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: Pimelea elongata
Profile last updated:
09 Jun 2022
Description
Slender erect forb to 50 cm high, mainly herbaceous but woody at the base. Leaves alternately arranged along the stem, linear, 6–10 mm long and 1–2 mm wide, mainly hairless, yellow-green but drying blue-green. The flower spikes are condensed when young but elongate to 15 cm at maturity. Flowers yellow-green, 4–5 mm long, densely covered with short flattened hairs. Mature fruits green, about 3 mm long, mostly hairless.
Distribution
Occurs in the north-western plains of NSW from localities including Walgett and Bourke. The species occurs generally in inland areas of eastern central Australia, from western NSW and south-western Qld to north-eastern SA and the southern NT.
Habitat and ecology
- Found on heavy-textured soils with a thin sandy upper layer. Recorded from a flat area in open Maireana shrubland with Acacia aneura, on hard red sandy-loam with considerable clay content. Qld populations are often found in Mulga or Poplar Box woodlands.
- Flowers mainly April to October, but also most of the year.
- The species is said to have caused numerous outbreaks of St George disease in cattle in the Bourke area between 1934 to 1971.
- Occurs in the drier inland parts of eastern-central Australia, often in fairly large stands.
- Dependent on seasonal rainfall events and completes its life cycle in a relatively short period; adequate wet periods are therefore important, as is a level of clay in the soil in order to facilitate moisture retention.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Lack knowledge of distribution and threats/issues.
- Natural habitat areas have been modified for grazing.
- Natural habitat areas have ben modified by domestic stock, feral goats and rabbits.
- Insufficient understanding of species ecology.
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
- Undertake baseline surveys.
- Monitor known populations in order to inform management and fill knowledge gaps, including with regard to: seed-set, germination, seedling survival and the effects of flooding and grazing disturbance.
- Engage with landholders and encourage sympathetic management of populations.
- Control rabbits and goats in important habitat areas.
Information sources
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Everist, S.L. (1974) Poisonous Plants of Australia. Angus & Robertson, Sydney.
- Harden, G.J. (1990) Pimelea. In: Harden, G.J. (ed.). Flora of New South Wales. Vol. 1. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
- 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 ll. (South Australian Government Printing Division, Adelaide)
- 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
- Rye, B.L. (1990) Thymelaeaceae. 9. Pimelea. Flora of Australia 18: 134-211.
- Threlfall, S. (1980) Pimelea elongata (Thymelaeaceae). A new species from inland Australia. Telopea 2(1): 55-56.
- Threlfall, S. (1982) The genus Pimelea (Thymelaeaceae) in eastern mainland Australia. Brunonia 5(2): 113-201.
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|