Indicative distribution
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.
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The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Asterolasia beckersii
Gazetted date:
19 Nov 2021
Profile last updated:
14 Oct 2024
Description
Dungowan Starbush is a shrub 1.5 - 3.5 m high with branches and leaves covered by fawn-coloured star-shaped hairs. The leaves are oval to lance-shaped, 1.5 -4 cm long, 5 - 12 mm wide with a tapered base, dull green on the upper surface and fawn below. Small white flowers with five petals up to 6 mm long occur singly at the base of the leaf stems in spring.
Distribution
Dungowan Starbush is only known from twelve locations in the local region around Dungowan Dam near Tamworth. The tenure of the locations is varied with five locations within conservation reserves, three locations are in the vicinity of the dam within a restricted-access area and four within state forests.
Habitat and ecology
- Species initially informally identified as Asterolasia sp. Dungowan Creek but has now been formally described as Asterolasia beckersii in 2017.
- When first collected in 1995, the total population at the two Dungowan dam locations comprised of seven individuals which dropped to only two plants in 2017 and no plants by 2020. Another population of thirteen plants was recorded nearby in 2006 reduced to ten in the 2017 survey and no plants by 2020. Recent surveys in the Back River Nature Reserve (2006) located an additional three small populations of sixteen, three and one adult plants. By 2017 there were no plants at these locations. Similar decreases occurred at two locations within Tuggolo Nature Reserve where plant abundance decreased from fifteen and nine plants to a single plant in 2017 and no plants in 2020. In contrast, two locations found in Tuggolo State Forest had the largest plant abundances found to date with 138 and 122 plants respectively in the 2017 survey. A survey in 2021 after the 2019-20 drought had broken, revealed populations had reduced to 77 from 138 and 39 from 122. The third state forest location showed a decrease in abundance from thirty-six plants in 2009 to five plants in 2017 and no plants in 2021. The 2021 survey did find another location within state forest that contained 38 plants in healthy condition.
- In the vicinity of Dungowan Dam the Dungowan Starbush grows in rocky alluvial soil along a creekbank dominated by River Oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) with or without Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis). Recent populations have been found growing near (100-150m) major drainage lines on lower and mid slopes in open forest in moderately deep brown loamy soils. Overstorey trees at these locations were dominated by Messmate Stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) and Mountain Manna Gum (E. nobilis) with or without Narrow-leaved Peppermint (E. radiata ssp. sejuncta).
- Recent surveys indicate several locations have undergone significant plant loss or disappearance from long undisturbed habitat, possibly indicating the species is relatively short-lived and requires disturbance to promote regeneration.
- Fruiting bodies were observed for the first time in February, during recent surveys. Surveys in May 2006 showed no plants flowering but significant numbers with fruit.
- Asterolasia beckersii appears to be killed by fire as was observed in the Dungowan Dam population following the 2019 wildfire.
- The germination of Dungowan Starbush does not appear to be favoured by fire. Two post-fire surveys of the exact location of previously known adult plants failed to find any seedlings at Dungowan Dam, while two of the three known populations in Back River NR also failed to produce seedlings after the 2019 wildfire when surveyed in 2021. At all locations, above annual rainfall had fallen in the period between the fires and the surveys, and a reasonable time frame had elapsed to allow for germination.
- While Asterolasia beckersii can flower profusely throughout the year, the species appears to have a very low fruit set.
- The germination of Asterolasia beckersii can often be enhanced by some physical disturbance to the soil. The vast majority of the plants in Tuggolo State Forest occur either along the edge of an old snig track, or in the middle of it, or in a log dump where the soil has been scraped and vegetation partly cleared.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Risk of extinction due to small population size and restricted distribution.
- Damage by feral pigs.
- Accidental damage from road / track works
- Lack of understanding about appropriate fire intervals.
- Lack of knowledge about reasons for low species recruitment.
- Invasion and competition from various woody and herbaceous weed species including blackberry.
- Lack of knowledge about species distribution.
- Physical damage to live plants by forestry activities is a potential threat if pre-harvest surveys are not carried out. However, a lack of soil disturbance can also be a threat in the long term as older plants senesce and new plants fail to recruit.
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
- Control feral pigs in potential habitat.
- Protect areas of potential habitat from clearing.
- Report any additional records of Dungowan Starbush to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
- Undertake further surveys to locate any additional populations.
- Undertake ground disturbance trails to stimulate soil seed bank on locations where populations have disappeared.
Information sources
- Copeland, L. (2006) The vegetation and plant species of Back River Nature Reserve. Unpublished report to NSW NPWS.
- Harden, G.J. and Mole, B.J. (2002) Asterolasia. Pp. 310-3 in Harden, G.J. (ed.) Flora of New South Wales. Volume 2 Revised Edition. (University of New South wales Press Ltd., Sydney)
- NSW Scientific Committee (2004) Asterolasia sp. 'Dungowan Creek' (a shrub) - Endangered species determination - final.
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