Wildflowers of Bradleys Head& Chowder Head Georges Head Middle Head Amanda Stead & Bronwyn Stead Wildflowers of Bradleys Head, Chowder Head, Georges Head & Middle Head Copyright © Amanda Stead and Bronwyn Stead 2018 First published 2018 by Amanda Stead & Bronwyn Stead https://www.antipodeanflora.com.au Photographs Copyright © Amanda Stead and Bronwyn Stead 2018 Text: B. Stead 2018 Design and location map: B. Stead All rights reserved. Downloading this document is permitted for personal use only. The moral rights of the authors have been asserted. Assistance from the National Herbarium of New South Wales Identification Service with identifying Dipodium variegatum is gratefully acknowledged. Commonwealth and State laws protect native flora and fauna. Cover: Platylobium formosum, Handsome Flat Pea. Actinotus helianthi, Flannel Flower Contents Medium to large shrubs Acacia linifolia, Flax-seed Wattle................................................64 Introduction...........................................................................6 Acacia longifolia, Sydney Golden Wattle....................................66 Location map.........................................................................7 Acacia suaveolens, Sweet Wattle..............................................68 Acacia terminalis ssp. angustifolia, Sunshine Wattle..................70 Ground covers, climbers Acacia ulicifolia, Prickly Moses..................................................72 Billardiera scandens, Dumplings..............................................10 Astrotricha floccosa,Woolly Star-hair .......................................74 Commelina cynaea, Scurvy Weed...........................................12 Banksia ericifolia, Heath Banksia...............................................76 Clematis glycinoides, Headache Vine......................................14 Callistemon citrinus, Red Bottlebrush.........................................80 Glycine clandestina, Love Creeper...........................................16 Dodonaea triquetra, Hop Bush..................................................82 Hardenbergia violacea, Purple Twining Pea.............................18 Grevillea linearifolia, White Spider Flower...................................84 Kennedia rubicunda, Dusky Coral Pea.....................................20 Hakea sericea, Needle Bush, Silky Hakea.................................86 Lobelia andrewsii, Creeping Lobelia.........................................22 Kunzea antigua, Tick Bush........................................................88 Pandorea pandorana, Wonga Wonga Vine..............................24 Leptospermum trinervium, Flaky-barked Tea-tree......................90 Patersonia glabrata, Purple Flag..............................................26 Leptospermum squarrosum, Pink Tea-tree...............................92 Viola hederacea, Native Violet..................................................28 Melaleuca armilllaris, Tea-tree...................................................94 Ozothamnus diosmifolius, Rice Flower......................................96 Orchids Pomaderris lanigera, Woolly Pomaderris..................................98 Cryptostylis erecta, Tartan Tongue Orchid................................30 Pultenaea daphnoides, Large-leaf Bush Pea..........................100 Dipodium variegatum, Hyacinth Orchid....................................32 Solanum aviculare, Kangaroo Apple........................................104 Small shrubs Viminaria juncea, Golden Spray...............................................106 Actinotus helianthi, Flannel Flower...........................................34 Westringia fruticosa, Coastal Rosemary..................................108 Baeckia imbricata, Heath Myrtle........................................36 Trees Bauera rubioides, Dog Rose....................................................38 Banksia integrifolia ssp. integrifolia, Coastal Banksia..............110 Coronidium elatum, White Paper Daisy....................................40 Callicoma serratifolia, Black Wattle...........................................114 Correa reflexa, Common Correa..............................................42 Elaeocarpus reticulatus, Blueberry Ash...................................116 Crowea saligna, Lance-leaf Crowea.........................................44 Glochidion ferdinandi, Cheese Tree.........................................118 Dillwynia retorta, Eggs and Bacon............................................46 Epacris longiflora,Fuschia Heath.............................................48 Introduced plants - weeds Grevillea speciosa, Red Spider Flower.....................................50 Asparagus aethiopicus, Common asparagus..........................120 Hibbertia dentata, Trailing Guinea Flower.................................52 Anredera cordifolia, Madiera Vine...........................................120 Isopogon anethifolius, Drumsticks............................................54 Lantana camara, Lantana........................................................122 Lambertia formosa, Mountain Devil..........................................58 Ipomoea purpurea, Morning Glory...........................................122 Platylobium formosum, Handsome Flat Pea............................60 Woollsia pungens, Snow Wreath..............................................62 Information sources..............................................................126 Introduction Location map MIDDLE HARBOUR The natural bushland fringing the inner Harbour headlands of Middle, Georges and Bradleys Heads is part of Sydney Harbour National Park, and the traditional lands of the Borogega-Yuruey Clan of the Eora Nation. Middle Head Vegetation types range across sandstone heath to Sydney sandstone Kuba Kaba, Caba-Caba, gully forest and sandstone ridgetop woodland on a Hawkesbury sandstone base. Gubbuh Gubbuh Obelisk Soils are mostly shallow, infertile and sandy or sandy-loam. They are Bay highly permeable, retain little water and are low in nutrients, especially MOSMAN nitrogen and phosphorus which are essential for plant growth. Between Bradleys and Georges Heads there is a layer of Wianamatta Georges Head shale over the sandstone base. Shale consists of clay minerals and silt, not surprising as geologically Sydney Harbour is a drowned river valley. Shale generates soils of higher water and nutrient retention and so is able to support other plant types. Little Chowder Bay, Sirius Cove Koree, Goree Among the first records of floral diversity on this foreshore bushland were those made by Lt. William Bradley (1757-1833) of the First Fleet - and after whom Bradleys Head was named. Following arrival in 1788 he Zoo Taylors Chowder Head undertook surveys around the Headlands in Port Jackson. How much of Gooragal, Gurugal Whiting Bay that diversity still exists? Beach Athol Two centuries later the National Herbarium of New South Wales conducted Bay field surveys to find out, and over 400 native species were identified (Benson 2011). When compared to historical lists, including the 1788 SYDNEY HARBOUR journals of Lt. W. Bradley and Surgeon Worgan, these plants were found Port Jackson to be representatives of those recorded in 1788, and could be regarded as being indigenous to these areas. Several other early recorded species were not found. Bradleys Head All the species featured here are represented on that list, except Solanum Booraghee, Booragy, Burroggy © B Stead 6 7 aviculare, Kangaroo Apple - and of course introduced plants which have “escaped” from gardens and are now classified as weeds. Four of these are described at the end. Australia is an ancient land with low-nutrient soils, irregular rainfall, wide variations in temperature and long dry periods. To survive and grow indigenous plants have developed a range of unique adaptations over a long period of time. For example sandstone soils lack phosphorus in bio-available forms yet many native species thrive. This is due to their ability to form mutual symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal soil fungi and rhizobia which facilitate phosphorus uptake by the roots. Such mutual relationships are common in the Pea Family (Fabaceae) commonly found on shallow, nutrient-poor sandstone-based soils. Other adaptations include hairy coverings, scleromorphic features such as thickened leaves, xeromorphic mechanisms (leaf orientation, sunken stomata), lignotubers, seed dormancy, specialised flower and seed morphology to attract insects and birds for pollination and seed dispersal services. These are present to varying degrees among these species. Contemporary threats continue to impact the growth and survival of indigenous plants in this remnant bushland. These include invasive exotic weeds, storm water, introduced rabbits and foxes, garden waste dumping, proximity to urban areas, development, soil disturbances, lack of fire (for some species), pathogens such as Phytophthora cinnamomi disease (particularly on Bradleys Head) and introduced myrtle rust (Puccinia psidii). We photographed these native flowers as observed alongside walking tracks in the area at different times of the year. Flowering times are a guide only. Pomaderris discolour, Chowder Head Family: Rhamnaceae 8 9 Billardiera scandens var. scandens Sm. Appleberry, Apple Dumplings, Bomula, Snotberry Family: Pittosporaceae Description: Weak perennial climber, rambler or low sprawling bush. Brown wiry stems to 3 metres. Leaves linear with tips curving over, margins often wavy (undulate), leaf surface lightly