Asterolasia elegans (A. elegans) (family Rutaceae) is a tall, slender, and erect shrub that grows up to three metres high. The leaves are lance shaped, 413 cm long, with rusty star-shaped hairs on both surfaces. Asterolasia elegans flowers in spring, producing large white flowers with long dense star-shaped hairs on the outer surface. Fruiting occurs in November, and seeds are released in December. The fruits are covered in white and rusty hairs containing oblong shiny grey seeds.
Asterolasia elegans |
Asterolasia elegans
Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Asterolasia elegans
Threats Asterolasia elegans is threatened by high frequency fire related to climate change; and fire promoted weed invasion.
The substantial loss (c. percent) of mature individuals at Parr SCA may increase the species extinction risk; particularly given that climate change will likely increase the risk of fires across the species range (CSIRO Bureau of Meteorology 2015 DEE 2021).
Inappropriate fire regime Timing current Too infrequent fires can threaten A. elegans by and planned burns Confidence known allowing adult plants to mature and die Consequence major without new seedlings emergence; meaning they exist only as a soil stored seed bank with Trend unknown a finite life span (OEH 2011).
The species may also be threatened by planned fire regimes; especially if they are too infrequent or too frequent for the required inter fire period of A. elegans.
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