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: Erodiophyllum elderi
Profile last updated:
05 Oct 2023
Description
Rough-hairy perennial forb with stout erect stems. Leaves 4-10 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, deeply lobed and broad-toothed, bright green, hairy. Flowerheads with purple "petals" and a yellow centre, 5-7 cm diameter, on thick hairy stems 5-14 cm long. The tubular female florets have tiny hairy petals concealed by scales, which become horny with rigid spreading points in fruit. The fruiting heads are egg-shaped and woody, seeds about 3 mm long.
Distribution
Occurs south from the Broken Hill district, at localities including Mazar Station south of Broken Hill and just east of the South Australian border. Also distributed throughout southern SA (including Koonamore Station, approx. 400 km NNE of Adelaide, from where the species gets its common name) and Western Australia.
Habitat and ecology
- Grows in flat open areas on sandy calcareous soils. In central Australia, it grows mainly on alluvial floodplains. Commonly recorded from Mulga shrubland with chenopods in SA and WA. Soils include red sand, brown clay, texture-contrast soil on a scalded floodplain, and red loam to sandy loam with quartz.
- Interstate habitats include stony plains, shallow creeklines over limestone, arid floodplains, and shallow depressions formerly filled with water.
- Associated vegetation includes Acacia aneura shrubland with A. burkittii and Dissocarpus paradoxus.
- Flowering from spring to early summer, the species is a hardy perennial forb which germinates or re-shoots from the base in autumn and makes new growth through the winter-spring period.
- Generally not abundant but often forms dense stands in favourable habitats, making a colourful display when in flower. Plants have been recorded as uncommon, scattered and very localised in populations.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Grazing (the green leaves and stems are rarely grazed by stock unless other forage is scarce, but the dead material is more palatable).
- Rabbits (may impact on the sandy calcareous soils in open and slightly depressed habitat areas).
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
- Control rabbit populations.
- Fencing to reduce grazing impacts (rabbits and domestic stock).
- Monitoring the impacts of grazing on populations, particularly in times drought.
- Survey for new populations.
Information sources
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. and Leigh, J.H. (1992) Plants of Western New South Wales. (Inkata Press, Sydney)
- Jessop, J.P. (1981) Flora of Central Australia. (Australian Systematic Botany Society, Sydney)
- Jessop, J.P. and Toelken, H.R. (eds.) (1986) Flora of South Australia. Part lll. (South Australian Government Printing Division, Adelaide)
- Mueller, F.J.H. von (1875) Erodiophyllum elderi F. Muell. Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 9: 120.
- Porteners, M.F. (1992) Erodiophyllum. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 3 (New South Wales University Press: 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
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