The creek in our backyard A practical guide for habitat restoration

ROBERT WHYTE

NEW EDITION 2013 REVISED & EXPANDED PREFACE

The creek in our backyard ike the air we breathe, our waterways are a A practical guide for habitat restoration shared resource, sustaining life. Creeks and by Robert Whyte rivers are a chain of fragile links connecting usL to the nature with which we share our space. Thanks to funding from the Federal Government, For me, expanding this book for South East Save Our Waterways Now (SOWN) has been able to Queensland is like taking a deep breath – the literal produce this second, revised and expanded edition meaning of inspiration. Filling my lungs and hold- of The creek in our backyard. Special thanks to ing a moment of calm to cherish the opportunity we Deborah Metters, who helped with the ideas behind have in South East Queensland to live with nature. the reorganisation of the book and contributed Restoring our waterways is not just the ‘right’ stories and photos from the Land for Wildlife thing to do, it is essential. Yes we can do it. Yes we network, Glenn Leiper, Tim Low, Mark Crocker, must do it. With a little effort now, we can return Sharon Louise, Dick Harding, Nick Rains, Russell our creeks to health. Harisson, Tim Ransome and Anne Jones. Many Many of our older locals remember swimming other people helped with advice, proofreading, in crystal clear streams with diverse and abundant species identification and photos. Thank you all. wildlife, sharing the water with Platypus, turtles, eels and catfish. It’s time to turn things around, This book is one small step along the way. First published March 2011, reprinted June 2011 repair creek habitats, to bring them back from the I hope it inspires you. Second edition revised and expanded June 2013 brink. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to recog- ISBN: 978-0-646-90214-2 nize and restore South East Queensland’s environ- Save Our Waterways Now Inc ment. Let’s Save Our Waterways Now. World Environment Day, 2013 PO 443 The Gap QLD 4061 Phone: 0423 763 361 [email protected] www.saveourwaterwaysnow.com.au

Preface ...... 3 Our big backyard ...... 4 The benefits ...... 6 Frog rescue ...... 8 Spidiversity ...... 9 Quick-start guide...... 11 Gems of Diamond Valley...... 22 Planting guide...... 24 Healthy country, healthy stock ...... 34 We e ds...... 36 Impossible restoration ...... 46 Say no to concrete...... 47 Plant lists...... 48 The Platypus paradox ...... 55 A final word ...... 56 Sources & resources ...... 57 South East Queensland waterways map ...... 58

Photos throughout Robert Whyte except where noted. Cover photo of Teviot Brook aerial in circle seqwater. Cover photo of Mount Warning in circle Sharon Louise. Eastern Sedgefrog Photo of Robert Whyte above right Pandora Karavan. Litoria fallax. OPPOSITE: Goomoolahra Falls, Springbrook Sharon Louise.

2 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 3 OUR BIG BACKYARD

rom Noosa to the Gold Coast, encompassing South East Queensland is a biodiversity hot- Just about everyone enjoys a walk in a national the South East Queensland water grid. The problem the Scenic Rim, Toowoomba, Greater spot, surrounded by world heritage rainforest of park for the beauty of nature. We can have the same can’t be the money. So why isn’t it done already? Brisbane, the Lockyer Valley and the coastal the Border Ranges, Scenic Rim, D’Aguilar Range, pleasure right here in our suburbs, provincial towns, The problem is, just throwing dollars at it won’t Fcatchments to the north – in all, our big backyard Mount Glorious, Mount Mee, the Conondales and around our mines and on our farms. One block at work. The headwaters of all the rivers and streams is about 2.5 million hectares, with a population of the Blackall Range. It is the confluence of many cli- a time, we can restore entire creeks. The benefits go in South East Queensland pass through a myriad around 3 million. mate zones from high, cool-temperate rainforests, way beyond our backyards. of land tenures, mostly small parcels. There are Ours is a remarkably cohesive community. We through to coastal melaleuca swamps. New species Of course there isn’t just one creek – in this back- many local government authorities, landholders, share a very real feeling of good fortune – of a best are discovered on a daily basis. yard there are over 24,000 kilometres of waterways. and other stakeholders involved. It isn’t so much a kept secret. Can it be this good? On the other hand, Moreton Bay has the largest collection of tidal If we had the money to pay experts to restore our financial issue as a public relations and community can it be disappearing so quickly? Another million wetlands near a major city in the world and sup- 24,000 kilometres of waterways, how much would support issue. people by 2031. Can we handle the pressure? ports hundreds of thousands of migratory birds. it cost? The answer is – less than you might think. What we need is whole-of-community momen- Our creeks are a litmus test. Water is the lifeblood Yes, we have taken the best land to live on. Because $500 million. A lot? Let’s put it in context. Dr James tum. We need a simple campaign to symbolise the of the environment. When creeks die, the environ- it is good, fertile land in a subtropical climate, things Udy, Chief Scientist at Healthy Waterways has cal- need for action. What about “2015- 2025 – a decade ment is in trouble. When creeks are restored, they grow quickly – which is why it is possible to create culated this is the equivalent of building 10 kilome- for our creeks”? If governments and communities are the veins and arteries for the restoration of the successful revegetation in just a few years, unlike in tres of motorway. unify under a concept like this we might have a whole environment. For a view of the region see most other places. We can afford it. After all, it’s only one four- chance to save South East Queensland, before it’s page 58. teenth of the $7 billion we have already spent on too late.

To the south, Mount Warning from Numinbah Valley Sharon Louise From the north, Glass House Mountains from Mount Mellum.

4 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 5 The Benefits

ildlife will naturally come to restored A birder’s paradise creek habitat – attracted by abundant South East Queensland is home to over 400 species water and food. If protected from of birds, about half of all species in Australia. This feralW animals like cats, dogs and foxes, wildlife is just one example of South East Queensland’s will flourish. Natural habitat maintains higher astonishing biodiversity. Birds alone are a dissolved oxygen levels, providing better compelling reason to get into habitat restoration. conditions for aquatic life, all the way from single- Birds of prey, or raptors, are at the top of the celled animals to platypus. food chain and need complex ecosystems support- Locally-native habitats support our native wild- ing their prey – small mammals, reptiles and even life because they have evolved together. Some weeds Ornate Rainbowfish.Gunth er Schmida other birds. There is no greater sight than seeing a can support wildlife, but only in a very narrow large raptor on the wing. sense. They cannot support the complexity of life Some common bossy birds like Noisy Miners, required for a complete and healthy ecosystem. Back from the brink while native species, are threats to smaller birds, or When you remove Wild Taro Colocasia escu- In 2006 a remarkable discovery was made in Ithaca even birds their own size, like Blue-faced Honeyeat- A Spotted Harrier near Six Mile Creek, Glass House Mountains. These raptors patrol their areas in grid patterns, often gliding just a few lenta, Arrowhead Sagittaria spp., weedy sedges and Creek, Brisbane. A small population of the rare ers. The screeching alarm calls of Noisy Miners as metres off the ground, hoping to spot a mouse or even a juicy lizard like the one below. In South East Queensland we also have the Red other water-choking species, water quality will rap- Ornate Rainbowfish Rhadinocentrus ornatus was they harass in packs is a common sound in suburbs Goshawk, the rarest bird of prey in the world. idly improve. Frogs and fish will return. found near Bowman Park. and on farms. Noisy Miners prefer ‘edges’ and rarely If you get rid of vines and allow sandpaper figs This was at the height of the 2002-2007 drought stray far into closed forest. We need more pockets of Ficus spp., Black Bean Castanospermum australe, when flow had all but ceased. Unlike many other bush for small birds to find refuge. Waterhousea Waterhousea floribunda and she-oaks freshwater fish species, the Ornate Rainbowfish Restoring your own suburban backyard is pos- Casuarina spp. access to light they will fruit and quite likes calm, tannin-stained waters. It is found sibly not enough for a successful small bird habitat, attract birds and mammals. These birds and mam- in freshwater lakes and streams on Moreton Island but combining even as few as four backyards can mals bring in seed of other plants. If natural areas and in a patchy distribution along the coastal drain- be large and complex enough to see the small birds are nearby they will bring in desirable species. ages in South East Queensland and northern New return. In country areas, small birds like treecreep- Reptiles of all kinds, especially our Eastern South Wales. ers, wrens, fantails, and robins will hang out in Water Dragon, but also skinks and other lizards, In recent greater Brisbane surveys prior to 2006, any area of continuous forest, even in quite small will forage in natural habitats. the Ornate Rainbowfish was previously only known patches. Others, like the Red-browed, or Firetail Creeks are not only foraging grounds – they from Spring Creek, a tributary of Bulimba Creek. Finch, like grassy woodland. are wildlife corridors. Repairing broken links in Originally, it was widely spread in the Brisbane Threats to birds include foxes, which are elusive these corridors and connecting them with nearby River system, common in the upper reaches of and hard to control, but also dogs and cats. A lot of remnant bushland is possibly the most important Oxley Creek and also at Kholo Crossing upstream birds are saved just by keeping dogs and cats inside thing we can do to restore balance to our local envi- from Mount Crosby Water Treatment Plant. at night. Pest birds like Indian Mynah are also a A baby Eastern Water Dragon, peeping around the edge of a rock to see if it’s safe to proceed. MARK CROCKER ronment. Nature will take care of herself if we just Its situation is similar to the plight of the Rich- major problem, but they can be trapped and sent to nudge things in the right direction. mond Birdwing butterfly, once common in greater a ‘better place’. A Koala at Bullocky Rest, Lake Samsonvale, sleeping off a big night on the leaves. Brisbane. In this part of its former range the Rich- mond Birdwing is locally extinct. Now it is only found at Tamborine and southwards and northerly from Beerwah. The Ornate Rainbowfish is so rare it is the sub- ject of a Brisbane City Council Conservation Action Statement. One of the prettier native fish, it is not uncommon in aquariums of native fish enthusiasts. Since the discovery in 2006 members of Save Our Waterways Now have recorded this locally rare species on several occasions in Moggill Creek. Signs are good for populations of this species breeding again in Brisbane.

Strange encounter, weevil meets ant. Keep your eyes sharp for the interplay of nature in your creek restoration.

6 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 7 SUCCESS STORies

Frog rescue Spidiversity, a personal story The Bowman Park Frog As someone with a scientific bent, interested in Habitat Project on Ithaca Creek habitat restoration and engaged in practical activities shows how committed people as a volunteer and professional, I would usually sum can get together to help frog up what I was trying to achieve as the “identification, conservation. protection and expansion of good-quality remnant The Queensland Frog Society habitat, to repair disturbed ecosystems and reconnect had recorded, in one small habitat corridors”. But why? Are natural areas really section of the park on Ithaca more biodiverse? What proof did I have? Creek, breeding populations In the autumn of 2009 I decided to test this of Tusked Frog, Striped Marsh hypothesis with some terrestrial-biodiversity sam- Frog, Green Treefrog, Eastern Tusked Frog Adelotus brevis. Graceful Treefrog Litoria gracilenta. pling. For a long time I had wanted to remove an Sedgefrog, Graceful Treefrog infestation of Cape Honeysuckle, Tecoma capensis. The author sampling a patch of weeds at Walton Bridge Reserve and Stony Creek Frog. It was a dense thicket and possibly providing habi- in the Enoggera catchment to test the theory natural areas really Upon learning of these frog tat. It had to go, because it was a threat to ecosys- are more biodiverse. MARK CROCKER populations, Brisbane City tems elsewhere if it spread, but I waited a full five Council declared the site a years for nearby scrub to grow and become a refuge, remnant, while only one specimen was found in the protected frog breeding area before deciding to give the Cape Honeysuckle the garden. Could this be the holy grail of ecology – an and agreed to replace a concrete chop. Before doing so, I decided to sample the Cape ‘indicator’ species? spoon drain with a natural creek Honeysuckle thicket and compare it with an equal Having a reliable indicator species for good qual- restoration. Large boulders were area of natural rainforest habitat just next to it. ity habitat would be a great benefit for bush care. used to provide bank stability. I took a white plastic tray and a stick and gently Whether this might be Thwaitesia spp. in the Enog- Differently sized gravels were whacked the foliage above the tray. This method, gera Creek catchment remains to be seen. Since used to form the creek bed. Striped Marsh Frog Limnodynastes peronii. Stony Creek Frog Litoria lesueuri. called ‘beating’ gives you a pretty reliable indication 2009 I have done a lot more terrestrial biodiversity Additional boulders and logs of comparative spider numbers and diversity when sampling and I consistently find Thwaitesia in better provided shelter and perching you repeat it across separate areas. As spiders are quality rainforest and adjacent dry woodland. The sites for the frogs. a generalist, mid-level arthropod they are a good results are not yet definitive, but very promising. About 50 locally-native indicator of biodiversity. They need prey and sup- species of plants were recom- port a wide range of predators. Could this pretty little spider, body length about 4 millimetres, mended for the project and over On average, I found the natural habitat had about be an indicator species of good-quality habitat? 3,000 individual plants were three times as many genera as the weedy thicket. used in the reconstruction. In sheer numbers, it had about five times as many The Great Barred Frog specimens. I was relieved. The results suggested, at Mixophyes fasciolatus has been least for spiders, the weedy thicket had substantially observed in the park since the lower biodiversity than the nearby natural rainfor- project was completed, bringing Green Treefrog Litoria caerulea. The Great Barred Frog Mixophyes fasciolatus. est. I could now remove the thicket with a relatively the total number of resident clear conscience. native frogs to seven. Five of Eastern Sedgefrog Litoria fallax. This got me hooked on doing science. I was keen these species are now known to to try a comparison on a much bigger scale. I chose be breeding in the new ‘creek’. an average 1,400 square metre, partially bush- friendly garden block with a block the same size PHOTOS COURTESY QUEENSLAND FROG SOCIETY except Stoney Creek frog of habitat restored by our group at Walton Bridge MARK CROCKER and Eastern SEDGEFROG Reserve, The Gap, Brisbane. Robert Whyte The results? Spider abundance and diversity was much greater in the restoration than in the garden block. More evidence we were doing the right thing. One of the findings was unexpected and very exciting. Thirty-one specimens of a pretty jewel spider Thwaitesia were found in the dry rainforest

8 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 9 QUICK-START GUIDE

What is a creek? Your planting should reflect the complexity and Simply put, a creek is a waterway, at least part of species of your benchmark remnants. It’s not just it freshwater. In this book we consider rivers to be about trees. A healthy habitat restoration has plants just large creeks, because the habitat restoration of every type, from ferns to figs. All vegetation com- processes for rivers and creeks are pretty much the munities have their role. same. Restoration is a journey of discovery and while Your basic aims in habitat restoration are to stabi- there are important principles, there is no ‘template’ lise the ground, prevent erosion, create shade, build restoration. Some areas will need only the ‘Bradley biodiversity and increase structural complexity. method’ pioneered in the early 1960s by Joan and This is achieved with ‘soft engineering’ a judicious Eileen Bradley in New South Wales, which involves combination of weeding and planting, encouraging natural regeneration and minimal disturbance. the good and discouraging the bad. Other severely degraded, polluted or toxic areas Learn from nature. You’ll notice your nearby, might need scorched-earth treatment and rapid, good-quality natural areas have many layers and massive intervention to stabilize the bare ground. complex structures. They have high biodiversity In South East Queensland, because of clearing and many ecosystems, from grasses, forbs, rushes, for mining, agricultural or urban development, lillies, sedges and herbs at ground level right up to few of our creeks are natural systems. Our creeks the complex canopy of diverse tree species, interwo- are generally deeper and narrower than they should ven with vines. Even a grassy savannah landscape is be. In some badly-degraded waterways, traditional amazingly complex when you look closely. creek zones, depicted below, may have been altered or destroyed. Despite this, if your restoration is working, you will see the natural creek zones return. It was once thought habitat restoration was principally about canopy, which provides shade to reduce weeds. We now know more intervention is required, starting with ground level and shrub species, extremely difficult to add later.

Creek Zones

w v u u v w Stream Bed

1 – Aquatic, Water’s Edge, Flood Zone 2 – Creek Bank Zone 3 – Buffer Zone Getting ready to plant. A volunteer Critical area for stream bank stability, an area This can be a difficult area to stabilise (depending Extremely beneficial area for its at an Ithaca Intact planting in 2012. of high erosion risk unless stabilised with on steepness) due to an unstable surface which value both as a buffer and filter for Nick Rains good vegetation cover. rapidly dries out. Nevertheless, it is essential to sediments and pollutants, and as revegetate in order to maintain bank stability. habitat for native flora and fauna.

10 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 11 What does it take to save a waterway? Birds feast in nearby natural remnants and drop Anne Jones, from Save Our Waterways Now, had How do you motivate people to put even a few their seeds into your site, frogs and fish move in to no interest in learning Latin names but today can hours a month aside to help with creek restoration? take advantage of cleaner water with more oxygen reel off a dozen important species for the water’s Here in South East Queensland we have more and shade. The canopy shades out the weeds. edge, including Common Reed Juncus usitatus, than enough people power. What we lack is the It can be daunting, especially at the beginning Green Matrush Lomandra hystrix, Waterhousea knowledge and understanding to give clarity to when you have to put in the hard yards, but as the Waterhousea floribunda, Cheese Tree Glochidion necessary actions. years go by, it gets easier and easier. ferdinandi and the improbably named Banana Bush The change in attitudes since communities Tabernaemontana pandacaqui. began restoring our waterways has been dramatic. Don’t speak Latin? Essentially, everyone is on board about the need to All this knowledge. It can be very intimidating. You Meet people and have fun restore the waterways. might rock up to your local native-plant nursery to Believe it or not, people into habitat restoration are “But what if I do the wrong thing?” we hear you see what’s going on and how you can help. The first not all plant nerds. Far from it. No matter whether Anne Jones learned Latin by bush-care immersion. Here she is demonstrating Native Raspberry Rubus probus. MARK CROCKER ask. “I don’t know a weed from a waffle iron, let thing you encounter might be a discussion about you live in the country or the city, it takes all types. alone what’s allowed and what’s not.” the difference between a panicle and a raceme. They The secret of successful restoration is being open to This is where The creek in our backyard comes in. turn to you as if you might know and suddenly you newcomers no matter what their skills. Even if you are lucky enough to have an already The content of this book is aligned with the South start looking for somewhere to hide. The social hub at the core of a restoration is often restored or natural patch of bush on your property, East Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031 and In this book we will try to avoid technical lan- a nursery. It takes a lot of different skills to run, you can still help by collecting some of the fruit and the South East Queensland Ecological Restoration guage and jargon, except when using scientific from writing plant labels to building shelves or talk- seeds of your native plants. If you have no idea what Framework, drawing on official literature as well as names for plants. Common names are simply ing to politicians. The main thing is only do what they are, just shove them into a paper bag, along practical experience to supply the basic information unreliable. For example there are several common you feel like doing. It’s voluntary, right? If you want with a decent-sized branch with foliage, write the you need to feel confident working on your local names, including Leatherjacket, Coopers Wood, to do more, do more. If you want to do less, do less. date and location and drop them into your nearest creeks. Red Ash and Soap Tree, for Alphitonia excelsa. If you don’t like people at all and prefer working on bush-care nursery. They’ll figure out what they are Around you, across your catchment, there will The reverse applies in cases where many differ- your own, fine. Every contribution is appreciated. and be very happy to receive them. be many experienced bush-care restorers who have ent plants share the same common name. Morning tackled the weeds and won. They made plenty of Glory is the common name for at least a thousand Volunteers at the Save Our Waterways Now nursery. MARK CROCKER mistakes along the way and learned the wise way to species in the plant family Convolvulaceae. How do things. This booklet is based on their knowledge would you know which one we were talking about? and practical experience. There are many other very good reasons for using A well-planned restoration is all about working scientific names, not the least of which is avoiding with nature. It’s about recreating the opportunities embarrassment in polite company. Consider the for natural systems to restore themselves. To do case of the plant Grewia latifolia. The common this, you remove the invaders, repair the structural name is Dog’s Balls. Just remember this when you’re damage and replant with the original vegetation discussing horticulture with the Queen. community of hardy, locally-native species. Nature If you’re worried about learning Latin and think just needs a chance. you might have to hit the botany books hard, don’t. The reality is, you don’t have to try. All you need is to hear it, say it, or write it about seven times and it will magically be in your memory. It’s a form of immersion. Just go at your own pace. The less you worry about it, the faster you will learn. Start with no expectations and you’ll soon hear your- self explaining racemes and panicles with the best of them. By the way, a raceme is just a stalk with a bunch of flowers growing from it. A panicle is simply a compound raceme, or stalks on stalks, all with bunches of flowers.

Bush carers like Izzy, here with her mum Francesca, don’t bother with the technical language, they just get on with it. MARK CROCKER

12 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 13 Herbicides Is it really necessary to make a plan? Advice on herbicides, and regulations for their For those of you who never read the instructions, use, is best sourced from your local authorities, who don’t like making decisions unless on the spur who will be able to give you material on what to of the moment, sorry, making a plan actually does use and when, application rates and safety. help. It doesn’t have to be a huge and complicated plan, it can be as simple as a map of your site on the back of an envelope with words ‘habitat restoration’ While you are doing this keep a careful eye out in red ink. In fact it should not be a huge and for bird’s nests or other signs of wildlife. Take a note complicated plan, or you risk spending so much of their location so as to avoid disturbing them. time planning you’ll never get to start. But a little Even if you are liberating weed trees, like Broad- more than the back of an envelope would be good. leaf Privet Ligustrum lucidum, Camphor Laurel At the very least you should decide where you Cinnamomum camphora, or Chinese Elm Celtis want to start. As a general rule, you start with your chinensis it doesn’t matter – stopping those large best-quality existing habitat, secure it, and work vines from setting seed and spreading is your first outwards. Securing the best-quality habitat means priority. Sacred Kingfishers make nesting chambers by bashing their way into large termite mounds attached to trees, repeatedly fying at them from utilising high impact, low-energy techniques to Another possibly more common way of deciding Bottlebrush Melaleuca viminalis, Black Tea Tree a nearby branch. It must hurt. Deborah Metters deal with the most obvious threats. Large weedy where to work is to start at the area closest to your Melaleuca bracteata, Three-veined LaurelCryp - vines flowering in the canopy are the stand-out house. It makes good sense to deal with a nearby tocarya triplinervis, Whalebone Tree Streblus candidate for this stage. The most obvious include area while you are learning, rather than wandering brunonianus, Water Gum Tristaniopsis laurina, painted but it is sneaky and extremely tenacious. Cat’s Claw Dolichandra unguis-cati, passionfruit off into the bush, getting worn out and possibly lost. Rough-leaved Elm Aphananthe philippinensis and There may be hundreds if not thousands of viable vines Passiflora spp., Morning Glory and Mile-a- We have to assume there are at least some good lilly pillies Syzygium spp. Waterhousea Waterhousea tubers still under the ground. You won’t notice them minute Ipomoea spp, Balloon Vine Cardiospermum trees on your site, even if you don’t know what they floribunda dominates creek banks north and west of now, but you will later when they come up through grandiflorum, Climbing Asparagus Fern Asparagus are yet. If you can recognise the more well-known Mount Coot-tha. the middle of a Lomandra clump, presenting a fairly africanus and Glycine Neonotonia wightii. ones, like Spotted Gum Corymbia citriodora, Silky If you’re a beginner – take heart, everyone was difficult weeding problem. When weeding areas If you cut the stems of these vines either with Oak Grevillea robusta or Hoop Pine Araucaria cun- a beginner once – one of the best approaches is to of Cat’s Claw it’s worth waiting a year or so to see secateurs or a small pruning saw, at chest height ninghamii, you can mark these with green or blue start by just weeding one species. Mickey Mouse what comes up. If you plant, make sure there are no and again at a knee height, you’ll find it easy to landscaping spray or tape. Save the pink, red, yellow Plant Ochna serrulata, also known simply as tubers within about half a metre of your tubestock. paint the lower cut surface with herbicide. You can and orange colour range for weeds. Ochna, is perfect for this. Ochna needs to be cut off This means a lot of digging. It’s far less labour inten- use glyphosate, originally under the brand name If you don’t know your weeds and plants, help is at ground level, leaving no stem above ground to sive just to wait and clobber the Cat’s Claw again Roundup, mixed 50/50 with water, applied within close at hand. There are plenty of people in nearby trip you up. It can be cut either with secateurs or a and again as it resprouts. Eventually you’ll get it 30 seconds of cutting. This type of herbicide travels environment groups who know the plants and small pruning saw. The freshly-cut stem needs to be more or less under control. from the cut stem to the roots where it blocks an weeds in your area and would be happy to identify dabbed with herbicide. Just about every other weed you can deal with enzyme necessary for protein synthesis. In other what’s good and bad on your site. People in habitat Let’s take stock. By this time, with a combination as you go along, but Cat’s Claw is simply evil and words it stops roots growing and starves the plant restoration, especially volunteers, are usually keen of dipping into this book and wandering around unless you are equally tenacious it will triumph to death. The remaining vine can be left to die in the to get another person started. your soon-to-be habitat restoration site you will in the end. Many a fine bush carer has abandoned tree, you don’t need to remove it. While many sites look like a catastrophe grow- have gained a rough idea of the better-quality sec- their restoration and taken up golf because of this ing over a disaster, there will often be a surprisingly tions of existing habitat and some of the worst prob- weed. Don’t let it happen to you. large amount of good plants, often small seedlings, lem areas. In terms of progress, your eyes can get a lot bigger especially along creek banks, either from seed Why not take a morning off and draw yourself than your stomach for weeding, so take it slow at washed down in previous years or brought in by up a detailed map, dividing your site into zones, first. Apart from the large-vine sweep it’s a lot better birds. Clearing around native seedlings will give marking the main remaining habitat trees, the to do a small area intensively than a large area with them access to much needed light, water and nutri- dominant weeds and the problem areas? By colour- a broad slashing. You’ll struggle to maintain a large ents. Because they are already established they do ing the three main creek zones (see page 11), you area and may become disheartened. not suffer the shock of planting and will flourish. will have a ready-made planting list, sourced from Beginners make mistakes. We all do. The motto The most common good trees along our the following plant chapters on the zones, and in the ‘if in doubt, rip it out’ is definitelynot the rule with creeks include Black Bean Castanospermum aus- big lists at the end of the book. environmental work. If you can’t identify it, find trale, She-oak Casuarina cunninghamiana, River Before we go any further let’s talk about what someone who can. It might be undiscovered – happens if you rush in and plant too soon. Cat’s stranger things have happened. Your name might In this photo it’s clear how Cat’s Claw Creeper got its name. Claw Dolichandra unguis-cati can be cut and end up as a new plant species. As the vine grows it puts out three-clawed tendrils with sharp points. They look a lot like miniature ‘grappling hooks’.

14 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 15 Get your gear on Leave room for yourself Habitat trees Raking leaf litter and other fire fuel away from Obviously if you are going to do some bush care you One thing people sometimes forget when restoring Trees are often the oldest living things in our habitat trees helps protect them during controlled are going to have to look the part. There’s a thing a creek is where we fit in. When planning your landscapes. Some, like Bunya Pine Araucaria burns and even bush fires – but don’t be too tidy, called style, you know. planting, make sure you have a track so you can bidwillii and Antarctic Beech Nothofagus moorei, some fallen woody debris is necessary for wildlife. Bush-care style is all about protection. Long reach every part of it. It becomes very difficult pre-date white settlement by centuries, sometimes Old trees and fallen timber in the right place are sleeves, long trousers, strong gloves and strong, if you have to fight your way through your own millennia. key habitat. They provide an important ecological covered shoes. Make sure you take drinking water. plants to get to the work you want to do. Design While some trees may live for a very long time, niche. Put some sun block on any exposed skin if the UV your track to follow the contours. Tracks also make no tree lives forever. Fallen trees and standing dead In some situations, however, they can be a major is high and always apply insect repellent to stop spending time by the creek more pleasant. What trees, in the right place, are ecological gold. They threat – in urban creeks they can get lifted and car- unwanted friends sucking your blood. Ticks carry about clearing a space around a nice sitting rock or contain hollows, cracks and crevices where animals ried by flash floods, smashing and destroying vital dangerous diseases. tree stump? live, breed or shelter. infrastructure like bridges, electricity substations You’ll need a good pair of secateurs, a pruning Where creeks are being restored there is less Large hollows are typically associated with trees and roads. saw and possibly a mini-mattock. You can take her- rubbish, vandalism and dumping because the at least 100 years old. Bushland areas in good con- A sign of a good urban restoration is the care- bicide in a squirt bottle or a small garden sprayer, creek is obviously being looked after. Sight lines are dition typically have around 10 large old trees per ful management of fallen timber. Some in-stream clearly labelled. Usually all you need to carry your improved. Local people walk there or just relax. The hectare, each containing 30 or more hollows. Old timber is essential, but you don’t want it floating gear is a small bucket. Gardeners’ belts are good, but more time you spend enjoying your creek bank, the trees are an essential part of all natural habitats. away. What good can it do fetched up against a hard to find. As you progress, you might use one of safer it will be. Over 130 species of wildlife have been identified as bridge? Large trunks and limbs can be ‘keyed-in’ to those 65-litre black plastic trays, they are good for Another way of improving sight lines and access being dependent on tree hollows for their survival. major living trees and rock formations to provide shifting weeds to piles as you move along. is by ‘lifting the canopy’, e.g., snipping the lower Fencing off old trees protects them from gather- secure habitat, avoiding flood risk. branches of some fast-growing pioneers, like Poison ings of livestock which cause soil compaction, an Peach Trema tomentosa and Native Hibiscus Hibis- overload of nutrients and bark damage.

The ideal bush carer, hat, long sleeves, long trousers, cus spp., so they can reach for the sky. Habitat galore in fallen Bunya Pine timber in the strong shoes, riggers’ gloves. Mark Crocker Bunya Mountains National Park. SCOTT BENNETT

The ideal bush carer: hat, long sleeves, long trousers, riggers gloves and boots. Mark Crocker

16 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 17 Working bees Planting tips bigger plant like Cheese Tree Glochidion ferdinandi, It takes a very small amount of effort to write Here are a few tips for planting, especial during Black Bean Castanospermum australe, River Bottle- a date into your diary and then send an email working bees. First of all, plant in the ground, not brush Melaleuca sp. and River She-oak Casuarina around to friends and family to remind them to in the mulch. This might seems obvious but if a site cunninghamiana. come along. Yet this simple action can generate has been mulched recently it can be really thick. Get literally thousands of hours of work on your habitat down past the mulch and once the plant is in the Special days restoration. ground clear the mulch away from the stem, if it’s If you happen to go completely insane and start a It’s healthy and fun. As long as people don’t jab too close it can kill the plant. bush-care group (don’t say I didn’t warn you) it’s a each other with sharp-pointed tools, and avoid Second, you can never plant too thickly, espe- great idea to take advantage of special events to get drinking the herbicide, it’s also safe. At the most, all cially groundcovers and grasses. As long as you a crowd along. People in the community like to get you need to do is provide tools, gloves, plants and leave paths for human access, plant as thickly as you out and do their bit for the environment once in morning tea. Or why not get people to bring their can. This helps suppress weeds and if there is one a while, even if they aren’t prepared to commit to own gear and something to share. Relaxing with a main regret of bush carers everywhere, it is “I didn’t weekly or monthly working bees. cold beer after a couple of hours work is not such a plant thickly enough.” Then lift and drop again, wiggle, and so on, until Special days give people a chance to turn up, work bad idea either. If you have access to a motorised auger, use it to your hole is about 25 centimetres deep. Drop a few like a maniac, but take no responsibility. It’s human It doesn’t have to be formal. For heaven’s sake, it’s dig your holes. It will improve your success rate and soaked water crystals into the bottom, maybe a slow nature, take advantage of it. Clean up Australia Day, not as though you are starting a bush-care group. No save you time. The Stihl model is superb. Flat out release native plant fertilizer. Drop in the plant. The National Tree Day and World Environment Day way. You can have working bees once a month for with a 90mm bit you can probably do up to 10 holes hole should be a snug fit. Water it in. Done. are all signature planting opportunities. There’s no several years without even realising you have been a a minute, 600 an hour with tag teaming. It’s amaz- Trench planting is good for low sandy areas. doubt these special days take more organising, site bush-care group all along. If you are a group, there’s ing what you can achieve with good technology. Using a mattock, dig trenches along contours, as preparation, plants and on-site management – but no end of help you can get from all levels of gov- The crowbar method is excellent in tight spots. close together as you can make them, and then put it’s worth it. Just remember to start watering early, it ernment. Funding is available for gear, plants, con- You drop the crowbar pointy end first from a decent the plants in with only enough soil to separate them. can take up to a minute per plant. tractors, botanical identification and site planning. height, carefully missing your own foot, and start a This is perfect for reeds like Juncus spp., rushes like Neighbouring farms can often get enough people hole by giving it a wiggle. Lomandra spp., sedges like Carex and Gahnia spp., to help each other on their habitat restorations to gingers like Alpinia caerulea, and the occasional ABOVE LEFT: Robert Dunne demonstrating crowbar planting, a good qualify for assistance. Some people might even turn a birthday party into a working bee. method for tight spots. BELOW: Angus Fraser makes a tube slug. This would never happen to you, would it? Mark Crocker Mark Crocker

18 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 19 Using weed tree timber Conifers like Pinus radiata and Slash Pine Pinus Cleaning up as you go helping decomposition and attracting invertebrates Camphor Laurel Cinnamomum camphora is one elliottii were traditionally planted for amenity as The urge to tidy can play a part in bush care, but and fungi, the engine room of ecological processes. of those weed trees which has simply gotten away well as timber. Drunk Parrot Tree Schotia brachy- overdoing it has set back more than one well- Structures like this are a cost-effective and envi- from us. It was introduced to Australia in 1822 petala attracts Lorikeets. Loquats Eriobotrya japon- intentioned restoration. Your ultimate aim is to ronmentally beneficial alternative to carting waste as an ornamental tree but now has been declared ica and Mulberries Morus spp. provide entertaining create structurally complex and biodiverse habitat. off-site. They help control erosion and, in the sub- a noxious weed. It out-competes eucalypts, and pleasant-tasting fruit for children. Yellow Bells Because complexity is temporarily compromised urbs, help satisfy the tidiness gene. threatening endangered koala habitat. Tecoma stans, Broad-leaved Pepper Tree Schinus when removing weeds you need to find ways While useful as a weed-suppressor, wood-chip In some areas mature Camphor forests have little terebinthifolius, Bauhinia spp. and African Tulip of creating shelter and protection for displaced mulch can be over-done. Fresh wood-chip mulch, or no native vegetation. In these areas, scientists are Tree Spathodea campanulata have attractive flow- animals, particularly reptiles and frogs. when it begins to break down, absorbs large recommending ‘Camphor conversion’ to locally- ers or fruit. Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia, a bad On waterways, creative use of weed tree timber amounts of nitrogen from the soil, starving your native rainforest by killing the trees with herbicide, weed on drier hillsides, is a much-loved Brisbane and what is sometimes wrongly referred to as ‘green plants. It can also smother tiny species critical for while leaving the forest functionally intact for birds icon for its November flowering. waste’ can provide excellent habitat. Leaves, twigs, the groundcover layer in your restoration. and other animals to help recruit native vegetation The habit of past local governments of using branches and tree trunks are not waste – if used Mulch is great for controlling weeds on very into the site. Where Camphors are scattered along weed species as street, park or give-away garden intelligently they are important ecological assets. degraded sites where it is allowed to thoroughly waterways, scientists recommend they should be trees has confused the issue, with many older resi- As long as mulch structures are compact, stable, break down before planting starts. either immediately removed or, if it is safe to do so, dents not realising the danger these weed trees pre- out of the flood zone and not a fire risk, they can be killed with herbicide and left as habitat while the sent to the environment. used to create animal refuges to offset the barren area is restored. Change of the landscape often makes people feel landscape effect. Branches can form critical habitat refuges for animals and fungi when Large weed trees have historically been part of the uncomfortable, regardless of the reasons for the An effective technique, depicted below, is to cut weed trees and shrubs are removed. The larger weed trees are cut off level with the top bank. Long branches, with all the side branches amenity of our suburbs and people can form strong activity behind the change. This is natural but can some weed trees at about 1.5 metres, level with the trimmed off, are woven in against these uprights. Smaller branches and emotional attachments to them. Camphor Laurel in be prevented by letting people know what’s going top bank, and then stack lengths of timber behind the leaves are used to compress the pile and hasten decay. Organic ropes and even jute mesh can be used to tie the piles in to the top of the particular is admired as a stately shade tree. on at friendly neighbourhood meetings. uprights, weaving them in trellis-fashion as you go. bank. The structures depicted here were submerged in January 2013 To a lesser extent, large Chinese Elms Celtis chin- In public discussions, reassurance from environ- Leaf litter accumulates in these structures, foods, but were unharmed. They even caught foating debris, protecting built structures. ensis can also be attractive, especially in summer. mental experts, government officials and elected representatives is important. It is usually better to Save Our Waterways Now member Anne Jones with rounds of Camphor be patient and let people come to the community Laurel timber cut along the grain to tempt the budding wood worker, Maleny Wood Expo. position in their own time and in their own way. Perceptions of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ change over time. People who once thought weeds attractive may soon find them ugly when they become aware of the damage they cause to habitats and wildlife. Camphor Laurel produces a high-value timber for craft and commercial use. It is a fine grained, relatively dense softwood with beautiful dark streaks and patterns, easy to shape and turn, hugely abundant and very cheap, usually free. The use of Camphor Laurel as a high-value timber source has won many followers and opened people’s eyes to the topic in a novel and non-threat- ening way. Maleny Wood Expo is one example where the commercial and craft use of weed tree timber has been embraced by the community. Co-starring with the launch of this second edi- tion of The creek in our backyard, the inaugural Save Our Waterways Now Weed Timber Expo is being celebrated on 9 June 2013, displaying Camphor coathangers, mothballs and other amazing Cam- phor products.

20 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 21 SUCCESS STORY

Gems of Diamond Valley logical to bring these like-minded people together. In Diamond Valley near Landsborough, landholders Marilyn believes environment and community have come together to form an inspiring bush- go hand-in-hand. Bringing together people to do care group. They work on each other’s properties environmental restoration strengthens friendships to remove weeds, plant trees, restore rainforest and makes the valley a better place to live. and improve their shared creek. The spark for this Nick Clancy and Alan Wynn, Land for Wildlife success story was one landholder, Marilyn Shrapnel. Officers with Sunshine Coast Council, helped Mari- Marilyn and her partner George fell in love with lyn establish the Diamond Valley Bush Care Group the creek, the forests and the sandstone rocky out- in 2007. Now the group meets every 4-6 weeks with crops of Diamond Valley and were one of the first a roster system informing members what activities landholders in the Sunshine Coast region to join will be happening and where. the Land for Wildlife program after it started there In consultation with Nick or Alan, the group in 1998. moves from property to property visiting members Marilyn soon saw other Land for Wildlife signs of the bush care group, ensuring activities and loca- pop up along Diamond Valley and thought it was tions are varied and interesting.

Marilyn believes Land for Wildlife acts like a unifying symbol promoting environmental care. Marilyn Shrapnel with Land for Wildlife Officer Alan Wynn looking for signs of caterpillars on her Richmond Birdwing Vine. Sunshine Coast Council, through the Land for One of Marilyn’s mottos is, “I do, we do, you do”, Wildlife program, offers the group materials such as and their property is a living example of this. They herbicide, spray packs and safety equipment to help have successfully transformed a disused grassy pad- the group meet its goals. Council has also provided dock to a tall rainforest with a clear flowing creek. grants for contractors to remove weed trees from Over time, their efforts have not only made their steep banks. property a wildlife haven, but have inspired other After each working bee there is an opportunity landholders to do the same. for members to stay, relax, have lunch and socialise. As Alan Wynn said, “by publicising the Diamond­ Like many people, Marilyn can feel dismayed Valley Bush Care Group model, some people may about the state of the environment worldwide, but recognise they too can do this where they live. Mar- feels she cannot do much about the big issues. How- ilyns are rare, but they are out there.” ever she can, and is, making a huge difference to her Marilyn’s inspiring story is worthy of being property and the valley she lives in. shared beyond her valley and hopefully will encour- In response to the question “What motivates age other landholders.

you?” Marilyn answered, “I love the trees, birds and STORY & PHOTOS: DEBORAH METTERS animals and I want to protect them. I see the flora and fauna everywhere disappearing before my eyes and I can’t do anything about it, except here on my Land for Wildlife helps landholders land. Nature is what motivates me.” protect and restore native habitat on their Marilyn has registered her property as a Nature properties. In South East Queensland the Refuge with the State Government and has a Vol- program has already protected over 50,000 untary Conservation Agreement (VCA) with hectares of habitat, with around 3,500 actively Sunshine Coast Council. Both agreements are reg- participating members. The program helps istered on the title of her property and will bind landholders with advice, assistance and successive owners. education on revegetation, weed control, pest With the VCA, Marilyn and George receive animal control and ecological processes. Have annual grants of up to $1,500, for on-ground work a chat to your local Land for Wildlife Officer to implement their environmental restoration plan. and see if you too can start a local bush-care These funds are a huge motivator for Marilyn and group and have people come and help control have gone a long way towards clearing weeds and weeds on your land. To contact Land for Wildlife Officers, talk to your local Council. getting the creek line planted.

22 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 23 PLANTTISNG GUIDE

1 – Aquatic, water’s edge, flood zone It’s time now to get down to detailed information about planting the three creek zones discussed earlier, starting with zone 1 – aquatic, water’s edge, flood zone. As habitat restoration continues to improve in Creek quality as a result of good science and practical ZonesCreek Zones experience, aquatic habitats remain the greatest challenge. They can suffer ‘out-of-sight out-of-mind’ syndrome.

Aquatic habitat underpins all our ecological w v u Stream Bed u v w processes. After all, life evolved in water 3.6 billion years ago and remained wholly aquatic for two bil- For an extensive list of plants ordered alphabetically by ‘Smart weed’ fowers Persicaria spp Waterhousea foliage. lion years. Water is where it all begins. planting zone see the resources at the end of this book. Saving waterways is about both aquatic and ter- restrial habitat restoration. Not only does a water- Red-fruited Sawsedge Gahnia sieberiana is one way or wetland need clean, healthy water, aquatic of the dominant species of wallum wetlands, often vegetation, in-stream structure, invertebrates, fish, covering many hectares with large clumping plants. frogs, reptiles birds and mammals, it also needs Native water’s edge species can replace invaders genuine ecosystem connectivity, where aquatic ani- like Singapore Daisy and Ruellia spp. Brisbane Lily mals have access to the environments they need for Crinum pedunculatum is an excellent replacement their entire lifecycles. for the weedy Wild Taro Colocasia esculenta and has Nick Romanowski, a leader in this field, has pro- elegant spidery flowers. duced a number of excellent wetland planting and Exalted Sedge Cyperus exaltatus grows to 1.5 management guides, well worth getting. metres. It is often mistaken for a weed – if in doubt, On the water’s edge many local species of rushes leave it until you can get an identification. It has four like Lomandra hystrix, reeds like Juncus spp. and large spear-like leaves at the base of the flowering sedges like Carex and Gahnia spp. all survive floods. parts. Other tricky ones to look out for are native In fact they love it. plants in the plant family Polygonaceae including Persicaria spp. sometimes known as ‘smart weeds’. All the vegetation you see here was planted. Prior to the restoration Blue Quandong foliage. Brisbane Lily fowers. this was a rapidly-eroding sandy area. 2 – Creek bank zone In the flood zone, unsuitable plants will not only A little higher up the bank from the water’s edge be lost in flood, they will also compromise normally you can use plants evolved to suit more occasional flood-hardy plants. Scouring of weak, flood-dam- floods like 1-in-25 year and 1-in-100 year floods. aged trees can undercut or jack-knife into the base These unfortunately seem to come much more of good trees causing pressure points for erosion. often than they should. Black Bean Castanospermum australe, one of the Species planted on the creek bank, especially best for the creek bank, is a slow grower for the first at first, should be densely planted ‘control’ species few years but then fast. Black Beans usually pro- including hardy grasses, sedges, and matrushes. duce groves of smaller trees clustered around the The creek bank is a place for complex commu- mother plant. The large seed pods are a favourite nities of smaller rainforest trees, but many hardy for toy boats and easy to collect on the ground. They ­species take time and patience to establish. are better sown directly into the site with crowbar For ideas, take an exploratory walk along the planting (see page 18), rather than grown in creeks in nearby national parks or conservation a tube. reserves. If you find a nearby intact remnant with similar vegetation, look for larger species over 25 years old. They are the survivors.

24 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 25 Cheese tree Glochidion ferdinandi is one of our In South East Queensland, floods are inevitable. hardiest and most attractive creek bank species. They mostly occur in La Niña years, two or more The name refers to the fruits, said to resemble small serious floods usually clustering together within cheeses. (They look more like miniature pumpkins.) a year or two of each other. Big floods are usually The original Creek Bottlebrush Melaleuca vimi- associated with cyclones in late summer, but nalis – not the smaller cultivar – is a stately tree unseasonal floods in May, June or November are whose roots protect the banks. Bolwarra Eupomatia also common. Flash flooding, dangerous because it laurina and Creek Matrush Lomandra hystrix are can catch people unawares, refers to water coming creek bank staples. down a catchment as a result of sudden, very intense River She-oak Casuarina cunninghamiana pro- rainfall. River flooding refers to water coming up duces masses of fine needles. Some gardeners dislike from prolonged heavy rainfall and swollen rivers. them, but on the creek bank they are highly desired Scientists at Healthy Waterways have modelled The Lomandra survived the food but Poison Peach trees were washed away. The mighty Bunya Pine Araucaria bidwillii. because they suppress weeds. River She-oak can many different stream designs to find out which withstand large floods. ones mitigate flooding. They found natural stream Planting in the wider catchment helps too. More Figs, especially sandpaper figs but also bigger design by far the best. Natural stream design tries to trees help reduce the speed and volume of overland strangler figs, are tenacious. They can resprout even return creeks to their original condition before they flow. Trees help stabilise soils and improve ground- after being knocked down and almost uprooted. were modified as a result of human infrastructure. water retention. Flood-proof smaller trees and shrubs include A natural creek is usually wider than ones we see Erosion is a major problem for the health of our Cinnamon Myrtle Backhousia myrtifolia, Brown now, with many paths for different volume flows. waterways and coastal waters, especially our bays. Myrtle Choricarpia leptopetala and Native Guava Instead of clearing streams out, natural stream Vegetation is the only successful long-term ero- Rhodomyrtus psidioides. Ferns and brackens also do design uses aquatic, water’s-edge and flood-resilient sion control, also providing vital habitat for fish, very well. native vegetation to diffuse and absorb the water’s ­Platypus and other animals. It will take time to Perhaps best of all north of Mt Coot-tha is the energy. In-stream structures like fallen trees also properly restore all our creeks, but the benefits are Waterhousea Waterhousea floribunda. Its fine roots help diffuse energy and reduce damage. Where they huge, not only for nature, but also for our safety. Fruit of Hairy Alectryon Alectryon tomentosus. not only hold creeks together, they provide safe are locked into each other, they don’t become flood breeding cover for rainbowfish and frogs. debris. Often they catch debris and trap it. Crystal clear water, Carex and Lomandra on the waters edge, merging into forest. Stoney Creek, Bellthorpe Forest Reserve day use area. Alectryon tomentosus and Drypetes deplanchei will attract birds with their fleshy fruit and White Bottlebrush Melaleuca salicina is a great feeding site for lorikeets with its nectar-filled flowers. Smell-of- the-bush Mallotus claoxyloides is a hardy, suckering mid-bank specialist. It gives off a spicy smell of the rainforest but some Americans don’t like it. They think it smells like skunk. Plants wrongly planted on the mid bank include Poison Peach Trema tomentosa, Breynia oblongifo- lia and most acacias – a possible exception being Flowers of the Lacebark Brachychiton discolor. Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon. Native grasses like Barbed Wire Grass Cymbopogon refractus and Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra should also be avoided. Save these for the high bank. In the early stages of your restoration, plants on the low bank are constantly threatened by weeds. This will be the highest maintenance part of your site for the first few years. You will soon learn which plants are inappropri- ate for the low bank, they simply don’t survive there. Floods rage through and provide valuable lessons about what works and what doesn’t. Roots of the Piccabeen Palm Archontophoenix cunninghamiana.

26 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 27 3 – Buffer zone In nature, of course, there are no neat lines demarking one zone from another. There is considerable overlap. Many creek-bank species are also important in the buffer zone, which extends outwards from the watermarks of the highest floods. Larger trees which grow well on the edges of both higher creek banks and buffer zones include Spotted Gum Corymbia citriodora and Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys. Swamp Box Lophostemon suaveolens and Blue Quandong Elaeocarpus grandis do well in both zones, slightly favouring the creek bank if it is not too steep. Native Quince Guioa semiglauca, Soap Tree Alphitonia excelsa, Red Kamala Mallotus philippensis and Native Olive Notelaea longifolia are key species where the zones overlap. Your options from the high bank through the buffer zone are virtually limitless – this is where you Forest Red Gum also known as Queensland Blue Gum, is a classic Collecting Native Raspberry Rubus probus. MARK CROCKER can have a lot of fun merging the creek restoration feature of South East Queensland bush. MARK CROCKER with your garden or farm areas. Many people with a creek on their property will extend the locally- you can safely plant such giants as Flooded Gum Dianella congesta can be a relatively dense Bush foods native species well into their property, sometimes Eucalyptus grandis, Large-leaved Grey Gum Euca- ground cover behind coastal dunes. Settler’s Twine Bunya Pine Araucaria bidwilli is a bush food of having totally native landscapes. This works best lyptus major, Hoop Pine Araucaria cunninghamii, Gymnostachys anceps is a tall, arching, slender enormous significance. Every two or three years, if neighbours all do it together. These areas need Pepperberry Cryptocarya obovata, Blackbutt Euca- plant but the only species in this genus – a must for when there was a bumper crop of the gigantic pine well maintained fences to keep out grazing or feral lyptus pilularis, Queensland Blue Gum Eucalyptus botanical nerds. cones, Aborigines travelled from all over South animals. tereticornis and Three-veined Laurel Cryptocarya Velvet Leaf Callicarpa pedunculata was once East Queensland to the Bunya Mountains and the Blackthorn Bursaria spinosa is a must for vital triplinervis. considered a Lantana replacement, perhaps in part Blackall Range for Bunya festivals. small bird habitat, along with Currant Bush Carissa If your property is rainforest-like, Red Cedar because it was from the same plant family as Lan- Explorer and early settler Andrew Petrie was ovata and Orange Thorn Pittosporum multiflorum. Toona ciliata may even escape the ravages of the tana. Unfortunately botanists have moved it to a deeply impressed by Aboriginal culture and Muttonwood Myrsine variabilis and Tie Bush Cedar Tip Moth and grow tall. Certainly Lance- different family. Even so, it is a very attractive shrub encouraged his young son Tom to attend a Bunya Wikstroemia indica are important locals. Sweet wood Dissiliaria baloghioides is a splendid fast- with globular clusters of purple berries, hence festival. Andrew was distressed by the displacement Canthium Psydrax odorata and Forest Hop Bush growing dry-rainforest tree as are the Tuckeroos another common name Beautyberry. of Aborigines and lobbied for the protection of the Dodonaea triquetra both like well-drained soil, Cupaniopsis spp., Crows Ash Flindersia australis, A few native grasses survive shade and flour- Bunya forests. especially the latter. Native Olive Olea paniculata, Hard Quandong Elae- ish after rain, including Beard Grass Oplismenus As a result, the Bunya Proclamation, by NSW Native Hibiscus Hibiscus heterophyllus grows ocarpus obovatus and Foam Bark Jagera pseudorhus. aemulus­ and Graceful Grass Ottochloa gracillima. For Governor Sir George Gipps, recognised the area’s screamingly fast and Silver Myrtle Rhodamnia A number of lilly pillies do well on the moister, regularly moist areas, try native violets, shade-loving significance to native people by restricting the access argentea has spectacular silver-backed leaves. lower sections of the buffer zone and creek bank Maidenhairs Adiantum spp. or other ferns such of white settlers to the region between Mooloolah Common Hairy Lollybush Clerodendrum especially creek myrtles Syzygium australe, S. leuh- as False Bracken Calochlaena dubia, Binung Fern and Maroochy Rivers. The Bunya Proclamation was tomentosum has unusual fruit, as the name sug- manii, S. smithii and S. oleosum. ­Christella dentata and Rasp Fern Doodia aspera. repealed in 1859 when Queensland became a state, gests. White Tamarind Elattostachys xylocarpa and Rough-leaved Elm Aphananthe philippinensis is Some species of Lomandras less common in a tragic chapter in early Queensland history. Flintwood Scolopia braunii are both tough. a slow grower but will last several generations of plantings are ironically more common in natu- Bunya nuts are delicious and nutritious, roasted For unusual foliage try Native Holly Alchornea your family. There are some on our creeks over 250 ral areas – it is worth seeking them out. Delicate or boiled. After boiling they can be ground into a ilicifolia, Diamond-leaved Pittosporum Auranti- years old. Matrush Lomandra laxa and Flowering Matrush paste for making pesto with basil, great on pasta. carpa rhombifolia and another Hop Bush Dodonaea Blue Flax Lily Dianella caerulea spreads over Lomandra multiflora are very attractive. Altogether The most well-known Australian bush food is triangularis. large areas in well-drained soils but resolves to scat- there are about 9 species of Lomandra in South East undoubtedly Macadamia, also going by the name High banks often have very large trees unsuitable tered clumps on drier hillsides. Caerulea means the Queensland. Bopple Nut. Two species, Macadamia integrifolia and for small house blocks but if your creek is a long way colour of the Mediterranean sky at midday just like M. tetraphylla are native to South East Queensland. from the house or you are on acreage or farmland, the flowers of this plant.

28 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 29 Perhaps the sweetest bush tucker plant is Native Aromatic habitat Butterfly attractors Raspberry Rubus probus. The ripe berries are full of The traditional Frangipani from central and south Many gardeners like to see butterflies but dislike flavour and make wonderful jam. America, Plumeria rubra, is a favourite in gardens caterpillars munching on their plants. Of course The coastal plant Midjimberry Austromyrtus for its summer scents, one of the most delicious in caterpillars and butterflies are the same thing and dulcis is excellent, though quality and taste of indi- the world. As there is no danger of it spreading into you can’t have one without the other. The sight of vidual plants can vary. Native Mulberry Pipturus creeks we can all enjoy it without guilt. But did you a chewed leaf shouldn’t get you reaching to squash argenteus is hard work, the fruits are tiny, watery know the Native Frangipani Hymenosporum flavum the critter. It may be the larva of one of our South and each has only a faint sugary hit. smells even better? It is a more delicate and refined East Queensland species, some of them rare and Let’s finish on a definite winner – Peanut Tree aroma with a hint of Australian bush. endangered. A caterpillar on a locally-native plant Sterculia quadrifida, whose ‘peanuts’ in the large There are many scented Australian plants suit- is likely to be a locally-native butterfly. fruit are edible both roasted and raw, after remov- able for creek restoration. The underrated Jackwood There are many butterfly attractors you can plant ing the black skin. Cryptocarya glaucescens, a mighty tree, has clusters on your property. A good source of information is Coastal Caper Capparis arborea is host to five of small, pleasantly-scented flowers. In late winter John Moss’s Host Plants of the Butterflies of South butterfly species, Caper White, Caper Gull and the fast-growing pioneer Brisbane Wattle Acacia East Queensland and Northern NSW, a comprehen- three Pearl-whites. The Caper White is often seen BELOW: Peanut Tree Sterculia quadrifida fruit showing edible seed inside. fimbriata produces masses of scented flowers. Dif- sive listing of food plants for around 160 species of on mass migrations, as is the Blue Tiger, a spectacu- Mark Crocker BOTTOM LEFT: Bolwarra Eupomatia laurina is an aromatic, a bush tucker and a wildlife attractor. It has a strange scent ferent wattles flower at different times, so with a butterfly. lar butterfly relying on Corky Milk Vine Secamone like ether, it is pollinated by tiny beetles, and the fruit when soft is sweet. range of species you can enjoy them most of the The small herb Love Flower Pseuderanthemum elliptica. BOTTOM RIGHT: Flowers of Native Frangipani Hymenosporum flavum. year. Lomandra longifolia, very useful in restora- variabile is a very useful butterfly plant. Often but- Most famous of all is the Richmond Birdwing. tions in the drier areas, is called Lemon-scented terflies have only one host plant but Love Flower is It relies on the Richmond Birdwing Vine Pararis- Lomandra for its subtle tang. host to many. It is a shade lover and surprisingly tolochia praevenosa. Where the Richmond Birdwing Interactive scented plants are those rich in aro- hardy. Native Mulberry Pipturus argenteus attracts was already present, in areas like Mount Tamborine matic oils, including eucalypts, melaleucas and tea the scarce White Nymph as well as having edible and Beerwah, people planting Richmond Birdwing trees, whose crushed leaves release spicy odours. fruit. Murrogun Cryptocarya microneura is a large Vines have had visits from this impressive swallow- The citrus family is another with many aromatic tree and good replacement for Camphor Laurel tail, but results elsewhere have been disappointing. plants including the locally-native Acronychia spp. Cinnamomum camphora. It attracts the Blue Tri- In the greater Brisbane area drought, bush fires, and whose leaves and fruit have powerful aromas. The angle. Zig-zag Vine Melodorum leichhardtii attracts the presence of Dutchman’s Pipe Aristolochia ele- native limes, the Round Lime and Finger Lime, the Four-barred Swordtail and the Pale Triangle. gans, which attracts the Richmond Birdwing but is both Citrus spp., have scented oils. They provide Alectryon spp. attract the Common Pencil-blue, toxic to its larvae, have been major problems. Let’s good bird habitat and they make great marmalade. Hairy Line-blue, Purple Line-blue and Short-tailed not give up hope though. One day we might once Perhaps everyone’s favourite is Lemon-scented Line-blue. False Coffee Bush, also known as just again see Richmond Birdwing Butterflies in the Myrtle Backhousia citriodora. It has an irresist- Breynia Breynia oblongifolia, attracts the Large streets of Brisbane where once they were common. ible lemon flavour and makes great cordial just by Grass-yellow. Matrushes Lomandra spp. attract crushing the leaves and mixing them with water Skippers. Arrowhead Violet Viola betonicifolia is and a little sugar. important as the food for the critically-endangered Lace Fritillary, but this butterfly is so rare and geographically limited it would be something of a miracle to see it in a habitat restoration away from its current range. Edge Senna Senna acclinis, the host to the Small Grass-yellow and the Yellow Migrant, is also fre- quented by native bees including Teddy Bear, Carpenter and Blue-banded Bees. However native sennas are problematic in plantings unless they are clearly labelled because they look so much like the closely-related weed Easter Cassia Senna pendula var. glabrata.

ABOVE RIGHT: Richmond Birdwing male Don Sands RIGHT: Bordered Rustic. A good food plant for this butterfy is Flintwood Scolopia braunii. DEBORAH METTERS

30 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 31 Fungi Fun Without them we would be all swimming in foetid, If you are taking a stroll in a national park and festering, pestilential goop. are innocently tempted to pluck a beautiful flower Most famous of the fungi are mushrooms-on- at the edge of a path, your wise naturalist friends toast, often encountered at breakfast time. These are will remind you everything in national parks is the fruiting bodies of a macrofungi. While famous, protected. This means not taking, plucking, seizing, mushrooms-on-toast is in one sense a rare form of or secreting on one’s person any one of the three Fs. fungi, being edible. Many fungi are highly toxic to Flora, fauna and…hang on – there are three Fs? humans. Yes. The three Fs are flora, fauna and fungi. Often Some beetles and flies are fungi specialists with overlooked, hardly noticed and relatively unknown, symbiotic or even parasitic relationships, laying fungi are not only protected, they belong to their their eggs in fungi. The fungus then becomes food own kingdom. Flora is the kingdom of plants. Fauna for the larvae when they hatch. Yellow Jelly Fungus growing in woodchip. One of the Polyporales, a bracket fungus on wood. is the kingdom of animals, and Fungi is the king- Healthy habitats will have thousands of fungal dom of mushrooms, toadstools and slime moulds. species, most of them invisible underground, some Fungi were asleep the day they handed out cha- appearing after rain and a few living in full view on risma, good looks and sex appeal, and are often trees and dead wood. Many fungi have beneficial overlooked. But this is about to change. Mycology, underground associations with plants, which is why the study of fungi, is on the rise. Many landholders some plants will only thrive in their native habitat and naturalists are switching on to fungi. Not only where these fungi live. can you be sure of exploring the unknown, fungi Some fungi are just plain weird. The luminous can make intricate and colourful subjects for macro Ghost Fungus Omphalotus nidiformis, found on photography. decaying stumps, produces a spectacular light dis- Australia is estimated to have about 250,000 play at night, perhaps to attract giant land snails. fungal species, of which about 5,000 are mush- Humans attracted to this fungus should be aware rooms. Only about 5 per cent of our fungi have eating it will cause severe vomiting within an hour been described. Penicillin, yeasts, moulds, plant of ingestion. rusts and mildew are all fungi. Without fungi, bread If you are drawn in by the allure of the unknown, would not rise and many more people would die of a good place to start would be Fungimap, an initia- an infected toe. Fungi are critical to life and even tive of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. They are more critical to death, as many fungi are involved in recording species and locations with community- the processes of decay, breaking down dead things. based science. www.fungimap.org.au

Technically, this species might in the family Boletaceae. Bird’s Nest Fungus, their spores are spread by splashing raindrops. At about 20 centimetres in diameter, it is surely big enough for one of the smaller Australian leprechauns to sit on and dangle her legs over the edge.

Split Gill Fungus, a fungus one should avoid smelling or inhaling, Pink Marasmius sp. growing in leaf litter. as it is capable of growing in your lungs.

32 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 33 SUCCESS STORY

Healthy country, healthy stock – pastures had been overgrazed for a hundred years. Shortly after purchasing their property on the Creek banks were eroding. Fences were falling over. North Pine River in Dayboro Valley, Greg and The property had been run into the ground. Leanne Currey were told their 95 acres would never Greg and Leanne joined the Land for Wildlife be profitable as a farm. program in late 2011. At this time, they were still As a farming local and horseman with an reeling from the January 2011 floods, which had ­Agricultural Science degree, Greg set out to prove destroyed their pumping station, washed away two this wrong. Greg and Leanne know their property kilometres of fencing and deposited eight tonnes of will not only be profitable, but truly sustainable – debris. Greg didn’t feel unlucky. “The harder I work, producing healthy livestock and also protecting the the luckier I get,” he says. environment. While Greg’s vision is set firmly on his horses and Greg has a deep respect for all livestock and cattle and their pastures, his wife Leanne has taken believes if cattle are bred for our consumption we up the Land for Wildlife spirit with a passion. In have a duty of care to foster their wellbeing during four short months since she began, she has planted their lives. They have a right to good healthy pas- 900 locally-native trees to buffer the existing thin tures, clean water and a stress-free life. strips of native vegetation along the creeks and gul- When Greg and Leanne purchased in 2009 lies on their property. The rain in early January 2013 they were fully aware their property was in decline has given the native tubestock a good headstart and many are already above the thick pasture grasses.

Greg and Leanne Currey on their Armstrong Creek farm.

Mapping supplied by Land for Wildlife and SEQ As well as grazing cattle, Greg is a professional Catchments was the key. On the maps Greg saw the horse whisperer who “helps horses with people original footprint of rainforest along the river and problems”. He runs ten horses on his property, hatched a plan. He not only fenced off the North rotating them on more marginal pastures while he Pine River to protect it, but also fenced more than rests the better ground for future certified organic three kilometres of creeks and gullies on his prop- beef cattle. erty. He added hefty buffer zones of adjacent pas- Their excitement and enthusiasm for their ture to create meaningful habitat opportunities and wildlife-friendly farm is infectious. They see this has completely destocked the fenced-off pastures to as a precious resource. When they saw the maps let them recover, chipping weeds by hand. showing the original rainforest footprint listed as an Greg and Leanne were delighted to see native endangered ecosystem they “felt like they had won ferns, herbs, vines, shrubs, trees, grasses and fungi lotto,” said Leanne. coming back to the habitat areas within weeks. Their property is already being used as a dem- These are now allowed to grow and multiply with- onstration site to show how to manage both horses out getting eaten or trampled by livestock. Yes, and wildlife. In the near future it will also be used there are weeds too – Cat’s Claw Creeper, Camphor as a site to demonstrate how to graze cattle sustain- Laurel, climbing Asparagus Fern and Lantana, to ably, how to protect waterways and how to make name a few, but they are steadily being controlled. money from both. Carefully nurtured fig seedlings placed in Camphor STORY & PHOTOS: DEBORAH METTERS Laurels will eventually strangle them, something which Greg and Leanne are looking forward to. ABOVE LEFT: Greg has installed off-stream watering points, using lattice-like concrete tiles to prevent soil compaction and erosion. The over-grazed pastures are rapidly recovering, Off stream watering protects the creek banks from the heavy hooves with a thick and diverse mix of native and intro- of horses and cattle. ABOVE RIGHT: One of the gullies where habitat is rapidly recovering. Species propagating in the fenced-off area duced pasture fodder. This green manure is regu- include Silky Oak Grevillea robusta, Swamp Box Lophostemon suaveolens, Sandpaper Fig Ficus coronata and many wattles. Greg and Leanne will larly slashed to replace organic matter in the soil. supplement these with species from the plant lists provided by Land Only when the soils have improved will cattle be for Wildlife. returned.

34 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 35 Weeds

ur fungi, plants and animals have been Where did they come from? Weed g rasses Weed groundcovers isolated for a long time, more than 45 Some came by accident, but the vast majority The most common weedy grasses along waterways Groundcovers are notoriously hard to get rid million years from South America, of modern-day weeds and pests are here either are leftover pasture grasses and escaped lawn of, Singapore Daisy Sphagneticola trilobata in Oour closest ecological relative, and about 140 because they were useful in agriculture, or attractive grasses. You will also see escapee ornamental particular. It is resistant to glyphosate-based million years from Africa. We’ve been separated in gardens, streets, parks and other landscaping. grasses like Fountain Grass Pennisetum setaceum. herbicides. Specialist herbicides can be used to treat from North America and Europe by over 180 In South East Queensland we are victims of Many grasses become ‘successful’ weeds because it, but not near water. Singapore Daisy can spread million years. Meanwhile, other continents have our own good fortune. South East Queensland is a they have been bred to be drought tolerant, hardy and establish new populations by seed, but mostly been connected, allowing their fungi, plants and veritable salad bowl. We have a subtropical climate, and survive intensive grazing. They are very quick it spreads by plant part. This means every broken bit animals to intermingle. comparatively rich soil, and are surrounded by growing and usually out-compete native grasses, of stem can take root and start a new plant. This is why, in Australia, weeds really matter. mountainous areas with valuable timber. especially on richer soils in moist areas. A particular problem along creeks are invasive Because of the isolation of our continent, evolution Because farms needed water for stock, creeks Elephant Grass Pennisetum purpureum and the plants of the family Acanthaceae such as Ruellia has resulted in enormous numbers of species found were rarely fenced. Pastures grew right down to even tougher Giant Reed Arundo donax can get tweediana and R. squarrosa. These are lovers of nowhere else. According to the federal department the water’s edge, grazed by heavy animals with over three metres tall in thick stands. They might moist conditions and colonise the water’s edge in of environment, about 84 per cent of our plants cloven hooves, a nightmare scenario for erosion. provide shelter for Buff-banded Rails but usually great numbers. They reproduce alarmingly quickly are unique to Australia. In 2001 CSIRO reported But at least cattle, sheep and horses kept the weeds the only animals you find in them are Cane Toads. both by plant parts and by seed. The Acanthaceae around 83 per cent of mammals, 89 per cent of down. When farms were subdivided into suburbs, Guinea Grass Megathyrus maximus is very suc- Shrimp Plant Justicia betonica and its brothers and reptiles, 90 per cent of fish and insects and 93 per the weeds really went gangbusters. Let’s have a look cessful in open areas but doesn’t do well in dense sisters are pernicious invaders with pretty, mocking cent of amphibians in Australia are endemic (found at some categories of weeds and what you can do shade, unlike Broad-leafed Paspalum Paspalum flowers. Polka-dot Plant or Freckle-face Hypoestes nowhere else). Our very different ecosystems are about them. mandiocanum – a particular worry in rainforest. phyllostachya, with such a pretty name, will amaze particularly vulnerable to damage by invading you with its invasive abilities. weeds from elsewhere. The bad water weed Salvinia Salvinia molesta. SHELDON NAVIE Elephant Grass Pennisetum purpureum.

36 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 37 Tradescantia albiflora, just called Trad, is a Weed vines detested villain responsible for rainforest incursions Vines are sometimes the most obvious of weeds – in South East Queensland. It belongs to the plant no-one who sees a tree completely covered by vines family Commelinacea as does Zebrina Tradescantia can think it’s a good thing. Vines should be your zebrina, another invasive groundcover. first target as you sweep through a weedy area. You Native Wandering Jew Commelina diffusa is from achieve a great deal of good with little effort and the same plant family and often weeded by mistake, minimal disturbance. u as it tends to get weedy in areas of creek edge with Most vines are relatively easy to control on your u open sun. Creeks need shade for a balanced plant first sweep by cutting the main stem and painting it community and high water quality. with herbicide, leaving the rest to die in the tree. It A number of plants we would call herbs, mean- can be very satisfying to liberate suffocating trees. ing soft subshrubs, are not exactly groundcovers in You can use the cut-and-paint method with the creeping massed sense, but certainly cover the Cat’s Claw Dolichandra unguis-cati but you should ground. These include Creeping MistflowerAger - really take the time to completely eradicate the vine atina riparia, a menacing scourge on the margins or you will regret it. Eradicating Cat’s Claw may of rainforest. Also in this category is the rather take many years, with a variety of labour-intensive innocuous looking Billygoat Weed, two Ageratum methods including repeated application of special- spp., not so innocuous when you see acres of it. It’s ist herbicides. Consult your state or local govern- also poisonous. ment authorities on appropriate treatments. From the arum family, Wild Taro Colocasia escu- With Madeira Vine, it’s best to bag every bit and lenta and Arrowhead Sagittaria platyphylla are both take it off site, or cook it under black plastic in a v very nasty semi-aquatic weeds of the water’s edge. mulch pile in a clear area where you can spray if v They trap silt and organic materials and result in it resprouts. Madeira is an ornamental, or it may smelly, festering bogs. have been introduced by people wanting to eat the Creeping Lantana Lantana montevidensis is a leaves. It tastes like Sri Lankan Spinach. ground-hugging Lantana with pretty pinkish flow- Many vines are leftover farm fodder. Glycine ers, thought to be relatively harmless by some who Neonotonia wightii is a nitrogen fixing fodder for compare its modest spread to the much more inva- cattle. It is similar to Siratro Macroptilium atropur- sive Lantana Lantana camara. Both Lantana species pureum except Glycine has white flowers and Siratro are bad weeds. has dark red-purple flowers. Both were introduced Silver-leaved Desmodium also known as Velcro for agriculture. Vine Desmodium uncinatum is a groundcover vine Dutchman’s Pipe Aristolochia elegans, the killer apparently on the rise. It clambers everywhere. from Brazil, lures the Richmond Birdwing to its Weed groundcovers are very difficult to eliminate death with irresistible pheromones. Climbing entirely. With many of them it’s probably a waste of Asparagus Fern Asparagus africanus was once an w time trying. You can remove 90 per cent relatively ornamental, but it’s hard to imagine it being planted w easily but the last 10 per cent will prove very tena- in a garden now. Cut through the top of the crown cious. Many of them are invading highly fertile and with a pull-saw and squirt 50/50 herbicide onto its open land. If you manage to plant diversely with all fibrous root mass. Then leave it to die, pulling it levels of a well structured creek bank, the increasing down will damage the host tree. shade and decreasing nutrient will inhibit weeds. A new vine you should be on the lookout for Groundcover weeds also cause a problem with is Monkey’s Comb Pithecoctenium crucigerum, a blanket removal. This treatment might result in ero- relative of Cat’s Claw. It is only a miracle this vine sion scours. In fertile zones, it is likely many native doesn’t yet set viable seed in South East Queens- species will be growing amongst weeds, but these land. Yet it still suffocates huge trees and spreads for will often be hard to identify. hundreds of metres.

1. Lovely fower of the Balloon Vine Cardiospermum grandiflorum. 2. Cat’s Claw Dolichandra unguis-cati. 3. Seductive fower of the ‘Killer 1. Zebrina 2. Ruellia tweediana Mark Crocker 3. Singapore Daisy. from Brazil’ Dutchman’s Pipe Aristolochia elegans. 4. Could this delicate 4. Arrowhead Sagittaria platyphylla is a new and emerging semi-aquatic tendril be evil? Yes, it is Madeira Vine Anredera cordifolia, one of the worst x weed of the water’s edge. smotherers known. All photos: MARK CROCKER x

38 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 39 Weed shrubs and small trees Weed trees Shrubs and small trees make up some of our Weed trees are difficult to manage and sometimes most famous weeds. Lantana Lantana camara, for require expert help. This is because they can get example, has been devastating to agriculture and so big. They can also create very dense thickets, now threatens national parks. especially Chinese Elm Celtis sinensis, able to Japanese sunflower Tithonia diversifolia is a dominate and crowd out a site within 10 years. This leggy shrub with deceptively tough stalks. It can attractive, deciduous, fast-growing tree from China u be hacked and whacked but will regrow unless you can set thousands of viable seed per tree year after u apply herbicide to freshly-cut stumps. year. It is responsible for a great amount of habitat Evergreen Ash Fraxinus griffithii has only destruction across South East Queensland. recently emerged as a seriously invasive weed in Camphor Laurel Cinnamomum camphora is an South East Queensland because garden plantings extremely aggressive and damaging weed along of this species are quite recent and take about eight waterways. It has choked many rivers and streams years to produce viable seed. When they do, thou- in South East Queensland and northern New South sands can spring up near a maturing tree. Wales, especially in farmland. Camphor Laurel Giant Devil’s Fig Solanum chrysotrichum has can be a stately, large shade tree with spreading vicious thorns and its floating seeds spread far and branches. Along creeks it can utterly dominate, wide. Treat in the same way as Japanese Sunflower spreading further and more thickly every year. (see above). Giant Devil’s Fig seems to be occupying There are a number of exotic trees really better the ecological niche of a very widespread and not left in place until they die of old age, unless you greatly threatening weed Wild Tobacco Solanum know someone who will pay you for their timber v mauritianum. It would be a shame to clear Wild and take them out. These include Liquidambar Liq- v Tobacco only to have Giant Devil’s Fig come up. uidambar styraciflua and Poinciana Delonix regia. Two weedy privets Ligustrum spp. stretch the These big trees don’t seem to be taking hold in definition of small tree, because they can get pretty bushland. big. Small-leaf Privet has to be chopped out piece by As mentioned in the small tree section Evergreen piece with a pull saw. Broad-leaf Privet is bigger and Ash Fraxinus griffithii and Broad-leaf Privet Ligus- more treelike. Like all weed trees less than 100 cen- trum lucidum muscle into the large tree category timetres in diameter Broad-leaf Privet can be taken but usually can be handled with a bow saw. Many out with a bow saw at belly-button height. This is exotic figs, however, can be enormous. safer than sawing off at ground level and it doesn’t Some Australian trees from North Queensland produce a trip hazard. Treat freshly-cut stumps are proving to be extremely invasive. Cadaghi Cor- with 50/50 herbicide. Larger trees need experienced ymbia torelliana and Northern Olive Chionanthus chainsaw operators. ramiflorus are North Queensland trees running Ochna needs no introduction. Even the blackest- rampant in South East Queensland bushland. Cad- w thumb non-gardener knows this one. It is virtually aghi is implicated in the death of native bees, cre- w impossible to pull out because of its long taproot. To ates messy soot and replaces some critical species in treat, cut at ground level and paint with herbicide. natural habitat. The seed head of Castor-oil Plant Ricinus com- Unfortunately some of our traditional street and munis explodes when ripe, spreading seed two park trees are also bush bullies. Jacaranda Jacaranda metres in all directions. It can be cut easily at waist mimosifolia, African Tulip Tree Spathodea cam- height with a pull saw or cane knife and poisoned. panulata and Golden Rain Tree Koelreuteria elegans The stump rots quickly. thrive and dominate because they have no natural There are many more. You’ll soon have the pleas- enemies here. African Tulip Tree is also responsible ure of getting to know them. Intimately. for the death of native bees.

1. A Green Corps team all but swallowed up by a field of Japanese 1. The leaf of the Chinese Elm. Mark Crocker 2. Rubber Tree, a Sunfower 2. Ochna, Mickey Mouse Plant, one of the easiest weeds to monster capable of draining all moisture from adjacent plantings. recognize and target. 3. Flower of Easter Cassia, a show-off in March- 3. Indian Cherry Flacourtia jangomas, a tropical fruit tree with punishing April Mark Crocker 4. Large-leaved Privet, easily the worst weed of spines. 4. Queen or Cocos Palm, considered attractive in some areas, is Upper Beechmont. x an ugly, mess-producing vandal in bushland. x

40 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 41 What’s your worst weed? When she was good, she was very good indeed, but when she was bad she was horrid. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote these lines about his second daughter, who must have created havoc when she got up to mischief.

There are many weeds everyone hates and many Green Cestrum Cestrum parqui, a declared weed. It is a noxious weed in are very bad indeed but the answer to the question, the official sense but also because it is poisonous and it stinks. ‘What’s the worst weed?’ depends a lot on where it is and what else is there. Some weeds are declared The worst weed outbreak in Australia’s history by law, meaning you have to remove them if they was Prickly Pear Opuntia stricta. By 1925 it had are found on your property. These include Ground- over-run 100,000 square kilometres of farmland. sel Senecio vulgaris and Green Cestrum Cestrum If it were not for the humble Cactoblastis Moth it parqui. would probably be the only plant left in Queensland Noxious weed declarations in the past were and New South Wales. The larva ofCactoblastis cac- made mostly for agriculture. The weeds we deal torum is a black and yellow striped grub which tun- with along our creeks and bushland fringes are usu- nels into and devours the inside of the Prickly Pear. ally in a class called ‘environmental weeds.’ The success of Cactoblastis Moth after its release in The reason environmental weeds are so dan- 1925 is still regarded as the world’s most spectacu- gerous is because they can push natural areas to lar example of effective control of a weed by bio- the brink of environmental collapse. This is when logical means. Perhaps it made us overconfident. In Brazilian Nightshade Solanum seaforthanium being approached by a Blue-banded Bee Mark Crocker weeds have dominated so completely they destroy 1935 around 100 young Cane Toads were released native habitats – leaving a ‘green wasteland’ with in North Queensland, in an attempt to control the Unfortunately some weeds have won and it is native animals, but before you leave Lantana as very little habitat for wildlife. native cane beetle which was damaging sugar cane. unlikely we will ever get rid of them, we’ll just have habitat, consider the down side. Lantana is directly In a pre-technology world, before ships and There are now over 200 million Cane Toads in to manage. Others are new kids on the block. If we threatening the survival of 200 native plant species. planes, weed introductions were gradual, with less Australia, continuing to expand their invasion. It’s jump on outbreaks of new weeds like Arrowhead By allowing birds to feed on it, you are encouraging harmful affects. When weeds came by ship, the probably our worst environmental disaster. Sadly, Sagittaria platyphylla, it may not be too late. one of Australia’s worst weeds to spread even more. change was too sudden and massive. Our fragile the cane beetle was completely unaffected. ‘Surely this can’t be a weed, can it?’ You’ll say Native forest supports at least twice the number natural systems were unable to cope. about the beautiful Brazilian Nightshade or the of bird species as Lantana patches. Birds feeding in Gidee Gidee Abrus precatorius ssp. africanus, often confused with native attractive Black-eyed Susan. Tell this to native a natural remnant or well-restored forest also help Abrus precatorius ssp. precatorius, found north of Rockhampton. plants suffocating under vine masses on the dunes spread good habitat plants. at Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island. When removing Lantana, consider patch or Attractive plants like Leopard Tree Caesalpinia staged removal and try to keep any native plants ferrea, Mock Orange Murraya paniculata, Balsam growing underneath it. Impatiens walleriana and Yellow Oleander Probably the best Lantana replacement species Cascabela thevetia, previously Thevetia peruviana are prickly, dense species because they provide are all very pretty, but still weeds along waterways. habitat for small birds, our most threatened habitat. Senegal Tea Gymnocoronis spilanthoides is a Prickly, dense habitat provides some defence against pretty little thing, but it’s one of our worst aquatic cats, dogs, foxes and some of the bossy larger birds weeds. In terms of danger to waterways, Salvinia which chase small birds away. Salvinia molesta (great name) and Fireflag Thalia Plants providing this type of habitat include geniculata are ‘weed risk extreme’. Chain Fruit Alyxia ruscifolia, Quinine Bush Alstonia­ constricta, Currant Bush Carissa ovata, Prickly Lantana replacements Moses Acacia ulicifolia, Native Holly Alchornea Lantana Lantana camara, a fast growing, drought- ilicifolia, Native Raspberries Rubus spp. and Native tolerant invasive weed, toxic to stock, is one of Limes Citrus spp. Australia’s worst weeds, despite the introduction of In the mix you might try Banana Bush Tabernae- 31 biological control agents in the last 100 years. montana pandacaqui, and vines Jasminum, Ripogo- Lantana can provide temporary habitat for num, Smilax, Melodinus and Parsonsia spp.

42 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 43 u v u v

Creative solutions include managing more False foes, true friends Slender Grape Vine Cayratia clematidea is often aggressive thorny plants, such as the extremely Most weeds look soft, invasive and somehow pulled out by people thinking they are removing unforgiving Cockspur Thorn Maclura cochinchin- ‘wrong’. Australian native plants look hardy, tough Balloon Vine Cardiospermum grandiflorum. The ensis, into thickets by means of judicious pruning, and somehow ‘right’. difference is the way Slender Grape forms its five, but watch out for weeds amongst them. There are exceptions. Some weeds, like Cat’s not nine, compound leaflets at regular angles. Like Other suitable Lantana replacement species pro- Claw Dolichandra unguis-cati, are as tough as old many native vines, Slender Grape can be aggressive vide fruit, supporting animal species using Lantana boots, and some of our native plants are extremely and may have to be managed in young plantings to fruit for food. These include Poison Peach Trema delicate and sometimes get mistaken for weeds. prevent smothering. tomentosa, a fast growing pioneer good for the These are false foes, but true friends. The mark of The locally-native Wandering Jew Commelina higher banks and buffer zone but not likely to sur- a truly-skilled bush carer is to recognise them and diffusa, despite its tendencies to go rampant on vive on the flood plain, the slow growing but hardy weed around them. creek edges, is a good and useful plant. It is not to Tree Heath Trochocarpa laurina and the Soap Tree Sharp-seeded Abutilon Abutilon oxycarpum, far be confused with the extremely aggressive and fast- Alphitonia excelsa, one of the stronger species in less aggressive than its weedy cousin Abutilon gran- growing weed Commelina benghalensis, commonly natural generation. difolium, is often mistaken for a weed because it is known as Bengal Dayflower or Tropical Spiderwort, small and sparse. a herbicide-resistant weed of agriculture which has Hairy Acalypha Acalypha nemorum and other now invaded our creeks and bushland. Benghalese 1. Christmas Bush Bursaria spinosa belongs to Pittosporaceae, a plant w family with many rugged local species. 2. Slender Grape Cayratia small native Acalyphas can be mistaken for weeds Wandering Jew is a bigger plant, tending to spread clematidea, a native often mistaken for a weed. 3. Prickly Moses Acacia when they appear after rain. from one root mass, especially when young. It can ulicifolia would be ideal small bird habitat in plantings near the coast. be identified by prominent brown hairs, easily vis- ible with a hand lens (see 2, above right). w Any number of small grasses and sedges can be trampled, torn, suffocated or burnt by extra expo- sure caused by removing weeds. Graceful Grass Ottochloa gracillima can form quite thick drifts if left alone, as can Beard Grass Oplismenus aemulus. Scented Top Capillipedium spicigerum is a very tricky grass in plantings, looking a lot like weedy Panic Grass Megathyrsus maximus. It has a reddish inflorescence, but this is technical and hard to spot. To tell it apart you have to tear off a big clump, rub it hard between your hands, and smell it – you’ll pick up its distinctive sweet odour.

1. Native Wandering Jew Commelina diffusa. 2. Commelina benghalensis with prominent brown hairs. 3. The delicate fower of Abutilon oxycarpum. The weed has much bigger fowers and leaves. 4. Acalypha nemorum – you’ll be doing well if you weed around these. x

44 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 45 SUCCESS Stories

John Lahey’s ‘impossible restoration’ John believes in ‘sustainable restoration’, a term Say no to concrete In John’s words, “the Cat’s Claw was diabolical. You he has coined to describe restoration efforts where Terrie Templeton was already a multi- could see the trees dying. The Ochna was a solid human input is minimal. A canopy of mature rain- tasker when she staged her sit-in of Ithaca wall, four metres high.” forest trees provides shade for regenerating native Creek. Working ten days per fortnight Many experts visited The Fort Bushland, John’s seeds. “There is simply no need to plant – it’s a waste while caring for her four children and local reserve in western Brisbane. Most of them said of resources,” says John. two elderly parents didn’t give her much it was impossible to restore – the Cat’s Claw had In addition to monthly get togethers, four com- time for relaxation. simply gone too far. John Lahey, however, is a man mitted bush care members meet weekly. John visits The creek helped. It was an important not easily deterred. He started to work in one small The Fort almost daily. The team has rid the reserve part of family life, a place to chill out, corner of the reserve. After a couple of months, he of all Jacarandas, Privets, Camphor Laurels and walk the dog, have a barbecue. Terrie decided restoration was possible. Chinese Elms. Cat’s Claw, Ochna and Lantana are was not impressed when council work- The Fort Bush Care Group was established in now the key remaining weeds. ers began the process of cementing the 2006 with John now leading this team of commit- The most important thing, according to John, creek’s banks, so she staged a sit-in. ted volunteer bush regenerators. John’s vision is to is to get every last weed, even the little ones. It is It was 1996. Terrie was a commit- restore The Fort within 15 years. He is now six years remarkable to hear this from someone who started ted environmental activist since being into the job. His methods are simple but effective weeding a site with Cat’s Claw Creeper three stories shocked at a beach in Sydney to see – it is all about weed control and letting nature do high and as thick as a boot, strangling the bases of sewage, tampons and toilet paper float- the rest. trees. John has mainly learnt through trial and error ing in a seawater pool. This experience Once the weeds are removed, native plants – and now teaches others. made her acutely aware of pressures on just appear and wildlife moves in. Ferns, native Restoration of The Fort was never going to be an the environment around her. grasses and shrubs appear. Eastern Yellow Robins overnight exercise. John believes it will take 50-100 When she saw council workers pour- start nesting. Sacred Kingfishers start breeding. years before The Fort is close to its original state. ing concrete into her creek, she rushed White-throated Treecreepers move in. The Fort is a I hope John’s efforts will inspire more residents to home, quickly rang as many people as remarkable example of lowland dry rainforest, sur- appreciate and care for The Fort, or their own bush- she could, and then returned to the site prisingly located in the middle of suburban Oxley, land reserves, realising the vision of sustainable res- with her daughter and two folding chairs. hugging the Brisbane River. toration and deepening our connection with nature. They set chairs in the stream bed right in front of the workers who were laying John Lahey at The Fort Bushland Reserve. Story & PHOTO: DEBORAH METTERS steel reinforcing. The workers were sym- pathetic to Terrie’s position and immedi- ately stopped work. Within 20 minutes two councillors, the manager of the works department, the Save Our Waterways Now coordina- tor and several other people were on site, arguing the toss. The upshot of all of this was they stopped not only the concreting of 50 metres of creek, but also stopped similar concreting throughout Brisbane. Plans had been afoot to concrete all creek-road crossings near culverts. A major restoration was then carried out and the creek was restored as a natu- ral watercourse. Quite an achievement. Well done Terrie.

Terrie Templeton. MARK CROCKER

46 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 47 Plant lists

Aquatic, water’s edge, flood zone Creek bank zone

Abildgaardia vaginata a sedge, Cyperus spp. many excellent sedges Lepironia articulata Blue Spike Ptilothrix deusta Feather Sedge, Ackama paniculata Soft Corkwood, Anisomeles malabarica a herb rarely Austrosteenisia blackii Blood Vine, Callicoma serratifolia White Alder, water’s edge for wet areas, water’s edge Rush, large aquatic sedge water’s edge and wet heath to rainforest tree to 1m sometimes too vigorous for rainforest tree Abrophyllum ornans Native Damasonium minus Star Fruit, Leptocarpus tenax Slender Twine woodland Acmena spptheca. three common Anopterus macleayanus Macleay young plantings Callistemon spp. now Melaleuca Hydrangea, shady moist areas aquatic herb to 1m Rush, swampy wallum and Schoenoplectus spp. aquatic sedges excellent creek bank species Laurel, shrub or small tree to 15m Babingtonia spp. heath myrtles for spp. Paperbarks, many species, Alocasia brisbanensis Cunjevoi, Elatine gratioloides groundcover, coastal heathlands including River Club Rush Acronychia spp. six species, for Anthocarapa nitidula Incense wallum important wetland and creek water’s edge, attractive flowers water’s edge and aquatic Lilaeopsis brisbanica creeping mat, Schoenus calostachyus sedge in wet coastal and hinterland creek Cedar, medium to large tree in Backhousia spp. small aromatic bank trees Azolla spp. floating aquatics Eleocharis spp. Spike Rushes, sedge aquatic heath banks rainforest trees including the popular Calochlaena dubia False Bracken, Bacopa monnieri aquatic herb, can in moist areas Lythrum salicaria Purple Sowerbaea juncea Vanilla Lily, heath Ailanthus triphysa White Bean, fast Aphananthe philippinensis Lemon Scented Myrtle and quick to regenerate after weeding, form dense mats Eriocaulon australe White Hatpins, Loosestrife, in or near swamps rush lily growing pioneer Rough-leaved Elm, critical, B. myrtifolia, a key creek bank in moist shady areas Baloskion tetraphyllum Swamp wallum Marsilea mutica Nardoo, aquatic Spirodela punctata Duckweed, Alangium villosum Black slow-growing, hardy survivor, species Calostemma purpureum Yellow Foxtails, attractive bright green Gahnia spp. Saw Sedges large, Mazus pumilio swamps and bogs aquatic Musketheart, rainforest tree the backbone of many riparian Barklya syringifolia Crown of Gold, Garland Lily, woodland, on tussock in swampy wallum often growing densely in swampy Myriophyllum papillosum Common Sporobolus spp. swamp and heath Alchornea ilicifolia Native Holly, communities spectacular flowering tree to 20m creeks and in flood zones Baumea spp. Twigrushes, sedges for wallum Watermilfoil, in water or on mud grasses hardy creek bank tree, hard to Archidendron spp. rainforest trees Beilschmiedia spp. Walnuts, Canthium spp. Canthiums, some swamps and damp sandy soils Galactia tenuiflora Snail Flower, a Nymphoides spp. Marshworts, Triglochin spp. arrow grasses, propagate but self seeds readily with showy pink flowers medium to large trees, important have been moved to Psydrax, Blyxa spp. Water ribbons tiny trailing herb in dry forest aquatics saltmarshes, water ribbons Alectryon spp. seven excellent creek Archontophoenix spp. Bangalow Camphor Laurel replacements important creek bank shrubs Bolboschoenis fluviatillis Marsh Helmholtzia glaberrima Stream Lily, Ophioglossum lusitanicum Adder’s Typha orientalis Bulrush, useful bank trees found along streams (Piccabeen in Qld) Palm Bouchardatia neurococca Union and trees Club Rush, good pond species, rainforest tongue, damp sites aquatic Aleurites moluccana Candle Nut, Argyrodendron spp. booyongs, Nut, rainforest tree to 7m Capparis spp. prickly climbers, likes swampy wallum Hydrilla verticillata widespread but Ottelia ovalifolia Swamp Lily, Utricularia spp. aquatic a weed in most of South East huge, buttressed rainforest trees Bridelia spp. Scrub Ironbarks, hardy good rainforest small bird habitat Burchardia umbellata Milkmaid, scattered aquatic aquatic Vallisneria gigantea Ribbon Weed, Queensland but useful as a in the hibiscus family trees, they will readily sucker Carissa ovata Currant Bush, small small swamp and heathland herb Hydrocotyle spp. aquatic Pennisetum alopecurioides Swamp aquatic pioneer Arthropodium spp. Lilies and layer bird habitat along streams, edible Carex spp. water’s edge, crucial for Hygrophila augustifolia Karamat, Foxtail Vigna spp. climbing herb in Alphitonia spp. Soap Trees, both A. Atalaya spp. Whitewoods, hardy Caelospermum paniculatum a but poisonous stabilisation aquatic Peperomia spp. damp rock crevices swampy areas excelsa and A. petriei important rainforest trees with a broad woody rainforest vine Cassine australis Red Olive Plum, Centella asiatica Pennywort, often Isolepis spp. Club Rushes, aquatic and steep stream banks Viminaria juncea pea-family shrub creek bank species habitat range Caesalpinia scortechinii Large creek bank tree to 8m weeded by mistake Isotoma anethifolia usually on Persicaria spp. Smartweeds, water’s in swampy wallum Alpinia spp. native gingers, don’t Atractocarpus chartaceus Narrow- Prickle-vine, much disliked native Castanospermum australe Black Centranthera cochinchinensis granite, slender herb in moist edge Wedelia spilanthoides native version like their feet wet but like plenty leaved Gardenia, nuggety tree to vine for its prickles, nevertheless Bean, creek bank staple Swamp Foxglove, endangered crevices Philydrum lanuginosum of Singapore Daisy of water 3m in rainforest good habitat Casuarina spp. She-oaks, important herb Juncus spp. many essential reeds Frogsmouth, aquatic to 2m in Xyris juncea Dwarf Yellow Eye, Amylotheca dictyophleba Brush Austromyrtus spp. very useful Calamus muelleri Lawyer Vine, stabilising trees on dunes, in Ceratophyllum demersum Leersia hexandra Swamp Ricegrass, swamps and streams swampy wallum Mistletoe myrtles on the creek banks a vigorous rainforest vine with wallum and along creeks Hornwort, aquatic aquatic Phragmites australis Common Reed wicked prickles Cayratia spp. Water Vines, Crinum spp. Lilies, water’s edge Potamogeton spp. Pondweeds Freshwater habitat at Buckley’s vigorous, resembles Balloon Vine Hole, Bribie Island. High-quality creek habitat, Mount Mee.

48 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 49 Lobelia spp. Whiteroots, often Pittosporum spp. hardy shrubs weeded by overenthusiastic and and trees of dry rainforest and unskilled workers woodland Lomandra spp. Matrushes, critically Planchonella (Pouteria) australis important stabilisers, impossible Black Apple, large rainforest tree to overplant Platycerium spp. Elkhorns and Lomatia fraxinifolia Black-leaved Staghorns Silky Oak, tropical rainforest tree Pleogyne australis a tough, wiry Maclura cochinchinensis Cockspur little rainforest vine Thorn, take-no-prisoners plant Podocarpus spp. Plum Pine, unusual more than a match for any bush conifers, impressive foliage carer Pollia crispata weedy-looking herb Mallotus spp. Yellow, Green and like a big Wandering Jew in Red Kamalas, important creek rainforest margins bank trees Polyalthia nitidissima Canary Marsdenia spp. rainforest vines Beech, understorey rainforest Maytenus orangebarks tough, wiry shrub or small tree creek bank shrubs Polyscias spp. Celerywood and Medicosma cunninghamii aromatic others, fast-growing rainforest shrub trees Melaleuca spp. many species of Pothos longipes rainforest vine paperbarks, important habitat with large attractive orange to trees and shrubs red fruits Melicope spp. medium to large Pouteria spp. Condoos, rainforest rainforest trees trees Melodinus spp. rainforest vines Proiphys cunninghamii Brisbane Melodorum leichhardtii Zig Zag Lily, hardy drought-tolerant lily Vine, rainforest of dry rainforest Mischocarpus spp. Pearfruits Pseuderanthemum spp. Loveflowers dry rainforest to subtropical Important butterfly plants rainforest Pseudoweinmannia lachnocarpa Monococcus echinophorus rainforest Rose Marara, large rainforest tree shrub Psydrax spp. Canthiums mostly Morinda spp. rainforest vines small trees of rainforest margins Mucuna gigantea tall rainforest Ptychosperma elegans Solitaire climber Palm, rainforest Muehlenbeckia gracillima Climbing Rhodomyrtus psidioides Native Lignum, slender twiner on Guava, clinging on along creeks rainforest or waterway margins but getting rarer Murraya ovatifoliolata spp. Native Rhodosphaera rhodanthema Stoney Creek, Bellthorpe National Murraya, rainforest attractive rainforest tree, Park Cyclophyllum spp. Canthiums, Elattostachys spp. Tamarinds, hardy Gymnostachys anceps Settler’s Myrsine (Rapanea) spp. persistent brown fruits excellent creek bank stabilisers creek bank trees Twine resembles a lily, strong Muttonwoods sinewy tough Ripogonum spp. Supplejacks, hardy Celastrus subspicata Large Leaved Daphnandra spp. Socketwoods, Embelia australiana vine of strap like leaves, hardy survivor shrubs and trees dry rainforest vines with sharp Staff Vine, large woody vine large creek bank trees, hardy rainforest margins in good remnants Nauclea orientalis Leichhardt Tree bumps and knobs Celtis paniculata Native Celtis, when established Endiandra spp. Rainforest Maples Hardenbergia violacae Native large rainforest tree Rubus spp. important woodland alternative to the much-hated Decaspermum humile Silky Myrtle, Eragrostis spp. Lovegrasses, moister Sarsaparilla, attractive scrambler Neolitsea spp. bollygums, vigorous and rainforest brambles and Chinese Elm tree to 8m in rainforest conditions on rocks, lilac flowers creek bank species raspberries Cephalaralia cephalobotrys Deeringia spp. more or less Erythrina spp. Coral Trees, hardy in Harpullia spp. Tulipwoods, strong, Niemeyera spp. rainforest and Santalum obtusifolium Sandalwood, Climbing Panax, rainforest vine climbing shrubs with berries complex forest lithe, popular trees woodland pearwoods creek bank shrub to 5m Dendrocnide spp. Stinging Trees, Eupomatia spp. Bolwarras, can Hedraianthera porphyropetala Notelaea spp. hardy slow-growing Sarcomelicope simplicifolia Choricarpia leptopetala Brown mild or severe stings, common in form dense protective stands on rainforest shrub and tree native olives Yellowwood, citrus family Myrtle, often the dominant creek rainforest, not for paths. lower banks Hedycarya angustifolia Austral Nothoalsomitra suberosa a native rainforest small to medium tree bank species in intact remnants, Denhamia spp. Orange Boxwoods, Ficus spp. Figs, many species some Mulberry, dry rainforest tree cucumber Sarcopetalum harveyanum Pearl can sucker and layer, extremely hardy creek bank species gigantic and long lived, excellent Helicia glabriflora small rainforest Olea paniculata Maulwood, large Vine, tough slender dry rainforest hard wood Derris involuta Native Derris, habitat trees tree tree on rainforest margins and vine with large heart-shaped Choricarpia subargentea Giant vigorous climber Fimbristylis spp. Sedges Hernandia bivalvis Grease Nut, dry waterways leaves Ironwood, rainforest species, rare Dichondra repens Kidney Weed, a Flagellaria indica Whip Vine, rainforest tree Oplismenus spp. native rainforest Sarcopteryx stipata Steelwood, Symplocos spp. Hazelwoods, Turraea pubescens Native Witch- Christella dentata Binung Fern, weed of lawns but not of creeks rainforest vine Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia Red and woodland grasses rainforest tree rainforest trees hazel, shrub to 6m dry rainforest regenerates in weeded moist areas Dicksonia youngiae a bristly tree Floydia praealta Ball Nut, Bopple Nut, rainforest tree Ottochloa gracillima rainforest and Schizomeria ovata Crab Apple, large Synoum glandulosum Scentless Tylophora spp. dry rainforest vines Cinnamomum oliveri same genus as fern uncommon rainforest tree Hippocratea barbata Knot Vine, woodland grass rainforest tree Rosewood, small rainforest tree Urtica incisa Rainforest Nettle Camphor Laurel, rainforest tree Dioscorea transversa Native Yam, Galium spp. groundcover herbs of rainforest Owenia venosa Crow’s Apple, Scolopia braunii Flintwood, brave- Syzygium spp. Lily Pillies many Vandasina retusa Coral Pea, dry Cissus spp. Native Grapes, persistent twiner on creek banks rainforests Homalanthus nutans Bleeding rainforest tree hearted blighter to 25m species and other genera rainforest scrambler sometimes over-vigorous Diospyros spp. Ebonies, hardy, slow- Geissois benthamii Red Carabeen, Heart, pioneer species rainforest Ozothamnus diosmifolius White Secamone elliptica Corky Milk Vine, transferred into this one, in most Viola spp. native violets, moist areas rainforest vines growing, creek bank trees large rainforest tree margins Dogwood, wet forests dry rainforest types of rainforest Vitex spp. rainforest and wallum Citriobatus spp. Native Citrus, Diplocyclos palmatus Striped Geitonoplesium cymosum Hoya australis rainforest vine Palmeria scandens a vine Sicyos australis Star Cucumber, Tabernaemontana pandacaqui trees prickly shrubs, hardy, good small Cucumber, slender vine, Scrambling Lily, persistent, hardy Hybanthus spp. Native Violets Pandorea spp. aggressive vines rainforest vine Banana Bush, hardy shrub, toxic Waterhousea floribundua Weeping bird habitat poisonous climber with black fruit Hypoestes floribunda herb, sub- Pararchidendron pruinosum Sigesbeckia orientalis Indian Weed, Tasmannia spp. Pepperbushes, Lilly Pilly, long-lived creek bank Citronella moorei Churnwood, dry Diploglottis spp. Tamarinds, small Geranium spp. herbs of moist areas shrub along waterways Snowwood, large rainforest tree weedy but native shrubs to 3m, rainforest margins staple rainforest tree to giant trees in rainforests and Glochidion ferdinandi Cheese Tree, Hypoxis hygrometrica a lily Pararistolochia praevenosa Siphonodon australis Ivorywood, Tecomanthe hillii Fraser Island Wikstroemia indica Tiebush, sinewy Citrus spp. Native Limes, prickly margins a champion creek bank tree Iphigenia spp. Lilies Richmond Birdwing Vine, key large rainforest tree Creeper, rainforest vine survivor on upper banks shrubs, hardy, good small bird Dissiliaria baloghioides Lancewood, Glochidion sumatranum medium Ipomoea pescaprae Goat’s Foot, habitat restoration species Sloanea spp. Carabeens, rainforest Tetrastigma nitens Native Grape, Wilkiea macrophylla stubborn habitat hardy creek bank tree rainforest tree coastal dunes Parsonsia spp. Silkpods, mostly trees large rainforest vine survivor in rainforest Claoxylon spp. Brittlewoods, Drypetes deplanchii Yellow Glycosmis trifoliata Orangeberry, Ixora beckleri rainforest shrub strong vigorous climbers Smilax spp. beach and rainforest Tinospora smilacina dry rainforest Xanthostemon spp. Golden Pendas, rainforest understory shrubs Tulipwood, slow-growing creek butterfly plant Jasminum spp. semi-aggressive Passiflora spp. native passionfruits vines, most habitats vine rainforest Clausena spp. rainforest understory bank tree with attractive leaves Gmelina spp. Beechs, large climbers Pavetta australiensis attractive Solanum spp. Nightshades, herbs Toechima spp. Steelwoods, Youngia japonica Creek bank Daisy trees Dysoxylum spp. Rosewoods, rainforest trees to woodland Legnephora moorei Round- small tree with pleasantly scented and shrubs in tomato family most rainforest trees Zanthoxylum brachyacanthum Cleistanthus cunninghamii hardy sometimes giant rainforest trees Gonocarpus spp. Raspworts, leaf Vine, powerful vine, dry flowers habitats Toona ciliata Red Cedar, deciduous Thorny Yellow-wood prickly shrubs, dry rainforest Ehretia spp. fast-growing shrubs herbs and semi-shrubs in moist rainforest Pennantia cunninghamii Brown Stenocarpus spp. Firewheel Trees, emergent in remnant rainforest rainforest tree to 15m Commelina spp. Native Wandering and trees woodland Lenwebbia prominens Southern Beech, rainforest tree to 25m rainforest Trichosanthes subvelutina Silky Zehneria cunninghamii Slender Jews, difficult for beginners, as Elaeagnus triflora Millaa Millaa Graptophyllum spp. Native Velvet Myrtle, creek bank Pentaceras australe Bastard Crow’s Stephania japonica Snake Vine, Cucumber, dry rainforest vine Cucumber rainforest vine some others like C. benghalensis Vine, rainforest Fuchsias, found along creeks rainforest Ash, rainforest margins pioneer vigorous coastal and rainforest Tripladenia cunninghamii sprawling are weeds Elaeocarpus spp. Quandongs, Grevillea baileyana White Oak, Lepidosperma laterale Variable Phyllanthus spp. tiny shrubs along vine small herb in rainforests Cordyline spp. Palm Lilies, many spectacular creek bank trees from northern species Sword Sedge, forest floor streams Streblus brunonianus Whalebone Triplarina spp. Heath Myrtles ABOVE: Purlingbrook Falls, wallum to open woodland Guilfoylia monostylis rainforest tree Linospadix monostachya Walking- Pilidiostigma glabrum Plum Myrtle, Tree, strong creek bank survivor species rather indiscriminately Trophis scandens Burny Vine, dry Springbrook. ANNE JONES planted with scant regard to true Elaeodendron spp. Olive Plums, Guioa semiglauca Wild Quince, stick Palm, small rainforest palm pioneer in disturbed rainforest Strychnos psilosperma small rainforest vine ranges rainforest trees pronounced ghee-oh-ah, hardy Litsea spp. Bollygums, hardy trees, Piper spp. pepper vines rainforest scrambling dry rainforest tree Cryptocarya spp. Native Laurels, Elatostema spp. Rainforest Spinach, creek bank tree with dense foliage creek bank staples coarse straggling herbs to 50 cm Livistona spp. palms of rainforests

50 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 51 Buffer zone

Abutilon spp. hardy, stubborn Alloxylon pinnatum Dorrigo Artanema fimbriatum Koala Bells, Brachychiton spp. Flame Tree, bottle Calotis spp. Daisies Centrolepis strigosa Hairy Crassula sieberana Stonecrop, small Drosera peltata Sundew, scrambling ‘flannel weeds’ Waratah, rare, endangered tree to short-lived perennial herb trees, from rainforest to deserts Calystegia marginata slender vine Centrolepis, very small but succulent in drier areas carnivore Acacia spp. around 50 species, 24m in habitat over 700m Arundinella nepalensis Reed Grass, Brachyscome spp. a variety of native with hastate leaves on rainforest perfectly formed tufted herb Crotalaria spp. Rattlepods, most Duboisia myoporoides Corkwood, usually fast growing and short Alstonia constricta Quinine Bush, dry country daisies, woodland margins Chamaecrista spp. uncommon look weedy rainforest margins lived, some suitable for the creek interesting shrub in drier areas, Arytera distylis Coogera, rainforest Breynia oblongifolia False Coffee Calytrix tetragona Fringe Myrtle, shrubs, previously Cassia spp. Croton spp. hardy shrubs in dry Echinopogon nutans Nodding bank, others for coastal dunes medicinal, toxic to stock Astrotricha spp. shrubs, hairy Bush, pronounced brine-ee- attractive bushy shrub in heath, Chenopodium carinatum Green rainforest Hedgehog Grass, open woodland Acaena spp. Biddy Biddy, creeping Alternanthera denticulata Lesser underneath the leaves ah, host for colourful beetles, woodland and dry sclerophyll Crumbweed, a saltbush, a high Cullen tenax Emu Foot, slight herb, Echinostephia aculeata Prickly herbs for most habitats Joyweed, one of many plants Auranticarpa rhombifolia drought tolerant forest, widespread on poor and risk weed on Hawaii to .5m in open woodland Snake Vine, indicator of good Acalypha spp. sparsely-leaved herbs in natural habitats but never Diamond-leaved Pittosporum Brunoniella australis Blue Trumpet, sandy soils Chloris spp. Windmill grasses Cupaniopsis spp. Tuckeroos, quality remnant often weeded by mistake, good planted, being a sparsely leaved was Pittosporacae herb to 15cm, good indicator of Canavalia papuana Wild Jack Bean, Chrysocephalum apiculatum Yellow excellent shade trees and pioneers Einadia spp. Red Berry saltbushes, for the buffer zone annual groundcover Austrocynoglossum latifolium quality remnant woodland, likes an Ipswich climber in drier areas, Buttons, a daisy Cyanthillium cinereum A daisy woodland Achyranthes aspera Chaff-flower a Alyxia ruscifolia Chain Fruit prickly trailing herb, rare slopes at the most southerly part of its Chrysopogon spp. Beard grasses Cymbopogon refractus Barbed Wire Enchylaena tomentosa a ruby pungent herb, usually overlooked shrub, provides fruit and shelter Austrostipa spp. Bamboo Grasses, Buchnera urticifolia Blackrod, a range Clematis spp. vines of rainforest and Grass attractive coloniser of saltbush Acomis acoma a daisy, often for small birds many species on this genus but wallum herb Capillipedium parviflorum Scented open woodland disturbed areas Endiandra spp. Walnuts, rainforest overlooked Ancistrachne uncinulata Hooky some invaders amongst them Buckinghamia celsissima Ivory Top, confusing for beginners, Clerodendrum spp. Lolly Bushes, Cynanchum bowmanii slender vine, trees to woodland Acrotriche aggregata Tall Grass, to 2m Baeckea frutescens Weeping Curl Flower, popular street and looks like a weedy grass but has a regrowth pioneers, hardy mostly in northerly regions Entolasia spp. Wiry Panics, native Groundberry, a spiny shrub for Aneilema spp. weak, slender, Baeckea, shrub to 1m for wallum garden tree sweet smell Codonocarpus attenuatus Bell Fruit, Davidsonia spp. Davidson Plums, grasses small birds perennial groundcovers to replace Baloghia spp. Bloodwoods, trees Bulbine bulbosa Bulbine Lily, a Casearia multinervosa dry tree to 12m in rainforest margins popular edible Epacris spp. Heaths Actephila lindleyi shrub exotic Wandering Jews in rainforest, some rare and densely tufted perennial herb to rainforest shrub to brigalow Daviesia spp. small shrubs with Eremochloa spp. a range of small to Actinotus helianthi Sydney Flannel Angophora spp. eucalypt relatives endangered. B. inophylla’s clear 75cm found in colonies, bright Cassia sp. not for beginners, as Comesperma hispidulum Match yellow pea flowers, sometimes larger shrubs in many forms Flower, iconic native carrot with for creek bank and buffer zones sap turns bright red yellow star-like flowers some cassias are weeds Heads, shrub to 1m in dry raspy Eriachne spp. Wanderrie Grasses white flowers Aotus ericoides Heath Aotus, shrub Banksia spp. small hardy trees with Bursaria spp. Blackthorns, prickly Cassytha spp. Dodder Laurels, woodland Desmodium spp. Trefoils, slight and Eucalyptus spp. over 60 species Agathis robusta Queensland Kauri to 2m with yellow pea flowers large flower spikes, important shrubs, great small bird habitat misunderstood wallum stragglers Commersonia spp. Kurrajongs, slender climbers suitable for buffer zones Pine, widely planted but not Aphanopetalum resinosum Shiny nectar producers, mostly coastal Callerya megasperma Native covering shrubs pioneer trees on rainforest Dianella spp. Flax Lilies, common Eulalia fulva Silky Browntop Grass native to South East Queensland Leaved Gum Vine, typically in wallum but some forest species Wistaria, sometimes over- Castanospora alphandii hardy dry margins on higher creek banks and coastal Euroschinus falcata Ribbonwood, Agiortia pedicellata Beard-Heath the buffer zone but also capable of Billardiera scandens Appleberry vigorous vine rainforest tree to 30m Convolvulus erubescens Blushing dunes powerful tree on higher banks important coastal woodland and surviving in the flood zone evergreen sprawling groundcover Callicarpa pedunculata Velvet Leaf, Caustis recurvata Curly Wig, Bindweed, slight and slender Dichanthium spp. Bluegrasses, more Eustrephus latifolius Wombat Berry, moist heath species Araucaria spp. Hoop and Bunya or climber, wiry, coastal wallum Beautyberry excellent Lantana attractive coastal heath sedge twiner common on heavier soils common twiner with orange fruit Ajuga australis Australian Bugle, pines have been taken for timber Boronia spp. pretty shrubs with substitute Cenchrus caliculatus Hillside Corchorus cunninghamii Dichelacne micrantha Shorthair Everistia spp. Canthiums, dry important butterfly plant in most and should be replaced in pink flowers in wallum Callitris spp. Cypress Pines, many Burrgrass, robust, scrambling endangered herb to 1m in Plumegrass, in wet or dry forest rainforest habitats plantings Borya sp. Pincushion Bush, small species in wallum and dry perennial to 1.5m, forming rainforest margins Dillwynia spp. Parrot Peas, small Exocarpos spp. Native Cherries, Allocasuarina spp. She-oak, often Archirhodomyrtus beckleri Rose shrub on rock eucalypt forest clumps or straggling over Cordia dichotoma Glue Berry, sometimes prickly shrubs with parasitic on roots, dry rainforest coastal, creek bank and buffer- Myrtle, small rainforest tree Bothriochloa decipiens Pitted vegetation pantropical yellow pea flowers to dry woodland zone trees, critical cockatoo Aristida spp. 7 species of buffer- Bluegrass, very sparse grass in Centaurium spicatum Spike Corymbia spp. Bloodwoods, many Dodonaea spp. Hop Bushes, pioneer Flindersia spp. Native Ash Trees, habitat zone grasses open woodland Centaury, a small nearly naked species, eucalypt relatives shrubs in dry rainforest and include many magnificent large Alloteropsis semialata Cockatoo Aristolochia spp. Dutchman Pipes, Brachiaria foliosa Leafy Panic, a annual herb wallum woodland and rainforest trees Grass, tufted perennial grass woody vines, some actually are native grass, prefers good soils in native woodlands Wallum, Bribie Island ANNE JONES Pigface, North Stradbroke Island ANNE JONES

52 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 53 They thought it was a hoax

Geijera spp. Wilgas, inland Jacksonia scoparia Dogwood, Panicum spp. many species of Sambucus australasica Native woodlands strange yellow-flowering shrub native panic grasses Elderberry, evergreen shrub to The Platypus paradox In 2004, researchers at Australian National Uni- Glycine spp. Native Glycines, on hillsides Paspalidium spp. tufted native 4m on rainforest margins difficult little scramblers in most Jagera pseudorhus Foambark, creek grasses Sarga leiocladum Wild Sorghum, Of course, no discourse on watercourses could versity discovered the Platypus has ten sex chromo- habitats bank pioneer, hardy Persoonia spp. Geebungs, coastal tufted grass Gompholobium spp. yellow flowers, Kennedia spp. Coral Peas, climbers, wallum Sauropus albiflorus sparse northern omit the platypus. The Platypus is both benchmark somes, compared with two in most other mammals. pea-family sometimes look untidy Petalostigma spp. Quinine Bushes, shrub Goodenia spp. scramblers, Keraudrenia (most now Seringia) dry margins Scaevola spp. Fan Flowers, and icon. Nothing symbolizes healthy waterways This means theoretically there could be 25 Platypus groundcovers in woodland spp. pretty shrubs in drier parts Petrophile spp. Conesticks, sprawling massed shrub with more than this bizarre little monotreme (egg-laying genders, male, female and 23 others. In practice, Gossia spp. Myrtles in dry rainforest Kunzea spp. small shrubs of heathland shrub in proteaceae pretty fan flowers some rare woodlands and poor soils Phyllota phylicoides heathland pea Schenkia australis Spike Centaury, mammal). A common aim in creek restoration is this doesn’t happen. The Platypus system seems to Grevillea spp. many species, bird Laxmannia gracilis Slender Wire famiy shrub to 1m small nearly naked herb in open attracting nectar producers Lily, open woodland, poor soils Picris spp. hawk weeds, vulnerable sites to improve waterways to the standard of happy- be overloaded with sex determination because it is a Grewia spp. Dogs Balls, small Lepiderema pulchella Fine-leaved native daisies Scleria spp. sedge of drier areas shrubs of woodlands Tuckeroo, small rainforest tree Pimelea spp. Rice Flowers, small Sehima nervosum Rat’s Tail Grass, Platypus playground. missing link, having the sex chromosome arrange- Haemodorum spp. Bloodroots, Lepidozamia spp. Cycads spreading subshrubs in rainforest despite the name not a weed The second Governor of New South Wales, ments of both birds and mammals. This discov- sparse herbs on poor soils Leptospermum spp. Tea Trees, many margins Senecio spp. daisy-family herbs Hakea spp. pretty shrubs in drier species of shrubs and small trees Pipturus argenteus Native Senna spp. tricky, often weedy- Captain John Hunter, sent a sketch and a Platypus ery, the bird-mammal missing link, excites a lot of areas in wallum and woodland Mulberry, dry rainforest looking native sennas Halfordia kendack Saffron Heart, Lespedeza juncea pea-family, sub Plantago debilis a weak herb on Seringia arborescens hibiscus-family pelt to London in 1798. The parcel was dismissed as scientists. rainforest tree shrub in woodlands good soils tall shrub in moist woodland Halosarcia indica Samphire, Leucopogon spp. pretty shrubs in Platylobium formosum Handsome Sesuvium portulacastrum Sea a hoax, scientists believing somebody had sewn a It is extremely difficult to breed Platypus in groundcover of coastal dunes wallum and woodland with white Flat Pea, straggling shrub to 2.5m Purslane, on sand or mud on Helichrysum spp. Daisies flowers Platysace ericoides tiny heathland beaches duck’s beak onto the body of a beaver. captivity. In 1943 David Fleay created a success- Hemerocallis aurantiaca Day Lily, Lophostemon spp. Brush and shrub Sida spp. Hibiscus, mallow family, The Platypus was, eventually, properly described ful platypusary, a simulated stream in a tank, at dry woodland Swamp Box, important creek and Plectranthus spp. Spurflowers, small weedy-looking shrubs Heteropogon contortus Black woodland species herbs in heath, dry woodland Sophora spp. sparse pea-family in 1800. Its scientific name Ornithorhynchus anati- Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria. Healesville was Speargrass, woodland Macadamia spp. Queensland nuts, and rainforest shrub Hibbertia spp. Guinea Flowers, some edible, one poisonous Pleiogynium timorense Burdekin Sorghum leiocladum Wild Sorghum, nus means duck-like bird-snout. again successful in 1998 and 2000. Taronga Zoo groundcovers and shrubs of Macaranga tanarius fast-growing Plum, northern plant just native grass woodlands pioneer for coastal areas reaching South East Queensland Spartothamnella juncea Square- The Platypus has webbed feet and thick, water- was successful in 2003 and 2006. The rarity of Hibiscus sp. wide-ranging, sinewy Macrozamia spp. attractive Cycads Poa spp. Tussock Grasses, stemmed Broom, unusual, shrubs and trees Melia azedarach White Cedar, woodland uncommon woodland shrub proof fur. It is warm blooded but not as warm as us, successful breeding underlines the importance of Hodgkinsonia ovatiflora small pantropical pioneer of margins Podolepis spp. Daisies of heath and Spermacoce spp. subshrub or herbs Instead of 37°C it has a body temperature of 32°C. natural habitat for their survival. As of 2013, there rainforest tree Melichrus spp. Matting Heaths woodlands Spinifex spp. Beach Spinifex, coastal Homalanthus stillingiifolius small Microlaena stipoides Meadow Podolobium spp. pea-family trailing dunes No-one knows why. are no Platypus living in captivity outside Australia, shrub, woodland Ricegrass shrubs on poor soils Sterculia quadrifida Peanut Tree, Homoranthus papillatus small Micromelum minutum Lime Berry, Polymeria calycina trailing twiner cover of the famous ‘red book’ Both male and female platypuses are born with despite many attempts. uncommon shrub of drier areas small dry rainforest tree with in grassy woodland Strangea linearis peculiar proteacae Hovea spp. Pea Bushes, often showy fruit Polyosma cunninghamii shrub to 1m with yellow flowers ankle spurs, but only the male’s are loaded with To protect and encourage Platypus is as simple as massed in colonies on hillsides Mimulus repens Monkey Flower, Featherwood, medium coastal in heathland venom, powerful enough to kill a dog and excruci- creating more suitable habitat and reducing threats. Hymenosporum flavum fast groundcover tree Stylidium spp. native creeping herbs growing does best in mixed plant Mirbelia rubiifolia sparse shrub Pomaderris spp. many species often Swainsona spp. darling peas ating for humans when jabbed. Creating off-stream watering points for livestock community with pea flowers in heathland along streams Syncarpia spp. wet forest trees Hyparrhenia filipendula a grass in Mischarytera lautereriana Corduroy Pomax umbellata subshrub on Tephrosia spp. pea-family drooping Platypus detect prey, a mixture of worms, insect allows you to fence off creek buffer zones. Stumps woodland to 1.5m Tamarind, upland rainforest sandy or stony soils shrubs in woodland Hypericum gramineum small Monotoca scoparia Prickly Broom Poranthera microphylla tiny slender Teucrium argutum Native larvae, shrimps and yabbies, by the prey’s electric and snags in watercourses are vital for all aquatic groundcover in woodland Heath, woodland and heathland woodland herb Germander, scrambling herb of Imperata cylindrica Blady Grass, shrub Portulaca oleracea Pigweed, native dry forest fields. Because each Platypus needs to eat about 20 life. Barbed wire across creek lines, intake pipes, common, tough native grass Murdannia graminea Grass Lily, spinach but considered a world- Thelionema caespitosum Blue Tufted per cent of its own weight each day, a Platypus play- ‘Opera House’ style yabbie traps, dogs, cats and Indigofera spp. Indigos, sparse wallum wide weed, edible Lily, wallum shrubs Myoporum spp. shrubs with Prostanthera ovalifolia Mintbush, Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass, ground needs to be a healthy and abundant habitat foxes are all threats. Isotropis spp. subshrubs in pea resinous leaves many in drier spreading dense shrub with popular and useful dry forest family areas pretty pinkish flowers grass with locally-native creek bank vegetation. Nyssanthes diffusa Barbwire Weed, Psychotria spp. hardy space-filler Thysanotus tuberosus Common spiny annual in woodland shrubs, dry rainforest Fringe Lily, wallum John Lewin’s remarkably accurate 1808 painting of a platypus. Olearia spp. Daisies Pterocaulon redolens Apple Bush, Trachymene spp. Wild Parsnips, Opercularia aspera smelly herbs in daisy-family herb with flower wallum herbs Boronia falcifolia, plant of sandy hills, drier areas spikes, sandy soils Tragia novae-hollandiae Stinging North Stradbroke Island Pultenaea spp. hardy pea-family vine, dry rainforest shrubs in woodland Trema tomentosa Poison Peach, Ranunculus spp. Native Buttercups, pioneer shrub to 6m woodland grassland and forest Tricoryne elatior Yellow Rush Lily, Rhaponticum australe Native wiry small herb in swamps and Thistle, vulnerable heath Rhodamnia spp. Malletwoods Tristaniopsis laurina Water Gum, and Scrub Turpentines, tough widespread in rainforest and woodland and dry rainforest woodland shrubs and trees Trochocarpa laurina Tree Heath, Rhodanthe anthemoides hardy dry rainforest survivor Chamomile Sunray, daisy family, Vernonica spp. Speedwells rocky uplands Vittadinia spp. Daisies Rhynchosia spp. trailing pea-family Wahlenbergia gracilis Sprawling climbers in grassland Bluebell, tufted herb Rhysotoechia bifoliolata Twin Leaf Westringia spp. Native Rosemaries, Tuckeroo, medium dry rainforest wallum tree Xanthorrhoea spp. Grass Trees, Ricinocarpos pinifolius Wedding woodlands Bush, spectalular large flowering Xerochrysum bracteatum Golden shrub in coastal heath Everlasting Daisy, widespread in Romnalda strobilacea vulnerable woodland strap lily in grasstree family Zieria spp. Sandfly bushes Rostellularia adscendens valuable Zornia spp. small hairy acanthacae along streams where groundcovers other acanths are weeds Rulingia salviifolia Velvety Kerrawang, threatened hibiscus family shrub to 4m Rytidosperma indutum grass on rocky hillsides

54 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 55 o

A FINAL WORD

ndings or beginnings? It’s up to us. It’s not australis or Sandpaper Fig Ficus fraseri, you’ll be Sources & resources as if we can consume this part of the world rewarded with parties of squabbling Figbirds grab- There are many great websites at local, state and fill it up with factories, houses, roads, bing the ripe fruit. The males are splendid with their and federal levels with advice, information and Eshops and petrol stations and then go somewhere red eye patches. pathways to assistance for people interested in else when we have finished with it. They also like to graze in Poison Peach, Trema habitat restoration. SEQ Catchments is an excellent People power can move mountains, but we tomentosa. They make a nice change from the Noisy starting point, with fact sheets for our regions and would prefer they didn’t. We would much prefer Miner, a locally-native bird but one which has an ecological restoration code of practice, guidelines This project is supported by Save Our Waterways Now they took an interest in their local creek. Why not? become rather too successful in our urban habitats. and manual. through funding from the Australian Government’s It’s a bit of fresh air, exercise and good company. Other over-successful animals whose population For plants in South East Queensland we are lucky Caring for our Country. One thing in our favour, South East Queens- boom indicates our urban ecosystems are out of to have a well-informed and enthusiastic botanical land has access to large amounts of human energy kilter include the Brush Turkey and Eastern Water community including Bill McDonald, a renowned Partners already active in bush-friendly gardening and bush Dragon. These are native animals benefiting from ecologist at the Queensland Herbarium, now care volunteering. If we can harness just some of human settlement rather than natural bush. retired. With Gwen Harden and others, including this energy we will soon see positive results for both Habitat restoration is full of these lessons. Per- Hugh Nicholson, Terry Tame and Nan Nicholson, saveourwaterwaysnow nature and the community. haps one of its best lessons is resetting your sense Bill has helped produce field guides for rainforest In the Enoggera catchment, for example, if all of time back to nature’s. Things don’t happen over- trees, shrubs and climbers and now an interactive able-bodied citizens spent just one hour doing night. You might be frustrated at first, but you soon DVD. The work of this group has been the lifeblood habitat restoration, this is how long it would take learn patience. Then one day you find yourself sur- of habitat restoration botany over the last 20 years. to restore all 70 kilometres of Enoggera waterways rounded by healthy forest. You can say, with satis- Mangroves to Mountains by Glenn Leiper, Jan combined – just one hour. The logistics might prove faction, “I helped create this”. Glazebrook, Denis Cox and Kerry Rathie is a mag- a bit tricky, but you get the point. nificent field guide to plants of the region. It is a Even if you just want to do your own garden first, must-have reference, with superb colour photos. it all helps. Plant a Native Tamarind Diploglottis One of the most cherished spots in South East Queensland, Natural Queensland Museum has a range of excellent Bridge in the Numinbah Valley. Wild Guides including Moreton Bay, Wild Plants, Wild Places and Wildlife of Greater Brisbane as well as many pocket guides. Biosecurity Queensland hosts a weed identifica- tion tool, search for Weeds of Australia Identifica- tion Tool on the web. Other publishers producing top guides include Hamlyn, New Holland and CSIRO Publishing. Many volunteer groups have published local guides including Plants of Noosa, and publications of many branches of the Society for Growing Aus- tralian Plants. Michael Morecombe’s excellent Guide to the Birds of Australia is now a smart phone app. Many other guides will probably move onto smart phones, ideally suited for field work, or become eBooks. Another mention (see page 24) should be given to Nick Romanowski’s insightful and practi- cal books on wetlands including Wetland Habitats, Wetland Weeds and Planting Wetlands and Dams. Aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats are too often put into the too-hard basket. Rich, biodiverse wetlands are the holy grail of restoration, if done well. Funding bodies and partners do not endorse the Our list of excellent references could fill an entire contents of The creek in our backyard nor will they book this size, but with the Internet to be explored, accept any liability for damages claimed to have arisen as a result of this book or its contents. we simply encourage you to dive in.

56 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 57 The creeks in our big backyard N

Sandy Creek

Ma Ma Creek

Black Duck Creek

Buaraba Creek Ooramera Laidley Creek Lockyer Creek Creek Brisbane River Franklin Vale Yabba Creek Creek

Mary River Reedy Bremer River Kilcoy Creek Creek Kandanga Warrill Creek Creek Northbrook Creek Tinana Creek Neurum Purga Creek Big Sandy Creek Tinana Creek Creek North Pine Obi Obi Stanley Creek River Poona River Coondoo Creek Six Mile Creek Creek Kin Kin Kauri Creek Creek Oxley South Creek South Caboolture Maroochy Noosa Pine River River River Brisbane River Mooloola Albert River River Logan River River

Nerang River

58 The creek in our backyard The creek in our backyard 59 Jack Dunne in his backyard on Ithaca Creek in inner suburban Brisbane. Mark Crocker