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: Eriocaulon australasicum
Gazetted date:
23 Jul 1999
Profile last updated:
13 Oct 2021
Description
Small tufted herb, with narrow leaves gradually tapering to a fine apex. Leaves 2-5 cm long, 1-1.5 mm wide, partially transparent. Flowerheads spherical, 3-4 mm diameter on ribbed leafless stalks. Heads have central male flowers and surrounding female flowers, all enclosed by layers of bracts. The fruit is a smooth 3-celled capsule, with 1 seed per cell.
Distribution
Known in NSW from widely separated populations: a very early “Murray River” collection and recent collections near Braidwood and in the Pilliga. The species is known from three sites in Victoria, one of which just extends into South Australia.
Habitat and ecology
- Known from very few collections, with the type habitat described as “wet places along the Murray towards junction of Murrumbidgee”. In populations near Braidwood and in the Pilliga, it grows in mud in ephemeral water bodies.
- Habitats in Victoria are generally aquatic with shallow water, including swamps and sedgelands.
- Flowers in summer.
- Recorded as uncommon in populations.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing (wetland and aquatic habitats vulnerable to drainage, localised cropping and grazing).
- Changed flooding patterns have affected regeneration.
- Grazing has been identified as a potential threat in Victoria.
- It has been speculated that disappearance along the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers was caused by salinisation.
- Potential for native wetland species encroaching and outcompeting for space and nutrients.
- Potential for disturbance to occur through wetland rehabilitation works, or extractive industries
- High risk of species going extinct due to small number of known populations
- Poor understanding of the species' full distribution and abundance.
- Potential for disturbance/damage to plants and substrate from 4WD activity
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
- If populations found, protect from grazing with the construction of appropriate fencing and instigate monitoring studies to gather information on the population size, threats and the response to management actions.
- Survey for new populations.
Information sources
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Conn, B.J. (1993) Eriocaulon. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 4. New South Wales University Press: Sydney.
- Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. and Leigh, J.H. (1992) Plants of Western New South Wales. (Inkata Press, Sydney)
- Department of Sustainability and Environment (2009) Action Statement - South Pipewort Eriocaulon australasicum. DSE, Melbourne.
- Evans, O.D. (1966) Flora of New South Wales. Eriocaulaceae. Contributions from the New South Wales National Herbarium. Flora Series 27-28.
- Koernicke, F.A. (1856) Eriocaulon australasicum (F. Muell.) Koern. Linnaea 27: 616.
- Moldenke, H.N. (1968) Additional notes on the Eriocaulaceae. XIV. Phytologia 17(5): 372-395.
- Mulham, W.E. and Jones, D.E. (1981) Vascular plants of the Riverine Plain of New South Wales - supplementary list. Telopea 2(2): 197-213.
- NSW Scientific Committee (1999) Eriocaulon australasicum (a herb) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- 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
- Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1994) Flora of Victoria. Volume 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|