Magenta Lilly Pilly - profile

Scientific name: Syzygium paniculatum
Conservation status in NSW: Endangered
National conservation status: Vulnerable

Description

The Magenta Lilly Pilly is a small to medium sized rainforest tree that grows to 8 m tall. The bark is flaky and the leaves are shiny, dark-green above and paler underneath. Leaves can be up to 10 cm long. Plants produce white flower-clusters at the end of each branch, between November and February. The petals are small and are accompanied by prominent long stamens. The deep magenta fruits, which may be spherical or egg-shaped, mature in May, and contain a single seed.

Location and habitat

Distribution
The Magenta Lilly Pilly is found only in NSW, in a narrow, linear coastal strip from Bulahdelah to Conjola State Forest.

Habitat and ecology

On the south coast the Magenta Lilly Pilly occurs on grey soils over sandstone, restricted mainly to remnant stands of littoral (coastal) rainforest.
On the central coast Magenta Lilly Pilly occurs on gravels, sands, silts and clays in riverside gallery rainforests and remnant littoral rainforest communities.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

Threats

As a rainforest plant, it is likely the Magenta Lilly Pilly has not evolved to cope with frequent fire.
Loss of habitat through clearing for residential development.
Grazing and trampling of habitat by grazing stock.
Weeds, particularly Lantana, are invading the species’ habitat

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 1 priority actions to help recover the Magenta Lilly Pilly in New South Wales.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

Protect known sites from fire; ensure that personnel planning and undertaking hazard reduction burns are able to identify the species and are aware of its habitat.
Reduce or remove heavy grazing by domestic stock in areas of known or potential habitat.
Undertake weed control, but avoid spraying weeds close to Magenta Lilly Pilly plants to ensure they are not affected by poison.
Protect known habitat areas from clearing and disturbance.

References

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales Volume 2 Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
Robinson L. (2003) Field guide to the native plants of Sydney. 3rd edn. Kangaroo Press, East Roseville.