Product Code Database
Capparis anomala is a species of flowering plant, commonly called warrior bush or broom bush, which is native to Australia.
The warrior bush is not usually more than a small bush, however it sometimes develops into a small tree like the specimen, the largest recorded being still only approximately 4 metres high. The young branches and berries are browsed by stock and frequently grazed on by wild goats. When it is flowering during November and December, the warrior bush attracts clouds of black and white migratory caper white butterflies, and their larvae frequently cause much damage. The sight of these butterflies encompassing this harsh shrub is an unusual image for a species which in a sense has no foliage to speak of. The timber of the warrior bush is surprisingly dense and close grained with a very fine medullary ray making this species highly drought resistant. It has also been noted that macropods such as kangaroos and wallabies are commonly associated with the habitat of the warrior bush.
As the warrior bush is currently abundant within its vegetation zone, we may consider current animal grazing patterns, agriculture and forestry practices which have the potential to pose future threats to the Apophyllum species. These may include widespread overstocking of sheep and cattle which graze on the warrior bush and cause major soil erosion. In semi-arid areas, goats further add to this excessive grazing pressure on herbage and shrubs. The diet of a bush goat is primarily influenced by what choice is available. Bush goats are herbivores and are commonly found in semi-arid areas of Australia and are recorded to find the warrior bush to be palatable. There appears to be a correlation between growth and breeding rates of feral goats in semi-arid vegetation zones where herbage and shrub such as the warrior bush are prevalent, this in turn affects the regeneration of the species as well as damaging their growth when trampled.
Large scale land-clearing for crops, grazing and urban development has reduced native vegetation cover including the warrior bush and led to landscape salinisation, increased sediment, nutrient and salt loads in rivers and streams, loss of habitat and a decline in biodiversity. As a general note, we see introduced and invasive plant and animal species into any ecosystem is a major threat to floral biodiversity; 20 introduced species have been declared Weeds of National Significance (many of which are located within the semi-arid vegetation zones of the warrior bush) and since European settlement of Australia, 61 plant species are known to have become extinct; a further 1,239 species are presently considered threatened. Fortunately, the warrior bush is not classified as a threatened flora species and its conservation status classifies as "LC" - least concern.
|
|
