Archer's Carex - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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: Carex archeri

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 02 Apr 2004

Profile last updated: 21 Sep 2021

Description

Archer’s Carex is a loosely-tufted herb that grows from long, slender underground stems (rhizomes). Its flower-stems (culms) are slender, circular in cross-section, smooth, and up to 25 cm long. Leaves are usually shorter than the culms, and to 0.5 mm in width. The flower-head (inflorescence) is about 0.5 cm long. The inflorescence has up to six loosely-arranged female flowers below the short male portion. The membrane surrounding the fruits (utricles) are three-sided, redish-brown, and about 3 - 4 mm long, including a 1 - 2.5 mm long beak. The style is divided into three parts. Plants flower in summer.

Distribution

In NSW, Archer's Carex is only known from Kosciuszko National Park (Club Lake and upper Thredbo River areas). It is also found in the high country of Victoria and Tasmania.

Habitat and ecology

Occurs in damp alpine herbfields.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Australian Alps

Threats

Possibly threatened by feral horse grazing and trampling.
Permanent seepage areas may become ephemeral and allow colonisation of species typical of drier vegetation
Only two sites known in NSW.

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

Remove feral horses from suitable habitat.
Search likely habitat for other populations.

Information sources

McDougall, K.L. and Walsh, N.G. (2007) Treeless vegetation of the Australian Alps. Cunninghamia 10(1): 1-57
NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Carex archeri (a herb) - Endangered species determination - final.
Wilson, K.L. (1993) Carex. Pp 385-396 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 4. (New South Wales University Press, Sydney)