Squash Bush - 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: Osteocarpum scleropterum

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 01 Nov 2022

Description

Dwarf annual or short-lived perennial subshrub to about 20 cm high, resembling Water Weed (Osteocarpum acropterum). The leaves are hairless, club-shaped and succulent, 3-5 mm long. The fruiting body has 5 hard and thick rounded wings of unequal length, one of them longer and more erect than the others.

Distribution

Uncommon in the north-western plains of NSW with only two collections known, from the Warrego River area west of Bourke (collected 1885) and from Gereera, Enngonia (collected 1971). The species also occurs in south-western Qld and SA.

Habitat and ecology

Appears to be highly sensitive to grazing. The species is probably dependent upon a low-lying habitat with poorly draining clay soils, free from grazing pressure and the impacts of stock and native herbivores. The species may also be seasonally dependent on rainfall events for seed dispersal, germination and growth.
Flowering time has not been recorded, but fruiting is noted in November.
Recorded growing in the wide channel of a creek, in scalded grey clay soil.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Mulga Lands

Threats

Grazing and trampling by stock and feral animals (eg. pigs)
Habitat degradation and depletion.
Changes in water quality, particularly increased nutrients and sedimentation.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.
Insufficient understanding of threats.
Insufficient understanding of species ecology.

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 from stock grazing through appropriate fencing.
No further loss of extant populations.
Investigate regeneration including seed-set, germination and seedling survival.
Survey for new 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)
Jacobs, S.W.L. (1990) Osteocarpum. In Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 1. New South Wales University Press, 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
Volkens, G.L.A. (1893) Osteocarpum scleropterum (F. Muell.) Volkens. In Engler, H.G.A. and Prantl, K.A.E. Die Natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien 3(1a): 72.
Wilson, P.G. (1984) Chenopodiaceae. In George, A.S. (ed.) Flora of Australia vol. 4. (Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra)