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: Lepidium monoplocoides
Profile last updated:
03 Jan 2019
Description
Erect annual herb or perennial forb, 15-20 cm high, with angular and striped stems roughened with small warts. Leaves narrow and linear, mostly 2-7 cm long. Flowers small, borne in elongated clusters, the petals minute or absent. Fruit a 2-celled, flattened circular pod on a spreading stalk, 5 mm long and about 4 mm wide, with pointed wings extending to a narrow notch at the tip.
Distribution
Widespread in the semi-arid western plains regions of NSW. Collected from widely scattered localities, with large numbers of historical records but few recent collections. There is a single collection from Broken Hill and only two collections since 1915, the most recent being 1950. Also previously recorded from Bourke, Cobar, Urana, Lake Cargelligo, Balranald, Wanganella and Deniliquin. Recorded more recently from the Hay Plain, south-eastern Riverina, and from near Pooncarie.
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs on seasonally moist to waterlogged sites, on heavy fertile soils, with a mean annual rainfall of around 300-500 mm. Predominant vegetation is usually an open woodland dominated by Allocasuarina luehmannii (Bulloak) and/or eucalypts, particularly Eucalyptus largiflorens (Black Box) or Eucalyptus populnea (Poplar Box). The field layer of the surrounding woodland is dominated by tussock grasses.
- Recorded in a wetland-grassland community comprising Eragrostis australasicus, Agrostis avenacea, Austrodanthonia duttoniana, Homopholis proluta, Myriophyllum crispatum, Utricularia dichotoma and Pycnosorus globosus, on waterlogged grey-brown clay. Also recorded from a Maireana pyramidata shrubland.
- Flowers from late winter to spring, or August to October.
- The species is highly dependent on seasonal conditions. Occurs in periodically flooded and waterlogged habitats and does not tolerate grazing disturbance.
- The number of plants at each site varies greatly with seasonal conditions, but sites tend to be small in area with local concentrations of the plant. Has been recorded as uncommon to locally common with hundreds of plants at sites.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Agricultural development (most of the former range of the species has been extensively used for agriculture, cropping and improved pasture).
- Habitat removal (small depressions that were former principal habitat eliminated by ploughing).
- Grazing (the species is highly palatable to rabbits and kangaroos).
- Disturbances associated with a Navy-owned communications tower, service roads and fire-breaks.
- Pugging and trampling by stock.
- Recreational 4WD vehicles churn up solid surface and significantly disturb habitat structure.
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
- Fence all sites to exclude grazing by domestic stock, rabbits and kangaroos, especially in those places where kangaroo numbers are high.
- The Morundah site in the southern Riverina has been recommended for conservation as a Nature Reserve; desirable that the Navy tower be moved to another location.
- No further loss of extant populations.
- Research into species habitat to assist in the location of areas that could support the plant and be suitable sites for reintroduction.
- Report any new record of the plant to the Department of Environment and Conservation.
Information sources
- Benson, J.S., Ashby, E.M. and Porteners, M.F. (1996) The native grasslands of the southern Riverina, New South Wales. Report to the Australian Nature Conservation Agency. (Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney)
- Benson, J.S., Ashby, E.M. and Porteners, M.F. (1997) The native grasslands of the Riverine Plain, New South Wales. Cunninghamia 5(1): 1-48
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Clements, A., Rodd, T., Moore, R.J., Crane, A.G. and Simpson, J. (2000) Surveys of areas having potentially high botanical diversity near Pooncarie, South Far Western Plains. Cunninghamia 6(3): 611-643.
- Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. and Leigh, J.H. (1992) Plants of Western New South Wales. (Inkata Press, Sydney)
- Hewson, H.J. (1981) The genus Lepidium L. (Brassicaceae) in Australia. Brunonia 4(2): 217-308.
- Hewson, H.J. (1982) Brassicaceae. 13. Lepidium. Flora of Australia 8: 256-283.
- Jessop, J.P. and Toelken, H.R. (eds.) (1986) Flora of South Australia. Part I. (South Australian Government Printing Division, Adelaide)
- Leigh, J.H. and Briggs, J.D. (eds.) (1992) Threatened Australian Plants - overview and case studies. (Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, Canberra)
- Mueller, F.J.H. von (1855) Definitions of rare or hitherto undescribed Australian plants. Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Victoria 1.
- Porteners, M.F. (1993) The natural vegetation of the Hay Plain: Booligal-Hay and Deniliquin-Bendigo 1:250 000 maps. Cunninghamia 3(1): 1-122
- 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
- Retter, L. and Harden, G.J. (1990) Lepidium. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1. New South Wales University Press, Sydney.
- Stanley, T.D. and Ross, E.M. (1983) Flora of South-Eastern Queensland. Volume 1. (Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane)
- Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1998) Flora of Victoria; Volume 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)