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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Atriplex sturtii
Profile last updated:
01 Nov 2022
Description
This spreading saltbush is an annual or short-lived perennial to 15cm high with slender branches, thin, scaly leaves and separate male and female flowers. Male flowers are in distal axils (area between leaf and stem) and female flowers are numerous in scattered clusters. Diamond-shaped leaves are up to 15 mm long. Fruiting bracteoles (leaf-like structures around fruit) are cylindrical, 2-4mm long with no appendages. Fruiting bracteoles become narrowly cylindrical when mature, with two distinct portions: a firm, spongy and straw-coloured stalk, and an upper flattened tube, green to straw-coloured, thin-walled and striped. Atriplex sturtii closely resembles another species; Atriplex leptocarpa and leaf shape and the morphology of the fruiting bracteoles are important when distinguishing the two. In the former the basal portion of the fruiting bracteole is eventually spongy and the tube thin-walled, while in Atriplex leptocarpa the basal portion is hard and the tube woody.
Distribution
Grows around the “Corner Country” in the far north-western plains of NSW. The species was originally known only from the area where NSW, Queensland and South Australia adjoin, however specimens have now been recorded from within NSW, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory. Localities in NSW include Tibooburra, Yantara and Cobham Lakes south-east of Milparinka and along the eastern side of Caryapundy Swamp on the Bulloo River Overflow near the Qld border. Interstate localities are Coongie Lake, Coopers Creek and Murta Well in South Australia, the Mulligan Range and Eyre’s Creek in Queensland, and Rainbow Valley in the Northern Territory.
Habitat and ecology
- Associated species include Eragrostis australasica, Muehlenbeckia species and Atriplex lobativalvis in a recently wet claypan. With Tecticornis verrucosa, Eragrostis dielsii and Frankenia species on claypans and margins at Rainbow Valley in the Northern Territory. Atriplex sturtii has also been recorded growing on a wombat hole, on an isolated gilgai in flat, open chenopod gibber plain, and with taller shrubs including Acacia oswaldii.
- Recorded in populations as occasional and not common to very abundant.
- Flowers appear from December to April.
- Occupies a range of habitats, from level ground amongst granite tors, to the margins of recently wet claypans, but is said to be found principally in white sand. The species may be seasonally dependent on rainfall events in these dry habitat areas.
- May be moderately disturbance tolerant as very large populations have been recorded in roadside table-drains on deep red-brown sands after above-average rainfall in spring / early summer. These table-drains are graded during road repairs.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Habitat clearing and modification.
- Pugging and trampling (by stock in the claypan habitat areas).
- Grazing (stock, rabbits, native herbivores).
- Competition from weeds after rainfall events.
- Lack of knowledge of key life-cycle requirements.
- Lack of knowing actual population size
- Lack of knowledge of threats.
- Localised extinction; susceptible to catastrophic events due to the small population size and extent.
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 domestic stock.
- Protect from all herbivores.
- Conduct weed control in habitat areas.
- Prevent further loss of extant populations.
- Report any new records to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
Information sources
- Anderson, R.H. (1930) Notes on the Australian species of the genus Atriplex. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 55(5): 493-505
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Jacobs, S.W.L. (1983) A new combination and a new species of Australian Atriplex (Chenopodiaceae). Telopea 2(4): 453-4
- Jacobs, S.W.L. (2000) Atriplex. Pp. 208-16 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1. Revised Edition. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
- Jessop, J.P. and Toelken, H.R. (eds.) (1986) Flora of South Australia. Part ll. (South Australian Government Printing Division, Adelaide)
- 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
- Wilson, P.G. (1984) Chenopodiaceae. In George, A.S. (ed.) Flora of Australia vol. 4. (Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra)
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