Commersonia rosea (Sandy Hollow commersonia), family Malvaceae, is a perennial prostrate shrub that grows from 0.1–0.3 m high. The plant has trailing branches up to 60 cm long. The younger branches and leaves are hairy and the plant produces pink flowers with five petals. Flowering has been recorded in August, November, January and February. Following taxonomic revision, the name of this species is now Androcalva rosea.
Sandy Hollow Commersonia |
Androcalva rosea
Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Androcalva rosea
Given its restricted geographical distribution and low population numbers the main threats to Commersonia rosea include vegetation clearance; inappropriate fire regimes; changes to land use; disturbance associated with road track maintenance; stock grazing trampling and drought.
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Australian Government, Listing Advices, Commerzonia Rosea
Description of Threats The restricted geographic distribution and low population numbers of Commersonia rosea predispose the species to a number of threats including vegetation clearance; inappropriate fire regimes; changes to land use; disturbance associated with road track maintenance; stock grazing trampling and prolonged drought.
The survival of the species appears to be dependent on fire of the appropriate intensity and frequency to ensure maintenance of a viable soil seed bank.
The impact of fire at inappropriate intervals on immature plants may cause local population extinctions through lack of contribution to the soil seed bank.
The Committee considers that the species has a restricted geographic distribution; which is precarious for the survival of the species due to potential threat of inappropriate fire regimes; possibly compounded by the impacts of prolonged drought; vehicular traffic and stock grazing and trampling.