Elusive Cress - 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: Irenepharsus magicus

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 18 Oct 2022

Description

Elusive Cress is an erect annual or biennial herb, growing to almost 1 m tall. Its basal leaves do not remain on the plant; its stem leaves reduce in size and number up the stem. The small, white, four-petalled flowers grow in an elongated spray. It is distinguished from the other Irenepharsus species in NSW (I. trypherus) by having sparsely hairy leaves, a dry pod more than 1 mm wide and seeds with a half wing on the margin.

Distribution

Although the location information provided with the single NSW collection is vague, it would appear that it was made in the vicinity of Geehi Dam, which is within Kosciuszko NP. Elusive Cress has also been recorded in East Gippsland in Victoria.

Habitat and ecology

Habitat preference for the species is unclear, although two collections in Victoria have been made in or on the edge of recently logged Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) forest. One of these sites had been burnt. The record of the species in NSW includes the habitat note "growing on mineral soil of embankment". The species was recently found in a rocky limestone area in eastern Victoria after the 2003 fires.
Flowering collections across the range of the species have been made between December and April, the single NSW collection being made in April (1954).

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

With so little known about such a rare species, threats to it are difficult to elucidate.
May be threatened by inadvertent weed spraying because it looks like a weed and grows in weedy sites.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.

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

Inform land managers (NPWS and Snowy Hydro) of its occurrence and appearance to increase the likelihood of finding new populations and minimising the risk of destroying extant populations.
Search likely habitat for other populations.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (2000) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 1. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2001) Recovery Plan for the 'lost' threatened flora of south-east NSW. (NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW)
Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1998) Flora of Victoria; Volume 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Australian Alps	Snowy Mountains	Predicted	None
South Eastern Highlands	Bondo	Predicted	None

Images

Elusive Cress, Obe Carter Image 1 of 5.
View slideshow.

Related information

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