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: Swainsona viridis
Profile last updated:
07 Jan 2019
Description
Prostrate perennial forb to about 10 cm high, with numerous stems arising from a taproot. Leaves composed of 7-9 narrow-rounded leaflets, each 5-15 mm long and 2-8 mm wide. Flowers bluish-purple, pea-like, 7-12 mm long. Pod firm and cylindrical, 25-35 mm long, grey-downy.
Distribution
Uncommon in the Broken Hill and Silverton districts in the far north-western plains of NSW. Also occurs in the Flinders Ranges area of SA.
Habitat and ecology
- Grows in dry, sandy or stony areas on the banks or in the beds of creeks. Found in the Broken Hill area on sandy soils near watercourses. Also collected along a roadside sandplain in sandy-loam soil.
- Flowering time is from August to November.
- Recorded as being “large and plentiful” at Stephen’s Creek Broken Hill in 1925, but also occurs infrequently in populations.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Lack of conservation sites
- Feral animal disturbance (to short-lived populations).
- Younger plants may be palatable to goats and stock.
- Habitat destruction (clearing and agricultural activities).
- Viability of seeds in the soil seedbank.
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
- Continued rabbit and goat control in population areas.
- No further degradation or loss of potential habitat.
- Protection from grazing and associated physical disturbances.
- Conduct germination trials to determine seedbank and seed longevity.
- Baseline surveys required to confirm known and locate new populations.
Information sources
- Black, J.M. (1917) Additions to the Flora of South Australia. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia.
- Black, J.M. (1924) Flora of South Australia. Part 2. Government Printer, Adelaide.
- 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)
- 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
- Thompson, J. (1993) A revision of the genus Swainsona (Fabaceae). Telopea 5(3): 427-581.
- Thompson, J. and James, T.A. (1991) Swainsona. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2 (New South Wales University Press: Sydney).
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