AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS SOCIETY

CANBERRA REGION (INC)

Journal Vol. 19 No. 10 June 2019 ISN 1447-1507 Print Post Approved PP100000849 Contents President's Report Ben Walcott 1 President's Report Meritorious Awards Ben Walcott 2 Rwsupinate or non-resupinate Roger Farrow 3 Foliage in the Garden Ben Walcott 9 By Ben Walcott ones have been available to members. At the recent Conference in Tasmania ANPSA News Ritta Boevink 13 I would like to thank all those volunteers last year, it was agreed that over time ACRA, PBR & the Vexed Issue of Cultivar Registration Lindal Thorburn 15 who came to help setup the plant sale regional societies would distribute their Whn Adriana meets Adrian Roger Farrow 25 on Friday and the sale on Saturday in journal electronically rather than in Neonicotinoid Pesticides ANPSC Council 29 March. Everything went smoothly and printed form. Wildflowers of the Victorian Alpine areas John Murphy 31 we had a very successful sale. We had Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia Forgotten Plants of the ACT — A Pictorial Guide Roger Farrow 38 about 12,500 plants on the ground and have already stopped sending us paper Study Group Notes Brigitta Wimmer 50 85% of them were sold which is a very good result for an autumn sale. copies and now send us electronic files. ANPS Canberra contacts and membership details inside back cover These journals will be loaded into the Thanks particularly to Linda Tabe who is Members Area of our website under the new Plant Sale Coordinator and to ‘Journals’ so that all members can read Cover: Banksia grandis shoots; Photo: Glenn Pure Anne Campbell who did the publicity them. for the sale. Anne has been doing plant sale publicity for us for many years and Council at the April meeting agreed this is her last sale. Many thanks to her that we will follow that example. We for all her dedication. will send our Journal out electronically asking regions to put it into their Journal articles Thanks also to the propagation group members areas and we also will put it The Journal is a forum for the exchange of members' The deadline dates for submissions are 1 February (for who produced a large number of plants up on our Website in the Members Area. and others' views and experiences of gardening with, March edition), 1 May (June), 1 August (September) so that the income from their sale I suspect that in the future, we won’t be propagating and conserving Australian plants. and 1 November (December). exceeded our income from the member printing Journals but rather will have All contributions, however short, are welcome and Send articles or photos to: growers. After all the expenses, the a Journal section in the website where may be accompanied by photographs or drawings. Journal Editor profit from the sale was about $20,000 articles are posted. The editor reserves the right without exception to edit which helps keep our membership Gail Ritchie Knight At present, we do send an electronic all articles and include or omit images as appropriate. dues low and allows us to support e-mail: [email protected] copy of our Journal to Melbourne CIT the Society’s activities and other Submit photographs as electronic files, such as JPEGs. tel: 0416 097 500 who run a service called ‘Informit’. This organisations. Set your digital camera to take high resolution photos. Paid advertising is available in this Journal. Contact service allows subscribers, including Please send JPEGs separately and not embedded in a the Editor for details. For example, Council at its April students and faculty, access to the document. If photos are too large to email, copy onto Society website: http://nativeplants-canberra.asn.au meeting agreed to donate $3,000 to the articles and also sells articles to non- a CD or USB drive and send it by post. Contact the Canberra Nature Map, a project we have subscribers. We receive a modest royalty Printed by Elect Printing, Fyshwick, ACT editor for postage details. Please enclose a stamped, previously supported, so that they can from these sales but it does show that http://www.electprinting.com.au/ self-addressed envelope if you would like your prints continue to expand their operation. the articles in our Journal do get read returned. If you have any queries please contact the and are useful to the public. editor. In the past, we have received a few copies of the journals of the other Original text may be reprinted, unless otherwise indicated, provided an acknowledgement for the source is given. Permission to regional societies. These have been reprint non-original material and all drawings must be obtained from the copyright holder. The views and opinions expressed useful for our Journal editor and extra in articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Society. Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 1 Meritorious Service Awards Resupinate or non-resupinate That is the Question By Ben Walcott Several years ago, Bill Willis suggested that Council acknowledge members who have freely given exceptional support, practical service and commitment to the life of ANPS. The concept was that members could nominate candidates to Council who would make the final determination. Candidates would have to satisfy one or several of a set of criteria: •• Undertaking a leadership role in pursuit of the objects of the Society Ben Walcott with Jenny Campbell and Anne •• Regularly attending, assisting and Campbell after receiving their meritorious awards; supporting the Society's good works Photo: Lucinda Royston and activities in a selfless manner •• sponsoring or engaging in scientific •• representing ANPS in the discussion research on Australian native plants. and exchange of ideas on the Lobelia purpurescens, Blood root horticulture of Australian native plants At our members meeting in May, Council announced the first two of including their cultivated varieties Text and photos by Roger Farrow and isotomes. Unless plant groups these awards, one to Anne Campbell •• Improving and promoting Australian contain both non-resupinate and and the other to Jenny Campbell. Resupinate: derived from the Latin native plants as garden subjects resupinus, meaning inversion of resupinate forms it is difficult to detect. The award was presented to Anne •• Observing, promoting and parts (Oxford dictionary). Its use is recognising her very valuable contribution to Orchids supporting the preservation and first recorded in the 17th century, but ANPS especially in managing the promotion conservation of Australian native nowadays it is only used in a botanical Orchids have three petals and three and publicising of the society’s bi-annual plants and their habitats context and refers to flowers and sepals. One petal is modified to form plant sales thus ensuring their success. •• encouraging interest by members leaves in which the petiole or pedicel the labellum and is typically quite and others in propagating, planting The award was presented to Jenny is twisted during development so that different from the other two. At the and supplying Australian native recognising her very valuable the flower or leaf is rotated by 180°. start of flower development the plants to the general public contributions to ANPS and in particular The rotation may be clockwise or anti- labellum occupies dorsal or adaxial position. During development it may •• recording faithfully all information for her years of organising the raffle plants clockwise. received by the Society on the and serving on the gate for plant sales. either maintain its dorsal position (non- A non-resupinate leaf or flower is resupinate) or rotate to a ventral or horticulture of Australian native The winners were presented with one in which no rotation occurs. abaxial position (resupinate). plants and to publishing such a certificate of the award and a gift Resupination is confined to information from time to time voucher for a book from Murray’s table. zygomorphic (asymmetric) flowers. In some non-resupinate orchids, the •• promoting the research and study of Many thanks to both of them for their Most examples of resupination of labellum stands up vertically on the top Australian native plants dedicated service to ANPS. flowers are seen in the orchids, lobelias of the open flower above the column

2 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 3 whereas in others it may bend (but not twist) by up to 180°. A minority of orchids are non-resupinate Lateral sepals Strap and includes those in the genera Paired Prasophyllum, Caleana, Corunastylis Lateral petals (Genoplesium), Cryptostylis, petals Gastrodia and Thynninorchis that occur in our area.

Labellum

Caleana major, Flying duck orchid, Old Wool Trail Cyrtostylis subulata with labellum lifted; Photo: Leo Davis

Cryptostylis subulata, Cow orchid, Nerriga Lateral sepals As you can see from the first picture Most local orchids are resupinate of the Cow orchid [above], it appears with the labellum in an abaxial that the labellum is below the position, that is, at the bottom Labellum sepals and paired petals, suggesting of the flower. Resupinate genera Prasophyllum retroflexum, Congested leek orchid, include Diuris, Caladenia, Calochilus, Long Plain a resupinate posture, although the back of the labellum is facing Glossodia and Thelymitra and many forwards. others. In the moth orchids, Diuris spp, When the labellum is lifted, as the large labellum forms a landing shown in the second picture, the place for pollinators, such as bees. column is revealed with the dorsal In other species, the labellum is sepal below and is clearly non- highly modified as a sexual deceiver resupinate. and tricks male wasps into pseudo- What has happened is that the copulation facilitating the transfer of labellum has bent downwards on the pollinia. its peduncle by about 180o during Corunastylis (Genoplesium) superba, Pink midge orchid, Mongarlowe showing bristly labellum development.This is termed an Prasophyllum flower, from internet under the fleshy lateral sepals. inverted, non-resupinate flower.

4 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 5 Dorsal sepal Dorsal sepal Dorsal sepal

Lateral petal Labellum

Labellum Labellum

Large wax lip orchid, Glossodia major, Bendora Buttercup doubletail, Diuris aequalis, Sun orchid, Thelymitra ixioides, Cumberland Trail, (from internet) showing 3 outer sepals and 3 inner petals

Lobelias and Isotomes Highland golden moths, Diuris monticola, Top Tinderry The family Lobeliaceae (Lobelia, Dorsal sepal Isotoma, Pratia spp) has now been moved as a sub-family into the Lateral petal Campanulaceae (Wahlenbergia spp). The former are distinguished from Dorsal sepal the latter by their zygomorphic (asymmetric) flowers. Species in the genus Pratia have been reclassified as Lobelia spp. Labellum The five petals are arranged with three lower and two upper petals Labellum that are often reduced (see title Lateral petal picture). The central lower petal is sometimes larger than the others suggesting that the flowers have a resupinate origin. The anthers and stigma are fused into a column-like Purple beard orchid, Calochilus platychilus, Nerriga structure similar to that observed in Waxy lobelia, Lobelia dentata, Chalet Rd orchids. Nectar guides are present on the three lower petals, directing pollinators towards the column. Spider orchid, Caladenia (Arachnorchis) atrovespa, Cypress Pine Look out

6 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 7 Foliage in the Garden

Text and photos by Ben Walcott When we promote plants, for example at the plant sales or on our website, we In the northeast of the US where I have always show the flowers and don’t really spent much of my life, for almost half the emphasise the foliage and how it will look year there is no foliage in the garden. in the garden. We are almost conditioned Rock isotome, Isotoma axillaris, Flinders Ranges Only the conifers have any green foliage to focus on the flowers and not the plant and that is often very sombre or covered as a form and colour. in snow and ice. Trees and bushes are sculptural skeletons of their summer However, when looking at a garden, green. To garden in Australia, therefore, is large or small, it is the form and colour of a new experience with foliage year-round the foliage that is the dominant feature. giving form and texture to a garden. Form to some extent can be manipulated by pruning but colour and texture are Swamp isotome, Isotoma fluviatilis, Gigerline When we design a garden, we often think properties of the plants. How they are mainly of the flowers and how they will combined in a garden determines its I would like to thank Jean Egan for go together, and we don’t think very character and appeal. introducing me to the mysteries of much about the foliage. In most cases, the supination and checking my labels to flowers are fleeting and it is the foliage Planting in groups of 3–5 plants of the same the orchid bits. that is the dominant feature of the plant type can emphasise certain textures and Bluebell, Wahlenbergia sp, Duck Flat TSR throughout the year. colours that can contrast with other plants. Actinomorphic flower

Banksia robur shoots; Photo: Glenn Pure A group of Correa glabra ‘Winter Glow’

8 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 9 In the previous photo there are a number with Acacia covenyi and its silver-green of large Correa glabra ‘Winter Glow’ (or foliage projecting above. The Correas are Correa ‘Coliban River’ as it is sometimes clipped every two years or so to keep called) growing along a path in our garden them dense. Another example [left] is a hedge of Callistemon subulatus ‘Brogo Overflow’ on the left with Eremophila glabra ssp albicans on the near right and further along Grevillea ‘Molonglo’. The Callistemon hedge has been recently clipped but will soon produce soft new shoots in spring. The result will be several masses of different greens and forms.

Callistemon hedge

Acacia falcata In this case [above], a tall blue green At a lower level, growing two plants Acacia falcata contrasts with Grevillea that have very different foliage so that ‘Poorinda Queen’ on the right, they intertwine or are closely adjacent Leptospermum ‘Fantasia’ on the left with each other can produce interesting and behind, Allocasuarina torulosa. The and attractive results. For example, in acacia stands out both because of its this case Eremophila ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ is columnar form and its foliage colour growing under and twining through the and therefore provide an interesting lower branches of Banksia ‘Yellow Wing’. contrast within this group. The new growth of the Acacia is very attractive, The Eremophila [left] with its soft so planting it close to a path is an grey leaves provides an interesting advantage as it lets you see the foliage. contrast to the stiff green foliage of the Banksia when neither is in bloom. The Eremophila does well growing under these conditions and adds interest to the Banksia which is the larger shrub Tree fern and Lomandra whose foliage and flowers are higher up. A group of Lomandra ‘Tanika’ under year, it is really the difference in form and Some plants have interesting foliage Dicksonia antartica with several Grevillea texture of the Lomandra leaves and tree and form by themselves. This Eremophila ‘Lady O’ in the background creates fern fronds above that make it interesting ‘Hello Cocky’ [next page] is a relatively another interesting foliage contrast. While with the dense green backdrop of the small plant (60 X 60 cm) with an upright the Grevillea does flower most of the Grevillea. Eremophila and Banksia habit. It is a very neat bush whose

10 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 11 Many Hakeas such as Hakea ‘Pinball’ and Hakea ‘Stockdale Sensation’ both have leaves that look fantastic when the light shines through them. Again, to enjoy the benefits of these effects, the plants need to be accessable in the sun along a path.

Melaleuca decussata dwarf new growth

While the new shoots of Melaleuca Hakea ‘Stockdale Sensation’ leaf decussata dwarf have very red stems To conclude, foliage is a very important with small green leaves. aspect of any garden and should be considered carefully when choosing and Finally, how the light interacts with Hakea ‘Pinball’ leaf foliage can provide interesting effects. placing plants. Eremophila ‘Hello Cocky’ For example, Grevillea insignis leaves are foliage is of interest year-round. It makes interesting all ways but when the sun an excellent plant along a path or in a shines through them, they are spectacular. small area. It does have yellow flowers in the spring/summer but, it is the form and colour of the foliage that are the major attraction. ANPSA News

By Riitta Boevink, teleconference 250 registrations had President, ANPSA been received. An important feature Nineteen people joined of the conference is the handing out the ANPSA Council of the Australian Plants Awards. This teleconference on the year the Award recipients are Professor Grevillea insignis leaves 14th of May. Each time Kingsley Dixon, who was nominated the time differences bring home the for the professional category by the vastness of Australia as a country. As Wildflower Society of WA, and Glenn the member societies are autonomous Leiper nominated by the Native Plants bodies allowing for differences, these Queensland for the amateur category. Angophora hispida new growth meetings of delegates and elected office More extensive publicity will take place Finally, individual stems and leaves bearers are an opportunity to share closer to the conference. can be interesting with often the new information and find common ground. The main practical role of ANPSA is growth being highly coloured. Our next meeting will be the Biennial to support the Study Groups. Jane For example, the new shoots of meeting associated with the conference Fountain as the ANPSA Study Group Angophora hispida are almost flower like in Albany. It looks to be a well coordinator provided us with a report in their colouration. Grevillea insignis leaves in light attended event as at the time of the of the current state of the Study Groups.

12 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 13 There are currently 17 active Study person with knowledge of the society Groups. Sadly the Boronia SG and the and plants will be needed to guide and rainforest SG have been closed. Good instruct on the contents. news is that the Goodeniaceae SG has ACRA, PBR and the Our conservation officer Eddy Wajon been restarted with Royce Raleigh as has continued to lobby actively in the leader and Maree Goods as the relation to the expansion of the Vexed Issue of Cultivar newsletter editor. Their first excellent newsletter has come out. Nicole Maher Jandakot airport with commercial is the SG liaison officer for New South development into a reserve. Another Registration Wales. issue of national importance is the insidious spread of Myrtle Rust. Eddie Lyndal Thorburn instigation of John Wrigley. Then, in The ANPSA website is an excellent is keeping us informed of the attempts Leader, Eremophila Study Group 1973, other botanic gardens in SA, resource of information including Study by government authorities to develop WA and the Federation of Australian Group newsletters. Nicky Zanen, our This article started as an attempt to a management plan in a nationally Nurserymen also joined. publicity officer, has reminded us that coordinated way. sort out in my own mind the issues the Australian Plants was first published around ANPSA’s withdrawal from ACRA In 1974, the Authority moved to in December 1959 — 60 years ago. a The NSW government’s anti- (the Australian Cultivar Registration Canberra and ANBG provided limited copy of that edition is on the website. environmental legislation protecting Authority) in January 2018, and what staff support, with an employee being feral Brumby horses in the Australian (if anything) it means for registering given a small amount of time each We all appreciate the excellent work of Alps has been another issue. Chris our webmaster Brian Walters. He reports cultivars of our Eremophilas. week to manage ACRA business and Long, APS Victoria President has also that there is now an online archive of be official Registrar. Previous registrars sent a letter to the NSW Minister for the While information on ACRA and Plant newsletters produced by 44 current and (ANBG staff) have included Geoff Environment. Eddie reported that in WA Breeder’s Rights (PBR) is available online, closed Study Groups. The archives can Butler and Ben Wallace and the current damage to roadside vegetation by local it isn’t easy to weigh up the pros and be accessed from the general SG page: Registrar is Paul Carmen. council clearing practises is continuing. cons of both systems and see the way http://anpsa.org.au/study.html forward. Hence, this article seeks to By the mid-1970s had representatives The inevitable shift to distributing explain the two registration systems from The online image database for the journals/newsletters electronically and discusses issues that may affect the •• ANPS (Federal) Eremophila Study Group now has over is slowly happening. NSW delegates Study Group and cultivar registration. 160 Eremophila species. A dedicated informed us that the NSW journal is now •• Botanic Garden and State website for the newly activated only available digitally to the members. Read on to discover more, and please Herbarium, Adelaide send your views to the editor so we can Goodeniaceae SG has been set up: Libraries get paper copies, but statutory •• Royal Botanic Gardens and National have a wider discussion. http://anpsa.org.au/goodeniaceaeSG bodies prefer digital versions. Herbarium, Melbourne There is ongoing discussion on the ANPSA public officer John Carter is ACRA •• Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth future management of the ANPSA stepping down from his position as he •• Royal Botanic Gardens and National website as succession planning is is moving out of the ACT. A new public What is ACRA? Herbarium, Sydney necessary to ensure smooth continuity officer who is a resident of Canberra will ACRA was formed in 1962. At that time •• Federation of Australian should Brian become unable to manage. need to be appointed at the beginning it was based in Melbourne and the Nurserymen’s Associations of 2020. We will also be looking to fill ACRA committee comprised members The likely outcome eventually will be •• Australian National Botanic Gardens, the position of the publicity officer of the Society for Growing Australian engaging a commercial firm to manage Canberra the website. At the same time it would with a new candidate as Nicky Zanen Plants (SGAP) and representatives of • be wonderful for someone to volunteer will be stepping down after the Albany herbaria in Sydney and Melbourne. The • Royal Botanic Gardens, Hobart to work with Brian and learn the ropes. conference. Nicky deserves recognition Australian National Botanic Gardens •• Townsville Botanic Gardens Even if a commercial firm is engaged, a for her contribution over the years. (ANBG) joined ACRA in 1970 at the •• Darwin Botanic Gardens.

14 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 15 After operating informally for several ACRA’s role ACRA has accepted registrations eg for Getting a cultivar registered years, ACRA was incorporated as The objectives and purposes of ACRA Helichrysum, Syzygium and Microlaena. Applicants for registration with ACRA an association in the ACT in 1989 are: submit a form which contains all the Australian Plant Names Index (APNI) information necessary to develop a (Association number A01593). It is staffed •• to register, in accordance with the ACRA ensures that new cultivars profile for each variety/cultivar for by volunteers and its website is hosted International Code of Nomenclature registered by ACRA are listed on APNI. registration by the ANBG, although it remains a for Cultivated Plants, names of The APNI is the standard dataset cultivars of Australian native plants The form asks for the following separate association (hence, details of for names for all Australian plants information: its operations are not provided in the •• to record the names of all cultivars of and includes, but is not limited to, ANBG annual report). ANBG staff support Australian native plants and hybrids cultivar names. APNI is recognised •• Study group name, if from ANPS continued until a few years ago — since between Australian and exotic plants by Australian herbaria as the primary •• Name of applicant (excluding Rhododendron and then the current Registrar has been reference for published plant names •• Details of the origin, if known, of the Orchidaceae) working on ACRA business voluntarily. and distinguishes names in current use, cultivar •• to encourage the horticultural their synonyms, and names invalidly •• Details of the ‘introducer’ of the In 2015, ANPSA appointed Neil Marriott development of the Australian flora published. cultivar (the introducer is person (Victoria) and Anthony O’Halloran •• to assess and describe cultivars APNI is online and has a search function who distributes the cultivar through (NSW) as its two representatives to submitted for registration but information needs to be entered a plant nursery) the ACRA Board. Merren Sloan (ACT), •• to cooperate with other exactly for the search to be successful •• Name requested (Genus, species and a former ANPSA representative, was organisations and individuals eg a search for Aurea or Carmine Star cultivar name) engaged in activities compatible appointed by the Registrar to be the without the quotes gets a nil result — •• Reason for choice of name with these objectives the quotes and/or full species name is Secretary. ANPSA also supported •• Origin of the cultivar, as far as this is •• to maintain a register, together with required to find these registered cultivars. ACRA by paying for its two Board known correspondence files, herbarium There are hundreds of native plant representatives to fly to Canberra for the specimens, photographic collections •• Description (foliage details, colour, names in APNI, eg 243 named annual Board meeting. and any other necessary information height etc) cultivated Anigozanthos (compared on cultivars or groups defined above •• Comparators (so the cultivar can be In 2018, ANPSA decided at its Biennial to 27 ACRA-registered cultivars), compared to known varieties) Conference to withdraw from ACRA [see •• to publish information on Australian 81 Banksia compared to 11 ACRA- plant cultivars. •• Uniformity (if maintained by seed) later section]. When ANPSA withdrew registered; 77 Boronia compared to 10 Under the International Code for ACRA-registered and 58 Xerochrysum •• Cultivation details its support, Neil Marriott (previously Nomenclature of Cultivated Plants compared to 8 ACRA-registered, as at •• Photographs an ANPSA nominee) was appointed (ICNCP), ACRA is the “International June 2017. As at January 2018, there Fresh samples large enough to to the Board by APS Victoria. Anthony Registration Authority for Australian were 33 cultivated Eremophila in APNI. create a herbarium specimen are also O’Halloran resigned from the Board plant genera excluding those covered submitted. This specimen is lodged The APNI’s entries do not provide any (note that the information about ACRA by other authorities”. This includes all with the Centre for Australian National detailed information on each plant endemic genera and all predominantly Biodiversity Research, which has membership on their website is now out name. Rather, it provides links to Australian genera. allocated Herbarium space for the ACRA of date). third party mentions of these names specimen collection. ACRA also registers all Australian (including to ACRA and PBR entries). ACRA reports that it is developing a varieties accepted by the Australian Links to commercial sources may be to Applications from Study Groups are new website, which its Registrar says Plant Breeders Rights Office (see advertisements by breeders (in which accepted by ACRA without reference will be under its direct control and may below). There are also some species case there is little information), or to to the relevant Study Group leader and speed finalisation of registrations. This is that belong to genera that are not ACRA or PBR registrations (in which case ACRA communicates only with the planned for launch in June or July 2019. predominantly Australian and for which information about origins is available). applicant in determining whether a new

16 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 17 cultivar should be registered and what ACRA-registered Eremophila of registered cultivars are published new plant varieties (whether native or name should be used. Since its formation, ACRA has registered in the horticultural journal as a not) are eligible for registration under public record,* the journal is not PBR, providing they maintain stable ACRA charges $99 to $110 per more than 1800 cultivars. Of these, 11 are Eremophilas, as follows: searchable; however the same characteristics when they are bred. Once application to cover some of the costs information is available on the ACRA PBR registration has been awarded, it of storing and processing herbarium •• Eremophila ‘Aurea’ website, which can be searched. lasts for up to 25 years for trees or vines specimens. Fees have, to date, been •• Eremophila ‘Beryl’s Blue’ and 20 years for other species. There is no time limit on ACRA waived for ANPSA Study Groups. ACRA •• Eremophila ‘Beryl’s Gem’ registration — once registered, a A PBR application costs $345, has announced that, despite ANPSA’s •• Eremophila ‘Beryl’s Lipstick’ cultivar remains registered for all time. examination fees are from $1,000 to withdrawal from the ACRA Board, it will •• Eremophila ‘Carmine Star’ Its publicly recognised approach and $1,600, the certification fee is $345 and continue to waive the application fees •• Eremophila ‘Magic Carpet’ searchable online database enables annual fees are also $345. Time limits for Study Groups until the end of 2020. apply throughout the registration •• Eremophila ‘Meringur Midnight’ Study Group members, the general public and the nursery trade to research process, bringing PBR into alignment •• Eremophila ‘Nullarbor Nymph’ Operation of ACRA new varieties and to standardise names with similar processes that apply to ACRA operates virtually and the Board •• Eremophila ‘Piccaninny Dawn’ given to these for general sale. other Australian intellectual property. •• Eremophila ‘Pink Pantha’ meets annually, although decisions can It should be noted that ACRA Plants which are registered under PBR be taken during the year. •• Eremophila ‘Summertime Blue’ registration does not provide any legal are recorded in a separate database The ACRA Board assesses the Apart from the yellow ‘Aurea’ and red rights over ownership of plant material managed by IP Australia but are not ‘Carmine Star’ forms of E. maculata, included in the ACRA cultivar list. Details application, examines the supplied and does not prevent third parties (ie these are all believed to be hybrids. At of their registration, including key material, ensures the name has not people or organisations other than the least five more cultivar applications are applicant) from propagating or selling distinguishing features, the results of been applied to a different cultivar, and currently being considered. the cultivar. comparative trials and differences from if it meets ICNCP requirements, accepts other named varieties are published in Formerly, registered cultivars could have the cultivar for registration. IP Australia’s quarterly Plant Varieties the letters ‘cv’ added after the species Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBR) Journal (PVJ). This is also not directly Business is conducted by email, and in name, eg Eremophila Pink Pantha cv. There is no financial benefit for searchable, but IP Australia does provide ideal circumstances can be completed registering a cultivar through ACRA, This practice is no longer current. an online search function at http:// in about a month — ‘ideal’ meaning that as ACRA registration does not grant pericles.ipaustralia.gov.au/pbr_db/ all the required information is submitted Impacts of ACRA Registration ‘ownership’ of a cultivar in the common — for each variety there is a link to a use of the term. at the time of application, thus enabling According to ACRA, registration confers Word document that replicates what is the Board to make a determination as the benefits of: To gain financial benefit, plant breeders published in PVJ. to whether the sample fulfils the criteria must apply to IP Australia to gain •• providing fixity to the cultivar name ACRA examines all native plant PBR for listing. exclusive control over the propagating selected by the applicant applications for IP Australia for a fee. In material (including seed, cuttings, Once accepted, a cultivar is given a • 2014 it examined and provided reports • recording the source and history of divisions, tissue culture) and harvested registration number, and the name on 45 such applications. the cultivar material (cut flowers, fruit, foliage) of and description are added to the •• preserving a sample of the cultivar a new plant variety under the Plant A PBR application can be submitted ACRA database, which is online, public as a herbarium specimen and for Breeders’ Rights (PBR) scheme. All by either the original breeder† of the and searchable. The database lists reference and describes all registered cultivars •• providing a method for promotion * For example, Oct-17 Hort Jnl describes † A breeder under the PBR Act is the person of Australian native plants, provides of the cultivar through publication in Eremophila ‘Beryl’s Gem’, Mar-17 describes who discovers or breeds the plant — photos and describes the unique the horticultural industry magazine Eremophila ‘Meringur Midnight’ and Jun- hence something discovered in the wild features that led to registration. Hort Journal Australia. While details 18 describes Eremophila ‘Pink Pantha’ can be covered by PBR. The ‘discoverer’

18 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 19 new variety, the owner of that variety the PBR rights. The qualified person action to prevent them, and then claim Why Did ANPSA withdraw from ACRA? or the agent of one or both of these. for Eremophila (and many other native part of the profits or income from the The papers presented at the 2018 Hence, commercial nurseries can license species), as listed on the PBR website, is illegal sales. This takes time and money Biennial ANPSA conference and ANSPA new varieties from those who have a Mr Rodney Parsons. and only larger organisations would papers summarising that discussion bred them, and then apply for PBR of have the necessary resources. The scale of operations required to cite a number of reasons for ANPSA’s that variety. This approach enables the recoup the various fees charged for Growers often place the letters pbr after withdrawal from ACRA: original breeder or licensor to keep PBR usually means that a commercial the name of a PBR registered variety to control over it by charging for the plant •• Member regions of ANPSA had been indicate their ownership or control over labels that accompany the propagated nursery needs to be involved, hence the concerned about the value of ACRA of the original material. plants when they leave the wholesale inclusion of commercial growers in the as it is currently administered for nursery. An audit of the label sales PBR applications granted for Eremophila many years, and the issue has been can therefore be used to determine above. These nurseries will have Alternatives to PBR and discussed by delegates at several the licensing fee payable to the plant agreements with the breeder through ACRA previous biennial meetings. owner/discoverer. It takes some time, which they gain exclusive rights to sell Making money out of PBR depends on a •• ANPSA felt that ACRA was not however, to recoup the PBR fees from the plants that are protected by PBR and system of selling labels approved by the serving the nursery trade nor the label sales as the breeder typically recoup the application costs. owner/licensee. However, plant labels gardening public. It has little support receives only a few cents or tens of cents Annual fees of $345 must be paid to can be sold this way whether or not the within the nursery trade and is not per plant. maintain registration. There are five plant has been PBR’d. Some have said used by them according to ANPSA’s that the nursery trade is moving away representative on the ACRA board. There is a grace period, through which Eremophila varieties with current PBR from PBR and is using the sale-per-label •• Few cultivars are on the ACRA list for a breeder or licensee can sell a plant registration: approach to charge for new varieties, many native plant genera and few for up to a year‡ and still apply for •• E. glabra x maculata Ruby Red even though they have no IP rights over (5–15) are added each year. Most PBR rights. This grace period enables (Orange Valley Nursery) these. The new arrangement between ‘varieties’ available in retail nurseries commercial growers to test the •• E. nivea Blue Velvet (Humphris the ESG and Native Plant Wholesalers is are not listed in ACRA. The addition popularity of a plant before going to the Nursery) one such example. of <15 cultivars per year by ACRA is expense of a PBR application. •• E. nivea x E. densifolia ssp. pubiflora When working outside both PBR and not keeping up with the hundreds Applications must use a ‘qualified Beryl’s Blue (Humphris nursery) — ACRA there is no need to prove that of new ‘varieties’ being sold to the person’ (QP), who is an expert in a though note that ACRA records the the new variety is any different from public each year by the nursery particular plant group, accredited by same plant as a cross of E. nivea x other varieties or the ‘type’ plant. This trade. IP Australia to certify applications. E. caerulea. can lead to the same plant being sold •• Significant funds were given by QPs, who are horticultural industry •• E. glabra Kalbarri Red (Lulfitz in successive years under different member regions to ACRA for a consultants, oversee comparative Investments) names, resulting in confusion amongst program to update the list in ACRA growing trials and help the originator to the general public and some frustration from published sources. The updates provide evidence that the new variety •• E. glabra EREM1 (Ozbreed Pty Ltd) (this looks like a red form of Kalbarri amongst those of us trying to sort out went into the Australian Plant Name is distinct, uniform and stable. This trial Index (APNI) with no links to any Carpet) one variety from another. must be paid for by the applicant for details on the plant.§ As with all intellectual property in A good example of this is E. alternifolia x •• ANPSA paid significant amounts can be defined as the first person to file Australia (and overseas), if a third party E. maculata which is sold as E. Wild Berry, for PBR protection, as long as that person (ie someone other than the breeder or E. Magenta Dream and E. Blue Thunder has found it directly — a person who licensee) breaches ownership, it is up by different nurseries. These nurseries § ACRA states that these funds were to finds out about a new variety from a third to the owner to pursue a remedy — so often put the quotes around the new record and cross reference all published person cannot apply for PBR. any owner of PBR’d material would need name, in the same manner as ACRA does names (including name variants and syno- ‡ There are longer grace periods available to identify the breach (that is, someone for a registered cultivar, further adding to nyms) of Australian native plant cultivars for fruit trees and species sold overseas else selling the same variety), take confusion about the status of the name. — whether registered or not — in APNI.

20 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 21 of money to fund travel of its two Given many Study Groups charge no all components of the application There are more questions than answers representatives to the annual Board fees, potential removal of the fee waiver and do not delay the review process. here but in the interests of public meeting, which only meets for half will have a negative effect on these The question is whether we can keep discussion the views on these and other a day. groups if they want to register cultivars up with the speed of release by the issues are invited from Study Group •• There was concern about the through ACRA. In my view, the absence many commercial nurseries growing members. ANBG’s lack of support for ACRA. of IP control over the ACRA cultivars is Eremophila. neither here nor there, given that our Sources Discussions between Ben Walcott There is no clear answer here. Study (then ANPSA President) reported at main aim is not to make money on ACRA: https://www.anbg.gov.au/acra/ Group members’ views are sought on the time that the Executive Director these varieties. these key questions: PBR: https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/ of the Australian National Botanic It is tempting to suggest that Study plant-breeders-rights Gardens (Dr Judy West) and Curator Groups should explore whether using •• Should ESG continue to submit Clarification of Plant Breeding Issues of the Australian National Herbarium PBR is financially viable and can result in applications to ACRA and how (if at Under the Plant Breeder’s Rights Act 1994, (Brendan Lepschi) showed little any net return (or at least, break-even). all) do we prioritise these? https://www.anbg.gov.au/breeders/ interest in or support of ACRA. The A Study Group would have to under- •• Is it worth trying to gain cultivar plant-breeders-rights-act-report.pdf Herbarium was willing to store the write up-front costs, including those of status via ACRA for some of the more specimens produced by ACRA but commercial comparative trials. common varieties that are sold widely Papers submitted to ANPSA Biennial Ben also reported that they said — eg E. maculata x E. racemosa ‘Fairy Conference in January 2018 and However, as applications must be they were of little value to them. Floss’. I have submitted an application subsequent summary documents submitted by the breeder (or their Subsequently, Judy West discussed for this, to learn the process and see commercial partner), and a breeder ACRA with the directors of other how long it takes. Acknowledgements botanic gardens and found variable must be the person who discovered •• Should ESG play a role in Ben Walcott, Russell Wait, Ken Warnes levels of support for ACRA. or bred the new cultivar, Study Groups may not legally be able to submit PBR standardising some widely sold and Paul Carmen all answered questions The future applications. The breeder, as defined, varieties with multiple names (eg prior to my starting to draft this article E. alternifolia x E. maculata) by and then provided comments on Given the changes in ANPSA’s could license the variety to the Study applying for recognition of one ensuing drafts. Comments on this final relationship with ACRA, Study Groups Group, but as we are not legal entities the licensee would need to be with name through ACRA? version have been received from Ben need to consider how (or if) they Walcott, Russell Wait and Ken Warnes. are going to register cultivars, and ANPSA, which would then be liable for •• If we do act as suggested in 2 and 3 how to address the growing chasm all application costs unless they, in turn, above, should we prioritise emerging Reprinted from the Eremophila Study Group between registered native plant do a deal with a commercial grower varieties or existing varieties, and if Newsletter 123, May 2019 names and those varieties released by prior to the PBR application. This would the latter which ones? the nursery industry. Our concern in give ANPSA a burden it is unlikely to •• If ACRA does not extend its fee want to accept. particular is that nurseries are releasing waiver beyond 2020, should ESG use new varieties that have no proven If reducing confusion is our primary aim, its funds to pay for ACRA cultivar horticultural improvements or physical ESG could submit applications to ACRA registrations? differences when compared to varieties to register cultivars which are already in •• Should the ESG work more closely already on the market and are confusing common use from nursery industry eg with the nursery industry on naming, the general public. E. glabra Silver Spread which is for sale and how might this be achieved? but is not covered by PBR (and is likely However, ACRA remains, at present, •• How can the ESG help the general simply to be E. glabra ssp. elegans). the only low- or no-cost method of public distinguish between varieties registering cultivars. While it is being This approach relies on speedy action that have new horticultural potential E. Summertime Blue; Photo: Lyndal Thorburn bypassed by the nursery industry, it by ACRA, which in turn means we and those that have no new is the only public database available. need to be certain we have submitted benefits?

22 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 23 Eremophila Beryl’s Blue; photo Russell Wait E. Picaninny Dawn; Photo: Lyndal Thorburn When Adriana meets Adrian

Bitterbush plants at the Australian National BotanicGardens Pollination Biology of small, axillary and have large 3–5 lobed Eastern Bitter Bush, reddish stigma. Adriana tomentosa var These characters are suggestive of wind tomentosa, and the pollination. At the base of the petioles puzzle of the extra-floral of the leaves and the pedicels of the E. Pink Pantha; Photo: Russell Wait flowers, there are conspicuous, bulbous nectaries pairs of extra-floral nectaries. Text and photos by Roger Farrow The Eastern Bitterbush, Adriana tomentosa var tomentosa, is widely E. Nullarbor Nymph; Photo: Kevin Sparrow distributed across eastern Australia, mostly along watercourse margins. Local populations can be seen at Cotter Flats. Bitterbush belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and, like many species in that family, it is monoecious with separate male (Adrians) and female plants (Adrianas) and inconspicuous flowers. The male inflorescences take the form of long spikes of flowers held well above the plant. The male flowers consist of small greenish tepals and large bunches Banksia speciosa; of anthers producing abundant pollen Photo: Glenn Pure whereas the solitary female flowers are Spike of male flowers with dense bunches of anthers

24 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 25 There is a healthy cluster of Bitterbush Extra-floral nectaries. Large numbers plants of both sexes in the Australian of different insect species were seen National Botanic Gardens above the visiting nectaries on both male and rockery (see title picture). These were female bushes. in flower during early March and I photographed the behaviour of insect visitors to these plants on two occasions for periods of about an hour.

Crabonid wasp testing EFN with antennae prior to feeding

Bitter bush at Cotter Honeybee feeding at extra floral nectary (EFN) of a female plant

Male Flowers. The only visitors observed were exotic honeybee workers (Apis mellifera) collecting the abundant pollen.

Thynnine flower wasps, male feeding at EFN. The female below is attached in copulation and will also feed on EFN Solitary forked stigmas and ovaries of female Honeybee feeding at EFN of a male plant. Note flowers the Adriana pollen contained in the basket on the hind leg.

Female flowers. No pollen-transporting visitors to the actual stigma were seen, confirming that the Bitterbush is wind pollinated. Insects were visiting the extra-floral nectaries, seen at the base of the pedicels. Black mud dauber wasp, Pison sp., feeding at EFN on a male infloresence

Extra-floral nectaries at base of petiole, derived Mud dauber wasp, Sceliphron laetum, feeding at from paired stipules an EFN

26 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 27 Theories on the function but again these wasps do not collect of extra-floral nectaries plant-feeding prey. 1. To attract nectar-feeding predatory The leaves of the wild populations of insects that collect insect herbivore prey Bitter bush at the Cotter are attacked Neonicotinoid Pesticides feeding on the plant. Predatory wasps by the adults and larvae of a flea beetle, and ants generally carry the prey back Hyphalticoda sp., often to the point of To use or not to use to their nests to feed their offspring. complete defoliation in some years. Ant exclusion experiments have shown The Bitter bush in the gardens showed this to be true in some plants. However, no signs of any feeding damage. They that is the question in other situations, ants encourage are well watered and show no signs of the build-up of sap-feeding bugs that moisture stress that would be a frequent debilitate the host plant and encourage occurrence in wild populations and sooty moulds to develop. The ants ‘farm’ could lower the resistance of the latter From the Council horticultural and agricultural crops. They the sap-feeders, keep predators away to insect herbivory. The Council of the Australian Native are said to be highly residual in soils, to and harvest the surplus Plants Society Canberra Region the point of identifiable presence some sugary exudates. Inc (ANPSC) recently received years (and crops) after initial application. They are used for seed treatment, foliar correspondence requesting that ANPSC 2. To act as a decoy to spraying, soil spraying, surface granule prevent the ants raiding not use neonicotinoid pesticides due to application, soil drenches and stem the actual flowers for their their suspected/potential impacts on inoculation. nectar or to discourage bees and other pollinators. ants from farming sap- A widespread bee colony collapse Council obviously has no role in feeding bugs. event in 2007 brought a focus on instructing anyone on pesticide use, neonicotinoids, as they are fully Among the insects but did decide it was an issue that systemic and are found in pollen and visiting these Bitterbush, members may be interested in, and nectar. A global survey, including taking the females of the two that we should at least provide the honey samples for analysis, apparently species of mud-dauber opportunity to alert membership to found residual neonicotinoids in three- wasp provision their nests some of the various views on the use quarters of these honey samples. with spiders, whereas of neonicotinoid pesticides and their the flower wasp females potential overall environmental impacts. This raised various issues: the potential do not collect above- Hyphalticoda Flea beetle feeding on Bitter bush at the Cotter for further decline or loss of pollinating ground prey but burrow Neonicotinoids have been available species (especially bees), potential underground for scarab commercially since about the mid- impacts on soil microorganisms and food larvae that they parasitise. These observations bring us no 1980s and their use is growing. They chains and concerns about waterway nearer to understanding the function come in various brand names but can contamination, as well as human food Female crabonid wasps capture a of extra-floral nectaries in a wind- contain any of the following chemicals security if their use is curtailed. wide range of different insect prey, pollinated plant and only reinforce the — Acetamiprid, Thiamethoxam, depending on species, and carry the The European Commission placed a complexities of insect-plant interactions Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, Imidacloprid, prey to their nests but I did not see any two-year moratorium on neonicotinoid and the difficulties of establishing causal Nitenpyram or Thiacloprid. Imidacloprid predators capturing prey. No ants were use in 2013 and extended the ban relationships. is one of the commoner forms. seen visiting the nectaries. My colleague earlier this year to the outdoor use of Tim Leach also photographed a hairy I would like to thank my friend Kim They have proved highly efficient nicotinoids. They are still permitted in flower wasp (unidentified species of Pullen for identifying the crabronid systemic, neuro-active pesticides enclosed growing spaces. The USA has Scoliidae) visiting the same Bitter bush wasps and their prey. for a wide range of insects affecting also placed restrictions on their use.

28 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 29 In the ACT, some tree pests (eg Elm A paper analysing all available Leaf Beetle) are being managed using neonicotinoid bee data as at 2012 neonicotinoids, and domestic products Neonicotinoids in bees: a review on are also available. concentrations, side-effects and risk assessment: It was decided that the ANPS Council https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ should provide some links which articles/PMC3338325/ contain various views and information on neonicotinoids. Equally, a search on The Guardian article on EU agreement the word 'neonicotinoid' associated with on total ban of neonicotinoid pesticides: 'impacts' or 'benefits' will provide very https://www.theguardian.com/ much more! environment/2018/apr/27/eu-agrees- total-ban-on-bee-harming-pesticides Links A newspaper article which provides an Science Magazine article on European insight into the arguments of both sides Union expanding ban of three of the debate: neonicotinoid pesticides: Wildflowers of the https://www.theguardian.com/ https://www.sciencemag.org/ sustainable-business/2015/mar/19/ news/2018/04/european-union- pr-battle-neonicotinoids-decling-bee- expands-ban-three-neonicotinoid- Victorian Alpine areas colonies-food-security pesticides An article by the Soil Association with Australian Pesticide and Veterinary their view of the spread of neonicotinoids Medicines Authority (APVMA) articles on neonicotinoids in Australia: through the British countryside and its View from The Horn, Mt Buffalo effects on wildlife of all sorts: https://apvma.gov.au/search/google/ https://www.soilassociation.org/ neonicotinoid Text by John Murphy local plants that he had taken over the media/6964/ban-neonics-infographic.pdf Photos by Clare Murphy last 10 years while we were researching material for our book. During the first week of December 2018, Bill Dowling and I took our wives and The following day we travelled in a group of friends on a botanical tour convoy to Mt Buffalo. Each vehicle had of the areas around Mt Buffalo, Falls a CB radio which was invaluable as it is Creek, Anglers Rest and Mt Hotham in often difficult to stop and pull over on north-eastern Victoria. This trip was to the narrow, winding mountain roads. celebrate the release of the 2nd edition Our plant-hunting centred around Lake of our book Plants of the Victorian High Catani just beyond the heritage-listed Country. Buffalo Chalet. On our first evening, the 12 of us A local guide, Clyde O’Donnell, helped gathered in the community hall in us with identifying plants, as well Harrietville, a small town at the foot of as providing historical information Mt Hotham and Mt Feathertop. Here, about the Aboriginal and European Bill gave a PowerPoint presentation to connections with Mt Buffalo. The Banksia speciosa; us and interested members of the local margin of the lake is a boggy, alpine Photo: Glenn Pure community, based on the photos of herbfield while the surrounding higher

30 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 31 ground consists of a heathy, sub-alpine As we drove alongside the creek we three species of daisy bushes (Cassinia community beneath open snow gum saw medium-sized trees of Victorian longifolia, C. aculeata and Olearia woodland. Christmas Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos) argophylla), Derwent speedwell covered in masses of white flowers, (Veronica derwentiana) and a donkey We were hoping to see fairies’ aprons as well as many ground-covering orchid (Diuris spp). (Utricularia dichotoma) close to the specimens of white and yellow lake shore but unfortunately they buttercups (Ranunculus spp.), and were one or two months away from occasional specimens of native storkbill flowering. Two species of mint-bush (Pelargonium australe) and prickly (Prostanthera rotundifolia and P. cuneata) starwort (Stellaria pungens). were flowering profusely on the more exposed, rocky sites. In the drier areas on the upper side of the road in the creek valley we identified Close to the walking track and the trigger plant (Stylidium armeria), spiny- access road we saw a wide variety of headed mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia) plants in flower, including mountain and we saw one specimen of slender baeckea (Baeckea utilis) cascading stackhousia (Stackhousia viminea), and down rocks, two species of everlasting Epacris paludosa, Swamp heath several fringe lilies (Thysanotus spp.). daisies (Coronidium scorpioides and Chrysocephalum semipapposum), two As we headed up over Simmond’s Gap orchid species (Caladenia alpina and we stopped a couple of times on wider Chiloglottis valida) in the damper areas, sections of the road to look at the Prostanthera lasianthos, Victorian Christmas-bush two grevilleas (Grevillea victoriae and wildflowers around us. Grevillea australis), mountain needle- We saw isolated patches of the wood (Hakea lissosperma), alpine beautiful blue-flowering native flax boronia (Boronia algida), mountain (Linum marginale), as well as pink bells pepper (Tasmannia xerophila), tall (Tetratheca spp.), common rice-flower rice-flower (Pimelea ligustrina), ivy-leaf (Pimelea humilis), grey Guinea-flower goodenia (Goodenia hederacea), leafy (Hibbertia obtusifolia), handsome bossiaea (Bossiaea distichoclada), pink flat-pea (Platylobium montanum), bells (Tetratheca spp), forest phebalium (Phebalium squamulosum) and two beautiful white-flowering heaths (Epacris paludosa and E. gunnii). Next morning we followed Dungey’s Track from near Freeburgh, travelling beside Snowy Creek, then up over Simmond’s Gap and down to Mount Prostanthera rotundifolia, Round-leaf mint-bush Beauty in the Kiewa Valley. Dungey’s Track is an old logging track which was used to transport alpine ash (Eucalyptus There are two or three creek crossings delegatensis) from the Kiewa Valley to along this track, so a 4WD vehicle is sawmills in north-eastern Victoria. recommended. Linum marginale, Native flax Veronica derwentiana, Derwent speedwell

32 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 33 After lunch at Mt Beauty, we travelled That evening we travelled across the up to Falls Creek and on towards Pretty Bogong High Plains and down into the Valley Reservoir on the Bogong High Mitta Mitta Valley where we stayed at Plains. Just before the reservoir there is Paynes Hut, which provides five-star a wildflower 'hot spot' close to Ruined accommodation in an isolated area Castle, which is an outcrop of hexagonal near Anglers Rest. Omeo and Albury columns of basalt. The Bogong High are both about two hours away in Plains themselves consist of a series of opposite directions. Paynes Hut was low hills capped with basalt overlying built by the owners Graham and Tess high-grade metamorphic rocks such as Payne who were formerly builders and gneisses and schists. chefs in Melbourne; it is surrounded by a beautiful garden landscaped, planted At Ruined Castle the group divided into and maintained by Tess. pairs and used our book to identify as Next morning we were fortunate many plants as possible within an hour. Kunzea parvifolia, Violet kunzea Amongst the carpet of brilliant purple- to have a conducted tour of nearby Mittagundi Outdoor Education School flowering mountain hovea (Hovea We also saw several daisy species, which was established 30 years ago montana), we saw flowers of alpine rice- ranging from herbs such as billy buttons by Ian Stapleton, a former teacher at flower (Pimelea alpina), alpine grevillea (Craspedia spp) to low woody shrubs Timbertop, the outdoor campus of (Grevillea australis), Victorian buttercup of common cassinia (Cassinia aculeata) Geelong Grammar. The school is owned Hakea microcarpa, Small-fruited hakea (Ranunculus victoriensis), forest and trees of blanket leaf (Bedfordia by a Trust and offers 10-day courses to phebalium (Phebalium squamulosum), arborescens). students from throughout Australia. twin-flower knawel (Scleranthus biflorus), On our final day, before returning to brachyscome daisies (Brachyscome spp), After a leisurely lunch back at Paynes Harrietville, we travelled via Omeo swamp heath (Epacris paludosa), prickly Hut, we travelled about 20 km to stay to Mt Hotham. Here we fanned out starwort (Stellaria pungens) and silver overnight at a farm called The Willows over the wind-swept slopes of the ewartia (Ewartia nubigena). in the Bundara Valley near Anglers Rest. summit hoping to find mountain celery Flowers seen in the Mitta Mitta Valley (Aciphylla glacialis) in flower, but we area included specimens of the yellow were too late — it had already flowered. bulbine lily (Bulbine bulbosa), mauve climbing glycine (Glycine clandestina), The same applied to alpine orites common woodruff (Asperula conferta), (Orites lancifolius), a member of the bidgee-widgee (Acaena novae- Proteaceae family. All we could see on zelandiae) and handsome flat-pea these spreading, low-growing plants (Platylobium montanum). were boat-shaped, leathery fruits interspersed among the thick leathery Gorse bitter-pea (Daviesia ulicifolia) was leaves. On the other hand, we were too common, as was the small-fruited hakea early to see the flowers of yellow kunzea (Hakea microcarpa) with its distinctively- (Kunzea muelleri), though the buds on shaped fruits, grey guinea flower the plants were close to bursting. (Hibbertia obtusifolia) with its bright yellow flowers, violet kunzea (Kunzea However we did see masses of the parvifolia) and the blue flax lily (Dianella white-pink flowers of thick eyebright Phebalium squamulosum, Forest phebalium tasmanica). Daviesia ulicifolia, Gorse bitter-pea (Euphrasia crassiuscula) as well as

34 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 35 purple-flowering mountain hovea (Hovea montana), the distinctive yellow star-like flowers of alpine starbush (Asterolasia trymalioides), two species of Pimelea (Pimelea axiflora and P. alpina), pale pink Caladenia orchids (Caladenia alpina), silver snow daisies (Celmisia spp), snow beard-heath (Acrothamnus montanus) with its distinctive white- and green-striped leaves, the yellow- flowering ivy-leaf goodenia (Goodenia hederaceae) and alpine grevillea Westringea senifolia, Alpine westringia Ladybirds in the seed follocles of Orites lancifolius, (Grevillea australis) with its small creamy- Alpine orites white, heavily-perfumed flowers. A few kilometres further down the Mt Hotham-Harrietville road we stopped for lunch at Baldy Hollow Lookout. Here we saw a spectacular mixed display of low-growing alpine westringia Asterolasia trymalioides, Apine starbush (Westringia senifolia), pink alpine boronia (Boronia algida) and alpine rice- flower (Pimelea alpina). Also present were mountain pepper (Tasmannia xerophila), gorse bitter-pea Boronia algida, Alpine boronia (Daviesia ulicifolia), ivy-leaf goodenia (Goodenia hederaceae), brachyscome daisies (Brachyscome spp), soft cranesbill (Geranium potentilloides), and mountain violet (Viola betonicifolia). We think we saw a specimen of Bogong daisy bush (Olearia frostii) too, but it had finished flowering, making accurate identification difficult. References Descriptions of most plants can be found in Plants of the Victorian High Country by John Murphy and Bill Dowling, 2nd edition, CSIRO Publishing. HEMA MAP High Country Victoria shows the roads and tracks travelled. Pimelea alpina, Alpine rice-flower Beetles on Aciphylla glacialis, mountain celery

36 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 37 The Wednesday Walkers (WW) River near the Boboyan Road Group of the Society have recorded Crossing. A group of us from the and photographed many of the WWs searched the area on two species missing from the field occasions without success and I guides, my so-called ‘forgotten explored the riverbanks for about plants’. Some are quite common and 500m downstream from the crossing are frequently encountered, whereas in February 2019, as P. prunifolia is others are rare and, of course, some mostly found in this habitat, also we have never seen although we without success. have searched for some of those in their recorded locations. Ted was a very experienced plant collector so the plant and place are This article discusses some of the not in doubt and either the plants reasons why these species have he sampled have become extinct been overlooked. I am starting with or they exist outside our limited the cases of Pomaderris prunifolia search area and he walked further and Cassinia monticola. Forgotten Flowers of the ACT downstream than we have explored. Pomaderris prunifolia The valley is very rugged and A Pictorial Guide When Ros Cornish and I were exploration across large granite compiling records of our local boulders is slow and hazardous. Pomaderris for our Plant Profile Our group has found P. prunifolia Cardamine lilacina Molonglo Gorge project, I found a record of P. growing on the banks of Mountain prunifolia in Namadgi National Park Creek at Top Crossing about 10 km Text and photos by Roger Farrow 350 in Meredith Cosgrove’s book, from the Atlas of Living Australia. north of the ACT border and it may although more species are listed According to the 2017 Census A specimen of this plant was yet be found in the ACT, in one of the here without images. This amounts of the Vascular Plants of the collected by the late Ted Moore in remote valleys draining the eastern to nearly 300 unaccounted species ACT (2017), produced by the 1954 on the bank of the Gudgenby flanks of the Brindabella Range. in the ACT. National Herbarium, there are 904 native flowering plant species Pictures of all the orchids of the (Magnoliopsida) recorded from the ACT are found in David Jones's ACT. guide, covering 119 species, a proportion of which are found in If grasses, sedges and rushes are the above guides leaving just under excluded this equates to 736 200 species. Images of local plant species. In the photographic guides species have also been progressively to the flowering plants of the ACT, added through Canberra Nature that also exclude grasses, sedges Map and other web sites and and rushes, there are 445 native include some of the ‘missing’ species. species in Betty and Don Wood’s Each year records of species new to Approximate location of Ted Moore’s record of View of river at the pin, February 2019 book (excluding eucalypts) and the ACT are also added. Pomaderris prunifolia, on the Gudgenby River

38 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 39 C. monticola in the foreground at Mt Ginini (NSW) Diagnostic leaf of prunifolia with deep recessed in 2018 P. prunifolia on the bank of Mountain Creek, 50m veins and hairy incised margins north of Top Crossing Reasons why some plants Cassinia monticola On the summit of Mt Ginini, near are missing from our Three years after the catastrophic the border track, there is a large current image-based guides specimen of C. monticola that is January bush fires in the ACT, the Remoteness and difficulty of Wednesday Walkers visited Ginini technically in New South Wales access to find and photograph swamp in December 2006 after the by about five metres. The same the species Mt Ginini road was reopened. Jo, species was seen there in 2006 C. monticola at Ginini Flats in 2006 Several plant species are restricted Ros and I saw an unusual daisy bush by Betty Wood and could be the the Brindabella Range, such as Mt to the peaks and ridges of remote standing out in the burnt ground same plant. It is surprising that Bimberi, and it may yet be found in parts of the southern ACT. The in the Flats that I recognised as C. monticola has not been recorded one of the Flats in the Range. trails leading to these areas are not Cassinia monticola, as it is common from more southerly locations along accessible to public vehicles and in Kosciuszko Both species illustrate an important many of the peaks such as such National Park. We factor in the temporal dynamics Bimberi, Mt Scabby, and many took a specimen of plants, that is, the natural cycle others involve long, hard walks, to deposit in the of propagation, reproduction and sometimes overnight. Below is herbarium and found death and possible local extinction if the view of the central Brindabella it was a new record the species does not reproduce. Range from the Yerrabi Lookout. for the ACT. We returned in 2013 and in 2018 but could not find the plant and it is assumed to be extinct. It was not seen before the fires in 2002 although we did not necessarily ANPS members, Jo Walker (L) and Ros Cornish discovering Cassinia visit the same spot. monticola at GininI Flats in December 2006. Note fire damage

40 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 41 Large and overlooked

Shining Westringia, Westringia lucida (Lamiaceae). Restricted to montane woodland in the Adriana tomentosa Female flowers remote Scabby Range in the ACT (my picture from Toolong Eastern bitterbush, Adriana tomentosa Range) (Euphorbiaceae), monoecious, a female plant. Localised at Cotter River flats

Small and easily overlooked

Alpine starbush, Asterolasia trymalioides (Rutaceae). Uncommon on granite outcrops, such as Booroomba Rocks

A sneezewort, Centipeda elatinoides (Asteraceae). Dwarf beard heath, Leucopogon fraseri, (Ericaceae). Widespread in damp places Widespread in grassland and heaths

Adriana tomentosa Male flowers

Grass cushion, Isoetopsis graminifolia (Asteraceae). Thyme mitrewort, Mitrasacme serpyllifolia Widespread in grassland (Loganiaceae). Localised in grassland and heath Alpine starbush, Asterolasia trymalioides

42 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 43 Brindabella grevillea, Grevillea victoriaea subsp Snow gentian, Gentianella muelleriana subsp Alpine grevillea, Grevillea australis (Proteaceae). G. australis foliage with its endemic bellid weevil, brindabella (Proteaceae), formerly G. victoriae. Rare, jingensis formerly Chionogentias muelleriana Common in montane swamps and flats such as Pachyura australis, Ginini Flats northern Brindabella Range, just outside the ACT subsp alpestris. Restricted to the grassland in the Ginini and Snowy Flats northern Brindabella Range, eg Mt Ginini Similar looking species Recently described species Illustrated Missing

Sticky daisy bush, Cassinia hewsoniae (Astereaceae), formerly C. uncata. Grassy box Royalla daisy, Brachyscome willisii (Asteraceae), Smooth solenogyne, Solenogyne dominii Hairy solenogyne, Solenogyne gunnii (Asteraceae). woodland, northern ACT (Mulligans Flat) formerly Brachyscome sp aff. formosa. Grassy box (Asteraceae). Common and widespread in grassy Local in grassy woodland woodland, SE ACT (Williamsdale) woodland

Rusty daisy bush, Olearia brevipedunculata Leptinella filicula (Asteraceae). Local in damp Scleranthus fasciculatus (Caryophyllaceae) formerly (Asteraceae) formerly Olearia phlogopappa subsp. Alpine cotula, Cotula alpina (Asteraceae). Common places in montane forest. Distinguished from Scleranthus sp 'loose'. Widespread subrepandra. Montane woodland, eg Mt Ginini and widespread in damp places Cotula by bare capitulum

44 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 45 Illustrated Missing

Dusty Miller, Spyridium parviflorum (Rhamnaceae. Rare along water courses in north-west ACT and along Murrumbidgee in Gigerline Nature Reserve. Dampiera fusca (Goodeniaceae) at Booroomba Rocks post-fire in 2006, 3rd season of growth. Slender veronica, Veronica gracilis (Plantaginaceae) Slender veronica, Veronica subtilis (Plantaginaceae). (This species is recorded in the Wood’s guide) Common in damp grassy woodland and bogs Common in damp grassy woodland and bogs. Distinguished from gracilis by filiform leaves

Cascade daisy bush, Ozothamnus secundiflorus (Asteraceae). Rare in ranges, this specimen was growing on the roadside at Mt Ginini and Pennywort, Hydrocotyle ?sipthorpioides Stinking pennywort, Hydrocotyle laxiflora destroyed by slashing in 2018. Dampiera fusca (Goodeniaceae) at Booroomba (Araliaceae). Common and widespread in (Araliaceae). There are five similar-looking Rocks woodland pennyworts locally, mostly growing in wet areas, often in running water, and difficult to separate Fire dependent boom and bust Other species that respond in this way, without flowers Rare (Edge of Range) cycles to a lesser extent, are wild parsnip, Trachymene composita (formerly The local vegetation is fire tolerant and T. anisocarpa), and tufted blue lily (a some species are reliant on intermittent misnomer since the local lilies are fires to open up the vegetation cover white), Thelionema caespitosum, that and induce germination. The plants grows among rocks in montane heaths. grow and produce seed before being out-competed by regenerating shrubs. Right Time and Place This seed bank persists until the next Some plants have a short flowering major fire possibly decades away. Such period and unless they are seen at this short-lived plants may not be seen until time, often opportunistically, they may there is a fire when they reappear in not be recognisable in their vegetative Australian senna, Senna aciphylla Pomaderris costata (Rutaceae). Known only in the state during the rest of the year. (Caesalpindaceae). West-facing slopes of the ACT from the side of Bendora road but common in their millions for three or four seasons Murrumbidgee valley, eg Kambah pool Tallaganda NP to the east and then disappear again.

46 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 47 The Wednesday Walkers have visited on a number of occasions. It has a short Molonglo Gorge on at least three flowering period in spring and its basal occasions but only on the last did we rosette is scarcely visible during the rest see the Cardamine lilacina in flower. of the year.

Mountain cress, Drabastrum alpestre (Brassicaceae). (My picture from a rocky outcrop, Snowy Plains) Cardamine lilacina Another plant that the Wednesday This short introduction to some Walkers have never seen in the ACT is overlooked plants growing in the mountain cress, Drabastrum alpestre, ACT has covered just 27 species. More that has been photographed in flower species will be covered by family in at Cotter Rocks which we have visited forthcoming editions of our journal.

Styphelia triflora, Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve, Mudgee Field Trip; Photo: Gail Ritchie Knight Banksia serrata; Drawing: Lesley Page

48 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 49 Garden Design Study Group •• Goodeniaceae starring on the NSW Newsletter 107 May 2019 South Coast Study Group Notes •• About the Newsletter & Themes •• Goodeniaceae in a Garden on the Wimmera Plains •• The Editor Comments •• Native Plants Queensland — Grevillea Study Group By Brigitta Wimmer, Study Group Liaison •• Field Trip in 2020 Wildflower Spectacle Newsletter 112 February 2019 Officer, ANPS Canberra Region •• What’s New in the Study Group •• Extracts from Past Newsletters •• Editorials •• Feature species — Eremophila Acacia Study Group •• Light Brings a Garden to Life polyclada •• Activities Newsletter 144 April 2019 •• Sun and Shade •• ACRA, PBR and the Vexed Issue of •• In the Wild •• Sunshine and Shadow •• From the Leader Cultivar Registration •• In your Garden •• Modify the Temperature of a House •• Welcome •• ESG Field Trip — Queensland, 2020 •• Grevillea News •• The Procession of Light and Shade •• From Members and Readers •• ANPSA Biennial Conference, Albany, •• Seed Bank through the Days and Seasons •• Les Pedley 1930–2018 2019 •• Financials •• Dry Rainforest section of my Garden •• New Species — Acacia corusca •• Know your Eremophila — E. glabra •• From Light to Dark Hakea Study Group •• Acacia chinchillensis Roseworthy •• Sunshine & Shadow as a Design Tool Newsletter 69 February 2019 •• Acacia triptera •• New cultivar — E. Meringur Isaac •• Garden in Full Northwest Sun •• Leaders Letter •• Kangaroo — A Novel by D H •• Eremophilas for windbreaks •• Sunshine & Shadow as a Design Tool Lawrence •• The Eremophila Phytochemical •• Hakea Crawl continued •• Sunshine & Shadow @ British •• Australian Acacias species make very Database •• Photographing Hakea Seedlings National Gallery good weeds •• Website Image Database •• Seed Bank •• Membership Matters •• Books •• Finding Eremophila Books •• Finance and Membership •• Seed Bank •• From Your Letters Goodeniaceae Study Group •• The story of Hakea victoriae •• Study Group Membership •• Parafilm Newsletter April 2019 •• Notes from Members •• Next Newsletter themes •• Study Group Expectations • Dryandra Study Group • In my Garden •• Corrigenda • Newsletter 76 February 2019 • Funding for Goodeniacaea Study Group Hakea Study Group •• About the Study Group •• My Interest in Goodeniaceae •• Dryandra bipinnatifida in Cultivation Newsletter 70 June 2019 •• Distribution of Surplus from 12th FJC •• Dryandra lindleyana in Denmark Rogers Seminar 2018 •• Letter from the Leader •• Fire and Biodiversity Fern Study Group •• Dr Kelly Shepherd’s Proposal for •• 2018 visit to Western Australia •• An Unusual Dryandra brownii Newsletter 142 February 2019 funding which was put to the 12th •• Members Report — Hakea •• Dryandra Reccie Trip 30th July to 3rd •• Program for South-east Queensland FJC Rogers Seminar Committee orthorrhyncha and other Hakeas in August 2018 Region •• Lechenaultias we used to grow the Garden Addendum: Draft Itinerary for pre- •• Program for the Sydney Region •• Darwin’s letters •• Vale Max Ewer conference trip •• Excursion and General Reports •• Emails from members •• From members — Hakea eriantha •• ANPSA Fern Study Group •• Leaf Cutting Results from Members and Hakea aculeata Eremophila Study Group Membership •• Propagating Two Goodenia species •• Financial Newsletter 123 May 1029 •• Fern Study Group newsletters on from Seed and Some Marvellous •• Photos of Hakea seedlings and •• Letter from the Editor AboutFerns.org Possibilities! Hakea species

50 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 51 Isopogon and Petrophile •• The top petrophiles Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc. Study Group •• Where to buy petrophiles The aims of the Society are to foster the recognition, conservation and Membership Fees Newsletter 24 April 2019 •• In the press cultivation of Australian native plants. Single or family memberships are the same price. • •• Financial report Meetings are held at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month, Basic membership including Bulletin and Journal — $35 ($18*) • Editorial — The Petrophile Issue February to December, in Canberra. Visitors are always welcome. •• How do you say it?? Full membership including Bulletin, Journal and Australian Waratah and Flannel Day and weekend field trips to locations of outstanding botanical Plants — $50 ($33*) interest are organised on a regular basis. •• Distribution Flower Study Group Life member subscribing to Australian Plants — $15 The Society publishes a Bulletin in all months except January, and this •• Characteristics Newsletter 17 June 2019 * Concession rates apply to pensioners (Centrelink), full-time quarterly Journal in March, June, September and December. •• History of the genus students and unemployed. •• Maria writes Website: nativeplantscbr.com.au •• Petrophile naming •• Flannel Flowers as weeds Membership Secretary: Vacant [email protected] •• Petrophile and Abbé Michel •• From the members Gandoger •• Leadlight windows Central Council Other useful contacts •• Solving the mystery of eastern •• Maria’s crazy trials petrophiles President Bulletin Editor •• Actinotus forsythii propagation Ben Walcott Lucinda Royston •• How to grow petrophiles •• Willian d’Avigdor’s trial 02 6161 2742 [email protected] •• How to propagate petrophiles •• Actinotus paddisonii [email protected] Study Group Liaison Officer •• Aulax trials • Checklist of Telopea species and Vice President Brigitta Wimmer •• A splash of red varieties John Carter [email protected] •• Natural hybrids 02 6231 7055 •• Checklist of Actinotus species and Booksales [email protected] •• Fire ecology varieties Murray Dadds •• Conservation issues Secretary 43 MacLaurin Cres Garth Chamberlain Chifley ACT 2606 0417 661 047 0404 870 447 [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer Public Officer Neville Page (for Associations Incorporation Act purposes) 02 6238 1766 Paul Meier [email protected] 7 Robert Lewis Crescent Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Gordon ACT 2906 Geoff Butler 02 6294 6601 (h) 02 6236 9158 All Society correspondence to [email protected] The Secretary Other Council Members ANPS Canberra Region (Inc) Karen Brien PO Box 217 Greg Quinn Civic Square ACT 2608 Gail Ritchie-Knight Ian Tranter Brigitta Wimmer

Banksia speciosa; Drawing: Lesley Page Back cover: Celmisia sp; View of Mt Stilwell from Charlotte Pass: Photo: Roger Farrow

52 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — March 2019 www.nativeplantscbr.com.au