Euphrasia scabra (a herb) - endangered species listing

The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act, has made a Final Determination to list the herb Euphrasia scabra R.Br as an ENDANGERED SPECIES on Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act. Listing is provided for by Part 2 of the Act.

NSW Scientific Committee - final determination

The Scientific Committee has found that:

1. Euphrasia scabra was first described by R. Brown in 1810.

2. Euphrasia scabra (Scrophulariaceae) has been described by Harden (1992, Flora of New South Wales Vol. 3) as: an erect annual herb 8.5 - 50 cm high, stem branched just below inflorescence, leaves, bracts and calyces scabrous with non-glandular hairs with at least the calyx also glandular-hairy. Upper stem leaves ovate to elliptic, usually 6 - 15 mm long, 1 - 7 mm wide, margins lobed to toothed with 1 - 5 pairs of teeth. Calyx 4.3 - 9 mm long, densely hairy with glandular and non-glandular hairs. Corolla 8 - 12 mm long, glabrous, yellow, outer surface hairy; tube 6 - 8 mm long. Stamen filaments glabrous; anthers 1.1 - 1.6 mm long, connectives glabrous or hairy. Capsule 5 - 9.3 mm long, bristly except at base. Flowers October - February. Grows in open damp grassy situations.

3. The species is known from only eight New South Wales collections. Until 1999, the most recent is dated 1899, from the Jenolan Caves area. Other collections were made (all last century) from Port Jackson, Bathurst Plains, Lake George, Jindabyne, Yarrangobilly Caves and Tumbarumba. The species has been found in 1999 in Bondi State Forest, with a population estimated at 300 plants. Some former sites investigated recently suffer from weed invasion and are heavily grazed.

4. The main threat to Euphrasia scabra is habitat disturbance including grazing and weed invasion. Due to the fragmented nature of the populations and their small size, the species is susceptible to catastrophic events and localised extinction.

5. In view of 3 and 4 above, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the species is likely to become extinct in nature in New South Wales unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate.

Proposed Gazettal date: 13/8/99
Exhibition period: 13/8/99 - 17/9/99