Help Us Find the Endangered Angle-stemmed myrtle ()

Gossia gonoclada flowers Photo: Glen Leiper ©

Logan City Council is developing a threatened species Recovery Plan for the endangered Angle- stemmed myrtle (Gossia gonoclada).

With so few left in the wild, we are seeking your help to be our eyes in the field and identify unknown and unrecorded Gossia gonoclada's across the city of Logan.

While out and about over the summer holiday break, be it in Council's parks, natural areas or even in your own backyard… if you think you've spotted a Gossia gonoclada please contact Council’s Environment and Sustainability Branch and email [email protected] or phone 3412 3412 and provide us details of your suspected sighting.

Council officers can then verify them and help manage them for the future.

Gossia gonoclada’s are listed as Endangered and protected under the Nature Conservation Act (NCA) 1992 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) 1999. The taking of any Gossia gonoclada is prohibited under these Acts. Page 1 of 6 Description A protected native species, angle-stemmed myrtle (Gossia gonoclada) can grow to a height of around 18m, however you're more likely to find them as 'shrubs' 1-3m in height. They can often be found in riverine rainforest areas (riparian areas in vine/rainforest type vegetation near watercourses). Gossia gonoclada have glossy, deep green leaves. A pink flush covers the tree when new leaves grow, generally in late spring to summer. The tree may also flower in spring with delicate white flowers, followed by globular, glossy purple-black fruit 7-12mm (when ripe) mid to late summer. The bark is probably one of the best ways to identify it from the similar looking Lilly pilly. Gossia bark is often flaky, furrowed or scaly and pale brown to grey in colour. A distinctive feature of the species are the four raised edges on its branchlets, hence the name Angle-stemmed myrtle. At first glance this may be hard to distinguish. Gossia gonoclada are often mistaken for common plant species including the Lilly pilly (Syzygium austral), while young can be mistaken for weed species such Brazilian cherry ( uniflora). In fact Gossia gonoclada is part of the family, which includes Eucalypts and Paperbarks.

Gossia gonoclada flowers Gossia gonoclada fruit Photo: Tamara Taylor Photo: Glen Leiper

Eugenia uniflora (Brazilian Cherry) Syzygium austral (Lilly pilly) Photos: Photo: Forest & Kim Starr Noosa Native Plants Habitat Gossia gonoclada have been found to grow along the banks of the Logan River and its tributaries. Having a limited range, the species tends to grow in lowland remnant riparian rainforest and Notophyll vine forest in subtropical areas of South-east Queensland. However, a small handful of specimens have been found in the ecotone areas between vine and rainforest vegetation and that of eucalypts. We are hoping our search with your help, across the City of Logan, will find more records of Gossia's in these ecotones or rainforest and vine pockets of vegetation.

Conservation Status Queensland: Endangered and protected under the Nature Conservation Act (NCA) 1992; National: Endangered and protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) 1999. NB. The taking of any Gossia gonoclada plant is prohibited under these Acts. Due to the importance of this species, Council monitors the plants found within its boundaries with an additional focus on protecting and enhancing healthy Gossia gonoclada populations. This includes both original trees (trees that grew naturally in the landscape) and planted trees (deliberately planted in the landscape).

Planted Gossia gonoclada Original Gossia gonoclada Photos: Logan City Council Photos: Logan City Council Gossia gonoclada Identification Photos Leaves

Close up of the Gossia gonoclada glossy The branchlet close up and angled stem leaves (not rounded like other plants)

Gossia gonoclada is easier to identify in spring and the early summer months due to its new growth which results in a “pink flush”. (similar to Lilly pillys) Gossia gonoclada is easier to identify in spring and the early summer months due to its new growth which results in a “pink flush”.

Young growth of leaves after its 'pink flush'.

Page 4 of 6 Fruit

The globular fruit of the Gossia gonoclada – The globular fruit of the Gossia gonoclada – Early stages, seen in mid to late Summer Later stages – purple/black colour seen mid to late summer.

Flowers

Gossia gonoclada flowers

Page 5 of 6 Tree

A bushy Gossia gonoclada. They can grow to Planted Gossia gonoclada (not as bushy) a height of 18m.

Bark

The furrowed bark of a more mature Gossia gonoclada. This is very distinctive when compared to the smooth bark of a Lilly pilly.

Gossia's have a furrowed trunk unlike a Lilly pilly's smooth trunk.

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