The Small-leaf Spyridium is a many-branched shrub, growing to 1.5 m high. In open situations it grows as a compact shrub, tending to be more straggling in shaded situations. It has small, thick, leathery leaves 2-4 mm long, and very small cream-coloured flowers clustered at the ends of branches which are surrounded by whitish leaves resembling petels. The flowers are surrounded by conspicuous velvety floral bracts.
Small-leaf Spyridium |
Spyridium lawrencei
Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Spyridium lawrencei
Threats The main identified threats to the Small leaf Spyridium are fire and degradation of habitat from weeds; notably Gorse (Ulex europaeus) (TSS; 2009).
Populations on exposed highly isolated sites may be impacted adversely by fire if follow up rains are not forthcoming; as evidenced by the Three Thumbs subpopulation near Orford.
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Australian Government, Listing Advices, Spyridium lawrencei
Description of Threats The main threats to the Small leaf Spyridium are land clearance; inappropriate fire regimes; and degradation of habitat by weeds and grazing (TSS; 2006a).
Inappropriate fire and grazing regimes are potential threats which may have an impact on the viability of the populations.
All populations; including those in reserves; are potentially threatened by inappropriate fire regimes.
The Committee considers that the species has a restricted geographic distribution; which is precarious for the survival of the species due to habitat clearance; inappropriate fire and grazing regimes; and the impact of woody weeds.
The impact that land clearance has had on the distribution of potential habitat along the St Pauls; Swan and Apsley Rivers; along with the current threats of grazing and woody weed invasion and the potential threat of inappropriate fire regimes; suggest that the number of plants is likely to continue to decline.
The Committee considers that the species has a restricted geographic distribution; occurring in 10 locations; and an inferred continuing decline in the area; extent and quality of habitat; which is precarious for the survival of the species due to habitat clearance; inappropriate fire and grazing regimes; and the impact of woody weeds.
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