Waterwheel Plant - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

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: Aldrovanda vesiculosa

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 17 Sep 2019

Description

Waterwheel Plant is a member of the sundew family. It is a water-plant that traps and digests aquatic insects. Its leaves face outwards from the stem and snap shut on small water animals that trigger the long, sensitive hairs surrounding each leaf. The plant floats below the water's surface, and can be seen caught on underwater vegetation. It has stems 5 - 20 cm long, with whorls of 5 - 9 reddish-coloured leaves. The small, white or pinkish flowers emerge from the water, but the fruit capsules are held underwater.

Distribution

The species is more commonly found in northern Australia and tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Known in NSW only from lagoons in the Moruya area on the south coast, from the Evans Head area on the north coast and from north of Guyra on the New England Tablelands.

Habitat and ecology

Found free-floating in near-coastal shallow freshwater lagoons that are rich in organic matter.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Destruction of wetland habitats for development.
Damage by grazing stock to habitat adjoining freshwater lagoons.
Pollution and increased turbitity of freshwater lagoons.
Illegal collection by enthusiasts of carnivorous plants.
Competition from aquatic weeds such as Salvinia (Salvinia molesta).
Damage caused by spraying aquatic weeds with herbicides.
The species is susceptible to extinction via stochastic processes due to its small known population size and restricted distribution..
Lack of knowledge of the species distribution and threats.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 8 priority actions to help recover the Waterwheel Plant in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Provide guidance to land managers on weed control in Aldrovanda habitat.
Protect freshwater lagoons from pollution and increased turbitity that may result from soil disturbance within the lagoon catchment.
Fence freshwater lagoons, if necessary, to exclude grazing and trampling by stock.
Provide stock watering points away from freshwater lagoons.
Protect freshwater habitats from clearing, draining and development.

Information sources

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
Harden, G.J. (2000) Aldrovanda. P 496 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

New England Tablelands	Glenn Innes-Guyra Basalts	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Predicted	Within 5 km of coast
South East Corner	Bateman	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	Within 5 km of coast

Images

Waterwheel Plant, John Briggs Image 1 of 7.
View slideshow.

Related information

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