Heath Wrinklewort - 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: Rutidosis heterogama

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

Heath Wrinklewort is in the daisy family, in a group sometimes called wrinkleworts. It is a small perennial herb to 30 cm tall, with a woody base bearing sparse upright, or sometimes horizontal, branches with upright shoots at the end. The stalkless leaves are very narrow, up to 3.5 cm long, with a rough feel and curved-back edges. The bright yellow daisy heads are up to 2 cm wide. There are six to eight rows of shiny and translucent golden-tawny scales on the lower part of the flower head.

Distribution

Recorded from near Cessnock to Kurri Kurri with an outlying occurence at Howes Valley. On the Central Coast it is located north from Wyong to Newcastle. There are north coast populations between Wooli and Evans Head in Yuraygir and Bundjalung National Parks. It also occurs on the New England Tablelands from Torrington and Ashford south to Wandsworth south-west of Glen Innes.

Habitat and ecology

Grows in heath on sandy soils and moist areas in open forest, and has been recorded along disturbed roadsides.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Habitat loss and fragmentation of populations across the species range.
Inappropriate fire regime due to too frequent or infrequent fire.
Weed invasion often caused by infrequent fire.
Disturbance to habitat and damage to the species due to roadside maintenance activities.
Risk of local extinction because numbers are low.
Trampling or picking by visitors.

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

Stay on formed tracks when visiting heath areas to avoid trampling plants.
Photograph wildflowers instead of picking or collecting them.
Protect areas of habitat from frequent fire.
Identify roadside populations and protect during roadside maintenance works.
Protect areas of heath and moist open forest from clearing and development.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Nandewar	Nandewar Northern Complex	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Beardy River Hills	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Binghi Plateau	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Glenn Innes-Guyra Basalts	Predicted	None
New England Tablelands	Moredun Volcanics	Known	None
New England Tablelands	Severn River Volcanics	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Upper Hunter	Known	None
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Hunter	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Yengo	Known	None