Australian Saltgrass - 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: Distichlis distichophylla

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 15 Sep 2000

Profile last updated: 29 Jun 2022

Description

Australian Salt-grass is a spreading perennial grass, in the form of a loose, somewhat prickly clump of spreading underground stems (rhizomes). The foliage is distinctive, with a row of thin stiff leaves to 50 mm on each side of the stem. It often grows with a similar-looking grass Sporobolus virginicus, and is best-distinguished in summer when in flower or fruit.

Distribution

This grass is common in Victoria and Tasmania, and extends to South Australia and Western Australia. In Victoria it is found inland as well, but in its limited NSW range it grows only in coastal situations, except for one existing population at Lake Cargelligo in south western NSW. Scattered records are from the areas of Jervis Bay, Bermagui, Wonboyn, Narooma, Bodalla and Nadgee Nature Reserve (at Womboyn).

Habitat and ecology

A coloniser of damp saline soils; found at the edges of salt marshes and on low dunes.
Flowers and sets seed in late spring and summer.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Habitat damage associated with recreational vehicles.
Habitat may be lost to coastal development.
Trampling by cattle.
Modified tidal flows (e.g. associated with opening and closing of estuaries).
Land reclamation for agricultural and infrastructural purposes.
Rubbish dumping and marine pollution.

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

Ensure that management of this species is considered in estuary management plans
Prevent vehicle movement in salt marsh areas, or in areas where the species is known to exist.
Prevent trampling by cattle.
Weed control.
Monitor populations for the presence of weeds, pollution and rubbish, and act to remove threats when observed.
Ensure that known populations and potential habitat appear on development planning maps.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Distichlis distichophylla (a grass) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Society for Growing Australian Plants, Maroondah (1993) Flora of Melbourne; a guide to the indigenous plants of the Greater Melbourne Area. Hyland House, South Melbourne.
Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1994) Flora of Victoria. Volume 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Cobar Peneplain	Lachlan Plains	Known	None
Ocean - Other State	Southern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None
Other State	Jervis Bay Territory	Predicted	Below 10 m altitude
Other State	SA	Known	None
Other State	VIC	Known	None
South East Corner	Bateman	Known	Below 10 m altitude
South East Corner	East Gippsland Lowlands	Known	Below 10 m altitude
South East Corner	South East Coastal Ranges	Known	Below 10 m altitude
Sydney Basin	Illawarra	Predicted	Below 10 m altitude
Sydney Basin	Jervis	Known	Below 10 m altitude

Images

Australian Salt-grass in flower Image 1 of 4.
View slideshow.

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