Scrub Turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens)

Check out the Scrub Turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens) East Coast Ecology found this week!

Whilst preparing a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report (BDAR) for a Development Application (DA) in NSW Central Coast, East Coast Ecology’s team identified a new extent of the Critically Endangered shrub while undertaking targeted threatened flora surveys.

Scrub Turpentine is listed as Critically Endangered under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW), due to widespread infection by Myrtle Rust (Austropuccinia psidii) which causes plant health decline and inhibits seed-based recruitment. Unfortunately, the specimens identified by East Coast Ecology were no different, each displaying the typical rusty brown scars caused by the Myrtle Rust infection.

Despite the ongoing threat to this species caused by Myrtle Rust, it is the statutory responsibility of ecological consultants to champion ‘avoidance and minimisation’, preventing any additional threat to the species caused by development.