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: Desmodium campylocaulon
Profile last updated:
03 Jan 2019
Description
Prostrate twining herb or erect perennial forb to 1 m high, stems long and stout, covered with hooked hairs. Leaves with 3 leaflets, each lance-shaped, 2-10 cm long and 5-20 mm wide. Flowers pea-like and numerous, pink or bluish, about 6 mm long. Pod saw-like, 15-20 mm long, composed of 3-6 segments, downy when young, membranous and slightly net-veined, swollen when ripe but not splitting at maturity.
Distribution
Occurs chiefly in the Collarenebri and Moree districts in the north-western plains of NSW. Also occurs in the NT and Darling Downs district of south-eastern Queensland.
Habitat and ecology
- Creeping Tick-Trefoil is confined to clay soils, usually with Astrebla and Iseilema species.
- In NSW Desmodium campylocaulon grows on cracking black soils in the Narrabri, Moree and Walgett local government areas.
- Associated species include Acacia harpophylla, Astrebla pectinata and Sorghum, Dichanthium and Panicum species.
- Flowers summer and autumn.
- The species is said to be hardy, but grazed where sheep have regular access. Plants are strongly stoloniferous and well-cropped by cattle.
- Plants are recorded as uncommon, occasional, common and frequent in populations.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- High intensity grazing by domestic stock through Travelling Stock Reserves in summer months compacting soil and degrading ground cover vegetation
- Invasion by perennial grass weeds (e.g. Coolatai grass).
- Clearing of vegetation for agriculture and infrastructure (e.g. road and rail construction, local government infrastructure)
- Monitoring is required to assess the species population trends over time
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 existing populations with the construction of stock-proof fencing.
- No further loss of extant populations.
Information sources
- 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)
- Gardner, C., James, T.A. and Murray, L. (2002) Desmodium. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2. Revised Edition (New South Wales University Press: Sydney).
- Jessop, J.P. (1981) Flora of Central Australia. (Australian Systematic Botany Society, Sydney)
- Pedley, L. (1999) Desmodium Desv. (Fabaceae) and related genera in Australia: a taxonomic revision. Austrobaileya 5(2): 209-261, pp. 233-235.
- 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
- Stanley, T.D. and Ross, E.M. (1983) Flora of South-Eastern Queensland. Volume 1. (Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane)
|
IBRA Bioregion
|
IBRA Subregion
|
Known or predicted
|
Geographic restrictions region
|
|---|