Aponogeton queenslandicus - 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: Aponogeton queenslandicus

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 17 Nov 2000

Profile last updated: 01 Nov 2022

Description

A perennial, tuberous-rooted aquatic plant, with submerged and floating leaves. The tubers are 1 - 5 cm long and are covered with flattened, bristly hairs. The floating leaves are rounded or oval, 2.8 - 14 cm long, 0.6-4.3 cm wide, mostly heart shaped and notched at the base, light to mid-green and on stalks to 66 cm long. The single usually tightly-flowered flower-head is yellow and is sheathed by a large bract (modified leaf) to 1.5 cm long; it is either emergent or floating. The fruits are 2.5 - 4.5 mm long, each with a terminal, often curved, beak. There are four to 13 seeds per fruit.

Distribution

Recorded in NSW from only one site in Nocoleche Nature Reserve on the edge of the Paroo River floodplain. Widely distributed in Queensland west of the Great Divide and into the Northern Territory.

Habitat and ecology

Grows in freshwater ephemeral habitats in drier regions, particularly gilgais in Brigalow scrub, melon-holes, ponds and roadside ditches.
Recorded in water from a claypan on a floodplain edge fringed by Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens), Yapunyah (E. ochrophloia) and River Coolabah (E. coolabah), with Lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta); plants were growing in sheltered areas under Lignum or low branches of Yapunyah, in grey clay soil in 5 - 10 cm of water.
Across its range, the habitat comprises temporary fresh waters 30 - 60 cm deep, in sunny positions on clay bottoms; absent from permanent or deeper waters.
Flowers and fruits in response to water levels and temperature, but more commonly during the warmer months.
Seeds have a distinct double seed-coat (testa), with the outer layer tightly adhering to the inner coat (a diagnostic feature of the species); inflorescences are erect when young, spreading horizontally with age; fruiting spikes are fragile at maturity, with clusters of fruits breaking off together.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Mulga Lands

Threats

Habitat clearing (drainage, irrigation, dredging and cropping).
Altered hydrological regime (including changes in flood size, frequency, and duration) caused by earthworks and roadworks along the Paroo River and impact of changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change.
Increased salinity levels (caused by clearing and irrigation of the floodplain).
Localised extinction (susceptible to catastrophic events due to the small population size and extent).
Weed invasion, including noogoora burr and potentially mesquite.
Overgrazing, trampling, and increasing nutrient load by domestic livestock causing habitat degradation.
Lack of knowledge of the distribution and condition of the species.
Limited knowledge of the species ecology (e.g., reproductive system) and relevant threats.
Feral pigs trampling and rooting at the site.
Browsing and damage from feral goats.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Protect from stock grazing.
Control weeds in habitat areas.
Prevent further degradation of freshwater habitats.
Monitor freshwater habitats (particularly flooding patterns).
Prevent further loss of extant populations.
Survey for new populations.

Information sources

Aston, H.I. (1977) Aquatic Plants of Australia. (Melbourne University Press, Melbourne)
Bentham, G. (1863) Flora Australiensis. Volume 2 (1864). (Reeve, London)
Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Bruggen, H.W.E. van (1969) Revision of the genus Aponogeton (Aponogetonaceae): III. The species of Australia. Blumea 17: 121-137
Hellquist, C.B. and Jacobs, S.W.L (1998) Aponogetonaceae of Australia, with descriptions of six new taxa. Telopea 8(1): 7-19
Jacobs, S.W.L. (1993) Aponogetonaceae. P. 11 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 4 (New South Wales University Press, Sydney).
NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Aponogeton queenslandicus (an aquatic plant) - Endangered species determination - final.
Porteners, M. and Robertson, G. (2003) Threatened Plants in Western New South Wales: Information Review. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
Pressey, R.L., Cohn, J.S. and Porter, J.L. (1990) Vascular plants with restricted distributions in the Western Division of New South Wales. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 112: 213-227