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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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Commersonia procumbens
Profile last updated:
20 Dec 2023
Description
Prostrate shrub with slender trailing stems to 30 cm long. Plants covered with star-shaped hairs on all parts. Leaves rounded to lance-shaped, 2-5 cm long, 15-25 mm wide, with wavy or lobed margins, upper surface green and sprinkled with star-shaped hairs, lower surface densely white-hairy. Petals about 2 mm long, pinkish. Fruit capsule 6-8 mm in diameter, covered with both star-shaped hairs and bristles.
Distribution
Endemic to NSW, mainly confined to the Dubbo-Mendooran-Gilgandra region, but also known in the Pilliga, Mount Kaputar National Park, north east of Gulgong and near Denmen. Additional populations have been found in Goonoo SCA in response fires.
Habitat and ecology
- Grows in sandy sites, often along roadsides.
- Recorded in Eucalyptus dealbata and Eucalyptus sideroxylon communities, Melaleuca uncinata scrub, under mallee eucalypts with a Calytrix tetragona understorey, and in a recently burnt Ironbark and Callitris area. Also in Eucalyptus fibrosa subsp. nubila, Eucalyptus dealbata, Eucalyptus albens and Callitris glaucophylla woodlands north of Dubbo.
- Other associated species include Acacia triptera, Callitris endlicheri, Eucalyptus melliodora, Allocasuarina diminuta, Philotheca salsolifolia, Xanthorrhoea species, Exocarpos cupressiformis, Leptospermum parvifolium and Kunzea parvifolia.
- Fruiting period is summer to autumn. Flowers from August to December.
- Appears to produce seed which persists for some time in the seed bank. Large numbers of seedlings have been observed germinating after fire at sites where the species was not apparent above ground before the fires. Clusters of individuals may be clonal.
- The species is often found as a pioneer species of disturbed habitats. It has been recorded colonising disturbed areas such as roadsides, the edges of quarries and gravel stockpiles and a recently cleared easement under power lines.
- Has been recorded in populations of 50+ individuals of various ages, 28 plants on the western side of the road and 58 plants on the sunnier eastern side. Populations may comprise a single cohort of individuals, or have a multi-aged structure where some individuals appear to be old with thickened runners.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Lack of fire or fire suppression may prevent renewal of the seedbank as species is a primary coloniser.
- Woody shrub competition (particularly thick stands of Acacia triptera).
- Invasive grasses, including African love grass and Coolatai, are primary colonisers that rapidly establish after disturbances such as fire and road grading; they compete for moisture and block sunlight to the species as they grow in a dense canopy. Grasses can be spread by trucks and heavy equipment associated with road maintenance and mining.
- Continued grading of roads and roadsides, if depth of grading removes or damages perennating parts of the plant. Potential widening of the Golden Highway would threaten Elong Elong population.
- Grazing by goats who frequently feed adjacent to roads where species often occurs.
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
- Fire management (seedlings appear en-masse in clearings created during the burning of long-undisturbed forest).
- Protection of sites from erosion and other physical disturbances.
- Woody shrub management.
- Protection of roadside sites from disturbances.
Information sources
- Biddiscombe, E.F. (1963) A Vegetation Survey in the Macquarie Region, New South Wales. Division of Plant Industry Paper No. 18. CSIRO, Australia.
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1996) Rare or Threatened Australian Plants. Revised Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
- Gross, C.L. and Mackay, D. (1998) A Review of the Biology and Ecology of Rulingia procumbens Maiden & E. Betche. Report to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service: Sydney).
- Harden, G.J. (1990) Rulingia. In: Harden, G.J. (ed.). Flora of New South Wales. Vol. 1. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
- Maiden, J.H. and Betche, E. (1898) Four new species of NSW plants. Rulingia procumbens, n. sp. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 23: 18.
- Moore, C. and Betche, E. (1893) Handbook of the Flora of New South Wales (NSW Government Printer: Sydney), p. 64.
- NSW Herbarium Records. () Databased specimen records from the National Herbarium of New South Wales (Royal Botanic Gardens: Sydney).
- White, M. (1997) Unpublished Report on Site Inspection. Rulingia procumbens Maiden and Betche population on the Mendooran Road - Goonoo State Forest - 19/11/1997. NPWS, Sydney.
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