Dipteracanthus australasicus subsp. corynothecus - 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: Dipteracanthus australasicus subsp. corynothecus

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 01 Nov 2022

Description

Perennial forb or low woody subshrub, usually covered with a stiff down. Plants are dense and form clumps 30 cm in diameter. Leaves bright green, opposite, somewhat clustered, 8-25 mm long, 5-10 mm wide. Flowers blue, purple or white, corolla (petals) 6-14 mm long, tubular and expanded upwards into 5 lobes, each flower subtended by 2 small bracts. Fruit a club-shaped capsule 7-13 mm long, contracted at the base, seeds 1-6 on well-developed hooks.

Distribution

Confined to the far north-west of NSW, north from Tibooburra. Also found in W.A., Qld and near Alice Springs.

Habitat and ecology

Grows in skeletal sandy soil, usually in dry localities. Occurs on scarps in mesa country, from Brigalow communities in Qld, frequently on clay soils, and from areas regenerating after clearing. Also recorded in Qld growing on a sandy creek bank.
Associated species in Qld include Acacia harpophylla, Acacia aneura, Acacia homalophylla, Acacia cambagei, Eucalyptus microtheca, Casuarina cristata, Eremophila bowmannii and Heterodendrum spp.
Flowers throughout the year or mainly spring to early summer. Flowering is probably dependent on rains.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Grazing (plants are readily eaten by sheep, cattle and horses).
Feral goats (cause erosion and disturb the fragile rocky scarp and mesa-top habitats).
Limited habitat availability (the species is restricted to skeletal soils in dry rocky mesa country, habitats which are relatively uncommon in NSW).
Lack of information on the species in NSW to inform a conservation management strategy.

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.
Protection of sites from goats.
No further loss of extant populations.
Survey for new populations

Information sources

Barker, R.M. (1986) A taxonomic revision of Australian Acanthaceae. Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens 9: 1-286, pp. 168-169
Bentham, G. (1878) Flora Australiensis. Volume 4. Reeve, London.
Bremekamp, C.E.B. (1962) Remarks on the position of some Australian Acanthaceae. Acta Botanica Neerlandica 11: 195-200.
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)
Everett, J. (1992) Dipteracanthus. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 3 (New South Wales University Press: Sydney).
Jessop, J.P. (1981) Flora of Central Australia. (Australian Systematic Botany Society, Sydney)
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. (1986) Flora of South-Eastern Queensland. Volume 2. Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane.