Salt Marsh Remnant (147 112) Are of Some Botanical Interest

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4 t 1 1 1 1·~r111 11111111 ~~I t1l1111 ~11r111, 11~ 1r111 1,1r~ 111111111111111·11J111r1111111 3 101 0 00024448 5 Sites of Botanical Significance in the Western Region of Melbourne

Keith McDougall

1987

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Prepared by: The Department of Geography, University of Melbourne Prepared for: Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands; Arthur Rylah Institute - Ecological Inventory and Evaluation Section This project was carried out with the support of the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria and the Melbourne Western Region Commission Incorporated. AU views expressed are those of the author and must not be taken as the official views of the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, or the Melbourne Western Region Commission Incorporated. Contents

ABSTRACT 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1 CHAPTER I Introduction Assessment of Significance 3 Survey Technique 3 How to Find Sites in the Report 3 Index of Sites by Municipality 4 Index of Sites by Significance 6 CHAPTER 2 The N4tural Features of the Region Introduction 9 Geology 9 Terrain 9 Climate 10 CHAPTER3 Vegetation of the Western Region of Melbourne Introduction 15 Plant Communities 15 Road and Rail Reserve Vegetation 20 Weeds 20 CHAPTER4 Sites of Botanical Significance Broadmeadows Mapsheet (B) 23 Maribyrnong Mapsheet (M) 24 Altona Bay Mapsheet (AB) 27 Sunshine Mapsheet (S) 29 Keilor Mapsheet (K) 49 Sydenham West Mapsheet (SW) 59 Truganina Mapsheet (T) 65 Werribee Mapsheet (W) 68 Manor Mapsheet (Ma) 70 Eynesbury Mapsheet (E) 73 Melton Mapsheet (Me) 78 Toolem Vale Mapsheet (TV) 84 Bullengarook Mapsheet (Bu) 89 Lerderderg Mapsheet (L) 91 Balliang Creek Mapsheet (BC) 97 You Yangs Mapsheet (YY) 101 Staughton Vale Mapsheet (SV) 104 I ngliston Mapsheet (1) 108

CHAPTERS References 112 APPENDIX 1 Presettlement Vegetation Map References 113 APPENDIX 2 Indigenous Species of the Western Melbourne Region 114 Abstract This study examines aspects of the natural vegeta scarps, which contained Stringybark Forests. The tion of the Western Region of Melbourne. It in Stringybark Forests have remained because of their cludes a detailed survey of both public and private unsuitability for agriculture and forestry. So too has · 1and in the predominantly urban municipalities of much of the Riparian Vegetation and Grey Box Sunshine, Footscray, Williamstown, Altona, Keilor Woodland. The grasslands however have been and Essendon. In the rural municipalities of Bac greatly depleted. Less than one per cent remains, chus Marsh, Melton and Werribee the detailed sur .mostly on road and rail reserves. vey was confined to public land, with private land bemg assessed on the basis of existing information The botanical significance of the Region's remnant supplemented by limited field work. vegetation is assessed using criteria discussed in A generalized map of vegetation in the region at the Chapter I. One hundred and two sites are identified time of European settlement was derived by as significant. Of these, one is of National signifi comparing remnant stands with early cadastral and cance, 22 are of State significance, 30 are of Re parish maps, which include some detail of tree gional significance and 43 are of Local significance. cover and species. The region was dominated by the ·Three sites in the Shire of Corio are included vast treeless basalt plain of tussock grasses and because they add to our knowledge of the south herbs that stretched from the Maribyrnong River to western edge of the Western Melbourne Region. the dissected scarps of the Brisbane and Lerderderg Management strategies for ensuring the viability of Ranges. The few rivers that cut through the basalt the significant ve~etation are included with site were lined with River Red Gum. Grey Box Wood~ descriptions. Minimisation of disturbance is the lands developed on alluvial fans at the bases of the most common prescription.

Acknowledgements This report was prepared in the Department of bourne) for assisting in the computer productlon of Geography at the University of Melbourne. I Figures 5, 6 and 7. acknowledge the use of that Department's facilities Many thanks also to those who supplied specific site and the assistance of staff members, particularly information: David Albrecht and JeffYugovic (Na Neville Rosengren for supplying the information in tional Herbarium), Doug Frood (Botany Depart Chapter 2 and skilfully administering the project, ment, University of Melbourne), Ames He1slers and Wendy Nicol for preparing the plates and copy (National Parks Service); David Howe (Land ing maps. Protection Service), Barry Kemp, Don Marsh and I am indebted to Jenny Purdy for all drafting in this Carl Rayner (Friends of Organ Pipes), Bronwyn report, Robin Adair (Land Protection Service) for Myers (Depanment of Agriculture), John Stuwe assistance with difficult plant identifications, Helen (Botany Department, La Trobe University) and McCallum (Western Region Commission) for tony Witham (Melbourne and Metropolitan Board SUP.plying information on land ownership, and Ross of Works). Millward (Computer Centre, University of Mel- All photographs were taken by the author. 8 0V) N

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N Chapter 1 Introduction The Western Region of Melbourne has lost most of Survey Thclmique its indigenous vegetation and is in danger oflosing the few remnants that have clung to a precarious Sites were selected initially by interpretation of ae existence during 150 years ofland use. Its botanical rial photographs. Wetland and woodland areas were heritage can only be preserved through informed easily identified. Native grasslands were difficult to planning. This survey of the Region's sites of locate and hence required considerable field botanical significance will supply the information checking. for such planning. · Most sites were surveyed during winter so annual and hemicryptophyte species could not be ac Assessment of Significance counted for. Major species and site characteristics were· listed. Further information was obtained from The sites listed in this report have been identified as people with knowledge of particular sites. significant remnants of presettlement vegetation. Three sites of significance were identified during· Their degree of significance has been assessed in the survey in the Shire of Corio near its border with National, State, Regional (Western Melbourne Re the Shire of Bacchus Marsh. They have been in gion) and Local contexts using the following cluded in the Report because they provide evidence criteria: of the former vegetation of the south-western part - Rareness of species of the Western Melbourne Region and will be valu - Rareness of vegetation able sources of seed for the rehabilition of sites in - Representativeness of vegetation that area. - Cover of weeds - Viability of vegetation and species - Disjunction of species - Size of stand How to Find Sites in the Report Maintenance of species diversity through preserva tion of taxa and combinations of taxa (plant Sites of significance may be found in this report in communities) has highest priority in vegetation three ways: management. Rareness of a site's species and (I) By Mapsheet - The distribution of sites and the vegetation is clearly the most important consid I:25000 mapsheet on which they occur are shown in eration in assessing significance. The site Figure I. Sites are listed in the text by mapsheet. characteristics applicable to each of the significance They are identified by a rnapsheet abbreviation and categories used are listed below. number (eg. SV 3 means Site 3 on the Staughton Vale mapsheet). NATIONAL (2) By Municipality - Table I lists sites by - species and/or vegetation threatened with municipality. extinction. (The climatic zonation of Australian (3) By Significance - Table 2 lists sites by vegetation precludes any assessment of species significance. rareness based on former Australia-wide dis The following information is provided with each tribution because most species in the Region are site listing: naturally restricted to south-eastern Australia). Locality: Position of site in relation to prominent feature on mapsheet; Municipality, AMG grid STATE reference. - species and/or vegetation once common in Vic Access: Name of closest road or description of toria or south-eastern Australia but now consid means of access to site. ered rare; viable populations of greatly disjunct species uncommon in the Region. Ownership: Private or Crown ownership. The manager of Crown land is included if known. REGIONAL Vegetation: A brief description of the site's vegeta - species and/or vegetation once common in the tion. More detailed information about particular Western Melbourne Region but now considered vegetation types can be found in Chapter 3. rare; viable, weed-free representatives ofthe Re Significance: Level of significance (National, gion's vegetation; disjunct populations of spe State, Regional or Local). The features of the site cies common in the Region. used in assessing its significance are outlined. Management: The threats to the site of current LOCAL land use and methods of preserving the qualities of - remnants of indigenous vegetation that have the site are discussed. been substantially altered (weed cover is References: Sources of further information. Ref generally great), are common in the Region or erences cited are listed in the REFERENCES State, and are better represented at other sites. section.

3 TABLE 1 INDEX OF SITES OF BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE BY MUNICIPALITY Site No. Site Name Significance Page

Altona AB l Point Cook Metropolitan Park State 28 s 13 Laverton North Grassland Reserve State 36 s 14 Slough Estate Grassland (I) Regional 37 s 15 Slough Estate Grassland (2) Regional 38 s 16 Merton Street Crown Land Grassland Local 38 s 17 Truganina Swamp Regional 39 s 18 Cherry Lake Regional 39 s 19 Kororoit Creek Mouth Regional 40 s 20 Kororoit Creek Sah Marsh Local 41 s 21 Kororoit Creek Swamp Local 41 s 23 Kororoit Creek ·Escarpments Local 41 Bacchus Marsh BC I Rowsley-Exford Road Swamp Regional 98 BC 2 Geelo~-Bacchus Marsh Road Swamp Local 98 Bu 1 Lerder erg Gorge Forest Park State 90 Bu 2 Wombat State Forest Regional 90 I l Werribee Gorge State Park State 107 I 2 Reids Road Woodland (1) Local llO I 3 Reids Road Woodland (2) Local 110 I 5 RC(jds Road Reserve Woodland Local 111 L l Bacchus Marsh Callitris State 92 L2 Bacchus Marsh Cemetery Local 92 L3 Pentland Hills Road Woodland Local 93 L4 Bacchus Marsh South Woodlands Local 93 L5 North Western Railway Woodland Regional 93 L6 Western Freeway Woodland Local 94 L7 Parwan Woodland Local 95 L8 Werribee River Escarpment Regional 95 L9 North Western Rail Reserve ( 4) Local 96 L 10 Lerderderg River Edge Local 96 L 11 Werribee River Edge (3) Local 96 Mel Long Forest Flora Reserve State 79 Me6 Exford Weir Road Woodland Local 83 SY 1 9_uakes Road Woodland Local 105 SY 3 Little" River Edge (2) Local 106 TV l Pyrete Ranges State 85 TV 4 Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road Reserve Local 88 Corio BC 3 Swamp Road Swamp State 99 BC4 Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road Bull-oak Regional 100 SY 2 Bird Road BulJ-oak Regional 106 Footscray There are no sites of botanical significance in the City of Footscray. The patch of Themeda Grassland at Grid Reference (120 133), Swamp containing the north-western Victorian shrub Chenqpodium niuan·aceum (a probable introduction) at (162 145) and Salt Marsh remnant (147 112) are of some botanical interest. Essendon B 1 Napier Park Regional 23 Keilor Kl Organ Pipes National Park Regional 50 K2 Jacksons Creek Escarpment R egional 50 K 3,8 Maribyrnong River Edge Regional 50, 55 K4 Maribyrnong River Escarpments (4) Local 51 K5 Dry Creek Shrubland Regional 53 K6 Taylors Creek Edge Local 53 K7 Taylors Creek ShrubJand Regional 54 K9 Sydenham Reserve Grassland Regional 55 KIO Taylors Lakes Grassland State 56 K 11 Sydenham Flora Reserve Regional 57 K 12 St. Albans Rail Reserve State 57 K 13 Milleara Road Grassland Local 58 K 14 Keilor Cemete!"Y Regional 59 Ml Maribyrnong River Escarpment (I ) Regional 25 s 2 Steele Creek Grassland Local 31 4 Site No. Site Name Significance Page s i6 Maribyrnong River Escarpment (2) Regional 47 SW 1 Diggers Rest Rail Reserve Grassland State 59 Melton £2 Mount Cottrell Woodland Local 75 Me2 Harkness Road Woodland Local 79 Me3 Ryans Road Reserve Woodland Local 81 Me4 Exford Woodlands Local 81 Me7 Toolern Creek Edge Local 83 Me 8, SW 3 North Western Rail Reserve (1,3) Regional 83, 62 SW 1 Diggers Rest Rail Reserve Grassland State 59 SW2 Clarkes Road Grassland State 61 SW4 Rockbank Radio Station Woodland Regional 63 SW 5 Deans Marsh Regional 63 SW 6 Paynes Road Swamp Local 64 T 1 North Western Rail Reserve (2) State 66 TV 1 Pyrete Ranges State 85 TV 2 Black Hills Regional 86 TV 3 Ryans Lane Woodland Local 88 TV 4 Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road Reserve Local 88 Sunshine s l Baldwin A venue Grassland Local 29 S3 St. Albans Road Grassland Regional 32 S4 Multiple Sclerosis Centre Grassland Local 32 S5 Sunshine Tie Grassland Local 33 S6 O'Brien Par Grassland Local 33 S7 Sunshine Rail Reserve Grassland National 33 S8 Braybrook Rail Reserve State 34 S9 Anderson's Swamp State 35 s 10 Fitzgeralds Road Grassland Local 35 s 23 Kororoit Creek Escarpments Local 44 s 24 Kororoit Creek Waterhole Local 46 s 25 Maribyrnong River Edge Regional 47 s 27 Maribyrnong River Escarpment (3) Local 48 Werrlbee AB 1 Point Cook Metropolitan Park State 28 E 1 Eynesbury Estate Regional 74 E3 Telephone Road Woodland Local 75 E 4,5, W 2 Werribee River Edge (li2), Cobbledicks Ford Rejional 76, 77, 68 Mal Kirk Bridge Road Swamp Local 71 71 2 South Western Rail Reserve (2) State 7l 82 3 South Western Rail Reserve (3) State 72 36 5 Parwan-Exford Road Reserve State 82 6611 Dohertys Road Grassland State 35 6812 Laverton North Grasslands Local 36 1022 Princes Freeway Swamp Regional 42 T2 Truganina Cemetery State 66 T3 Laverton RAAF Base Swamp State 67 Wt South Western Rail Reserve (1) Local 68 yy 1 Edgars Road Swamp Regional 102 yy 2 Little River Edge ( 1) Local 102 Williamstown M2 Merrett Rifle Range Coastline State 25

5 TABLE 2 INDEX OF SITES OF BOTANICAL SIGNIFICANCE BY SIGNIFICANCE RATING

Site No. Site Name Municipality Page National S7 Sunshine Rail Reserve Grassland Sunshine 33 State AB 1 Point Cook Metropolitan Park Altona/ Werribee 28 BC 3 Swamp Road Swamp Corio 99 Bu l Lerderderg Gorge Forest Park Bacchus Marsh 90 I I W erribee Gorge State Park Bacchus Marsh 107 K 10 Taylors Lakes Grassland Keil or 56 K 12 St. Albans Rail Reserve Keil or 57 L l Bacchus Marsh Callitris Bacchus Marsh 92 M2 Merrett Rifle Range Coastline Williamstown 25 Ma2 South Western Rail Reserve (2) Werribee 71 Ma 3 South Western Rail Reserve (3) Werribee 72 Mel Long Forest Flora Reserve Bacchus Marsh 79 Me5 Parwan-Exford Road Reserve Werribee 82 S8 Braybrook Rail Reserve Sunshine 34 S9 Anderson's Swamp Grassland Sunshine 35 s 11 Doherty's Road Grassland Werribee 35 s 13 Laverton North Grassland Reserve Werribee 36 SW 1 Diggers Rest Rail Reserve Grassland Keilor/Mel ton 59 SW 2 Clarke Road Grassland Melton 61 T l North Western Rail Reserve (2) Melton 66 T2 Truganina Cemetery Werribee 66 T3 Laverton RAAF Base Swamp· Werribee 67 TV 1 Pyrete Ranges Melton 85 Regional B I Napier Park Essendon 23 BC I Rowsley-Exford Road Swamp Bacchus Marsh 98 BC 4 GeelongMBacchus Marsh Road Bull-oak Corio 100 Bu 2 Wombat State Forest Bacchus Marsh 90 E I Eynesbury Estate Werribee 74 E 4,5, W 2 Werribee River Edge (1,2), Cobbledicks Ford Werribee 76,77,68 Kt Organ Pipes National Park Keil or 50 K2 Jacksons Creek Escarpment Keilor 50 K 3,8, S 25 Maribyrnong River Edge Keilor /Sunshine 50,55,47 KS Dry Creek Shrubland Keilor 53 K7 Taylors Creek Shrubland Keil or 54 K9 Sydenham Reserve Grassland Keil or 55 K 11 Sydenham Rora Reserve Keilor 57 K 14 Keilor Cemetery Keilor 59 LS North Western Railway Woodland Bacchus Marsh 93 L8 Werribee River Escarpment Bacchus Marsh 95 Ml Maribyrnong River Escarpment (I) Keilor 25 Me 8, SW 3 North Western Rail Reser¥e (1,3) Melton 83,62 s 3 St. Albans Road Grassland Sunshine 32 s 14 Slough Estate Grassland (I) Altona 37 s 15 Slough Estate Grassland (2) Altona 38 s 17 Truganina Swamp Altona 39 s 18 Cherry Lake Altona 39 s 19 Kororoit Creek Mouth Altona 40 s 22 Princes Freeway Swamp Werribee 42 s 26 Maribymong River Escarpment (2) Keil or 47 SV 2 Bird Road Bull-oak Corio 106 SW4 Rockbank Radio Station Woodland Melton 63 SW 5 Deans Marsh Melton 63 TV 2 Black Hills Melton 86 yy I Edgars Road Swamp Werribee 102 Local BC 2 Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road Swamp Bacchus Marsh 98 £2 Mount Cottrell Woodland Melton 75 E3 Telephone Road Woodland Werribee 75 I 2 Reids Road Woodland (1) Bacchus Marsh 110 I 3 Reids Road Woodland (2) Bacchus Marsh 110 I 5 Reids Road Reserve Woodland Bacchus Marsh 111 K4 Maribyrnong River Escarpments (4) Keilor 51 K6 Taylors Creek Edge Keilor 53 K 13 Milleara Road Grassland Keilor 58 6 Site No. Site Name Municipality Page L2 Bacchus Marsh Cemetery Bacchus Marsh 92 L3 Pentland Hills Road Woodland Bacchus Marsh 93 L4 Bacchus Marsh South Woodlands Bacchus Marsh 93 L6 Western Freeway Woodland Bacchus Marsh 94 L7 Parwan Woodland Bacchus Marsh 95 L9 North Western Rail Reserve (4) Bacchus Marsh 96 LIO Lerderderg River Edge Bacchus Marsh 96 L 11 Werribee River Edge (3) Bacchus Marsh 96 Mal Kirk Bridge Road Swamp Werribee 71 Me2 Harkness Road Woodland Melton 79 Me3 Ryans Road Reserve Woodland Melton 81 Me4 Exford Woodlands Melton 81 Me6 Exford Weir Road Woodland Bacchus Marsh 83 Me7 T oolem Creek Edge Melton 83 s l Baldwin A venue Grassland Sunshine 29 S2 Steele Creek Grassland Keil or 31 S4 Multiple Sclerosis Centre Grassland Sunshine 32 s 5 Sunshine Tip Grassland Sunshine 33 S6 O'Brien Park Grassland Sunshine 33 s 10 Fitzgerald Road Grassland Sunshine 35 s 12 Laverton North Grasslands Werribee 36 s 16 Merton Street Crown Land Grassland Altona 38 s 20 Kororoit Creek Salt Marsh Altona 41 s 21 Kororoit Creek Swamp Altona 41 s 23 Kororoit Creek Escarpments Altona/Sunshine 44 s 24 Kororoit Creek Waterhole Sunshine 46 s 27 Maribyrnong River Escarpment (3) Sunshine 485 SV l Quakes Road Woodland Bacchus Marsh I05 sv 3 Little River Edge (2) Bacchus Marsh 106 SW6 Paynes Road Swamp Melton 64 TV 3 Ryans Lane Woodland Melton 88 TV 4 Diggers Rest-Coimadai Road Reserve Melton/B. Marsh 88 WI South Western Rail Reserve (1) Werribee 68 YY2 Little River Edge (l) Werribee 102

7 LOCATION MAP

+ Eruption point D Lavo plain ~. Lava ridge/plateau ~ Ois&ected Yangcs D Alluvium/ col lovium ME:L SOO!':~ :t~ ~ . J Ll Werribee 'delta' Werr '1 bee ~ CJ Built~ up area Gorge "'' ..... Stud.Y area Figure 3: Terrain of the Western Melbourne Region.

8 Chapter 2 The Natural Features of the Region Introduction The area discussed in this report can be conve mentary rock with a wide range of grain sizes - and niently divided into two distinct geological and ter includes unstratified tillite (rock materials depos rain provinces. In the south the boundary between ited by melting ice), and other conglomerates as the two provinces lies along the Rowsley Fault, but well as sandstone and mudstone. Known as the north of Bacchus Marsh the boundary trends north Bacchus Marsh Formation, the material is now P.re easterly towards Sunbury. East of this boundary is served in downfaulted blocks in the Wembee an undulating lava covered plain extending to Port Gorge, Pentland Hills and Lerderderg Ranges. Phillip Bay, while to the west is the higher terrain of Tertiary sediments and volcanics are best exposed the Brisbane and Lerderderg Ranges (Fig. 2). in the Parwan Valley, Pentland Hills and the The basement rocks of the region are marine sedi Werribee River valley below the Werribee Gorge. ments and glacial deposits of Palaeozoic age, and The sediments arc poorly consolidated and clay these outcrop extensively in the ranges north and rich, and massive landslip and gully erosion prob south of Bacchus Marsh. Unconsolidated Tertiary lems occur. sediments (including brown coals) and volcanics The geology of the plains east and south of Bacchus overlie the Palaeozoic basement and are exposed in Marsh is dominated by the Newer Volcanics lava the Parwan Valley and Pentland Hills. East of Bac flows, the flows ranging from 2.5 million to 5 mil chus Marsh, the Palaeozoic and older Tertiary rocks lion years old. The volcanoes produced abundant are almost everywhere covered by the broad, thick flows of viscous basaltic lava that spread rapidly sheets of Pliocene/Pleistocene basaltic lava of the from the vents and buried existing landscape fea Werribee plains. The youngest surficial materials tures. Individual flow thickness varies from 2 me include alluvial and colluvial fans and downwash tres to over 10 metres, and the entire sequence is in sands, floodplain deposits, and estuarine, beach and places almost 100 metres thick. The flows origi wind blown coastal deposits. nated from numerous vents and fissures, but only a small number of eruption points, such as Mount Geology Cottrell and Bald Hill, remain as broad, low and conspicuous features. The bulk of the volcanic ma The region is underlain by Palaeozoic sediments terial is tough, dark, olivine basalt with limited (Ordovician and Silurian sandstone, siltstone, shale amounts of scoria and tuff (fragrnental Java) being and slate) but extensive outcrop occurs only in the ejected. western part ofthe study area. Outcrop ofSiluri an is The youngest geological materials are alluvial and confined to the valley of the Maribyrnong River at colluvial fan deposits, confined floodplain deposits, Keilor, but Ordovician is the dominant lithology of and coastal sands and silty sediments. As these pro the ranges north of Melton and in the Bacchus vide some of the best arable land in the study area Marsh area. The rocks are well bedded and tightly e.g the Werribee 'delta', or have been utilized for folded resulting in steeply dipping bedding planes. salt works and shell extraction, little native vegeta The trend ofthe bedding is consistently within a few tion has survived. de~rees of north-south, and is reflected in a marked onentation of drainage systems in the Brisbane Ranges and Lerderderg Ranges. The Ordovician Terrain rocks have been weakly metamorphosed. This ac The terrain features are a result of three main counts for the presence of slate beds and the groups of processes - volcanism, faulting, and persistant cleavage in the finer grained sediments. changing sea levels (Fig 3). Volcanism has produced The Ordovician rocks weather unevenly and on the level undulating plain surface that is steeper north and west facing slopes angular screes characteristic of the western suburbs of Melbourne and thin lithosols have developed. On wetter sites and extends west to Bacchus Marsh and south to deeper loamy soils predominate. Geelong. The lava surface was originally rough and North and west of Bacchus Marsh are remnants ofa stony resulting in an irregular topography with formerly widespread sedimentary deposit of Perm many small depressions. Swamps formed in some ian age regarded to be substantially of glacial origin. of these depressions, but much of the lava surface The material is classed as a diamictite - a sedi- was well drained owing to the strong jointing (frac- m. ~40 '100 060 Bold Hi ll uw.520 l40 I WO Pi Cook 160 i20 BO 40 i Q.__.__._ ...... _,_...... ~..____._ _.__,___.~·'._.__._...... __.__,__._._.__._..__._..._L...... L._._.._.__._...... L...... L._._ ...... __._ ...... _.__._..._..__._ ...... ~~_...... , 0 G A kilomefl"es a c Figure 2: Profile of the land between the Brisbane Ranges and Point Cook.

9 ture) system in the volcanic rocks. The higher and slates valley widening was reduced compared with steeper upper slopes of some eruption points e.g. rates of valley downcutting, hence narrow and Green Hill and Mount Bullcngarook, are built of steep-sided deep gorges persist on the Werribee scoria, tu ff and agglomerate. Many of the stony lava River and Lerderderg River. surfaces have been stripped of surface stones to Major ridges and valleys of the Brisbane Range and improve their agricultural potential and a large Lerderderg Range have a marked north-south number of the swampy areas have been drained. orientation due to the strike of the Ordovician bed The volcanic materials weather to swelling clays rock. Valley slopes are typically asymmetrical with that become readily waterlogged but on drying may north and west facing slopes being steeper, rockier form hard cracking horizons that resist penetration and drier than south and east facing slopes. by plant roots. Rejuvenation of stream valleys has also taken place From an elevation of 160 metres near Bacchus during episodes oflower sea level in the Pleistocene. Marsh, the lava plains slope to the west and south Over most of the last I 00,000 years the sea has west at an average grade of 1:200. Steeper slopes fallen up to I 00 metres below the present and occur on the upper sections of some eruption stream valleys have cut down towards this lowered points, but the greatest local relief is the valley side base level. The Maribyrnong, Werribee and Little slopes of the main streams. Irregularities on the Rivers, and Kororoit Creek have thus been able to plain surface often mark the edges of individual deepen their valleys into the lava plains and ex lava flows. The course of smaller streams is guided cavate small gorges flanked by columnar jointed by these flow boundaries. basalts. These deepened valley floors have become The topographic influence of volcanicity is dis swampy and floored with floodplain sediments as played by the 20 kilometre lava flow from Mount sea level has risen, and debris falls from valley sides Bullcngarook. This flow filled a deep valley cut into are less readily removed now that stream gradients Ordovician sediments, burying sands and gravels have lessened. deposited by an ancestral stream. The lava flow The coastline of the area is low, lacks variety, and proved very resistant, and subsequent erosion has has been considerably disturbed. Rocky coastlines excavated valleys in the Ordovician bedrock on predominate in Williamstown, sandy and marshy either side of the flow at a rate faster than the coastlines in Altona, and extensively modified erosive lowering of the flow surface. These valleys sandy or low silty/muddy cliffs occur in the Shire of are now twin lateral streams with the lava forming a Werribec. Low dunes and mobile spits and bars broad, elevated divide between them. A somewhat near the mouth of Skeleton Creek are the most similar effect occurred with the flow from Mount dynamic coastal features. Blackwood. In both cases the· eruption point and lava flow now stand as broad, flat, treeless surfaces above the general level of the dissected and forested Lerderderg Ranges. Climate The Lerderderg Ranges. Brisbane Ranges and Pent This summary of climatic characteristics is based land Hills originated from the dissection of the on official data from the Bureau of Meteorology. escarpment and plateau formed by uplift of the The Region's climate is also discussed in Forster et Rowsley Fault. The topography developed by this al. (1975) and Hounam and Powell (1964). fault dominates the landscape to the west and south The climate of the region is temperate with of Bacchus Marsh and, along with the lava flows, generally mild winters and warm to hot summers. determines the trend and character of the major Upland areas have cold winters with occasional drainage systems that cross the plains. The Ranges snowfalls in the Lerderderg Ranges. Snow is ex are of moderate elevation and the summits show a tremely rare along the coast. February is the hottest remarkable accordance of level - the Brisbane month and all of the region can experience long hot Range averages 400 metres above sea level south of spells in summer with occasional daily maxima of Bacchus Marsh while the Lerderderg Range to the 38° to 40°. The effect of elevation and distance from north of the town averages 500 to 550 metres. This the coast, the main determinants of climatic vari uniformity of level indicates the uplifted surface to ation in the Region, are shown in Fig. 4. Ballan have originally been a plain of low relief. (elevation 442 metres) has the coolest summer with The most recent major movements of the Rowsley mean temperatures 3° to 4° lower than Bacchus Fault took place during the Early Pleistocene (l Marsh (elevation 104 metres) while Laverton at the million to 2 million years ago) causing uplift of up coast has a slightly cooler summer and milder win to 500 metres above the level of the plains closer to ter than Bacchus Marsh. The incidence of frost is Port Phillip Bay. This uplift caused the stream sys also much greater away from the coast (Table 3), tems to be rejuvenated and the Lerderderg River, with 53 frost days at Bacchus Marsh in winter and Werribee River and Parwan Creek cut deep valleys 21 at Laverton. The influence of the urban area into the plateau and the scarp of the fault. In the probably accounts for the low ( 16 days) incidence of relatively resistant Ordovician sandstones and frost at Essendon.

Table 3 - Number of frost days recorded at selected stations

J F M A M J J A s 0 N D Year Bacchus Marsh 0 * * 2 6 13 11 11 7 3 * 0 53 Essendon 0 0 0 0 t 4 5 4 2 • * 0 16 Lavcrton 0 0 0 * 2 4 6 5 3 * * 0 21 Melbourne 0 0 0 0 * 2 3 2 1 0 0 0 9 Werribee 0 0 0 l 3 7 8 8 5 2 * 0 34 * - less than 0.5 frost days

10 0 c

20 Bacchus Marsh (I 04m) Louerton (I 4m)

I~ Bollen (442m)

Figure 4: Seasonal temperature 5 variation at selected stations.

J FM AM J JR SON D

The average annual isohyet map (Fig. 5) shows a ter maximum (Fig. 6). Rainfall is generally reliable steeply declining rainfall gradient from the ranges in (Table 4), although drought is occasionally experi the west to the Werribee Plains, gradually increas enced. There have been eight major droughts in the ing again easterly towards Melbourne. The central last hundred years. During the last major drought part of the basalt plains between Werribee, Little from February 1982 to February 1983 inclusive, River and Melton is the driest area. Rainfall occurs stations in the region received lower than average in all months, with a spring maximum. Stations rainfall for 11 months. The rainfall received over along the Great Dividing Range (Macedon and this 13 month period was only 51 % of the average. Blackwood) have much higher rainfalls with a w1n-

Croigieburn

• Anokie

PORT PHILLIP BAY

Figure 5: Isohyet map of the Region.

11 mm

12(}

100 r 80 I I Bhu:kwood Bocchus Mnrsh 60 I / ~ ~ 40 / A ~ ~ ~ . v ~ ( ' ~ ,~ , A t:t 20 '~·1: ~ ~ ~ .., .... :, ~ I• ·",, , ~ ~ ~ Rocktumk Mririb!.Jrnong 0 ... I J F M R M J J A s 0 N D Figure 6: Regional and seasonal rainfall variation.

Table 4 - Probability of receiving seasonal rain amounts (mm) Summer Autumn Winter Spring 100 150 200 75 150 250 100 150 250 100 150 250 Bacchus Marsh 59 26 10 83 30 2 51 8 I 77 38 6 Melbourne 76 47 22 98 50 11 89 43 1 91 64 10

The wind regime over the study area is highly vari tional components arc more evenly distributed. able depending on local topography, the season and There is no marked seasonal predominance. proximity to the coast. Afternoon (3.00 p.m.) winds Evaporation varies with season and location are stronger than morning (9.00 a.m.) winds and the because it is dependent on temperature, humidity Region is characterised by rapid changes in wind and wind (Table 5). The highest evaporation occurs direction accompanying the passage of frontal sys in the central part of the plains and diminishes tems. Wind data for Ballan (representing-an upland towards the uplands. station) and Laverton (representing an exposed coastal and plains station) are presented as octag Climate appears to be only a minor factor in onal rose diagrams (Fig. 7). The frequency of determining the di stri bu ti on of vegetation. observations for each month is shown by the length Although the treeless areas of the Werribee Plains of the bar and the average velocity by the shading of coincide with the lowest rainfall zone, it would ap the bar. The wind regime is distinctly seasonal. At pear that edapbic factors (e.g. soil type and struc Laverton, the predominant summer winds are ture, soil moisture and salinity) determine the south to southeasterly, while in winter the winds are composition of the plant communities. The influ commonly westerly to northerly. Westerly and ence of climate is only obvious in the Lerderderg northerly winds in all seasons are stronger than Ranges where, as rainfall increases, the dominant winds from all other directions. At Ballan, the direc- eucalypt changes.

Table 5 - Evaporation (mm)

J F M A M J J A S 0 N D Year Melbourne 164 128 104 63 39 29 28 38 60 85 114 138 990 Melton 182 141 119 82 47 36 38 47 66 90 121 156 1125 Werribee 179 142 123 75 48 33 36 49 71 JOO 124 159 1139

12 t ~~Ul~1~ln1n ~ ~

Ballan 1500 hrs

30 NoRTll 20 froquency Per Cent

Avaraqe Speed icn.lbr ' 0 0 0 i I 6-10 u-u 16-20 21-25 >25

a n a ~ ~ ~ na a n n ~ &

Laverton 1500 hrs

Figure 7: Wind roses for Laverton and Ballan.

13 VEGETATION MAJOR SPECIES HASITAT PRESETTLEMENT VEGETATION Ed E1.tc:Ol)'p1Ui diY('~ Oi~~tcted t~corpm('nt-'S. of £90 E 9ol'ioc<1tyx Oraovtcion ihofe 011<1 £91 E. ql®utus son<)$tone OF THE Emo E mO

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14 Figure 8: Pre$ettlement vegetation of the· Western Melbourne Region. Chapter 3 Vegetation of the Western Region of Melbourne Introduction (1) Dune Vegetation The first accounts of the ve~etation to the west of Melbourne were necessarily influenced by the quest Habitat: Exposed coastal sand dunes. for suitable grazing land. Notes on survey maps Common Species: such as 'fine pasture Land' and 'fine grassy sheep country' commonly described the vast treeless ba· Shrubs AtripJex cinerea salt plain. And of the wooded hills to the north·west Calocephalus brownii one surveyor wrote 'barren scrubby ranges destitute Ground Cover Carpobrotus rossii of pasture'. Disphyma clavellatum However, much about presettlement vegetation can Distichlis distichophylla be learned from early survey maps. Those of Robert Iso/epis nodosa Hoddle and William Wedge·Darke are particularly Pteridium esculentum informative. These surveyors plotted tree cover and Spinifex hirsutus tied allotments to trees if trees were present. They Stipa flavescens included on their plans a list of trees used with Tetragonia implexicoma distances and bearings to allotment corners. So it is Weeds *Agropyron junceum often possible to identify areas covered with trees *Cakile maritima and even to estimate the~ensity of their cover if it is *Lagurus ovatus assumed that the nearest tree was always used as a *Lycium ferocissimum marker. Most allotments to the west of Melbourne *Solanum nigrum were tied to stakes or pyramids of stones. There Presettlement Cover (km2): 1.5 were obviously very few areas of timber on the Existing Cover (km2): 1.0 basalt plains prior to settlement, a fact that must Percentage on Public Land: 100 have influenced the decision to concentrate settle· ment east of the Maribyrnong River. Indigenous Species: 46 One hundred and fifty years ofland use have greatly Site Number: AB I reduced the cover of indigenous vegetation. A few Notes: Low exposed coastal dunes stretch from remnants persist on land that was unsuitable for Laverton Creek south to the Point Cook Metropoli· agriculture (such as the dry forests of the upper tan Park. Dune Vegetation is not homogeneous and Lerderderg River) or removed from grazing (such as it is likely that several plant communities are repre road and rail reserves). · sented relating to the stablility of the dune system. The importance of remnant vegetation is now Sand deposited on the seaward side is stabilised by widely accepted (Breckwoldt 1986}. Remnants pro the longaereeping rhizomes of Spinifcx hirsutus and vide habitat corridors for indigenous fauna move ment. They are a valuable resource for education *Agropyron junceum. Atriplex cinerea, *Cakile and research and are vital in the conservation of maritima, Calocephalus brown ii and * Lagurus genetic diversity and preservation of the Australian ovatus rapidly colonise this zone. landscape character. Carpobrotus rossii, isolepis nodosa, Stipa Figure 8 shows the distribution of presettlement flavescens and • Lycium ferocissimum are common vegetation. The vegetation map and estimates of on dune crests while Imperata cylindrica is an occa presettlement vegetation cover below were com sional coloniser of small depressions between dunes piled using early survey maps (listed in Appendix I} cut off from the sea by sand deposition. and vegetation - habitat relationships deduced from remnant vegetation. Dunes of increasing age extend inland until they are ·replaced by tidal salt marsh. South of Point Cook, the leeward part of the dune is dominated by a broad strip of Pteridium esculentum and species Plant Communities diversity is low. Dune vegetation to the north of The vegetation groups described below are readily Skeleton Creek extends little beyond the rear dune identifiable in the field. They have been constructed ridge. particularly for those who have limited botanical Management: Dune species are remarkably resil and phylosociological knowledge. Such knowledge ient. They persist in a hypersaline, wind·scoured should not be expected of those responsible for the environment habitable bY. very few plants. They are management of significant vegetation. however wholly responsible for the stability of the The groups are based on features of habitat, struc· dune system. Removal of vegetation will result in ture and species composition. They are likely to loss of habitat. Vehicular use of dunes should be represent broad floristic categories. Homogeneity of prohibited and pedestrian use monitored. each group is discussed. References: Cantrill and Lunt 1984, Patton l 935a. Species nomenclature follows Willis ( 1970, 1972) with the amendments of Forbes et al. ( 1984). An introduced plant is indicated by an asterisk pre<:ed· (2) Salt Marsh ing the species name. Species recorded for each vegetation group and Habitat: Hypersaline flats; periodically inundated their common names are listed in Appendix 2. and near·coastaL

15 Common Species: Site Numbers: AB 1, S 15, S 18, S 21, S 22, SW 4, r Shrubs Halosarcia pe.rgranulata SW 5, SW 6, T 3, Ma l, BC 2, BC 3, YY 1 Sclerostegia arbuscula Notes: Swamps were once widespread on the basalt Frankenia paucillora plains west of Melbourne. Many have been re Ground Cover Disphyma clavellatum claimed for agriculture by artificial drainage. There Distichlis distichophylla are few on public land and only one is reserved, at Sarcocomia quinqueflora Point Cook Metropolitan Park. Swamps are an im Selliera radicans portant habitat for water birds. Suaeda australis Swamp vegetation is extremely variable. Plant dis Wilsonia rotundifolia tribution is regulated by salinity, frequency of in Presettlement Cover (km2): 8.0 undation, the degree of artificial drainage and frequency of grazing. Near-coastal swamps may be Existing Cover (km2): 4.5 dominated by Gahnia filum or Glyceria australis, Percentage on Public Land: 80 and contain many species characteristic of Salt Indigenous Species: 25 Marshes. Bulboschoenus medianus, Agrostis avenacea, Amphibromus neesii, Chorizandra Site Numbers: AB I, S 19, M 2 enodis and Eucalyptus camalduiensis are locally Notes: Salt Marsh vegetation develops in areas peri abundant inland. Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii is odically inundated by salt water. Tidal fluctuation found in most swamps, either along the perimeter and evaporation create a hypersaline environment or scattered throughout. When growing in the suitable for very few species. All Salt Marshes in the swamp its tangled branches are raised a little above Western Region of Melbourne are near-coastal, the ground by a solitary stem, providing evidence of although there are minor occurrences along the past or potential water levels. lower reaches of the Maribyrnong River and Skel Management: Management of Western Melbourne eton and Kororoit Creeks. The largest stands are Region swamps is likely to be difficult because most found in Point Cook Metropolitan Park, coexten are on private land. Land owners should be en sive with the endangered Orange-bellied Parrot couraged not to drain their swamps. Grazing of (Yugovic 1984). swamps on public land should cease. Several rare Salt Marshes are characterised by members of the species have been found in the few swamps sur Salicornieae tribe (Family Chenopodiaceae), all of veyed. A thorough survey of swamps on public and which have succulent, segmented branches bearing private land is required. inconspicuous flowers. Of these Sarcocornia Access to some swamps on private land is difficult. quinqueflora is the most widespread. It occurs on The following swamps were identified on aerial mud flats rarely inundated and alone colonises tidal photographs but not inspected. pools, gradually reclaiming them for the salt marsh. Mapsheet ( l :25000) Grid Reference The shrubs Halosarcia pergranulata and Balliang Creek 715 075 Sclerostegia arbuscula prefer elevated ground. Eynesbury 891 192 Suaeda australis is common beyond the tidal pools 810 072 and will even colonise disturbed ground. 805 063 Populations of White Mangrove (A vicennia ma Lerderderg 757 198 .rina) fringe the Salt Marsh at Merrett Rifle Range, Manor 822 032 Williamstown and at the mouth of Kororoit Creek. 857 937 Management: Salt Marsh plants are well adapted to Sydenham West 920 237 their environment and will tolerate minor distur References: Barson 1984, Cantrill and Lunt 1984. bance. Preservation of existing habitat is clearly the aim of management as much of the presettlement Salt Marsh cover has now been lost (Yugovic 1984). ( 4) Tussock Grassland References: Cantrill and Lunt 1984, Chalmers et al. !981, Yugovic 1984. Habitat: Undulating lava plain. Common Species: (3) Swamp Ground Cover Acaena echinata Calocephalus citreus Habitat: Periodically inundated depressions on Chloris truncata basalt. Convolvulus erubescens Common Species: Danthonia spp. (local dominant) Trees Eucalyptus camaldulensis , Dianella Jaev1s Shrubs Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii Eryngium rostratum Ground Cover Agrostis avenacea Helichrysum apicuJatum Amphibromus neesii Minuria Jeptophylla BuJboschoenus medianus Pimelea g;Jauca Cotula coronopifolia Ptilotus macrocephalus Gahnia ti/um Stipa semibarbata Glyceria australis Stipa spp. Poa labillardieri Themeda austrnlis (usual Potamogeton tricarinatus dominant) Weeds * Hordeum marinum Tricoryne elatior *Juncus acutus Vittadinia cuneata Wah/enbergia spp. Presettlement Cover (km2); 15.3 Weeds *Avena spp. Existing Cover (km2): 6.2 • Briza maxima Percentage on Public Land: 27 *C}'nara cardunculus *Stipa neesiana Indigenous Species: 66 *Vulpia bromoides

16 Presettlement Cover (km2): 1260 'land community will be lost from the Western Mel Existing Cover (km2): 13.3 bourne Region; a few may become extinct. Acquisition of grassland on pnvate land should be Percentage on Public Land: 28 considered. Preservation of stands on public land is Indigenous Species: 183 paramount. Site Numbers: AB l, SI, S 2, S 3, S 4, S 5, S 6, S 7, S Large amounts of Themeda seed are necessary for 8, $9, S 10,S 11,S 12, S 13, S 14,S 15, S 16,K9,K the rehabilitation ofderelict grasslands. Seed should I 0, K 11, K 12, K 13, W 1, SW 1, SW 2, SW 3, T 1, T be co~ect~ in January each year from grasslands 2, Ma 2, Ma 3, Me 8, L 9 that will u~t1mately be lost. If protected against seed Notes: Tussock Grasslands dominated by predators it can be stored for many years. Without Themeda these seed reserves, the currently popular proposal australis would once have been the most striking of restoring the vegetation of our public lands will feature of the land to the west of Melbourne. John Batman's map of the Port Phillip region contained be impossible. Species characteristic of Tussock the note - 'Extensive open Plains as far as the Eye Grassland ma;v also be saved from condemned sites by .transplanting to Reserves in winter and early can reach westward' (Turner l 918). The habitat for spnng. this naturally treeless vegetation stretches from Melbourne to beyond the South Australian border, References: Geraghty 1971, Groves 1965, Hagon broken only in a few places by deeply dissected. 1976, Patton 1935b, Robertson 1985, Stuwe 198la ranges. The vegetation itself now only occupies rail Stuwe 1981 b, Stuwe 1986, Stuwe and Parsons 1977' and road reserves and land that for some reason has Sutton 1916, Willis 1964. ' not been heavily grazed. Species distribution in Tussock Grassland is in (5) Red Gum Woodland fluenced. by topography. Low-lying areas are domi nated by Danthonia spp. or Poa Iabillardicri and are Habitat Valley slopes of weathered older Volcanics usually species-rich. Elsewhere Themeda australis and Tertiary sediments. may form a dense sward to the exclusion of most Common Species: other species. Trees Eucalyptus camaldulensis Patton (l 935b) suggests that trees will not grow in (dominant) the grassland because of soil properties. Rainfall Casuarina stricta does not readily permeate the shallow clay soil and Eucalyptus melliodora much is lost through evaporation, restricting Shrubs Acacia dealbata development of deeply rooting species. Tall shrubs Acacia mearnsii are also uncommon although many early maps refer Acacia melanoxylon to an occasional Honeysuckle, a name used for Exocarpus cupressiformis Banksia spp. - Ground Cover Danthonia spp. 'Honeysuckle, Australian, a name given Dianella laevis in Australia to Banksia australis and Dichopogon strictus other species, small trees of the Protea Einadia nutans family (Proteaceae). They are called Helichrysum apiculatum Honeysuckles on account of their flow Themeda australis ers being full of a sweet liquid like honey, Weeds *Avena spp. which is sucked by the natives; it is so *Ga/enia secunda abundant in B. ericifolia and B. • Lycium ferocissimum Cunninghamii that when in flower the • Stipa neesiana ground underneath large cultivated 2 plants is in a complete state of puddle· Presettlement Cover (km ); 26.5 bees and wasps become intoxicated, and Existing Cover (km2): 0.1 :• many lose their lives in it' (Smith 1882). Percentage on Public Land: l 00 The species was probably Banksia marginata although no examples remain on the Western Mel Indigenous Species: 84 (Carr 1983) bourne Region plains. Site Number: B 1 Management: Management needs of basalt plains Notes: Red Gum Woodland originally occurred grassland are unclear and require further investiga only east of the Maribyrnong River in what is now tion. They tend to be site specific, dependent on Melbourne's Northern Suburbs. Napier Park in weed cover and conservation priorities. If left un Essendon contains the only example of this vegeta burnt, the thick litter of Themeda inhibits the tion in the study area. It was bequeathed by Charles growth of other species. For the maintenance of Napier to be maintained in its original state in species diversify it is necessary to bum the grass perpetuity. land between early October and mid-December Management: See Site Number B 1 every three to five years. This also reduces com Reference: Carr 1983. petition by introduced species. Sites with spring or summer flowering rare species such as Diuris punctata and Psoralea tenax should be burnt in late summer or autumn. The effect of fue on the many (6) Riparian Vegetation herbs of the wet parts of grassland stands is un Habitat: Stream banks (non-saline) known. In all cases the effects of the management practices should be monitored to ensure that they Common Species: are having the desired effect. Trees Eucalyptus camaldulensis Tussock Grasslands once dominated the landscape (dominant) west of Melbourne. Only one percent ofthe original E. bauerana (Werribee River) grassland remains. Of this 75% is on private land Shrubs Acacia dealbat.a and less than two square kilometres are reserved. Acacia melanoxylon Tussock Grassland of Themeda austraHs will soon· Acacia retinodcs be rare and many species characteristic of the grass- Callistemon paludosus

17 Plate 1: - Dead River Red. Gums along the Little River at Little River.

Muehlenbeclda cunninghamii Ground Cover Asplenium flabellifolium Ground Cover Phragmites australc Correa glabra Poa labillardicri Crassula sieberana Typha sp. Einadia nutans Weeds *Foeniculum vulgare Enchylaena tomentosa * Phalaris aqualica Poa labillardieri 2 Rubus parvifolius Presettlement Cover (km ): 8.5 Themeda australis Existing Cover (km2): 6.0 Weeds *Lycium ferocissimum Percentage on Public Land: I 0 Presettlement Cover (km2): 8.5 Indigenous Species: 23 Existing Cover (km2): 1.5 Site Numbers: S 24, S 25, K 3, K 6, K 8, W 2, E 4, E Percentage on Public Land: 10 5, L 10, L 11, Me 7, YY 2, SV 3 Indigenous Species: 46 Notes: Indigenous riparian vegetation persists along most waterways. However, weed cover is usually Site Numbers: MI, S23, S 26, S 27, K2, K4, K5, K high and the dominant Eucalyptus camaldulensis is 7, E 5, L 8, YY 2 often in a poor state or dead, perhaps because of ~:Vegetation of steep riverine slopes has sur altered water levels (Plate 1). vived only on narrow, rocky outcrops at the escarp Management: Management of riparian vegetation ment edge and slopes too steep to graze. Most has should be concentrated on conservation oftrees and been replaced by *Lycium ferocissimum and in 'Shrubs as faunal habitat. In \)articular, the condition troduced grasses. orfucalyptus camaldulens1s should be monitored. Escarpment vegetation is remarkably homoge To~al eradication of weeds is likely to be costly and neous. Acacia implexa, Bursaria spinosa and futile. Efforts should be directed at obtrusive weeds Hymenanthera dentata are found in most stands. such as * Foeniculum vulgare and * Rubus Fems are common amongst the rocks. froticosus. Management: Species growing in the shallow soils of escarpment edges are well adapted to their habi tat and require little management *Lycium (7) Escarpment Vegetation ferocissimum could be removed from river slopes and replaced with appropriate species. Habitat: Basalt escarpments (usually steep and rocky). Common Species: (8) Grey Box Woodland Shrubs Acacia implexa Habitat: Undulating lava plain with overlying Acacia meamsii Quaternary sediments (poorly sorted gravel) and Bursaria spinosa extending into areas of other substrate. Casuarina stricta Dodonea cuneata Common Species: Hymenanthera dentata Trees Eucalyptus Jeucoxylon Myoporum viscosum Eucalyptus melliodora

18 Eucalyptus microcarpa (usual Einadia nutans dominant) Enchyiaena tomentosa Shrubs Acacia pycnantha Stipa spp. Acacia verniciflua Presettlement Cover (km2): 12 Casuarina stricta Exoca.rpus cupressiformis Existing Cover (km 2): 8 Ground Cover Danthonia spp. . Percentage on Public Land: 20 Enchylaena tomentosa Indigenous Species: 77 Weeds *Lycium ferocissimum Site Numbers: Me I, TV 1 Presettlement Cover (km2): 345 Notes: The Long Forest area between Djerriwarrh .Existing Cover (km2): 35 Creek and Pyrites Creek contains a fascinating dis· Percentage on Public Land: 25 junct stand of vegetation characteristic of the arid Indigenous Species: 73 north-west. The multi-stemmed Eucalyptus behriana (Bull MaUee) is the dominant overstorey Site Numbers: E I , E 2, E 3, Me 2, Me 3, Me 4, Me 5, species. Rhagodia parabolica is common in the Me 6, TV 3, TV 4, L 2, L 3, L 4, L 5, L 6, L 7, SV I, I understorey. Most Bull Mallee Scrub species occur l, I 2, I 5 in no other vegetation type in the study area. Bull Notes: Grey Box Woodland often has a mixed Mallee Scrub abuts Grey Box Woodland to the west overstorey of Eucalyptus microcarpa, E. melliodora and north. and E. Jeucoxylon. The understorey is sparse and of Management: This unique vegetation is threatened dry appearance. by subdivision for housing. The Victoria Conserva Grey Box Woodland once covered much of the tion Trust has acquired 147 ha of forest in three Plains west of Melton. It has been extensively separate blocks, which are now managed by the cleared and grazed and is now severely depleted. National Parks Service. Further acquisition is The best remaining stands are in Pyrete Ranges desirable. State Forest and Eynesbury Estate (private land). References: Baker 1983, Myers et al. 1986. Many stands on private land are heavily grazed. They have little indigenous understorey and the trees are given no chance of reproduction. (10) Stringybark Forests Management: Owners of grazing land containing Grey Box Woodland should be encouraged to fence Habitat: (a) Dissected scarps of the Rowsley Fault, small areas to prevent loss of the tree canopy (Plate (b) Ranges north of Lerdererg Gorge Forest Park. 2). Common Species: Reference: Geraghty 1971. Trees {a) Eucal}'f'tus dives E. gomocalyx E. macrorhyncha (9) Bull Mallee Scrub E. sideroxylon Habitat: Ordovician sediments, low rainfall. (b) Eucalyptus obliqua E. rad1ata Common Species: E. viminalis Trees Eucalyptus behriana Shrubs Rich and variable under Eucalyptus microcarpa Ground Cover storeys; refer to Appendix 2 for EucalyPtU~ polyantbemos species list. Shrubs Acacia acmacca Presettlement Cover (km2): 210 Rhagodia parabolica 2 Existing Cover (km ): 200 Sclerolaena uniflora Ground Cover Danthonia spp. Percentage on Public Land: 95

Plate 2: Grazing prevented regeneration of these Grey Box at Mount Cottrell.

19 Indigenous species: 432 Site Numbers: TV l, TV 2, I I, I 3, I 4, Bu I, Bu 2 (12) Tea-tree Scrub Notes: Stringybark Forests occupy the slopes to the Habitat: Silt at original mouth of Yarra River. north and west of the basalt plains. Red Stringybark Presettlement Cover (km2): 0.05 (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha) is th~ usual dominant in areas of less than 700mm ramfall such as the Existing Cover (km2): 0 Brisbane Ranges, Lerderderg Ranges, Pyrete Notes: Robert Hoddle's map of the Parish of Ranges and Werribee Gorge. Eucalyptus dives, E. Doutta Galla (1839) shows a small area of'Tea tree gonioca/yx and £. sideroxylon may be locally domi scrnb' on the northern banks of the Yarra River, nant. Blue Gum (£. globulus) is abundant on the extending a little across the Maribyrnong River. lower slopes of the Lerderderg River. Along the The dominant may have been Melaleuca ericifolia Great Dividing Range, where rainfall approaches (Swamp Paperbark) or perhaps Leptospennum JOOOmm, Messmate Stringybark (£. obliqua) and Janigerum (Woolly Tea-tree) but no evidence re Manna Gum (E. viminalis) replace Red Stringybark mains of this community. as dominant. Grey Box Woodland, often dominated by Yellow Road And Reserve Vegetation Gum (E. Jeucoxylon), is common at the edges of the Rail Stringybark Forests, where the soil is deeper and the Eighteen ofthe one hundred and two sites ofbotani· slope gentler. cal significance below occur on road and rail re The Stringybark Forest listed here undoubtedly serves. There are many other remnants of comprises many vegetation types. No attempt has indigenous vegetation on road reserves in the Re been made to separate them as the broad category is gion that, although not significant, are worth adequate for discussion of relevant sites. A more preserving for seed collection. These are listed un detailed account of vegetation patterns may be der the heading 'Roadside Vegetation' for those found in Myers ( 1979). mapsheets with such vegetation. Management: Three of the Region's Stringybark The existence of these remnants is unfortunately Forests are reserved as State Park (Brisbane Ranges, precarious. Fire breaks have been cut recently along Werribee Gorie and Lerderderg Gorge). Wombat many reserves causing irreparable damage to some State Forest 1s used for hardwood production, stands. Such damage might be averted in the future Pyrete Ranges is Uncommitted and The Black Hills if sites were adequately signposted and road and rail are privately owned. The biggest threat to these staff were made aware of their importance. The risk forests is the Cinnamon Fungus (Phytophthera of a bushfire starting from trains and cars could be cinnamoni1), which is already common in the Bris· reduced by regularly burning significant sites in bane Ranges. Care must be taken so that soil, es .stead of bulldozing them. Most linear reserve sites pecially on earth moving equipment, is not contain grassland that would benefit from periodic transported from the Brisbane Ranges to other burning. The ability of bulldozer drivers to areas. recognise at least the more common native species Fires over the last six years have burnt much of this would greatly lessen the risk of accidental damage. community. The Lerderderg Ranges were burnt in Weedicides must not be used on significant sites. 1983 and the Brisbane Ranges in 1985. Parts of the Pyrete Ranges were burnt in 1980 and 1983. Only Werribee Gorge and The Black Hills have escaped Weeds completely. Reference: Myers 1979. The Western Melbourne Region is characterised as much by its weeds as it is by its extensive open plains. Vast fields of the robust Artichoke Thistle (11) She-oak Woodland (*C)rnara cardunculus), with its large purple flowers and perilous spiny leaves, make an imposing site Habitat: Edge of lava plain; near-coastal. each summer. Gone are the bobbing red flower heads of Themeda australis. Presettlement Cover (km2): 21 That so much of the Region is dominated by weeds Existing Cover (km2): 0 is portentous for the few remnants of indigenous Notes: Woodland of Casuarina stricta (Drooping vegetation. Control on public land is likely to be She-oak) and perhaps C. Httoralis (Black She-oak) futile and costly while such a large seed reserve once formed a narrow band from Williamstown remains on private land. Eradication by com north to the western banks of the Maribymong petition might be attempted in rehabilitating river River at Maribymong. The Woodland was prob banks and escarpments. The weed-suppressing ably quite open. The average distance of trees to quality of Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle), A. allotment comers on Robert Hoddle's plan of the mearnsii (Black Wattle) and Casuarina stricta Parish of Cut Paw Paw is 6m. The She-oaks made (Drooping She-oak) was noted during this survey. good firewood and were quickly cut down (Sutton These trees will be ideal for planting in weedy sites. 1916). There are no examples of She-oak Woodland The following list of environmental weeds is not in the Western Melbourne Region. The nearest comprehensive but represents those that most occurrences on similar substratum are at Teesdale threaten sites of botanical significance. Artichoke (west of Bannockburn) and in Ocean Grove Fauna Thistle, Boxthom and Fennel are the most serious Reserve. and obtrusive.

Species Name Common Name Growth Form & Vegetation Affected *Arctotheca calendula Cape Weed Annual Forb - 5 *Avena spp. Oats Annual Grass - 4 *Briza spp. Quaking-grass Annual Grass - 4 *Chrysanthemoides monilifera Boneseed Shrub- 6,7 *C)rnara cardunculus Artichoke Thistle Perennial Forb - 4, 6, 7

20 1 *Cynosurus echinatus Rough Dog's-tail Annual Grass - 4 *Cytisus proliferus Tree Lucerne Shrub - 6,7 *F'oeniculum vulgare Fennel Perennial Forb - 6 *Galenia secunda Blanket-weed Prostrate Shrub - 1,2,3,5 • Hordeum marinum Sea Barley Annual Grass - 3 *Juncus acutus Sharp Rush Perennial Rush - 3,6 *Lycium ferocissimum Box thorn Shrub - 1,5, 7 r *Myriophyllum aquaticum Water-milfoil Aquatic Forb - 3 *Phalaris aquatiC3 Canary-grass Perennial Grass - 6 *Romulea rosea Onion-grass Perennial Forb - 4 *Rosa rubiginosa Sweet Briar Shrub - 4,7 * Rubus fruticosus Blackberry Trailin~ Shrub - 6 *Stipa neesiana Spear-grass Perennial Grass - 4,5 * Trifolium spp. Clover Herbs, mostly annual - 4 *Vulpia bromoidcs Squirrel-tail Fescue Annual Grass - 4

21 llf:f'CP ro TM:$ M• I" •1. AUSTRALIA I : 25000 BROAD MEADOWS SHEET 7622-1 SE VICTORIA t.J111QN 1

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22 Chapter 4 Sites of Botanical Significance

B 1 Napier Park 'LOCATION: Parkland north-west of Napier Street fenced. The cessation of mowing in these areas / Woodland Road intersection, Essendon; City of should enable seedlings oftrees and shrubs to estab Essendon - 166 205 (Fig. 9). lish. Eradication of environmental weeds is essen ACCESS: Napier Street or Woodland Road. tial. *Lycium ferocissimum and *Galenia secunda OWNERSHIP: Essendon City Council. are not yet widespread and can be removed by VEGETATION: Red Gum Woodland. The hand. Weed grasses will be difficult to remove. Ideally the understorey should be burnt in understorey still has many indigenous. gra~ses successive years before annual grasses have set seed although disturbance has encouraged the mvas1on (October). This will give a competitive advantage to of weeds such as * Arctotheca calendula and *Stipa neesiana (Plate 3). perennial grasses. The agressive perennial • Stipa neesiana however, may have to be controlled by SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The Red Gum hand. Woodland at Napier Park is the only remnant of the vegetation that occurred between ~e Maribyrnong Napier Park is a small reserve surrounded by River and Moonee Ponds Creek pnor to settlement. houses. The social acceptability of maintaining a The only other stand in the metropolitan area is at woodland with a thick grassy understorey in a buiJt Gresswell Flora Reserve, Bundoora. up area and the use therein of fire for management MANAGEMENT: Part of the woodland has been need to be assessed.

.._ ~ \'!Figure 9: Location of Site B I. .i'·' '. ' \ - \

23 AUS fRALIA l: 25000 MARIBYRNONG Sitr;"T. 7!:!2Z·IHIE VICTORIA IOITIOH I

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24 M 1 Maribymong River Escarpment (1)~::~~~· ~ & r LOCATION: Escarpment on Maribyrnong River : ~ ~ · .· '$ 0 east of confluence with Steele Creek; City of Keilor "" "EC . ~ er - 135 190 (Fig. 10). i ~' - . q_-" -q: (_RD ACCESS: Prospect Street via Buckley Street. ~~\V ... ~ EME~ i OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan : ~·~ · RUBs"'r r---...ll Board of Works. ~ - BUCKLEY sr· VEGETATION: Escarpment Vegetation with a lo- : r~t·--r~LJ cally thick understorey of Poa Jabillardieri (Plate 4). ;....,Q, ' Weed cover is quite low although *Cytisus q, proliferus appears to be invading from the western c,"q; edge. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. This stand is one of the best examples of Escarpment Vegetation in the study area. Indigenous shrubs extend over the en tire slope; most escarpments have a substantial cover of*Lycium ferocissimum. It is also one of the few with an understorey not dominated by in troduced grasses. MANAGEMENT: The site requires little manage 1km ~ ment. The escarpment is very steep and few people 1111t:======~ visit it. Disturbance should be avoided as this may ...... favour *Cylisus proliferus, the spread of which should be monitored. Figure 10: Location of Site M 1.

Plate 4: Escarpment Vegetation opposite the Explosives Factory at Maribyrnong. Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii and Phragmites australe grow at the water's edge (M l ).

M 2 Merrett Rifle Range Coastline LOCATION: Coastline of Merrett Rifle Range, 1.5 VEGETATION: Salt Marsh dominated by km west of Williamstown Beach Railway Station; Sclerostegia arbuscula with a large population of City of Williamstown - 132 067 (Fig. 11 ). Avicennia man'na (White Mangrove) amongst ACCESS: The area is closed to the public and per rocks at the water's edge (Plate 5). mission must be obtained from the appropriate offi SIGNIFICANCE: State. Of the two stands of cer at the Rifle Range. mangrove in the Region, this is clearly the better. It OWNERSHIP: Commonwealth Department of appears to have had little past disturbance. The Defence. habit of the mangroves is unusual. They grow

25 Plate 5: Mangroves amongst rocks at Merrett Rifle Range, Williamstown (M 2). amongst rocks rather than on muddy tidal flats. The MANAGEMENT: For many years the Anny has adjoining rock shelf protects the mangroves from successfully managed the site. They use only the wave action. Colonisation of tidal pools by land north of the salt marsh. Access to the site is Sarcocomia quinqueflora is dramatically displayed only possible with permission. The Army has re Ha/osarcia halocnemoides, a common shrub of in cently been asked to find a rifle range further from land salt lakes, also occurs at the site (J. Yugovic, residential areas. The Merrett Rifle Range is likely pers. comm.). It is otherwise known in coastal Vic to be replaced by housing. The rocky coastline of toria from a fow salt marshes in Port Phillip Bay mangrove scrub and the salt marsh at its rear will and the Bcllarine Peninsula. not be suitable for recreation, a resource that will There are only a few populations of man~ove undoubtedly be sought by the new residents. Design remaining in Port Phillip Bay. In size the Wilhams of the Estate must account for the salt marsh. Tech town population is matched only by that at niques that will allow the coexistence of housing Limeburner's Bay. In structure it is unique. The site and coastal vegetation need to be investigated. warrants preservation. Disturbance of the salt marsh must be avoided.

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Figure 11: Location of Site M 2.

26 Rtl~10 THI' w..1'-': AUSTRALIA I : 25000 ALTONA BAY S.HEH 7822·11 SW VICTORIA (CtflC« 1

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27 AB 1 Point Cook Metropolitan Park LOCATION: Coastline between Laverton Creek and Point Cook Air Base; City of Altona and Shire of Werribee - 050 000 (Fig. 12). ACCESS: Aviation Road. OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. VEGETATION: Point Cook Metropolitan Park contains Dune Vegetation, Salt Marsh, Swamp and Grassland. The Board of Works are rehabilitating, many of the areas that had long been overgrazed. · SIGNIFICANCE: State. This is the only Reserve in the Region that contains examples of four vegeta tion types in proximity. The Salt Marsh is an im portant habitat for the rare Orange-bellied Parrot (Plate 6). It also contains the north-west Victorian shrub Halosarcia halocnemoides. MANAGEMENT: The Park should be managed for the conservation and display of indigenous vegeta tion. The drying pans of the Cheetham Salt Works recently incorporated into the Park need not be greatly altered as they are a superb habitat for water birds and are gradually being reclaimed by surrounding Salt Marsh vegetation. Rehabilitation of degraded vegetation should continue. REFERENCE: Cantrill and Lunt 1984. Figure 12: Location of Site AB 1.

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Ot , '\.: ..) '· ··· ... \/ .. -.. ,.. \, ···1 ' >. \ L ... "------======------======2km...(f[r. 28 Plate 6: Salt Marsh fringing Spectacle Lake at Point Cook Metropolitan Park (AB 1). S 1 Baldwin Avenue Grassland LOCATION: Eastern end of Baldwin Avenue, 3.6 but much *Lycium ferocissimum (Boxthorn) and km east of St. Albans Railway Station; City of Sun *Cynara cardunculus (Artichoke Thistle). shine - 096 194 (Fig. 13). ACCESS: Baldwin A venue via Mcintyre Road or SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The site is fenced only on Sunshine Avenue. its eastern edge and is easily accessible from Bald win A venue. It is a valuable source of Themeda OWNERSHIP: Private. australis seed for use in revegetation. VEGETATION: Species-poor Tussock Grassland dominated by Themeda australis. There is no MANAGEMENT: As a seed collection site, this microtopographical variation and cover of annual grassland needs only to be left undisturbed and weed grasses is substantial. The dramatic fenceline especially ungrazed. The grassland will be ul on the site's eastern edge demonstrates the effect of timately lost to industry or the extension of Buckley continued grazing on native $rassland (Plate 7). The Street from the other side of the Maribymong grazed side of the fence has little Themeda australis River.

Plate 7: Effect of grazinf on Tussock Grassland; Site S I is on the left of the fence, the noxious we,eds C)'nara cardunculus and * Lycium ferocissimum are more com mon on the right.

29 (~(r~l 00 -...s 1.~•P ~ AUSTRALIA l : 25000 SUNSHINE SH~.ET 7822-tl NW VICTORIA

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Figure 13; Location of Sites S I, S 2, S 25, S 26 and S 2 7. S 2 Steele Creek Grassland LOCATION: Upper slope of Steele Creek west of from nearby disturbed land should be monitored. confluence with Maribyrnong River; City ofKeilor Characteristic grassland herbs not present at this - 127 188 (Fig. 13). site could be transplanted in winter and early spring ACCESS: Browning Cresent via Buckley Street or from condemned grasslands. MiHeara Road. OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works. VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by Themeda australis and introduced grasses with a high cover of *C)'nara cardunculus (Artichoke Thistle). There is no microtopographical variation and the grassland is species-poor. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The site is significant because it is reserved for nature conservation (Mel bourne and Metropolitan Board of Works 1984) and has potential for rehabilitation. MANAGEMENT: The grassland should be burnt in successive Octobers to remove annual weeds and give the native grasses a competitive advantage. Burning will be required thereafter every three to five years. Themeda seed could be broadcast after each bum to promote its spread. Invasion of weeds

31 S 3 St. Albans Road Grassland LOCATION: Rail reserve 0 to 0.9 km south of once contained the near-extinct orchid Diuris Furlong Road on both sides of line; City of Sun punctata var. albo-violacea (last seen here in 1974). shine - 073 182 (Fig. 14). The stand is a fine representative of the grassland ACCESS: St. Albans Road. community as it has had little past disturbance. OWNERSHIP: Metropolitan Transit Authority. MANAGEMENT: Periodic spring burning and VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by minimal disturbance by slashing and vehicular use Themeda australis and containing very few weeds will ensure the viability of this site. (Plate 8). REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. 'SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. This narrow reserve

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\\ Figure 14: Location of Sites S 3, ______...______..._,_...... _...... _.....__...... _-'----=...._--- S 4 and S 5. ,....g ~ A METR~S 100 50 0 100 200 300 400 500 METRES N t::::::E=t:====::1::::==:==t====:::::c::~~:t:::::=:::j

S 4 Multiple Sclerosis Centre Grassland LOCATION: Four hundred metres south ofGinifer Railway Station; City of Sunshine - 071 182 (Fig. 14). ACCESS: Furlong Road or Denton A venue. OWNERSHIP: Multiple Sclerosis Society of Victoria. VEGETATION: Species-poor Tussock Grassland with a dense sward of Themeda australis. The stand is often mown but the thick litter layer suggests that it has not been burnt recently. There are few weeds in the stand. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. This site has recently been developed for housing. 32 {

Plate 8: Linear reserve of Tussock Grassland between St. Albans Road and Railway (S 3). S 5 Sunshine 'lip Grassland LOCATION: Two hundred metres west of MMBW were available. It also contains a patch of Craspedia Western Region Depot; City ofSunshine- 075 177 chrysantha, an uncommon daisy of grasslands (J. (Fig. 14). Stuwe pers. comm.). ACCESS: Across railway line from St. Albans MANAGEMENT: The vegetation could be greatly Road. improved by spring burning to promote growth of OWNERSHIP: Private. indigenous species. Housing is rapidly advancing VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by towards the site. It will probably be developed once Themeda australis but containing many weeds. Sunshine Tip has been filled and reclaimed. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. This site would be a REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. valuable source of Themeda seed if better access S 6 O'Brien Park Grassland LOCATION: One kilometre south-east of Sunshine tion because the aggressive perennial weed *Stipa Railway Station; City of Sunshine - 097 147 (Fig. neesiana produces seed at about the same time as 15). Themeda. ACCESS: Mathews Street. MANAGEMENT: Control of • Stipa neesiana will OWNERSHIP: Sunshine City Council. be difficult but is essential for the survival of signifi VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by cant grasslands nearby. The site should be mown in Themeda australis and *Stipa neesiana. early November each year. Restoration will only be possible when Stipa is removed from the stand. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The site is significant * only because it is on public land and has potential REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. for restoration. It will not be suitable for seed collec- S 7 Sunshine Rail Reserve Grassland

LOCATION: Seven hundred metres south-east of plants of Diuris punctata var. albo-violacea. Sunshine Railway Station between Newport Goods MANAGEMENT: Burning is essential at this site Line and main western rail line; City of Sunshine - for the prevention of competition by Themeda 094 148 (Fig. 15). australis or weed grasses. However, spring burning ACCESS: Across rail line from O'Brien Park (Site S will interfere with reproduction of the orchid. The 6). Tbemeda dominated portion of the site should be OWNERSHIP: Metropolitan Transit Authority. burnt in mid to late summer about every three VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by years. The weed dominated perimeter should be Themeda australis rapidly being invaded by burnt in successive springs to remove annual weed *Avena sp. (Plate 9). The site has recently been grasses. burnt. REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. SIGNIFICANCE: National. This small patch of grassland contains the last naturally occurring

33 LOCATION: Rail reserve 1.25 km west of Totten of this species. Management will be facilitated by ham Railway Station between main western rail the inaccessibility of the site, which is naturally line and Commonwealth Department of Admin isolated by a steep rail embankment, storm water istrative Services stores; City of Sunshine - 105 drain and fence of the Administrative Services 145 (Fig. 15). Store. ACCESS: Along drainage embankment from MANAGEMENT: The site will require burning Mathews Street / Duke Street intersection. about every three years in mid to late summer, after OWNERSHIP: Metropolitan Transit Authority. Psoralea has set seed. The spread of*Stipa neesiana VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by needs to be monitored. Control may soon be nec Themeda australis with a substantial cover of essary. Signpostin~ is desirable to prevent acciden *Stipa neesiana (Plate l 0). tal dumping of Railways material so that the fate of the site can be decided by rational planning and not SIGNIFICANCE: State. This stand of Themeda negligence. Tussock Grassland contains the rare plant Psoralea tenax. It is worthy of reservation for the protection REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986.

34 Plate 10: Tussock Grassland containing the rare species Psoralea tenax (S 8). S 9 Anderson's Swamp Grassland (Lake Stanley) LOCATION: North-east of Fitzgerald Road I significance can only increase. Boundary Road intersection; City of Sunshine - MANAGEMENT: Anderson's Swamp Grassland is 056 126 (Fig. 16). part of the Urban Forestry program of the Depart ACCESS: Fitzgerald Road or Boundary Road. ment ofConservati on, Forests and Lands. Although OWNERSHIP: Crown land, managed by the trees are only to be planted in parts of the reserve Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands. dominated by weeds, disturbance of grassland dur ing planting must be avoided. VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland of Tbemeda australis with a natural drainage line that periodi Disruption of the grassy sward will encourage inva cally fiUs a large depression at the southern end. sion by weeds. The site should be burnt about every Swamp species grow in the wet areas. fi.ve years in spring to promote species diversity. This may prove incompatible with the tree planting SIGNIFICANCE: State. The site is one of two in program. the State reserved as native grassland. As more Themeda dominated _grasslands are destroyed its REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. S 10 Fitzgerald Road Grassland LOCATION: North-west of Fitzgerald Road / and south. Most of the block is now cultivated. Boundary Road intersection; City of Sunshine - MANAGEMENT: The viability of the site has been 050 130 (Fig. I 6). greatly reduced by cultivation. Further destruction ACCESS: Fitzgerald Road. appears imminent. Until such time the site should OWNERSHIP: Private. be utilised for seed collection. Its proximity to VEGETATION: Patchy grassland dominated by Anderson's Swamp Grassland make it an important Themeda australis. . resource for that site's continued rehabilitation. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. Until recently this grass REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. land was equivalent in size to the sites to the east S 11 Dohertys Road Grassland LOCATION: South-west of Fitzgerald Road / currently grazed by cattle and horses. Industry is Boundary Road intersection; Shire of Werribee - advancing rapidly from the east. The site is unlikely 045 115 (Fig. 16). to remain viable for long. It is certainly worth ACCESS: Fitzgerald Road, Boundary Road or acquiring. Of the many thousands of square Dohertys Road. kilometres that this type of grassland once covered in the State of Victoria, less than ten stands in OWNERSHIP: Private. excess of one square kilometre persist. Only two VEGETATION: Themeda dominated Tussock have been reserved. Stands ofthis size and diversity Grassland with numerous depressions containing will be essential for the rehabilitation of other sites. swamp species. Grazing pressure should be reduced immediately. SIGNIFICANCE: State. This is one of the best Many of the depressions have already been badly and largest stands of native grassland in the State. damaged. The site will need periodic burning. Species diversity is high and weed cover low. REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. MANAGEMENT: Dohertys Road Grassland is

35 S 12 Laverton North Grasslands LOCATION: South-east of Fitzgerald Road / industrial and agricultural land, most of which has Boundary Road intersection; Shire of Werribee - been recently subdivided and placed on the real 069 107 (Fig. 16). estate market. They have not been surveyed in ACCESS: Dohertys Road, Cherry Lane, Pipe Road spring so their significance may be underestimated. and Boundary Road. The weediness of most stands does however suggest OWNERSHIP: Private. a low conservation value. VEGETATION: Patchy Themeda dominated MANAGEMENT: The grasslands should be uti grasslands, often weedy and with minimal lised for seed collection before they are developed. microtopographical variation. A floristic survey is warranted. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The grasslands are on t..,J

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S 13 Laverton North Grassland Reserve LOCATION: Five hundred metres east ofKororoit Many of the species once characteristic of grassland Creek Road / Princes Freeway Overpass; City of but now restricted in distribution have been Altona - 058 090 (Fig. 16). successfully transplanted into the site. ACCESS: Kororoit Creek Road. MANAGEMENT: The site should be burnt every OWNERSHIP: Crown. three to five years in spring to promote species VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by diversity and facilitate the eradication of annual Themeda australis, Stipa spp. are locally abundant weed grasses such as *Briza maxima and *Vulpia (Plate 11). bromoides. The spread of the perennial weed grass Stipa neesiana should be monitored. SIGNIFICANCE: State. This is one of the two * large reserves of Themeda Grassland in the State, REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. the other being at Anderson's Swamp (Site S l 0).

36 Plate 11: Lav:erton North Grassland Reserve (S 13). S 14 Slough Fstat.e Grassland 1 LOCATION: Land between Princes Freeway / in reasonably good condition even though it is regu Kororoit Creek Road Overpass and South Western larly grazed. It is suitable for reservation, although Railway; City of Altona - 055 075 (Fig. 17). sites S 11 and SW 2 should be considered before it. ACCESS: Merton Street or Kororoit Creek Road. The grassland's accessibility make it ideal for seed OWNERSHIP: Private. collection. VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland of Themeda MANAGEMENT: If the site is to be used for seed australis with microtopographical drainage fea collection it should be burnt every three to five tures. Some parts have been severely degraded by years in spring to maintain species diversity. Graz horse grazing. Weed cover is variable. ing should be minimised. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The site is large and REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. Figure 17: Location of Sites S 14, S 15, S 16 and S 17.

_. ...~ ..

37 S 15 Slough Estat.e Grassland 2 LOCATION: Land between South Western Rail MANAGEMENT: This grassland has retained its way and Truganina Swamp; City of Altona - 060 intricate structure in the absence offire and grazing. 070 (Fig. I 7). lt will be interesting to observe the plant commu ACCESS: Slough Road. nity's reaction to the continued build-up of OWNERSHIP: Private. Themeda litter. The site need not be burnt until it VEGETATION: Themeda australis dominated clearly requires fire to maintain species diversity. grassland with numerous bands of Danthonia spp. Disturbance should be avoided. Some parts are and other herbs in small depressions (Plate 12). suitable for seed collection. Located in a fenced block west of the Slough Indus It is unfortunate that the extension of the Altona trial Estate and amongst existing factories. railway passed through the southern section of the SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The site has not been grassland. The acquisition of this site and its annex grazed recently and appears in excellent condition. ation to Site S 17 would have created a Reserve of Weed cover is sparse. The mosaic of Themeda and great significance. Site S 15 is still suitable for Danthonia domination is exemplary of Tussock reservation as it is bordered on three sides by public Grassland structure. The site should be retained for land - two railways and Laverton Creek. educational and research purposes.

Plate 12: Tussock Grassland at the Slough Estate, Altona (S 15) - a narrow, species-rich band dominated by Danthonia spp. separates dense species-poor patches of Themeda australis. S 16 Merton Street Crown Land Grassland LOCATION: One kilometre north-east of Lavenon MANAGEMENT: The quality of the grassland Railway Station on northern side of line; City of could be improved by burning in consecutive Altona - 048 072 (Fig. 17}. springs to reduce the competitive advantage of an ACCESS: Merton Street. nual weed grasses. Grazing of horses should cease. OWNERSHIP: Crown. REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. VEGETATION: A small block of Themeda domi nated grassland with a substantial cover of weeds. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The site is not a good example of native grassland. Cover of*Briza max ima and* Romulea rosea is great. Diversity ofindig enous species is low. Stands of Themeda Grassland are however becoming rare as development creeps into the belt of remnant grassland that stretches along the urban fringe from Taylors Lakes to Al tona. The significance of this public land grassland can only increase.

38 Plate 13: Large tussocks of Gahnia fi.Jum at Truganina Swamp, Altona (S 17). S 17 Truganina Swamp LOCATION: Drainage basin on Laverton Creek SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The diversity of north of Queen Street; City of Altona - 060 064 habitats at this site has produced an equally diverse (Fig. 17). vegetation. Near-coastal swamps are uncommon in ACCESS: Along vehicular track at western end of the Region and have poor conservation status. Civic Parade. MANAGEMENT: The vegetation at this site is en OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan dangered by trail" bike activity. Alternative open Board of Works. space should be found to meet the needs of riders VEGETATION: The drainage basin of Laverton from the many new housing estates nearby. That Creek contains an interestin$ mosaic of water and west of Laverton Creek and south of Queen Street salt tolerant Swamp Vegetation. The fringe of the would be suitable. Ultimately the pressures of a basin is dominated by the tall tussocks of Gahnia growi~ peripheral population will force the drain filum, Poa labillardieri and • Juncus acutus with a age basm to be fenced if its vegetative value is to be matted understorey of Scllicra radicans, Wilsonia maintained. rotundifolia, Distichlis distichopbyJJa, Dispbyma A recent fire in the Gah.nia dominated section has clavellatum, Samo/us repens and Sarcccornia allowed weeds from adjoining wasteland to invade. l quinqueflora (Plate 13). The central flood-prone The tussocks are recovering and will probably soon area is a carpet of Sarcocornia quinquJJora. Stipa shade out the weeds. Burning should be avoided as flavescens, *Lycium ferocissimum and *Galenia fires in consecutive years are likely to change the ( sccunda occur on the few sand ridges of the swamp. species composition favouring introduced species. A pool near Civic Parade cut off from the drainage The spread of*Juncus acutus should be monitored. basin by the recent railway extension is dominated The large, pungent-leaved tussocks will be difficult by Bulboschoenus. caldwellii. to remove. S 18 Cherry Lake Swamp ex.ample of a near-coastal swamp. Gahnia filum is LOCATION: Western edge of Cherry Lake; City of not common in the Region so a stand such as this Altona - 089 077 (Fig. 18). warrants conservation. 1ACCESS: Walk from Mcintyre Drive or Millers MANAGEMENT: Disturbance must be avoided if Road. the site is to persist. A recent fire has allowed the OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan invasion of • Hordeum marinum. Trail bikes use l Board of Works. the gravel road through the stand but rarely enter VEGETATION: Gahnia filum dominated Swamp the swamp. Their use of the area should be with a large component of Salt Marsh species on the monitored. fringe of the lake (Plate 14). Contains very few She-oaks and Paperbarks planted at the site are weeds. uncharacteristic of Swamp Vegetation and should SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The site is a good eventually be removed.

39 Plate 14: Cherry Lake Swamp (S 18) - Distichlis distichophylla dominates at the water's edge, Gahnia DJ.um on higher ground. • Figure 18: Location of Sites S 18, S 19, S 20 and S 21.

C!Ulrry Lake

------....-======ii1...... ~======::::J2km~ S 19 Kororoit Creek Mouth LOCATION: Eastern tip of proposed Altona Sports ferocissimum, • Hordeum marinum and * Lagurus Park; City of Altona - 121 075 (Fig. 18). ovatus. ACCESS: Gravel track adjoining Altona Road near SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. There are only a few ford over Kororoit Creek. areas of Salt Marsh in the Region. There are only OWNERSHIP: Crown Land managed by the City two containing mangroves. The site warrants of Altona. protection for nature conservation. VEGETATION: Salt Marsh vegetation dominated MANAGEMENT: Vehicles must be excluded from by Halosarcia pergranulata with an understorey of the Salt Marsh area. Access is currently unrestricted mostly Sarcocorma quinqueflora. A few shrubs of and roads have formed through the vegetation. Salt A vicennia marina (White Mangrove) persist on the Marsh species are hardy and will quickly recolonise banks of Kororoit Creek near its exit into Altona the roads. Continued use will cause erosion of the Bay (Plate 15). The mangroves originally stretched underlying peat material and ultimately destruction uninterupted for 400m along Kororoit Creek (Willis of the Salt Marsh area. 19 51). Most were apparently killed by an oil slick REFERENCES: Fawcett 1951, Willis 1951. about 1950 (Fawcett 1951 ). An elevated area in the Salt Marsh is dominated by the weeds * Lycium 40 r

Plate 15: One of the few surviving mature mangroves at the mouth of Kororoit Creek (S 19). Sarcocornia quinqueflora and Halosarcia pergranwata cfomiriate the Salt Marsh oeaind. S 20 Kororoit Creek Salt Marsh LOCATION: Southern bank of Kororoit Creek "'Lycium ferocissimum. between Millers Road and Altona railway line; City SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The site is heavily grazed of Altona - 105 077 (Fig. 18). and trampled by horses, and is in poor condition. It ACCESS: Millers Road. is however one of the few patches of Salt Marsh in OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan the Urban area and has great potential for Board of Works. rehabilitation. VEGETATION: Degraded Salt Marsh with local MANAGEMENT: Agistment on the site must dominance of Halosarcia pergranulata and cease. Salt Marsh species will then naturally Disphyma clavellatum (Plate 16). There is much recolonise bare areas. * Lycium shrubs should be bare ground and several well-established shrubs of removed. S 21 Kororoit Creek Swamp LOCATION: Banks of Kororoit Creek between Western Melbourne Region. The vegetation at the Kororoit Creek Road and Millers Road; City of water's edge is currently in a poor state because of Altona - 096 081 (Fig. 18). t rampling by stock but has potential for ACCESS: Millers Road. rehabilitation. OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan MANAGEMENT: Stock must be removed from Board of Works. the site to allow regeneration. Weed cover could be VEGETATION: Degraded Swamp Vegetation with decreased gradually and appropriate indigenous large beds of Phragmites australis and several ma species planted. Cotula coronopifolia will probably ture Willow trees (Plate 17). form a mat at the water's edge in the absence of trampling. Trees would not have occurred in this l SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The estuary is an im saline environment prior to settlement and should. portanfhabitat for water birds. It is the only large not be planted in the wetland now. body of tidal water in the urban portion of t!te

41 Plate 16: Shrubs ofHalosarcia pergranulata persist ! , . in the heavily grazed salt marsh on the ·banlcs of Plate 17: The trampled banks of Kororo1t Creek Kororoit Creek (S 20). south of KorQToit Creek Road, Altona •suppon ' little indigenous vegetation (S 21 ).

S 22 Princes Freeway Swamp LOCATION: West of Princes Freeway/ West Gate The site also contains Senecio runcinifolius (Tall Freeway intersection; Shire ofWerribee- 076 109 Groundsel), a tall herb that was previously known (Fig. 19). only from north-western Victoria (D. Albrecht - ACCESS: Merino Street across MMBW Outfall National Herbarium, pers. comm.). Sewer Reserve or Dohertys Road. MANAGEMENT: The site is worthy of preserva OWNERSHIP: Private. tion. Management through prevention of distur VEGETATION: A swamp dominated by bance is facilitated by the site's inaccessibility. It is Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii with low species di bordered to the south by the Princes Highway and versity (Plate 18). to the north by the broad MMBW Western Trunk Sewer Easement. Industrial development is im SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. This is the only minent to the west so that some fencing may even example of a Muehlenbeckia dominated swamp in tually be necessary. The dry stone wall on the site's the urban area. Muehlenbeckia is more commonly western boundary should be retained. found in arid parts of Australia but is a frequent component of the Region's wetlands and rivers.

42 Figure 19: Location of Site S 22.

Plitt_e 18: Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii dominated swamp north of the Princes Freeway, Laverton North (S 22). 43 Plate 19: Escarpment vegetation of Kororoit Creek north of Princes Highway, Laverton North (S 23b). S 23 Kororoit Creek Escarpments LOCATION: Escarpments of Kororoit Creek vegetation of the urban part of Kororoit Creek. between Kororoit Creek Road, Altona North and Although Escarpment Vegetation is common Neale Road reserve, Deer Park; City of Altona, throughout the Region, the many stands along Shire of Werribee and City of Sunshine (Fig. Kororoit Creek are particularly impressive and give 20a,b,c,d). valuable character to an otherwise featureless urban ACCESS: Refer to Figures 20a,b,c,d. drainage line. They are certainly worth retaining. OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan MANAGEMENT: Tree planting programs should Board of Works, Crown and Private. a~ount for the creek's character. The rocky islands VEGETATION: Typical Escarpment Vegetation of indigenous vegetation are as prominent now as locally dominated by Acacia implexa or A. mearnsii they have always been - stunted trees in a land- (Plates 19 and 20). The remnants are small and scape dominated by grasses. To surround them with restricted to the rocky outcrops at the edge of the trees would be to destroy that character. lava plain. Mueblenbeckia cunninghamii and Eradication of*Lycium ferocissimum will be diffi- Phragmites australis are found in the water at the cult because of the growth of its stems amongst the base of some outcrops. * Lycium ferocissimum oc- rocks and its likely seed reserves at sites. Eventual curs in all stands. elimination of this aggressive shrub and replace- SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The vegetation of the ment with appropriate escarpment shrubs is escarpments is all that remains of the original desirable. ·~··; '---,-~- 1 ·. \ • n L.i::.r c-n 1 1r _,,...· ·, --..., ,. 1 ··. ··. · . ····· ',".,."'-..~ , · \ I ' 1-:-1 ; -r-t-r:-t- ' I ,/;// ..... ~~ . ·e.:_ . ....: ... _~,~·~~-·-·<"-._ ./.; If-~-, €:JU-u_ I -".o:....+-: / ' . --~--. ··:;;:. ··., -.:::-:::. ·- : )/-~ ~~~ -. 3 £f I ' . I -. / i. ... -- --· .. ·-.···· ..,. ------., '· . -. L~~S1·':'--i f/'i 1 · · " -- · · ·· • .... · :::~--., ·:· ·, --::.._ I i ri~r~., i+rl.1 I /!·' ...... , ...• ..,._ ------.!.....!!.) !.'.. 1 l, I I I 11 , . . _.,:' , : '. ·f,..s}t~.,_,,,.,..,,,...... -:;;;-~------~~-L .L . I , ··. ~· - · · ~J ' ' · ·::..------' ' M"' ;1 --;;-;-rrz- ' __ S • . . ~. • '' "' >:f>·~ I r.:i- J I I .::/ •. _.,.,...- .. , / : I I t • J ~ I I~" ,._; I J S~3 ~ ,..,...-.../ ': ' ~...::...:-~ -~qJfffii-- .!: ,I . ' '1', .--. .. _ ••~ ___.-- , -r:, . . ·, .. __-· ,.,- ---~--· "~". --,.. rI --.~-I~- Le.,_1!,_-;:- ' , f ! ...... - ~· ~ I •' .;• ' .._ t--·~ r-c-..... "i j. - _..... :::---r : ._ __ _ .. ,____ · N~ rr'..-f- 1 I /:'.'/ - c·~ ------, .;;, , ,-- __t~?-,- 1 I -s., ~ • 1 ' •• ,.,.,. ,.. , ' " - • • • v~~ :: I ~~ ./'·· 523 ...... __, .:· •::_ . ·-;_'\_:.\ , '( _ _J ~------. I ·. ~\ \/~,: Figure 20a: Location of ., ~R~=o-~~-0---=--=-=- :=- ::--~ t_'._ soo~eTRr~ Site S 23. N t __ i===-4 __ =±:::2 44 SOMERVILLE RD.

Figure 20b: Location of Site S23. Figure 20c: Location of Site S23.

,~.. .,... -

-....~ - .,,,. ...,, ~-- 1 ...... ·1- ...... - I : ~. ( ., ) : < f' l

45 ~()--

Figure 20d: Location of Sites S 23 and S 24. ------======il------======12km~ S 24 Kororoit Creek Waterhole LOCATION: Kororoit Creek north of Western 21). *Schinus mo/Je and •Phoenix canariensis are Highway, behind Deer Park Hotel; City of Sunshine also present. - 050 172 (Fig. 20d). SIGNIFICANCE: Local. There is very little indig ACCESS: Western Highway. enous riparian vegetation along the urban part of OWNERSHIP: Crown. Kororoit Creek. This is the best example. Its value VEGETATION: A narrow strip of Eucalyptus is reduced by the large cover of weeds. camaldulensis (River Red Gum), Muehlenbeckia MANAGEMENT: The site is probably best left in cunninghamii (Tangled Lignum) and Typha sp. its present state. Some weed removal is desirable (Bulrush) at the edge of a small water-hole (Plate but not at the expense of native species.

46 l S 25 Maribyrnong River Edge (1)

LOCATION: Edge of Maribyrnong River between when considered with sites K 3 and K 8. Although the Maribyrnong Explosives Factory and the common in the Region the sylvan vegetation is of r Northern Standard Gauge Railway; City of Sun particular significance in the treeless urban environ shine (Fig. 13). ment. The patches dominated by Acacia dealbata ACCESS: Refer to Fig. 13. are unusual. OWNERSHIP: Private, Melbourne and Metropoli MANAGEMENT: The River Red Gum tan Board of Works and Crown. understorey is dominated by weeds, mostly VEGETATION: Riparian vegetation dominated *Foeniculum vulgare and *Cynara cardunculus. by Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) Eradication will be difficult. These weeds do not with occasional patches of Acacia dealbata (Silver grow beneath Acacia dealbata stands. Rehabilita r Wattle) (Plate 22). Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii tion programs should utilise this attractive shrub's (Tangled Lignum) and Phragmites australis (Com weed suppression qualities. mon Reed) are common at the water's edge along Many River Red Gums of the Maribyrnong River calm sections of the river such as around the explo are in poor condition. The cause of their decline sives factory. requires investigation. The visual qualities of the SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The site is an im vegetation would be difficult to reproduce arti portant corridor of native vegetatioD; and habitat ficially if the trees were lost.

Plate 22: A narrow corridor of riparian ve~tation along the Maribyrnong River at. Sunshine (S 25). This section is dominated by Acacia dealbata. S 26 Maribymong River Escarpment (2) LOCATION: Escarpment of Maribymong River escarpments natiVespec1es are restncted tothe between Canning Street Tea Gardens and Steele rocky outcrops at the escarpment edge. The lower Creek; City of Keilor - 126 184 (Fig. 13). slopes are invariably dominated by *Lycium ACCESS: From Browning Cresent across vacant ferocissimum. This site may provide evidence of land or Canning Street Tea Gardens. the original vegetation of escarpments and act as a OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan guide for the rehabilitation of similar slopes of the Board of Works. Region's rivers. VEGETATION: Steep escarpment slope domi MANAGEMENT: The large Poa tussocks require nated by the tussock grass Poa labiJJardieri (Plate no maintenance. Their dense sward does not permit 23). A few shrubs of Acacia implexa, Bursaria agressive weeds such as *Cynara cardunculus to l spinosa and Hymenanthera dentata are also establish. Damage to the sward will encourage inva present. sion of weeds. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. This is one of the few escarpments in the Region that has indigenous l vegetation over its entire slope and the only one dominated by Poa Jabillardieri. On most other

47 f

J I

Plate 2~: ~s<;a.:r:p_ment of the Maribyrnong River domina~~d. by the tall tussocks of Poa labillardieri (S 26). The Maribyrnong Explosives Factory is in the background. S 27 Maribyrnong River F.scarpment (3) LOCATION: Escarpment on southern side of Casuarina stricta and one of Euca/yprus microcarpa Maribyrnong River, both sides of Melbourne - grow nearby. • Lycium ferocissimum is common. Sydney ·railway;· City of Sunshine -.:...._ 098 196 (Fig. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The stand is a good 13). example of Escarpment Vegetation, one of few ACCESS: Baldwin A venue. remaining along the Maribyrnon~ River. It also OWNERSHIP: Private. complements the Riparian Vegetation below (Site S VEGETATION: The few protruding rocks at the 25). escarpment edge have protected shrubs of Acacia MANAGEMENT: Little maintenance is required imp/e.v:a, Correa glabra and Hymemmthcra dentata at the site. The boxthom could be removed and from grazing (Plate 24). Several grassland species replaced with suitable escarpment shrubs. Total and fe~s persist amongst the rocks. Two trees of eradication will be a long term project.

Plate 24: Two survivors of settlement (Acacia implexa). * Lycium ferocissimum forms an impenetrable stand downsiope (S 27).

48 11a1A wn1-S:flMP'M: AUSTRALIA I : 25'000 KEILOR SH££T 7822 .1 Sii VICTORIA €ORION 2

49 K 1 Organ Pipes National Park LOCATION: Three kilometres north ofSydenham population of indigenous species. Rare and Railway Station; City of Keilor - 030 285 (Fig. 21 ). restricted species as well as those characteristic of ACCESS: Organ Pipes Road via Calder Highway. local vegetation have been grown from seed and OWNERSHIP: Department of Conservation. For cuttings and transplanted. Trials are in progress to ests and Lands. recreate grassland communities in the Park. VEGETATION: A rehabilitated site originally MANAGEMENT: The current management policy containing degraded riparian and escarpment is suitable for the Park's role as a reserve for the vegetation. Many local indigenous species have display and preservation of local species. been planted in the Park. REFERENCE: Edwards 1974. :SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The Park has an im portant role as a reserve for the Region's dwindling K 2 Jacksons Creek Escarpment

LOCATION: One kilometre south-east of Organ known from less than ten sites to the south. The Pipes National Park; City ofKeilor- 041 275 (Fig. Jackson's Creek site is the only one near Mel 21). bourne. It is worthy of preservation at least as a ACCESS: Calder Highway. source of seed for propagation. OWNERSHIP: Private. MANAGEMENT: The site is inaccessible and not VEGETATION: Escarpment Vegetation including threatened at present. Consideration should be four mature Ca/litris colume/la.ris (White Cypress given to its inclusion in nearby Organ Pipes Na Pine). tional Park. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. Callitris columellaris REFERENCES: Adams 1985, Nicholls 1942. is common north of the Great Dividing Range but

K 3 Maribyrnong River Edge (2) LOCATION: Edge of Maribyrnong River from Cal this site have diverse understoreys, unlike other der Highway to Organ Pipes National Park (Fig. sections of the river described (Sites S 25 and K 8). 22). Eucalyptus leucoxylon (Yellow Gum) and the in ACCESS: Arundel Road or Calder Freeway. land shrub Cassia nemophila are found on the lower OWNERSHIP: Mostly Private; Sydenham Park slopes in a few places. section is owned by the City of Keilor. MANAGEMENT: Most of the river in this section VEGETATION: A narrow corridor of Riparian is inaccessible. Disturbance should be minimised Vegetation dominated by Euca/yprus and the spread of Boneseed and Blackberry mon camaldulensis. • Lycium ferocissimum, *Rubus itored. Both weeds are apparent newcomers to the froticosus and *Chrysanthemoides monilifera are valley as they are not yet well established. It may be locally intrusive. possible to eradicate them if action is taken immediately. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. (Assessed with Sites S 25 and K 8). The Maribyrnong River corridor contains the only natural woodland in the vicinity \;' and is an important habitat for local fauna. Parts of 50 ,, r

K 4 Maribyrnong River Escarpments ( 4) LOCATION: Escarpments of Maribyrnong River: and weed infested. There are few remnants of (a) Sydenham Park - 062 275, (b) Two hundred Escarpment Vegetation left along the Maribyrnong metres north ofKeilor-Melton Road/ Calder Free River in the Western Melbourne Region so the site way Overpass - 068 252; City of Keilor (Fig. 23). is worth retaining. ACCESS: Calder Freeway. MANAGEMENT: Weed cover is great in both OWNERSHIP: City of Keilor. stands. Weeds should eventually be removed if the VEGETATION: Escarpment Vegetation with an indigenous vegetation is to remain viable. Boneseed unusually large cover of Myoporum viscosum and Boxthorn threaten the escarpment near the (Plate 25). Eucalyptus Jeucoxylon is present in the overpass and Pepper-tree and Boxthorn threaten stand near Sydenham Park. that near Sydenham Park. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. Both stands are small

Plate 25: Escarpment of the Maribymong River at Keilor (K 4b); Casuarina stn'cta and Myoporum viscosum are locally abundant.

51 . ~JU

~o- .... ----ic;;;;;;;;;===-----===::f

Figure 23: Location of Sites K 4 and K 5.

Plate 26: An unusual Closed Shrubland on the steep eastern slope of Dry Creek, Keilor (K 5).

52 K 5 Dry Creek Shrubland LOCATION: Eastern slope of Dry Creek, two hun tion of species is unusual. Acacia acinacea and dred metres north of confluence with Maribyrnong Myoporum deserti occur infrequently south of the River; City of Keilor - 094 247 (Fig. 23). Divide. It is difficult to imagine this type of ACCESS: Annandale Road. shrubland being common prior to settlement. The soils at the site are much deeper than on other OWNERSHIP: Private. escarpments. The escarpment itself is very steep. VEGETATION: A dense shrubland of Bursaria spinosa, Acacia acinacea and Myoporum deserti MANAGEMENT: The vegetation of this site will (Plate 26). persist if left undisturbed. Management will not be SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. This is the best stand required unless the site is made more accessible. of shrubland remaining in the Region. Although Presently at least two fences must be climbed to small it is closed and free of weeds. The combina- gain access.

·- TAYlORS Rd ~-~ (j 1 ~ ...... ======------r======' Figure 24: Location of Sites K 6 and K 7. K 6 Th.ylors Creek Edge LOCATION: Edge of Taylors Creek from western trast with the trees of large rivers. A few trees of edge of Keilor Tip to Sunshine A venue; City of Kororoit Creek at Deer Park have such form but the Keilor (Fig. 24). best examples in the urban area are undoubtedly ACCESS: Sunshine A venue, Hakea Road or those along Taylors Creek. The trees and the re' vehicular track from St. Albans Road. mains of their understorey are picturesque - an OWNERSHIP: City of Keilor. asset worth preserving. VEGETATION: Old twisted River Red Gums MANAGEMENT: The trees will persist if the overhang the trickle that is Taylors Creek (Plate 27). drainage pattern of the creek is not changed. Earth Their understorey has been degraded and contains works should not be permitted along the creek. much *Cynara cardunculus, *Phalaris aquatica and Treatment of the weeds mentioned above may be *Nassella trichotoma. The creek has retained many necessary to allow safe access to the creek. As ideal indigenous aquatic species. habitat for snakes the obtrusive weeds will be un SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The River Red Gums of desirable to the residents of houses being built shallow watercourses are short and gnarled, a con- nearby.

53 Plate 27: Mature River Red Gums on the banks of Taylors Creek, K.eilor (K 6). K 7 Tuylors Creek Shrubland LOCATION: Northern slope of Taylors Creek two this site, although characteristic of rocky escarp hundred metres west of St. Albans Road; City of ment edges, extends over most of the slope. It is one Keilor - 080 225 (Fig. 24). of the best examples in the Region. The population ACCESS: Vehicular track from St. Albans Road. of Casuarina stricta is viable unlike most others in OWNERSHIP: Private. the urban area and might be used as a seed source for rehabiltation of other sites. VEGETATION: Escarpment Vegetation codominated by Acacia implexa and Casuarina MANAGEMENT: Disturbance should be avoided. stricta with an understorey of Themeda australis •Cyrisus proliferus (Tree Lucerne) and •Rosa and associated grassland species (Plate 28). rubigino53 (Sweet Briar) are already common and SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The vegetation of should be monitored for further spread.

Plate 28: Shrubland dominated by Casuarina stricta and Acacia implexa with an understorey of Themeaa australis on the northern slope of Taylors Creek, Keilor (K 7).

54 K 8 Maribyrnong Valley Metropolitan Park

LOCATION: Land along Maribyrnong River south SIGNIFICANCE: Regional (Assessed with Sites S of Calder Highway including Brimbank Park; City 25 and K 3). The site has been severely degraded by of Keilor - 090 215 (Fig. 25). grazing. Weeds are dominant in most sections. The ACCESS: (1) Eastern side of river - Cemetery River Red Gums form part of the important Road via Calder Highway. (2) Western side of river Maribyrnong River Woodland corridor. There is - vehicular track from St. Albans Road. great potential for rehabilitation. OWNERSHIP: Melbourne and Metropolitan MANAGEMENT: The site could be improved by Board of Works. removing obtrusive weeds such as *Lycium VEGETATION: Mostly Riparian Vegetation (Plate ferocissimum and *Cynara carduncu/us. Total 29). There are a few small examples of Escarpment eradication is unlikely for many years. The western Vegetation opposite Brimbank Park and one Yel side of the site is infrequently used. It would be low Box (Eucalyptus meWodora) on the western suitable for establishing the species found in Site K slopes south of Taylor's Creek. 7 nearby.

Figure 25: Location of Sites K 8, K 13 and K 14. K 9 Sydenham Reserve Grassland LOCATION: Eight hundred metres east of community. Sydenham Railway Station on Ke~or - Melton Road; City of Keilor - 040 254 (Fig. 26). MANAGEMENT: The site is reserved for recreation. It is readily accessible. Loss of site val ACCESS: Keilor - Melton Road. ues is imminent unless parts of the Reserve are set OWNERSHIP: City of Keilor. aside for nature conservation. This seems unlikely VEGETATION: Grassland of Themeda australis considering the impending development of the Tay and introduced grasses. lors Lakes estate across the road. Prior to destruc SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The ~ite conf:aif!S t~e tion seed of significant species should be collected. rare and restricted species Ca/otis scab10s1fol1a, It may also be possible to move some plants to a Hypoxis glabella, lsoetopsis graminifolium and new and secure site. Solenogyne gunnii (B. Kemp, pers. comm.), and many of the herbs chararcteristic of the grassland REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986.

55 r

Plate 29: The corridor of River Red Gums along the Maribyrnong River at Brimbank Park (K 8); little other indigenous vegetation persists in the Park.

Tayiol"IJ' Da ,I !@ • ...... -- ...... _ ...... _,I 0----t=====l.____ -===~2 km~ Figure 26: Location of Sites K 9 and K I0. K 10 Tuylors Lakes Grassland LOCATION: East of Sydenham Railway Station SIGNIFICANCE: State. This is one of the best between Keilor - Melton Road and railway line; Themeda grasslands in the State. It contains many City of Keilor - 045 247 (Fig. 26). species that are rare or of restricted distribution (R. ACCESS: Keilor - Melton Road. Adair - Land Protection Service, pers. comm.). OWNERSHIP: Private. VEGETATION: Themeda dominated Tussock . MANAGEMENT: The site is rapidly being devel Grassland with intricate microtopography and di oped for housing. There will be little or no vegeta verse flora. tion left by the end of 1987.

56 K 11 Sydenham Flora Reserve

LOCATION: Seven hundred metres north-west of SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. Established in 1950 Sydenham Road / Taylors Road intersection; City the site now contains many species that were once of Keilor - 050 225 (Fig. 27). common in Themeda grasslands but are disappear ACCESS: Sydenham Road. ing from the Region because of habitat loss. It will OWNERSHIP: Leased from Department of be essential to have this seed source if degraded Communications by Society for Growing Austra grassland sites are to be rehabilitated. f lian Plants. MANAGEMENT: The land surrounding the VEGETATION: A reserve of basalt plains grass wildflower reserve is grazed. It is essential that the l~nd flora enhanced by transplanting from other reserve's fence be maintained. { sites. REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. Figure 27: Location of Site K l L

1 -;kmA ------s=:::======.______r:=::====~ N

K 12 St. Albans Rail Reserve Grassland LOCATION: Two hundred metres north-west of mstrates the species diversity attainable in a well St. Albans Railway Station; City of Keilor - 059 managed stand. 204 (Fig. 28). MANAGEMENT: Burning to maintain species di ACCESS: East Esplanade or West Esplanade. versity, particularly of the population of Rutidosis, OWNERSHIP: Metropolitan Transit Authority. will be necessary every three to five years in sprin$. VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by The site's suburban position is potentially precan Themeda australis with very few weeds (Plate 30). ous. Disturbance by pedestrians and bikes should be monitored. l SIGNIFICANCE: State. The site contains the rare herb Rutidosis leptorhynchoides. It also dem- REFERENCES: Groves 1965, Stuwe 1986. t 57 r

r r

Plate 30: Tussock Grassland near St. Albans Station, which contains the rare composite Rutidosis leptorhynchoides (K 12). K 13 Milleara Road Grassland

LOCATION: One kilometre east of S.E.C. Kcilor the usual dominant of Tussock Grasslands, was not Terminal Station, between Milleara Road and Stan found. Danthonia duttoniana provides almost com dard Gauge Railway; City ofKeilor - 114 210 (Fig. plete cover of the entire block, an impressive sight 25). in summer when there is an ocean of seed heads. ACCESS: Milleara Road. MANAGEMENT: Although probably unnatural, OWNERSHIP: Commonwealth Department of the site is worth preserving for a few years to allow Defence. for seed collection. Danthonia duttoniana is com VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by mon in depressions of Themeda grassland. Its seed Danthonia duttoniana with some Stipa aristiglumis will be valuable for revegetation programs. There is and other Danthonia species (Plate 31 ). no comparable source of seed for this grass or any SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The site is unusual. It has other of the basalt plains excepting Themeda obviously been disturbed because there is a fair australis. Grazing by horses prevented flowering of cover of Clover (Trifolium sp.). Themeda australis, Danthonia in 1986.

l l Plate 31: An unusual Tussock Grassland dominated by Danthonia duttoniana, Keilor (K 13). 58 l K 14 Keilor Cemetery LOCATION: Corner of Keilor and Cemetery is a common grass of the mallee but rare in other r Roads; City of Keilor - l 07 219 (Fig. 25). habitats. It is found in only two other sites in the ACCESS: Cemetery Road. Western Melbourne Region, one of these being the OWNERSHIP: Crown. Long Forest mallee outlier west of Melton. Many of the other species at the cemetery are also VEGETATION: Scattered undcrstorey of planted characteristic of a drier environment. trees, mainly on the northern and eastern edges of the cemetery. Indigenous species present include MANAGEMENT: The understorey of perimiter Acacia paradoxa, Atriplex semibaccata, Danthonia trees should not be disturbed. The grass in the cen Caespitosa, Diane/la laevis, Enchylaena tomentosa, tral op~n portion, co!ltaining mostly Danthonia Myoporum deserti, Stipa bigcniculata, S. spp., will tolerate cutting. The Myoporum deserti and sp. amongst Sugar Gums in the southern part of the elegantissima, S. semibarbata Wahlenbergia cemetery are worth preserving. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. Stipa elegantissima

sa32 .··r----./

·---..... i :l' .,/ /"/ !

·=------<-. .__L__ - ) ,/ ~s31

: 'J ; : ~:.-. ·, \\ 'i ; \.__./ 1, •

ss30

' J Figure 29: Location of Site SW 1. SW 1 Diggers Rest Rail Reserve Grassland LOCATION: Rail reserve between Calder Raceway species Senecio macrocarpus (N. Scarlett - La and Diggers Rest; Shire of Melton, City ofKeilor- Trobe University, pers. comm.). 003 300 (Fig. 29). MANAGEMENT: Some of the fragments of grass ACCESS: Holden Road or Calder Highway. land along this section of railway have been burnt OWNERSHIP: State Transport Authority. recently and will not require further burning for at VEGETATION: Themeda australis grassland with least three years. The population should survive if a substantial cover of weeds. left undisturbed. SIGNIFICANCE: State. The site contains the rare REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986.

59 VICTORIA 1:25 000

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60 SW 2 Clarke Road Grassland LOCATION: North-west of Clarke Road/ Western toria. It is worth acquiring to supplement the mea Highway intersection; Shire of Melton - 990 198 gre reserves of this important and disappearing (Fig. 30). resource. ACCESS: Western Highway. MANAGEMENT: A fire management strategy OWNERSHIP: Private. should be developed once a thorough floristic sur VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by vey has been carried out. Spring burning may Themeda australis with a drainage line through the encourage invasion of annual weeds from agri centre of the site containing many species (Plate cultural land to the north and west. The site is large 32). enough, however, to employ more than one scheme. SIGNIFICANCE: State. This is one of the largest remaining stands of basalt plains grassland in Vi~ REFERENCES: Geraghty 197 l, Stuwe 1986. t

··.>irt~-;.·. -

' .. _.

I·------~I \; II "· ' ·. -- ·. . -, ' ' ·-. I I ...... 1

A. Figure 30: Location of Site SW2.

Plate 32: Themeda australis dominated Tussock Grassland at Clarice Road, Rockbank; one of the largest surviving stands of this community (SW 2).

61 ' SW 3 North West.em Rail Reserve (1) LOCATION: Rail reserve of North Western Rail few weeds. All public land containing Themeda way; Shire of Melton (Fig. 31 ). grassland such as this warrants preservation. ACCESS: Greigs Road or Leakes Road. MANAGEMENT: A wide fire break has been cut at OWNERSHIP: State Transport Authority. the edge of the reserve. Further disturbance must be VEGETATION: Patchy Themeda dominated Tus avoided. Regular burning will serve both grassland· sock Grassland (Plate 33). management and fire protection aims. Bulldozing is. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. (Assessment in unnecessary. cludes Site Me 8). Many parts of the rail reserve are REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. 'in good condition with high species diversity and

Plate 33: Construction of a fire break has destroyed .... Plate 34: Woodland dominated bv Eucalyptus almost haif of the Tussock Grassland. along the rail camaldulensis at the Rockbank Radio Station reserve at Roclmalik. {SW 3). · (SW 4).

62 SW 4 Rockbank Radio Station Woodland LOCATION: Eastern side of Leakes Road, two ral depression and would be expected to contain hundred metres south of Beattys Road~ Shire of ·swamp species. The absolute dominance of River f Melton - 935 233 (Fig. 31 ). Red Gum however is unusual. There is no com ACCESS: The area is closed to the public and per parable stand in the Region. mission must be obtained from the appropriate offi MANAGEMENT: The woodland portion of this cer at Diggers Rest Radio Station. Defence land is not used. It has had very little past OWNERSHIP: Department of Defence. disturbance and should be retained in its present VEGETATION: Woodland dominated by state. Vehicle access should be restricted especially Eucalyptus camaldulensis with very little when the site is wet.·*Nassella trichotoma is com understorey. The site is periodically inundated and mon in adjoining paddocks. Although it is unlikely contains several Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii to spread into the woodland, its distribution should (Plate 34). be monitored. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The site is in a nat~-

Figure 31: Location of Sites SW 3, SW 4, SW 5, SW 6 . SW 5 Deans Marsh LOCATION: Two kilometres east of Rockbank Railway Station; Shire of Melton - 950 215 (Fig. many indigenous species. 31 ). SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The westernmost ACCESS: Western Highway. swamp is one of the best representatives of wetland OWNERSHIP: Mostly private land, western edge is vegetation left in the Region. It is unusual because it Commonwealth Department of Defence land. contains water throughout the year. Its wetness fos VEGETATION: A series of five swamps of varying ters a diverse flora and attracts many water birds to condition. The westernmost swamp is always wet the area. and has a more diverse flora than most swamps in MANAGEMENT: The three easterly swamps in the Region (Plate 35). Triglochin striata, Isolepis this site have been recently subdivided for housing. cemuus and Bulboschoenus caldwellii are abundant The westernmost swamp should be acquired. Part in the shallows at the western end. Ranunculus of it is already on Commonwealth land. There has rivularis, Samolus repens, Cotula coronopifolia, been much disturbance in the past from grazing and Pratia pedunculata and Crassula helmsii grow in rabbits, which has led to weed invasion. This. the muddy flats at the water's edge. Muehlenbeckia swamp will need to be fenced. Some dumping of occurs along its perimeter. The other swamps in the soil has occurred in the Government-owned part. series are less wet and more weedy but still contain This should not be repeated.

63 r

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~.ate 35: .frt~.e_hlenbeckia cunninghamii bordering the perennially wet Deans Marsh at Rockbank (SW 5). Salt left on exposed rocks has given them a white appearance. SW 6 Paynes Road Swamp LOCATION: Paynes Road, 1.5 km west of been heavily grazed it is one of few in the Region Rockbank Railway Station; Shire of Melton - 916 that hasn't been reclaimed for agriculture. Its value ·217 (Fig. 31). has been decreased because it is split in two by ACCESS: Paynes Road. Paynes Road. The site could be valuable however OWNERSHIP: Private. for seed collection as it is readily accessible. VEGETATION: Swamp vegetation of MANAGEMENT: The owner of the swamp should Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii and Eucalyptus 'be encouraged not to drain it. Reduction in grazing camaldulensis with a large cover of weeds. pressure would improve the site but this will be impossible without rabbit-proof fencing. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. Although the swamp has 'Roadside Veget.ation The road reserve of GREIGS ROAD (Grid Ref erence 940 198} contains some good patches of Themeda dominated grassland that would be suit able for seed collection.

64 l VICTO~I ~ 1:25 000

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65 T 1 North Western Rail Reserve (2) LOCATION: Rail reserve of North Western Rail MANAGEMENT: Burning is desirable along this way; Shire of Melton (Fig. 32). narrow reserve to maintain an open sward and the ACCESS: Hopkins Road. Senecio population. Clearing of fire breaks should OWNERSHIP: State Transport Authority. be avoided in grassland stands. Fuel-reduction burning will be adequate for this purpose in such VEGETATION: Fragments of Tussock Grassland places. dominated by Tbemeda australis. REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. SIGNIFICANCE: State. The site contains a patch of the rare composite Senecio macrocarpus, 1km east of Hopkins Road (J. Stuwe pers. comm.).

-· 7 ~~~ 1 :·.7.l_l ___ / J • ~ .. ,r\_,, .,.:-:---t, · .I • , • • I .. , ------'\ I --=-~------: ·-· . •C ~ -1---"•1 --·--·-·· ~ ;.- . ;.19 •., - --.--:-..~.--: ... - ' ~ I I • 1 -~J --- ··, '"' c ._. ,,,.6 z ! . . I " •i -;------:..-.:;;--- TI " .. ~ I ·I .I

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--, . I 0 •· ~ I 0 I Figure 32: Location of Site T l. T 2 Truganina Cemetery Grassland LOCATION: Woods Road, four hundred metres large population of the rare herb Rutidosis south of Dohertys Road; Shire of Werribee - 993 Jeptorhynchoides, once common in south-eastern 109 (Fig. 33). Australia. ACCESS: Woods Road. MANAGEMENT: The cemetery needs to be ac OWNERSHIP: Crown. quired for the protection of the Rutidosis popula VEGETATION: Themeda australis grassland with tion. It should be burnt every three to five years in some plantings of *Eucalyptus cladocalyx (Plate spring. 36). REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. SIGNIFICANCE: State. The cemetery contains

Road

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o----t::::====1..... ___ t::::======t2 km ~ Figure 33: Location of Site T 2.

66 Plate 36: Tussock: Grassland at Truganin~ C~metery (T 2). The site contains a large. population of the rare herb Rutidos1s leptorhynchoides. The trees have been introduced. .T S-Laverton RAAF·Base·Swamp LOCATION: South-western corner of Laverton ness (Plate 37). RAAF Base; Shire of Werribee - 010 060 (Fig. 34). SIGNIFICANCE: State. This swamp contains ·ACCESS: The area is closed to the public and per ;several species that are characteristic of wetlands of mission for entry must be obtained from the appro north-west Victoria, some of which are rare in the priate officer at the RAAF Base. Region - Panicum decompositum, Goodenia OWNERSHIP: Commonwealth Department of gracilis, Marsilea drummondii and Eryngium Defence. vesiculosum. The taJI undescribed rush Juncus sp. VEGETATION: A swamp with a diverse flora, the 0 is known from no other site south of the Great distribution of which is regulated by the degree of Dividing Range (D. Albrecht - National Herbar inundation. The wettest parts contain ium, pers. comm.). Myriophy/Jum propinquum, Potamogeton ·MANAGEMENT: The site should be reserved im tricarinatus and Azolla filiculoides. Muchlenbeckia mediately for nature conservation. It is threatened cunninghamii occurs at the swamp edge. Juncus sp. by disturbance from an overpass being constructed 0 forms dense stands in places of intermediate wet- on adjoining land. Grazing must cease. Figure 34: Location of Site T 3.

~~~~~in=~~~~~~ =--~"..__,,.... r t-1C£S 1 \ o------======,------======~=~2km~ 67 Plate 37: The swamp adjoining the Laverton RAAF Base has many floristic affinities with swamps of north-western Victoria (T 3). W 1 South Western Rail Reserve (1) LOCATION: Rail reserve east of Skeleton Creek by the cutting of firebreaks on both sides of the cr.ossmg; -ShirtH>fWerribee. - 000 054 (Fig,-3-5), reserve_and the_ron.st.ructi0.n_of An QY.~ from ACCESS: Princes Freeway. the Princes Highway. A few plants of Rutidosis OWNERSHIP: State Transport Authority. persist. MANAGEMENT: The value of the site should be VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by Tbemeda australis. re-assessed once construction has ceased. It may be possible to transplant remaining Rutidosis to grass SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The site once carried a land reserves. large population of Rutidosis Jeptorhynchoides. REFERENCE: Stowe 1986. Most of the grassland has recently been destroyed

0 0 0 SCALE FACTOR ~ 299 1·00009 .., ___. ...,.___... ····-··i·"· !.

Figur~ 35: Location of Site W 1. W 2 Werribee River Edge (1) LOCATION: Edge of Werribee River between river. Wenibee Park and top of Werribee mapsheet; Shire SIGNIFICANCE: Regional (Assessed with Sites E of Wenibee (Fig. 36). 4 and E 5). This stand of Riparian vegetation is in ACCESS: Werribee Park, Doolan Street and good condition compared with that of the Wattamolla Avenue. Maribymong River. Many parts are weed-free and OWNERSHIP: Crown, Melbourne and Metropoli an asset to the local community. tan Board of Works, Private and Shire of Werribee. MANAGEMENT: The Werribee River near VEGETATION: Riparian vegetation dominated Werribee township is infrequently used. Access is by Eucalyptus camaldulensis. The composition of possible in only a few places. Development of the the understorey is variable but often consists of river for passive recreation seems inevitable. Callistemon paludosus, Acacia dealbata, Bursaria Disturbance to indigenous vegetation will spinosa and Hymenanthera dentata. Acacia .. encourage invasion by weeds and should therefore vemiciflua is occasional south of Werribee. be minimised. • Schinus molle grows along most sections of the

68 r

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Figure 36: Werribee Mapsheet showing Location of Site W 2.

69 VICTORIA 1:25 000 7$22·3·3

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70 Ma 1 Kirk Bridge Road Swamp LOCATION: Seven hundred metres north-west of dam has been built on one edge, leaving the rest of Kirk Bridge Road / Edgars Road intersection; Shire the swamp dry. Stock appear to have used the trees of Werribee - 805 024 (Fig. 37). for shelter, gradually removing ground cover spe ACCESS: Kirk Bridge Road. cies. The site is a reminder of the effect of local OWNERSHIP: Private. topographic variation on the basalt plain but has little botanical significance. VEGETATION: A slight depression in the land scape dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis. MANAGEMENT: The trees at the site are worth perpetuating. Seedlings should be allowed to estab SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The understorey at this lish in the absence of grazing and trampling. site would have once contained s".'amp species. A_ i Figure 37: Location of Site Ma l. ss03 ...... """" t········ ...... ·---·--·····---····- ·········--· l ! I ~ ~ t.tJ l ,j

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Ma 2 South West.em Rail Reserve (2) LOCATION: Rail reserve of South Western Rail MANAGEMENT: Parts of the reserve have been way, one kilometre north-east of Manor Railway damaged by soil removal and ploughing. A commit Station; Shire of Werribee - 882 994 (Fig. 38). ment must be made for the protection of this im ACCESS: Bulban Road. portant site. It must not be lost through i~orance. OWNERSHIP: State Transport Authority. The site is also threatened by weed invasion. *Nassella trichotoma is already common and VEGETATION: Themeda australis dominated *Foeniculum vulgare is invading from the railway. Tussock Grassland. *Proboscidea louisianica is present in the railway SIGNIFICANCE: State. The narrow reserve of gravel but may not spread further. Some spot grassland contains a large population of the rare application of weedicide is necessary. The stand will composite Senecio macrocarpus and other rare spe soon require spring burning. cies - Rutidosis leptorhynchoides and Craspedia REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. chrysantha (N. Scarlett - La Trobe University, pers. comm.).

:~ Figure 38: Location of Site Ma 2.

.... f ) l ----'-' I l -r---···-···-- ·-'· - ·---···-·-~-: ~·----+···... ·- ·---·-·. ! - ---i o-...... -======~1 ...... ======:::=32km/ 7 1 Plate 38: Tussock Grassland along the rail reserve at Little River (Ma 3). Many young Acacia pycnantba (Golden Wattle) are present in the stand. Ma 3 South.West.em Rail -Reserve (3)

72 VICTORIA 1:25 000

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73 ,If "! Eynesbury Est.ate r / / LOCATION: Three kilometres south of Exford· gion. Most others have been cut down or over ,,, Shire of Werribee - 855 155 (Fig. 40). ' grazed. The large stand also contains the ACCESS: Eynesbury Road. uncommon species Casuarina Juehmannii and r Templetonia stenophylla. OWNERSHIP: Private. MANAGEMENT: The Eynesbury Woodland has VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland with a been managed successfully since settlement by patchy understorey often dominated by Tbemcda maintaining a low grazing pressure. There is no australis (Plate 39). reason to change it now. SIG~:flCANCE: Regional. This is the best remammg stand of Grey Box Woodland in the Re-

Figure 40: Location of Site E I. ii.....----====='------=====-" km~

Plate 39: Grey Box Woodland at the entrance to the Eynesbury Estate (E I).

74 r \ \ 1 1\ /

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Figure 41: Location of Sites E 2. E 2 Mount Cottrell Woodland LOCATION: Two kilometres south-west of Mount SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The stand contrasts Cottrell Road / Grei~s Road intersection; Shire of dramatically with Eynesbury on the other side of Melton - 885 170 (Fig. 41). the Werribee River. It is overgrazed and contains ACCESS: Mount Cottrell Road. few of its original species. OWNERSHIP: Private. .MANAGEMENT: There are no Grey Box seedlings VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland containing on the site. The Woodland will eventually dis many • Lycium ferocissimum and an understorey of appear if some sections are not fenced to exclude introduced grasses. stock.

0 LU 0 g 0 0 0 SCALE FACTOR ""~ 00 ! ... 1•0002() 281 - , .. I \ ·- - ~ I -->·.. I ) 'e • I '\ ,_,,.-"';- - - ~ - /(,:~' } <§ \ ' --.t.. ·~ \ -' -~'-!... ' D· ·- .-~ .., ~v~ · ---:- .... \ f -..__ . I I ., . I : - I I -\ ! I 0 ~ ·- .:, 1-_ ·------<,--· ____ -/~_•_•_--~-~=-===~1----c::::===d2 km ..@. " .... ' . --, ·---.. --·------:: .-::..._ _,_ '; \. \._, i I \.. •• C:-.._ c ...... • "!), --·, •"' '"-., .,...;j "

LOCATION: One kilometre south of Telephone SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The understorey of this Road / Parwan - Exford Road intersection; Shire of site was not surveyed so its significance is in Werribee - 816 188 (Fig. 42). determinate. Casuarina Juehmannii, present in the ACCESS: Parwan - Exford Road. overstorey, is uncommon south of the Great Divid OWNERSHIP: Private. ing Range. VEGETATION: Small patch of Grey Box Wood MANAGEMENT: Overgrazing should be avoided land similar in composition to nearby Eynesbury. and the tree seedlings given a chance to establish.

15 Plate 40: Riparian Ve~etation at Cobbledicks Ford (E 4). Eucalyptus bauerana, common in eastern V 1ctoria,_ is ,i>resent at the Site. E 4 Cobbledicks Ford

L~CATION: Reserve on Werribee River, eight SIGNIFICANCE: Regional (Assessed with Sites kilometres south of Exford; Shire ofWerribee - 873 W 2 and E 5). Eucalyptus bauerana is common in 114 (Fig. 43). eastern Victoria but found in very few sites west of ACCESS: Cobbledicks Ford Road. Melbourne. This is the most southern ofits Western OWNERSHIP: Crown. Melbourne Region occurrences. Much of the vegetation along the Werribee River has been al VEGETATION: Riparian v~etation dominated tered greatly. The Cobbledicks Ford stand is a good by Eucalyptus camaldulens1s with an intact .example of its original state. unde~storey containing Hymenanthera dentata, Calllstemon paludosus, Acacia meJanoxylon, MANAGEMENT: The blackberry PO\)Ulation on Leptospermum lanigerum and Poa labillardieri the south-western side of the river requJJ"es control. (Plate 40). Eucalyptus bauerana (Blue Box) is also Disturbance of the river's indigenous vegetation common. Several trees of Casuarina luehmannii should be avoided.during any development of the occur on private land on the western side of the adjoining picnic area. Werribee River.

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Figure 43: Location of ' ' l Site E 4. o...... ic:::======------======:j2km~ 76 E 5 Werribee River Edge (2) LOCATION: Edge of Werribee River south from Greigs Road; Shire of Werribee (Fig. 44). ACCESS: Greigs Road and Cobbledicks Ford Road. OWNERSHIP: Private. VEGETATION: Riparian vegetation incl uding a few remnants of Escarpment vegetation. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional (Assessed with Sites W 2 and E 4). Only a little of the river was surveyed because of its in accessibility. Cover of indigenous species is variable, depending on the severity of grazing. Eucalyptus bauerana occurs at Greigs Road and Cobbledicks Ford and probably in between. The tree is uncommon in the Region. MANAGEMENT: Riparian vegetation will persist if left undisturbed. Any alteration in water level caused by the construction of Melton Reservoir up stream has produced no obvious change in vegetation.

Roadside Vegetation There are patches of Themeda dominated Tussock Grassland suitable for seed collection on BALLAN ROAD (829 I 06 - northern side of road; 866 082 - southern side of road) and the southern side of GREIGS ROAD (883 190). Figure 44: Location of Site E 5.

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78 Me 1 Long Forest Mallee LOCATION: Six kilometres west of Melton, in cludes Long Forest Flora Reserve; Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 805 275 (Fig. 45). ACCESS: Long Forest Road. OWNERSHIP: Mostly private but 147 Ha of Crown land managed by the Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands. VEGETATION: Mallee &:rub dominated by Eucalyptus behriana with many species characteris tic of the dry north-west (Plate 41 ). The mallee scrub adjoins species-poor stands of Grey Box Woodland, which have been included in the site's assessment. SIGNIFICANCE: State. The land between Pyrites and Djerriwarrh Creeks supports the only example of maltee scrub south of the Great Dividing Range. Unlike most other mallee vegetation, the upper stratum of Long Forest consists of only one species. The rainfall at this site is higher than at stands north of the Divide, perhaps indicating a past drier cli mate. MANAGEMENT: Only a small amount of mallee scrub at the site is reserved for nature conservation. Further aquisition is desirable. Contiguity of re serves would improve the viability of the vegeta tion. Disturbance ofcourse should be minimised to prevent invasion of weeds from nearby agricultural land. Figure 45: Location of Sites Me l and Me 6. REFERENCES: Baker 1984, Myers et al. 1986. ~' 1 '"'.'" ~ '

Plate 41: The multi-stemmed Eucalyptus behriana is the feature ofthe disjunct vegetation at Long Forest Mallee west of Melton. (Me 1). Me 2 Harkness Road Woodland LOCATION: Five kilometres north-west of Mel grazing have diminished the value of this site. The ton; Shire of Melton - 830 300 (Fig. 46). flora of the roadside here is more diverse than that ACCESS: Harkness Road. of the freehold. However, the remnant provides valuable evidence of the woodlands that were com OWNERSHIP: Private. mon around Melton prior to settlement. VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland with abun MANAGEMENT: The site has potential for dant Yellow Gum and a sparse understorey of rehabilitation if the grazing pressure is reduced or Myoporum deserti (Plate 42). removed. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. Soil disturban~ and e_11st

79 1 Figure 46: Location of Site Me 2. 2km a-.-----======------=====~

Plate 42: A small remnant of Grey Box Woodland with a sparse understorey affected by grazing, Harkness Road, Melton (Me 2).

80 0 0 Me 3 Ryans Lane Road Reserve SCALE F.. CTOR ~

======----....--->--···-...... 31·3no· LOCATION: Six kilometres north-east of Melton, - : ---..:....::.__ · · i · H33ooo N both sides of Ryans Lane for 2.5 km south of Dig gers Rest· Toolern Vale Road, extending onto pri vate land; Shire of Melton - 902 320 (Fig. 47). \, -~------:= ll ACCESS: Ryans Lane. ------.. ' 8,,. 181 OWNERSmP: Road Construction Authority and a ~- I- ' .. -,, I small piece of private land. I _,..---- ; VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland co-domi· \ ------\-1111 ...1--..... Park•.. • .. --- \, .._ - J .t nated by Eucalyptus melliodora. (Yellow Box) and - • .. • ___1 •• ""'It---- E. Jeucoxylon (Yellow Gum) with a diverse - . ~_;~=-- -\ _____ }_ ··-- -I~ .. understorey including Casuarina stricta, Acacia --- . _j/' \ .. i£ acinacea, A pycnantha, Hardenbergia violacea, Atriplex semibaccata, Themeda australis and Stipa ______:. ~~ .... - .... \ i ·" semibarbata . ~· .------\ . ·.. ·- L SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The vegetation of this site is unusual in comparison with nearby sites Me 2 >~k;j- ;,:- and TV 3. It contains very few Grey Box and has a diverse understorey, the latter feature undoubtedly ----1~ -I : [ v.:::.:f-1--, -- ~- ,., I influenced by absence of grazing pressure. The ef fect of grazing on Grey Box Woodland is clearly \ -1 :-·---~ ---·; --~M ~~'t-==-·- (31 seen in the freehold part of this site, which has no understorey species. The private land is of neg I I ,' I I. ~ ligible bota~ical value. The road reserve is worthy \. ;/,: ~ J i/ i '-' ilir- of preservation. 0 MANAGEMENT: Cutting for fire prevention and ------======------c::::====:d2km application of weedicides should not be permitted along this section of road. Figure 47: Location of Site Me 3.

Me 4 Exford Woodlands LOCATION: Six kilometres south of Melton; Shire of Melton - 870 206 (Fig. 48). ACCESS: Melton • Exford Road. OWNERSHIP: Private. VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland with several Yellow Box and Bull-oak. The understorey is sparse because of grazing. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. Although the stand is extensive its value has been reduced by grazing. Bull-oak are uncommon south of the Great Divid ing Range and hence important trees. They are un likely to remain viable at this site unless their seedlings are given a chance to establish. MANAGEMENT: The Woodland will not survive if grazing continues. Small parts should be tem porarily fenced off to allow natural regeneration. l l

Figure 48: Location of Sites Me 4, Me 7 and Me 8.

81 Plate 43: A regenerating patch of the inland tree Casuarina luehmannii within the pro tected road reserve at Exford (Me 6). Me 5 Parwan - Exford Road Reserve LOCATION: Road reserve from Parwan to Exford; Mistletoe), recorded with certainty from only one Shire of Werribee (Fig. 49). other site in the Region (Wenibee Gorge}, grows on ACCESS: Parwan - Exford Road. several of the mature Bull-oak. The Bull-oak OWNERSHIP: Road Construction Authority. population extends in a band to t~e north and ~outh into private land. Parts of the site have an mtact VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland. Yellow Box understorey, unlike most Grey Box Woodland rem and Drooping She~ak are common in the nants. overstorey. Themeda australis is locally abundant. MANAGEMENT: It is important to protect the SIGNIFICANCE: State. The site includes a stand population of Casuarina luehmannii near Tele of Casuarina /uehmannii east of Telephone Road, a phone Road. This section of the road and preferably species that is rare and poorly reserved south of the all others of the site should not be ripped to create a Great Dividing Range. There are several mature fire break. This practice facilitates the i.nvasion of trees and many saplings, which have been fenced to annual weeds and prevents regeneration of the prevent damage from the regular ripping of th_is remnant. roads1de (Plate 43). Lysiana exocarpi (Harlequin

Figure 49: Location of Site Me 5. .,I

82 Me 6 Exford Weir Road Woodland r LOCATION: Seven kilometres west of Melton, one eliminated by grazing. kilometre south of Western Highway; Shire of Bac SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The site has little signifi chus Marsh - 798 254 (Fig. 45). cance other than as an example of a formerly wide ACCESS: Exford Weir Road. spread vegetation type. OWNERSHIP: Private. MANAGEMENT: Part of the site might be re VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland. Most of the moved from grazing to allow natural regeneration. understorey, except that on the roadside, has been Me 7 Tuolern Creek Edge LOCATION: Edge of Toolern Creek from Greigs its character through its attractive River Red Gums Road, Exford to Melton; Shire of Melton (Fig. 48). and rock faces bearing escarpment plants such as ACCESS: Melton - Exford Road or Blarney Drive. Ac.acia implexa and Hymenanlhera dent.ala. The OWNERSHIP: Mostly Private; Shire of Melton Creek has excellent potential for rehabilitation, es- land north of Bridge Road. pecially in Melton township. · VEGETATION: Patchy Riparian and Escarpment MANAGEMENT: Grazing should cease on the vegetation. flats at the creek edge. *Juncus acutus dominates many of these areas. Its spread will need to be SIGNIFICANCE: Local. Although Toolern Creek controlled. has been greatly affected by grazing and is now mostly weed dominated, it ha_s managed to ~etain

Me 8 North Western Rail Reserve (3) LOCATION: From Mount Cottrell Road through out. This rail reserve is part of an almost continu South Melton to beyond Staughton Siding; Shires of ous band of indigenous grassland stretching along Melton and Werribee (Fig. 48). the North Western Railway from Deer Park to ACCESS: Mount Cottrell Road, Ferris Road, Mel Parwan and is certainly worth preserving. ton - Exford Road, Coberns Road or Telephone MANAGEMENT: Clearance of vegetation for fire Road. prevention should be minimised as this will OWNERSHIP: State Transport Authority. encourage invasion of weeds. Weedicides must not VEGETATION: Patchy Themeda dominated Tus be used on native grasslands. Fuel reduction burn sock Grassland. ing is recommended in spring every three to five years. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional (Assessed with Site SW 3). Most of the Tussock Grasslands of the rural REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. part of the Region have been cultivated or grazed Roadside Vegetation There are several saplings of Casuarina stricta and small patches of Themeda australis Tussock Grass land on the northern side of NEROWIE ROAD (805 197). A stand of Themeda australis suitable for seed collection occurs on the northern side of GREIGS ROAD (900 196).

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84 TV 1 Pyrete Ranges

LOCATION: Eight kilometres north-west of several species that are considered rare in the Mel Toolern Vale; Shire of Bacchus Marsh and Shire of bourne Region - Boronia pilosa, Bossiaea Melton (Fig. 50). obcordata,. Hibbertia exutiaces, Lepidium ACCESS: Antimony Mine Road or Gisborne - pseudotasmanicum, Leucopogon pilibundus, Melton Road (through private land). Poranthera corymbosa, Prostanthera saxicola and OWNERSHIP: Mostly Crown land but some pri Tetratheca stenocarpa (J. Yugovic and R. Adair vate ownership. pers. comm. , Macedon Range Conservation VEGETATION: Dry Forest with local dominance Society 1985). of sev~ral e~calypts - Eucalyptus macrorhyncha, E. MANAGEMENT: The site was left uncommitted s1eben, E. s1deroxylon, E. dives and E. goniocalyx. by the Land Conservation Council (Land These are often stunted in the dry, rocky environ Conservation Council 1977). It is of little use for ment of the Pyre~e.Ranges. The understorey is vari hardwood production and would be best reserved able, often contammg Xanthorrhoea australis (Plate for nature conservation. Cinnamon Fungus 44). It may also be shrubby. The site defined here (Phyrophthera cinnamom) has been reported in the includes stands of Grey Box Woodland on mostly Pyrete Ranges (Macedon Range Conservation private land at the southern end and Bull Mallee Society I 985). Vehicles are often responsible for its Scrub on the edge of Lake Merrimu. Most of the spread. Vehicular movement should be restricted Pyrete Ranges was burnt in the bushfires of 1980 particularly from the Reference Area, which at and 1983 (Plate 45). present shows no symptoms of the disease (J. Yugovic and R. Adair pers. comm.). SIGNIFICA_N<;:~: State. _The Pyrete Ranges a;e the western hmtt m Austraha for Eucalyptus cinerea REFERENCE: Macedon Range Conservation subsp. cephalocarpa and E. sieberi. They contain Society 1985, Myers 1979.

Figure SO: Location of Sites TV 1 and TV 4).

85 r

Plate 44: Dry forest in the Pyrete Ranges, north-west of Toolern Vale. Stunted trees of EucalYJ?tUs macrorhyncha are common with an understorey of Xanthorroea australis (TV l ).

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Plate 45: Most of the Pyrete Ranges was severely burnt in the 1983 bushfire and is only slowly recovering (TV 1). TV 2 Black Hills LOCATION: One kilometre north-east of Toolern attributable to grazing. Vale; Shire of Melton (Fig. 51 ). SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The vegetation of the ACCESS: McPherson Road or Couangalt Road. Black Hills is not as significant as that of similar OWNERSHIP: Mostly private. terrain in the Pyrete Ranges, Lerderderg Ranges VEGETATION: Stringybark Forest. Eucalyptus and Werribee Gorge. It has survived because of its dives tends to dominate on the ridge top at the unsuitability for logging and most agricultural prac northern end of the site (Plate 46). Eucalyptus tices, therefore remaining a valuable habitat for Jeucoxylon 1s abundant where the rocky hills meet many birds and animals (Townsend 1977). the surrounding plains. Danthonia pallida is com MANAGEMENT: The forest of the Black Hills is mon in the understorey, which is extremely open. worth retaining. Land owners should be encouraged The less diverse flora of the Black Hills, when com· not to clear trees from their properties. pared with the _Pyrete Ranges, is probably 86 l Figure 51: Location of Site TV 2.

Plate 46: The ridge top of1he Black Hills north ofToolern Vale is dominated by stunted Eucalyptus dives (TV 2). The understorey is sparse perhaps because of past grazing.

87 TV 3 Ryans Lane Woodland 0 2km LOCATION: Two kilometres south-east ofToolern ------mt======-----.....::=====::i Vale, north of Diggers Rest -Coimadai Road; Shire of Melton - 900 340 (Fig. 52). -@.. ACCESS: Diggers Rest - Coimadai Road or Ryans Lane. .,.. ····~··· OWNERSHIP: Private. ! VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland dominated i by Eucalyptus microcarpa with a few trees of E. I ' melliodora, E. leucoxylon and Casuarina stricta. In / troduced grasses and leaf litter provide the only ... ·;- .... ground cover (Plate 47). The woodland extends onto the road reserve of the Diggers Rest - Coimadai Road. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The site has only minor significance as a remnant of a past widespread j community and habitat for indigenous fauna. It is ...."' heavily grazed by horses. ---. ~ MANAGEMENT: The condition of the woodland ~ would not be improved greatly by easing the grazing ! I from pycnantha ~ pressure. Apart Acacia there are =====-;-' 1r.ino· few understorey species left on the site to re-estab ~===-=-=--=!--=--~-·~, --"-'-----'~ SCALE fACfO~ u.J 0 lish. Re-introduction of local species would be re )·()()())4 0 quired for rehabilitation. Maintenance of tree cover 0 will be adequate at this site. ~ Figure 52: Location of Site TV 3.

Plate 47: Heavily grazed Grey Box Woodland east of Toolern Vale (TV 3). There is virtually no understorey left and no regeneration of trees. TV 4 Diggers Rest - Coimadai Road Reserve

LOCATION: Both sides of Diggers Rest -Coimadai SIGNIFICANCE: Local. A good example of this Road from Long Forest Road (Melton Mapsheet - vegetation retaining many of its understorey spe 798 320) to Coburn Road; Shire of Melton (Fig. 50). cies. The Blue Box on the southern side of the road, ACCESS: Diggers Rest - Coimadai Road. west of Djerriwarrh Creek is outside its normal OWNERSHIP: Road Construction Authority. range. The species is found commonly in VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland with many Gippsland. large Eucalyptus Jeucoxylon (Yellow Gum) and one· MANAGEMENT: Cutting of firebreaks and tree of E. bauerana (Blue Box) west of Djerriwarrh application of weedicides should be avoided along Creek. this section of road. 88 r

Figure 53: Location of Sites Bu l and Bu 2. 89 Bu 1 Lerderderg Gorge Forest Park LOCATION: Nine kilometres north of Bacchus of forest vegetation in the Region. It includes many Marsh; Shire of Bacchus Marsh (Fig. 53). species that are considered rare or of restricted dis ACCESS: Lerderderg Gorge Road, Mount Black tribution (Beauglehole 1983). The effect of rainfall wood Road or Carroll Road. on tree distribution with a transition from the dry OWNERSHIP: Department of Conservation, For forests of Lerderderg Gorge Forest Park to the wet ests and Lands. forests of the Divide is clearly demonstrated in the area. VEGETATION: Dry forest of Eucalyptus macrorhyncha (Red Stringybark), E. sideroxylon MANAGEMENT: The Park is reserved for ·(Red lronbark), E. goniocalyx (Long-leaf Box) and recreation, nature conservation and water supply. E. dives (Broad-leaf Peppermint). E. globulus is The retention of site values will rely on the contin common on the lower slopes of the Gorge. Most of ued absence of Cinnamon Fungus. The many roads the Park was burnt in the bushfire ofJanuary 1983 in the Park should be used only in emergencies. (Plate 48). REFERENCE: Myers 1979. SIGNIFICANCE: State. This is the largest reserve

Plate 48: The dry forests of Lerderderg Gorge Forest Park are now rapidly recovering from the 1983 bushfire (Bu I). Bu 2 Wombat St.ate Forest LOCATION: West of Bullengarook; Shire of Bac chus .Marsh (Fig. 53). ACCESS: Carroll Road. OWNERSHIP: Department of Conservation, For ests and Lands. YEGETA:TION: Red Stringybark Forest grading mto a moister Messmate - Manna Gum Forest near the Great Dividing Range. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The Wombat State Forest in the northern part of Bacchus Marsh Shire provides .the only example of hi~ rainfall forest in the Region. The central Victorian endemics Pultenaea weindorferi and Grevillea repens are found in forest to the south and east (D. Frood pers. comm.) and are likely to occur in this site. MANAGEMENT: The site is reserved for hard wood production. Reservation of some forest and particularly any containing the rare species above is desirable.

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91 L l Bacchus Marsh Callitris LOCATION: Five kilometres north-west of Bac chus Marsh on northern slope of Bacchus Marsh hill~ Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 205 309 (Fig. 54). r ACCESS: Swan Road. OWNERSHIP: Private. VEGETATION: A steep north facing slope bearing a large population of Callitris columellaris (Plate 49). A few shrubs of Myoporom viscosum are present in the understorey. SIGNIFICANCE: State. This is possibly the larg est population of Callitris columellaris in the Re gion. Excepting East Gippsland this tree is known from only six other sites south of the Great Divid ing Range (Adams t 985). MANAGEMENT: The stand is probably grazed and may not be viable unless fenced. There should be no disturbance at the site. The land is very steep and the soil appears easily eroded. Figure 54: Location of Site L 1.

Plate 49: A large population of the disjunct tree Callitris columellan·s near Bacchus Marsh (L 1).

L 2 Bacchus Marsh Cemetery LOCATION: Two kilometres south-west of Bac chus Marsh ~ Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 221 252 (Fig:-5"5). ACCESS: Balliang - Bacchus Marsh Road. OWNERSHIP: Crown. VEGETATION: Greatly altered Grey Box Wood land containing several species more common north of the Great Dividing Range - Acacia acinacea, Casuarina Juehmannii, Einadia nutans, Enchylaena tomentosa and Myoporum deserti. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The tree Casuarina luehmannii is uncommon in the Region and poorly reserved. It is however dioecious (i.e. male and fe male flowers are on different plants) so the single specimen in Bacchus Marsh Cemetery is not viable. MANAGEMENT: The cemetery is regularly mown. To maintain a cover of indigenous species on the site it will be necessary to not mow some Figure 55: Location of Site L 2. sections allowing seedlings to establish.

92 L 3 Pentland Hills Road Woodland LOCATION: four kilometres west of Bacchus is itself not particularly significant but exemplifies Marsh south of old Western Highway; Shire of Bac the vegetation that would have occurred in the area chus Marsh - 705 277 (Fig. 56). prior to settlement and still 'does on a few blocks of ACCESS: Pentland Hills Road. private land to the south. The Grey Box Woodland OWNERSHIP: Private. contains elements of the forests of nearby Werribee Gorge. VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland. Eucalyptus sideroxylon, E. leucoxylon, Mela/euca Janceolata, MANAGEMENT: There are no management Acacia pycnantha and Casuarina stricta occur on requirements for this site. There is severe gully ero the site. sion on the site from past land use but the vegeta tion appears viable. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. This woodland remnant

Figure 56: Location of Site L 3. L 4 Bacchus Marsh South Woodlands LOCATION: Three kilometres south-west of Bac pycnantha, Encby/aena tomenrosa, Myoporum chus Marsh; Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 720 241 deserti and Stipa sp. are common although bare (Fig. 57). ground dominates. Grey Box extends into the ACCESS: Kerrs Road or Rowsley Station Road. drainage line, which is unusual for that species. The OWNERSHIP: Private. other three stands are heavily grazed. VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland. MANAGEMENT: The Kerrs Road stand has potential for rehabilitation if it remains ungrazed. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. Of the four disjunct For the Grey Box canopy to be retained in the other stands only the one west of the railway in Kerrs stands some fencing will be required. Road retains any understorey. Acacia acinacea, A. L 5 North West.em Railway Woodland LOCATION: Rail reserve of North Western Rail SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The fragrant shrub way east ofBalliang - Bacchus Marsh Road; Shire Rhagodia parabolica is common in the Bacchus of Bacchus Marsh - 705 211 (Fig. 57). Marsh area but is not otherwise known in Victoria. ACCESS: Balliang - Bacchus Marsh Road. It is characteristic of the Flinders Ranges, Northern OWNERSHIP: State Transport Authority. New South Wales and Central Australia. VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland with a MANAGEMENT: The site has excellent potential patchy but diverse understorey including Acacia for rehabilitation. Only one access track is nec acinacea, A. verniciflua, Dianella laevis, essary. Others should be reclaimed. Excessive Myoporum deserti and Rhagodia parabolica. Sugar vehicular disturbance encourages invasion of weeds Gums have been planted near the Balliang - Bac and consequently reduces site values. chus Marsh Road. 93 ~;1. ~~- . i I !

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,-- 2km I -;------..1.._ Figure 57: Location of Sites L 4, L 5 and L 9. L 6 Western Freeway Woodland LOCATION: Slopes to north of Bacchus Marsh exit from Western Freeway, four kilometres east of Bac chus Marsh; Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 779 269 (Fig. 58). ACCESS: East bound entrance road to Western Freeway from Bacchus Marsh. OWNERSHIP: Private. VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland comprising mostly Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box). Not surveyed during this study- sighted from Western Freeway only. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. This is one of the few woodlands around Bacchus Marsh dominated by Yellow Box. It appears to be grazed and have little understorey. The site may be important to api culturists. MANAGEMENT: The management requirements of the site cannot be assessed at present. Figure 58: Location of Site L 6. 94 L 7 Parwan Woodland

LOCATION: Six kilometres south-east of Bacchus low Box when all nearby remnants are dominated Marsh, north of Parwan - Exford Road; Shire of by Grey Box. The value of the site has been reduced Bacchus Marsh - 785 230 (Fig. 59). by past grazing. ACCESS: Parwan - Exford Road. !KANAGEMENT: The woodland would improve if OWNERSHIP: Private. it were not grazed by stock and rabbits. Fencing VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland with a large would be required. Indigenous species from the component of Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) adjoining road and rail reserves might recolonise and almost no understorey. the understorey. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. An unusual patch ofYel-

Plate S&.--Mela-Jeuca-·lanceolatais-common atthetop of this escarpment oftne-wembee River at Parwan (L 8). • Lycium ferocissimt.Jm dominates the rest of the slope.

L 8 Werribee River F.scarpment LOCATION: One kilometre south of Werribee River/ Pyrites Creek confluence, on southern slope ofWerribee River; Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 783 236 (Fig. 59). ACCESS: Through private land from Parwan - Exford Road. OWNEBSfilP: Private. VEGETATION: Escarpment Vegetation domi nated by Melaleuca lanceolata and including Acacia implexa and Rhagodia parabolica (Plate 50). *Lycium ferocissimum is common amongst rocks and dominates downslope. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. This is the only escarpment in the Region dominated by Melaleuca Janceo/ata. Rhagodia parabolica is uncommon in Victoria (see site L 5) and worthy of protection. A more thorough botamcal survey is warranted at this unusual site. MANAGEMENT: The escarpment is not threat ened by either grazing or human activity. Com petition from *Lycium ferocissimum appears to be the only danger to indigenous vegetation. Control figure 59: Location of Sites L 7 and L 8. will soon be vital

95 L 9 North West.em Rail Reserve (4) LOCATION: Rail reserve on North Western Rail ably the remains of a Grey Box Woodland way, five kilometres south-west of Bacchus Marsh; understorey. The usual dominant of basalt plains Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 714 223 (Fig. 57). grasslands, Themeda australis, is uncommon. The ACCESS: Rowsley Station Road. site will be useful for seed collection. OWNERSHIP: State Transport Authority. MANAGEMENT: Disturbance should be VEGETATION: Tussock Grassland dominated by minimised. Fuel reduction burning may be carried r Stipa spp. with a few plants of Acacia pycnantha, out every three to five years in spring. Casuarina stricta and Eucalyptus microcarpa. REFERENCE: Stuwe 1986. SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The grassland is prob-

Figure 60: Location of Sites L I 0 and L 11 . . . - L 10 Lerderderg River ~ge

LOCATION: Edge of Lerderderg River from con mclanoxylon, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. fluence with Werribee River to Lerderderg Gorge viminalis are present. Forest Park; Shire of Bacchus Marsh (Fig. 60). SIGNIFICANCE: Local. Although the river has ACCESS: Bacchus Marsh - Gisborne Road. been badly degraded, planting of local species and OWNERSHIP: Private. weed eradication would improve its appearance. VEGETATION: Comprises mostly introduced spe MANAGEMENT: Preservation of the remaining cies including *Schinus mollc. Acacia mcamsii, A. indigenous flora along the river is paramount. L 11 Werribee River Edge (3)

LOCATION: Edge of Werribee River from Melton Janigerum are common at the western end of the Reservoir to Werribee Vale; Shire of Bacchus site. Marsh (Fig. 60). SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The value of the site has ACCESS: Werribee Vale Road. been greatly reduced by past disturbance. There is, OWNERSHIP: Mostly Private; some Shire of Bac excellent potential for rehabilitation. chus Marsh land in the township of Bacchus Marsh. MANAGEMENT: The indigenous flora of the VEGETATION: Riparian Vegetation usually Werribee River must be preserved. Some planting dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis but often of suitable species and removal of obtrusive weeds by *Scbinus molle. Associated species such as are required. Callistemon paludosus and Leptosper~um 96 l VICTORIA 1 :25 000 B:\LLJ :\:\T, CREEJ( 7122-2·1 ~-: "-"'.'-~''' ,. i===='"=='-;;;;.,---i""""----....;·~I

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97 BC 1 Rowsley - Exford Road Swamp LOCATION: South. of Rowsley - Exford Road, .are common (Plate 51 ). 1.5 km west of intersection with Geelong - Bac SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The swamp appears chus Marsh Road; Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 732 to be in ~ood condition although grazed by stock 183 (Fig. 61). and rabbits. It is one of the few in the Region to ACCESS: Rowsley - Exford Road. have not been artificially drained to some extent. OWNERSHIP: Private. MANAGEMENT: Site values would be improved VEGETATION: Swamp dominated by by a reduction in grazing pressure, especially of Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii. Poa Jabillardieri, rabbits. This will be difficult to achieve without 'Amphibromus neesii and Eucalyptus camaldulensis fencing. The swamp should not be drained.

Plate 51: Swamp dominated by Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii south of Bacchus Marsh (BC 1). I I I1 g-~~ I == .:::. I ; -.::=:_-f~~ ::-_} I - -·---- - =-~ ------:...:-- -_-:-----=- - - I ~------:--_-_-_----:-_--::: -- I ------I .,t;;:-;;:.; I ' !...... €) .. '• ...... J... ..

Figure 61: Location of Sites BC 1 and BC 2. BC 2 Geelong - Bacchus Marsh Road Swamp LOCATION: Two hundred metres south-east of during this study. Rowsley - Exford Road I Geelong - Bacchus SIGN!FICANCE: Local. The swamp appears to be Marsh Road intersection; Shire of Bacchus Marsh in poor condition but a survey of its vegetation is - 748 178 (Fig. 61). required before its true significance can be assessed. ACCESS: Geelong - Bacchus Marsh Road. MANAGEMENT: A reduction in grazing pressure OWNERSHIP: Private. would allow natural regeneration to occur. Rabbits VEGETATION: Heavily grazed swamp bordered are probably the most serious threat to the site. by Mueh/enbeckia cunninghamii - not surveyed

98 BC 3 Swamp Boad Swamp LOCATION: South of Swamp Road, two kilometres west of Geelong - Bacchus Marsh Road; Shire of Corio - 692 110 (Fig. 62). ACCESS: Swamp Road. OWNERSHIP: Private. VEGETATION: (a) Swamp vegetati on codominated by Chorizandra enodis and Craspedia glauca. Eryngium vesiculosum and Asperula conferta are common. Shrubs of Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii are scattered through the swamp but: have obviously been depleted by artificial drainage and fire (Plate 52). (b) Casuarina Juehmannii bear ing many plants of Lysiana exocarpi. Desmodium varians and Leptorhynchos squamatus grow in the rocky outcrop between the trees and the swamp. SIGNIFICANCE: State. Although just outside the study area, this site may provide evidence of species that would have grown in nearby degraded swamps, and should be valuable for their rehabilitation. The species composition of the Swamp Road Swamp is unusual and found in no other in the Region. Chorizandra enodis has not been recorded in the Western Melbourne Region (Beauglehole 1983), Eryngium vesiculosum has been found only at Laverton RAAF Base Swamp (Site T 3). The flower 0 Bird : • ing of Craspedia glauca in spring is spectacular. The stand of Casuarina luehmannii adjoining the swamp to the east is probably the largest south of ~~I the Great Dividing Range. This tree is common in the arid parts of Victoria and New South Wales but ~ uncommon and poorly reserved elsewhere. 50' . • ). ~ . 8~ MANAGEMENT: The site would benefit greatly from a reduction in grazing pressure. Some of the ~i..C!.r . ~ bull-oaks will have to be fenced ifthey are to persist. o · 1 km1 · The entire site would make an excellent nature conservation reserve. Figure 62: Location of Site BC 3.

Plate 52: Swamp codominated by Chorizandra enodis and C:ras]Jedia glauca vn uowef). The trees in the background are Casuarina luehmannii (BC 4). 99 BC 4 Geelong - Bacchus Marsh Road Bull-oak LOCATION: Road reserve on western side ofGee area. There are however no viable stands in this long - Bacchus Marsh Road, seven hundred me part of the Region. The two stands on road reserves tres north of Ripley Bridge; Shire of Corio - 700 in the neighbouring Shire of Corio (BC 4 and SY 2) 074 (Fig. 63). are worthy of protection and will provide the seed ACCESS: Geelong - Bacchus Marsh Road. necessary for its propa~ation and transplanting to OWNERSHIP: Road Construction Authority. nearby sites in the Region. VEGETATION: Saplings of Casuarina Juehmannii, MANAGEMENT: This section of road is regularly the progenitors of which are across the road on ripped for fire prevention. The practice should private property. cease in the Bull-oak stand. Signposting and fencing may be necessary. SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. The inland tree Casuarina luehmannii is common in the Balliang 0 lkm

Figure 63: Location of S1te ~C 4. Roadside Vegetation The following road reserves contain native vegeta tion: ROWSLEY - EXFORD ROAD - large patch of Acacia vernicillua on southern side (740 184); few trees of Casuarina luehmannii (no appar ent saplings) on northern side (753 184). BALLAN ROAD - Themeda australis dominated grassland for 800m on northern side (783 136). DAVIS LANE - patchy Themcda dominated grassland on both sides (698 139); mature Casu arina luehmannii on northern side (709 138). GEELONG - BACCHUS MARSH ROAD - stand of Acacia implexa on rocky hitltop, western side (703 091).

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101 YY 1 F.Algars Road Swamp ,, ·········\····-···· LOCATION: Three kilometres north of Little \ 5799 River township; Shire of Werribee - 800 982 (Fig. 64). I I ACCESS: Edgars Road. J OWNERSHIP: Private and partly Crown (Wildlife I ' Reserve C9 (Land Conservation Council 1977)). VEGETATION: Swamp dominated by I (· Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii with several River I 'Red G~ms at the southern end (Plate 53). Glyceria · austrails and Amphibronius neesii provide a little .. ground cover but the site has been severely denuded " ! ·. J by rabbit grazing. ., . .. : SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. This is the largest of Western Mel~ourn~ Region's Lignum swamps. s198 Muehlenbeck1a dommated swamps are common in the arid north-west. The disjunct stands near Mel bourne are poorly reserved and often degraded. The Edgar~ Road site is worthy of reservation. There has been little _alteration of this site by artificial drain age. The site has potential State Significance. MANAGEMENT: The value of the site and the cov~r of its he~ba~ous species are reduced by rabbit grazmg. Eradication will be difficult but is ultimately desirable. · Figure 64: Loca.':i~.n of Site YY- -- ·1. - - -

. Plate 53: The largest swamp in the Region, dominated by Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii (YY I). YY 2 Little River Edge (1) LOCATION: North of You Yangs Road; Shire of cunninghamii are c-0mmon at the water's edge. Werribee (fig. 65). SIGNIFICANCE: Local. This section of the Little ACCESS: You Yangs Road or Kirk Bridge Road. River was inadequately surveyed because oflimited OWNERSHIP: Private. accessibility. The significance of the site is difficult to assess but from interpretation of aerial photo VEGETATION: Escarpment Vegetation with local graphs and inspection at You Yangs Road and Kirk abundance of Acacia imp/exa, A. mearnsii, Bursaria Bridge Road it appears to be local only. spinosa, Correa glabra and Hymenanthera dentata. A few fragments of Riparian Vegetation persist but MANAGEMENT: The remaining indigenous spe the overstorey of Eucalyptus camaldulensis has cies need to be preserved. The river could be been severely depleted. Acacia melanoxylon, rehabilitated. This would necessitate some planting. Callistemon paludosus and Muehlenbeckia

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104 SV 1 Quakes Road Woodlands LOCATION: Eastern side of Quakes road between melliodora. Its understorey has been removed by Brisbane Road and Staughton Vale Road; Shire of grazing. Bacchus Marsh - 637 117 (Fig. 66). SIGNIFICANCE: Local. These stands are all that ACCESS: Quakes Road. remains of the woodland that occured on the OWNERSHIP: Private. Quaternary sediments at the foot of the Brisbane VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland. The north· Ranges prior to settlement. The northern stand has em stand contains Eucalyptus microcarpa, E. several mature trees and a viable understorey, and leucoxylon, Acacia implexa, A. mearnsii, is worth preserving. Exocarpus cupressiformis, Casuarina stricta and a MANAGEMENT: The continued viability of the patchy understorey of Themeda australis (Plate 54). northern stand will rely on it not being grazed. The southern stand has only E. microcarpa and E.

Figure 66: Location of Site SY I.

105 SV 2 Bird Road Bull-oak

LOCATION: Road reserve on Bird Road, five hun dred metres east of Balliang - Bacchus Marsh Road; Shire of Corio - 679 099 {Fig. 67}. ACCESS: Bird Road. OWNERSHIP: Road Construction Authority. VEGETATION; Numerous saplings of Casuarina Juehmannii and Acacia pycnanrha (Plate 55). SIGNIFICANCE: Regional. This is one ofthe five ·viable disjunct southern · populations of the arid zone tree Casuarina Juehmannii. Although not in the study area, the stand will be a valuable seed source for the tree's re-introduction into this part of the Region. MANAGEMENT: Bird Road is one of the few in the vicinity that has not been ripped for fire preven tion, perhaps because it is a narrow reserve. Ripping must not occur in the significant wooded section. The parents of the Bird Road trees grow on private property to the south. Fencing would allow a large population to develop. o------======;;;::;io,------""======::::d2km ~ Figure 67: Location of Site SV 2.

Plate 55: Saplings of Casuarina Juehmannii and Acacia pycnantha, protected on the road reserve of Bird Road, Balliang East (SV 2}. SV 3 Little River Edge (2)

LOCATION: East from Brisbane Ranges State SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The river edge in this Park; Shire of Bacchus Marsh (Fig. 68). section of Little River has been severely degraded ACCESS: Staughton Vale Road, McArthur Road by grazing and many species charcteristic of the or Balliang - Bacchus Marsh Road. habitat are missing. OWNERSHIP: Private. MANAGEMENT: The most important feature of VEGETATION: Riparian Vegetation dominated the site is its River Red Gum. These should be by Eucalyptus camaldulensis with occasional Aca preserved and given a chance to establish seedlings. cia mearnsii and Hymenanthcra dentata. Roadside Vegetation SWAMP ROAD - the northern side has a stand of should not be cut to allow regeneration of the many Acacia implexa and Themeda australis (680 118). mature Casuan·na luehmannii on adjoining private STAUGHTON VALE ROAD- There is currently land. These populations are not viable at present. no indigenous vegetation along this section ofroad. Fencing may be required. However, parts of the reserve in Balliang township

106 -1 i } l. i'"-~~- I I ·1. I r ' I. I

Figure 68: Location of Site SV 3. I 1 Werribee Gorge State Park LOCATION: Eight kilometres west of Bacchus near the car park. Marsh; Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 665 280 (Fig. SIGNIFICANCE: State. Werribee Gorge State 69). Park contains 21 species that are considered rare or ACCESS: Entry to parkis via Pentland Hills Road. of restricted distribution, including Grevillea OWNERSHIP: Department of Conservation, For steiglitziana otherwise only found in the Brisbane ests and Lands and some adjoining private land. Ranges (Beauglehole 1983). It is also the only re VEGETATION: Stringybark Forest with abundant serve of this vegetation in the Region not burnt Eucalyptus macrorhyncha and E. sideroxylon. Grey during the 1983 bushfires. Box Woodland occurs in the north-east part of the MANAGEMENT: The Park's role as a nature re Park. The gorge is rocky and supports an serve ensures the conservation of its indigenous understorey dominated by Rhagodia parabolica species. The only foreseeable threat is Cinnamon (Plate 57). Introduced trees grow at the river's edge Fungus.

Plate 56: The steep rocky slopes of Werribee Gorge support a dry forest of Eucalyptus, macrorhyncha and E. sideroxylon (l I).

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108 Plate 57: Grey Box Woodland with a sparse, grazed :nderstorey (I 2).

109 I 2 Reids Road Woodland (1) LOCATION: North and south of Reids Road, two metres away. Such dramatic changes in vegetation kilometres west of Balliang - Bacchus Marsh are valuable for teaching habitat - vegetation Road; Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 682 200 (Fig. 70). relationships. ACCESS: Reids Road. MANAGEMENT: There are no management OWNERSHIP: Private. requirements for this site. Removal of grazing pres sure is unlikely to restore the understorey unless VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland with a sparse suitable species are introduced to the site. There are grazed understorey (Plate 57). no sources of seed nearby that would allow natural SIGNIFICANCE: Local. This stand provides an regeneration to occur. interesting contrast with Site I 3 only five hundred

>. ) i \ ..,\ r ) .. ( I \ IL !. ( I: i i I ; ) '· ·/ r / { . __,. ; t60 I ...... ~ .... ,zryo-1;.J 1 1 ' 1· I / .: /.',I .._.1 .. \.-..t ___ ..-~I~~ -· ' · 1· - / 1 ""-v .· .. · . r · - -·r·~-·c·' ·• -... ; ~.~ ___ ;1:·":-;,...... 1 • ~-· .".··~-~~--· /, '1 • I . i : '-' ...... · j /',,_ I /,..... -"-.. __~· • ! , , 2•0 , ,. , 1. :" ( , / ~. o 2 km ~N /- ~- , ~ ~ t --- LJ:'LI / ...,). Figure 70: Location of Sites I 2, I 3, I 4 and I S. I 3 Reids Road Woodland (2) LOCATION: North of Reids Road, four kilometres SIGNIFICANCE: Local. This is the only occur west of BalJiang - Bacchus Marsh Road; Shire of rence of Casuarina littora/is known in the Region, Bacchus Marsh - 665 204 (Fig. 70). although it occurs in nearby Brisbane Ranges. It is ACCESS: Reids Road. an interesting and intact outlier ofStringybark For OWNERSHIP: Private. est. That it was not burnt in the 1983 bushfires will make it valuable for comparison with the burnt VEGETATION: A large unburnt patch of Stringy forest of the Brisbane Ranges only two kilometres bark Forest comprising Eucalyptus macrorhyncha, away. See also Site I 2. E. sideroxylon, E. viminalis, E. leucoxylon, Acacia pycnantha, Casuarina Jittoralis and Brachyloma MANAGEMENT: The value of the site will be re tained if it is not grazed or cleared. dapbnoides (Plate 58). I 4 Brisbane Ranges State Park LOCATION: Reids Road, six kilometres west of Eucalyptus sideroxylon. Balliang - Bacchus Marsh Road; Shire of Bacchus SIGNIFICANCE: Not Rated. So little of the Bris Marsh - 640 195 (Fig. 70). bane Ranges State Park is included in the Region ACCESS: Reids Road. that its significance to the Region was not possible OWNERSHIP: Department of Conservation, For to assess. The Park overall is probably of State ests and Lands. significance. VEGETATION: Stringybark Forest with abundant

l IO Plate 58: Forest of Eucalyptus macrorhynca and E. sideroxylon (I 3) unusual in its proximity to-Sites- I 2-and I 5. I 5 Reids Road Reserve Woodland LOCATION: Reids Road between Sites I 3 and I 4; SIGNIFICANCE: Local. The occurrence of Grey Shire of Bacchus Marsh - 650 200 (Fig. 70). Box Woodland between disjunct stands of Stringy ACCESS: Reids Road. bark Forest (Sites I 3 and I 4) is interesting. The OWNERSHIP: Road Transport Authority. roadside remnant appears to be in good condition, retaining much of its understorey. VEGETATION: Grey Box Woodland with a thick cover of mature Eucalyptus leucoxylon and E .. MANAGEMENT: The woodland should not be melliodora. Acacia pycnantha, A. vemiciflua and cleared. Casuarina stricta are also common. Roadside Vegetation GLENMORE ROAD - Several Yellow Box and Yellow Gum with a disturbed understorey of Aca cia vemiciflua (664 227).

111 Chapter 5 r

References Ha~on, M. W. and Chan, C. W. (1976). The effects of moisture stress on the germination of some Australian The following list contains all references cited in the text native grass seeds. Australian Journal of Experimental and others of relevance. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 16:319-327. Adams, R. (1985). Distribution of C,allitris in Victoria Hagon, M. W. and Groves, R. H. (1977). Some factors and some relic populations close to Melbourne. Victorian affecting the establishment of four native grasses. Austra Naturalist 102:48-51. lian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Australia: Bureau of Meteorology. ( 1968). Climatic Sur Husbandry 17:91-96. vey Region 10- Port Phillip Bay. Bureau of Meteorology, Hagon, M. W., Groves, R.H. and Chan, C. W. (1976}. Melbourne. Establishing native grasses in urban parklands. Austra Baker, R. (l984). Long Forest Malice. Parkwatch 139:22- lian Parks and Recreation November:l l-14. 25. Hodgkinson, K. W. and Quinn, J. A. {1976). Adaptive Barson, M. M. ( 1984). Numerical analyses of macrophyte variability in the growth of Danthonia caespitosa Gaud. vegetation in Victorian wetlands in relation to environ populations at different temperatures. Australian Journal mental factors. Ph. D. Thesis, School of Botany, Uni of Botany 24:381·396. versity of Melbourne. Hounam, C.E. and Powell, F.A. (1964). Climate of the Beauglehole, A. C. (1983). The Distribution and basaltic plains of western Victoria. Working Paper No. Conservation of Vascular Plants in the Melbourne Area. 63/314. Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne. Western Victorian Field Naturalists Clubs Association, Jones, D., McDougall, K., Robinson, R. and Youl, R. Portland. (1986). The way we were. Trees and Natural Resources Bird, E. C. F. ( 1980). Mangroves and coastal morphology. 28(3):6-9. Victorian Naturalist 97:48-58. King, G. M. (1981). A study of suspected hybridization Breckwoldt, R. (1986). The Last Stand. Managing Austra between Eucalyptus bebriana and E. microcarpa along lia's Remnant Forests and Woodlands. Department of Long Forest Road, Bacchus Marsh. B.Sc. (Hons) Thesis, Arts, Heritage and Environment; Australian Government School of Botany, University of Melbourne. Publishing Service, Canberra. Llewelyn·Davies Kinhill Pty Ltd (1975}. Maribyrnong Callanan, B. A. and Menkhorst, P. W. ( 1979). Mammals River Catchment. Preliminary Environmental Study. Re of the Werribee Gorge. Victorian Naturalist 96:212-221. port prepared for Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Cantrill, D. and Lunt, I. (1984). Report on the existing Works. vegetation and most likely previous patterns of vegeta Macedon Range Conservation Society (1985). Un tion at Point Cook Metropolitan Park. Unpublished re. published submission to Land Conservation Council ~ port submitted to Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of view of Melbourne Study Area. Works. Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works (1984). Carr, G. W. (1983). The vegetation of Gresswell Forest Maribymong River Plan 1984. Melbourne and Metro Reserve and its management. Unpublished report pre politan Board of Works. pared for the La Trobe University Wildlife Reserve Melbourne Western Region Commission (1984). Committee of Management. Kororoit Creek Planning Study and Linear Park Pro· Chalmers, J. A., Fitzsimons, P. F., Strachan, D. J. and posa/. Ministry for Planning and Environment, Valentine, N. R. {1981). Werribee Coastline Proposed Melbourne. Management Plan. Environmental Report No. 5. Gradu Morton, J. ( 1983 ). Pre-settlement vegetation of the ate School of Environmental Science, Monash Essendon district. Unpublished report held at Essendon University. Library. Edwards, G. ( 1974). Organ Pipes - a study in applied Morton, J. (1984). The design of nature parks on the conservation. Victoria's Resources 16(1 ):21-25. · Keilor Plains. Final Project, Landscape Architecture, Entwisle, T. J. and Kl'aft, G. T. (1984). Survey of fresh Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. water red algae (Rhodophyta) of south-eastern Australia. Myers, B. A. ( 1979). The effect of lithological and topo Australian Joumal of Marine and Freshwater Research graphical factors on vegetation in the Lerderderg Range 35:213-259. region. B.Sc. (Hons) Thesis, School of Botany, University Evans, L. T. and Knox, R. B. (1969). Environmental of Melbourne. control of reproduction in Themeda australis. Australian Myers, B. A., Ashton, D. H. and Osborne, J. A. {1986). Journal of Botany 17:375-389. The ecology of the Mallee outlier of Eucalyptus behriana Fawcett, S. G. M. (1951). Melbourne's mangroves. Vic F. Muell near Melton, Victoria. Australian Journal of torian Natura/isl 68:90. Botany 34: 15-39. Forbes, S. J., Gullan, P. K., Kilgour, R. A. and Powell, M. Myers, R. and Jolley, L. (1978). Distribution of exotic A. (1984). A Census of the Vascular Plants of Victoria. ftora at Organ Pipes National Park. Unpublished report National Herbarium of Victoria, Department of prepared by National Parks Service, Melbourne. Conservation, Forests and Lands. Nicholls, W. H. (1942). The lone Pines of Jackson's Forster, G., Hallam, M. and Moore, R.M. (1975). Vegeta Creek. Victorian Naturalist 58:139. tion in an Urban Environment. A Study of the Western Patton, R. T. (1935a). Ecological studies in Victoria. Part Surrounds of Melbourne for the Department of Urban III. Coastal Sand Dunes. Proceedings ofthe Royal Society and Regional Development. CSIRO Division of Land of Victoria 47: 135-157. Use Research, Canberra. Patton, R. T. (1935b). Ecological studies in Victoria. Part Geraghty, P. A. (l 971 ). Preliminary studies on the ecol IV - Basalt Plains Association. Proceedings of the Royal ogy of the basalt plains west of Melbourne. B.Sc. (Hons) Society of Victoria 48: 172-190. Thesis, School of Botany, University of Melbourne. Polakowski, K. J. (1977). Maribyrnong Valley Metropoli Groves, R. H. ( 1965). Growth of Themeda australis tus tan Park Master Development Plan. Report prepared for sock grassland at St. Albans, Victoria. Australian Journal Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works by the of Botany 13:291-302. Centre for Environmental Studies, University of Groves, R. H. (1975). Growth and development of five Melbourne. populations of Themeda australis in response to tem Rayner, C., Marsh, D. and Kemp, B. ( 1984). Keilor Plains perature. Australian Journal of Botany 23:951-963. flora - a battle against extinction. Parkwatch 139:12-15. Hagon, M. W. (1976). Germination and dormancy of Robertson, D. (1985). Interrelationships between kan Themeda aust.ralis, Danthonia spp., Stipa bigeniculata garoos, fire and vegetation dynamics at Gellibrand Hill l and Bothriochloa macra. Australian Journal of Botany Park, Victoria. Ph.D. Thesis, School of Botany, Uni 24:3 l 9-327. v~rsity of Melbourµe.

112 Rosengren, N. J. (1987). Sites of geological and geo grasslands on the basalt plains~ Victoria: floristics and morphological significance in the Western Region of Mel management effects. Australian Journal ofEcology2:467- bourne. Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, 476. and Melbourne Western Region Commission. Sutton, C. S. {1916). A sketch of the Keilor Ptains flora. Scarlett, N. H. and Parsons, R. F. {1982). Rare plants of Victorian Naturalist 33: 112-J23. the Victorian plains. Jn 'Species at Risk: Research in Townsend, S. (1977). A list of vertebrate fauna of the Australia. 'Proceedings of a Symposium on the Biology of Black Hills. Victorian Naturalist 94:80-82. Rare and Endangered Species in Australia held in Can berra November 1981, edited by R.H. Groves and W. D. Turner, H. G. ( 1918). A vindication of John Batman's L. Ride, pages 89-105. Australian Academy of Science, first visit to Port Phillip in 1835. The Victorian Historical Canberra. Magazine 7: 154-164. Simmonds, I. (1980). Weed control at Organ Pipes Na Victoria: Land Conservation Council. ( 1977). Final tional Park 1972 - 1980. A review. Unpublished report Recommendations. Melbourne Study Area. Land prepared by National Parks Service, Melbourne. Conservation Council Smith, J. ( 1882). A Dictionary of Popular Names of the Victoria: Land Conservation Council. (1985). Melbourne Plants which furnish the Natural and Acquired Wants of Area, District I Review. Land Conservation Council. Man, in all macters of Domestic and General Economy. Willis, J. H. (1951). Melbourne's mangroves are dead. Their History, Products, & Uses. Macmillan and Co., Victon·an Naturalist 67:205. London. Willis, J. H. (1964). Vegetation of the basalt plains in Spencer, R. D. (1970). An ecological study of macro western Victoria. Proceedings of the Royal Society of phytic vegetation of three selected areas of Port Phillip Victoria 77:397-418. Bay: Wenibee, Altona and Carrum. M.Sc. Thesis, School Willis, J. H. (1966). Vegetation, Port Phillip Survey 1957 of Botany, University of Melbourne. - 1963. Memoirs of the National Museum, Victoria. Stuwe, J. (198la). Management of Thcmeda. australis 27:119-132. grassland in Victoria. Royal Australian Institute of Parks Willis, J. H. ( 1970). A Handbook to Plants in Victoria. and Recreation, Research Papers I. Volume I Ferns, Conifers and Monocotyledons, 2nd Edi Stuwe, J. (198lb). Native grasses as a management tool. tion. Melbourne University Press. Australian Parks and Recreation May:39-44. Willis, J. H. (1972). A Handbook to Plants in Victoria. Stuwe , J. ( 1986). An assessment of the conservation sta Volume 11 Dicotyledons. Melbourne University Press. tus of native grasslands on the western plains, Victoria Yugovic, J. L (1984). The Grey Glasswort (Halosarcia and sites of botanical significance. Environmental Stud halocnemoides) in coastal Victoria and some implica ies Publication No. 412, Department of Conservation, tions for the Orange-bellied Parrot. Victorian Naturalist Forests and Lands (in press). 101:234-239. Stuwe, J. and Parsons, R. F. (1977). Themeda australis

Appendix 1 - Presettlement Vegetation Map References The following historic survey plans were used in compiling the map of presettlement vegetation (Fig. 8). Copies are available at the Central Plans Office, 2 Treasury Place, Melbourne. Plan No. Title Surveyor Date Roll Plan 50 ? Smythe / Hoddle 1839 Sydney C lOA Parish of Cut Paw Paw Hodd.le 1839 Sydney D 12 Parish of Doutta Galla Boddie 1839 ? Survey of part of the River Wedge-Darke 1839-40 Werribee and its tributaries shewing also the LANDS measured for sale in its vicinity Roll Plan I 09 Survey of the present and Wedge-Darke 1841 A&B proposed lines of road between MELBOURNE and GEELONG shewing also the intervening Streams and Lands measured for sale Sydney H 3 Plan of the Parishes of Wedge-Darke 1842 Yangardook and Holden in the County of Bourke Sydney D 17 Plan of the Parishes of Wedge-Darke 1842 DERRIMUT and MARIBYRNONG in County of BOURKE Loddon 62 Plan shewing the features Hodd.le 1843 of the County of -- Sydney T 6 Parish of Tullamarine ? ? Features l 06 Truganina ? ? cs 27 Sheet VI Port Phillip Cox 1861 Point Cook to Point Gellibrand

113 Appendix 2 - Indigenous Plants of the Western Melbourne Region The following indigenous species have been recorded in the Western Melbourne Region. The vegetation type in which they occur is indicated by a star. The list is undoubtedly incomplete as some vegetation types have not been thoroughly surveyed. Sources used in compiling the list (other than personal field notes) are: Dune Vegetation - Cantril! and Lunt 1984 Salt Marsh - Cantrill and Lunt 1984 Swamp - Barson 1984, Cantrill and Lunt 1984, D. Albrecht pers. comm. Tussock Grassland - R. Adair pers. comm., Stuwe 1986 River Red Gum Woodland - Carr 1983 Grey Box Woodland - B. Kemp pers. comm. Bull Mallee Scrub - Myers et al. 1986 Stringybark Forest - Beauglehole 1983 (Major Grid E}, Macedon Range Conservation Society species list for Pyrete Ranges

Species Name Common Name Acacia acinacea Gold-dust Wattle A. acu/eatissima Thin-leaf Wattle * * * * A. aspera Rough Wattle * A. dealbata Silver Wattle * A. gunnii Ploughshare Wattle * * * A. implexa Lightwood * A. longifolia Sallow Wattle * * * * * A. meamsii Black Wattle * A. melanoxylon Blackwood * * * * * A. montana Mallee Wattle * * * * * A. mucronata Narrow-leaf Wattle * A. myrtifolia Myrtle Wattle * A. o,'(ycedrus Spike Wattle * A. paradoxa Hedge Wattle * A. pycnantha Golden Wattle * * * * A. retinodes Wirilda * * * * * A. stricta Hop Wattle * * A. verniciflua Varnish Wattle * A. verticillata Prickly Moses * * Acaena agnipila Sheep's Burr * A. anserinifolia Bidgee-widgee * A. echinata Sheep's Burr * * A ovina Sheep's Burr * * * Acianlhus exsenus Gnat Orchid * A. renifonnis Mos~uito Orchid * Acrotriche prostrata Trailmg Ground-berry * A. serru/ata Honey-pots * Adiantum aelhiopicum Common Maiden-hair * Agropyron scabrom Common Wheat-grass * * * Agrostis aemula Blown Grass * * * Agrostis avenacea Common Blown-grass * Ajuga australis Austral Bugle * * * * * Alisma plant.agoaquatica Water Plantain * Alternanthera denticulata Lesser Joyweed * Amphibromus neesii Swamp Wallaby-grass * Amyema miquelii Box Mistletoe * * A. pendulum Drooping Mistletoe * * Anogramma Jeptophyl/a Annual Fern * * Apium prostratum Sea Celery * Arthrochilus huntianus Elbow Orchid * * Arthropodium milleflorum Pale Vanilla-Iii¥. * A. minus Small Vanilla-lily * Asperula confena Common Woodruff * * A. scoparia Prickly Woodruff * * * * Asplenium t1abeJJjfo/ium Necklace Fem * * Astroloma humifusum Cranberry Heath * * * Atriplex cinerea Coast Saltbush * * A. paludosa. Marsh Saltbush * A. semibaccata Berry Saltbush * A vicennia marina White Mangrove * * * * * * AzoJia filiculoides Pacific Azolla * Baeckea ramosissima Rosy Baeckea * * * 114 1::1 ·Si? 't1 t:::: t:::: ... t:: "& .!'i .g e :& ~ ~ too .g" .!!!"§ti"' ~ ;;;. (.)eB u; "'~ $1 s £! ;;;. ... ;gr,;l].;it: Ni -g o s e ~ ~ ~ · ~ .::i ~ Ei &€ :i ~ : :; ~ g 0 ·r:: e- !l(j s.::: I :5 1;' .&. e t' ~ ·§ Species Name Common Name Q ~ ~ ~ r:z: ~ t1j Cl ~ c;; Banksia marginata Silver Banksia Baumea articulat

115 Species Name Common Name

Centaurium spicatum Spike Centaury Centella cordifolia Centella * * Centipcda cunninghamii Common Sneezeweed * C. minima Spreading Sneezeweed * * Chamaesyce drummondii Flat Spurge * Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia Rock Fern * C. disrans Bristly Cloak-fem * * * Cheiranthera cyanea Finger-flower * * Chenopodium desertorum Frosted Goosefoot * C. glaucum Glaucus Goosefoot * * Chiloglottis gunnii Common Bird-orchid * Chloris truncata Windmill Grass * Chorizandra enodis Black Bristle-rush * * * Clematis aristara Australian Clematis * C. microphylla Small-leaved Oematis * Comesperma ericinum Heath Milkwort * * * * * * C. po/ygaloides Small Milkwort * C. volubile Love Creeper * Convolvulus erubescens Pink Bindweed * Coprosma hirtella Rough Coprosma * * * C. quadrilida Prickly Coprosma * Correa glabra Rock Correa * C. reflexa Common Correa * * Cotula australis Common Cotula * C. coronopifolia Water Buttons * Craspedia chrysantha Golden Billy-buttons * * C. glauca Common Billy-buttons * Crassula colorata Dense Crassula * * *· * C. decumbens Spreading Crassula * C. helmsii Swamp Crassula * * * * C. sieberana Sieber Crassula * * Cryptostylis subulata Large Tongue-orchid * * * * * Culcita dubia Common Ground-fern * Cyathea australis Rough Tree-fem * Cymbonotus preissianus Austral Bear's-ear * Cynodon dactylon Couch-~rass * * * Cynoglossum australe Austrahan Hound's-tongue C suaveo/ons Sweet Hound's-tongue * Cyperus gunnii Flecked Aat-sedge * C lucidus Leafy Aat-sedge * C. tenel/us Tiny Flat-sedge * Dampiera strict.a Blue Dampiera * Danthonia auriculata Lobed Wallaby-grass * D. caespitosa Common Wallaby-grass * * * D. duttoniana Brown-back Wallaby grass * * * D. eriantha Wallaby-grass * D. geniculata Kneed WalJaby-grass * * D. induta Wallaby-grass * * * * D. Jinkii Wallaby;rwss * * D. longifolia Long-lea Wallaby-grass * * * D. pallida Silvertop Wallaby-grass * D. penicillata Slender Wallaby-grass * D. racemosa Wallaby-grass * * D. semiannularis Wallaby-grass * * * * D. setacea Bristly Wallaby-grass * D. tenuior Wallaby-grass * * * * * Daucus glochidiarus Austral Carrot * Daviesia ·mimosoides Blunt-leaf Bitter-pea * * D. ulicifoHa Gorse Bitter-pea * D. virgata Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea * Desmodium varians Slender Tick-trefoil * Deyeuxia quadriseta Reed Bent-grass * * Dianella laevis Pale Flax-lily * * * * D. revoluta Black-anther Aax-lily * * * * D. tasmanica Tasman Flax-lily * * * * * * Dichanthfom sericeum Silky Blue-grass * Dichelachne crinita Long-hair Plume-grass * D. micrantha Short-hair Plume-grass * * * * D. rara Plume-grass * * Dichondro repens · Kidney-weed * Dichopogon limbriatus Nodding Chocolate-lily * * * * * * D. strictus Chocolate-lily * * * Dicksonia antarctica Soft Tree-fem * *

116

117 Species Name Common Name · Galium australe Tangled Bedstraw G. gaudichaudii Rough Bedstraw * G. propinquum Maori Bedstraw * * Geranium potentilloides Cinquefoil * G. retrorsum Crane's-bill * G. solanderi Austral Crane's-bill * * * Gleichenia microphy/Ja Scrambling Coral-fern * * Glossodia major Wax-lip Orchid * Glyceria australis Australian Sweet-grass * Glycine clandestina Twining Glycine * * G. tabacina Variable Glycine * Gnapbalium invo/ucratum Cudweed * * * * G. japonicum Creeping Cudweed * * G. polycaulon Tiny Cudweed * * * G. sphaericum Common Cudweed * Gompho/obium huegelii Common Wedge-pea * * Gonocarpus elatus Tall Raspwort * G. humilis Raspwort * G. tetragynus Common Raspwort * Goodenia geniculata Bent Goodenia * * * * G. gracilis Goodenia * G. hederacea Ivy Goodenia * * G. lanat.a Trailing Goodenia * G. ovata Hop GOodenia * G. pinnatifida Cut-leaf Goodenia * Goodia Jotifolia Golden-tip * * Gratiola latifo/ia Austral Brooklime * Grevillea alpina Cat's Claws * G. repens Creeping Grevillea * Hakea sericea Bushy Hakea * Haloragis aspera Raspwort * H. heterophyl/a Vaned Raspwort * Halosarcia halocnemoides Grey Glasswort * * * H. pergranulata Glasswort * Hardenbergia violacea Purple Coral-pea * Helichrysum apiculatum Common Everlasting * * * H. bracteatum Golden Everlasting * * * H. den(lroideum Tree Everlasting * H. leucopsideum Satin Everlasting * * H. obcordatum Grey Everlasting * H. rosmarinifolium Rosemary Everlasting * * H. rutidolepis Everlasting * H. scorpioides Button Everlasting * H. semipapposum Oustered Everlasting * * H. viscosum Everlasting * * * Helipterum albicans Hoary Sunray * H. australe Common Sunray * Hibbertia exutiacies Tangled Guinea-flower * H. prostrata Bundled Guinea-flower * * Histiopteris incisa Bat's-wing Fern * Hovea linearis Common Hovea * Hydrocotyle callicarpa Pennywort * H. hirta Hairy Pennywort * H. laxill.ora Stinking Pennywort * H. pterocarpa Wing Pennywort * * * * * H. sibthorpioides Shining Pennywort * H. tripartita Slender Pennywort * Hymenanthera dentara Tree Violet * Hypericum gramineum Small St. John's Wort * * * * * H. japonicum Matted St. John's Wort * * * Hypoxis glabella Yellow Star * * H. hookeri Tiny Star * lmperat.a cylind.rica Blady Grass * Indigofera australis Australian Indigo * Isolepis cernua Nodding Oub-rush * * Isolepis inundata Swamp Club-rush * * I. margllia ta Club-rush * I. nqdosa Knobby Club-rush * * I. platycarpa Club-rush * * I. victoriensis Club-rush * lsoetopsis graminifolia Grass Cushion * Isoroma fl.uviatilis Swamp Isotome * Juncus amabilis Rush *

118 Species Name Common Name

J. australis Austral Rush J. bufonius Toad Rush * J. caespiticius Grassy Rush * * J. /Javidus Rush * J. holoschoenus Joint-leaf Rush * J. homa/ocaulis Wiry Rush * * * J. kraussii Sea Rush * * J. pallidus Pale Rush * J. pauciflorus L-Oose-flower Rush * * J. planifolius Broad-leaf Rush * J. procerus Rush * J. radula Hoary Rush * J. sarophorus Rush * * J. sp. 0 Rush * J. subsecundus Finger Rush * Kennedia prostrata Running Postman * * * * Lagenifera gracilis Slender Lagenifera * * * L. stipitata Common Lagenifera * Lawrencia spicata Salt Lawrencia * Lemna minor Common Duckweed * Lepidium pseudotasmanicum Pepper-cress * Lepidosperma iiliforme Common Sword-sedge * L. Jaterale Variable Sword-sedge * L. longitudinale Pithy Sword-sedge * * L. tortuosum Tortuous Rapier-sedge * Leptorhynchos linearis Shiny Buttons * L. panaetioides Woolly Buttons * L. squamatus Scaly Buttons * L. tenuifolia Wiry Buttons * * Leptospermum juniperinum Prickly Tea-tree * * L. laevigatum Coast Tea-tree * L Janigerum Woolly Tea-tree * L myrsinoides Heath Tea-tree * * L. obovatum River Tea-tree * Leucopogon ericoides Pink Beard-heath * L. pi/ibundus Hairy Beard-heath * L virgatus Common Beard-heath * Lilaeopsis polyantha Australian Lilaeopsis * Limonium australe Yellow Sea-lavender * Lindsaea linearis Screw Fem * Unum marginale Native Flax * Lissanthe strigosa Peach Heath * * Lobelia a/ata Angled Lobelia * L. pratioides Poison Lobelia * * * Lomandra lilifonnis Wattle Mat-rush * * L. longifolia Spiny-headed Mat-rush * * * L. micrantha Small-flower Mat-rust * * * * Luzula flaccida Woodrush * L. meridionalis Woodrush * Lysiana exocarpi Harlequin Mistletoe * Lythrom hyssopifolia Small Loosestrife * Maireana decalvans Common Bluebush * * * M. enchylaenoides Wingless Bluebush * Marsilea angustifo/ia Narrow-leafNardoo * * M. drummondii Common Nardoo * M. hirsur.a Short-fruit Nardoo * * * Me/aleuca /anceolara Moonah * Menrha australis River Mint * * * M. diemenica Slender Mint * M. Ja.xiflora Forest Mint * Microlaena stipoides Weeping Grass * Microseris scapigera Yam-daisy * * * * * Microt.is parviDora Slender Onion-orchid * * Minuria leptophylL3 Minnie Daisy * Monotoca scoparia Prickly Broom-heath * Mueh/enbeckia adpressa Climbing Lignum * M. cunninghamii Tangled Lignum * Muellerina eucalyptoides Creepint Mistletoe * * * ~oporom deserti Turkey- ush * . insulare Common Boobialla * * * * M . viscosum Sticky Boobialla * ~ophyllum propinquum Water-milfoil * . verrucosum Red Water-milfoil * * *

119 ' ...... "' §,, , i:: -..::: r:: "1:7 ,..... -~ 2! 'Ir -c II.> ~ ,:;, -1 '8 ~~olj- ~f t;,:::.;f,,,

~cl)~ J ~~!rt:cl) !!';' .:::; ~i 11JJt.8il II.> 9 ~ ~ r:: 3~:t !i'B UJ~S Species Name Common Name 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nicotiana suaveolons Austral Tobacco Olearia argophylla Musk Daisy-bush * * * * 0. erubescens Moth Daisy-bush * 0. lirata Snow Daisy-bush * . 0 . myrsinoides SiJky Daisy-bush * 0. pimeleoides Pimelea Daisy-bush * 0. ramulosa Twiggy Daisy-bush * Opercularia ovata Broad-leaf Stinkweed * 0. varia VariabJe Stinkweed * * Oxalis exilis Wood-sorrel * 0. perennans Wood-sorrel * Oxylobium procumbens Trailing Ox.ylobium * Panicum decompositum Australian Millet * P. effusum Hairy Panic * P. prolutum Rigid Panic * Parabebe derwentiana Derwent Speedwell * P. perfoliata Digger's Speedwell * Parietaria debilis Shade Pellitory * Paspalum distichum Water Couch * * Pe/argonium australe Austral Stork's-bill * P. inodorom Kopa ta * * * * P. rodneyanum Magenta Stork's-bill * PeJJaea talcata SickJe Fern * * Pentapo_fon quadrifidus Five-awned Spear-grass * * Persooma chamaepeuce Dwarf Geebung * Phyllanthus hirtellus Thyme Spurge * Phragmites australe Common Reed * Pimelea axiflora Bootlace Bush * * * P. curviflora Curved Rice-flower * P. glauca Smooth Rice-flower * * * * P. hewardiana Forked Rice-flower * * * P. humilis Common Rice-flower * P. linifolia Slender Rice-flower * * P. octophypa Woolly Rice-flower * P. serpylllfolia Thyme Rice-flower * Planrago gaudichaudii Plantain * P. hispida Plantain * P. varia Variable Plantain * Platylobium fonnosum Handsome flat-pea * * * P. obtusangulum Common Flat-pea * Platysace lanceolata Shrubby Platysace * Pleurosorus rutifolius Blanket Fem * Poa labillardieri Tussock-grass * * * P. poiformis Blue Tussock-grass * * * * * * * P. sieberana Tussock-grass * * Podolepis jaceoides Showy Podolepis * * * Po/ygonum decipiens Slender Knotweed * * P. prostratum Creeping Knotweed * Polystichum proliferum Mother Shield-fern * * Pomaderris aspera Rough Hazel Pomaderris * P. ferruqinea Pomaderris * P. prumfolia Prunus Pomaderris * Poranthera corymbosa Clustered Poranthera * P. microphylla Small Poranth~ra * Potamogeton pectinatus Fennel Pondweed * * * P. tricarinatus Floating Pondweed * Prasophyllum arcbcri Variable Midge-orchid * P brevilabre Short-tip Leek-orchid * P. morrisii Bearded Midge-orchid * Pratia pedunculata Matted Pratia * Prostanthera Iasianthos Victorian Christmas-bush * * * P. nivea Snowy Mint-bush * P. rotundifolia Round-leaf Mint-bush * P. saxicola Slender Mint-bush * Prune/la vulgaris Self-heal * Pseudanth us di varicatissim us Tangled Pseudanthus * Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Cudweed * Psoralea tenax Tough Psoralea * * * * Pteridium esculentum Austral Bracken * Pteris termula Tender Brake * * Pterostylis alata Striped Greenhood * P. falcata Sickle Greenhood * P. longifolia Tall Greenhood *

120 Species Name Common Name

P.nana Dwarf Greenhood P. nutans Nodding Greenhood * P. parviflora Tiny Greenhood * P. revoluta Autumn Greenhood * P. rufa Ruddy-hood Greenhood * P. scabra var. robusta Large Striped Greenhood * P. truncata Brittle Greenhood * Ptilotus macrocephalus Feather-heads * P. spathu/atus Pussy-tails * Puccinella stricta Saltmarsh-grass * * Pultenaea daphnoides Large-leaf Bush-pea * * P. gunnii Golden Bush-pea * * P. mollis Soft Bush-pea * P. muelleri Mueller's Bush-pea * P. pedunculata Matted Bush-pea * P. scabra Rough Bush-pea * P. weindorferi Swamp Bush-pea * Ranunculus lappaceus Australian Buttercup * R. pachycarpus Thick-fruit Buttercup * R. rivula.ris Small River Buttercup * R. robertsonii Slender Buttercup * R. sessi/iflorus Annual Buttercup * Rhagodia candolleana Seaberry Saltbush * R. parabolica Fra$rant Saltbush * Rhytidosporom procumbens White Marianth * * * * Rubus parvifolius Small-leaf Bramble * Rumex bidens Mud Dock * * * R. brownii Slender Dock * R. dumosus Wi~Dock * * * * * Ruppia maritima Sea assel * Rutidosis leptorhynchoides Button Wrinklewort * Sambuws gaudichaudiana White Elderberry * Samolus repens Creeping Brookweed * Sarcocoroia blackiana Thick-headed Glasswort * * S. quinque flora Beaded Glasswort * Schizaea biflda Forked Comb-fem * * * Schoenoplectus pungens Club-rush * Schoenus apogon Common Bog-rush * Schoenus maschalinus Leafy Bog-rush * * * * S. nitens Shiny Bog-rush * Sclerolaena diacantha * * S. muricata Five-spined Saltbush * SclerosteQia arbuscula Shrubb~ Glasswort * * Scutellana humilis Dwarf kullcap * Sebaea ovata Yellow Sebaea * Selliera radicans Selliera * * * Senecio biserratus Groundsel * * S. glomeratus Annual Fireweed * S. hispidulus Rough Fireweed * * * S. lautus Variable Groundsel * * S. linearifolius Fireweed Groundsel * S. macrpcarpus * S. minimus Shrubby Fireweed * S. odoratus Scented Groundsel * * S. quadridentatus Cotton Fireweed * * S. runcinifolius Tall Groundsel * * * * * * S. squarrosus Groundsel * Sigesbeckia orientalis Indian Weed * Solan um aviculare Kangaroo Apple * S. laciniatum Large Kangaroo Apple * Solenogyne dominii Solenogyne * * * * * S. gunnii Solenogyne * * * Spergularia rubra Red Sand-spurrey * * Spinifex hirsutus Hairy Spinifex * Sporobolus virginicus Salt Couch * Spyridium parvifolium Australian Dusty Miller * * Stackbousia monogyna Creamy Stackhousia * ' Stellan'a pungens Prickly Starwort * * Stenopetalum lineare Narrow Thread-petal * * * Stipa aristiglumis Plump Spear-grass * S. bigeniculata Spear-grass * S. blackii Crested Spear-grass * S. breviglumis Cane Spear-grass * * *

121 Species Name Common Name

S. curticoma Spear-grass S. elegantissima Feather Spear-grass * S. flavescens Coast Spear-grass * * S. gibbosa Spear-grass * * S. rudis Spear-grass * S. scabra subsp. falcata S~ar-grass * * S. semibarbata Fibrous Spear-grass * * * * S. setacca Spear-grass * * * S. stipoides Spear-grass * S. sp. aff. stuposa Spear-grass * Stylidium graminifolium Grass Tri~er-plant * Stuartina muelleri Spoon Cu weed * * Suaeda australis Austral Seablite * Templetonia stenophylla Leafy Templetonia * * * Tetragonia implexicoma Bower Spinach * Tetrarrhena juncea Forest Wire-grass * * Tetratheca ciliata Common Pink-bells * T. stenocarpa Long Pink-bells * Teucrium corymbosum Forest Germander * Thelymitra aristata Great Sun-orchid * T. camea Salmon Sun-orchid * T. ixioides Dotted Sun-orchid * T. longifolia Scented Sun-orchid * T. pauciflora Slender Sun-orchid * T. rubra Salmon Sun-orchid * * Themeda australis Kangaroo Grass * Thysanotus patersonii Twining Fringe-Iii)'. * * * * * T. tuberosus Common Fringe-lily * * Toxanthes muelleri Common Bow-flower * Tricoryne elatior Yellow Rush-lily * Triglochin procera Water-ribbons * * * * T. striata Streaked Arrowgrass * * * Tripogon loliiformis Rye Beetle-grass * * Typha spp. Bulrush * Urtica incisa Scrub Nettle * * Velleia paradoxa Spur Velleia * * * Veronica calycina Hairy Speedwell * V. gracilis Slender Speedwell * V. p/ebeia Trailing Speedwell * * * Viola betonicifolia Showy Violet * * V. hederacea Ivy-leaf Violet * Vittadinia cuneata Woolly New Holland Daisy * V. muelleri Narrow-leafN. H. Daisy * * Wahlenbergia communis Tufted Bluebell * W. gracilenta Annual Bluebell * W. quadrifida Sprawling Bluebell * W. stricta Tall Bluebell * * * * Westringia glabra Violet Westringia * * Wilsonia rotundifolia Round-leaf Wilsonia * Wunnbea dioica Early Nancy * * X1Jnthorrhoea australis Austral Grass-tree * * X. m inor Small Grass-tree * Zygophyllum glaucum Pale Twin-leaf * *

122 'r I [

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ISBN No. 0 9588 564 1 9 TYPESETTING BY SYMESET- 142 FRANKSTON ROAD, DANDENONG - 797 0222