Our survey of Lot 373 Hickory Road at Cow Bay identified 210 native plant species. This included four species listed as Threatened and our first time finding the Fragrant Boxwood. 

Lot 373 Hickory Road in the Daintree Rainforest

Before making a commitment to purchase a Daintree Rainforest property for conservation we undertake an assessment of the values of the property. A vegetation survey was undertaken of Lot 373 Hickory Road, Cow Bay on the 4th of February 2022 by ecologist Kristopher Kupsch and this identified 210 native species of plants. This included 4 species listed as Threatened and 5 regionally endemic species. 

The vegetation on Lot 373 Hickory Road is lowland tropical rainforest possessing Mesophyll Vine Forest. The site is mapped as containing Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a: Mesophyll vine forest. Moderately to poorly-drained alluvial plains, of moderate fertility. Lowlands of the very wet and wet zone. Not a Wetland.

This vegetation type is listed as “Of Concern” under the Vegetation Management Act 1999. The Queensland government indicates a pre-clearing amount of 60,000 ha existed with 14,000 ha remaining in 2019.

The Queensland government specifically states that this vegetation type has “Special Values” being:

“Small areas on the very wet lowlands, especially between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation, harbour plant species which are extremely restricted and uncommon. Many areas of this ecosystem are considered refugial in nature and are local centres of endemism. Many representatives of primitive families of flowering plants are present, including the monotypic family Idiospermaceae. The ecosystem is the habitat for many threatened plant species.”

Please, make your tax-deductible donation now to help purchase and protect Lot 373 Hickory Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Each $2.50 you donate will purchase and protect one sqm of the Lowland Daintree Rainforest. Please, donate now. 

Mesophyll vine forest on Lot 373 Hickory Road

Four species found on Lot 373 are listed on the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992.

     1, Beilschmiedia castrisinensis NCA: Near Threatened

China Camp Laurel (Beilschmiedia castrisinensis) was identified on Lot 373 as young seedlings. Undoubtedly larger mature specimens occur in the vicinity. This species is restricted to the lowlands of the Daintree rainforests.  

New leaves on China Camp Laurel

     2, Endiandra grayi NCA: Vulnerable

Gray’s Walnut (Endiandra grayi) was identified as a young sapling on Lot 373. This large tree is restricted to the Daintree lowlands however we have found this species on numerous properties between Cape Tribulation and Cow Bay albeit mostly young trees.

Inspecting the leaves of Grey's Walnut

 3, Endiandra microneura NCA: Near Threatened

Noah’s Walnut (Endiandra microneura) was found on Lot 373 as large canopy trees, sub adults and abundant seedlings.  Its large yellow oblong shaped fruits are dispersed by the Southern Cassowary. This species is only found naturally within the Daintree rainforests predominately north of the Daintree River and south of Cape Tribulation.

Fruits of Noah's Walnut

     4, Xanthophyllum fragrans NCA: Near Threatened

Fragrant Boxwood (Xanthophyllum fragrans) was identified on Lot 373 as one mature-sized specimen.

This is the first record of this Near Threatened species on any surveyed blocks thus far. The specimen is approximately 10m tall and mature. It produces fragrant showy white flowers and large orange fruits.

Flowers of the Fragrant Boxwood (Xanthophyllum fragrans). Flickr_Xylopia

Please, make your tax-deductible donation now to help purchase and protect Lot 373 Hickory Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Each $2.50 you donate will purchase and protect one sqm of the Lowland Daintree Rainforest. Please, donate now. 

Other significant Daintree endemic plants which occur on Lot 373:

     1, Cleistanthus myrianthus

This species was identified as large mature specimens on Lot 373. It displays pink new leaves and is more common adjacent to streams. No streams occur on Lot 373.

The Daintree Cleistanthus is a small tree only found between the Bloomfield and Daintree rivers in lowland rainforest and again overseas in Southeast Asia.

Kelvin Davies with Daintree Cleistanthus

     2, Jagera madida

A small number of Daintree Foambark’s are present on Lot 373.

This species only occurs in the lowland rainforests between Julatten – Bloomfield.

     3, Polyalthia xanthocarpa

The Cooper Creek Haplostichanthus (Polyalthia xanthocarpa) is common on Lot 373. It is an understorey tree less than 3m tall and often 1m with small yellow fruit in clusters from the trunk and branches. It is restricted to the lowland rainforests of the Daintree.

Kelvin Davies with Cooper Creek Haplostichanthus

     4, Pseuduvaria froggattii

This small tree restricted mostly to the Daintree lowland rainforests was identified as a single individual on Lot 373.   

     5, Syzygium monospermum

Often locally common, just one mature tree of the Daintree Satinash (Syzygium monospermum) with a small number of seedlings was identified from Lot 373.

Daintree Satinash (Syzygium monospermum)

Other values of Lot 373:

Evidence of the Endangered Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) was observed in the form of scats. The Regional Ecosystem RE 7.3.10 Complex mesophyll vine forest on very wet well drained fertile lowland alluvial soils is categorised as Essential habitat. Many species of plants identified on Lot 373 produce food for the Cassowary. The Orange-footed Scrub Fowl (Megapodius reinwardt) was identified on Lot 373.

Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii)

The Orange-footed Scrub Fowl (Megapodius reinwardt)

Of note from Lot 373 were 14 species of native Laurels including 3 species of conservation significance, 10 species in both the Rubiaceae and Apocynaceae plant families, 9 in Meliaceae, 8 in Sapindaceae, and both 7 species of Ficus and Palms.

The property is entirely undeveloped however some clearing or disturbance has taken place decades ago in the form of a central envelope now colonised by Rattans and associated pioneer species. It appears some garden plants were established.

Please, make your tax-deductible donation now to help purchase and protect Lot 373 Hickory Road in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Each $2.50 you donate will purchase and protect one sqm of the Lowland Daintree Rainforest. Please, donate now. 

Weeds:

Lot 373 has a number of weeds. Spanish Shawl (Dissotis rotundifolia) is most prolific. This is a ground cover species with a flower resembling a Tibouchina or Melastoma. It should be hand weeded and bagged for removal.

An occurrence of Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) reflects the close proximity to cultivated trees on a neighbouring Lot. Heliconia rostrata plants are likely residual from planted specimens.

During the survey, 7 exotic plant species were identified.

Recommendations:

1. Monitor for the continued presence of Cassowaries and other significant faunal species.
2. Exotic plant species should be controlled and eradicated where feasible using industry-approved techniques with as little herbicide as possible. Prior to works, all personnel should be trained as to the species of significance on the Lot, what to avoid and what to target and how.