Thismia rodwayi

​Habitat

• 'Habitat’ refers to both known habitat for the species (i.e. in or near habitat where the species has been recorded) and potential habitat (i.e. areas of habitat with appropriate characteristics for the species and within the species potential range which have not yet been adequately surveyed).
• If in doubt about whether a site represents potential habitat for this species, contact the Threatened Species Section for further advice.
• Fairy lanterns have been recorded from the following areas: Meander, Birralee, St Marys, Mt Arthur (northeast), Wielangta, Nugent, Tasman Peninsula, Forestier Peninsula, Mt Field, Styx valley, Hastings, Mt Wellington (Fern Tree/Lenah Valley/Summerleas), and the Southern Forests. The potential range is much wider than indicated by the currently known localised populations.
• Habitat for fairy lanterns include the following elements: damp to wet forests dominated by eucalypts, usually with a tall moderately dense canopy of eucalypts (stringybark E. obliqua and giant ash E. regnans), an understorey of tall broad-leaved shrubs; the species needs deep well-developed soils with a thick cover of leaf litter.

What to avoid

• Clearing and substantial modification of wet forest habitat

• This small saprophytic herb can be identified when flowering, in spring and early summer, or earlier from buds that appear as small red-orange globules just above the soil surface.
• In Tasmania, Thismia rodwayi occurs in the north and south of the State in wet eucalypt forest with an understorey dominated by Pomaderris apetala (dogwood) Olearia argophylla, (musk), Coprosma quadrifida (native currant), Bedfordia salicina (blanketleaf) or Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood). The species occurs on well-developed litter layers over moist friable loamy soils, usually with very low rock or pebble content. Decaying logs are often a feature of Thismia rodwayi sites.

• Learn to identify fairy lanterns so as to recognise the species if it occurs on your property. If in doubt about what it is, seek expert assistance with identification.
• If you live or work in the area where the species occurs (see distribution map, above), look out for and record any observations of the species. All records of this species can provide important information on distribution and abundance
• If you are interested in knowing for certain whether the species occurs on your land, organise a formal survey. You may need to employ an ecological consultant to do this. Your local Bushcare or Field Naturalist club may be able to assist you with a survey.
• Important! Always report any observations of the species to the DPIPWE Natural Values Atlas, or else provide the data direct to the Threatened Species Section. Records stored on the NVA are a permanent record and are accessible to other people interested in this species.
• Consider the needs of the whole habitat. Preserving a threatened species' habitat is the best way to manage both the species and the environment in which it lives.
• For long-term protection of localities on private land – consider protection of habitat through a vegetation management agreement or conservation covenant. See the DPIPWE Private Land Conservation Program for more details.
• See the 'What is Needed' section in the fairy lanterns Listing Statement for a full list of conservation management actions for this species.

• ​Clearing of wet eucalypt forests for establishment of plantation or development for agriculture are the main historical and ongoing threats to fairy lanterns.
• To protect known localities – retain a buffer of undisturbed native vegetation around known localities to maintain suitable moist microclimate conditions.
• To prevent loss of habitat – avoid clearing and/or substantial modification of the understorey of damp and wet forest habitat.