SPECIES: Beyeria subtecta — Kangaroo Island Turpentine Bush
CLASSIFICATION: Vulnerable
The Kangaroo Island Turpentine Bush is a rare shrub, found only on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. This slow-growing species reaches about one metre tall and is recognised by its narrow, dark-green leaves and small yellow-green flowers that bloom in spring. It belongs to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) and gets its name from the turpentine-like scent of its leaves when crushed.
With fewer than 500 mature plants remaining, the Kangaroo Island Turpentine Bush faces multiple threats: habitat loss – land clearing has significantly reduced its range, grazing pressure – feral animals, such as deer and goats, as well as native herbivores, feed on young plants, invasive species – weeds outcompete seedlings, limiting natural regeneration and fire – as a fire-sensitive species, it struggles to recover after intense bushfires.
Photo: South Australian Seed Conservation Centre