What are some threats to the Sturts Desert Rose?
The Sturt’s Desert Rose was discovered by Charles Sturt in 1844-45. In 1947, JH Willis gave the shrub its current botanical name. It is not considered to be at risk in the wild. The Sturt’s Desert Rose is the floral emblem of the Northern Territory and appears in stylised form on the official flag. It is also known as the Darling River Rose, Cotton Rosebush and Australian Cotton. One danger might be introduced grazing animals: oil glands cover most parts of Sturt’s Desert Rose. They contain a substance called Gossypol. It is poisonous to most native animals, but it does not affect introduced hoofed animals like sheep and cattle. Horses and camels also eat the plants. These plants grown in arid areas and could be overgrazed.
