Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p221
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 221/276)
Character Range: 811823–815099

TierraMar (2021) The Native Plant Communities of Norfolk Island. Invasive Species Council, Katoomba, NSW.
Mills K (2009b) The Vegetation of Phillip Island, Norfolk Island Group. Envirofund 2007/2008. Kevin Mills & Associates, Jamberoo, NSW.
Mills K (2012b) The Flora of Norfolk Island. Report 14. The Endangered Plants in the national park: Field Survey and Review. Kevin Mills & Associates, Jamberoo, NSW.
Mills K (2017d) Survey of public reserves on Norfolk Island for threatened plant species: 6. Anson Bay Reserve and Selwyn Reserve. Prepared for Norfolk Island Regional Council.
Sykes W & Atkinson I (1988) Rare and Endangered Plants of Norfolk Island. Unpublished report to the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Norfolk Island.
TSSC (Threatened Species Scientific Committee) (2003f) Commonwealth Listing Advice—Critically Endangered Meryta latifolia (Shade Tree).

Muehlenbeckia australis—shrubby creeper, pohuehue
Family POLYGONACEAE

Conservation significance
Restricted to Norfolk Island and New Zealand.
EPBC Act Listing Status: Endangered.

Description
Perennial, much-branched, scrambling creeper that grows to 4 m high.
There may be genetic differences between the Norfolk and the Phillip Island population.

Distribution and abundance
This species occurs from sea level to the summit of Mt Pitt and has been recorded from Mt Pitt, Mt Bates and Steels Point (Orchard 1994). It occurs mostly within the Mt Pitt section of the Norfolk Island National Park, but also occurs on Phillip Island on the cliffs east of Razorback (Mills 2009b).
There were 100 mature individuals of Muehlenbeckia australis recorded in 2003 (TSSC 2003c). In 2012, Mills found 31 plants (most of which were small) along seven transects within the national park. The plants mainly occurred on ridges on the higher mountains. More than half the plants observed (17) were seen along the edge of the Mount Pitt Road (Mills 2012b).
The distribution is shown in Map 49.

Ecology
Little known.

Habitat
Grows in native forests from sea level to the upper slopes of the mountains. Usually seen in light gaps or on the edges of forest.

Threats
Threats include weed invasion and difficulty in propagating from seed.

Impact on other species
None known.
Map 49 Distribution of Muehlenbeckia australis
Green outlines indicate reserves within which the species occurs.

Risk assessment
Risk assessment undertaken for Endangered vines/climbers as a grouping. The risk assessment is shown in Table 115.
Table 115 Risk assessment for Endangered vines/climbers as a grouping
Risk                                                                                                               Likelihood of exposure    Consequence  Threat rating
1. Loss and fragmentation of native vegetation through past land clearing                                          Almost certain (91–100%)  Extreme      Extreme
2. Loss and fragmentation of native vegetation through current or future land clearing                             Rare (0–10%)              Negligible   Negligible
3. Degradation of native vegetation through past grazing or loss of nutrients                                      Almost certain (91–100%)  Extreme      Extreme
4. Degradation of native vegetation through current or future