NSW Scientific Committee - final determination
The Scientific Committee has found that:
1. Eriocaulon australasicum (Eriocaulaceae) was first described by F.A. Kornicke in 1856.
2. Eriocaulon australasicum has been described by Harden (1993, Flora of NSW, Vol. 4) as: a small tufted herb. Leaves 2-5 cm long, 1-1.5 mm wide. Inflorescence ovoid to subglobose, 3-4 mm diam., with outer whorls of female flowers and inner whorls of male flowers. Bracts glabrous; outer bracts more or less narrow-ovate; inner bracts more or less linear. Perianth glabrous or absent. Male flowers pedicellate, perianth glabrous; outer tepals 3, oblong-spathulate, cohering at base; inner tepals fused into a 3-lobed tube; stamens 6. Female flower without perianth; ovary sessile, but appearing shortly and distinctly pedicellate because perianth absent. Flowers summer.
3. The species is known from only a single New South Wales collection dated 1853, from "wet places along the Murray River towards the junction of Murrumbidgee River".
4. The species also occurs in Victoria but there have been no targetted species surveys of known or likely habitats within the last 50 years.
5. In view of 3 & 4 above, the Scientific Committee is of the opinion that the species might already be extinct in New South Wales, but is not presumed extinct and therefore under Section 10c of the Threatened Species Conservation Act is eligible for listing as an endangered species.
Proposed Gazettal date: 23/7/99
Exhibition period: 23/7/99 - 27/8/99