Myrtle is sparsely distributed throughout
its range.
Threats and amelioration. Clearing, forestry, weed competition (Quinn et al. 1995). The plants on Mt Chincogan and at
Hilans Corner are clumps of coppice growth in previously cleared paddocks. They are in exposed situations with the
leaves suffering sun-bleaching, and are distant from suitable regeneration sites. Protection from grazing, weed management,
and habitat rehabilitation around the plants to provide shelter and an environment for continued regeneration is
required. In addition, the plants at Mt Chincogan are close to recently planted eucalypt plantations, and require protection
in case of fire. Roadside trees at Montecollum are endangered by roadside slashing. Other trees are protected by the
landowner (Wilsons Creek), in a secure rainforest remnant (Dingo Lane, Myocum) and in vegetation undergoing rehabilitation
(Mullumbimby Creek) or for which rehabilitation is planned (Mullumbimby).
Most of the riverine rainforest (prime agricultural land) has been cleared. The Big Scrub comprised a mosaic of subtropical
and dry rainforest but most of this has also been cleared.
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