Kangaroo Island Phebalium

Scientific name: Leionema equestre

National status (EPBC Act 1999): Endangered

South Australian status: (NPW Act 1972): Endangered

Description:

Dwarf, spreading shrub to 30 cm high with slender diverging branches. Saddle-shaped pale green leaves, sometimes pink-tinged, transversely oblong to 3.5 mm long and 1.5 mm wide. One to three white to pink flowers in terminal clusters. Flowering between August and October.

Distribution:

Endemic to Kangaroo Island. Grows on sandy and lateritic soils within coastal white mallee (Eucalyptus diversifolia ssp. diversifolia) and KI narrow-leaved mallee (Eucalyptus cneorifolia) mallee woodland.

Specific threats:

Weed invasion (principally from bridal veil Asparagus declinatus), disturbance and vegetation clearance, over-browsing by macropods (kangaroos and wallabies), inappropriate fire regimes (lack of fire) and a small population size all contribute to the decline of Leionema equestre.