AUSTRALIAN NATIVE SOCIETY CANBERRA REGION (INC)

Journal Vol. 17 No. 6 June 2013 ISSN 1447-1507 Print Post Approved PP299436/00143 Mount Gingera Contents Field trip to the Brindabellas Mount Gingera field trip to the Brindabellas 1 Summer Walks 2012–2013 4 A new stick insect to NSW and the local region 13 Notes on the Society's first field trip Peppermint. On the right there Preserving and analysing the results of Wednesday walks 15 written by Dr Nancy Burbidge in are Ribbon Gums (Manna Gums) February 1963 along the creek and Narrow-leaved Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Peppermint on the lower slopes. The Australian Garden Stage 2 20 Rendezvous Point small bushy trees along the creek are Growing Eremophilas at the Australian National Uriarra Homestead — the common Blackwoods (Acacia melanoxylon). Botanic Gardens 24 trees nearby include Red Stringybark, You may watch out for: Study Group Notes 29 Yellow Box, Red Box and also a few •• Australian Blackthorn: Tall Special Country for sale 32 Candle Barks. bushes with large loose bunches ANPS contacts and membership details inside back cover Uriarra to Five Crossings of white creamy flowers (Bursaria Soon after passing the first pine spinosa). Attractive though these look in flower the scent is too Cover: Eucalyptus rossii, Kama Nature Reserve; Photo: Jean Geue plantation note the trees of Apple Box along the road — rough barked heavy and the stems too prickly trees with grey-brown trunks and for the bushes to make good low spreading branches. As the road garden subjects Journal articles The deadline dates for submissions are 1 February (for goes up hill through the gully there •• Cauliflower Bush (Cassinia sp.): are more Apple Boxes, some Broad- Shrubs with white flowers in flat The Journal is a forum for the exchange of members' March edition), 1 May (June), 1 August (September) leaved Peppermint, Mealy-Bundy topped bunches at the ends of and others' views and experiences of gardening with, and 1 November (December). Send articles & photos to: the stems. The flower masses propagating and conserving Australian plants. Journal Editor and Red Stringybark. remain on the plants for some Gail Ritchie Knight Near the crest of the hill there are All contributions, however short, are welcome. months. Contributions may be typed or handwritten, and 1612 Sutton Road some Brittle Gums with smooth accompanied by photographs and drawings. Sutton NSW 2620 mottled bark (with dry old bark •• Blue Veronica (Hebe perfoliata): Low bushes with rounded Submit photographs as either electronic files, such as e-mail: [email protected] peeling off). JPGs, or prints. If possible set your digital camera to take tel: 0416 097 500 greyish-green leaves and blue flowers on slender spikes. Plants high resolution photos. Please file electronic images in Paid advertising is available in this Journal. Contact the Five Crossings at lower altitudes have finished a separate folder and not embedded in a document. Editor for details. The old mountain road to Brindabella If photos cannot be emailed, make a CD and send it used to follow up the gully of Condor flowering but we shall see these Society website: http://nativeplants-canberra.asn.au by post. Please enclose a stamped, self-addressed Creek which was forded five times on the higher ridges at least. envelope if you would like your prints returned. If you Printed by Elect Printing, Fyshwick, ACT — hence the name. The present •• Silver Wattle: Grey, feathery have any queries please contact the editor. http://www.electprinting.com.au/ road takes a higher route. To the leaved shrubs or small trees 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 in articles are those of the left of the bridge the common trees •• Sweet Briar: Wild Rose — an authors and are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Society. include Apple Box and Broad-leaved introduced spread by birds

Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 1 •• Wild Raspberry: Low spreading Piccadilly Circus to Bullshead Mt Franklin to Mount Gingera bushes with small scarlet (edible!) The trees are mainly Mountain Gum berries We are now high on the ridge and and Snow Gum but the scrub is the trees get smaller. In the grass •• Cutting Grass: densely tufted poor owing to frequent fires for fire there are many alpine flowers. These sedge growing near water and in damp gullies LEAVES WITH control purposes. Also this area has include the large white Alpine Daisy SHARP EDGES never recovered properly from the (Celmisia longifolia), several kinds of Brachycome [sic] (small daisies), the • Centuary: Small herbs with 1939 fires. Note the numerous plants erect stems and deep pink starry of Bitter Pea (Daviesia mimosoides) Alpine Podolepis with its clustered flowers which is increased by frequent burns. yellow heads, Goodenia (creeping with pale yellow flowers), Euphrasia •• Australian Bugle: Herb with hairy often reddish or purplish Bullshead to Mt Franklin spp. (spikes of pale pinkish or stems and deep blue flowers Do not take road into valley but mauvish flowers on a bunch of stems) and a number of others that •• Trigger Plant: Deep pink flowers continue along ridge. on a red stem about a cluster of will be pointed out to you. There are some good stands of grass-like leaves young Mountain Ash but in drier Mount Gingera •• Australian Mint: Aromatic herb places the trees are still Mountain We shall examine the flowers in the with clusters of very pale pink flowers in the axils of the opposite Gum and Snow Gum. It is a pity that swamp area. The shrubs include leaves Alpine Ash does not thrive under several heaths that are of interest. Canberra conditions — it needs More energetic members may wish Five Crossings to Piccadilly moister shadier places. to climb the mountain where there Circus are more alpine flowers to be seen. Along this road you will see changes The most common grass is Snow WARNING: PLEASE remember that in the kind of trees present as we Grass and you will also see various the Australian Capital Territory is a move from the wetter shaded slopes kinds of daisy and some low SANCTUARY. Do not pick bunches to the dry ones exposed to western growing everlastings (both yellow of flowers. Do not pick any flowers winds. We shall pass through an and pinkish white). You will also see unless you need a very small piece area of young Alpine Ash which is a the stiff stems and stiff flowers of the yellow everlasting Helichrysum so that you can ask the leader its handsome tree with rough stringy name. bark on the lower part of the main bracteatum. Collect a few seeds if you wish but trunk and smooth ribbony bark At higher levels the trees are all Do Not destroy the plants. above. At the higher levels we reach Snow Gums but you will see the a forest of Mountain Gum and Snow vivid blue of the Alpine Blue Bell DO NOT LIGHT ANY FIRES Gum. The leaves of the Mountain (Wahlenbergia). Gum are shining and yellowish- FINALLY — DO ENJOY YOURSELVES! green, those of Snow Gum are thick A number of daisy-flowered shrubs N.T. Burbidge and grayish green and the bark of seen on a previous trip will now be 10.2.63 the trees is marked by numerous in seed and you may like to try some View of the Brindabellas; Photo: Jean Geue “Scribbles”. for yourselves.

2 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 3 climbs through granite outcrops to Booroomba Rocks a spectacular lookout. We have been We made it to Booroomba Rocks Summer Walks 2012–13 monitoring the regeneration since the the following week in much milder 2003 bushfires. As usual, we found lots conditions. The walk from the car park to see including extensive displays of to the rocks is 2.5km return and is Olearia tenuifolia flowering well, fading quite steep, winding through tall forest calyces of Micromyrtus ciliata, lots of regenerating since the 2003 fire. We grasses and many grassland species hadn’t done the walk since 2009 and flowering — Tricoryne elatior was a we’d never done it at this time of year so, highlight on the way back. we saw different displays from “usual”. A big surprise was a Rosenberg’s Monitor The highlights were the daisies — first, on the path and not in any hurry to move, good patches of the mauve Calotis posing well for photos. We explored scabiosifolia var. integrifolia and some the gully, pools and damp areas just Lagenophora stipitata. Then, the below the lookout. An interesting find bigger ones — Bedfordia arborescens, was Eriocaulon scariosum alongside Centrolepis strigosa. We also found some very tall spent seed pods and new tall buds of an intriguing orchid. A later visit by a member identified it asCalochilus saprophyticus — a good reason for a future visit to see it flowering.

Bedfordia arborescens, Booroomba Rocks Walk; Photo: Roger Farrow , C. longifolia, Olearia Eucalyptus rossii, Kama Nature Reserve; Photo: Jean Geue erubescens and O. megalophylla — all in full flower. Some hillsides were quite By Ros Cornish Cypress Pine Lookout white with flowers. Also flowering white was Veronica derwentiana, Choretrum The Wednesday Walkers returned to We have done this walk many times pauciflorum and Clematis aristata but on this occasion it was a fall back some old favourites in summer 2012–13, then the blue V. perfoliata and Linum position because of gale force winds and mainly in Namadgi National Park. There marginale. It was interesting to see we didn’t want to risk being in the tall were good displays of flowers on most Coprosma hirtella flowering — separate forest en route to Booroomba Rocks — walks, despite the very hot weather. male and female plants. At the top, the our proposed destination. It begins from Kunzea muelleri was flowering (lemon). A new walk for us in February was in the Namadgi Visitor Centre and wanders We found the Leionema lamprophyllum Kama Nature Reserve — very hot with through some very weedy woodland and Asterolasia trymalioides but couldn’t little flowering and many old, struggling before crossing the road. It then passes Eriocaulon scariosum and E. scariosum inflorescence (inset); find any of the Olearia ramulosa var. trees, but good regeneration occurring. through some grassland and gently Cypress Pine Lookout Walk; Photos: Roger Farrow stricta or Dampiera fusca.

4 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 5 were good displays of Arthropodium After morning tea we headed up the road var. stricta with a few blue/mauve flowers fimbriatum, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, for a short distance and into a swampy — the first time we had encountered this C. semipapposum and many grasses area on the right where there were many plant in the Tinderries. and there were also some flowers Utricularia dichotoma flowering as well on Calocephalus citreus, Cullen as Hypericum japonicum, Gonocarpus microcephalum, Brachyscome rigidula, micranthus, Drosera peltata and some Pimelea curviflora, Tricoryne elatior, Microtis sp. in flower. There was also good Convolvulus erubescens, as well as various regeneration of Callistemon pityoides and Wahlenbergia and Vittadinia species. The Acacia obliquinervia among other things. trees are always a feature here and we saw We then drove down the other side of some Superb Parrots enjoying the canopy. the mountain to the Round Hill Fire Trail Tinderries and walked in fairly quickly to have lunch above the swamp. We then checked on The Tinderry Mountains are south of our “Mystery Pea” (Podolobium alpestre Canberra and, for our first walk in 2013, — tall form) which is regenerating quite we approached them via Michelago. well but is less than 1m tall and being Veronica perfoliata, Booroomba Rocks Walk; A large fire went through the area Photo: Linda Spinaze pruned — presumably by the herd of in December 2010 and we are keen goats which we saw. We then ventured Many of the bigger plants — Oxylobium to follow the regeneration. We went into the swamp to see good displays of ellipticum, Leptospermum micromyrtus, straight to the top of the mountain and Bulbine bulbosa, Geranium neglectum, Platysace lanceolata, Daviesia did a short (in distance!) walk back down Olearia ramulosa var. stricta, Tinderries — Round Hill Olearia glandulosa and Neopaxia mimosoides, Kunzea muelleri and K. the road, investigating a dampish area Swamp; Photos: Roger Farrow australasica. ericoides — were overwhelming the on the right then had a scramble over smaller ones. Quite a different situation the boulders on the left, heading back to Stony Creek NR from shortly after the 2003 fire when the cars for morning tea. Stony Creek Nature Reserve is on D. fusca was in profusion. Captains Flat Road about 10km from There is vigorous recovery going on Queanbeyan, NSW. It is a fairly small Mulligan’s Flat (south-east) and we saw some very interesting reserve (80 ha) of open woodland and Our last walk for 2012 was a hot day in plants — a few in flower such as has a remarkable amount of species in it. mid-December. We started from the park Platysace lanceolata, Ozothamnus It was Crown Land and leased for grazing entrance on Amy Ackman Street, Forde, thyrsoideus, Baeckea utilis, Lomatia until 2002. We added a few more species followed the Coach Road for a short myricoides, Leptospermum myrtifolium, to our list including Gompholobium distance then turned right to explore Arthropodium milleflorum, Helichrysum huegelii, Calocephalus citreus, Pimelea the south-east part of the Reserve. We rutidolepis, Pratia pedunculata, Persoonia glauca and Wahlenbergia multicaulis. have a very large plant list for this part silvatica, Wahlenbergia gloriosa and vast The trees are a feature — some very old of Mulligan’s Flat but surprisingly we areas of Thelionema caespitosum. ones with good hollows — Eucalyptus still managed to add more species — Geranium neglectum, Tinderries — Round Hill Swamp; bridgesiana, E. dives, E. macrorhyncha, E. Also, there were many seedlings of Photo: Roger Farrow Cullen microcephalum, Bursaria spinosa, Oxylobium ellipticum, Acrothamnus mannifera, E. melliodora, E. polyanthemos Cynoglossum sp., Luzula ovata, Euchiton hookeri, Boronia algida, a few Philotheca On the way back, on the eastern side, and E. rubida. sphaericus, E. japonicus and some grasses. myoporoides and many Acacia costiniana we found Grevillea lanigera, Hakea There were a few flowers — Xerochrysum We saw a few flowers — Acacia (which is rare and only found in the microcarpa, Gompholobium huegelii and viscosum, Brachyscome aculeata, parramattensis was just beginning to Southern Tablelands, from Captains Flat a red belly black snake before stumbling B. rigidula, Goodenia hederacea, flower and was strongly scented. There to the Bombala District). on one only, smallish Olearia ramulosa Calocephalus citreus, Leucochrysum

6 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 7 albicans var. tricolor, , ceracea, Baeckea utilis, Leptospermum Other plants of interest were Acrothamnus Hypericum gramineum, a few myrtifolium, Brachyscome scapigera, hookeri (with berries), Dianella longifolia Wahlenbergia stricta and W. multicaulis. and B. obovata. It’s getting difficult to (with fruit), Astrotricha ledifolia (a few There were a number of Blue Devils get to the edge of the swamp as the flowers) and a number of sedges — (Eryngium ovinum), the Cassinia regeneration continues. Carex incomitata, C. gaudichaudiana, C. quinquefaria were budding up and there iynx, Schoenoplectus validus and Scirpus were a couple of Billardiera scandens Rendezvous Creek polystachyus. covered in fat fruit. An interesting find We decided to try the new Rendezvous was a mating pair of a new species of Creek Loop Track which begins from Stick Insect in the genus Denhama. (See the picnic area on the Boboyan Road article on p.13 in this Journal.) in Namadgi National Park. It meanders through woodland dominated by granite boulders initially, and then follows Rendezvous Creek through open grassland with stunning views of Microseris sp. Snowfields and seed (inset), Mt Ginini; the valley and surrounding mountains. Photos: Di Mortimer There was a good array of interesting Leucochrysum alpinum, Rhodanthe plants though not too many flowers. anthemoides, Brachyscome aculeata, Flowering was Dipodium roseum, Schoenoplectus validus, Rendezvous Creek Loop; B. spathulata, Wahlenbergia gloriosa, a Brachyscome aculeata, B. spathulata, Photo: Roger Farrow few Celmisia longifolia, a few Craspedia Calotis scabiosifolia var. integrifolia, aurantia, Ozothamnus stirlingii and many Helichrysum rutidolepis, Hypoxis Eryngium ovinum, Stony Creek Nature Reserve; other things. An interesting addition hygrometrica, Glycine tabacina, Lythrum Photo: Roger Farrow to our list was Persoonia subvelutina — salicaria and there was the odd Mt Ginini quite a few bushes, some with flowers flower onMirbelia oxylobioides and and fruit. We also saw P. chamaepeuce Ozothamnus thyrsoideus. There had been Mt Ginini is another favourite trip for flowering. Many of us got to the swamp a good flowering ofOxylobium ellipticum, the Wednesday Walkers, particularly in to look for the Cassinia monticola which Baeckea utilis and Epacris breviflora. summer when it is cooler at the higher we found after the 2003 fire but there altitude. The whole area was burnt during was no sign of it. Ozothamnus hookeri the 2003 bushfires and we have been was flowering well in the swamp and also observing the regeneration. We went to flowering in this area was Wahlenbergia the top of Mt Ginini first and saw many Scirpus polystachyus, Rendezvous Creek Loop; flowers including Wahlenbergia gloriosa, Photo: Roger Farrow Podolepis robusta, Brachyscome aculeata, B. spathulata, Rhodanthe anthemoides Kama Nature Reserve and Microseris sp. Snowfields. We found Kama Nature Reserve is off William one plant of Cassinia monticola in bud — Hovell Drive, opposite the suburb of we hadn’t seen it before at the top of Mt Hawker. It is a 155 hectare reserve and Ginini. After lunch at the summit we went includes patches of Yellow Box–Red to the lower car park and most people Gum woodland — an endangered walked down the old ski run which was a community. It has been modified by picture with mass displays of Xerochrysum Hypoxis hygrometrica, Rendezvous Creek Loop; many years of grazing and will take some subundulatum, Podolepis robusta, Persoonia subvelutina, Mt Ginini; Photo: Roger Farrow Photo: Martin Butterfield time to recover. There are many weeds

8 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 9 but signs of good displays of forbs and and Leptorhynchos squamatus. There orchids in spring. The walk was mainly in was some colour from Convolvulus the area near the dam, noting the lovely angustissima and Tricoryne elatior with old trees with hollows (Eucalyptus rossii, flowers out on the way back. Spring will E. melliodora and E. blakelyi, as well as be a better time to visit when more of some E. dives). the forbs and orchids are prominent. There were not many understory plants You can read a short description of our but Zornia dyctiocarpa was an interesting various walks, look at the list of plants we find — we don’t see it very often. Also, found and often, the birds and insects there was quite a lot of Desmodium we spotted, as well as some photos in varians, Einadia nutans, Bursaria spinosa the Wednesday Walks section of the and some daisies — Xerochrysum ANPS website — http://nativeplants- viscosum, Chrysocephalum apiculatum canberra.asn.au

Eucalyptus rossii, Kama Nature Reserve; Photo: Jean Geue

Eucalyptus melliodora, Kama Nature Reserve; Photo: Jean Geue

Eucalyptus blakelyi, Kama Nature Reserve; Photo: Jean Geue

10 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 11 A New Stick Insect to NSW and the Local Region

Words and photos by Roger Farrow In early February the Wednesday Walkers, including myself, were visiting a local Most stick insects inhabit the canopy of nature reserve to catalogue the plants trees and shrubs feeding on the leaves present when I found a curious stick insect of broadleaved plants and they rarely in short grass which I photographed. It descend to the ground. Their eggs fall in was wingless and extremely slender and the litter and the newly-hatched nymphs I thought it could have been a nymph immediately climb back into the canopy which had fallen out of a tree. where they spend the rest of their lives. Later on the walk Janelle Chalker found In Australia there is one group of stick a pair of mating stick insects in a short insects, belonging to the sub-family grass area, straw-coloured in appearance Lonchodinae, which live in grassland Struggling Eucalyptus rossii and young ones, Kama Nature Reserve; Photo: Jean Geue with a dorsal stripe in the female and feeding on different grass species. They very well camouflaged and I realised are extremely thin, wingless and with that what I had been previously looking very long legs and vary in body length at was a male and that these were from 30 mm (males) to 120 mm (females). indeed grass-living species which I duly Six species in the genus Denhama have photographed. The grassy vegetation been described in Australia between consisted of patches of Joycea tussocks, 1859 and 1918 and are listed by Paul especially at lower elevations and more Brock and Jack Hasenpusch in their book: open areas of Austrodanthonia sp and The complete field guide to Stick and Leaf miscellaneous forbs where the stick Insects of Australia (CSIRO Publishing insects were seen, possibly because 2009) and this work is still in progress. they were more visible there. So it is not Most specimens of Denhama have been certain if there are stick insects sheltering collected in northern Australia from and feeding in the Joycea tussocks. widely separated locations and are Comparing my images with those in the very few in number compared with the Stick Insect Book the only possibility was a canopy-living stick insects. None have species of Denhama, although there were been collected in New South Wales and no records from NSW. Paul Brock at the Victoria but a few specimens are known Natural History Museum in London was from South Australia. The type species, sent my images and immediately replied D. aussa, is labelled Denham (WA) and that this was indeed a new record of this name was given to the genus by Denhama and probably a new species and Werner in 1912, but this may be a false that he would like a specimen to examine Regeneration, Kama Nature Reserve; Photo: Jean Geue location according to Paul Brock. when he visited Canberra in August.

12 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 13 I returned a few days later to check the These stick insects are extremely well grassy areas outside the reserve with the camouflaged and difficult to detect in the object of collecting a male and female field which may account for some of their Preserving and analysing the for reference and description but I failed rarity in collections. However if they are to find any more individuals and none confined to particular vegetation patches were seen inside the reserve where in grassy box woodland as this brief study results of Wednesday walks collecting requires a permit. It would suggests then we have another animal also be useful to keep a pair in captivity that is dependent on the conservation in order to obtain some eggs which also of this endangered plant association and have diagnostic identification features. the ecosystem it supports.

The first male Denhama encountered, length 45mm ©

View from the top of the Tinderries, 2011

Words and photos by Martin Butterfield The President of ANPS suggested in are preserved. He proposed depositing mid-2012 that someone should do the records with the Atlas of Living something to ensure the observation Australia (ALA) as a suitable external data from ANPS Wednesday Walks (WW) repository. I have corresponded with The mating pair, female length 60 mm ©

14 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 15 ALA through contacts in a role with When the website commenced there species were reported: 26 of these were on occasion but this is not considered another group and they welcome was no thought of undertaking such a additions to the Species table!) further in this report) we visit two areas. receiving the WW data. However to get process — and the ALA did not exist. A The first of these is the high point on the An initial set of data covering some eight consequence of this is that, until recently road (which I call Tinderry Top) where information to them it needs to be in a walks has been uploaded to the ALA in the latest records for sites are composites we visit several sub-areas within about standard, manageable form. That also March 2012. has potential to make data suitable of all previous walks so only an overall 500m depending on the season. We then for a range of other purposes — both list is available for those sites. (Note that A case study of the Tinderries continue on towards Captains Flat to the for members of ANPS and for external where some major change occurred — Round Flat Fire Trail where we typically The objective of this section is to give a researchers. eg the Tinderry fire discussed below — explore a swamp and a gully. small hint of what will be able to be done a new list was started even though the The way chosen to standardise the WW with the database when it is complete. I The entry on the website for 2009 is a area covered might be the same.) More data has been to create an ACCESS have focussed here on some aggregate composite of the walks on 26 November recently, following the commencement database from which the required data big picture thoughts rather than the 2008 and 2 December 2009. It includes, of this project separate records are being can be submitted to ALA. I began by detail of species distribution etc. That on one or both sites, 175 species. An maintained for each walk and will be populating it with a few walk data sets will come later as there is more detail earlier post shows the 151 species noted added to the database as they become as a testing/learning exercise. Basically available. on the 2008 walk. The top of the upper available. Composite records will be three tables are the core of the process: slope was well vegetated in 2008, as readily generated as required. The group has visited the Tinderry shown in the image below. •• Walk records (which species seen on Range, to the east of Michelago, several As the process of entering records has which walk) times since 2008. Once above the The 2009 data shows a net addition of 24 proceeded it has emerged that the least • foothill grasslands (where we also stop species for the two sites. It isn’t possible • Site records (attributes of the site error-prone process for entering the such as type of management unit, records is to work based on sites, rather state of location, latitude, longitude) than time. Thus some sites from 2008 •• Species (information about scientific have been entered while some from name, family name). 2012 will be done towards the end of the Other tables and queries are used for process. quality control etc. The species table is being built up by Using a listing which the Walks adding records as data is entered. On Coordinator has been maintaining gives entering up records for walks in 2009 and a list of some 720 done since 6 November 2011 to the Tinderries, 95 taxa (species or 1996! Many sites have only been visited subspecies) were added to this list. This once (171 sites) or twice (55 sites) but the reflected the different habitat in these Cypress Pine Walk at Namadgi and the areas to the other ‘test walks’ entered. eastern side of Mulligans Flat have been As the species table is augmented it is visited 10 times! The records posted to obviously going to be the case that few, the ANPS website are based on the visit if any, new taxa will be added. on a day: in most cases this covers a After entering 28 sites we have 582 single site but sometimes (eg the three taxa in the table and I am sure quite a Travelling Stock Routes on Mountain few more will go on when I enter data Creek Rd or the Tinderries discussed from the High Brindabellas, Monga and below) the visit covers more than one the sandstone country around Nerriga. site. In the latter case separate database (As a hint for the future when entering entries are compiled for each site. up a 2013 walk on Mount Ginini 78 Wednesday Walkers spread out over the searched area, 2008

16 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 17 at this temporal distance to establish However after a further year we were Table 1: Number of species seen at Tinderries sites before and after 2009 fires how many species were seen in 2008 told there was enough regrowth to see Site Name 2/12/2009 7/12/2011 % difference but not in 2009. It is also not possible to what had survived and visited again on Tinderries Round Flat Fire Trial 128 76 -40% say that the additional species were not 7 December 2011. The following table present on an earlier walk since: summarises a comparison between the Tinderries Top 117 92 -21% observations before and after the fires. •• we may have taken a slightly different The decrease in the number of species shown is quite dramatic, since from my (NOTE: the area was visited again in early route; and/or memory the paths followed were very similar between the two visits. Looking at the 2013 but that data had not been entered •• the plants may not have been number of species found in either or both sites on the two visits gives the following up when I did the analysis. It has now result: flowering, and so were not noticed, been put on the website but I have not on the first expedition; and/or had time to do the analysis needed.) This Table 2: Number and percentage of species by status before and after 2009 fires. •• we might just have missed them! case will be the subject of a later article. I am told that patience is a virtue. 2011 Focussing on the 2009 (ie composite) Present Not present listing 70 taxa were seen at both sites, 47 were seen at the Top site and not the Fire # species Trail, and 58 only on the Fire Trail. Since Present 98 76 there are such great differences between Not present 31 n/a the habitats in the two areas (one an 2009 % species exposed ridge of granite slabs, the other Present 48 37 a sheltered gully with grassy swamps) such an outcome is hardly surprising. Not present 15 n/a

A major bushfire hit this area on 17 It is to say the least surprising that 15% than the housekeeping required to December 2009 (ie two weeks after our of the species were not recorded prior submit records. visit) http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009- to the fires. Possibly these are species As indicated above, 28 sites have been 12-21/crews-still-battling-nature- which are good early colonisers but reserve-blaze/1186440. We drove which cannot compete well as the later entered to the database. I estimate that through the area (on the public road) a arrivals gain a foothold? Perhaps they are there are approximately 130 more visits little over a year later and it still looked again species which we missed on the (~150 sites) to enter. It is possible that the like a moonscape, especially on the top. earlier walks? It is beyond the purposes initial data entry task will be completed Tinderries regrowth 2011 of this note to address those questions early in 2014, if there are a few wet days but I hope that can be covered in a latter to allow concentrated effort. The core investigation. table listing species x site x date currently contains 2654 records so should end up Conclusion and looking with around 15,000 records. forward At the time of writing, the first set of I intend to issue progress reports from test data has been submitted to, and time — perhaps a sentence or two in accepted by, ALA. By the time you are later editions of the Journal— and as the reading this a second batch may also task approaches completion to provide a have been submitted, although I am second detailed report on the outcome Tinderries in November 2010 Tinderries regrowth 2011 attaching priority to data entry rather of the process.

18 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 19 Melaleuca Splits represents Australia’s throughout the garden. Clear, well coastal topography with espaliered written and topical signs (visible even Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne melaleucas forming screens between to my eyes) accompany each different areas of reeds and sand spits. I have not garden. The history of Australia’s climate seen melaleucas used in this way before is particularly clear and informative. Australian Garden Stage 2 but it works well. It shows that Australian The Eucalypt Walk shows off our premier plants are adaptable to almost any form plant in all its diversity. There are newly of garden treatment and we should not Words by Rosalind Walcott There are an additional six hectares in planted eucalypts which will eventually be afraid to try old and new ways of Photos by Ben Walcott Stage 2 added to make up an overall become very large indeed and provide displaying our flora. garden area of 15 hectares. There are much needed shade in the garden. As part of the 9th Fred Rogers Seminar eleven new precincts in Stage 2 with Already there are many different sorts of on Garden Design in November 2012 names such as Melaleuca Splits, Gibson Mallee eucalypts which demonstrate the we visited the recently opened Stage 2 Hill, Weird and Wonderful Garden and variety of foliage, flower and fruit typical of the Australian Garden at Cranbourne. Gondwana Garden, just to name a few. In of this group. After 20 years of planning, construction these gardens are some innovative ways and planting the Australian Garden is The Lilypad Bridge is a favourite with all of displaying Australian plants. now complete. Of course this part of the ages providing a different way to cross garden needs time to mature, as it has The Cultivar Garden is laid out in a the water. only just been planted, but the overall series of row gardens up a hill. Here design is impressive, original and bold. new cultivars, grafted plants and Australian garden design is at the forefront experimental varieties are trialled for Melaleuca Splits of world garden design at present as inclusion in the garden. These trial plants can be seen by the recent successes of are well labelled and easy to examine. The Gondwana Garden is more lush, Australian designs at the Chelsea Flower If I lived closer to Melbourne I would representing Australia’s past climate and Show and other open competitions. I feel be visiting often to see how these new geography. Tree ferns, Antarctic Beech that our very different plants are inspiring plants perform season by season. These and a variety of other ancient plants designers to find creative ways for using rows form a colourful, interesting and demonstrate the different conditions them in the garden. dynamic display. from today’s Australia. Hexagonal basalt columns are used to edge many of the beds and look natural and effective. The signage is excellent here, as it is

Lilypad Bridge The Weird and Wonderful Garden is sure to be a hit with overseas visitors. It gathers together our sometimes very odd and dramatic flora such as bottle trees, Spear Lilies, cycads, Flindersia, Livistona and various forms of grass trees. Some of the grass trees are already very old and large and were salvaged (happily) from construction sites around the country. These majestic plants tower Cultivar Garden Signage over the visitor.

20 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 21 shape of the ‘scribbles’ on various species of eucalypt bark. The plants in the garden are strappy plants, such as lomandra and dianella which wave in the breeze in a most attractive way creating shapes and contrasting foliage colours. The Arbour Garden demonstrates a variety of strong climbers on huge walls of steel mesh. Once again, I have not seen a collection of climbers displayed in this Weird and Wonderful Garden way before but it forms a very different The garden also boasts the most garden display. At this stage the climbers Arbour Garden southerly and easterly representative are only young and have not reached the of that strange hemiparasite, Nuytsia rampant growth expected of them in the Another innovative way of displaying sweep of the eye. Water runs everywhere floribunda, the West Australian future, but it allows a method to evaluate Australian vines was by allowing them in this garden, most tellingly in a half- Christmas tree. After much loving care a whole expanse of vine. We are so used to climb up inside and outside tall steel dry river bed so representative of the and attention it seems to be flourishing to seeing walls surrounding gardens mesh columns. A collection of these continent’s centre. The use of Australia’s in its unusual location high on Howson with climbers on them as background, columns reminded me somewhat of the unique rocks adds much to the overall Hill with magnificent views all around. but this display makes the climbers the aboriginal burial columns at the National design of the garden. main feature, front and centre. Gallery of Australia. One of the most visually pleasing I was excited by my initial visit to this gardens is the Scribbly Gum garden with Views from the hills in the garden, such as garden and look forward to returning white partitions in the garden in the Gibson and Howson Hills, are spectacular many times in the future to chart its and expansive. They show off the design development. features of the garden in a 360 degrees

Scribbly Gum Garden Emphemeral River Bed

22 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 23 Growing Eremophilas at the Australian National Botanic Gardens

Eremophila racemosa Eremophila garden with pea gravel mulch The leaf colour and form is often as The nectar in eremophila flowers has a distinct as the flowers and there is almost high calorific content which makes them Words by Paul Carmen Eremophilas make very good display always a strong colour contrast between very attractive to nectar feeding birds Photos by Murray Fagg plants however they can be difficult the foliage and flowers. like spinebills and other honey eaters. to grow in Canberra’s clay soils and Eremophilas come in all forms from Introduction cold winters. They are usually easy to ground covers to shrubs to small trees. The Australian National Botanic Gardens propagate from cuttings but may be (ANBG) support a living collection of short-lived. about 74,000 individual plants arranged In this article, I will discuss some of the in 40 hectares of themed garden beds. innovative work being done at the ANBG This collection features over 6,200 to overcome some of these issues. species which represent about a third of Australia’s native plants. Eremophilas — why are they Eremophila glabra It is the largest scientific collection of so desirable? Australian native plants sourced from The flowers are usually bright and well the wild and is vouchered by herbarium displayed, often appearing en masse but specimens for taxonomic study. often one or two flowers can be found The ANBG has an extensive collection on plants throughout the year. Many of eremophilas with 68 taxa (54 species, have the unusual characteristic of having Eremophila maculata x brevifolia nine subspecies and five cultivars). There a range of distinct colours and all these are over 900 individual plants in the colours can be present at the same time. collection most of which are in display In E. racemosa for example, flowers range gardens. from orange to red to pink. Eremophila glabra s elegans

24 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 25 Eremophila plants grow quickly, many It is thought that combination of the years old, with the oldest having been are often short lived and others may elevation and warmth provided by the propagated in 1983. persist for 20 or 30 years. pipe has resulted in previously ‘difficult’ taxa including many eremophilas being Nursery staff mostly use top wedge able to be grown in the garden for the cutting grafts because they are easy first time. to prepare and handle. The particular rootstock used has proven very reliable and strikes quickly with a high percentage rooting success.

Sandstone soil exposed showing texture with Paul Carmen Eremophilas often have very hairy leaves and almost all species are susceptible to attack from the fungus, Botrytis cinerea in the moist humid conditions required propagation. However, ANBG nursery staff have now developed a post-graft Eremophila nivea preparation technique which helps At ANBG some plants have been overcome the problem of scion rotting established in display pipes (with in the propagation house. specialised growing media) to great effect Eremophila strongylophylla in pipe and there is also an extensive permanent Propagation Examples of hairy leaved eremophilas: pot collection held in the nursery. Sandstone soil exposed Since the early 1970s the Gardens have Cultivation played a leading research role into Pipes grafting of Australian plants. Grafting The main plantings of eremophilas in the was identified as a way to help overcome ANBG can be seen just below the Rock An innovative program of using painted difficulties with the heavy Canbera soils Garden. concrete pipes for growing difficult species was introduced by ANBG Curator, and a possible solution for the effects The soils have been improved to increase David Taylor in 2010. the cinnamon fungus, Phytophthora drainage and a gravel mulch (5–10mm) cinnamomi. Much of the cross-generic has been used to great effect. The mulch Soil media expert, Kevin Handreck was work using the hardy and rot-resistant was recommended by Grahame and commissioned to develop a suitable Westringia and Myoporum rootstocks Eremophila splendens Maree Goods of the Eremophila Study growing medium which would remain for Prostanthera and Eremophila has Group in 2009 and has significantly stable for a long time ie more than 10 been carried out at the ANBG. improved establishment, growth and years, with minimal additional watering longevity of existing plantings. requirements. The resultant ‘pipe mix’ is When grafted on to a vigorous, disease- a combination of coal ash, sandy loam, resistant rootstock such as a myoporum More recently horticultural staff pine bark and coir. It has better drainage species like M. insulare eremophilas can improved a new bed with a sub-base than a clay soil but still has good water- be grown successfully in a wide range of of Sydney sandstone (sourced from a holding qualities. soils and situations. quarry near Bundanoon). The plantings in this part of the garden are all on their Pipes have been positioned throughout Over a third of the representatives of the own roots and have done exceptionally the Gardens to great effect and the genus in the ANBG collection have been well since last spring. results have been very encouraging. grafted and most are more than eight Eremophila warnesii

26 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 27 In 2005, ANBG nursery staff found propagation medium and a small grafting that by inserting the prepared cutting clip is then used to hold the plastic tube graft into a piece of hollow polythene to the stake. A small amount of water is plastic tubing, losses from scion rotting then sprayed into the top of the tube so Study Group Notes decreased significantly. While thethat the water runs down the sides. process is more time consuming, the The purpose of the plastic tubing is to results have been very encouraging. create a separate micro-climate for each By Lesley Page, Study Group Liaison •• Description of Hakea oligoneura scion when the graft union is developing Officer, ANPS Canberra Region which was previously species in a mist propagation environment. The Yalgorup Lots of newsletters came in in the last plastic tubing collects a film of water •• Visit from Peter Olde and Dr Peter droplets on its inner surface but the leaves three months, many lamenting the Weston to discuss the relationship remain largely dry and are less susceptible hot dry summer experienced. between hakeas and grevilleas to Botrytis cinerea infection. Care is taken •• News from other members to ensure that the leaves are not in direct Grevillea Study Group Newsletter contact with the plastic tubing. no. 94 February 2013 Eucalyptus Study Group Newsletter •• Features all the Programmes for no. 58 March 2013 Results 2013 •• “Promiscuous plants and strange The technique significantly improved •• There is a seed bank list and many bee behaviour”: the success rate on the following interesting articles. eremophila species: behriana, Plant breeding and pollination bignoniiflora x polyclada, bowmanii •• Pollination of Grevilleas by Hybridization in the eucalypts ssp bowmanii, christopheri, crassifolia, Dr Susan Hoebel — there is Stingless bees are kept as pets dalyana, divaricata ssp divaricata, a very good introduction to drummondii, forestii ssp forestii, glabra, grevilleas. She talked about the Eucalypt seed carriers inflata, ionantha, latrobei ssp latrobei, unique mechanisms of pollen •• Eucalypt reveals smelly secret: longifolia, mackinlayi ssp spathulata, presentation in grevilleas and Yellow box are able to change the maculata ssp brevifolia, maculata, discussed the various insects, microtheca, nivea, oppositifolia, smell of its leaves from one side Eremophila subfloccosa grafted on to Myoporum insulare birds and animals which may or Photo: Joe McAuliffe polyclada, racemosa, resinosa, saligna, of the tree to the other to protect serrulata, strongylophylla, subfloccosa, may not be an effective pollinator. itself against predation. Detailed Description of the veneta, weldii and youngii. The results for •• The grevillea and hakea •• Antibacterial treatments from Technique other species which have proven difficult relationship is discussed. eucalyptus gum — Aboriginal to successfully graft in the past were also Prior to sticking in the rooting media Hakea Study Group Newsletter people have been known to improved but not quite as dramatically. prepare aqueous extracts or the graft stem is inserted into a plastic no. 51 February 2013 tube which is 50mm in diameter and Conclusion crushed pure eucalyptus kinos approximately 100mm long. The graft •• Leader Paul Kennedy writes for direction application on Although growing eremophilas has stem with plastic tube is then inserted in about the impact of summer burns, the alleviation of muscle proven a hard nut to crack, staff at the the propagation medium to a depth so temperatures of 40 to 45 degrees aches, cramps, eye infections and ANBG have proven that a large number that the leaves of the stock are 5–10mm on hakeas. of species can be grown in Canberra very toothache and more. above the surface of the medium. successfully and will continue to try new •• Vale John Clark, one of the early •• Book review: Eucalypts of Western A plastic stake is then inserted methods to showcase more examples of members of the Hakea Study Australia’s Wheat Belt by Malcolm down through the tube and into the this outstanding genus. Group French

28 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 29 •• Vale Lindsay James Daniels. Eremophila Study Group describing what is there. Roger •• Bruce Maslin awarded the Nancy Lindsay was a member of the Newsletter no. 105 January 2013 Farrow and Christine Kendricks’s Burbridge Medal (Australian Biloela (Qld) community for more •• Phil Hempel, Diamond Creek, garden is also featured. Roger Systematic Botany Society). than 50 years. He contributed to Victoria has started a Facebook gives a detailed report on the •• Des Nelson OAM, was granted the the cultivation of the majority of page called ‘Eremophila Growers’. development of “Tilembeya”. OAM for service to conservation native trees planted within the Acacia Study Group Newsletter no. and environment, particularly in region. •• Report on Queensland Eremophila Study Group weekend and crawl 120 March 2013 central Australia. • Epacris Study Group Newsletter July 2012 •• From the Leader Bill Aitchison • Starting Early: Lifting the Profile of Acacias in Australia. no. 35 Autumn 2013 •• Emus, Emu Bushes and — on International Women’s Matthew Alexandra would like to •• Gwen Elliot (Study Group leader) Propagation — Eremophilas Day, Russia, Italy and some other encourage students to grow and earned the name Emu Bush countries present acacias (Acacia is looking for a new leader understand acacias. • apparently due to the emu eating dealbata). • Dick Burns receives an Order •• Wattle — Part of Our Heritage of Australia medal for service the fruit of eremophilas. Phil •• Vale John Simmons, November to botany, as an author and Hempel writes about germination. 2012. John was known for And there is still more to read. conservationist. •• Eremophilas at Seven Hills NSW — his photography in Acacias of •• Article on 'Looking Back into the Charles Farrugia writes about his Australia Vols 1 and 2. History of Epacris Cultivation' — trials and tribulations. He gives a an extract from The Garden 16 list of species and how they fared. July 1884, England. Epacris were •• Obituary Noel Gane, 21 January cultivated in England, lists many 1922–13 December 2012 different species grown. Garden Design Study Group Dryandra Study Group Newsletter Newsletter February 2013 no. 64 January 2013 •• Change of leader from Jo •• Margaret Pieroni (Leader) Hambrett to Ben Walcott. Ros awarded Life Membership of the Walcott will be editor of the Wildflower Society of WA newsletter. Ben retains the role of •• Vale Elizabeth George who died Treasurer/Membership. last November •• Report of the 9th FJC Rogers •• Report by Margaret Pieroni of a Seminar APS Victoria 10–11 field trip to Cheyne Beach and November 2012 — Garden beyond Design was the subject. •• Article on Hybridization in Nature •• What can we learn from Italian •• Tony Cavanagh writes of his garden design? Ros Walcott discovery of dryandra in gardens •• Ideas for a secret garden — in New Zealand whilst travelling Melbourne Branch of GDSG in the south island in January •• Write-ups of various garden visits 2013. There are also dryandras on including the garden of architect Kangaroo Island, SA, Stokes Bay Philip Cox, Bermagui NSW. Also Bush Garden. Diana Snape tells us of soon •• Notes from members leaving her garden of 38 years, Eucalyptus sp.; Drawing: Lesley Page

30 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013 31 Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc. The aims of the Society are to foster the recognition, Membership Fees Special Country for sale conservation and cultivation of Australian native plants. Single or family memberships are the same price. Meetings are held at 8pm on the second Thursday of each month, February to December, in Canberra. Visitors are Basic membership including Bulletin and Journal — $35 ($20*) always welcome. Full membership including Bulletin, Journal and Australian Day and weekend field trips to locations of outstanding Plants — $50 ($36*) botanical interest are organised on a regular basis. Life member subscribing to Australian Plants — $15 The Society publishes a Bulletin in all months except January, * Concession rates apply to pensioners and full-time students. and this quarterly Journal in March, June, September and December. Website: nativeplants-canberra.asn.au Council Other useful contacts President Other Council Members Bulletin Editor Ben Walcott Jodie Durrant Ros Walcott 10 Wickham Cres, 1191 Norton Road 10 Wickham Cres Red Hill ACT 2603 Wamboin NSW 2620 Red Hill ACT 2603 Just ten minutes from Queanbeyan Three 45,000 litre water tanks 02 6161 2742 0408 251 312 02 6161 2742 there’s a 6.5 hectare (16 acre) refuge complement the large dam to ensure [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] of native vegetation and engaging supply. An Onzite Wormfarm takes [email protected] Julie Lindner [email protected] wildlife for sale. Metalled roads lead care of grey and brown water and PO Box 7015 Study Group Liaison Officer Vice President Farrer ACT 2607 compostibles. Lesley Page to its sclerophyll forest, low shrubs, Neville Page 02 6286 4730 an open grassland area and reliable Some annuals and Flatweed have 66 Valley View Lane [email protected] [email protected] Wamboin NSW 2620 Propagation aid sales dam. In spring and early summer blown in but the property’s weeds Fran Middleton 02 6238 1766 Glenn Pure wildflowers bloom with distinctive are mostly restricted to the access 46 Rowntree Crescent [email protected] 66 Crozier Circuit colours and a diversity that equates track-sides. Isaacs ACT 2607 02 6286 5424 Kambah ACT 2902 Secretary with the species list of Cuumbeun The property is being sold by my son [email protected] 02 6231 6457 Nature Reserve. Native birds respond Ian Tranter through Spackman Real Estate. Lesley Page to the plants and their pollinating 29 Kensella St Public Officer Rosemary Blemings Queanbeyan NSW 2620 66 Valley View Lane (for Associations Incorporation Act insects. Kangaroos and wallabies 02 6284 3547 Wamboin NSW 2620 purposes) 02 6238 1766 keep the grasses in check. Views take [email protected] Paul Meier [email protected] in glimpses of the ranges to the west 7 Robert Lewis Crescent and distant Black Mountain. Treasurer Alison Roach Gordon ACT 2906 Masumi Robertson 6 Temora Place 6294 6601 (h) There’s a modern, well insulated, two- 02 6251 6525 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 to three-bedroom house which would [email protected] 0401 669 878 All Society correspondence to [email protected] The Secretary convert to ample garaging when Assistant Secretary/Treasurer ANPS Canberra Region (Inc) the house is built. A large, concrete- Vacant John Robertson 02 6251 6525 PO Box 217 floored storage shed also has ample [email protected] Civic Square ACT 2608 space for the family’s hobbyist or working-from-home person. Back cover: Euphrasia collina, Mt Ginini; Photo: Roger Farrow 32 Journal, Australian Native Plants Society, Canberra Region Inc — June 2013