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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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Brachyscome mittagongensis
Gazetted date:
13 Dec 2024
Profile last updated:
18 Mar 2025
Description
Brachyscome mittagongensis is a small, low-growing perennial plant with horizontal underground stems. Its above-ground branches can reach to around 50 cm long. It has an alternate leaf arrangement, and each leaf usually ends with three leaf tips. The white flower with yellow centre is about 6 mm in diameter, on stems clearly exceeding the upper leaves. Flowering is from about February to May.
Distribution
Brachyscome mittagongensis is only found in New South Wales where it is known from the Sydney Basin and South Eastern Highlands Bioregions. It is currently known primarily from Wingecarribee Shire in the Central Tablelands (Moss Vale and Burragorang Subregions), with two collection records in Upper Lachlan Shire in the Southern Tablelands (Bungonia Subregion).The western extent of the currently known distribution of the species is Tarlo River National Park; the northern extent is the locality of Soapy Flat, and Aylmerton near Mittagong; the eastern extent is in areas of Avoca, Lower Mittagong, Kangaloon; and the southern extent is Bundanoon.
Habitat and ecology
- Brachyscome mittagongensis occurs in and near moist areas but can extend well away from watercourses where soils have good moisture retention, or where groundwater seepage may be a factor.
- Habitats range from riverflat and creekflat forest, riparian wetland/floodplain communities, edges of heathy montane swamps, through to grassy woodland and grassy tall forest; and associated with a variety of substrates.
- Brachyscome mittagongensis may also persist in derived plant community types. Plants forming the type specimen were recorded as growing in a roadside drain and adjoining, partly cleared, grazing land (Short, 2009).
- The species’ distribution is considered to be severely fragmented. More than 50 percent of the remnant area occupied by the species is unlikely to be viable due to land-use changes associated with intensifying rural residential land use.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Land clearing and development pose a significant threat to Brachyscome mittagongensis across its range.
- Roadworks such as grading, widening, drainage, deposition of spoil, and inadvertent spreading of weeds through these actions, are associated with habitat loss and degradation. Urbanisation and rural-residential land use lead to an increase in the number of roads, greater use of formalised drainage structures, including concrete kerb and guttering. These roadworks impact B. mittagongensis, which has been seen to survive on roadsides in drains where road management is less intense. Brachyscome mittagongensis is inferred to be threatened by the intensification of road drainage management.
- ‘Pasture improvement’ (i.e. the replacement of native grasses and forbs with non-native grasses and legumes, often supported by fertilisers) is a significant threat to Brachyscome mittagongensis and is likely a major driver of its apparent widespread loss from affected former habitat.
- Fragmentation of habitat and populations threatens this species; with much of the historical habitat cleared for agriculture or urban development and infrastructure.
- Non-native landscaping is also common in rural-residential land use, including expansive and intensively managed lawns and gardens. Such activities are likely to be detrimental to this species.
- Weeds are a significant threat to this species across its range, competing for habitat and resources, and restricting germination. Weeds are a significant concern at most sites, although the specific weed species and severity of threat differ between sites.
Non-native grass species including Paspalum dilatatum (Paspalum), Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire Fog), Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernal Grass), Phalaris aquatica (Phalaris) and Dactylis glomerata (Cocksfoot) are of particular concern and are found at all sites.
Other weed threats include the vines/scramblers Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle), Rubus anglocandicans (Blackberry), Vinca major (Greater Periwinkle); the shrubs Berberis vulgaris (Common Barberry), Ligustrum sinense (Small-leaved Privet), and the trees Pinus radiata (Radiata Pine), Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn), and the native Pittosporum undulatum (Native Daphne).
- Changed hydrology that affects soils with good moisture retention leading to drier soil conditions, reduces this species preferred habitat.
- Low frequency (and possibly low severity or out-of-season) fires, degrades this species habitat by leading to an increased shrub cover occurring in long unburnt areas. Agricultural and urban land use is likely to reduce the frequency and severity of fire across its range.
- Damage to habitat through recreational use by vehicles and walkers directly damaging plants and their habitat.
- Disease-causing rust fungi characterised by chlorotic spotting, further developing into yellow pustules causing severe lesions and necrosis of stems and the developing infructescence.
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
- Provide advice to land managers to improve awareness for actions to reduce impacts associated with: disturbance, habitat loss and weeds.
- Provide advice to land managers to assist weed management.
- Identify locations to better understand impacts of: disease, and inappropriate fire regime.
- Working with conservation land managers to identify potential translocation and/or reintroduction.
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