Chapman’s Bell (Darwinia chapmaniana) is listed as Endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), and Vulnerable under the WA Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
Chapman’s Bell is a rounded, spreading shrub with many branches and a woody rootstock. This species grows 30–60cm high and up to 3m wide. Leaves are grey-green and hairy and grow to 7mm long. Flower heads are erect to nodding, and carry 10 small, red, tubular flowers. The species flowers in October, or from September to December.
Chapman’s Bell is known from a restricted area near Coorow, south-east of Geraldton. This species was previously known from one population south-east of Coorow, where it occurs in a Nature Reserve alongside a track. In 1992, this population consisted of more than 2000 undisturbed plants. New populations of Chapman’s Bell (D. chapmaniana; including three sub-populations) have since been discovered as part of surveys and monitoring programs undertaken within the Northern Agricultural region.
Chapman’s Bell grows around salt lakes in woodland or shrubland dominated by Mallee. Soils are red clayey loam, red sand over broken rock, or yellow soil in low flat areas of sandstone and limestone. Associated species include Yorrell (Eucalyptus gracilis), other mallee species (Eucalyptus spp.), Acacia spp., Broom Bush (Melaleuca uncinata), and Melaleuca spp.
The main potential threats to Chapman’s Bell include broad scale vegetation clearing, increasing fragmentation, loss of remnants, changed fire regimes, changed hydrology (including salinity), weed invasion, grazing, and dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi).
Information Source: Government of Australia, Department of Environment and Energy and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, and Florabase.
