FLRBG February 2015 Newsletter of the Friends of Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens Inc.

President’s Message A lot has happened at the Gardens since August when I moved into the role of president. With the bitumen paths in place in the Sensory Garden, planting has been carried out along the northern and southern boundaries to give shade and wind protection. Two raised gardens have been constructed. A very handsome shelter in the north east corner has been erected and four large wooden benches have been acquired. The main earthworks around the pond have been completed and work is now starting on the Mosaic Path. Mosaic pavers Wednesday work group members Will and Don starting work on the mosaic path in the have been made by the Village Sensory Garden. The second raised garden, also their work, can be seen in the Artists – three of whose members background. The Wednesday group is the life blood of the Gardens. are volunteers at the Gardens - as a Day, the Waste Facility Open Day data base continues, permanent feature of this pathway. One of our and had guided walks around the labels are being positioned, new Friends has lodged a grant Gardens. We’ve had a sale of greeting cards produced and application for a Commemoration at Lismore Central. As well as that additional information brochures Garden with the Department of we have had our Sunday and prepared. And as well there is all Veterans Affairs. And that is only a Wednesday work days. The the behind the scenes planning and start. The education team has Propagation team has being busy researching that is essential for the worked with many groups of propagating and maintaining plants development and functioning of a children, we have had two groups of for future planting and sale, and Botanic Gardens. This group of Japanese visitors. We’ve people on the Watering Roster were volunteers work amazingly hard and participated in the Art v Science busy before Christmas keeping anyone visiting the Gardens after a event, the Big Scrub Environment young plants alive. Work on the break can’t help but be impressed by the progress so far achieved. I know I am. Peter Bundock

Work Mornings Sunday Group usually last Sunday of each month starting at 7.30 in the warmer months Contact Denis 0431 223340 Wednesday Group meet every Wednesday starting 8am Contact Ros 6628 2909 Propagation Group every Tuesday at the nursery, starting 8am Contact Rose 0402 789122

Wear protective clothing and bring insect New shelter, new seats and new plantings are all helping to repellent, sunscreen … and something for create a lovely cool shady space in the Sensory Garden. morning tea. Species profile - Churnwood Family from Peter Gould appear from May to September in slender panicles. The fruit is a black fleshy drupe about 2 cm long, eaten and dispersed by Catbirds, Wompoo Fruit Doves and Topknot Pigeons (amongst others). It is endemic to and is found in Subtropical Rainforest and Warm Temperate Rainforest from Araluen in NSW (35° South) to Mossman in Queensland (16° South). The timber is soft, close grained, and a pale grey colour with prominent rays. This giant Citronella moorei, growing on the Allyn River, Barrington Tops is References: 50m tall with a diameter of 2m. Floyd, A.G. 1990, Australian Rainforests Young in our Uncommpn Plants (source Wikipedia) in New South Wales, Vol’s 1& 2, Surrey Garden collection. P. Gould Beatty & Sons, Sydney NSW.

Description: Citronella moorei is a Floyd, A.G. 2008, Rainforest of Ground orchid pops large tree growing to 50 m tall with mainland south-eastern Australia, Terania Rainforest Publishing, Lismore up in Room 4 a trunk diameter up to 2.0 m. The Harden, G.J. (ed) 1993, Flora of New trunk of mature trees is seldom Family ORCHIDACEAE South Wales, Vol 3, New South Wales Epipogium roseum round, often prominently and University Press, Kensington, NSW. We have been surprised by the irregularly channeled, twisted or Harden, G., McDonald, B. and Williams appearance of a few scattered clumps fluted and they are easily identified J. 2006, Rainforest trees and : a of a strange ground orchid. The by their often leaning, crooked and field guide to their identification, Gwen Drooping Orchid (Epipogium roseum) is twisted form. The bark is fawn or Harden Publishing, Nambuccca Heads, a remarkable, small, rootless, grey, corky and finely fissured. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/ saprophytic Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants (feeding on Leaves are simple, entire and http://keys.trin.org.au/key- alternate, edges not wavy, ovate or server/data/0e0f0504-0103-430d-8004- dead lanceolate to elliptic in shape and 5– 060d07080d04/media/Html/taxon/Citronell matter), 15 cm long by 2–5 cm wide. The a_moorei.htm ground orchid that apex is bluntly pointed, the leaf base lives out tapered. Both surfaces are soft, most of its slightly glossy green and have life cycle prominent veins. There are underground. It is able to survive occasional small domatia mainly in completely underground for up to nine the vein angles along the midrib. years without any above ground sign of The small creamy green flowers its presence. The inflorescence –a short stem with scale like leaves and flower heads - appears above ground occasionally. When flowers do appear Epipogium roseum – they are generally very short lived. This orchid has two unusual features. It rhizome and flower lacks roots depending on a symbiotic relationship with fungi to obtain nutrients from decaying vegetable matter, and it doesn’t rely on chlorophyll. References: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi- bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Epipogiu m~roseum Harden, G.J. (ed) 1993, Flora of New South Wales, Vol 4, New South Wales University Press, Kensington, NSW. 2

Visit to Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens Toby Golson, senior horticulturalist, living rainforest collection, Australian National Botanic Gardens It was with great anticipation that I working and enthusiastic arrived at LRBG early in October volunteers. with my colleague from the Unfortunately Pat was unable to Australian National Botanic Gardens make it on the day, so Peter Gould (ANBG) nursery, senior very kindly provided us with horticulturalist, Julie Percival. I have thoughtful background information been custodian of the in-ground and pointed us to the plants we had rainforest collection at the ANBG for come to sample as well as giving us almost 15 years and any readers an informative tour. who have had the pleasure of Pat had furnished us with data on spending a winter in Canberra will the makeup of your threatened Toby Golson at the Gardens appreciate the challenges that our species holdings and with the in Canberra who provided half of my site by Lake Burley Griffin provides abundant growth provided by the travel costs to make the trip. Finally, to the cultivator. So it is with season’s early start (and some good I also hope to provide follow up some envy that I arrived at your rain prior to our arrival) we were communications regarding the garden in the midst of the sunny able to collect good cutting material progress of the plants and that we subtropics. from the following: Davidsonia at the ANBG can continue to provide The visit was prompted initially by jerseyana, Davidsonia johnsonii, well into future a site for our renewed effort to diversify the Diploglottis campbellii, Elaeocarpus maintaining a conservation genetics of our nationally listed sedentarius, Elaeocarpus collection that includes many of the threatened rainforest holdings and williamsianus, Fontainea oraria, magnificent rainforest gems of the followed on from contact I had Macadamia integrifolia, Macadamia Lismore area. established with Pat Offord to tetraphylla, Myrsine richmondensis. transfer genetic material (principally We are growing all of these species seed) from your collection where already in Canberra except E. Seeing with new eyes! that material is excess to your needs williamsianus, however we currently and is able to be traced to wild have only cultivated clones of collected parentage with secure Davidsonia jerseyana and provenance. This endeavour Macadamia integrifolia and only highlights for me the pivotal role one wild collected clone of each of that regionally based gardens such the remaining six. For these latter as yours can play in the continuing species, it is hoped that adding to Recently a stranger lifted my spirits development of secure ex situ the diversity of our clonal holdings when I met him along Rainforest Walk. He said it was his second visit - collections of threatened flora will ensure a more representative he had come many years earlier. He through ‘spreading the risk’ by sample of the taxons’ genetics. We praised the great growth of the plants, holding genetic material in also collected cuttings from the new paths and the shade, where dispersed locations in different Archidendron muellerianum and once there was a degraded weed- forms (seed, in-ground plants, tissue Xylosma terra-reginae which are infested paddock. He congratulated us culture). Your local access, species we are not currently on what had been achieved. Then he connections and on-the-ground growing. Cuttings are now in the really caught my attention when he knowledge provide a wealth of propagation houses at the ANBG referred to the new environment the opportunity unavailable in the main nursery and, all being well, I hope to Friends had created. He pointed out the small wrens darting around to us capital city folk. plant out those that strike in late downstream of Sunny Slope. He said In stark contrast to LRBG, the summer or in spring 2016. that once, this area had been ruled by rainforest gully at the ANBG is As an employee of a large capital the large birds. Now the Friends and entering a stage of maturity that 50 city institution, I would like to thank Mother Nature had put in place a years of growth has provided even and commend all those involved whole new, cool, shaded and with our short and challenging with your garden. Such endeavours protective environment that had encouraged the timid and small growing seasons and impoverished not only bond and invigorate local colourful birds. He enabled me to see soils. I was very impressed both with communities but can become vital the place with new eyes. The Friends the layout and presentation of your cogs in the safeguarding of our have made a difference. We should all garden especially given its youth nation’s floral heritage. I would also take a bow! GEOFF WALKER and reliance on all your hard like to thank our Friends group here Wren image Wikipedia 3

By David Cameron, a retired research forester with Hoop Pine Forest at the Gardens experience in QLD., CSIRO, SIDA & FAO of the UNO

Last year, I had my first real look at much larger trees in the the Hoop Pine (Araucaria stand. The poor traits cunninghamii) forest on the eastern mentioned above were seen side of Lismore Rainforest Botanic regularly in Queensland Gardens. The most striking aspect of Department of Forestry the stand for me was the large plantations up until the number of well-formed, healthy 1970s and then there was a trees. And this was quite unusual. change. I believed that the stock for this Change planting must have come from a The reason for that change Queensland Department of Forestry is an interesting story. Hoop Seed Orchard. The reason for this is pine was accepted as a David Cameron giving his talk at recent Hoop Pine workshop at the Gardens that when routine plantations candidate for plantation originating from seed collected from development in Queensland groupings had very high basal areas un-improved trees are examined, in the 1920s when it was clear to and this indicated that in plantation the variation in form, taper, foliage early foresters that the supplies of the species could maintain high type and overall performance is natural hoop pine would run out at stocking rates and achieve very high clearly obvious. For instance, there some time in the future. In the Mary volume production. will be trees of poor form, some River valley, two species were in Nurseries and plantations were with double leaders, some with very consideration for plantation use but established in several districts large branches, some with large or Hoop Pine was placed ahead of the where Hoop Pine grew naturally. As very short inter-whorls, and some alternative Mexican cedar (Cedrela far as possible, local seed was used with rapid stem taper. This was not odorata). Both had grown well and to develop the plantations in the the case with the Botanic Gardens’ it is likely that the indigenous reasonable belief that such material planting. Trees there are generally species, with timber products well would be well adapted to local of good form, they have acceptable known to the community and conditions. Early collections of seed taper, the branch characteristics are industry, would have an advantage for establishing plantations were acceptable in that few have steeply over an exotic with no real local from native trees that were being angled branches with most generally experience in growing it, processing felled for milling. Instructions were at right angles to the stem. Besides it or selling it. also given to collecting cones from these facts, whorls are regular, Hoop Pine was highly sought after the very best trees harvested so that there are no unusual crown in Queensland and in northern New there was a gradual improvement formations and foliage is generally South Wales as a general purpose in the quality of the resulting normal. housing and furniture timber. In fact plantations. Records were kept of There were a number of ‘runts’ and it was generally sought after where the seed came from that is normal in most plantations. following the removal of the high (provenance) and later it became Runts are really ineffective trees, value Red Cedar (Toona australis), clear that there were some that they contribute virtually no volume, White Beech (Gmelina leichhardtii) performed better than others. It or basal area to the stand and are and several other attractive cabinet- also became clear that native stands not competitive with the other wood species which were removed were becoming much more difficult by logging of to find and that seed would coastal forests. eventually have to be collected from Hoop Pine plantations. Such collections began occurred in dry in the 1960s. and moist Another factor that was very rainforest stands important was that the Department as an emergent had a policy of producing ‘quality above the lower timber’. This meant that thinning in growing mixed the plantations was practised to stand of rainforest remove the poorer stems and also species and was pruning was carried out to allow the found as scattered production of clear knot-free boards individuals or as and peeler logs that attracted higher The Hoop Pine Forest clusters of trees. prices. Clear timber had the These tree 4 advantage of being easier to work with less defect in the boards and health, taper and branch composition as well as providing veneers and this was beneficial in all characteristics and about one security against threats such as fire. So the high initial stocking rates, and quarter of the total number of trees Another important step in a the need to thin also encouraged are selected for pruning to a branch breeding program is the testing of the Department to commence a height that can be reached from the the selected trees for performance breeding program. It was clear that ground. Another selection is made of their progeny. This is done via if superior stock from seed orchards about 5 years later and this is for a progeny (or family) trials identifying were planted, then a wider spacing ‘ladder prune’ and again the the truly superior parents for could be used, reducing the number number is reduced to about one retention in seed orchards, and the of trees planted and the need for quarter of the remaining stand. As best families in which to select high-cost non-commercial thinning. the compartment is searched for superior trees of the second Breeding of a tree species this pruning and for general health, generation – for new seed orchards introduces a very different time any outstanding trees are marked and further breeding. for consideration for inclusion in the scale to that of breeding non-tree The progeny trial may be from breeding program. Screening of the horticultural crops that have open-pollination of controlled-cross selected trees is carried out by the relatively short life cycles, allowing pollination. The genetic Tree Breeding Officer with several of changed directions in the breeding improvement program with Hoop his colleagues. after just a few years. With forest Pine in Queensland recently reached trees where the end crop is timber, However, when it comes down to the stage where all seed a breeding strategy has to be the final trees to be included in the requirements for the modest annual effective for 30 or more years. A breeding program, a more critical planting program are produced by final harvest in a Hoop Pine evaluation is carried out by the Tree controlled crossing of grafts of the plantation could be after 50-60 Breeding Officer(s) together with very best trees. years. Besides the growth and form the Senior Research Officer as well It is estimated that stock from the traits, the quality of the timber must as several of the most senior first seed orchard exhibited a gain in be evaluated as another key factor Departmental staff. Besides very plantation volume production at age in a breeding program. careful measurement of the 35 years of 30% and in average tree diameter, height, branch angles, straightness score of 40%. By the foliage health, taper, the other most mid -1980s all planting stock in important measurement is on the Queensland was raised from wood characteristics. Samples are orchard seed and this supports the taken near the base of the tree and view that the Lismore Botanic laboratory measurements made to Gardens Hoop Pine stand also provide confirmation that the wood originated from seed orchard seed. is of the required standard (suitable wood density and minimal spiral grain) for inclusion in the breeding Hoop Pine Forest program. The stand of Hoop Pines at the Gardens was planted in 1984 by the The most practical way to produce NSW Department of Agriculture and a large amount of seed, giving stock Lismore City Council as a with substantially improved growth demonstration plot to show famers and quality is to establish the best that Camphor Laurels could be trees selected in the breeding controlled by poisoning and then program as grafts in seed orchards replacing them with a local designed to minimize self- rainforest species, in this case Hoop Walking in the Hoop Pine Forest pollination. The first such orchard Pines. In time, the new trees could was established at Imbil in With these thoughts in mind the be a cash crop. In October last year Queensland in 1965. Other orchards selection of ‘candidate’ superior we had a workshop at the Gardens followed, the most recent in the trees is a necessary starting point to help us learn more about our early 2000s, as more knowledge was for a breeding program. In Hoop Pine Forest. The presenters gained and more superior trees plantation management the first were Rob Dyason, who was involved were selected, some within progeny stage of the selection is made early with the original planning and trials of the earliest selections. Most in the plantation life when trees are planting, Peter Stace who worked orchards included grafts of 20-30 chosen for the first ‘ground’ pruning the in later management of the site, trees and later orchards provide the when 8-10 m in height. The and retired forester David Cameron. selection is based on form, vigour, opportunity for upgrading of their 5 Dr. Calder Chaffey: my favourite botanist, though we never met It was 2012 when Southern Cross University’s Medicinal Plant Herbarium received the collection of the late Dr. Calder Chaffey. The dried plant collection, made up of plants he’d collected all around Australia, was the basis of my employment as a Herbarium Technical Officer. It was my job to catalogue and digitize the entire collection. Little did I know at the time that I was about to embark on a journey of discovery, detective work and making acquaintance with a botanist I’d never met but would soon develop a bit of a soft spot for. Calder’s collection arrived in large boxes loaded with specimens in binder folders, pressed in newspapers, stacked in drawers or lovingly enveloped. The collection contained over 2700 specimens, including over 1300 eucalypts, over 500 fern specimens, a multitude of rainforest plants; and several collections documenting plant growth in locations such as Lord Howe Island (Figure 1), New

Caledonia, Heron Island and Broughton Island. Calder even went as far as to provide Figure 1. Leptopteris moorei, a rare fern location maps and detailed descriptions and lists of the plants found on these collected by Dr. Chaffey on an expeditions. expedition to Lord Howe Island in 1993. The first task in the Calder Chaffey project was cataloguing, which involved entering each specimen’s details into the SCU Herbarium Database (latin name, common name, collection date, locality, habit). Most plants were already mounted on herbarium sheets by Calder himself, so thankfully the digitization process could begin straight away. Using a flashy 21 megapixel Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 digital SLR with a beautiful set of lenses, the digitization process began. The photographic setup consisted of the camera being attached to a copy stand pointing down at the table beneath; a set of high-powered flash units either side of the table; and a cable connecting the camera to the nearby computer (see Figure 2). With a click of the mouse, each specimen was photographed individually; the image instantly appearing on the computer screen. After tweaking slightly to adjust for colour balance, sharpness and cropping, the images were backed up onto a large external hard drive. The final step was to upload the images onto the Atlas of Living Australia, where people the world over could access the images online; a marvellous educational resource. (See http://collections.ala.org.au/public/show/co195) During my undertakings it was interesting to learn that Dr. Chaffey was, in fact a GP for over 40 years before retiring to immerse himself in his passion for botany. This was also when he became a founding member of the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens; and with good friend Geoff Walker, plotted the GPS co-ordinates of the trees in the gardens. Through the process of sorting, cataloguing and digitizing Calder’s collection, it became apparent to me that he was indeed a meticulous, logical

Figure 2. The digitization setup and enthusiastic individual. His attention to detail and the keeping of thorough records of all the specimens has certainly developed my appreciation for such dedication and persistence. Although Calder Chaffey is no longer around to grace us with his boundless enthusiasm for Australian plants and botany, his spirit remains intricately bound within his work, and shines through his precious collections. Visitors are welcome by appointment at the SCU Medicinal Plant Figure 3. Calder Chaffey, my favourite botanist! Herbarium. Come explore Calder’s collection and the rest of the Herbarium to discover the fascinating array of botanical snapshots in history!

By Vic Szabo Herbarium Technical Officer, SCU Medicinal Plant Herbarium For appointments to visit the Herbarium, email: [email protected] 6

Our Work Groups Saving the Wild Wollemi Pines Ros Little, Works Organiser It has been a very busy year for our Volunteer workers. Our numbers have increased on Wednesday to 15 regulars. Two of our new members have had considerable experience in woodwork, building and construction and this has been a great help in establishing the new Sensory Garden. After the hard paths were laid for the Sensory Garden we started with the Sunday group planting a row of The Wollemi pine (Wollemia which are necessary to keep us Acmena ‘Firescreen’ along the nobilis) is one of the rarest and healthy. Anniversary Pathway on National Tree oldest trees in the world. “Part of my previous research Day. This was followed up by planting Although the trees are now showed that when Wollemi a large bed of ground cover plants common in nurseries around the seedlings are planted in soil under behind the Firescreen. Then a row of country, the remaining wild trees their own parent trees, they gather alternate White Cedar and Brown are under threat from the soil different fungal communities and Kurrajong along the northern road. pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, grow better than when they’re All these plants have flourished even which causes root rot. Scientists are planted in soil further away,” says though we had a very dry Spring urgently trying to find new ways to Mowle. “You’d expect that the Work was done on the pond with a fight this root-rot pathogen, as well trees would do more poorly weir put across allowing a bog garden in front of the outlet pipe. We will be as identify new locations to set up underneath their parents because of starting to plant around this area future populations in order to a build-up of natural enemies soon. prevent the ancient trees from around the adult trees, but these The middle bed in the Sensory Garden becoming extinct. And it turns out results suggest there’s something now has a raised block wall at either that soil could be the key to both. beneficial around their adults," she end and we will put in trailing plants “They’re an iconic species and adds. “We believe the adults are to spill over. At present we are there are fewer than 100 left in the gathering a beneficial microbial constructing a paved area and wild,” says Jessica Mowle, a PhD community under them.” pathway in the middle of this bed. student at the Hawkesbury Institute, The research team at the We have been able to purchase four who is leading a project on how the Hawkesbury Institute for the garden seats for the Sensory Garden Wollemi pines affect the soil Environment is now working with and we also have a canopy which will environment they’re planted in. the Australian Office of Environment keep off the rain while visitors can "We're extremely interested in and Heritage, the Royal Botanic enjoy the view. While doing all this keeping them alive." Gardens and the University of work we still have been keeping the Mowle’s research suggests that the Melbourne to try to find the ideal rest of the Gardens watered, weeded soil environment the trees are location for a new wild population and maintained. We could not do it planted in could play a big role in of 190 Wollemi pines. without having a great group of the species' survival, and might even “I want to understand if there’s a willing and friendly and enthusiastic help to fight off root rot. It also particular soil environment where workers doing a great job. suggests that the trees can actually Wollemi do best, and whether they attract beneficial bacteria and fungi can gather a specific microbial to their roots in order to create a community to them in these new good soil environment - which might locations,” says Mowle. help explain why they've been so The ultimate goal now is to identify good at surviving for 65 million which environments and also which years. soil microbes can help the trees A growing body of evidence fight off P. cinnamomi. suggests that the balance of these Adapted from article in Science Alert November 2014 soil environments could help to http://www.sciencealert.com/less-than- keeping pathogens away and a range of plants to grow. It’s a similar 100-of-these-trees-are-left-in-the-wild- now-fungi-could-help-save-them situation to the gut bacteria Some of the Wednesday group enjoying a Image University of Queensland environment in our own stomachs, well earned morning tea break 7 Making the rainforest key Rainforest Plants of Australia – Rockhampton to Victoria By Nan Nicholson A computer-based interactive experts, identification key to rainforest plants immersing seemed like a good idea in 2001. Terry ourselves Tame, whose concept this was, had in learning experience with making interactive – these keys; Gwen Harden, Bill McDonald and gave us a John Williams had all the information rich and drawings already in their “red sensation book” Rainforest Trees and Shrubs and of Gwen Harden, Bill McDonald, Nan & Hugh Nicholson “green book” Rainforest Climbing privilege Plants; and Hugh had many of the and supported by Hugh’s close-up photos photos from our books Australian gratitude. We even managed to stay showing the specific features that will Rainforest Plants I-VI. It should have enthusiastic in some of the scrappy clinch identification. been easy and quick. impoverished vine scrubs, pushing One of the advantages of interactive However, by the time the key actually through lantana and gathering ticks, keys is the ability to play around with emerged in late 2014 the project had because we knew how lucky we were. multiple questions, eg: which weed blown to 10 times the original size. The We were collaborating with the best species occur between Rockhampton number of species, photos and amount botanists in Australia and we were and Gladstone in dry rainforest? Or, of detail all grew relentlessly as we kept contributing to collective human which rare or threatened species in raising our own bar. Our credibility on knowledge. Fortunately our existing Victoria occur in cool-temperate predicted completion dates was book business allowed for long rainforest? shredded, along with, on occasion, our absences and, in the first few years, our Rainforest Plants of Australia – nerves, incomes and relationships. We daughter Terri was living nearby and Rockhampton to Victoria is primarily a lost two of our members – John could run the farm while we means to identify rainforest plants but it Williams passed away in 2005 and Terry disappeared into the wild. is much more. The general information Tame had to withdraw through illness. The hard bits were: deciding on the on rainforests includes copious details It was an exhausting 13 years with a limits of the project and then justifying on the different types and their mind-numbing number of hours spent them; driving long distances to collect locations. This is supported by a huge screen-staring. Just the scoring of photos of rare plants that turned out to illustrated glossary with hot-linked species characters, with 1139 species, be not there, not alive or not examples of species, and an enormous 160 features and several states for each photographable; reading, checking, re- reference list of publications and feature, involved 1,291,626 boxes to be reading and re-checking a manuscript related websites. ticked, all by Gwen Harden. with hundreds of characters, no story Many times during the 13 years we Gwen attended to most of the hard line and an absence of emotional wondered whether to give up but now slogging detail, and re-drew all of the thread. The dread that we might never we can look back and say the journey original illustrations while adding many finish was always lurking. was worth it because the end result will others. She also master-minded the Now that the key is finally being help many people take joy in the natural entire project, researched much of the examined by others and is receiving world around them. Hopefully they will additional information and generally healthy reviews we can enjoy seeing fight to protect and regenerate what is kept the rest of the team on track. people marvel at the complexity and left. Bill McDonald provided, from his beauty of rainforest plants. It makes all For information about the key or to encyclopaedic knowledge of the the effort worthwhile. order a copy - or for information re Queensland flora, information on the Non-botanical people using it have their photos and books go to: Queensland species which no-one else reported that they can key out Blue www.rainforestplantsofaustralia.com could have supplied. Quandong (Elaeocarpus grandis) with www.rainforestpublishing.com.au or Hugh prepared over 12,000 photos, only the following information: a very www.facebook.com/rainforest.publishi most of which he took large tree, with buttressed roots and old ng?ref=hl himself, as he and I fallen leaves turning red, in the NSW- travelled to hundreds of patches of Qld border region. These features bring rainforest from north of Rockhampton the choices down to just three species Did you know that a researcher in to far southern Victoria and west to Mt which can easily be separated by Norway has discovered that Kaputar in NSW and to the central looking at the photos. medication for mental health highlands of Queensland. I collected On the other hand, professional patients dropped by half after they thousands of specimens which now botanists can find a level of detail that participated in a program that form a large herbarium and enable me has not been collated in any other introduced them to taking regular to answer challenges on identification. publication. For the floral descriptions walks in the woods? Gathering these photos was in particular, Gwen Harden gleaned Northern Star Oct 2014 the best part of the project for us. information from many sources Finding new and beautiful places, including countless herbarium meeting the plants and the local specimens. Her descriptions are 8 Art v Science event in Lismore a success Friends Committee person using the President: Peter Bundock Vice President: Marie Matthews microscope and adults Secretary: Denis Matthews looking on, and 6689 5261 Margaret had little [email protected] people in their little Treasurer: Sheila Pring Organiser: Ros LIttle chairs creating lovely art Newsletter: Marie Matthews work with foliage. Rose 6689 5261 was not just selling [email protected] plants but Data Base Manager Mary McDermott demonstrating how to Propagation: Rose Hand 0402 789122 pot them up. I had [email protected] noticed that Rose had Sunday Work Group her granddaughter Maia Denis Matthews with her. What I did not 0431 223340 Wednesday Group Ros Little realise till later was that 6628 2909 Maia was not just her [email protected] grandmother’s helper, Guided Walks: Geoff Walker but she had taken on a Childrens Education Rosemary Blakeney Margaret Hildebrand role as our very own Botanicial Consultants: Pat Offord ambassador to children. Jan de Nardi Young people were not Committee: Hazel Bridgett just tagging along with Tracey Whitby their parents but they Address: PO Box 1327 Lismore 2480 were being assisted by Email: [email protected] Facebook: facebook /FLRBG an expert from their Website: www.friendslrbg.com.au own peer group. At our The big event last August billed as next committee meeting Art v Science had been scheduled to it was decided that Maia should be take place in Lismore’s Riverside presented with a certificate to show Park but unseasonal torrential rain our appreciation, and that prompted a relocation to the City certificate was formally given to her Hall. For us this ended up being a at the Big Scrub Field day when we real bonus. With our new site we were able to see her in action yet had easy, level access and not only again, at times taking charge of our did we have paving underfoot but plant stall. Many of us had the we had shelter as well. The weather opportunity to be amazed at the improved and we did not really competence and confidence of this need the shelter. But we arrived to nine year old treasure. The find that a large pop-up tent had certificate was presented by our been provided for our use. We had most venerable volunteer, Geoff various activities to organise. Walker, to our youngest, Maia Ros was setting up plans for the Bellmaine. Denis Matthews Sensory Garden and getting people to contribute ideas. She had full size colour image of the design for a OUR HOOP PINE GREETING CARDS mosaic path to be installed in the They are perfect to have on hand as birthday, Sensory Garden. Rose was soon on thank you or ‘making contact’ cards. top of setting up her plant stall and The beautiful line drawing by FLRBG member Margaret and Rosemary organised Kerry Harvey, is printed on rich ivory card. their Education activities despite the No message inside. Gardens info on the back. hitches in getting power for the computer with microscope. Packs of 5 with envelopes $10 It was all very new to us and I To place an order, email wondered how things would work [email protected] and we will give you out. But whenever I looked during banking details and where you can pick them up the day, Rosemary had a young 9 Feral bee hive at the Gardens Hive fallen Tennyson wrote that in spring a may be OK, to ground young man’s fancy turns. I am not tomorrow is sure what Tennyson thought a exposed to young woman’s might do, I assume the sun and the same. And not only young rain. In the humans. Plants do it, and the birds case at the and the bees do it. A beekeeper Gardens, the knows it is spring when the phone swarm was calls start with, “there are all these attached to bees!” So no surprise when small Margaret Hildebrand rang about branches Feral hive in tree bees at the Lismore Rainforest and hive Botanic Gardens. structure, most of the adult bees were Honey bees reproduce by wax, bees and honey became too undamaged. swarming. About half the bees in a heavy for them to support, and it A large number of bees returned hive leave, generally with the old crashed to the ground. to the spot where the hive had Hive fallen queen, to start a new hive. They That beehive was probably from a been. Once they had settled into a leave a potential queen behind. She swarm that established there last nice compact cluster I usedto aground plastic is a virgin and has yet to mate. spring. The weather since had been downpipe to gather them. Because Mating occurs at special places fairly benign for a hive that was not the pipe is only about 100mm called drone congregation areas. A in a cavity. It was well protected across, the bees cannot fly up and bit like a nightclub for bees. The from above by a good thatch of out and the sides being slippery they problem is that the virgin may be leaves. When I first inspected it I tend to fall to the bottom. It is then taken by a predator during one of felt it was almost certain to collapse, easy to pour them out where these mating flights. The new and on the very day when I convenient. queen would become the mother of returned to photograph it, it had. We had placed a small amount of all the bees in a hive, so should she Because it had been some two to the brood comb in the new hive not return, the hive will eventually three metres off the ground and hoping to encourage the bees to perish as the bees die off. was quite big I thought I would either go inside or for the ones we need a scaffold of some sort or a shook in to stay there. This was not front end loader. The idea was that very successful and most of the bees because of its size – one metre were clustered on the ground in approximately - it would have to be amongst the lomandra. It appeared cut into small pieces. Once it had to me that they were probably fallen to the ground this was still the hiding the queen. The chances of tactic. I figured two people would be finding her in that situation were Geoff Manning better than one and called fellow slim, so we decided to leave them at Gardens apiarist Brian Window to give a overnight to sort themselves out Typically the swarm leaves the hand. and for Brian to bring a frame of parent hive and settles on some A normal beehive was placed eggs, larvae and pupae from home convenient spot nearby, a branch, beside the fallen hive which we next morning. The original was thistle, fence post etc. From here proceeded to cut it into manageable probably too damaged to be scouts set off to find a new home. pieces. The attached bees were attractive to the bees, and the fresh This may take a few hours, or even then shaken into the prepared hive. lot would help the hive to appear days. Sometimes they will move Pieces of comb containing honey normal. some distance away and have and brood were placed in a large This started to work and when I another look around. Should they container for later attention. Brood arrived later I was able to move the be unsuccessful in finding a suitable refers to the eggs, larvae and pupae hive further away and to use some new home, the swarm will that will replace the adult bees. The smoke to get them moving into the occasionally settle for a spot that structure incorporated a number of hive. By the evening they were has low light levels. Such as the prickly stems of a vine that made it settled and Brian, with help from place where a swarm recently somewhat difficult to cut up, but on the gardener Damian, was able to settled at the Gardens. the plus side it had supported the move the hive. At last report the These desperate measures tend to hive during its crash to the ground bees were doing well in their new fail in the long run. Trees shed so that some structural integrity home. Geoff Manning leaves, branches grow. What today was maintained. This meant that 10 Children’s activities at the Gardens During 2014 we have organised an artist making guided walks for 17 different school an arrangement groups, including preschool, primary on black felt and high school students. We work mats or be a in conjunction with Danielle scientist and Hannigan, the Recycle and Recovery study with a Education officer. magnifying Ten schools attended the World sheet. Environment Open Day and seven The children can other schools visited throughout the explore a year involving approximately 500 collection of children. branch off-cuts FLRBG also set up an activity area to match barks to nearby trees and weekends and school holidays. for the Science Hub Festival Sunday count the growth rings to estimate Moving into 2015 24 August, which included children’s the age of a tree. We look forward to extending our activities. Others explore the leaf litter and activities in 2015. Two more At the Gardens we try to organise begin to get an understanding of the members are coming on board to each guided walk according to the eco system. Using tongs and help with school groups – Susan and group’s interest and age range. torches young children really enjoy Tracey. We are better streamlining Generally we aim to help develop working in specifically marked areas our organisation so that preparation children’s understanding of looking for the bugs that are busily for any one activity can be reduced - trees (trunks, leaves, flowers, breaking down the litter to make to a minimum. It will be all set up seeds) new soil and nutrients. and sitting in the office waiting for - the diversity amongst trees and Sit and Ponder Place us to pick it! It has been a busy time other flora At our “Sit and Ponder Place” in the but we love it! Margaret Hildebrand - the eco system of a forest Hoop Pine Forest we can quietly sit - the importance of trees to people enjoying the atmosphere in the - the development of the Botanic shady forest noting the height of the Gardens trees or the number of seeds packed We try to organise a selection of tightly in a Hoop Pine Cone etc. activities for each group that In the Useful Plants Garden each appeals to different learning styles small group can take a small and encourages children to explore shopping bag of plant items e.g. activities in small groups rather than Banksia brush, Bull Rush leaf, Wattle simply take the large group for a seeds, Sprig of Lemon Scented Tea walk and talk. This seems to engage Tree to find the matching tree then children well and we have had read the different signs about the appreciative feedback from teachers plant uses, including uses by local about the activities. Aboriginal people. Some of the activities We include similar suggestions in Children can choose from a the self-guided leaflets for parents selection of leaves and flowers, be and children visiting during

ENVIRONMENTAL FILTERING AND PLANT DIVERSITY. . . . . For decades, ecologists have studied soils to understand why some patches of vegetation contain more plant species than others. Researchers at the University of Western Australia's School of Plant Biology and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama have now found an answer to this long-standing question. According to a study published recently in Science, competition for soil resources among plants does not explain variation in plant diversity along soil fertility gradients, contrary to the predictions of prominent theories. Rather, variation in plant diversity along such gradients simply reflects the filtering of species from the regional flora based on local environmental conditions. Lead author, Assistant Professor Etienne Laliberté, said that while previous studies had evaluated those different hypotheses in isolation, this was the first time multiple hypotheses had been considered simultaneously. Assistant Professor Laliberté said, "South-Western Australia's distinctive geological setting and exceptionally species-rich flora provided a unique natural experiment to address this key question. This shows global biodiversity hotspots are not only important for conservation, but also for advancing ecological theory." The ground breaking research is part of a broader study exploring how changing soil fertility during long-term soil development affects plant biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. http://phys.org/news/2014-09-unravels-links-soils-biodiversity.html#jCp 11 Flowering at the Gardens DVA Grant Application 28 Nov 2014 Birth Notice We are pleased to announce the A grant application to Department pregnancy of a Black Bean, of Veterans Affairs has been lodged Castanospermum australe, in our by North Coast Legacy for the Gardens - 12 metres south of the Grandis Creek Picnic area. The 10 establishment of a Commemorative metre mum is thrilled and has splendid Garden at Lismore Rainforest orange and yellow pea-shaped flowers. Botanic Gardens. This will be a Birth of the fulsome pods are expected unique and nationally significant in April next year. project which aims to ‘Salute the Blueberry Ash Service’ of Australian military Elaeocarpus reticulatus personnel, and highlight their ingenuity in the use of plants for food, medicine and other purposes in times of conflict. The project plans require capital investment to build a robustly constructed wheelchair accessible public space, including a raised timber lookout and display area

That message came from Geoff within the Sensory Garden. It will Walker! And the Black Bean was provide shaded seating, rockwalled of many of the Gardens’ plants planters and paths. The project will that have come into flower this feature plants used in war zones or year – many for the first time. Here Hairy Alectyron their local equivalent. are just a few. Alectryon tomentosus Interpretative signs and printed material will present the stories behind the plants with information coming from the Australian War Memorial and ongoing research by the Friends of Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens, local botanists and students of Southern Cross University. There will stories of the uses of ‘bush tucker’ locally and links by Legatees of FNCL with the Veteran community locally and Round leafed Tea Tree Pink Laceflower nationally throughout Australia. Leptospermum rotundifolium Archidendron grandiflorum The project aims to have a strong educational focus for the many school and university groups who visit the Gardens.

Special thanks must go to Hazel Bridgett who chased up people and information and prepared the grant application for submission. A huge amount of work! Also to the people of Far North Coast Legacy for their time and interest in this project; and the professional and trades people who have volunteered their time, knowledge and expertise to help get this project off the ground. Results of the application should be known by April. Visitors from our sister city in Japan with Peter

Bundock, Geoff Walker and Mayor Jenny Dowell 12