Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999 - Byron Shire Council

A GREENPRINT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Stinking Cryptocarya (Cryptocarya foetida FAMILY LAURACEAE)
Introduction. The name of this species refers to the offensive odour of the flowers (Floyd 1989). Although originally
common in littoral rainforest from Fraser Island (Q) to Iluka, it has now been mostly eliminated by burning and clearing
(Floyd 1989). The number of recorded locations in the Shire has increased in recent years, reflecting an increase in
informed observers, increasing scrutiny of sites proposed for coastal development, but also some regeneration. Stinking
Cryptocarya is a rare species with restricted range and specialized habitat requirements, and the populations within the
Shire are critical to its long term conservation.
Conservation status. Stinking Cryptocarya is listed on Schedule 2 (Vulnerable) of the TSC Act, 1995 and has a ROTAP
code of 3VCi (Briggs and Leigh 1996).
Habit. A small to medium tree, leaves alternate, entire, with numerous minute oil dots. The midvein is prominent and
yellowish.
Flowers. Flowers small, cream and in panicles with an offensive odour (Harden 1990). Flowering December to February
(Floyd 1989). No information about pollination is available.
Fruit. Fruit globose, 1 cm diameter, purplish to black (Harden 1990). Fruit ripe June to August (Floyd 1989). The fruit
are eaten by currawongs (Floyd 1989).
Habitat. Stinking Cryptocarya occurs naturally in coastal rainforest environments on sand or alluvium, with two records
inland on metasediments at Inner Pocket and Mt Chincogan.
Distribution. In NSW Stinking Cryptocarya has been recorded at Iluka NR, Meerschaum Vale, Buckombil Mountain,
Marshall Falls, Ballina, Lennox Head, Cabarita, Cudgen Lake, Farrants Hill, Pigabeen, Fingal and Tweed Heads and in SE
Queensland to Fraser Island (Floyd 1989). Other locations in the study area have now been added as a result of this study.
Regeneration and horticulture. Stinking Cryptocarya grows readily from seed (Floyd 1989 recommends removal of
flesh), but no information about cuttings is available. It is little known in horticulture, and is relatively slow growing, but
establishes readily away from the coast. In unmanaged inland situations where its salt and wind tolerances do not afford
a competitive advantage, the species is likely to be outcompeted by more vigorous species. It probably requires welldrained,
frost-free sites, with adequate water and nutrients at least in the establishment stage. No detailed studies of its
natural regeneration have been carried out.
Economic and cultural significance. No particular uses are known for Stinking Cryptocarya apart from the aesthetic and
ecological values of all rainforest trees.
Abundance and reservation In the Byron Shire, Stinking Cryptocarya is reserved in the Inner Pocket NR, Brunswick
Heads NR, Tyagarah NR, Cape Byron and Broken Head NR. Details of twenty-five other locations in the study area were
recorded. In total eight new locations for Stinking Cryptocarya were discovered by the authors, including mature trees at Byron
Hills, and a sapling on Mt Chincogan. The number of records overstates the abundance of Stinking Cryptocarya, however, since
some records represent seedlings and saplings growing in locations where they are unlikely to develop to maturity.
The total number of mature trees in existence is estimated to be very small (