Philip Island Wheat 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: Anthosachne kingiana subsp. kingiana

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 24 Sep 2010

Profile last updated: 15 Sep 2020

Description

Anthosachne kingiana subsp. kingiana is a tufted perennial grass 30-100 cm in height. It has a spreading habit and narrow glaucous leaves 3-5 mm wide. This subspecies was previously known as Elymus multiflorus subsp. kingianus but the nomenclature was updated in 2014. This species can be difficult to find and is easily confused with other closely related species.

Distribution

Anthosachne kingiana subsp. multiflora is a widespread species from New Zealand and eastern Australia. Anthosachne kingiana subsp. kingiana is an allopatric island subspecies that is restricted to the Norfolk Island group and, in NSW, Lord Howe Island. On Lord Howe Island it is restricted to the north of the island with an estimated mature population size of less than 400 plants.

Habitat and ecology

On Phillip Island in the Norfolk Island group, it grows on a north-facing slope, among tall herbs and subshrubs, often in association with Carpobrotus glaucescens (Ice Plant).
On Lord Howe Island it occurs at the intergrade between exposed basalt-derived rocky cliffs and a shrub zone that merges into littoral rainforest.
On Lord Howe Island it occurs in association with several grasses and herbs including Dichelachne crinita (Longhair Plumegrass), Poa poiformis, Senecio howeanus, Sporobolus virginicus (Sand Couch) and Tetragonia tetragonioides (New Zealand Spinach) along with several shrub species, including Cassinia tenuifolia (Bully Bush), Dodonaea viscosa (Hopwood), Leucopogon parviflorus, Melaleuca howeana (Tea Tree) and Melanthera biflora.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Pacific Subtropical Islands

Threats

Exotic weeds including Briza minor (Shivery Grass), Bromus diandrus (Great Brome), Bromus catharticus (Prairie Grass), Conyza bonariensis, Ipomoea cairica, Paspalum dilatatum, Sonchus oleraceus (Common Sowthistle) and Sporobolus africanus (Parramatta grass).
Environmental and demographic stochasticity due to a highly restricted distribution and extremely low population size.
Inundation of habitat due to close proximity to shore line. Sea level rise also increases frequency of storm surge (possibly once every 20 years) which causes gully erosion.
Predation and browsing by Black Rats.
Risk of extinction due to small population size.

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

Undertake exotic grass control in potential habitat.
Survey in potential habitat to determine if any further sites exist.
Establish ex situ collections in appropriate locations.

Information sources

Connor, H.E. (1994) Indigenous New Zealand Triticeae: Gramineae. New Zealand Journal of Botany 32, 125-154.
de Lange, P.J., Gardner, R.O., Sykes, W.R., Crowcroft, G.M., Cameron, E.K., Stalker, F., Christian, M.L. and Braggins, J.E. (2005) Vascular flora of Norfolk Island: some additions and taxonomic notes. New Zealand Journal of Botany 43, 563-596.
DSEWPC (2010) Elymus multiflorus subsp. kingianus in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra. Accessed 9 Nov 2010.
Green, P.S. (1994) Norfolk Island & Lord Howe Island. In: 'Flora of Australia' Vol. 49. Oceanic Islands 1. Canberra: AGPS
NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) (2007) Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan
NSW Scientific Committee (2010) Elymus multiflorus subsp. kingianus - critically endangered species. Final determination, DECCW, Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Pacific Subtropical Islands

Lord Howe Island

Predicted

None

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