Rodd's Star Hair - 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: Astrotricha roddii

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 20 Nov 2018

Description

Rodd’s Star Hair is an upright, sparsely-branched shrub 1 - 3 m tall. The shiny, narrow leaves are 11 - 18 cm long and 1 - 2.5 cm wide with long pointed tips and hairy underside. The stems are covered with dense woolly hairs. The dull purplish flowers grow on stems up to 40 cm long, and appear during October-February. Rod’s Star Hair is thought to be only short-lived, with a life-span of possibly less than 10 years.

Distribution

Occurs in NSW in the Ashford area north of Inverell, including Kwiambal and Kings Plains National Parks, Severn River Nature Reserve and Severn River State Forest, and has also been recorded at one site in southern Queensland.

Habitat and ecology

Rodd’s Star Hair usually grows in low dry woodland and shrublands on granite and acid volcanic outcrops, often in rock crevices.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Risk of local extinction because populations small.
Grazing and habitat disturbance by feral goats.
Accidental damage to plants by park visitors.
Frequent fire.
Land management practices in the habitat for this species is not apporpriate for conservation
Increasing length and severity of drought causing increasing stress and potentially impacting growth, survival, reproduction and resistance to pest and disease.
Increasing mother-of-millions in some locations.

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

Stay on established walking tracks when visiting National Parks and other reserves to avoid damage to vegetation.
Assist with the control of feral goats in habitat areas.
Protect areas of habitat from frequent fire.
Protect known populations and areas of potential habitat from clearing or disturbance.
Protect areas of known and potential habitat from timber harvesting.
Report any new records of Rodd’s Star Hair to the OEH.

Information sources

Clarke, P.J., Knox, K.J.E., Campbell, M.L. and Copeland, L.M. (2009) Post-fire recovery of woody plants in the New England Tableland Bioregion. Cunninghamia 11(2): 221–239
Henwood, M.J. and Makinson, R.O. (1992) Astrotricha. Pp. 80-4 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 3. (University of New South Wales Press, Kensington)
Hunter, J.T. (2002) A preliminary overview of what is reserved in the Inverell and Yallaroi Shires, North Western Slopes, NSW. Cunninghamia 7(4): 671–681
Hunter, J.T. and Clarke, P.J. (1998) The vegetation of granitic outcrop communities on the New England Batholith of eastern Australia. Cunninghamia 5(3): 547-618
Hunter, J.T., Kingston, J. and Croft, P. (1999) Vegetation and floristics of Kwiambal National Park and surrounds, Ashford, New South Wales Cunninghamia 6(2): 351–378
Makinson, R.O. (1991) Two new species of Astrotricha (Araliaceae) from New South Wales. Telopea 4(2): 313-319
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Beardy River Hills	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Severn River Volcanics	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None