A saltbush - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

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: Atriplex infrequens

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 18 Aug 2022

Description

Small spreading forb, with numerous branches covered with a minute scaly layer. The leaves are narrow, to 15 mm long. The flowers are clustered or solitary in the leaf axils (the angle where the leaves join the stem). The fruiting body is compressed and membranous with a dense covering of short soft hairs. The fruiting bracteoles (leaf-like structures) are small, diamond-shaped, lobed, about 2 mm long and occasionally have 1 or 2 small, tooth-like appendages.

Distribution

Confined to the NSW far western plains. North western records recorded from east of Tibooburra, south east of Brewarrina and near Wilcannia with isolated collections from the Pooncarie area in the south. Also recorded in 1917 in South Australia.

Habitat and ecology

Flowering time has not been recorded, however seeding is recorded in December.
Population structure and disturbance regimes are not known.
Atriplex infrequens is associated with broad drainage tracts, clay flats and possibly occasionally inundated habitats. Very little ecological information is available for this species so its critical habitat components can only be speculated as relatively undisturbed and ungrazed drainage lines and flats.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Habitat clearing (modification and loss of essential habitat, including relatively undisturbed and ungrazed drainage lines and flats).
Disturbances from rabbits, in sandy and scalded soils.
Grazing (stock, rabbits, native herbivores).
Insufficient understanding of distribution.
Insufficient understanding of the species ecological requirements.
Insufficient understanding of threats.

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

Protect from rabbits.
Protect from all herbivores.
Prevent further loss of extant populations.
Survey for new populations.

Information sources

Auld, T.D. and Denham, A.J. (2001) Flora conservation issues at Kinchega National Park, western NSW. Cunninghamia 7(1): 27-42
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)
Jacobs, S.W.L. (2000) Atriplex. Pp. 208-16 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1. Revised Edition. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)
Porteners, M. and Robertson, G. (2003) Threatened Plants in Western New South Wales: Information Review. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville)
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
Wilson, P.G. (1984) Chenopodiaceae. In George, A.S. (ed.) Flora of Australia vol. 4. (Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Scopes Range	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo	Known	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Barnato Downs	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Canbelego Downs	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Nymagee	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Menindee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Wilcannia Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Kerribree Basin	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Known	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Predicted	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Predicted	None

Images

Illustration, <em>Atriplex infrequens</em> <a href="http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/" class="linkBlack100" target="_blank">Botanic Gardens Trust</a>

Illustration, Atriplex infrequens Botanic Gardens Trust Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

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