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: Paspalidium grandispiculatum
Gazetted date:
24 Sep 2010
Profile last updated:
11 Oct 2022
Description
Paspalidium grandispiculatum is a perennial tufted grass to 150 cm tall with robust woody rhizomes. Leaf-sheaths are glabrous, smooth, and without a keel. Leaf-blades are linear, 4-8 cm long, 2-3 mm wide, flat or folded flat together lengthwise. Inflorescence is a a terminal raceme to 16 cm long, comprising widely spaced secondary racemes to 3 cm long, each bearing loose, irregularly arranged spikelets on pedicels to 1 mm long. The species is distinguished from other Australian species of Paspalidium by its large spikelets and characteristic woody culms arising from robust woody rhizomes. Most other species of Paspalidium possess contracted rootstocks and sometimes contracted rhizomes but not the elongated rhizomes of Paspalidium grandispiculatum.
Distribution
Paspalidium grandispiculatum occurs in south east Queensland and north east NSW. In NSW, it is known from the north of Grafton in the Mount Neville, Gibberagee and Doubleduke vicinities. Information on the number of individual plants is lacking, but there are probably many thousands of ramets; the degree of clonality within populations is unknown.
Habitat and ecology
- In NSW, Paspalidium grandispiculatum is likely to be restricted to poor sandy soils on sandstone. It has been found in open forest of Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) on undulating topography as well as in drier foresdt types on ridges.
- In Queensland, the species is known from wet sclerophyll forest to drier mixed eucalypt communities. It is also known from native pasture occurring as a result of land clearing.
- The species can be locally semi-dominant to dominant in the ground layer.
- The species is assumed to be wind-pollinated, and is reported to flower from January to May in Queensland populations.
- Reproduces by both sexually produced seed and by vegetative budding from the rhizomes, from which it is capable of regeneration after fire.
- No information is available on seed viability or longevity.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- No information is available on any past decline. Distribution is fragmented, probably as a result of both natural and land-use factors.
- In NSW there have been few recent disturbances, and past logging has been at low levels in the relevant vegetation types.
- Introduced groundcover species are a possible threat and Lantana is frequent in some of the areas in which the species is found.
- Private or leasehold land adjacent to State Forests and National Parks in NSW can be subject to regular burning for grazing. Whilst P. grandispiculatum has robust rhizomes and may be expected to be fire tolerant, frequent burning of this sort may or may not disadvantage the species.
- Conduct post-fire surveys to better understand the species recovery response to fire (e.g. seed lifespan, time to reproduction and time to senescence) and determine appropriate fire intervals for the species. Liaise with Forestry Corporation on the fire history and data on how the species responds to fire. Use information to inform burn plans for the site.
- Undertake surveys at in Banyabba Nature Reserve, Tullymorgan, Kooyong State Conservation Area and Chatsworth island to determine if species is present. If species is present, assess baseline population and critical threats at the site to inform management actions.
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
0 priority actions
to help recover the Paspalidium grandispiculatum in New South Wales.
Activities to assist this species
- Monitor populations and potential threats.
- Undertake surveys in suitable habitat.
- Identify appropriate fire regimes for the species.
Information sources
- DEWHA (2008) Approved Conservation Advice for Paspalidium grandispiculatum. Species Profile and Threats Database, Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.
- Halford, D.A. (1998) Survey of threatened plant species in south east Queensland biogeographical region. Queensland CRA/RFA Steering Committee. Forests Taskforce, Dept of Prime Minister & Cabinet, Canberra.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2010) Paspalidium grandispiculatum - Vulnerable species. Final determination, DECCW, Sydney.
- Simon, B.K. (1982) New species of Gramineae from south-eastern Queensland. Austrobaileya 1, 455-467.
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