Large-leafed Monotaxis - 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: Monotaxis macrophylla

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 03 Jan 2019

Description

Large-leafed Monotaxis is an erect herb to 25 cm tall. Its leaves are up to 50 mm long by 15 mm wide. The flowers are small, yellow and form dense clusters on short stalks at the ends of the branches. Plants have separate male and female flowers, with a few female flowers surrounded by numerous males.

Distribution

Large-leafed Monotaxis is recorded from several highly disjunct populations in NSW: eastern edge of Deua NP (west of Moruya), Bemboka portion of South East Forests National Park, Cobar area (Hermitage Plains), the Tenterfield area, and Woodenbong (near the Queensland border). It is also in Queensland. A recent record from the eastern spur of the Nandewar Range is in the Namoi catchment.

Habitat and ecology

The distribution and supposed rarity of Monotaxis macrophylla within NSW is related to the occurrence of fire. At least within NSW, the species has not been found in the absence of fire.
There is a great diversity in the associated vegetation within NSW (less though in Queensland), encompassing coastal heath, arid shrubland, forests and montane heath from almost sea level to 1300 m altitude.
Monotaxis macrophylla displays the properties of a fire ephemeral species in many ways. Germination is stimulated by the passage of fire, individual plants have a short life span, a large biomass is produced in a short period of time, flowering occurs shortly after germination, and populations do not persist in the absence of fire.
Flowers in August. Plants have a short life span and do not seem to persist longer than six months. Plants germinate, attain heights of up to 50 cm and reach flowering stage within 2 to 3 months.
In only a few months after germination, the species was observed to produce a thick sward that dominated the community, yielding a very large biomass in a short time. Many hundreds of plants have been observed growing with Muehlenbeckia costata on recently burnt rock outcrops. Plants are recorded as common but localised in populations. In the northern NSW sites, Monotaxis macrophylla was locally abundant on outcrops especially where burnt.
Grows on rocky ridges and hillsides.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Until more populations are found threats to this species are difficult to quantify. It is most likely that Monotaxis macrophylla is more widespread than current collections suggest and has been infrequently collected due to its specific germination requirements and short life span.
Being apparently favoured by disturbance, this species might be threatened by lack of fire or declines of animals that turn over soil (such as bandicoots and lyre-birds)
A lack of knowledge on the species taxonomy makes it difficult to quantify distribution, abundance and critical threats to manage. An investigation into Monotaxis taxonomy is needed as previous revisions have not included a morphometric analysis and current records occur in different habitats.
Lack of knowledge of the species fire ecology, including dormancy mechanisms and seedbank longevity, which is needed to inform appropriate fire intervals (the species is a fire responder, but only lives approximately 12 months).

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 3 priority actions to help recover the Large-leafed Monotaxis in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Ensure that management of vegetation containing this species is appropriate to a species requiring disturbance (eg. by burning when population numbers decline)
Monitor the population for changes.
Investigate the reproductive biology and soil seed bank properties of this species.
Search likely habitat for other populations.

Information sources

Bentham, G. (1878) Flora Australiensis. Volume 6. (Reeve, London)
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)
Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2000) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 1. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
Hunter, J.T. (1997) A further record of Homoranthus lunatus Craven & S.R. Jones (Myrtaceae) for northern New South Wales. The Queensland Naturalist 35(1-3): 24-25.
Hunter, J.T. (1998) Notes on the occurrence of Monotaxis macrophylla Benth. (Euphorbiaceae), with particular reference to New South Wales. The Queensland Naturalist 36(1-3): 21-24.
Hunter, J.T. (2005) Vegetation and floristics of Warra National Park and Wattleridge, Northern Tablelands, NSW. Cunninghamia 9(2): 255-274
Hunter, J.T. and Bruhl, J.J. (1997) Significant range extensions for 10 species of vascular plants in northern New South Wales. Austrobaileya 4(4): 691-4
Hunter, J.T., Clarke, P.J., Copeland, L.M., Nano, C.E., Williams, J.B. and Wills, K.E. (1998) The Vegetation and Plant Species of Torrington State Recreation Area (Division of Botany, University of New England, Armidale).
James, T.A. and Harden, G.J. (1990) Monotaxis. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1 (New South Wales University Press: Sydney).
MEL Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the National Herbarium of Victoria (Royal Botanic Gardens: Melbourne).
NSW Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the National Herbarium of New South Wales (Royal Botanic Gardens: Sydney).
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2004) Ironbark Nature Reserve and Bornhardtia Voluntary Conservation Area Plan of Management. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Armidale NSW.
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
Stanley, T.D. and Ross, E.M. (1983) Flora of South-Eastern Queensland. Volume 1. (Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane)
UNE Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the University of New England (University of New England: Armidale).

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Liverpool Plains	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Nymagee	Known	None
Nandewar	Kaputar	Known	None
Nandewar	Peel	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Beardy River Hills	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Eastern Nandewars	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Nightcap	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Tingha Plateau	Known	None
South East Corner	South East Coastal Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Woodenbong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Kerrabee	Known	None