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.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Dodonaea procumbens
Profile last updated:
28 Apr 2022
Description
The Creeping Hop-bush is a low spreading shrub that forms a ground-hugging mat up to 1 m across and 10 cm tall. Its leaves are wedge-shaped, glossy, dark green, to 2 cm long and 8 mm wide, with up to four teeth at the tips. The flowers are small and have yellow, orange, red or pink petals. Flowers appear in spring. The fruits are reddish, papery 'hops', forming in late spring and summer.
Distribution
Creeping Hop-bush is found in the dry areas of the Monaro, between Michelago and Dalgety. Here it occurs mostly in Natural Temperate Grassland or Snow Gum Eucalyptus pauciflora Woodland. There is one population at Lake Bathurst (the northern-most occurrence of the species). Here it occurs in adjacent to the lake bed in grassland dominated by Corkscrew Grass Austrostipa scabra and Curly Sedge Carex bichenoviana. Creeping Hop-bush also occurs in South Australia and Victoria.
Habitat and ecology
- Grows in Natural Temperate Grassland or fringing eucalypt woodland of Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora).
- Grows in open bare patches where there is little competition from other species.
- Found on sandy-clay soils, usually on or near vertically-tilted shale outcrops.
- Produces roots along the stems that enable the plants to recover from minor disturbances.
- Often occurs on roadside batters.
- Does not persist in heavily grazed pastures of the Monaro.
- Dispersed by the papery fruits.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss and degradation of habitat and/or populations from road works (particularly widening or re-routing).
- Loss and degradation of habitat and/or populations by clearing of habitat for residential and agricultural developments.
- Loss and degradation of habitat and/or populations by intensification of grazing regimes.
- Loss and degradation of habitat and/or populations by invasion of weeds.
- The area of the species occurrence is restricted and isolated.
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
9 priority actions
to help recover the Creeping Hop-bush in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect known populations from changes to land use.
- Do not undertake road works, pasture modification or other changes in land use that may affect populations.
- Do not increase grazing pressures on sites where populations persist - reduce grazing pressures where possible.
- Undertake weed control in and adjacent to populations, taking care to spray or dig out only target weeds.
- Mark sites and potential habitat onto maps (of the farm, shire, region, etc) used for planning (e.g. road works, residential and infrastructure developments, remnant protection, rehabilitation).
- Search for new populations in potential habitat.
Information sources
- Eddy, D. (2002) Managing Native Grassland: a guide to management for conservation, production and landscape protection. (World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Sydney)
- Eddy, D., Mallinson, D., Rehwinkel, R and Sharp. S. (1998) Grassland Flora: a field guide for the Southern Tablelands (NSW & ACT). (Environment ACT, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Natural Heritage Trust, Canberra)
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2002) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2, Revised Edition. UNSW, Sydney.
- Marriott, N. and J. (1998) Grassland Plants of South-Eastern Australia. Bloomings Books, Melbourne.
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|