Atalaya brevialata is a subshrub growing to 45 cm tall, with annual aerial parts and a perennial woody rootstock. The stalkless leaves are alternate and linear, and are 65–410 mm long and 1.4–7.5 mm wide. The inflorescence (flower cluster) is a panicle (many-branched) or sometimes corymb (flat-topped panicle) to 70 mm long. The flowers are creamy white and up to 8 mm in diameter. The fruit has three widely-spreading lobes, separating into samaras (winged seeds) at maturity. The obovoid (egg-shaped) seed is approximately 8.5 mm long and 8 mm wide.
Atalaya brevialata |
Atalaya brevialata
Status: Critically Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Atalaya brevialata
The Committee accepts that the species has a very restricted geographic distribution; which is precarious for the survival of the species due to its existence in a limited location; along with the current threat of land clearing for urban development; and the potential threat of gamba grass and resulting inappropriate fire regimes.