No, this is the first record of a naturally occurring plant in the ACT as far as I am aware. However, it is perhaps not surprising that given large populations occur in the similar habitat within the Tallanganda ranges nearby. Other species with similar distributions like Senecio vagus and Pteris umbrosa have both been found in the ACT recently as well. Xerochrysum bracteatum is a plant of tall montane forest after all, so there is no reason why we shouldn't have it in the territory, it occurs to both our east and west already.
In terms of this being a broad-leaved form of X.viscosum, I would say highly unlikely. The leaves are very broad, and the larger ones toward the base of the plant are very close to being elliptic, certainly not narrow-linear as in X.viscosum at the very least. However, the most important detail is that the leaves are not viscid, which Is the basis for the ID
Yeah makes sense, I was presuming you checked the leaves which aren't really easy to tell in photos. As you said I was almost suspect that it could be in this general area for similar reasons mentioned above. Perhaps worthy of significant sighting though in spite of first record?
Xerochrysum bracteatum was recorded in the assessment of the Isaacs Ridge Offset Area (listed in the Management Plan). I have never tried hard to find it.
I imagine records in that plan would’ve been human obs so there is also potential for misID. I sorta figured first natural record and first record are more or less one and the same, but yes, Luke is correct.
Describe how you intend to use these images and/or audio files and your request will be sent to the author for consideration.
Your request has been successfully submitted to the author for consideration.
2,154,471 sightings of 19,955 species in 6,503 locations from 11,461 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.