Calotis hispidula

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Bogan flea
Calotis hispidula (8692977798).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Calotis
Species:
C. hispidula
Binomial name
Calotis hispidula
Synonyms

Cheiroloma hispidulum

Calotis hispidula, commonly known as the Bogan flea or bindi eye, [1] is a hairy species of daisy found in many parts of mainland Australia. It is a small herbaceous plant growing up to 10 centimetres tall, with white flowers that are often seen in the winter months. The specific epithet hispidula refers to the plant's covering of stiff hairs.

Contents

Calotis spp. are innocent looking daisies until they fruit, when the flower heads develop into masses of rigid needle-sharp barbs. Mainly opportunistic inhabitants of grasslands, their barbed burrs can be easily transported by livestock. [2]

Description

Calotis hispidula is an annual ascending herb which may grow to 10 to 12 centimetres (3.9 to 4.7 in) high, with rough, hirsute hairs. [3]

It has no basal leaves; the aerial leaves are somewhat wedge-shaped, 0.5 to 2 centimetres (0.20 to 0.79 in) long and 1 to 7 millimetres (0.039 to 0.276 in) wide. The barbed flower heads range from 4 to 10 millimetres (0.16 to 0.39 in) in diameter, supported by bracts that encase a conical, scaled receptacle. The florets are yellow and sprout to be 1 mm long. [4]

Ecology

The species grows in sandy soil on flats, low dunes and small hills and appears to be associated with Acacia woodlands and shrublands dominated by chenopods. [5]

Apparently a perennial that flowers in the first year of growth; no plants of this species have been observed to survive for more than two years; flowering is recorded for September and fruit have been collected in October, [5] though it will flower as early as August. [3]

Case study

At Mount Mulyah, northwest of Louth, New South Wales, Calotis spp. grows in an area cleared of original acacia cambagei woodland and subsequently invaded by dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustissima, which repressed the growth of herbaceous species. No regeneration of this species has been seen at Mount Mulyah since 1984. Calotishispidula can often be found growing in conjunction with other Calotis species, such as C. cymbacantha and C. erinacea, and are very similar morphologically.

Distribution

Known populations of Calotis hispidula Calotis Hispidula..jpg
Known populations of Calotis hispidula

Calotis hispidula grows in heavy clays to shallow stony soils, in a wide variety of communities; it is widespread, especially in inland districts. Known and current populations range within New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. It is found abundantly in Central Australia. [7]

Conservation

There are no obvious threats to Calotis hispidula and it may not be in decline; however, weed invasion, clearing, agricultural activity, and grazing may impact this species. [5] Very small localised populations are inherently at risk from chance events. Small populations are also more susceptible to adverse genetic influences, such as inbreeding depression. Experts doubt that Calotis plants survive more than two years, and it is suggested that this may be because of the invasion of Narrow-leaf Hop-bush, which tends to suppress herb growth. [5]

The seeds are long lived in the soil and occasional substrate disturbance will not suppress the long-term viability of Calotis hispidula. Grazing is a potential threat to the populations, though the extent of the threat is uncertain. When mature, the plant is unlikely to be palatable due to the sharp, woody awns on the seeds. In dry times, the plant persists as seed in the soil and so would be unaffected by even heavy grazing pressure. Impacts are most likely in the period following emergence until maturity. [5]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Acacia parramattensis</i> Species of legume

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<i>Acacia bivenosa</i> Species of shrub

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<i>Eucalyptus occidentalis</i> Species of eucalyptus

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<i>Acacia ancistrocarpa</i> Species of legume

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<i>Acacia elachantha</i> Species of plant

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<i>Acacia paraneura</i> Species of plant

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<i>Dodonaea procumbens</i> Species of flowering plant

Dodonaea procumbens, commonly known as trailing hop bush or creeping hop-bush, is a species of shrub in the genus Dodonaea found in eastern Australia. It occurs in many places in Australia such as South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Although the information on the abundance of this species is limited, it is estimated that about 5,000 plants occur in about 55 wild populations. The species is currently facing many threats such as the expansion of road facilities, the development of residential and agricultural areas, increased grazing regimes, weed invasions, and regimes changing of fire. As a result, it is listed as vulnerable and threatened. Therefore, it is necessary to provide protective solutions for the long-term development and survival of this species.

<i>Acacia auratiflora</i> Species of legume

Acacia auratiflora, commonly known as the orange-flowered wattle, is a shrub of the genus Acacia and the subgenus Plurinerves. It is listed as an endangered species.

<i>Acacia awestoniana</i> Species of legume

Acacia awestoniana, commonly known as the Stirling Range wattle, is a shrub of the genus Acacia and the subgenus Plurinerves.

<i>Acacia colletioides</i> Species of legume

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<i>Acacia shirleyi</i> Species of legume

Acacia shirleyi, known colloquially as lancewood, is a species of Acacia native to Queensland and the Northern Territory in Australia. It grows as a tree to 15 metres (49 ft) high, with dark grey or black stringy bark and blue-grey foliage. The yellow flowers appear from March to July. It grows in dry scrub, open forest or mixed savannah woodland. Indigenous people used the wood as fuel and to make hunting spears. Cattle can eat the foliage as fodder.

<i>Acacia carneorum</i> Species of plant

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References

  1. "Calotis hispidula". Vascular Plants Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  2. Walker, P. J. (1995). "Walker, P. J., Koen, T. B., & Gittins, R. (1995). Natural Regeneration of Ground Storey Vegetation in a Semi-Arid Woodland Following Mechanical Disturbance and Burning. 2. Response of Individual Species. The Rangeland Journal, 17(1), 59-68". The rangeland Journal. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Calotis hispidula". Flora of Victoria. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  4. J. Everett. "Calotis hispidula". PlantNet. NSW Flora Online. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. "Calotis moorei Recovery Plan" (PDF). Office of Environment and Heritage. Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  6. "Distribution of calotis hispidula". The Australasian Virtual Herbarium. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  7. Robinson, Les (2003). Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney (3rd ed.). Kangaroo Press. p. 132. ISBN   0-7318-1211-5.