Wildflower Society of Newsletter Australian Native Society (Australia), W. A. Region ISSN 2207- 6204

May 2019 Vol. 58 No. 2 Price $4.00 Published quarterly. Registered by Australia Post. Publication No. 639699-00049 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 1 WILDFLOWER SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA The newsletter is published quarterly in February, May, August and November by the Wildflower Society of WA (Inc). Contents From the President 3 Editor Committee convener and layout: 2019 State Conference & Annual General Bronwen Keighery Meeting and Conference Seminar Mail: PO Box 519 Floreat 6014 Saturday Sunday 29-30 June 2019 4 2019 State Council and Annual General E-mail: [email protected] Meeting 5 2019 Conference Seminar - Deadline for the August issue is Adventures in discovery of our flora 6 5 July. 2019 Events 7 Branch Contacts and Meeting Details 7 Articles are the copyright of their authors. The Newsletter needs your articles and In most cases permission to reprint articles photos!!! 8 in not-for-profit publications can be Albany Branch 9 Darling Range Branch 10 obtained from the author without charge, Eastern Hill Branch 11 on request. Northern Suburbs Branch 12 Perth Branch 12 The views and opinions expressed in the Enjoying wildflowers with tourists 13 articles in this Newsletter are those of the Autumn in South Coast Swamps 16 authors and do not necessarily reflect those No longer presumed extinct - Acacia prismifolia 25 of the Wildflower Society of WA (Inc.). Australian Native Plants Society Advertisements are welcome. Charges per Management Com. 2019 to 2021 26 Murdoch Branch 27 issue (including GST) are as follows: Marri on holiday 30 ‘Blooming Biodiversity’ Albany 2019 31 B&W Colour Mary Bremner Bequest Grants 33 Full Page $100.00 $230.00 Towards an eGuide for WA Wildflowers 33 Education Sub-Committee Report 36 Half Page $70.00 $170.00 Quarter Page $50.00 $130.00 Members receive a 10% discount. Layout for this issue: Bronwen Keighery. Proof reading: Jim Barrow, This Newsletter is available online to all and Marta Rossignoli. members.

Ask for our seed packets at garden centres, nurseries, botanic gardens and souvenir shops or visit our website Front cover: Rusty coloured granites on the Capes coast with the Wild Pelargonium to see our range and extensive growing advice. (Pelargonium australe subsp. drummondii). This flowers over a long period. Plant Many Australian native plants require smoke to germinate leaves age a deep red. Photos Bronwen Keighery, November 2018. their seeds. Our Wildflower Seed Starter granules are Inside left front cover: Prostanthera magnifica is a very attractive from the Mid- impregnated with smoke. Simple instructions on the packet. West. Photo Ann Newman. Suitable for all our packaged seed. Safe to handle. Inside right front cover: nymphaeum corolla lobes are laterally-paired Phone: (08) 9470 6996 and have a serrated margin. There are around six throat appendages. March, west wildflowersofaustralia.com.au Frankland. 2 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 3 President Geoff Corrick 0458670614 From the President Vice-President Nina McLaren 9448 5419 This will be my last ‘From the President’ article, as Hon. Gen. Secretary Kerry Smith 9385 9332 Treasurer Jenny Garroun 0419 707 755 my three year term finishes at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). Many thanks to the Management Committee Committee Felicity Bairstow 041 904 4986 members during this time who have contributed so much to Richard Clark 042 385 551 the effective oversight and management of our Society. We are Christine Curry 0430 013 364 fortunate to have a unified vision of what we are about both Linda Mason 9497 2936 as a Committee and an organisation: know, grow, conserve Tracy Scott 042 7465185 and enjoy wildflowers. We are not divided by factions, and Sybil Speak 9444 1495 have not wasted time comparing ourselves to past incumbents, Debbie Walker 9398 5169 as seems to be a disappointing continuing activity in our country’s political system. So much energy wasted that could Merchandise & Events Sybil Speak 9444 1495 be spent on thoughtful and polite argument, negotiation and consensus building. Newsletter Convenor Bronwen Keighery 9381 4062 Website Editor Nina McLaren 9448 5419 Notice of our AGM appears next in this Newsletter. Your nominations for Publications Officer Marion Blackwell 9383 1141 Management Committee or Sub-committee positions are always most welcome. Office (Office) 9383 7979 For our Society it has been a busy few years. Things that have changed can be briefly summarised: Office: Perry House, 167 Perry Lakes Drive, (PO Box 519) Floreat 6014 • fees raised; Hours: 10.00 am – 2.30 pm Tuesday and Thursday • costs reduced (Newsletter by electronic delivery, annual accounting fees reduced, bookshop range reduced to profitable items, etc.);

Society Management Society Management Phone: (08) 9383 7979 (24-hour) E-mail: [email protected] • new website established and membership payment system added; Honor Venning Library at Perry House is open on the first Saturday of the • Mary Bremner Bequest Grants under-way; month (except January) from 1 – 3 pm • constitution brought up to date with new Act; Website: www.wildflowersocietywa.org.au/ • membership numbers just growing, from a low of 570 in May 2015, 618 at March 2019; • Education Sub-committee established and active; • Roadside Vegetation Sub-committee established and active; • South West Capes Branch established and active; Membership subscriptions • Royal Show re-appearance; and Category Newsletter sent as a paper copy. • perhaps most consuming of effort and expertise, planning for ANPSA 2019 Membership subscriptions now fall due on web only paper Conference. the anniversary of your membership. As a Society we still have some ongoing challenges. Some of our Branches are having Individual $55 $70 Those members wishing to renew by Visa, difficulty finding members to help with planning and administration of Branch activities. Family $100 $115 Mastercard, save yourself postage by using Maybe the answer lies in our Facebook group, currently 11 300 people. If we could Overseas $55 $70 our email membership form on the Society convert 2 or 3 percent of these to Society membership we would be on a firmer financial Concession* $35 $50 website OR Direct payment to WSWA footing and perhaps find some new contributors to share the workload. Bankwest BSB 306-058 a/c 4197355 I suggest greater challenges lie in the broader community. Hope you don’t mind if Junior $10 $25 WITH a reference with deposit: YOUR I go out with a release of pent-up steam. Maybe when you read this we will still be in Affiliated Group $55 $70 NAME + TYPE OF PAYMENT (in this the morass of a Federal election. Perhaps not the best metaphor for conservationists in * Fulltime students, and those in receipt of case: m’ship). Perth where we have used so much of our low lying soggy ground as rubbish dumps. a means-tested Australian Commonwealth Please advise the WSWA Office separately Or maybe it is a good metaphor. Our party political system is the morass and an election Government pension. if you have changed your details (e.g. just generates another heap of rubbish to add to it. I think we so desperately need some To receive Australian Plants add $15 to address). consensus on climate change and the avoidance or mitigation measures we need to your fee. Australian Plants can only be undertake. Frequently in the political argy-bargy there are pronouncements about the costs 4 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 5 of action, but I am yet to hear an assessment of the costs of no action. 2019 State Council and Annual General Meeting Another challenge is the human population. In the natural world it is easy to see that In accordance with Clause 16 of the Society’s Constitution: populations of anything are limited by the resources that they need to grow and survive. ‘(c) The notice convening an Annual or Special General Meeting shall be given to all Much of the enjoyment of our study of plants is to see the way they have adapted to their members with voting rights at least one month prior to the proposed date of the meeting situations, whether it is seasonal or structural responses to sunlight, temperature and either via the Newsletter or prepaid letter post.’ rainfall, pollination and seed dispersal methods, or associations with other species as host notice is hereby given that the Society’s 2019 State Conference (SC) and Annual General or parasite. Perhaps we as humans are just ruled by our genes and determined to find out Meeting (AGM) will be hosted by the South West Capes Branch and will be held on our population limits by experimentation. Having developed a brain powerful enough to Saturday 29 June 2019 in the Cowaramup District Social Club, 10 Memorial Drive, envisage some of the likely outcomes it is time we devoted some effort to ensuring a fair Cowaramup WA 6284 and sustainable outcome for all our fellow human beings as well as the species we share the world with. Saturday SC & AGM program The third challenge is a relevant opportunity for Perth people to undertake some of the 8:30 – 9:00 am Registration and welcoming cuppa planning implied by the challenges of climate and population. Now simply called ‘Perth 9:00 am Welcome and official opening by South West Capes Branch and Peel @ 3.5 million’ the growth plan to the year 2050 has been put on hold by the 9:15 am State Council current State Government while it conducts reviews, the outcomes of which are expected this year. Our Society submitted a detailed response to an earlier version of this plan when This is an open meeting for reporting on the Society’s year from the Management it was titled (poorly in our opinion) the Green Growth Plan. Here is one wish for the next Committee and its associated subcommittees and Branches. Only Branch delegates (or committee, that we remain firm in our stance that Bush Forever sites be preserved and their proxies) can vote on any matters/motions raised to be sent onto the AGM and/ maintained as just that - bush forever. or the Management Committee. The Council meeting finishes at lunchtime. If there are In general as a population we are out of touch with our climate. We live in air- outstanding reports the Council meeting can resume after the AGM. conditioning most of the time, whether it is home, office, shopping mall, church or pub. 12:30 pm Lunch We move between these places by car, bus, train or plane, all air-conditioned. Appreciation 1:30 pm Annual General Meeting of the value of our bush is becoming lost. I can’t find the source right now, but I heard or Chaired by President, Geoff Corrick. All financial Wildflower Society members may saw some sobering statistics about the small number of Perth people who have ventured attend and vote at the AGM. Members can appoint a proxy in accordance with the within the State beyond Wanneroo, Gooseberry Hill or Rockingham, and even fewer who Society’s Constitution. Interested public can join the AGM but not vote. have been north of Lancelin, east of Northam or south of Margaret River. I did find some tourist surveys but the figures counted FIFO workers amongst travellers spending a night Branches are required to nominate 2 DELEGATES to the State Council and AGM and to or more away from home! I’m sure more exposure to the outdoors and the bush can only send these nominations to the Society Honorary General Secretary, PO Box 519, Floreat help us understand climate change better and value the bush more. WA 6014 or email: [email protected] prior to the commencement of Best wishes to all members and in advance to the new committee to be elected at the State Council. AGM. Geoff Corrick The 2019 Management Committee is elected at the AGM. The Committee requires at least 10 members and one from each Branch (and maybe two from some) would be fantastic. YOUR SOCIETY NEEDS YOU to assist with its continuation and its future. Nomination forms for Management Committee positions as well as joining one of our Sub Committees are included with this Newsletter as separate forms. 2019 State Conference & Annual General No motions have been tabled for the 2019 AGM. Meeting and Conference Seminar Items for the Agenda, Management Committee, Sub Committee and Branch Reports Saturday Sunday 29-30 June 2019 should be lodged with the Honorary General Secretary, preferably by email to enquiry@ South West Capes Branch Committee members have been very busy organising this event wildflowersocietywa.org.au or posted to the Wildflower Society Office at least 2 weeks for us, so we hope to see a great turnout for the 2 day gathering. prior to the State Conference/AGM, i.e. by Friday 14 June 2019. Reports and Agenda The registration form for both days is supplied with this Newsletter as a loose sheet. items received after this date will not be included in the Conference document file. 6 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 7 2019 Conference Seminar - 2019 Events Adventures in discovery of our flora 26 April Terry Houston: Native Bees Eastern Hills Sunday 30 June 2019 1 May Growing Native Plants Presentation Eastern Hills Sunday conference on 30 June 2019 at the Duggan Pavilion, Hall Road, Cowaramup WA 2 May Mark Brundrett: Orchid Pollination Murdoch 6284. 14 May Laco Mucina: Vegetation Survey & Mapping in Service of Science, Our Welfare, and Nature Perth Anyone can attend this day, we urge you to bring friends and/or family. 24 May John Ewing: Orchids Near and Far, Usual and Unusual Eastern Hills Registered attendees can have lunch for $20 if you are a Member, and $30 if you are a 28 May Christine Allen: Back From the Brink – Threatened Flora Nthn Suburbs visitor. 6 June Judith Harvey: Rare Plant Survey Murdoch 8:30 – 9:00 am Registration and morning cuppa 11 June Jim Barrow: Fabaceae Perth 9:00 – 9:15 am Welcome 25 June Don Poynton: Flora of Victoria’s Grampian Ranges & Anglesea Heath NthnSubs 9:15 – 9.45 am Andrew Webb: Plant Diversity of the South West Capes 28 June Mike Lyons: The Fortescue Wetlands Eastern Hills 9.45 – 10:15 am Nancy Scade: The Challenges of Taming Wildflowers 4 July Members’ Night Murdoch 10:15 – 10:45 am Morning tea 9 July Ben Croxford: Nuts About Natives Perth 10.45 – 11.15 am Peter Lane: Geology – the foundation of our 23 July Margaret Langley: Little Sandy Desert Murdoch extraordinary Southwest 13 Aug Greg Keighery: Dwellers in the mist: Rainbow Coast Wildflowers Perth 11.15 -12.15 pm Jane Scott & Jenny Kikeros: Walking with Wildflowers – 27 Aug Felicity Bairstow: Roe’d to Recovery Nthn Suburbs around the World 24 Sept Catherine Baudains: Backyard Bandicoots Nthn Suburbs 12:15 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch Special Events 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm WALKS 11 May Annual Native Plant Sale Eastern Hills Gracetown Granites – north of Gracetown on the Cape to Cape track. Leaders: Jane 25 May York Branch Plant Sale York Scott and Jenny Kikeros (see photos Cape granite flora: front cover, below and page 4) OR Branch Contacts and Meeting Details Miamup Swamp – between Cowaramup Bay Road and Juniper Road. Leader: John Hill (see photo inside back cover) Albany Albany Regional Herbarium 4:00 pm Afternoon tea and conference close 3rd Tuesday 7.30 pm (Entry off corner Moir and Hymus Streets) President: Lynda Strahan 0438 127 534 Capes landscape with Pimelea ferruginea. Photo Bronwen Keighery, November 2018. Secretary: Wendy Minchin 9845 1220 ([email protected]) PO Box 937, Albany, WA 6331 Armadale Environmental Centre Armadale Settlers Common Triton Crescent 2nd Thursday 7.15 pm for 7.30 pm, President: Roger Harington ([email protected]) Secretary: Steve Aldersea 9399 3649 ([email protected]) PO Box 859, Armadale WA 6992 Darling Range Old Guide Hall (Paxhill), 5 Sanderson Rd, Lesmurdie President: Lynda Tomlinson 9291 8753 ([email protected]) Secretary: Rosemary Johnston ([email protected]) Eastern Hills Octagonal Hall, 52 McGlew Rd, Glen Forrest 4th Friday 7.30 pm for 8 pm President: Lee Roberts ([email protected]) Secretary: Sandy Stone ([email protected]) 8 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 9 Kulin Herbarium, Resource Centre, Johnston St, Kulin Albany Branch 1st Tuesday 12) For the Albany Branch, the main focus for 2018 was the running of the herbarium, our Contact and Secretary: Robin Campbell ([email protected]) monthly wildflower walks and the Wildflower Show. PO Box 56, Kulin WA 6365 We began the year with a couple of “greenhorns” at the helm of the Albany Regional Merredin Herbarium after the retirement of Judy Morris and Karin Baker, who have done an Vice-president: Mal Harper 9041 1421 ([email protected]) incredible job for many years. Secretary/Treasurer: Tracy Scott Eileen Rodgers and I (Lynda Strahan) volunteered to take on this position until a PO Box 95 Nungarin WA 6490 suitable curator/manager can be found. Our thanks to all the volunteers who support Murdoch Branch Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre, Hope Rd, Bibra Lake 6163 us in this role and especially to those who come in faithfully each week to help with 1st Thursday 7.30 pm for 7.45 pm the nitty-gritty running of the herbarium. Thanks to Wendy for stepping into the office President: Christine Allen ([email protected]) duties at the Herbarium as well as dealing with the secretarial job of the Management Secretary: Sheree Walters ([email protected]) Committee. This has been a great help to Eileen who shoulders most of that burden. The other half of the “management” team is not very good in the office!A huge thanks to Northern Suburbs Henderson Centre, Groat St, North Beach Eileen, whose computer skills never cease to amaze me and whose knowledge of how th 4 Tuesday 7.30 pm things should operate is invaluable. For a “Pom”, she also knows a great deal about our Vice-president: Richard Curry 9447 2983 ([email protected]) native flora. Thanks also to Libby Sandiford, our “go to” person for professional plant id’s Secretary: Christine Curry 9447 2983([email protected]) and anything tricky. We couldn’t do the job or a decent Wildflower Show without you. An PO Box 25, Greenwood WA 6024 exciting new addition to the herbarium will be Acacia prismifolia, thought to be extinct, Perth Subiaco Community Centre, Bagot Rd, Subiaco (just east of Rokeby Rd) but rediscovered by Libby (see page 25, 26). 2nd Tuesday 7.30 pm for 8 pm We’ve had a great year and the President: Greg Keighery 9381 4062 general running of the Herbarium Secretary: Nina McLaren 9448 5419 ([email protected]) has gone relatively smoothly. Our PO Box 34, Melville WA 6956 Committee meetings are held monthly South West Capes President: Margaret Moir 0406 292 141 ([email protected]) on the third Tuesday at the herbarium Secretary: Richard Clark 0427 385 551 ([email protected]) at 6pm, followed by a short (very) PO Box 784, Dunsborough WA 6281s general meeting at 7:30 and an informative and entertaining speaker. York President: Pat Mcregor ([email protected]) Any interested person is welcome Secretary: Kathy Boladeras to attend. We learn about all sorts of PO Box 60, York WA 6302 things, such as the vision of birds and email: [email protected] mass plantings of native flora for the purpose of new sources of food, Bush The Newsletter needs your articles and photos!!! Heritage and the work of the Oyster Harbour Catchment Group. We are missing our regular articles from Jim Barrow and Alex George this month. Both Our Saturday wildflower rambles Jim and Alex are busy people and cannot always find time each quarter for an article. Alex for the latter half of 2018 included tried this quarter but has had computer problems. We love showcasing people’s photos trips to Gull Rock, the Stirlings, in the Newsletter but you need to send them to us! It is great if the photos come with an Boulder Hill, Luke Pen Walk (photo article but if you would just like to send them with captions that is great. Articles/photos opposite), William and Ann Gibb can be of an excursion to see wildflowers, a talk to your Branch etc etc!Articles should Reserve, Mercer Road Reserve and come as text documents and the photos as jpgs or tifs (at least 1 MB but the bigger the Bayonet Head. Walks are held on the better it reproduces). Bronwen receives the information and if the article/photos are large Saturday after the meeting, leaving you can use Dropbox. the herbarium at 9 am, and are a good way to learn and share knowledge with fellow wildflower enthusiasts. The Albany Region contains an amazing diversity of landforms 10 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 11 and native flora, which makes these outings pleasurable, interesting and a dream for Eastern Hill Branch anyone with a passion for photography. The coming film called “Itch” will feature some of After a break over summer, our branch again participated in the Blue Sky Festival at this flora. Mundaring. This year we teamed up with Kaarakin, the Cockatoo Conservation Centre, Sadly, 2018 saw the loss of Ron Black, who spent many and we’re sure the live cockatoo helped bring the visitors to our display! We had a theme hours in the office, and Pat Johns – a very long-time supporter of “Food for Cockatoos” and we gave away lots of seeds from banksia, hakeas and even and willing volunteer. Pat had a great knowledge of orchids a few marris. Amanda Spooner (photo below) and Cathy Levett from the Education Sub- and was responsible for many of the orchid specimens in the Committee also came Herbarium. The orchid cupboard and garden will always remind along with their i-scope us of Pat and the many, many hours she put in to help make the and their insect hotels Herbarium what it is. Rest in Peace Pat and Ron – you will be (photo page bottom) , missed, but not forgotten. so that created interest As the year unfolds, we look forward to many more with the kids. We were wildflower walks, interesting and informative Speakers, the located in “Nature Alley” launch of the new Eucalypts book by Malcolm French and Dean along with the Natural- Nicolle, The Albany Wildflower Show (Sept. 25 – 28) and of ists, Eastern Metropolitan course the ANPSA Conference. Regional Council, Nearer Lynda Strahan to Nature and the local Natural Resource Manage- Darling Range Branch ment group, so we felt it Our Branch has set its AGM for Sunday 14th April to tie in with the Society end of was a worthwhile day. Financial Year. Now of course we are Four members have applied for a Permit Flora Collecting Licence so that we can gearing up for our annual continue adding to our Herbarium of the local species within the City of Kalamunda. plant sale on 11th May Rules have changed with costs involved, even for Volunteers; plus proof of identity (advertisement inside back (Driver’s Licence or Passport photo). We hope to receive these soon. Our Herbarium cover). This is the major event of our calendar year and once again our growers have been is located in Lesmurdie, anyone is welcome to inspect it, but you need to make an busy growing lots of plants. It’s a good idea to arrive early if you have something specific appointment with me, as it is a shared building with the Girl Guides. It is amazing to in mind, The catalogue will be loaded onto the Wildflower Society website at least a week see the difference within species, especially the Proteaceae family. It probably depends before the event. on growing conditions, soil moisture, sun vs shade, location, endemic to the area or Our talks on the fourth Friday of the month continue; so far this year we have had introduced from a different site. Tony Start talk on I attended the Blue Sky Festival at Mundaring, but as a representative of 1 of the Mistletoes and Arpad Piesse Brook Catchment Groups. The Eastern Hills display was quite interesting (see Kalotas on Puffballs. photos opposite page). The Darling Range Nat- This will be the second year Darling Range has entered the local Agricultural Show in uralists recorded Tony Kalamunda with our displays and plants to sell. We hope to set up a “Weed or Wildflower” and you can watch his display, as the one done at the Royal Show seemed to interest the general public. Too talk on U-Tube. https:// many people thought that the Freesia was Native! www.youtube.com/ In spite of the milder summer and lack of rain, the wildflowers are sending out new watch?v=21U-koeQq5E shoots with many species showing new buds ready for flowering in a month or two. No Our president watering, fertilising, pruning or weeding required! Alastair Adam is ill at Our first walk for the season will be the Zig Zag Gooseberry Hill on Sunday 28th the moment and we April. Unfortunately our 2nd scheduled walk will fall on the same day as “Free Plants for wish him a speedy Residents”, always very popular. recovery. Lynda Tomlinson Pam Riordan 12 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 13 Northern Suburbs Branch great talk, partly reproduced below. The talk was accompanied by a running picture show of just some of the wildflowers Ann introduces to tourists. Ann has illustrated and written With the change of financial year for branches, to bring us into line with the Society a colourful book to accompany her tours. financial year, Northern Suburbs will hold our 2019 Annual General Meeting in May. Greg Keighery The branch itself continues as usual, with a busy time at the nursery and a full program of guest speakers. A few new faces on committee would be welcome, to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to branch activities. Enjoying wildflowers with tourists The nursery continues to propagate a wide variety of interesting WA native plants, Ann Newman’s talk in her own words. with our enthusiastic volunteers willing to have a go at growing many unusual species, The content of this talk is based on my experience often collected from far and wide by those with the appropriate licence, and with a over many years as a Botanical Guide (I am not a Botanist) surprisingly high degree of success. Landsdale Farm is still coping with the changeover on coach tours throughout Western Australia during the from the Education Department to Family Support WA and visitor numbers seem to be Wildflower season. down a little, although it is difficult to judge on the two days each week the nursery is Many of the commercial tour companies focus on the open. We are very hopeful that we can negotiate a fruitful agreement with the new lessee Mid-West (photos inside front cover, page 17) in September in the near future, as they bed things down at the Farm. We have a calendar of Plant and further south during October. However, in reality the Sales on the agenda for the year: the Annual Plant Sale was on 27 April, we will be at Wildflower season runs from as early as middle July (up the Eastern Hills Sale on 11 May and the Northern Orchid & Garden Fair on 6/7 July. north) through to early November on the Southern Coast. Then the very popular Groat Street Festival at the Star Swamp Bushland will be on again I have covered tours from Karijini and the Pilbara east to Kalgoorlie goldfields down this year on 19 October, followed by the Nursery End of Season Sale at the Farm on 2 to Esperance on the Southern Coast. November. So, a busy year of propagation for the nursery volunteers! Every season throws different challengers. The passenger are a mixture of guests Our speaker program began in February with Malcolm French giving us a sneak from overseas, the eastern states and of course locals, who have a passion for Wildflowers preview of his forthcoming new book, ‘Eucalypts of the South West’. We were bowled or who have heard of our panoramic show of colour following the winter rains. We are over by the range and variety of species and by Malcolm’s detailed photos and stunning envied by many for our dazzling displays and almost unrivalled diversity from tiny scenery shots. It was a different type of presentation in March, with wholesale Domus orchids to our magnificent forests in the south. Nursery manager, Mark Tucek, along to talk about the Tucker Bush range of bush Tourism brochures tend to focus on the magnificent displays of our everlastings, and tucker plants that the nursery offers to the retail market. While the majority of plants in quite often picture fields of canola or maybe Paterson’s Curse but word is getting out now commercial cultivation are Eastern States species, a good range of plants included in about our other spectacular displays such as our Wreath Flower in the Mid-West. Mark’s talk were West Australian and Mark included information on the texture, taste and We need to be encouraging visitors to leave the city and get out and enjoy our great culinary uses for over 40 species, a number of which he brought along to show and sell to diversity in the numerous hot spots in WA. We have 8 of the 15 national Biodiversity those interested in trying something new in their gardens. hotspots in Australia here in WA. My favourite being Mt Lesueur which can be a day Christine Curry trip from Perth, and the Southern areas of the Stirlings (photo next page) and Fitzgerald National Parks (photo top page 15). Perth Branch When looking for wildflowers it is important not to expect fields of colour but to find So far this year we have had some great talks. We started the year with a talk from the best flowers one must be prepared to stop and walk into the bush. No two areas are the branch Treasurer and Botanist Jeni Alford on Tozer’s Bush Camp near Fitzgerald River same, and because of our wonderful diversity there is always something to find and enjoy. National Park. Many wonderful wildflowers and a fantastic use of farm bushland. The Mid-West includes areas from Kalbarri National Park down to Perth (photo Congratulations Mr Tozer on sharing your bushland. inside front cover, page 17). Areas covered can be coastal and inland to maybe Yalgoo, We had planned to hear about the in March from Matt Barrett but great Dalwallinu and the Darling Scarp including the Northam/Toodyay. The amount of time for him and family to have to go to Queensland to take up a position at the Queensland spent in these areas will vary from day trips to tours of several days. Seasonal displays Herbarium. Bronwen Keighery filled in with a talk on the beauty of wildflowers and vary and are very dependent on yearly rainfall and more importantly when it fails. where and when are the best times to see them. Bronwen started the talk with famous It is so important not to promise to see specific plants on a tour, even if it was seen paintings of wildflowers and how our bushland and wildflowers are things of great beauty last week! As this can lead to disappointment, and I also make a point of never comparing and of greater value to the world than all the stunning paintings. one week or year to any previous events. The passengers must be able to enjoy what they In April Ann Newman shared her approach to ‘Enjoying wildflowers with tourists – a are seeing without comparisons. This is their tour! And they may never get another chance 14 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 15 to see it. Promote the beauty as you are Don’t feel you need to give everything you know about the plants!! It is about seeing it on the day. enjoying the moment at their own level! Even when I am asked sometimes if When on tour I also give out as much local information on the towns and history as we are going to see the Wreath Flower I I can, this gives a break from just flowers. will always say I will try and find some. Maps of area to be visited are also much Even if I was there last week and they were appreciated. fabulous. I leave the passengers with a Our local visitor centres are a great sense of possibility and I never divulge if it source of local information and often have has been a good year or not. I just love the the latest updates in what is flowering where. excitement they get when they see a patch If on tour, be enthusiastic and excited for the first time. Telling them beforehand and your guests will be too!! would spoil that! This also applies to fields When planning a tour, plan for frequent of everlastings which can vary in colour stops with time to explore and enjoy. Try to and intensity so much week to week and in have different habitats with an interesting different locations. The weather during a array of plants. Avoid travelling to and from season can have such a bearing on how long on the same route. Make it a round trip. Keep Gastrolobium leakeanum is one of the spectacular peas of the Stirling Range National Park. Photo Ann Newman. a display will last for. I simply tell them comfort stops at reasonable distances. mother nature is continually re painting the Plan for mealtimes, if availability is landscape and you don’t know what you are going to see until you get there! It’s a new limited think about pre-purchased options find every week. (snack packs). Refreshment breaks are There has never been a time that there is absolutely nothing to see in drought. In one also essential and can be good wildflower drought year many years ago in the Murchision-Goldfields things were so dry most plants locations. Don’t try to cover too much area in were struggling and we were able to take photos of shadows the plants were creating on any one day. the barren grounds around them. In conclusion, I would like to warn Hakea victoria is an erect shrub with brilliantly coloured On the Southern Tours I’ll tell passengers not to expect fields of flowers (like in the you of my incurable and infectious disease leaves around the flowers (yellow leaves) and fruit (orange leaves). The Fitzgerald River area is the place to see these North) and explain it more about forests and flowers of a more delicate nature. - ‘Nativeplantitis’ (see below). at their best. Photo Ann Newman. I encourage guests to appreciate the finer features of plants, using a magnifying glass I invite them to explore the details such as the markings within a flower and explain reasons Incurable Disease for different features of the plants present. Explanations of pollination methods and tricks This article has been reprinted from the Toowoomba SGAP Newsletter August 1987. plants use to attract often amuse visitors. Flowers colour and shape often determine how they are pollinated and by what. Often there is opportunity to talk about Some time, during the last 40 years, there appeared in Australia in Australia a new plant adaptions to climate, ie silver plants reflect heat, eucalypt leaves facing downward and highly contagious disease. Not one of your exotic maladies mind you, imported from toward the sun, succulent leaves in dry climates. Soil conditions and basic geology some foreign clime, but an endemic affliction rejoicing in the name of ‘Nativeplantitis’. information is also appreciated. This delightful ‘disease’ is completely incurable and, in fact, puts the patient in such While some people like to know botanical names, some are just as happy with a a state of happy euphoria that he or she no longer has any desire to be cured. Should you common name. I like to explain the difficulties associated with using just common names. suspect that you are one of the increasing number of Australians who have fortunately Many plants have multiple common names and many common names refer to many contracted this marvelous malady, then please check the following five symptoms. different plants in different places around the world. When using the I A rapidly growning obsession for all Australian flora (in extreme cases, dare we sayit, will explain the basic structure family, and species and if possible give them the almost bordering on fanaticism), sometimes to the extent of deliberately disregarding meanings behind the name so it becomes more meaningful to them. Grouping plants with exotic species growing nearby. family connections also helps. Wattles and peas (legumes), eucalypts and bottlebrush are A strong tendency at times to go into raptures over single, tiny or even almost myrtles and the many orchids are just a few examples. inconspicuous specimens which, to the devotee, appear absolutely inconspicuous and Every passenger has to be able to enjoy the tour they take, and take from it at the level totally unworthy of attention. they are comfortable with. A propensity for perambulating randomly through the bush peering intently at the 16 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 17 ground whilst mumbling such phrases as ‘What’s this Norm?’ or perhaps shouting out ‘Come here Sue’. A powerful desire to begin ‘speaking in tongues’. A patient in this stage will appear to take great delight in rolling of his tongue with religious fervor a whole series of sounds which may or may not have been recogniseable to the ancient Romans. While in this state, the good Aussie gum tree will become the ‘Eucalypt’, probably followed be some equally strange word or words; the well know wattles will become ‘’ or ‘’. The use of these incomprehensible expressions will actually become expansive, extensive and esoteric as the disease develops. A fervent wish to find and develop fellowship with others who have already acquired or are in the process of succumbing to the magnificent malady. As I said, this disease is completely incurable and highly contagious, but here is the good news. All the distressing or undesirable symptom or side effects can be absolutely alleviated by joining your local SGAP group and thereby converting this affliction into a lifetime of pleasure and enjoyment.

Autumn in South Coast Swamps While the South Coast had a dry winter, spring and summer in 2018/19 the swamps of the wet flats amongst Karri and Jarrah dominated forests aroundWalpole are home to a number of summer/autumn flowering wildflower gems (photos centre spread, page 31). The peaty sands of these basin wetlands (swamps) carry sufficient water for flowering into these dry months. Flowering at this time gives the plants have greater access to pollinators as other sources of nectar and are scarce. This was particularly so this year as the normally copious supply of pollen and nectar from Marri was not available (see page 31). sparsa a bird pollinated woody shrub in the Myrtaceae (Swamp Bottlebrush) fills the wetlands between Bunbury and Albany with colour from its bright orange-red flowers in late summer and autumn (photo centre spread). The large heads of flowers are near the end of this year’s growth but are mostly not terminal, providing adjacent stems for the pollinating to perch on. Each contains tens of small flowers packed around the woody stem forming a brush. The 5 short and 5 longer are present but both are much shorter than the 5 bundles. Persistent woody fruit form bands around the stems and can be used to age the plants, with a band growing in most years (photo). Beaufortia sparsa is a slender tall much branched shrub up to 3 metres tall (photo). Leaves are opposite and in two rows (photos). Beaufortia sparsa is separated from other Beaufortia species by the non-crowded leaves, the hairy sepals and petals and the oval leaves. Baxteria our oddest ?mammal pollinated lily in the Dasypogonaceae

Not frequently seen or noticed in the wild and rarely if ever cultivated Baxteria Roadside colour Cyanostegia (purple), Glischrocaryon (yellow) and Grevillea (cream) in australis is the most unusual of all Southwest’s odd lilies (photos oppposite). The plant the Mid-West. Photo Ann Newman. has many interesting features including: the largest flowers of any WA Lily with tepals 18 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 19

Above: Beaufortia sparsa is a spectacular plant from swamps in summer. Erect, multi-stemmed can form a layer through the shrubland. Plants re-grow from a woody lignotuber after fire. Flowers are an important sorce of nectar for many honeyeaters and insects, west Frankland. From top left to bottom right. A Beaufortia sparsa opening inflorescence, flowers open from bottom to top, west Frankland. A fully open inflorescense with drooping stamen bundles, branches above and below the flowers are perches for birds, west Frankland. A paler fully open inflorescense from Whicher Scarp swamps. This plant has flowered twice in the one season. Woody fruit surround the stem and persist unopened for many years, fruit generaly open to release seed after fire, west Frankland. A large shrubby Beaufortia sparsa in a long-unburnt swamp on the Whicher Scarp. Photos Bronwen Keighery. 20 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 21 7-8 cm long; intricately sculptured pollen grains that are unlike any other lily; tepals and flower bracts are stiff and ‘woody’ (have bands of woody tissue or sclerenchyma); and the seeds are shot from the dried flowers (diagram opposite). Baxteria australis is the sole representative of the genus and is confined to the Southwest. The species grows in swampy flats normally on peaty sandy soils in mixed shrublands over herblands and sedgelands (photos centre, page 31) from Ambergate Reserve near Bussleton on the , around the coast, to the south coast east of Albany. Within this limited range and habitat plants can be common and the species is present in many large national parks and nature reserves. Baxteria australis plants are tufted low growing clumps from a short rhizome (photos opposite). They are similar in appearance to Dasypogon, but leaves are greener and lack the serrated edge of D. bromeliifolius. Again like Dasypogon the stems are surrounded by persistent leaf sheaths, which probably protect the rhizome from fire. Like most members of the family especially Dasypogon they resprout after fire. Like the other shrubby Lilies, Dasypogon, Kingia and Xanthorrhoea, Baxteria plants are slow growing and very long lived. Unlike other members of the family, Baxteria: lacks an emergent flowering stem; and has thick (rather than thin) roots. The fat roots lack a mycorrhizal association (like other family members) and may act as a storage organ. Flowering is highly synchronised and enhanced by fire and normally occurs in summer (December to February) however plants can be found in flower from September to April. The large singular flowers are borne at the base of the plant (photos and diagram page 20). They are greenish in colour with the 6 tepals tipped purple and aging brown after pollination. Although large the green-purple flowers are not conspicuous being hidden in the leaves. Copious nectar collects at the base of the long floral tube, formed by the 6 rigid tepals and the many ridged spiny tipped bracts. Flowers open narrowly when mature. Flowers appear to rely on smell to attract pollinators having a sickly sweet to foul smelling odour. The individual flower lasts several days with the anthers maturing first followed by the stigma. Flowers do not appear to self-pollinate as the pollen is held away from the stigma (top diagrams) and only a few flowers are open per plant during flowering. The hidden nature of the flowers, strong scent, rugged construction and copious nectar suggest they are mammal pollinated, as we have never observed the insects (Carrion Flies, or long tongued Bee Flies) or birds attracted to such flowers.This is a unique pollination system in the Dasypogonaceae. Calectasia are buzz pollinated by native bees; and Kingia, Dasypogon and Xanthorrhoea are pollinated by a wide variety of insects (bees, flies and butterflies) and birds and rarely reptiles and mammals.The species would be a very rewarding and interesting plant to observe using the new remote long term digital camera ‘traps’. As you can see Baxteria has amazing flowers and have an equally amazing method Baxteria australis clockwise from top left: plant of seed dispersal (diagram 1 to 4). After flowering the bracts and tepals remain green regrowing after fire; three flowers; and a close view and are held erect by their woody tissue so forming a cannon-like tube. The 3 fertilised of the flower. Photos Bronwen Keighery ovules develop as seeds, each in one of the 3 carpels in the ovary. Around each seed the Flower, fruit and seed drawings. Greg Keighery. ovary thickens and hardens with 2 rigid plates on either side of the seed (diagram 1, 2) 22 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 23 held in place by the thick ovary wall. As the fruit (ovary wall) matures the carpel splits, Stylidium releasing the tension on the plates, allowing the plates to spring forward shooting the seed nymphaeum is a through the flower tube out of the clump (diagram 3). The plates can be seen in the empty member of the fruit (diagram 4). Other shrubby WA lilies release the seeds passively such as: via gravity leafy stemmed for the large Xanthorrhoea seeds; via wind using the persistent perianth segments, in triggerplants. Calectasia; and as an indehiscent fruit enclosed in the floral remains via gravity inKingia Stylidium scandens and Dasypogon (possibly also distributed by ants). is a similar species Although almost certainly the end product of a long period of evolution Baxteria has but is typically no fossil record and not surprisingly with these unique flowers and fruit characters, has less robust, the been variously placed in a number of families: Liliaceae; Xanthorrhoeaceae; Baxteriaceae flowers are smaller (its own family). Currently Baxteria is in the Dasypogonaceae with Calectasia, and there are less Dasypogon and Kingia. flowers in the With the amazing combination of features described this is a truly unique plant that terminal cluster. deserves to be better known. It is remarkable that so little is known about its biology and ecology. Stylidium nymphaeum one of tallest triggerplants in the Stylidium nymphaeum is a tall robust climbing triggerplant with long terminal clusters Actinotus laxus a diminutive insect pollinated Apiaceae species of large pink to mauve flowers (photos opposite, below and inside front cover). The Actinotus laus is a species from a small group of summer flowering wetlandActinotus corolla lobes are laterally-paired and have a serrated margin (photos opposite and inside species. front cover). There are around six long throat appendages around the white tube. The Other species in the group are A. labellum has long omnifertilis and A. repens. paired glandular The small plants are hidden hairy appendages. amongst the dense shrubs, herbs and The column is thick sedges of the wetlands (photos centre and has glandular spread, page 31). hair. The anthers The tiny flowers are in small mature first soon to umbels on the ends of the fine, long be replaced by the and leafy stems (photo opposite and developing stigma. below). Thousands of flowers are Stylidium found on each plant. Tiny insects nymphaeum is a pollinate the flowers, including climbing perennial midges and male mosquitoes. The herb (photo opposite) female mosquitoes are busy sucking up to three metres. The leaves are in your blood! whorls up the long These swamps are great places to red stem. The ends of visit at any time in spring through to each leaf are long and autumn for flowering wonders. The thin and curl around Pitcher plant is found in the wetter available supports. peaty soil sectionsof these types of Plants can form large swamps. clumps with many Greg and Bronwen Keighery stems. 24 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 25 No longer presumed extinct - Acacia prismifolia Adapted for ABC Great Southern: Ellie Honeybone article at https://www.abc.net.au/ news/2018-12-13/seed-bank-holds-the-forgotten-conservation/10610418

It was pure curiosity that led botanist Libby Sandiford to rediscover a plant species Specialists in Nature Tours since 1986 (Small groups 6 - 16 passengers) that had not been seen for almost 90 years. 15 Day Kimberley Discovery easy camping Tour. Last minute spot! Shoved up Broome to Broome 12 - 26 June 2019. Max of 12 passengers against the side of Gorges of the Gibb River Road, Purnululu National Park, Ord River, wetland birds of Marlgu Billabong at Parry’s Lagoon Reserve, a busy highway Home Valley and Mornington Stations, Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek. in Cranbrook, 90 14 Day Western Explorer camping Tour. kilometres north Broome to Perth 30 July - 12 August 2019. Max of 12 passengers Travelling from Broom you will visit some of the states most scenic highlights. The Gorges of Karijini, Mount Augustus and the of Albany in Kennedy Ranges will delight lovers of geology. Passengers will also enjoy the wildflower country further south closer to Perth. Western Australia,

15 Day Alice Springs to Perth Camping Expedition. Ms Sandiford Alice Springs to Perth 15 - 29 August 2019. Max of 6 passengers noticed a plant Explore the Great Central Rd and deserts of WA. This tour offers a multitude of different land scapes from Lake Ballard to the Great Victorian Desert and West McDonald Ranges. True small group touring with a max of 6 passengers. that was slightly different. 10 Day Mid West Wildflower accommodated Tour. Perth to Perth 7 - 16 September 2019. Max of 12 passengers “The reason See botanical hotspots north of Perth during wildflower season. The trip covers a diverse array of landscapes with the farmlands I collected it was of the wheat belt, the Kalbarri National Park and the northern sandplains around Eneabba, Coalseam and the Mt Lesueur National that I thought ‘I Park. actually don’t 15 Day WA Outback camping Tour. know this plant’, Perth to Perth 1 - 15 October 2019. Max of 6 passengers One of Coates most popular tours with a maximum of 6 passengers you will visit such highlights including: Anne Beadell & and I want to Libby Sandiford and Andrew Crawford alongside Libby’s discovery. Connie Sue Highways, the Eyre Bird Observatory as well as the Granite Woodlands trail. A great tour for someone looking to get know what it is.” off the beaten track. Photo Elllie Honeybone. “So I had no 12 Day Greater Western Woodland & Helena Aurora Ranges camping Tour. idea that it was a presumed extinct plant at the time.” Perth to Perth 26 October to 6 November 2019. Max of 6 passengers The recently protected Helena Aurora Ranges are home to endemic plant species only found on these unique banded ironstone When she ran her small specimen through an identification process it came back as formations. Explore the world’s greatest untouched temperate woodland. the Acacia prismifolia, a plant last seen in the 8 Day Lord Howe Island accommodated Tour. Stirling Range in 1933 (see opposite). Lord Howe to Lord Howe 2 - 9 November 2019. Max of 16 passengers Andrew Crawford, a research scientist Experience one of the worlds most fascinating natural history destinations. Join local naturalist expert, Ian Hutton as we discover the islands wildlife. The Islands many and varied walks plus the Balls Pyramid boat trip add to the enjoyment. with the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, said it was an 11 Day Christmas & Cocos Island Tour. Perth to Perth 19 - 29 November 2019. Max of 12 passengers incredible find. The best word to describe these islands is Endemic. Discover unique species of birds, plants and even reptiles on these island “It’s an amazing feeling — no one had sanctuary found nowhere else in the world. Our visit is also timed to hopefully coincide with the Red Crab migration, one of the worlds most spectacular natural wonders. recognised what it was for 90 odd-years,” But Andrew knows their enthusiasm is not 10 Day Botswana Wildlife Safari. Maun to Kasane 8 - 17 March 2020. Max of 12 passengers shared by everyone. Visit Botswana during it’s vibrant green season. Abundant in new life the Okavango Delta, Chobe and Kalahari come alive with “To find something that hadn’t been seen from the Wattle website life. The trip will be lead by top local Naturalist and Australian Coates escort. in over 90 years to me is incredibly exciting,” he said. “For some reason it doesn’t generate that excitement.” Contact us for our full 2019 / 2020 tour program: Free Call: 1800 676 016 He said while it is important to conserve the whole ecosystem — work to save native Web: www.coateswildlifetours.com.au flora is often forgotten about compared to work to protect native fauna. Email: [email protected] “In WA we have over 400 [plant] species that are considered endangered — which is 26 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 27 almost twice as many as the positions are required to be filled: President, Treasurer and Secretary. endangered animals, but for I have been co-opted to fill the position of incoming President and we also need to some reason we don’t hear find a Treasurer and a Secretary from WA for that two-year period. The duties are not about them,” onerous, involving oversight mostly of well-established systems and participation, mostly The Acacia plant found via phone link in a few meetings each year. by Libby Sandiford has been I understand the reluctance of members to take on too much work but this is an bagged to catch the seeds opportunity to learn more about our affiliated groups in other parts of the country without once they naturally fall from a huge ongoing workload. Please consider helping with this task. the plant. Those seeds will Contact me if you are interested: Margaret Matthews, 0402 105 649, s3mmat- be taken to the Threatened [email protected] Flora Seed Centre in Perth, where seeds from 80 per cent Murdoch Branch of rare flora and 20 per cent The Murdoch Branch extended its walk season in late spring 2018, with two of poorly-known priority important walks in North Lake and Banksia Road, Wellard in November. It was two species in WA are housed. Libby inspects the leaves of an Acacia prismifolia shrub. years since we visited North Lake, and a good opportunity to see the regeneration of Photo Elllie Honeybone. bushland since the Roe 8 clearing. In Wellard we worked with the ‘Stop Banksia Road Mines’ group to take local people on a guided walk to experience the high quality piece of bushland under threat from sand mining. The 26 hectare Banksia woodland is in great Australian Native Plants Society Management condition with: limited weed invasion; and prolific recruitment of young banksias and Committee 2019 to 2021 other trees. Such successful regeneration we are missing in many other remnants on the When a region of the Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) (ANPSA) hosts Swan Coastal Plain. Find more about this campaign here https://stopbanksiamines.com/. the biennial ANPSA conference and general meeting, that region takes on management of In October and November we hosted speakers who were excellent photographers. the National Society for the following two years. The Society is the western region of the In October, we were fortunate to have Fred and Jean Hort visit and talk about their ANPSA, and as the Society is hosting the ANPSA Conference in Albany this year it is our adventures documenting turn to form the National Society management group for the following two years. Three plant – interactions across WA. Jean is a wonderful macro-photographer and has photographed a range of interesting pollinator behaviours. Bryony Fremlin talked about Anstey Keane Reserve in November and used her photos to tell the story about the beauty and diversity of the reserve. Anstey-Keane is a 308 hectare nature reserve in From left to right: Faye Arco, Fred and Jean Hort. Photo: Liz Edwards Forrestdale, and is the second most floristically diverse Bush Forever site on the Swan Coastal Plain! 381 flora species have been recorded to date and an abundant variety of fauna species, including the Quenda. 28 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 29 Our last meeting of 2018 was our AGM and special guest speaker Greg Keighery. invasion research Greg shared insights into the wildflower eGuide that Bronwen and Greg Keighery have that Department been working on with Michael and Irene Morcombe and Michael Woodhouse from Glide Biodoversity, Pty Ltd. It was interesting to hear the background behind the soon to be released ‘The Conservation and Michael Morcombe & Keighery eGuide to WA Wildflowers’ app and the thinking behind Attractions (WA) each feature to make it user friendly (see page 38). We look forward to using the app in have undertaken at the 2019! wetlands over the years. Most of our Branch committee re-nominated at the AGM, but Eddy Wajon decided Jolanda Keeble to step down after 8 years of service. Eddy has made a great contribution with his joined us in March to enthusiastic ideas to reach out to new audiences and his passion for conserving local discuss the ANPSA bushland. Eddy will continue to lead some of our wildflower walks where he inspires a Conference, as well whole new group of wildflower enthusiasts! as her experiences Our committee compiling a plant guide and other members for Hi- Vallee Farm. finished off a satisfying Jolanda has continued year with a morning challenging herself by walk through the bush now tackling a plant around Point Walter guide for Tarin Rock in (see opposite left) the southern Wheatbelt. and then breakfast In April, Hazel Dempster gave an on the 15th December interactive presentation about “Cuttings (see photo top next for Conservation” and her goal to dispel page, photos Christine the idea that our WA flora is hard to grow Allen). Our Branch by vegetative methods and share the took a break in January opportunities for cuttings in conservation before a busy 2019 and revegetation. with ANSPA, student Over the next few months we will awards and new guest be working with the Wetland Centre, speakers. Cockburn to revitalise their native gardens The summer after we were inspired by the lovely season has been quite busy for the Murdoch Branch. We have been out and about at the gardens at the Northern Suburbs nursery. Friends Of Expo at Alfred Cove on 9th February where we held a stall and one of our The Murdoch Branch also plans to run Committee members Felicity Bairstow gave a short speech to invite all those “plant nerds” a basic plant identification workshop in to get involved with the Wildflower Society! Also in February, the Murdoch Branch the winter. We look forward to meeting sponsored the inaugural book prize for a top Yr 12 Biology student at Applecross Senior up with the other branches in June at the High. Felicity presented the prize to the recipient Brooke Marshall (photo bottom next Society AGM! page) who completed year 12 in 2018 and is now studying a degree in Environmental and Christine Allen Marine Science at Curtin. Murdoch Branch also held a stall at the Rehabilitating Roe 8 Community day in April, where we partnered with the Education Sub-committee for some hands-on fun with local seed pods. Our 2019 speaker program has included Kate Brown in February, who detailed the unique and rare Greater Brixton St wetlands. The wetlands, only 15 minutes from the CBD, support more than 500 species of flowering plants, which is 20 per cent of Perth’s flora in only 0.005 per cent of the area! Kate Brown outlined some of the weed 30 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 31 Keighery who reported similar observations on a trip right down to Walpole in early April. In the Margaret River region friends report similar observations. Here vignerons count on a good flowering of Marri as the grapes

Beaufortia sparsa colouring a swamp near the south coast. Photo Bronwen Keighery ripen. The birds are attracted to the Marri in preference to the grapes. Grapes are often netted to deter the Marri on holiday birds late in the season but without Wendy and I take a trip every year to the Nannup Music Festival over the Marri flowering, the netting goes March long weekend. I have commented in a previous ‘From the President’ about on earlier which increases the the blaze of red from beside the Vasse Hwy as you ascend risk that mildew will develop the Whicher Scarp at that time of year. An example, by-the-way, of a wildflower before harvest. I am told that a other than a daisy that can show a substantial ‘field’ of colour (see another display A local Marri with fruit. This plant was grown from a much-reduced harvest is expected by Beaufortia sparsa above and centre spread). seed collected from a wild Subiaco tree. Just 15 years for the 2019 vintage as a result Usually the Marri (Corymbia calophylla) trees are putting on a floral show as old it is about 15 m tall. With water a fertiliser from the of early netting and subsequent vege patch below it flowers and fruits several times a well at this time, but not in 2019. While in Nannup a major local honey producer year. Photo Bronwen Keighery, summer in Subiaco. mildew. Apiarists are also reporting at the Saturday morning market told me that Marri over a widespread area have a break from flowering every ten years or so. I presume the black cockatoos can starvation of bees and loss of find sufficient alternate food from other eucalypts, banksias, the plantations of whole hives where they have pines and the vineyards of been placed to rely on Marri grapes. More on birds and flowers. grapes further on. So quite a large area of On the return trip, the South West is having I counted one Marri in reduced flowering this year. flower on the roadside I wonder if it is a cyclical between Nannup and combination of rainfall and Bunbury, and only two or temperature conditions or three between Bunbury and have the Marri had a few Waroona (coming back to years of prolific flowering

Perth up the SW Highway and just need a holiday? Marri fruit on the ground after being eaten by 28s and black on long weekends - much Geof Corrick cockatoos. Photo Bronwen Keighery, east of Pinjarra. quieter and less frantic than the Forrest Hwy). It wasn’t ‘Blooming Biodiversity’ Albany 2019 until north of Waroona Registrations for the ANPSA national conference hosted by the Society continue to A local Marri with buds and open flowers. Photo Bronwen that something more like trickle in following the opening rush from 1 February. This may reach you before early Keighery, summer in Subiaco. normal Marri flowering was bird prices finish on 30 April. As at mid-April we have 213 enthusiasts registered for in evidence. My Marri news was confirmed a month later by Greg and Bronwen the full conference and a further 17 attending various days of talks only. We are looking 32 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 33 forward to receiving 30 more full registrations The program topics have been categorised by the four words of the Society’s maxim: to meet our planning target. Pre- and post- Know, Grow, Conserve and Enjoy. The first three give a framework for the talks and conference tour bookings are going well and Enjoy will be satisfied by the day excursions on Monday and Wednesday. we have already filled the 6 night Kwongan and Blooming Biodiversity runs from Sunday 29 September to Friday 4 October 2019. Woodland tour before the conference and the See you there. 5 night Heathlands and Barrens tour after the Geoff Corrick conference. If you have not registered yet and would Mary Bremner Bequest Grants like to come, book at the conference website at We will be announcing a round of both small and large grants this year with www.bloomingbiodiversity.com.au. If you are applications opening at the AGM and closing on 1 October. The guidelines for grant not an internet user we recommend that you find applications are on the website if you would like to begin considering the suitability a fellow member or other friend who can help of your project. The successful applicants will be advised by the end of the year, with you at their computer. You can also register for money available in 2020 for small grants and through 2020/21 for large grants. Advice the conference by telephone with Andrew Bird at of the amount available and how to make an application will be given at the AGM Meeting Masters on +61 (0)409 113 125. and advertised in the weeks afterwards. We will use an on-line application process For accommodation in Albany again, which we would prefer you use for ease of administration, but we’ll also accept contact the Albany Visitor Centre at www. applications by mail to the office. amazingsouthcoast.com.au or ring +61 (0)8 Geoff Corrick 6820 3700. There may still be some providers offering a discount which you can access by Towards an eGuide for WA Wildflowers quoting conference code ‘ANPSA’. Also see advertisement in the wider area above left and below (Editor). Most of the photos in this newsletter edition are by Bronwen Keighery and are part of Quaalup Homestead 1858 the set being used in the eGuide to Wildflowers (see why page 8) . Wilderness Retreat This eGuide is being put Your perfect place to stay in the together by Bronwen and Greg Keighery, Michael and Fitzgerald River National Park Irene Morcombe and Michael Woodhouse from Glide Pty Ltd With over 1800 plant species, including some rare or endemic species like the Qualup Bell and Hakea victoria, abundant birdlife, famous Point Ann beach with its Southern Right Whale and will be released as ‘The Nursery and the beautiful scenery of heathland and mountain ranges, this National Park is Michael Morcombe & Keighery really worth a visit. eGuide to WA Wildflowers’. This is a short introduction to On our 40 acres of native bushland surrounded by the National Park we offer: some of its features. • cosy s/c ensuite accommodation (2 pers units, 2 bedroom chalet, 3 bedroom cabin) An example for a search from • nature camping area (for caravans or tents) the Browse page for Beaufortia • botanically signposted nature walk with stunning views is shown here (left). Six species • kayak/canoe hire to explore the beautiful Gairdner River are covered in the first edition • heritage listed Homestead from 1858, open for visitors as Guest Lounge and Cafe of the eGuide, as well as one The Retreat runs its own environmentally friendly solar power system. Beaufortia-like . Bookings and more information: Ph: 08 9837 4124 The first edition will cover Website: www.whalesandwildflowers.com.au more than 1000 different 34 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 35 wildflowers (species, subspecies and varieties) from across WA. More than 4000 images support the information. The Identify page (left) has 10 characters you can use to search the described wildflowers. Combinations of just a few should get you to near the correct flower or genus. Each wildflower is described in 2 pages - Detail and Area pages (an example of a Beaufortia species on opposite page). Up to 10 images for each wildflower are key to eGuide. The included photo set is at the top of the Detail page. With a click on each photo it is enlarged and accompanied by a caption. The images cover the folowing. • Image 1 is the ‘flower’, that is most commonly noticed part plant (the ‘flower’ photos on the Browse page, examples page 20, 22, 33, 36, centre spread). • Image 2 is the whole plant (examples pages 20, 23, centre spread). • Image 3 and 4 are detail of the flower and leaf (examples page 33, centre spread). • Image 5 is the fruit, in this case the part that holds the seeds (example page 34). • Image 6 are seeds or a seedling. • Image 7 is bark for trees and shrubs, and a bushland view for some shrubs, herbs, grasses and sedges (examples 30, front cover, centre spread). • Images 8 and 9 are variation in the species and/or pollinators in action. • Image 10 shows key flower characters (examples pages 20, 23, inside front cover, central spread). Some of the photos, especially Image 10 are labelled. The first 4 images for the Elegant Beaufortia are shown on the Detail page (opposite page). Where plants are from is shown on the Area page (opposite page). Maps are used with permission from FloraBase. The eGuide should be released this year Bronwen Keighery 36 Wildflower Society of WA Newsletter, May 2019 Education Sub-Committee Report The Wildflower Society Education Sub-Committee participated in the Murdoch Branch Stand at the Celebration Day Event for the Roe 8 Revegetation Project and Cockburn Wildlife Corridor at Beeliar Lake on the 14th April. Their table featured Andrew Price’s brightly coloured Seed Wheel of Wildflower Seed Packets and Jennifer Dudley’s Table Display of strange fruits, nuts, seed-cases and seeds. These included: various Hakeas, like Hakea petiolaris (Sea Urchin Hakea nammed for its ball of flowers see photo to left) and Hakea platysperma (Cricket Ball Hakea); the Yates (Eucalyptus lehmanii, Warty, and by the end of the day, Bushy); and other unusual specimens from her impromptu mini-herbarium. Diana Corbyn ran botanical changes on the Weeds vs. Natives Game launched at the Royal Show transforming the front of the Marquee into all the fun of the fair with children on the Wheel and adults playing the game. They also asked us many “serious” questions about wildflowers, the Society, seeds and how to grow them. Jennifer Dudley Photo opposite page below: Twisted Paperbark branches and trunks exposed after a fire in a Capes swamp. Photo Bronwen Keighery. WILDFLOWER TOURS LESUEUR AREA Joy and Don Williams will be conducting wildflower tours in the Lesueur, Alexander Morrison, Coomallo, Badgingarra, Eneabba and 'Hi-Vallee' areas again this wildflower season. All size groups; 1 to several days. Explore with knowledgeable local guides. All interest groups – wildflowers, birdwatchers, nature lovers, photographers and bushwalkers – catered for. Accommodation and transport can be arranged. Camping available. Further information and bookings: Ring Joy or Don on 08 9652 3035 Mob 0427 230 345 OR write to 1581 ACRE WANDOO WOODLAND FOR PRIVATE SALE @ $1,150,000 LOT 7082 HELENA RD YORK

CALL OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION — advertisement and more photos HERE www.wandoo.life Phone Andrew 0417 973 698 or email [email protected]