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Coastal (Sand) Spurge
Chamaesyce psammogeton
Formerly known as Euphorbia sparrmanii and as Chamaesyce sparrmanii.
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Conservation Status
Endangered species in NSW (TSC Act).
Distribution
Recorded sporadically along the New South Wales and Queensland coasts from Jervis Bay northwards, and from Lord Howe Island (NSW Scientific Committee 1998c). Although formerly regarded as widespread, a survey of coastal dune plants in New South Wales in the late 1980's recorded it at few sites, leading to concern that it was in danger of extinction in this state (Clarke 1989, Clarke and Carolin 1991).
Pittwater Population
The species was recorded at Avalon Beach in 1987 by Peter Clarke (Atlas of NSW Wildlife). It has also been recorded at Palm Beach (Benson and McDougall 1995).
Habitat
Chamaesyce psammogeton is a prostrate herb which forms mats up to one metre across on the unstable sands of the strandline zone of coastal foredunes (Carolin and Clarke 1991). It also sometimes grows in exposed sites on headlands (NSW Scientific Committee 1998c).
Ecology
Individual populations reported during the last two decades have been small, comprising only one to a few plants (NSW Scientific Committee 1998c). Plants are perennial with a life span of 5 to 30 years and often form a woody rootstock(Clarke 1989). Seeds are produced from the first year.
Flowers are borne in spring and summer, and fruit in autumn and winter. It is not known whether seeds persist in the soil seed bank, but seeds float so dispersal between beaches may occur. Seedlings and adults are tolerant of wind, drought and salinity. The effects of fire on the plants are unknown.
Management Issues
- Beach dune management
- Control of Bitou Bush
- Control translocation (as an alternative to conservation in situ)
- Community education
- Lack of knowledge of the species (in particular, the specific locations where it occurs in Pittwater)
- Recovery plan (no plan has yet been prepared for this species)
Updated: 06 Dec 2011