MU 29 SANDSTONE SLOPES SYDNEY PEPPERMINT SHRUBBY FOREST ‰ CORRESPONDING CLASSIFICATIONS Regional: DSF136 Blue Mountains Ridgetop Forest State: Sydney Montane Dry Sclerophyll Forest

Number of Sites: 7 Average number of identified native species per plot: 28.4 ‰ DESCRIPTION Semi sheltered sandstone slopes and deeper soils on ridges on lower elevation of the Newnes Plateau carry a taller forest often solely dominated by Sydney peppermint (E. piperita), but sometimes including brown stringybark (E. blaxlandii). It delineates the grade between the ridgetop woodlands and in the protected gully forests that gain more narrow-leaved peppermint (E. radiata) in the canopy. The midstratum is often dense, dominated by wattles, Proteaceae and epacrids, particularly Leucopogon, Monotoca and Persoonia. The groundcover layer is often relatively sparse, although the ground is well covered by litter and debris. The main species in the groundcover reflect the more sheltered position and include the native broom (Amperea), flax-lilies (Dianella), lomandras and bracken fern (Pteridium). The unit is restricted to occurrences of Narrabeen sandstones, favouring ridges and upper slopes. Elevation range lies between 670 metres and 1160 metres above sea level with these receiving between 690 millimetres and 1070 millimetres of precipitation per annum. The community matches forms a component of the Blue Mountains Ridgetop Forest of Tindall et al. (2004), and is part of the Sydney Montane Dry Sclerophyll Forests of Keith (2004). It is widespread throughout the Blue Mountains and Wollemi National Parks.

‰ STRUCTURAL SUMMARY Stratum Count AvLowHt AvHt maxHt AvCover SDcover minCover maxCover T 4 15.50 27 35 48.75 15.48 35 70 M1 4 1.88 7 10 13.75 8.54 5 25 M2 3 0.40 2.50 3 43.33 15.28 30 60 L1 4 0.53 1 17.50 15.55 5 40 Note that not all sites in the map unit had structural data available.

‰ FLORISTIC SUMMARY

Trees Eucalyptus blaxlandii, E. piperita, E punctata, E. radiata Low Trees and Shrubs , Leptospermum polygalifolium, Leucopogon lanceolatus, Leucopogon muticus, Monotoca elliptica, , Persoonia linearis, Podolobium ilicifolium

90 The Vegetation of the Western Blue Mountains Ground Covers Amperea xiphoclada, Dianella caerulea, Lomandra longifolia, Poa sieberiana, Pomax umbellata, Poranthera microphylla, Pteridium esculentum, Viola sieberiana Vines & Climbers Billardiera scandens ‰ KEY IDENTIFYING FEATURES

Easily recognisable features to assist in identifying this map unit are: • Moderately dense forest of Sydney peppermint (E. piperita), often with brown stringybark (E. blaxlandii) having a wide array of shrubs underneath, often at quite high densities. • Relatively sparse groundcover, with forbs, graminoids and bracken fern predominating. • Favours shallow to somewhat deeper sandy loam or earthy sand soils, usually near ridgecrests and on more gentle slopes. • Typically lacks silvertop ash (E. sieberi) and Blue Mountains ash (E. oreades).

‰ EXAMPLE LOCATIONS Newnes Plateau; Ben Bullen State Forest; Mount Airly – Genowlan

Location of mapping unit and sites in ALOC group 31 shown with study area.

The Vegetation of the Western Blue Mountains 91 ‰ CONDITION ASSESSMENT Disturbance Class Area (ha) Proportion Extant (%) A Low 660.79 22.49 B Medium 1563.94 53.06 C High 722.80 24.52 Total 2947 100

‰ THREATENED PLANT SPECIES

Definite: Acacia flocktoniae, Persoonia hindii Possible: Astrotricha crassifolia, Atkinsonia ligustrina, Derwentia blakelyi, Euphrasia bowdeniae, Leucopogon fletcheri , Persoonia hirsuta ‰ DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES Species Name Group Group Freq Non Group Non Group Freq Fidelity Score (%) Score (%) Class Acacia obtusifolia 3 69.57 2 11.58 positive Dianella brevipedunculata 1 4.35 0 0 positive Entolasia stricta 2 56.52 2 17.32 positive 4 100 3 8.46 positive Leucopogon lanceolatus 2 82.61 2 17.65 positive Lomatia silaifolia 2 65.22 2 14.04 positive Monotoca scoparia 2 52.17 2 27.09 positive Podolobium ilicifolium 2 52.17 2 17.73 positive Pteridium esculentum 3 95.65 2 31.36 positive Zieria fraseri subsp. compacta 1 4.35 0 0 positive Lomandra filiformis 2 26.09 2 35.88 negative Lomandra longifolia 1 73.91 2 39.08 negative Poa sieberiana 2 17.39 2 40.39 negative

92 The Vegetation of the Western Blue Mountains