Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999 - Byron Shire Council

A GREENPRINT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Green-leaved Rose Walnut (subspecies) (Endiandra muelleri subsp. bracteata FAMILY
LAURACEAE)
Introduction. The conservation status of this subspecies of Green-leaved Rose Walnut has been recognised comparatively
recently, and little information about its distribution and ecology is available at the subspecific level. No Recovery
Plan has been prepared.
Conservation status. Green-leaved Rose Walnut is listed on Schedule 1 (Endangered) of the TSC Act, 1995 and is not
listed by Briggs and Leigh (1996).
Habit. A tree to 30 m (Harden 1990).
Flowers. Small and yellowish (Harden 1990). No information about pollination is available.
Fruit. Ovoid, about 20 mm long, black. Ripe April (Harden 1990). Floyd (1989) records the following species of frugivorous
birds as feeding on the fruit (records for the taxon at species level): Regent Bowerbird, Rose-crowned Fruitdove;
Superb Fruit-dove; Wompoo Fruit-dove.
Habitat. Subtropical rainforest, chiefly at lower altitudes (Harden 1990).
Distribution. North from Maclean, also in Queensland (Harden 1990). Details of eighteen locations were compiled
during the current survey, all on the coastal strip. Five of these are new locations found by the authors during this survey.
Regeneration and horticulture. Grown from fresh seed with flesh removed (Floyd 1989, recommendation for the taxon
at species level). No information is available about cutting propagation. Seedlings and saplings can be assumed to be
shade-tolerant, and to respond favourably to small light gaps. Planting into partially shaded situations is recommended
(Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group 1998a).
Economic and cultural significance. No particular use or significance is known other than the aesthetic and ecological
values of all native rainforest species.
Abundance and reservation. Most known locations for Green-leaved Rose Walnut represent individuals or small numbers
of plants, and it is assumed that the total number of plants in the Shire and in New South Wales is low. The extent of
reservation is unknown, partly because distribution records have not been kept at the subspecific level, but the number
of plants reserved in New South Wales is likely to be very low. Plants occurring in the study area in Byron Shire thus have
particular significance for the conservation of Green-leaved Rose Walnut
Threats and amelioration. Threats to Green-leaved Rose Walnut have not been documented but can be assumed to
include land clearing, habitat modification and low population numbers. General rehabilitation measures including weed
and fire management, and extension of habitat patches will improve the conservation status of Green-leaved Rose Walnut.
Suitable sites are present on the coastal strip, but the habitat is usually fragmented and degraded.
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