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: Calotis moorei
Profile last updated:
18 Aug 2022
Description
An erect perennial herb to 45 cm tall. There are no basal leaves (rosette). The stem leaves are usually spoon-shaped, hairy, to 7 cm long, 2 - 14 mm wide, and with coarsely toothed or lobed margins. The leaves are stemless, with the upper leaves narrower and often entire. The flower-heads are 6 - 9 mm in diameter, and borne singly at the ends of the flower-stems. The heads have yellow rays ("petals"), 4.5 - 5.8 mm long. The seeds ("achenes") are 1.3 - 2.2 mm long, warty, hairless and wingless, and are topped with three to eight barbed bristles.
Distribution
The species is confined to NSW and is known from only four populations in NSW, the type locality north-west of Louth near the homestead of Mt Mulyan sheep station, west of Wilcannia, around the Menindee area and an old record at Zara Station near Deniliquin.
Habitat and ecology
- The species grows in sandy soil on flats, low dunes and small hills and appears to be associated with Acacia woodlands and chenopod shrublands.
- At Mt Mulyah, Calotis moorei grows in an area cleared of original Acacia cambagei woodland and subsequently invaded by Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima which repressed the growth of herbaceous species.
- Apparently a perennial that flowers in the first year of growth; no plants have been observed to survive for more than two years at the Mt Mulyah site; flowering is recorded for September and fruit have been collected in October.
- No regeneration of this species has been seen at Mt Mulyah since 1984.
- Calotis moorei can often be found with other Calotis species such as C. cymbacantha and C. erinacea and are very similar morphologically. The main identifying feature is the number of awns on the fruit with C. moorei having greater than four.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing of habitat.
- Localised extinction; susceptible to catastrophic events due to the small population size and extent.
- Overgrazing by feral goats
- Inappropriate grazing by stock and overgrazing by native and introduced herbivores
- Relatively little is known about this species. Easily mistaken for other more common Calotis in flora surveys.
- Insufficient understanding of the species ecological requirements.
- Insufficient understanding of threats.
- Requires genetic testing to confirm whether C. moorei is a hybrid or a separate species before further conservation management can be applied.
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
- Prevent further clearing of potential habitat.
- Instigate monitoring studies within known populations.
- Conduct experimental studies on the effects of grazing disturbance.
- Survey existing populations to determine numbers and area of occurpancy. Undertake targeted searches for new populations.
- Manage total grazing pressure so that plant population at the site can flower and set seed.
- If new populations are found undertake threat assessment and determine recovery strategies.
Information sources
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (2009) Calotis moorei Approved Recovery Plan. (DECCW NSW, Sydney)
- Everett, J. (1992) Calotis. Pp. 169-174 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 3 (New South Wales University Press, Kensington).
- 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
- Short, P.S. (1991) A new species of Calotis R.Br. (Asteraceae: Astereae) from New South Wales. Muelleria 7(3): 405-410
- Stafford, M.J. and Eldridge, D.J. (2000) Vegetation, soils and management of ‘Zara’: a sandhill remnant on the Riverine Plain. Cunninghamia 6(3): 717-746
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