NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Brachyscome ascendens G.L. Davis (ASTERACEAE), is described in the Flora of south-eastern Queensland by Stanley and Ross (1986), from which the following is taken in full.
2. "Brachyscome ascendens G.L. Davis is an ascending perennial up to c. 30 cm tall, glandular and septate hairy. Cauline leaves more or less sessile; blades cuneate, dentate to pinnatifid with 2-8 acute lobes or teeth, up to ca 2.8 cm X 0.8 cm. Involucres ca 5-9 mm wide, involucral bracts ca 4.5 mm X 1.5 mm; ray florets lavender, rays ca 4 mm long; disc florets yellow. Achenes broad, oblong, flat, ca 2 mm X 1.3 mm, body tuberculate in centre, laterally expanded into irregular thickened lobes, appearing wing-like; pappus less than 0.5 mm long but relatively conspicuous". (Stanley & Ross, 1986). There is also a description and illustration of the species in Salkin, Thomlinson, Armstrong, Courtney and Schaumann (1995) Australian Brachyscomes, Australian Daisy Study Group.
3. Brachyscome ascendens is currently known from one location in NSW in the Border Ranges National Park of northern NSW. It is recorded as rare in south eastern Queensland. It grows in montane shrubland on escarpment cliffs in skeletal rocky soils of basic igneous geology. It occurs with Eucalyptus campanulata, Pomaderris species, Xanthorrhoea species, and a scattered ground cover of Themeda australis.
4. There are thought to be 40-50 plants at the only known site in New South Wales though there may be more that are inaccessible on steep cliff faces below the escarpment.
5. Brachyscome ascendens is primarily at risk due to its extremely restricted distribution and low population numbers. This predisposes the species to stochastic events. It is threatened by weed invasion from Ageratina riparia (Mist Flower) and Ageratina adenophora (Crofton Weed). Disturbance associated with road and track construction and maintenance, and inadvertent damage incurred via recreational pressures such as trampling by bushwalkers and other visitors to the site, are also potential threats.
6. In view of 3, and 4 above the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Brachyscome ascendens is likely to become extinct in nature unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.
Proposed Gazettal date: 13/07/01
Exhibition period: 13/07/01 - 17/08/01