Fletcher's Drumsticks - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Isopogon fletcheri

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 05 Jul 2022

Description

An erect stout shrub to about 1 m high with yellowish or creamy green flowers that are crowded into dense globular drumstick-like heads held upright at the ends of thick stems. Leaves are leathery, entire, narrow lance-shaped, to 12 x 2 cm and have a blunt point. Fruit is a rounded woody cone about 2 cm across.

Distribution

Restricted to a very small area in the Blackheath district of the Blue Mountains on the Central Tablelands. The entire known population occurs within Blue Mountains National Park.

Habitat and ecology

Restricted to moist sheltered cliffs within the spay zone of a waterfall. Grows in dry sclerophyll forest and heath on sandstone and is confined to sheltered moist positions.
Flowers spring and summer.
Fire tolerant species capable of resprouting from base following fire.
Seed does not have any dispersal mechanism and is dispersed by gravity only.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Sydney Basin

Threats

Given restricted distribution, susceptible to local extinction due to environmental and demographic uncertainty and in particular pathogens such as Phytophthora cinnamomi.
The species is likely to be susceptible to stochastic threats, making the population vulnerable to extinction.
Likely to be susceptible to and be exposed to Phytophthora, based on evidence from other Proteaceae.
Disturbance due to abseilers/rock climbers and walkers trampling the substrate and causing direct physical damage to plants.
Contamination from urban run-off is likely to degrade habitat and potentially kill individuals.
Little knowledge of species' area of occupancy.
Weed invasion causing degradation of habitat.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Continued habitat protection.

Information sources

Benson, D. and McDougall, L. (2000) Ecology of Sydney plant species. Part 7b: Dicotyledon family Proteaceae to Rubiaceae. Cunninghamia 6(4).
Fairley, A. (2004) Seldom seen: rare plants of greater Sydney. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Sydney Basin	Burragorang	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wollemi	Known	None

Images

Foliage and flowers, Fletcher’s Drumstricks <a href="http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Botanic Gardens Trust</a>

Foliage and flowers, Fletcher’s Drumstricks Botanic Gardens Trust
Enlarge image

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