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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The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Euphorbia sarcostemmoides
Profile last updated:
18 Aug 2022
Description
Euphorbia sarcostemmoides plants in western NSW are described as erect, succulent, much-branched, grey-greenish shrubs with a milky sap, sometimes a climber to 3 or 4 m. It has small spoon shaped leaves, 3 - 4 mm long and 1.5 mm wide. It has a whorl of yellow to red leaves surrounding its flowers and black to red dry fruit, 5 - 6 mm in diameter.
Distribution
Euphorbia sarcostemmoides is currently distributed in the far north-western plains of NSW and also in south-western Queensland, southern Northern Territory and far northern Western Australia. There are only two known collections for NSW, both from Mutawintji in the far west.
Habitat and ecology
- Flowering time is unknown. The species is a succulent long-lived perennial.
- Occupies very particular relict habitats, a factor which limits its distribution. These habitat areas, consisting of very hard rocky hilltops on skeletal soils, are uncommon niches within the broader matrix of red sand dune complexes, a factor which may explain the disjunct range of distribution of the species.
- Propagation is easiest from seed which germinates readily when fresh, but transplanting of mature plants is also moderately successful. Cross-pollination of material for seed production has also been recommended. The seeds are too large for wind dispersal.
- Apparently highly toxic with sheep losses attributed to the plant.
- Seedlings of the species are subject to reduced growth or death if the stem or shoot is damaged.
- The original type specimen was collected from a localised but abundant population. The species tends to be locally common in other populations but is also noted as occurring infrequently.
- This species can be quite difficult to identify from a similar looking plant Caustic Vine (Cynanchum viminale ssp. austral) that also occurs in similar habitat. Main difference is Caustic Vine has hairy new growth and hairy flower stalks, whereas Euphorbia sarcostemmoides does not.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Clearing of habitat for agriculture or development.
- Grazing and disturbance by domestic stock and feral goats (rocky outcrop habitats are rare in western NSW and suffer the impacts of erosion and grazing disturbance by introduced animals).
- Fire.
- Risk of local extinction due to small, scattered populations.
- Insufficient understanding of distribution.
- Insufficient understanding of threats.
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
- Protect areas of known and potential habitat from clearing, logging or disturbance.
- Protect populations from damage by goats using appropriate fencing.
- Appropriate fire regimes (avoid frequent fires).
- Report any new records to Department Planning Industry & Environment.
Information sources
- BRI Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the Queensland Herbarium (Brisbane Botanic Gardens: Toowong).
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- CANB Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the Canberra Botanic Gardens and Australian National Botanic Gardens (CSIRO and Australian National Botanic Gardens: Canberra).
- Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. and Leigh, J.H. (1992) Plants of Western New South Wales. (Inkata Press, Sydney)
- Forster, P.I. (1987) Euphorbia sarcostemmoides J.H. Willis: a rare Australian endemic. Euphorbia 4: 123-130.
- Hassall, D.C. (1977) The genus Euphorbia L. in Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 25: 429-453.
- Hassall, D.C. (1982) Distribution and evolution of Euphorbia and Chamaesyce (Euphorbiaceae) in the arid zone of Australia. In Barker, W.R. and Greenslade, P.J.M. (eds) Evolution of the Flora and Fauna of Arid Australia (Peacock Publishing: Frewville, South Australia).
- James, T.A. and Harden, G.J. (1990) Euphorbia. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1 (New South Wales University Press: Sydney).
- Jessop, J.P. (1981) Flora of Central Australia. (Australian Systematic Botany Society, Sydney)
- NSW Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the National Herbarium of New South Wales (Royal Botanic Gardens: Sydney).
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Plants in Western New South Wales Information Review. Profiles A-G. NSW NPWS, Hurstville, NSW.
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2003) Threatened Species of the New England Tablelands and North West Slopes of NSW. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)
- 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
- Willis, J.H. (1975) Four new species of plants endemic in the MacDonnell and George Gill Ranges, Central Australia. Muelleria 3(2): 89-101.
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