Missionary Nutgrass - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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: Cyperus semifertilis

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Gazetted date: 13 Jul 2001

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

A tall slender perennial sedge with a horizontally creeping underground stem. The three-sided stems are 30 – 55 cm tall and about 1 mm thick. The flat or rounded leaves are longer than the stem and between 1.5 – 4 mm wide. The flower spikes have 1 – 6 spreading spikelets 0.6 – 1.4 cm long. The three-sided nuts are brown.

Distribution

Occurs in the NSW north coast and south-east Queensland. Currently known from only one site in NSW, in the Mullumbimby area, with an estimated population of about 50 plants. In Queensland it it know from the Mount Glorious, Mount Tamborine and Springbrook areas.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in open forest dominated by White Mahogany (Eucalyptus acmenoides) and wet sclerophyll forest with Sydney Blue Gum ((Eucalyptus saligna)) and Brush Box ((Lophostemon confertus)) .

Regional distribution and habitat

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

South Eastern Queensland

Threats

Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for agricultrual purposes.
Degradation of habitat by grazing stock.
Risk of local extirpation because populations are small.
Competition from introduced weeds (particularly lantana, camphor laurel, mistflower and crofton weed).
Risk of local extirpation because the distribution is restricted to a small area.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.
Rural and residential development leading to clearing and habitat disturbance.
Natural landslip and erosion degrading the stability of the site.
Insufficient understanding of species response to fire.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 4 priority actions to help recover the Missionary Nutgrass in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Protect known populations from grazing of stock in habitat areas.
Protect areas of potential habitat from clearing, fragmentation and degradation.
Notify the OEH of any new records of Missionary Nutgrass.
Ensure viable ex-situ seedbank is maintained.
Undertake surveys to identify unrecorded populations.
Undertake weed control works at known sites.
Ensure chemicals or other mechanisms used to eradicate weeds do not have a significant adverse impact on the species.
Monitor know populations to identify threats.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
NSW Scientific Committee (2001) Cyperus semifertilis (a sedge) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	None

Images

Seedhead and foliage, Missionary Nutgrass
Enlarge image

Related information

Get involved

Report a sighting

Nature conservation

Threatened species