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Curved Rice-flower
Pimelea curviflora variety curviflora
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Conservation Status
Vulnerable species (variety curviflora only) in NSW (TSC Act). Variety curviflora is also listed as vulnerable at national level in the Endangered Species Protection Act.
Distribution
Pimelea curviflora is a widespread species in which seven varieties have been distinguished (Threlfall 1983). The species is endemic to Australia and is found in all states. Six of the seven varieties occur in New South Wales (Harden 1990). Some of the varieties are common, but variety curviflora is restricted to the northern suburbs of Sydney and is rare even within its restricted distribution. It is currently known from about 20 locations between South Maroota, Cowan, Narrabeen, Allambie Heights, Northmead and Kellyville (NSW Scientific Committee 1998e). Its former range extended south to the Parramatta River and Port Jackson, including Five Dock, Bellevue Hill and Manly.
Pittwater Population
As yet, Pimelea curviflora var. curviflora has not been recorded in the Pittwater Council area. However, it occurs just south of the area on the southern side of Narrabeen Lagoon (Smith and Smith 1995). In view of this, it is a species that should be targeted in future threatened flora surveys in Pittwater.
Habitat
In Warringah, Pimelea curviflora var. curviflora is mainly found in the Duffys Forest Vegetation Community (Smith and Smith 1997b, 2000). This community is associated with shale lenses on ridges in Hawkesbury Sandstone geology. It has been listed as an endangered ecological community and is discussed below in section 2.6.1. The population on the southern side of Narrabeen Lagoon is an exception, being found in Angophora Woodland, a Hawkesbury Sandstone community dominated by Angophora costata and found on ridges and slopes in the vicinity of coastal lagoons and estuaries (Smith and Smith 1995, 1997b). This community, like the Duffys Forest Vegetation Community, is a taller vegetation type than is typical of Hawkesbury Sandstone ridges, and appears to associated with more fertile conditions.
Ecology
Pimelea curviflora var. curviflora is a spindly, inconspicuous subshrub or shrub, mostly under 50 cm high. It may not always be visible at a site as it appears to survive for some time without any foliage after fire or grazing, relying on energy reserves in its tuberous roots (NSW Scientific Committee 1998e). Little is known of its ecological requirements.
Management Issues
- Lack of knowledge of the species in Pittwater (likely to occur in the area, but no known sites)
- Conservation of remnant bushland
- Habitat degradation in remnant bushland
- Fire management
- Bushrock removal - identified as adversely affecting this species by NSW Scientific Committee (1999a)
- Translocation (as an alternative to conservation in situ)
- Community education
- Recovery plan (no plan has yet been prepared for this species)
Updated: 06 Dec 2011