Indicative distribution
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: Alexfloydia repens
Gazetted date:
13 Jul 2001
Profile last updated:
20 Aug 2018
Description
Floyd’s Grass is a spreading stoloniferous perennial that typically forms a dense groundcover (to about 50cm) beneath low-lying swamp sclerophyll forest. The solitary flower heads are small (3-4mm long) and arranged in a panicle. Flowering usually occurs during spring, although it has also been observed at other times of year. The leaves are linear, 1-2mm wide and shiny in appearance.
Distribution
Floyd's Grass occurs only on the NSW mid north coast from Coffs Harbour to Scotts Head. It is currently known from two disjunct areas: a northern population centred around Sawtell and a southern population along Warrell Creek. Most Floyd's Grass is found on floodplain alluvial deposits between 1m and 2m above the mean tide level, although there are two atypical headland occurences (at Coffs Harbour and Sawtell).
Habitat and ecology
- Floyd's Grass occurs predominantly in swamp sclerophyll forest where Swamp Oak Casuarina glauca and/or Broad-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca quinquenervia are usually the dominant canopy species. The plant favours the moderate to high sunlight levels in this habitat.
- Floyd’s Grass is the sole food plant for the caterpillar of the Endangered Black Grass-dart Butterfly Ocybadistes knightorum.
- High salinity levels are not tolerated by Floyd's Grass. The majority of its distribution is between 1m and 2m above the mean tide level, i.e. immediatley above the zone of king tide inundation.
- The most vigorous and extensive examples of Floyd's Grass are found on rich alluvial floodplain terraces. However, the grass will grow on a wide variety of substrates, e.g. it is found on two coastal headlands.
- The majority of Floyd's Grass is found in riparian zones within 5km of the coast. However, it reaches inland along Warrell Ck as far as Macksville (over 7km from the coast).
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Invasion by weeds, particularly Lantana (Lantana camara) and broad-leaved Paspalum (Paspalum mandiocanum).
- Sea-level rise due to climate change has the potential to inundate populations or create unsuitably saline conditions.
- Fire is the greatest threat for populations occurring on peat soils that can sustain a fire for an extended period.
- Stochastic risk of extinction due to the highly restricted distribution of key populations.
- Grazing by domestic stock.
- Loss of habitat due to disturbance
Recovery strategies
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 areas of habitat from regular burning.
- Avoid slashing potential habitat areas.
- Protect habitat from grazing and disturbance by fencing.
- Assist with weed control programs in habitat areas.
- Identify refugia from potential sea level rise.
- Report records of this species to the OEH.
- Surveys to determine additional distribution and population status of the species.
Information sources
- Andren, M. and Cameron, M.A. (2012) The distribution of the endangered Black Grass-dart Butterfly Ocybadistes knightorum (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). Australian Zoologist 36: 159–168
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Northern Rivers Regional Biodiversity Management Plan.
- Jacobs, S. and Hardin, D. () PlantNET - NSW Flora Online - Alexfloydia repens.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2001) Alexfloydia repens (a grass) - Endangered species determination - final.
- NSW Scientific Committee. (2001) Alexfloydia repensrepens (a grass) - endangered species listing.
- Sands, D.P.A. (1997) Alexfloydia repens Simon: a food plant for Ocybadistes knightorum Lambkin & Donaldson (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) and their conservation significance. Australian Entomologist 24: 117–118
- Simon, B.K. (1992) Studies in Australian grasses 6. Alexfloydia, Cliffordiochloa and Dallwatsonia, three new panicoid grass genera from Eastern Australia. Austrobaileya 3: 669-681
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IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|
| NSW North Coast | Coffs Coast and Escarpment |
Known
| Within 5 km of coast in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen LGAs |
| NSW North Coast | Macleay Hastings |
Known
| Lower Warrell Creek |