Grevillea iaspicula



Grevillea iaspicula, commonly known as Wee Jasper grevillea, is an endangered species of shrub that is endemic to a restricted area of southern New South Wales.

Description
Grevillea iaspicula is a shrub that grows to a height of 1.2-2.5 m and has leaves that are between 20-30 mm long with have recurved margins. The branched, pendant inflorescences appear from late autumn to late spring. The perianths are green or cream coloured, flushed with light pink and the styles are pink or red. The fruit is a hairy follicle.

Taxonomy
Grevillea iaspicula was first formally described in 1986 by Donald McGillivray in his book, New Names in Grevillea (Proteaceae). The type specimen was found on private property in Wee Jasper in 1980. The specific epithet iaspicula is a Latinised form of Wee Jasper, the area where this species occurs.

Distribution
Grevillea iaspicula occurs in a restricted area in Wee Jasper and near Lake Burrinjuck among limestone-based rocky outcrops. Many populations are on private land.

Ecology
The species is believed to be pollinated by birds.

Conservation status
Grevillea iaspicula is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and under the New South Wales Government Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. It is also listed as Endangered under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. It is known only from a population of approximately 200 mature individuals, occurring within small, severely fragmented subpopulations in an estimated extent of occurrence of 67 km2. Threats include grazing, weeds, fire and drought. It is believed that survival of the species in the wild is unlikely without human intervention to artificially increase populations.

Use in horticulture
The species has only been brought in to cultivation in recent times and plants are not yet widely available beyond specialist nurseries. It exhibits a number of qualities which make it a suitable candidate for many gardens including adaptability to a range of soil types, responsiveness to pruning, and resistance to heavy frost. Plants may be propagated from cuttings.