Pygmy Bishop's Hat - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

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: Mitrasacme pygmaea

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 02 Apr 2004

Profile last updated: 11 Oct 2022

Description

Mitrasacme pygmaea is a small annual herb up to 20 cm high. Its leaves are oval to lance-shaped and slightly rough in texture. Flowers are white, trumpet-shaped, and borne on stems up to 32 mm long. They are produced in clusters at or near the ends of the branches. The fruit is a small egg-shaped capsule, 2-3 mm long.

Distribution

In NSW, M. pygmaea is known only from Mt Warning National Park.

Habitat and ecology

Pygmy Bishop's Hat grows amongst rock outcrops in open habitats.
Flowers and fruits February to September.
Pygmy Bishop's Hat is an 'annual', ie each plant lives for one year and dies after flowering and fruit-set has finished.
Because Pygmy Bishop's Hat is an annual, wide fluctuations in annual population size may occur, dependent upon such variables as rainfall, fire, seed-bank etc.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

South Eastern Queensland

Threats

Small population size threatens Pygmy Bishop's Hat with extinction through random natural processes.
Competition from weeds.
Grazing by feral herbivores.
Inappropriate fire regime.
Lack of information on the species in NSW to inform a conservation management strategy

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 from fire.
Control Weeds.
Study and monitor populations to determine this plant's biology.
Search areas of likely habitat during flowering season.

Information sources

NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Mitrasacme pygmaea (an annual herb). Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Orchard, A.E. (ed.) (1996) Flora of Australia 28, p. 37. CSIRO Publishing and ABRS.