Coast Groundsel - 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: Senecio spathulatus

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 21 Aug 2019

Description

A low-growing smooth-stemmed daisy, often forming hummocks to 30 cm tall. It has short (1 to 5cm long) fleshy, entire or sometimes divided leaves with toothed margins and large fleshy yellow flowerheads. The yellow flowers consist of 8 to 16 ray florets (with petals) to 13 mm long and up to 70 disc florets (in the central section of the flower). Further identification relies on microscopic features.

Distribution

Coast Groundsel occurs in Nadgee Nature Reserve (Cape Howe) and between Kurnell in Sydney and Myall Lakes National Park (with a possible occurrence at Cudmirrah). In Victoria there are scattered populations from Wilsons Promontory to the NSW border.

Habitat and ecology

Coast Groundsel grows on frontal dunes.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Habitat may be lost as land is cleared for coastal developments.
Off-road driving is a threat to coastal species, including Coast Groundsel.
Bitou Bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) and other weeds including sea spurge, ground asparagus and marram grass may invade Coast Groundsel habitat and smother the species.
Excessive pedestrian trampling may cause erosion of dunes and loss of Coast Groundsel habitat.
Poor knowledge of the species' distribution and abundance in some areas.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 4 priority actions to help recover the Coast Groundsel in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Searches should be conducted in suitable habitat in proposed development areas.
Position beach access tracks away from Coast Groundsel sites.
Do not permit vehicle access in known or suspected Coast Groundsel habitat.
Undertake Bitou Bush control in known or suspected Coast Groundsel habitat.

Information sources

Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992) Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3. UNSW Press, Kensington, NSW.
Walsh, N.G. and Entwisle, T.J. (1999) Flora of Victoria; Volume 4, Dicotyledons Cornaceae to Asteraceae. (Inkata Press, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Karuah Manning	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Known	None
Other State	Jervis Bay Territory	Predicted	None
Other State	VIC	Known	None
South East Corner	Bateman	Predicted	None
South East Corner	East Gippsland Lowlands	Known	None
South East Corner	South East Coastal Ranges	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Jervis	Predicted	None
Sydney Basin	Pittwater	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Sydney Cataract	Known	None
Sydney Basin	Wyong	Known	None