Pimelea bracteata (A Rice Flower)

In 2013, many woody species were observed to be in poor health in Kosciuszko National Park including Pimelea bracteata which was showing signs of foliage dieback (McDougall et al. 2018). The total abundance of P. bracteata prior to the dieback was estimated to be between 7,500 and 15,000 mature individuals. Since that time there has been a severe decline in the abundance of P. bracteata based on observations at sites throughout its range (K. McDougall and G. Wright in litt. August 2017). From 12 sites (out of approximately 21 known sites), estimates from 2013 to either 2016 or 2019 suggest a decline in the order of 44-77% over this time. The current estimated number of mature individuals is likely to be between 2,500 and 7,000. Based on this observed decline since 2013, and assuming a constant decline rate, the projected decline over a three-generation time period (including the past and the future) is estimated to be 99-100%.