Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287:reg:3:p181
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2025L00287
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 3 (pt 181/276)
Character Range: 671426–674361

(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 Unpublished report to the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Norfolk Island.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) (2003d) Commonwealth Listing Advice—Critically Endangered Achyranthes arborescens (Chaff Tree, Soft-wood).

Achyranthes margaretarum—Phillip Island chaffy tree
Family AMARANTHACEAE

Conservation significance
Endemic to Phillip Island.
EPBC Act Listing Status: Critically Endangered.

Description
A compact shrub to 2–3 m high with maroon flowers.

Distribution and abundance
A single 2 m tall Achyranthes margaretarum specimen was discovered on Phillip Island in the late 1980s following the removal of rabbits. Although this specimen died in the early 1990s it left numerous seedlings, of which ten or so survived to maturity (de Lange & Murray 2001). By March 1999 the wild population stood at 10 adult specimens together with numerous saplings and seedlings. These wild occurrences were further supplemented by the successful translocation of 10 additional seedlings to other parts of the island (de Lange & Murray 2001).
Mills (2009b) noted that plants were naturally regenerating on Phillip Island, but the population was quite small; 22 plants were found, ranging in size from seedlings to shrubs, seven of which were over one metre tall. It is now found in the upper section of Long Valley at Owen's Camp on Phillip Island (Mills 2009b; M Wilson 2024. pers comm 12 January). Counts in 2021 showed a decline in the population to 14.
A. margaretarum has been established back on Norfolk Island in revegetation plantings within the national park.
The distribution is shown in Map 25.

Ecology
Reaches sexual maturity within two years from seed germination (de Lange & Murray 2001).

Habitat
Found growing at 180 m above sea level, in association with Norfolk Island flax (Phormium tenax), under a dense canopy of white oak (Lagunaria patersonia). The plants show a preference for canopy gaps where flax growth is less dense (de Lange & Murray 2001).

Threats
Prior to feral animal eradication on Phillip Island, A. margaretarum was threatened by grazing from pigs, goats and rabbits. The loss of vegetation and high levels of erosion from that grazing now reduces the ability of the species to recolonise the island. The weed species bleeding heart (Homolanthus populifolius) and wild tobacco (Solanum mauritianum) compete with A. margaretarum and may threaten its establishment in high-light areas. The species is also threatened by small population size, which can lead to low genetic diversity and an increased risk of extinction through natural events such as cyclones, slips and drought. Phytophthora cinnamomi is potentially a major risk.
Map 25