AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS SOCIETY

CANBERRA REGION (INC)

Journal Vol. 19 No. 04 December 2017 ISN 1447-1507 Print Post Approved PP100000849 Contents President's Report Lucinda Royston 3 President's Report ANPSA 2018 Conference — Hobart 7 to the 2017 Annual General Meeting Wet and Frosty Foliage Ros and Ben Walcott 8 Life Membership Dr Roger Farrow Brigitta Wimmer 12 Trees Masumi Robertson 14 The Australian Native Plants weeds education activities and Vibration pollen collection of Malastoma affine Roger Farrow 19 Society Canberra region (ANPS) ran two Weed Swaps each on the Perambulating around Kathner St Nature Trail Linda Spinaze 25 has 286 memberships and taking north and south sides. This year the Leucopogon fraseri revisited at Tilembeya Roger Farrow 30 into account some are family team handed out about 2500 ANPS Wed Walk to Mount Aggie, Brindabella Nat Park Jo Walker 32 memberships, we have over 300 member grown native plants in Study Group Notes Brigitta Wimmer 36 actual members. Each year, we lose exchange for environmental weeds. ANPS Canberra contacts and membership details inside back cover and gain a few members so the Bill organised the monthly Tuesday Cover: Dianella revoluta with brown anthers, Sutton Hill TSR; number stays about the same. Daily Activity Group’s activities. Photo: Jeanette Jeffrey At the May Members’ Meeting, Members visited a number of a special meeting was held private gardens, viewed the National to consider changes to our Gallery of Australia's early Australian Constitution. The changes were Landscape art collection, and had unanimously approved by the a special visit to a local Australian members present at the meeting, native plant nursery. Journal articles The deadline dates for submissions are 1 February (for namely changing ANPS’ financial The Wednesday Walkers gave our The Journal is a forum for the exchange of members' March edition), 1 May (June), 1 August (September) year to 1 July to 30 June and the members the opportunity to visit, and others' views and experiences of gardening with, and 1 November (December). membership year to 1 January to learn about and record our local flora. propagating and conserving Australian plants. Send articles or photos to: 31 December. The group organisers and leaders All contributions, however short, are welcome and Journal Editor Throughout this year, many included Brigitta, Jeanette and Linda, may be accompanied by photographs or drawings. Gail Ritchie Knight members have volunteered to run the post-walk report writer Jo, and The editor reserves the right without exception to edit 1612 Sutton Road Gail put the Walk Report, photos and all articles and include or omit images as appropriate. Sutton NSW 2620 the society and organise activities and events. plant list on our website. Submit photographs as either electronic files, such e-mail: [email protected] Nola and the Propagation Group as JPEGs, or prints. Set your digital camera to take tel: 0416 097 500 Bob and Jean, Leslie, Linda, Roger, gave our members the opportunity high resolution photos. Please send JPEGs separately Paid advertising is available in this Journal. Contact Warwick and Shirley have organised to learn about and practise and not embedded in a document. If photos are too the Editor for details. a program of nine monthly weekend propagating and to grow plants large to email, copy onto a CD or USB drive and send Society website: http://nativeplants-canberra.asn.au field trips from the alpine areas it by post. Please enclose a stamped, self-addressed for our two sales. The group also Printed by Elect Printing, Fyshwick, ACT in NSW, the south coast, the Blue envelope if you would like your prints returned. If you maintained all our propagation http://www.electprinting.com.au/ Mountains to central west NSW. have any queries please contact the editor. facilities. We have shadehouses in Rosemary with dedicated event Cook (minder Phil) and Queanbeyan Original text may be reprinted, unless otherwise indicated, provided an acknowledgement for the source is given. Permission to reprint non-original material and all drawings must be obtained from the copyright holder. The views and opinions expressed supporter, Jan and assisted by a (minder Ian) and we have the use in articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Society. team of volunteers continued their of Peter Woodbury’s in Googong

Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 3 (minder Peter). We have hotbeds Ros welcomed our new members Ben, Bill, Damian, Iris, John, John and base and Standards Committee and in Queanbeyan and Cook, minder and maintained the database. Masumi, Katie, Linda, Naomi and implemented a number of changes. Lyndal and Phil, respectively. And Our Journal editor, Gail and her Darren, the two Pauls and the two Council has awarded Life Member- Jan maintains a constant supply of backup Alison, produced four Phils. ship to Roger Farrow, thus cutting bee materials. quarterly editions and Bulletin Our 11 monthly members’ acknowledging his long term and Merren and our Plant Label editor, Anthony, put out 11 monthly meetings depend on our speaker broad range contribution to ANPS Database team continued to editions. Winifred and the Collation organiser, Alison, who arranged and to its aims and values. group packed up and sent out hard research, describe and add plants to presentations on garden design, This year Council has decided: this very valuable asset — this list is copies of the Bulletin, Journal and plant conservation and conservation •• To donate all the money also the basis for our book Australian the Australian Plants magazine. and environmental projects, specific collected from the past year’s Plants for Canberra region gardens Our Plant Sales Coordinators, flora and travels in the Australian members’ meeting raffle plus an and other cool climate areas. Ben and John together with the landscape. Our meeting raffle relies additional amount to make it up Sales organising team and many on plant organiser Jenny and our Murray has continued to provide us to $2000 to the Canberra Nature volunteers put on our successful propagation group and member with members’ meeting Book Sales. Map Project to support the Weed Autumn and Spring Sales. The team growers who provided the plant The sales of our book Australian Location App, a component of produced plant labels, set out plants, prizes and all of you who bought the Project. Plants for Canberra region gardens provided advice, took money, and tickets. Once again special thanks and other cool climate areas have cleaned up at the end of the sale. go to Peter, our before and after •• To donate $10,000 to the gone very well. After an initial 2000 the meetings gate minder and our Australian Flora Foundation (AFF) The Autumn Sale had 13,300 plants copy print in 2015 and a 2000 copy and have given our support to with 10,600 sold and 63 members supper organiser. reprint in 2016, we will consider two grant applications — one volunteered over two days. The Geoff is our Conservation another reprint in 2018. The book on alpine daisies and another on Spring Sale had 12,000 plants with Officer who wrote a number of is available at various outlets in myrtle rust. We have donated to 11,000 sold and 60 members helped submissions on our behalf. Geoff Canberra and in addition this year the AFF previously. over two days we sold 126 copies at our Plant also represented us at the biannual AFF fosters research into the Sales. Anne promoted our Plant Sales, ANPSA teleconferences, and biology and cultivation of especially to reach out to together with Bill and Rosemary Greg has continued to develop and Australian Plants and donations potential new customers, with her represented us at Conservation and government grants are maintain our IT facilities including communication and media strategy Council ACT. Brigitta continued to distributed by the Foundation to our website, email addresses and and activities (including road signs) keep us informed on Australian approved research projects. the email Bulletin list and has to inform a range of media outlets of Native Plants Society Australia provided valuable IT assistance our Sales. Alison and Naomi updated (ANPSA) Study Group news. •• To donate $25,000 towards the to members. Led by Bill, we have our Facebook site to also promote ANPS had a 10-person Council this building of a ‘Terra Australia begun a review and redesign of our our sales. Many new buyers said that year: Alison, Ben, Bill, Geoff, Greg, Garden’ at the National website and associated applications road signs and Facebook was how John, Peter, Phil, Ros and me. We Arboretum. The total cost is to take full advantage of such a they found out about the sales. held 11 monthly meetings and did expected to be $150,000. valuable asset. And our sales would have been very our best to keep the Society working ANPS Council saw this as a Our other valuable asset is our much smaller without our member and on track. Council has completed unique opportunity to promote membership database and this year growers — Annabelle and Anthony, its review of the Plant Label Data- Australian native plants to the

4 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 5 large number of visitors to the scholarships and fellowships. Arboretum and to educate Under the MOU, ANPS has and showcase how Australian donated an initial payment of ANPSA 2018 Conference — Hobart native plants can be used in the $10,000. Grass Roots to Mountain Tops everyday garden. The Capital Region Landkeepers To date APS Victoria has donated Trust aims to contribute to the The next Australian Native the Lauderdale salt marshes $20,000, ANPS Qld $10,000 management of this region’s Plants Society (ANPSA) with garden visits en route some and APS NSW $3000 (they are landscape by investing in people Conference starts on Monday days. 15th January 2018 in Hobart. If concentrating on supporting the and projects. The AJ Swaby address will be Burrendong Arboretum). you haven’t booked yet, please •• To donate $2,000 to STEP. We do so well before the closing delivered on Tuesday night The ‘Terra Australia Garden’ is one have given financial support to date, 15 December 2017. by James Wood speaking about ‘The Seed Bank Story’. of seven gardens spread along STEP previously. There are also still spaces on The Conference Dinner is on a hillside from the main Visitor’s •• To donate copies of our book the ‘Alpine to Rainforest Tour’. Thursday. Centre. ANPSA gained National Australian Plants for Canberra The Conference will be opened The keynote speaker on Monday Arboretum support to have one of region gardens and other cool by Her Excellency Professor 15th January is Professor Jamie these gardens be a wholly native climate areas to all Carwoola the Honourable Kate Warner, Kirkpatrick presenting ‘Alpine ANPSA garden featuring attractive Community members affected by AC, Governor of Tasmania, who Vegetation of Tasmania’. modern cultivars and hybrids of the February Carwoola Fires. will also host a reception at Australian native plants. Government House on Monday Members who have already Thank you to all of you who evening. booked and are partaking in •• To form a partnership with the volunteer, participate and support tours that include visits to Wrest Point is a beautiful setting Capital Region Landkeepers the Society by being members. It Tasmania’s national parks, for for the conference and we will Trust and signed a Memorandum has been another successful year. example Bruny Island and the be centred on the Boardwalk of Understanding (MOU) Rainforest and Alpine Tour, need Lucinda Royston, President overlooking the Derwent River to establish jointly funded 9 November 2017 with the talks next door in the to purchase parks passes. These Wellington Room. The speaker are $12 per day per person, or program will occupy half a day $30 for a pass valid for eight with excursions on the other half. weeks. Passes will be available on the buses. After lunch at Wrest Point on Monday to Thursday and before For more information about lunch on Friday all participants the conference, please visit will board buses and rotate anpsa.org.au/conference2018 around all five excursion or email asgapjan18@gmail. sites, including the Royal com. And if you are considering Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, attending ANPSA 2018, book Mt Wellington, Inverawe Native accommodation as soon as you Gardens, Kingston Wetlands, can. January is a spectacular Tasmanian Bushland Garden and but very busy time in Hobart. Grevillea iaspicula, Wee Jasper; Photo: Jeanette Jeffrey

6 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 7 Eucalyptus gregsoniana has teardrop ice crystals at the end of each leaf and around the developing buds

Acacia cognata ‘Lime Magik’

Eucalyptus gregsoniana droplets. Xanthorrhoea australis or (Ben’s hands were freezing as Grass Tree has a spray of fine green he took this shot and I heard a foliage which displays a pleasing Wet and Frosty Foliage few complaints about cruelty to arrangment of drops. photographers.) Callistemon viminalis ’Hannah Ray’

Our garden after rain with the morning sun has blunt drooping foliage which also shows off raindrops. Acacia Words by Ros Walcott Australian natives have marvellous covenyi or Bluebush is prized for its Photos by Ben Walcott foliage. The variety of shapes and silver-grey foliage which contrasts display of colours is breathtaking. nicely with the yellow of the One of the best pieces of advice I One of my particular garden flowerbuds. (see next page) can give to those designing a garden pleasures is to walk around in the is put your most interesting foliage early morning or after rain to admire nearest the paths so that you can the beauties of wet or icy foliage. enjoy it in every season. Great foliage ‘that unearthly clear shining after is always pleasing, no matter what rain’ Colour, Dorothea McKellar Myoporum floribundum the weather or time of day or year. Eucalypt leaves have a special Myoporum floribundum has relationship with rain and distinctive foliage in any weather, ice. Drops sit on leaves like but is particularly attractive with jewels or drop along the droplets hanging from its fringe of margins like a necklace. fine leaves. See Eucalyptus gunnii (left) showing drops sitting on Acacia cognata ‘Lime Magik’ has fine, foliage and depending pendent, lime-yellow foliage which along the margins. shows up well in the rain. Hakea pachyphylla has fine dark green Eucalyptus gunnii leaves which give an overall array of Callistemon viminalis ‘Hannah Ray’

8 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 9 Eucalyptus pyriformis Acacia covenyi Even short leaves like those of Correa ‘Barossa Gold’ look more Correa ‘Barossa Gold’ Eucalyptus citriodora attractive in the rain. Callistemon pityoides has fine dark green leaves which suspend plenty of drops. Best of all in the rain, and our gardener John’s favourite, is Casuarina cunninghamii, with fine linear foliage which seems to hold the raindrops captive in the light. Acacia blayana Grevillea insignis or Wax Grevillea has distinguished ‘holly-like’ blue Grevillea ‘Elegance’ has thin, elegant grey foliage, very prickly and always dark green foliage which always attractively veined with the sun looks terrific, but is particularly shining through it. Here it not only Callistemon pityoides Eremophila maculata showy in rain. has raindrops, but also wet spider Some foliage is amazingly shiny webs to add to the show. Overall and looks even better in the rain. sheen added to eucalypt leaves Pandorea ‘Mt. Macedon’, and also increases their beauty, see Coatesia paniculata have shiny Eucalyptus citriodora. foliage at any time, but it is The buds of Eremophila maculata enhanced by rain. Acacia blayana hold water. Ricincarpus tuberculatus has elegant foliage, but with rain ‘Bridal Star’ or Wedding Bush has and buds becomes a feast for the delicate dark green linear foliage eyes. with red stems. Eucalyptus pyriformis A version o this article first appeared in the or Pear-fruited Mallee cradles Garden Design Study Group Newsletter raindrops on its leaves. Grevillea insignis Ricincarpus tuberculatus No 100 November 2017

10 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 11 benefits are interwoven and much broader. In using his network of scientific Life Membership sources and/or relevant government authorities to exchange or disseminate botanical information Dr Roger Farrow we must recognise the value of access to material that may not have been available or not easily Precis of Nomination of Dr — and still does — his personal accessible to us nor previously in the Roger Farrow with his partner Christine Kendrick (lt) public sphere. Roger Farrow for Honorary knowledge and identification skills. and Brigitta Wimmer (rt) after receiving his award Life Membership of the Apart from fostering cohesion He has given us a forum for Guide to the Native Trees of the ACT Australian Native Plants within the local ANPS group obtaining botanical information on (published by the National Parks Society Canberra Region Inc these activities also stimulate and native flora as well as its potential promote interest in native flora as Association of the ACT Inc) and the use, the possibility of informal Roger has had a long-standing it may apply in horticulture and our new book Orchids of the Southern discussions and raised the general involvement with our group home gardens. Tablelands that ANPS has agreed to awareness of the importance since joining in 2002, holding financially support. of native flora, its habitat and the management positions of Wherever possible Roger followed He is also currently reviewing Australian natural bushland. President and Vice-President as up by writing articles for the ANPS well as accepting a variety of roles Journal, regularly providing reports the Four Wildflower Walks in the His continued input into advancing which required forward planning, with high quality images on the Perisher Region of the Kosciusko the aims and objectives of ANPS researching and regular availability website and giving talks at ANPS National Park to incorporate new has been greatly appreciated by over many years. meetings. and relevant details and species. many members. We are therefore As entomologist Roger brought Additionally, Roger was instrumental extremely pleased that Council has When summarising Roger’s in developing the plant profile on decided to award Roger Farrow an commitment there seem to be at valuable qualities such as professional knowledge and the locally occurring Pomaderris, a Honorary Life Membership of ANPS least two main strands. There is wide-spread but difficult to identify Canberra Region. Roger as the convenor of monthly scientific expertise to ANPS. Therefore the other component species that we often encounter in Nominated by: field trips for 10 years and taking on the field. the responsibility of coordinating in Roger’s contribution to ANPS Brigitta Wimmer, Ros Cornish, the Wednesday walks. reflects this background. This summary doesn’t adequately Linda Spinaze, Jo Walker, convey the research, field Shirley and Warwick Daniels. These regular and more practical As a result he has developed investigations and continued June 2017 experiences — over the years many material that meets a high botanical determination that Roger needed trips and excursions indeed — standard and has considerably Council approved the nomination and raised the profile of the local ANPS to successfully guide programs and were always educational, raising has since awarded life membership to group. conclude projects over many years. awareness and encouraging Dr Roger Farrow_ed. participants to advance their own This includes his collaboration with We have cited some fairly prominent botanical knowledge of native other organisations and authors and obvious examples of Roger’s plants. Roger generously shared in publications such as the Field input. However, in many cases the

12 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 13 Acacia pycnantha One of the largest Banksias in our database, growing to 10 m in height. It occurs along the east coast from southern Victoria to Queensland, so it is best to plant a selection from a Trees cooler area. Our tree is over 20 years old and despite being planted in an exposed, hard clay, full sun and hard frost site, it has grown slowly over Words and photos: Masumi Robertson A number of wattle species are small the years. It is also pruned constantly unless otherwise stated to medium trees, which are quick by parrots. The ANPS Canberra plant label growing and fix nitrogen in the soil. In a more favourable site, especially database describes trees as tall The other side of quick growing is with more water, it is long flowering that these plants are often short single stemmed woody plants, from autumn to winter, decorated lived, from 10 to 20 years. over six metres high. Some multi- by many yellow flowers. stemmed mallees are also trees. Our surviving A. floribunda plants Another tree Banksia is B. serrata, but have been severely pruned every Trees form a canopy for gardens and ours is a much branched shrub less few years to rejuvenate them. This than two metres high after 15 years. often provide the main focus points. In also keeps the plants a manageable In contrast, Barbara’s B. serrata grew contrast to plants in other classes, we Photo: Martin Butterfield size and producing lots of flowers. to about 10 m in height. usually have space for only a few trees, This technique may not work This wattle is the Australian floral or even just one in smaller gardens. for all wattles, but we have been emblem, the golden wattle. Its Callitris oblonga Being canopy plants, they provide successful with several species golden ball flowers beautifully protection from frosts for plants under (A. boomanii, A. bubida, A. fimbriata contrast the green foliage. Although them, thus they are often planted and A. floribunda). Without pruning, the plant is said to grow to 10 m first in a bare block. Here are 10 hardy A. floribunda grew into a tree with an high, it is usually a much smaller plants selected from the many hardy interesting trunk. tree, often a large shrub. trees in our book. Banksia integrifolia Acacia floribunda

Acacia floribunda displaying an interesting trunk

14 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 15 The smallest Callitris in our database Eucalyptus macrorhyncha with a common name, pygmy cypress pine. If you have a small space, but want a native conifer, this plant will fit the bill. It is an upright and tidy tree 3–5 m high. One of ours is in full sun, so it is remaining more compact and shorter than the second one in part shade with a more open habit. It does not have showy flowers, but its blue green leaves are attractive all A local eucalypt with furry, fissured year round. If you have more space, bark, red stringybark is a medium the local species, C. endlicheri is very sized tree 15 to 20 m high. Our trees hardy. flower in November to December, covering the ground below with Eucalyptus cinerea white stamens in good flowering years. Its brown bark is favoured by tree creepers.

Eucalyptus pauciflora Eucalyptus pauciflora A medium tree to 15 m high, it Eucalyptus pulverulenta We do not have this plant in our can withstand the cold, growing garden, but it is a feature front in the snow in its native habitat in the mountains. In addition to garden plant for a friend of ours. the attractive white bark, often Similar to E. cinerea, the branches coloured in reds and browns, the are used in floral arrangements. newer branches are bright red, a Eucalyptus rossii beautiful contrast to the dark green There are a number of local leaves. Around Canberra, the Snow Eucalyptus species to chose from. Gum Heritage Site in the Aranda This one is a mid-size tree, used Bushland frost hollow contains the extensively in landscaping around last remnant of these trees. Canberra. Its grey-green leaves are Other snow gum species which Another small eucalypt with silver- attractive and are used in floral once were subspecies of E. pauciflora grey leaves and large white flowers. arrangements. It has relatively large include: E. gregsoniana, E. lacrimans, It can grow with a single trunk, white flowers followed by larger and E. niphophila. Worth trying is a or if coppiced when young, grow fruits, which are favoured by Gang small snow gum cultivar E. p. ‘Little as a mallee. The silver foliage is gang cockatoos in our garden. Snowman’. particularly attractive.

16 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 17 E. manifera, brittle gum. Both of these species can have scribbles, but E. rossii is the tree with “wrinkles Vibration pollen collection under the armpits”. These and other large gum trees are suitable for large at flowers of Native city blocks and rural properties. Melaleuca linariifolia Lasiandra, Melastoma affine This paperbark is a showy small tree (Melastomataceae) and the to eight metres high. You may have seen the beautiful specimen across Darwin hypothesis Eucalyptus rossii the lawn from the ANBG café. It can Scribbly gum is a large gum tree form a dense screen in a sunny spot to 25 m high. It has a beautiful and while it flowers best in a moist white trunk which is marked with site, it can survive periods of dry. Words and photos by Roger Farrow curved pink filaments branching from yellow forked structures and scribbles. This is a dominant tree The masses of white flowers attract The native lasiandra, Melastoma affine terminating in purple, cap-like species on Black Mountain. Another many insects, which in turn attract (Melastomataceae), is a common anthers (1). local white trunked gum tree is birds. pioneer shrub of the wet tropics and subtropics and is a volunteer in my Both types of anther release pollen garden in the Daintree where we through apical pores (poricidal spend our winters. anthers) when stimulated by It is distinguished by its attractive thoracic vibration from a visiting mauve flowers that are present bee, the so called buzz pollination for much of the year. It has been mechanism. In most plants, the confused with M. malabathricum anthers split longitudinally to but the latter has longer sepals and expose the pollen for collection. In fewer flowers in the terminal clusters. Melastoma a simple style projects M. affine is common throughout between the outer stamens. south-east Asia from where it probably colonised northern Australia, possibly at the peak of the last ice age when a land bridge to Papua/New Guinea existed. The nectarless flower is unusual in that it has two types of stamens (heteranthy): one central set of five with pale filaments each terminating

in conspicuous yellow anthers and 1. Flower of M. affine showing two types of stamens Melaleuca linariifolia a second, outer set consisting of with poricidal anthers and the stigma & style (ctr rt)

18 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 19 Individual plants are self-compatible Most bees are particularly attracted a bush cricket nymph, Caedicia sp., The etymology of the genus means but the individual flowers are not to the yellow of the central anthers feeding on the central anthers. ‘ancient root’ from the Latin and (autogamy) and require pollen because this colour is thought to the species was originally thought The first species observed was indicate a good pollen source, but to be the ancestor of the modem transfer between flowers by a carrier Palaeorhiza disrupta, a wasp-like, it is not clear what attracts them to bees but molecular studies suggest to ensure fertilisation. Although the hairless, short-tongued bee in the that Colletidae are a later derived central anthers are yellow, the pollen land on the purple outer anthers. plasterer bee family (Colletidae: group, although Palaeorhiza would grains contained inside are white. Over a two-week period, I recorded Hylaeinae). It stores pollen in its crop be ancestral within this group. Solitary bees visit these flowers to four different solitary bee species and constructs its nests in natural This species was observed moving collect pollen to provision their collecting pollen from Melastoma holes in stems and twigs. This rapidly between the two types of larvae with food at their nests. The flowers at the edge of rainforest species is endemic to tropical North anther and extracting pollen (3a, 3b) pollen is usually packed in baskets at two places in the Daintree: one Queensland and is thought to have at both Dubiji and Diwan. of bristles (scopae) on the bee’s legs at Cape Tribulation, at the Dubuji arrived here from Asia via the land or on the underside of the abdomen picnic, and one at Diwan in the bridge at the peak of the last ice age. for transport but in hairless bees it is garden at my property (2). stored in the crop. No honeybees were seen on the There is no guarantee that any of flowers although they are present the collected pollen will land on the in low numbers in the area. They stigma of another flower to ensure are not buzz pollinators. One blue- cross-pollination, unless some banded bee, Amegilla cingulata, was loose pollen on the bee vector is seen flying around the flowers of the 3a. Palaeorhiza disrupta collecting deposited on the stigma when the Melastoma but not landing. I also pollen at the central anthers. The forked structures are at the join bee brushes against it. saw several weevils, Baris sp., and between the two sections of the outer filaments. The stigma and style extends to the left. One of the outer anther caps and terminal pore is shown at the bottom of the picture.

2. Lasioglossum sp. (lt) and Palaeorhiza disrupta (rt) collecting pollen at Diwan. Note the white pollen 3b. P. disrupta collecting pollen from contained in the basket of the hind leg of the Lasioglossum. The Palaeorhiza stores pollen in its crop. an outer anther

20 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 21 The second bee observed on The third and commonest bee The fourth bee seen on the flowers Melastoma in my garden at Diwan observed at Diwan was a species at Diwan is possibly a species of was Mellitidia tomentifera, a ground- of Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) also Homalictus, a small, ground nesting nesting, short-tongued, solitary bee in the family Halictidae. This small bee in the family Halictidae but it was in the family Halictidae, that has only bee invariably landed on the outer not observed buzz pollinating (6). been reported from the Cairns region. rather than the central anthers (5a) and spent most of its time on the Again, it was observed moving former collecting pollen. It was rapidly between the two types of obviously successful at this task as anthers collecting pollen (4a, 4b). it could be seen transferring pollen The pollen is stored for transport to its scopae on the hind legs. This between bristles (scopae) on the 7b. Weevil, Baris sp., feeding on the central anthers bee is also suspected of being a hind legs and some supplementary destructive pollen collector, biting In a study of Melastoma pollination bristles on the side of the thorax. into the closed anthers that then undertaken in the Paluma area This bee was also seen visiting release a cloud of pollen (5b). near Townsville by Gross (1993) other flowers in the garden, notably eight species of bee visitor were Cuphea sp (exotic). 6 ? Homalictus approaching anthers identified, of which only four: two The central anthers are often blue-bandeds (Amegilla spp.), one depleted of pollen by not only carpenter (Xylocopa sp.), and one bees but by other insects feeding Nomia were involved in pollen destructively on the anthers, transfer between the outer stamens including grasshopper nymphs and and stigma, by buzz pollination. weevils (7a,b), shown here in my garden. The weevils were very mobile The large bees in the genera flying from flower to flower and Xylocopa and Amegilla were not observed visiting Melastoma in the 5a Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) sp. attempting to could be involved in cross pollination extract pollen from the terminal pore of the although pollen grains were not seen Daintree during the observation 4a. Mellitidia tomentifera collecting pollen from the anther. The stigma and style are at top right. on their smooth bodies. period but may be more active at central anthers other times of the year. While I was not able to view the ejection of pollen from the terminal pores of the outer anthers during buzz pollination, several studies have confirmed that the bees are sprayed with pollen in response to the vibration of the thorax and wing muscles. This has been mimicked with a tuning fork (Wee 2014). 4b. M. tomentifera extracting pollen from the outer anthers and inducing pollen discharge. The stigma 5b. Pollen cloud emitted from an anther bitten 7a. Juvenile bush cricket (?Caedicia sp) feeding It has also been shown that this is to the right of the bee. into by the Lasioglossum bee. destructively on the central anthers pollen, rather than the pollen from

22 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 23 the central anthers, is involved in Other native members of this I would like to thank my colleague Luo Z, D Zhang, SS Renner (2008) Why transfer to the stigma and cross- family in the genera Memecylcon Michael Batley for identifying the two kinds of stamens in buzz-pollinated (poor flower), Otanthera (bush bees and for helpful discussions on flowers? Experimental support for fertilisation because some is placed Darwin’s division-of-labour hypothesis. out of grooming reach of the bees strawberries) (8) and Pternandra buzz pollination, bee biology and Functional ecology 22 (5): 794–800. involved (Luo et al 2008). It is not (cursed shade) have only one type of evolution. Wee YC (2014). Melastoma clear what is attracting bees to the porocidal anther. References malabathricum and buzz pollination. outer anthers where no pollen is Gross CL (1993). The Breeding System Posted on Bird Ecology Study Group visible unless there are odour or and Pollinators of Melastoma affine Web Site (Singapore) Dec . nectar attractants involved. (Melastomataceae); A Pioneer Shrub Westerkamp C (1996). Pollen in Bee- in Tropical Australia. Biotropica 25 (4): Flower Relations: Some Considerations Charles Darwin was the first to 468–474. on Melittophily. Plant Biology 109(4) discuss the contradiction between Forbes H (1882). Two kinds of stamens 325–332. the supply of pollen as an attractant with different functions in the same and food for flower-visiting insects flower. Nature 26: 386. and the need to ensure that some pollen was used in fertilisation.

He proposed that there could be a 8. Flower of bush strawberries, Otanthera ‘division of labour’ among stamens bracteata, showing poricidal anthers on each side Perambulating around the between those providing food of a central pistil and those providing pollen for Although insects are often Kathner Street Nature Trail reproduction, the situation found in described as pollinators, they are Melastoma. The function of the two fundamentally pollen harvesters and kinds of stamens in members of the feeders or are attracted to flowers Melastomataceae was recognised by other attractants such as nectar, as early as 1882 by Henry Forbes scent and other chemical odours. (Forbes 1882), coincidentally the They are not altruistic pollinators per year of Darwin’s death. se and the act of pollination occurs as a result of often chance contacts Other Melastomataceae, including between pollen-covered parts of an native plants in the genera Medinella insect and the stigma. and Osbeckia and exotics including The complex behavioural Dissotis (Spanish shawl) from Mexico interactions and morphological and Tibouchina from Central and adaptations between flowering Chrysocephalum apiculatum (foreground) and Acacia melanoxylon (mid range) South America (both introduced plants and their insect visitors, one Words and Photos: Linda Spinaze garden plants in Australia) also have of which is described here, are often dimorphic stamens, presumably described in terms of co-evolution On the 27th September, the ANPS Street Nature Trail, with an extension with the same function, but pollen but I believe it is better interpreted Wednesday Walkers spent the along the Centennial Trail to collection has not been studied in as a mutual exploitation, as morning and early afternoon admire and have lunch by the new these species, as far as I am aware. suggested by Westerkamp (1996). perambulating around the Kathner anniversary seat.

24 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 25 The day was warm and sunny, and we had clear views of the Brindabellas and also a clear view of the chough sitting on the nest. Due to the very hot Saturday last weekend, many plants had suddenly burst into flower. Most amazing was the Eucalyptus polyanthemos (Red Box) trees. Some of these trees had almost disappeared behind a haze of cream flowers. And the Lissanthe strigosa subsp. subulata were thick with white blooms, with one specimen displaying Chough sitting on a nest in the tree tops beautiful pink flowers. Lissanthe strigosa subsp. subulata white

Eucalyptus polyanthamus in flower Lissanthe strigosa subsp. subulata pink

26 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 27 Eucalyptus nortonii Bearded dragon

Also noticable were the Eucalytus or was it A. floribunda nortonii that had vibrant enamel-red or A. longifolia? Our branchlets. different sources seemed to be in Some plants were obviously conflict. Hopefully the distressed by the long, dry Australian National winter conditions, especially the Botanic Gardens plant Cheilanthes ferns, the Dodonaea identification person viscosa ssp angustissima and the will be able to make Indigofera adesmiifolia. On the other some sense of our hand, the Indigofera australis looked samples. green and healthy, as did the patch of Pomederris angustifolia.

A bearded dragon totally ignored Erodium crinitum our efforts to photograph him warming himself up on a rock after the winter cold. There was prolonged discussion amongst some of us regarding the identity of the Acacia doratoxylon — Indigofera australis

28 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 29 Why the honeybees bother with such a small food source is a puzzle Leucopogon fraseri when there is an orchard about 40 metres away where the flowering revisited at Tilembeya fruit trees are presently humming with thousands of feral honeybees. I did observe large numbers of Words and photos by Roger Farrow Nine years after the first obser- native bees in the genera Exoneura In the September edition of the vations I found that this dwarf shrub and Lasioglossum feeding at Journal in 2008 (Vol 15 No 7) I wrote still occupies the same area of flowering shrubs, including 2 a short article on the discovery approximately 25 m so it is clearly a Leucopogon fletcheri, on a rocky . of Leucopogon fraseri flowering resilient plant. It was also flowering hillside nearby, but the bare open in secondary native grassland on well and obviously resistant to heavy grassland, where the fraseri is found, kangaroo grazing pressure. I also my property “Tilembeya”, south of may not be an attractive foraging conducted a more thorough search Close up of plants that are up to 5 cm in height Queanbeyan in the Tinderry Range area for native bees. of similar grassland habitat across foothills at 850m altitude. net across the ground over the flowers my property without finding any I have never seen the plant and that picked up only honeybees. As I pointed out in that article, this other populations. producing fruit and it is more However, it does demonstrate the is not an uncommon species in our likely that it relies on vegetative enhanced abilities of honeybees area but it is often overlooked when reproduction to spread through its to detect such a small patch of not in flower because of its small suckering habit. insignificant flowers such as these. size and dwarf habit. At the time I made the mistake of fencing it off from the impact of heavy grazing pressure from kangaroos because this allowed native grasses to take off and smother the plants, so the following Leucopogon fraseri habitat patch at Tilembeya. year I removed the enclosure. Not much to see here! This year the combination of a dry winter and increased kangaroo Now to the flower visitors. The only grazing has meant that much of the insects that I saw on the flowers grassland is as short as a bowling were feral European honeybees, Apis green except in areas of Poa tussock. mellifera, and instead of flying from Therefore, I investigated how my flower to flower, they were crawling patch of L. fraseri was holding up across the plants to access the low- and what insects were pollinating growing flowers. the flowers that appear in late I was hoping to see native bees at the September–early October. flowers and to check further I swept a A feral honeybee collecting nectar and pollen from L. fraseri

30 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 31 Wednesday Walk to Mount Aggie Brindabella National Park

Bossiaea foliosa Tetratheca bauerifolia an equally outstanding display of bright golden flowers. Adding some contrast were several large Olearia lirata bushes, their clouds of white flowers noticeable amongst the tall eucalypts. Some Pomaderris aspera were flowering View from the top of Mount Aggie and patches of bright pink at ground level indicated the presence of Words: Jo Walker Tetratheca bauerifolia. Photos: Brigitta Wimmer There were some Grevilleas too — [In November the Wednesday Grevillea oxyantha and G. diminuta Walkers] met at Weston and had very few flowers on them, but travelled via the Cotter Road to further up the road a few stands of Brindabella Road which took us up the grey-foliaged G. lanigera were Grevillea diminuta into the mountains along a winding showing their pink and cream flowers. route. Our first stop, for morning tea, was at Bull’s Head where several tall Pimelea pauciflora were decorated with lots of tiny yellow flowers. Daviesia mimosoides Much more noticeable were the Daviesia mimosoides (Bitter Pea) forming seed-pods. But higher along growing all along the banks of the winding road their stems were decomposing sedimentary rocks heavy with clusters of yellow and that bordered the roadside. At the brown perfumed flowers. Further lower end of the road, where our up, another pea plant, Bossiaea journey began, they were already foliosa, replaced the Daviesia with Olearia lirata Grevillea lanigera

32 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 33 In the more open areas, the robust mountain form of Leucochrysum albicans were flowering. Some flowers had not yet opened and appeared as dark maroon buds amongst the more advanced yellow- centred white flowers fringed with Panoramic view from Mount Aggie maroon. There were delicate green clumps We finally reached the Mount Aggie on, we came to an open rocky of Rhodanthe anthemoides scattered carpark and started our walk along area a little way below the peak amongst them, but they had a the track to Mount Aggie through where there were a few Oxylobium week or two ahead of them before what had been a forest of Alpine Ash ellipticum and, in places, a fairly flowering time. And, spread across (Eucalyptus delegatensis) and Snow dense understorey of Leucopogon Leionema lamprophyllum the ground at the edge of this area Gums (E. pauciflora) before the 2003 fletcheri, some of them still outcrops. A few were still showing fires. flowering. were patches of Goodenia hederacea var. alpina showing a few golden some white flowers amongst their Alpine Ash is a fire-sensitive species flowers. small and shiny dark green leaves, and this area was burnt in that but most were developing a dense catastrophe so most of the tree re- By this time we could see the peak load of dark red seed capsules. growth seemed to consist of Snow of Mount Aggie and made our It was one of those places that Gums. Many of the original large way up there for lunch. The peak makes you reluctant to leave, but we old trees that were killed by the consists of upturned flaky grey finally turned towards home with fire have fallen to the ground after slate-like sedimentary rock forming our memories of so many beautiful succumbing to the strong winds a foreground of dark jagged edges plants amongst the magnificent experienced at that altitude. pointing up to the sky against a backdrop of distant hills stretching scenery of the mountains. Beneath the Eucalyptus pauciflora, across the horizon. the understorey was mostly brilliant Leucopogon fletcheri yellow Bossiaea foliosa, although There were lots more Leucochrysum we did find one cream variant albicans and Rhodanthe anthemoides growing amongst the more gaudy there along with a few Tetratheca surroundings. bauerifolia. Scattered amongst the rocks, there were Pelargonium There were a few other shrubs australe with one or two of them beside the upward-leading trail. bearing a few pale pink flowers. The tallest were a few Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood Wattles), And, it was a suitable habitat with the lower vegetation consisting (exposed rocky areas at of Persoonia subvelutina (Velvety high altitudes) for Leionema Geebung), Coprosma hirtella and lamprophyllum which we found Lomatia myricoides. A little further Leucochrysum alpinum in profusion amongst the highest Microseris lanceolata

34 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 35 •• Abstract — Floral morphology of •• Financial Statement Eucalyptus leucoxylon (Myrtaceae) •• ANPSA Fern Study Group Fees Study Group Notes facilitates pollination by lorikeet 2017–2018 (Aves: Psittacidae) tongues Garden Design Study Group By Brigitta Wimmer, Study Group •• The curious relationship between Dryandra Study Group Newsletter 100, November 2017 Liaison Officer, ANPS Canberra Region Newsletter 73, August 2017 the Cadaghi tree and native stingless bees •• Leader’s Comments •• Highs and lows of a short Acacia Study Group •• Abstract — Designing food and Dryandra trip •• One Hundred Newsletters Newsletter 138, September 2017 habitat trees for urban koalas: •• Verge clearing and native plants •• Correspondence •• From the Leader tree height, foliage palatability (Notes from the editor) and clonal propagation of •• Meehan Native Cottage Garden, •• From Members and Readers •• Senseless destruction Eucalyptus kabiana Qld • • Don Perrin •• Dryandra type location destroyed •• Species profile: Eucalyptus •• Wet and Frosty Foliage, Canberra •• Common Names of Acacias •• Letter from the Netherlands kabiana, Euclid •• Nicky Zanen, Vic •• More on Acacia phasmoides •• A short history of the Cranbourne •• In search of Australia’s biggest •• GDSGQ Meeting Notes •• Acacia gunnii Dryandra plantings tree: How you can help identify •• GDSG Meeting Heathmont, Vic giant plants •• Acacia amblygona Eucalyptus Study Group •• Proposed Blayney and Binnaway •• Acacias in Namibia 2016/17 Newsletter 69, July 2017 Fern Study Group trip, Canberra •• Acacias in the News •• Eucalypts in the Melton Botanic Newsletter 139, August 2017 •• Visit to Oakey Creek, Canberra •• Seed Bank Garden •• From the leader •• Visit to Bishop Garden in Yass, •• Study Group Membership •• Abstract — Designing food and •• Program for South-east Qld Canberra habitat trees for urban koalas: •• Wattles and Hay Fever •• Program for the Sydney Region •• Treasurer’s Report identifying short ecotypes of •• Excursions and General Report • Information Sheet Corymbia intermedia • Index Fern Meeting at Arafura Street, Correa Study Group •• Abstract — Genetic structuring in Grevillea Study Group April 2017 Newsletter 56, October 2017 the spotted gum complex (genus Newsletter 108, October 2017 Corymbia, section Politaria) Fern Outing to Brisbane Koala •• Leaders’ Comments Bushland •• Editorial •• Deciphering the underground • • • Correa Crawl 2017 chemical dialogues between Brisbane Daytime Group • Activities •• 6 Rare Plants Eucalytus grandis and fungi excursion to Mt Mee, Feb 2017 •• Obituaries •• Shirley’s Progressive Pruning •• Abstract — Phylogenomics of the SEQ Fern Study Group •• Taxonomy •• Interesting Correas green ash eucalypts (Myrtaceae): Meeting, Oct 2016 •• Grevillea News •• Plants Found in My Garden a tale of reticulate evolution and Gold Coast Regional Botanic •• In the Wild misidentification Gardens, June 2017 •• Correa Crawl Photos •• In your Garden •• Eucalyptus oil distilling a major SEQ Excursion to Binna Burra •• My Experience Growing Correas local industry by 1890s Part 1 (Tullawallal Circuit), May 2017 •• History •• How Have Your Correas Been? •• Highlands History: Eucalyptus oil Excursion to Tenison Woods •• Seedbank •• Membership 13 industry Part 2 area, Brisbane Forst Park •• Financials

36 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 37 Isopogon & Petrophile Hakea Genera Study Group Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc. Study Group Newsletter 65, October 2017 The aims of the Society are to foster the recognition, conservation and Membership Fees Newsletter 21, November 2017 •• Letter from the Leader cultivation of Australian native plants. Single or family memberships are the same price. Meetings are held at 8 pm on the second Thursday of each month, Basic membership including Bulletin and Journal — $35 ($18*) •• Editorial •• New member February to December, in Canberra. Visitors are always welcome. Full membership including Bulletin, Journal and Australian •• From our members •• News from members Day and weekend field trips to locations of outstanding botanical Plants — $50 ($33*) interest are organised on a regular basis. •• Exchanging cuttings and seed •• Inverawe Native Gardens, Life member subscribing to Australian Plants — $15 The Society publishes a Bulletin in all months except January, and this * Concession rates apply to pensioners (Centrelink), full-time •• Plant profile — I. gardneri Tasmania quarterly Journal in March, June, September and December. students and unemployed. •• Plant profile — P. anceps •• Financial statement Website: nativeplants-canberra.asn.au Membership Secretary: Ros Walcott 02 6161 2742 •• Seed germination success at •• Seed bank [email protected] Kalamunda •• Hakea Crawl 2018 •• WA study trip October 2017 •• In the Garden Council Other useful contacts •• Revision to ‘nodding’ isopogons •• Photo credits President Bulletin Editor •• Cutting success at the Banksia Lucinda Royston Anthony O'Halloran 02 6231 6067 Farm [email protected] [email protected] •• What a pearler — Isopogon Study Group Liaison Officer formosus ‘Pink Sparkler’ Vice President Bill Willis Brigitta Wimmer • • Grafting update Isopogons…in 0407 268 797 [email protected] Europe! [email protected] Propagation aid sales •• Financial report Secretary Glenn Pure Vacant 66 Crozier Circuit, Kambah ACT 2902 02 6231 6457 Booksales Treasurer Murray Dadds Ben Walcott 02 6161 2742 43 MacLaurin Cres, Chifley ACT 2606 [email protected] 0404 870 447 Assistant Secretary/Treasurer [email protected] John Carter Public Officer 02 6231 7055 (for Associations Incorporation Act purposes) [email protected] Paul Meier Other Council Members 7 Robert Lewis Crescent, Gordon ACT 2906 Naomi Boccola 02 6294 6601 (h) Darren Boulton Geoff Butler All Society correspondence to Megan Dixon The Secretary Philip Fradd ANPS Canberra Region (Inc), PO Box 217 Greg Quinn Civic Square ACT 2608 Kunzea parvifolia, Wanniassa Hills; Photo: Gail Ritchie Knight Back cover: Bossiaea foliosa & Wed Walkers, Mt Aggie, Brindabella National Park; Photo: Brigitta Wimmer

38 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — December 2017 39