The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
( click here
to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Doryanthes palmeri
06 Dec 2002
Profile last updated:
07 Sep 2012
Giant Spear Lily is a large, succulent herb which grows as a rosette. It's hairless leaves are sword–shaped, and up to 3 m long and 20 cm wide. The flowering stalk is up to 5 m high, and bears numerous much shorter leaves to 30 cm long. The flower head contains up to 350 flowers, and is up to 120 cm long. The flowers are red or reddish–brown, 6–12 cm long, and upright to slightly spreading. The fruit is egg-shaped and 7 – 9 cm long, and contains seeds that are 15–22 mm long. Flowers occur in late winter to spring.
Giant Spear Lily occurs in far north-east NSW and south-east Queensland. In NSW, it occurs on the coastal ranges that are part of the Mt Warning Caldera. Its southern distributional limit is Mount Billen. The species is currently known from eleven sites within NSW, five of which are conservation reserves. Most populations consist of only a few hundred individuals.
Habitat and ecology
- Giant Spear Lily occurs on exposed rocky outcrops on infertile soils or on bare rock.
- It grows in a narrow band of vegetation along the cliff-tops and on steep cliff-faces or rocky ledges in montane heath next to subtropical rainforest, warm temperate rainforest or wet eucalypt forest.
Regional distribution and habitat
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- Weed invasion, particularly by Crofton Weed, Mistflower and Lantana.
- Frequent fire.
- Illegal seed harvesting.
A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here
for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here
Activities to assist this species
- Protect rocky ledges from erosion by staying on walking tracks.
- Discourage illegal seed collection by purchasing Giant Spear Lily only from licensed sources.
- Ensure that the risk of fires spreading into potential habitat is minimised.
- Assist with weed control programs in areas of habitat.
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Doryanthes palmeri (giant rosette plant) - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Perry, D.A. (2001) The distribution, relative abundance and conservation status of Doryanthes palmeri (Doryanthaceae) in New South Wales. Cunninghamia 7(2): 183-193.
Known or predicted
Geographic restrictions region