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: Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides
Profile last updated:
31 May 2023
Description
The Button Wrinklewort is a perennial, multi-stemmed herb, sometimes with narrow basal leaves and with leafy flower stems to 35 cm tall. Basal leaves are to 3.5 cm long and 1.5 mm wide. Flower-heads are bright yellow, slightly domed and button-like, to 2 cm wide. Flower-heads are produced at the ends of the stems in summer, and are surrounded at their bases by a cup of broad, overlapping, smooth bracts with light papery edges.
Distribution
Local populations at Goulburn, the Canberra - Queanbeyan area, Bredbo, north of Captains Flat and Michelago. Other populations occur in Victoria.
Habitat and ecology
- Occurs in Box-Gum Woodland, secondary grassland derived from Box-Gum Woodland or in Natural Temperate Grassland; and often in the ecotone between the two communities.
- Grows on soils that are usually shallow, stony red-brown clay loams; tends to occupy areas where there is relatively less competition from herbaceous species (either due to the shallow nature of the soils, or at some sites due to the competitive effect of woodland trees).
- Exhibits an ability to colonise disturbed areas (eg. vehicle tracks, bulldozer scrapings and areas of soil erosion).
- Normally flowers between December to March; plants do not usually flower until their second year.
- Has regenerative buds at the surface of the soil but not below, so plants do not have the ability to resprout from underground structures; the stems usually die back in late summer or autumn and new basal leaves are evident by early winter.
- Thought to be insect pollinated, although the specific vectors are not known.
- Observed flourishing at a site a few years after the area was burnt by a wildfire.
- Apparently susceptible to grazing, being retained in only a small number of populations on roadsides, rail reserves and other un-grazed or very lightly grazed sites.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat and/or populations for residential and other developments.
- Loss and degradation of habitat and/or populations by intensification of grazing regimes.
- Loss and degradation of habitat and/or populations by invasion of weeds.
- Increased competition from other native grassland species within the habitat because of adverse increases of biomass due to absence of fire or grazing and the resultant closing up of the inter-tussock spaces that this species requires.
- Research by CSIRO has shown that related indivduals are unable to cross pollinate. Thus smaller populations, particularly those of less than 200 plants can be threatened in the long term due to reduced genetic diversity within the population and a resulting reduction in seed production.
- Loss and degradation of habitat and/or populations from rail reserve maintenance and road works (particularly widening or rerouting roads).
- Inherent risk of loss of small populations from natural or un-natural catastrophic events.
- Physical damage from BMX users and horse riders creating tracks.
- Competition from native trees that will shade the species.
- Rabbits are a threat to at least one population.
- Physical damage by overabundant kangaroos.
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
- Protect known populations from changes to land use.
- Do not undertake road works, pasture modification or other changes in land use that may affect populations.
- Limit grazing on sites where populations occur; light grazing by sheep, particularly after the peak flowering season, appears to be tolerated (following the removal of domestic stock, significant recruitment has been observed in some populations).
- Do not increase grazing pressures on sites where populations persist - reduce grazing pressures where possible.
- Undertake weed control in and adjacent to populations, taking care to spray or dig out only target weeds.
- Undertake burning trials on sites to establish a suitable biomass control regime.
- Mark sites and potential habitat onto maps (of the farm, shire, region, etc) used for planning (e.g. road works, residential and infrastructure developments, remnant protection, rehabilitation).
- Search for new populations in potential habitat.
Information sources
- ACT Government (1997) Button Wrinklewort (Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides): An endangered species. Action Plan No. 8. Environment ACT.
- ACT Government (1997) Natural Temperate Grassland: an endangered ecological community. Action Plan No.1. Environment ACT.
- Briggs, J.D. and Leigh, J.H. (1990) Delineation of Important Habitats of Threatened Plant Species in South-eastern New South Wales. Research Report to the Australian Heritage Commission. (CSIRO, Canberra)
- Eddy, D. (2002) Managing Native Grassland: a guide to management for conservation, production and landscape protection. (World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Sydney)
- Eddy, D., Mallinson, D., Rehwinkel, R and Sharp. S. (1998) Grassland Flora: a field guide for the Southern Tablelands (NSW & ACT). (Environment ACT, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Natural Heritage Trust, Canberra)
- Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
- Humphries, R. K. and Webster, A. (1992) Action Statement No. 28, Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides. Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne.
- Marriott, N. and J. (1998) Grassland Plants of South-Eastern Australia. Bloomings Books, Melbourne.
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