Elyonurus citreus (a perennial grass) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the perennial grass Elyonurus citreus (R. Br.) Munro ex Benth. as an ENDANGERED SPECIES in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Act. Listing of endangered species is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Elyonurus citreus (R. Br.) Munro ex Benth. (family Poaceae) is described by S. W. L. Jacobs and C. A. Wall (1993) in Harden, G. J. (ed).  Flora of New South Wales. Vol. 4. p. 431, UNSW Press, Sydney, as a: Loosely caespitose perennial to 1 m high. Leaves: sheath glabrous, the uppermost spathe-like; ligule a rim of hairs 1 mm long, with longer hairs at the collar; blade involute, 2-3 mm wide, often hairy on upper surface, with a distinct lemon smell when crushed. Raceme 3-12 cm long, spikelets overlapping in 2 rows. Spikelets 10-12 mm long. Lower glume as long as the spikelet, 9-nerved, produced into 2 lobes as long as or longer than the basal part of the glume, 2-toothed or awned (awns to 10 mm long), glabrous or pilose on the back; margins evenly ciliate. Upper 50-70% the length of the lower, 3-nerved. Lower lemma c. 75% the length of the spikelet; upper lemma slightly shorter. Pedicellate spikelet 8-10 mm long, reduced to 2 glumes. Flowers summer.

2. The species occurs in Australia (Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales) and in New Guinea. The species occurs in the far north-east of NSW where it reaches its southern distributional limit.

3. In NSW, the species is known from only a few locations. Preferred habitat is sandy soils near rivers or along the coast. One known location is within a conservation reserve, Yuraygir National Park.

4. In NSW, Elyonurus citreus has a small population size and is therefore threatened by demographic and environmental stochasticity.

5. In view of the above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Elyonurus citreus (R. Br.) Munro ex Benth. is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.

Associate Professor Paul Adam
Chairperson
Scientific Committee

Proposed Gazettal date: 12/09/03
Exhibition period: 12/09/03 - 24/10/03