Species profile—Aponogeton queenslandicus
Classification
Plantae (plants) → Equisetopsida (land plants) → Aponogetonaceae → Aponogeton queenslandicus
Species details
- Kingdom
- Plantae (plants)
- Class
- Equisetopsida (land plants)
- Family
- Aponogetonaceae
- Scientific name
- Aponogeton queenslandicus H.Bruggen
- WildNet taxon ID
- 11267
- Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) status
- SL
- Conservation significant
- Yes
- Confidential
- Yes
- Wetland status
- Wetland Indicator Species
- Endemicity
- Native
- Pest status
- Nil
- Description
- Aponogeton queenslandicus is a perennial aquatic plant. It is rooted to the substrate by tubers that are 1-5cm long, 1.8-2.6cm wide and have extremely coarse, stiff hairs. Its leaves may be submersed or floating, but submersed leaves are uncommon. Leaves are light green to green, narrowly ovate or elliptic, 5-11cm long by 0.8-3cm wide and have flat margins and a heart-shaped base. They are on stalks up to about 60cm long, depending on the depth of the water.
The flower stalk can grow up to 30cm long, narrow at the base and widening toward the flower head. The spike-like, yellow flower heads are densely flowered, with flowers arranged evenly around the spike and may be floating or emergent. Fruits are 2.5-4.5mm long, 2.3-3mm wide, with a terminal beak and contain 4-13 seeds. The seeds are 1.7-3mm long and 0.6-1mm wide, with a loose outer seed coating.
A population of A. vanbruggenii on the Atherton Tableland resembles A. queenslandicus in producing almost all heart-shaped-based floating leaves, but when the seeds are examined it is clearly the former species. (Stanley & Ross 1983; Hellquist 1998; Jacobs 1998; Stephens & Downing 2002) - Habitat
- Aponogeton queenslandicus grows in temporary freshwater bodies between 30 and 60cm in depth, in drier regions. It occurs in gilgais in brigalow scrub, melon-holes and roadside ditches, preferring a sunny position on clay substrates. This species does not occur in flowing streams, permanent water bodies or in water deeper than about 60cm. (Stanley & Ross 1983; Hellquist 1998)
- Reproduction
- Aponogeton queenslandicus flowers and fruits in response to water levels and temperature, but more commonly during the warmer months. (Hellquist 1998)
- Management documents
- Conservation and management of protected plants in trade in Queensland 1995-1998. Department of Environment.
- Notes
- Contributors: Kathy Stephens, Mellisa Mayhew 27/01/2009
- References
- Hellquist, C.B. & Jacobs, S.W.L. (1998). Aponogetonaceae of Australia, with descriptions of six new taxa. Telopea 8(1): 14.
Herbrecs (2008). Aponogeton queenslandicus, in BriMapper version 2.12. Queensland Herbarium. Accessed 23/09/2008.
Jacobs, S.W.L. (1998). Aponogeton queenslandicus, in PlantNet: New South Wales Flora Online. National Herbarium of New South Wales. Accessed 23/09/2008. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/
Stanley, T.D. & Ross, E.M. (1983). Flora of south-eastern Queensland (volume 3). Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.
Stephens, K.M. & Dowling, R.M. (2002). Wetland Plants of Queensland, a field guide. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood. - Profile author
- Kathy Stephens (27/01/2009)
Other resources
Data source
This profile data is sourced from the QLD Wildlife Data API using the Get species by ID function used under CC-By 4.0.
https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species/?op=getspeciesbyid&taxonid=11267.
This information is sourced from the WildNet database managed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.
