Budawangs Wallaby Grass - 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: Plinthanthesis rodwayi

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 01 Nov 2002

Profile last updated: 22 Feb 2024

Description

Budawangs Wallaby Grass is a tussock grass to 50 cm tall, with rolled leaves. Its flower spike is open and up to 8 cm long by 5 cm wide. The individual seed-bearing structures are hairy on their lower surface and have two small lobes at their tips, similar to some other wallaby grasses.

Distribution

The species appears be restricted to two peaks in Budawang NP (Mt Budawang, Mt Currockbilly).

Habitat and ecology

Budawangs Wallaby-grass has been recorded in open heathland on shallow soils.
The extent of the two populations has apparently contracted greatly in the past 25 years.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

The only known extant population is on Mt Budawang, and is estimated to number 91000-137000 individuals as of February 2022, but it has a very limited distribution of approximately 4.6 ha, which makes it vulnerable to natural catastrophes or environmental changes.
The species is grazed by native and feral herbivores, including rabbits.
There is a lack of knowledge as to whether the second historical site at Mt Currockbilly has re-emerged since the 2019/20 bushfire.
Likely extension and ongoing maintenance of infrastructure around communications tower, increasing footprint.
Competition for space and resources and from shading from native shrubs including an undescribed species of Leptospermum. Within fenced exclosure there is added competition from Gahnia. This will become a threat after the 2019/20 bushfire, as shrubs regenerate.

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Collect seed to guard against extinction.
Monitor the populations for changes to numbers or health.
Conduct experiments to determine the effect of removing Leptospermum by cutting or burning.
Search likely habitat for other populations.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1993) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 4. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2002) Plinthanthesis rodwayi (a grass) - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South East Corner	South East Coastal Ranges	Known	Above 800 m altitude and north of Araluen Valley
South Eastern Highlands	Bungonia	Predicted	above 800 m altitude

Images

Budawangs Wallaby Grass, John Briggs Image 1 of 4.
View slideshow.

Related information

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