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Kunzea leptospermoides Maroondah Group Preservation by Cultivation August/September 2016 What’s on... Garden Visits Friday 19 August at 8.00 pm Sunday 21 August at 2.00 pm Based in South Africa, Dr. Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen Friends of Warrandyte State Park Nursery is visiting Australia in early August to do some research Pound Bend Rd, Warrandyte work on how scent influences pollination of proteacea Melway 23 C10 species by mammals. This is ground-breaking research This group was formed in 1982 to propagate and sell which could be invaluable for the future survival of both plants grown from seed stock from the Warrandyte State the plants and their pollinators. Park. Plants are available both in tubestock and also We are very privileged to have Sandy speaking to us larger containers. about her work at our August meeting. Volunteers meet for propagation and other nursery For more details of this research, see the longer activities every Thursday morning from 9.30 to 12.30 at article on page 4. the State Park depot. There are 350 members who have a shared interest in Friday 16 September at 8.00 pm the conservation and rehabilitation of native bushland in Grand Specimen Table the State Park. Every year we have a Big Show and Tell night where On our visit, the Manager, Josh Revel, will show us everyone brings along plants specimens from their around and explain how things are done. Plants in tubes gardens. This is a most inspirational time where we can will be available for sale. see what others are growing. Nearby is frogland – a special area set up to attract It is also a great opportunity to take home cutting frogs, with a pond and indigenous planting. material of plants that you would like to try propagating. The depot and nursery are at the far end of the road There are always new and unusual plants to see and try. leading into the pound. Please look around your garden and bring along as many specimens as you can and share your gardening Sunday 18 September at 2 pm eperience with others. Shirley Carn’s garden Australian Unity Hall 5 David St, Monbulk 8 Main St, Blackburn Melway 124 J2 Shirley moved to her current quarter-acre property The Annual General Meeting over two years ago and, as we have come to expect, her of the Maroondah Group will be held on garden is flourishing. The well-known multi-skilled ‘rock Friday 21 October at 8.00 pm. artist’ Tom Orton placed the rocks and formed the paths See insert for details. on her slightly sloping property. Shirley is particularly proud of her collections of Spyridium and Epacris, which she admits she is MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE NOW DUE passionate about, currently growing about one hundred different species of Epacris. She has included several All APS memberships are now due. eucalypts – websteriana, alba purpurea and caesia. as You will have received a renewal form well as a few dwarf Eucalyptus citriodora, which are of with your June/July Kunzea. If you need mallee habit, multiple trunked with beautiful foliage. another one, you can download it from the Other favourite plants include Tetratheca thymifolia, Maroondah website. (Tasmanian Laurel), several It is a great help to our Membership varieties of Wahlenbergia and Diplolaena grandiflora. Secretary if you attend to this now. David Street is a small street running off David Hill Rd. Please check to make sure that all details We suggest visitors park on Shirley’s side of David St, or have been filled in on the form. at the nearby school or shops, a very short walk away. A beautiful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. 50th Anniversary Planting at Maranoa Gardens by Sue Guymer UR JUNE GARDEN VISIT WAS TO MARANOA GARDENS in Balwyn, for a ceremonial tree planting. OMaroondah has a long association with this public native garden, having had many visits there, and also having donated funds for projects at the garden. Boroondara Council did us the honour of planting a Firewheel Tree ( sinuatus) in the lawn, with a plaque to commemorate APS Maroondah’s 50th anniversary. Paul Birch, co-Curator, welcomed us to Maranoa Gardens and congratulated APS Maroondah on our 50th anniversary. He said that it was a privilege to share our birthday celebrations, as we have shared many events over the years. There is a strong link between the Australian Plants Society and Maranoa Gardens. Arthur Swaby was prominent in both the formation of APS (SGAP as it was then) as well as the development of the Gardens.

Paul Birch planting the memorial tree. Mr T Linford in July 1979. Other events include a visit as part of the 2006 FJC Rogers’ Seminar on Acacias to see Maranoa’s vast and interesting collection of acacias. Bill said that Maranoa is a great place to bring visitors to Melbourne, including those from interstate and overseas. Rodger and Gwen Elliot have frequently Joe Wilson, Bill Aitchison, Sue Guymer and Peter Rogers. brought visitors, including Professor Ray Collett and Brett Maroondah member Bruce Schroder was Parks Hall who at that stage were Director and Manager of Supervisor and Curator at City of Camberwell (now the University of California Santa Cruz Arboretum which Boroondara) in the 1980s. Paul said that Bruce holds the largest collection of Australian plants outside upgraded the gardens with a greatly increased range of Australia. species. Other Maroondah members who have helped In about 1990 Frank Shann published a census Maranoa include Joe Wilson and Elspeth Jacobs who of 13 native gardens around Melbourne. This showed have provided plants, Marilyn Bull who gave valuable that Maranoa had a very large number of species which advice, Bill Aitchison who has documented and added weren’t in any of the other gardens, an indication of to Maranoa’s impressive acacia collection, and Rodger how special is Maranoa’s collection. Elliot and Graeme Nicholls have both propagated plants Then Paul and co-curator Andrea Dennis planted the for the garden. Firewheel Tree, with Boroondara Council has bought a Firewheel Tree, help from Andrea’s sons , to plant in honour of the Harrison and Anthony. occasion. This species is very important to Maranoa It should be a stunning Gardens. The Garden’s Founder, John Watson, gave addition to the eastern a Firewheel Tree flower to a young local girl in 1910, lawn for decades to which initiated her life-long love of nature. There are come, and has a plaque already several Firewheel at Maranoa, including commemorating one very tall, venerable specimen near the north-west Maroondah’s first 50 gate. This species is also the floral emblem of Maranoa years. Gardens. Thanks to Paul and Bill Aitchison responded on behalf of APS Andrea, and also to Maroondah. Maranoa is very significant for Maroondah Trish who put together group as it has such a wonderful collection of Australian some lovely vases plants. We have had many garden visits there, with one of flowers for our of the earliest being a guided tour by Head Gardener afternoon tea table. o The job is done.

Page 2 50 years of Maroondah Group Kunzea August/September 2016 A Look at History – Wildflower Shows by Peter Rogers ILDFLOWER SHOWS WERE A MAJOR PART OF life In 1975 Maroondah Group decided to stage their for APS Maroondah members for many years. own Wildflower Show. This was held in Yarra Valley WThese were being held by (the then) SGAP Vic in Church of England School, and was opened by Kevin the Lower Melbourne Town Hall in the early 1960’s. Heinze. A number of other groups provided displays, Although Maroondah SGAP (as we were then) started including Croydon Tree Preservation Society, Ringwood in 1966, it was not until 1968 that members became Field Naturalists Club, Blackburn Tree Preservation involved. They provided a lot of assistance in setting Society, Bird Observers Club Australia, and Montrose up the stands and displays, providing personnel to Environmental Group. help run the event and promote Australian plants, and The Wildflower Shows were held there for 9 years then packing up and cleaning. The Wildflower Shows until crowd numbers and the size of the Show forced the continued in the Lower Melbourne Town Hall until 1971. need for a larger venue. In 1984 the Wildflower Show For the 1972 Wildflower Show, the Camberwell Civic moved to the Ringwood Cultural Centre and remained Centre was the new venue. This continued through to 1974. there until the last show in 1996. o

Volunteers wanted The smooth functioning of a group such as ours membership subscriptions. If we revert to monthly depends on members being willing to step up and help newsletters, we may have to increase our subscription with the regular practical tasks. rates. Next year the Maroondah committee will need a new But there is another reason for the move to a Secretary. bi-monthly newsletter. That is the very large burden of Each month we prepare a summary of the monthly work involved in producing Kunzea, and the amount of speaker’s talk for inclusion in our newsletter. This is of time this consumes. great benefit for those members who are not able to If we are to have a monthly newsletter, we will attend meetings but who want to keep in touch. We need a couple of volunteers who will take on the task need a volunteer who will regularly write up the talks for of regularly collecting material for inclusion in the Kunzea. newsletter, and also for managing the mailing. These There are a number of members who prefer that tasks are not onerous, but they are regular, and require Kunzea be produced and distributed each month, a reliable commitment. rather than every two months. The move to bi-monthly If you would like to offer to help, or would like to newsletters was partly because the cost of production talk about what is involved, please contact Graeme at and mailing greatly exceeds the money we receive from 9893 4422, or email to [email protected].

50th Anniversary Celebration Lunch – Sunday 20th November 2016 It will soon be time for our Jubilee Celebration lunch. It will be a lovely 2 course meal at Karralyka Centre in Ringwood. This will be the culmination of our 50th Anniversary year celebrations and a great time to catch up with Maroondah and other Australian plant people. We have some former Maroondah members coming from other parts of Victoria and even interstate for this event. Registration is now open. The cost is $25 per person. Sue Guymer will be collecting money at the August, September and October Friday night meetings, or you can contact her (email to aitchguy@gmail. com or phone 9872 3583). Please note that registrations will close on Friday 28th October.

Kunzea August/September 2016 50 years of Maroondah Group Page 3 When to smell cheesy, fruity or not at all – exploring the floral scents of the by Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen and Trevor Edwards O SPECIES THRIVES IN ISOLATION, AND KEY accompanied by changes from large unscented colourful to conserving many endangered species is inflorescences borne on trees, pollinated by sunbirds Nunderstanding how they interact with each other and sugarbirds, to small dull coloured, geoflorous (on and their community. This is particularly pertinent for the ground) inflorescences that smell like sour milk mutualisms such as those between plants and their or cheese. These fermented food odours appeal to pollinators. These plants rely on animals to transfer a variety of small mammals (rodents and elephant pollen and ensure reproduction, while animals rely on shrews), including occasional carnivorous visitors such as the plants to supplement, or fully supply, their energetic mongooses and genets. needs through food rewards such as nectar. The floral scents of over fifty South African Each group of pollinators has specific energetic needs, species spanning multiple genera (, and are able to perceive different colours and scents. Due , , , ) and to these close relationships, unrelated plants that share pollination systems have been analysed, revealing that similar types of pollinators (e.g. honeyeaters) often show scent cues are most prominent for insect pollination convergence (similarity) of floral traits such as colour, systems, with one of the most notable changes being flower shape and reward (e.g. red tubular flowers with the production of extremely strong Papaya-like scents to abundant nectar rewards). This differential preference of attract fruit chafer beetles to certain . pollinators may, through natural selection, have led to the To understand the role of scent as a floral attractant evolution of much of our current floral diversity. to different pollinator groups of the Proteaceae, we One floral feature that has recently received aim to sample the floral fragrance of as many species considerable attention, due to technological advances, is as possible across Africa and Australia. We will also use scent. Similar to visual cues, it is thought that pollinators remote cameras to confirm pollinators of proposed have strong preferences for certain scent compounds. vertebrate pollinated species. Any trends in the By surveying the floral scents of numerous species, we evolution of scent, along with pollinator shifts, can then have found that bird pollination systems are usually be evaluated alongside phylogenetic patterns within and associated with unscented flowers, beetles and bees between genera. prefer fruity and fragrant scents, while small mammal With this knowledge, we can effectively assess pollinators are attracted to yeasty and fermented food the interdependence of Proteaceae species and their odours. Closely related plant species using different pollinators, with the overarching aim of understanding types of pollinators may thus emit different scents for population collapses of many endangered species attraction. By mapping scent profiles and pollination (especially of vertebrate pollinators). Conservation and systems onto phylogenies (family trees), we can assess re-establishment of habitats to foster these pollination trends in the evolution of scent and associations with mutualisms may be key to avoiding extinction of both different pollinators. the plants and their pollinators. By understanding the role of floral scent in attracting We would like to thank the contribution made by pollinators, we can better understand plant-pollinator the APS Maroondah Group in supporting Sandy’s visit in interactions and how to conserve these relationships. recognition of this important research. o This year, we will be piloting a collaborative project Our Maroondah Group has donated $1,000 exploring the evolution of scent and its role in the to help Sandy with this work. evolution of pollination mutualisms in the large Gondwanaland plant family, Proteaceae. This is an iconic southern plant family with no analogues existing in the well studied systems of the northern hemisphere. It is the first cross-continental collaboration between research labs in Australia (La Trobe University) and South Africa (University of KwaZulu-Natal and University of Cape Town) exploring scent cues. Floral visitors of the family are patchily documented, with spurious early proposals of kangaroos being pollinators to modern studies confirming various insect, bird, wind and small mammal pollination systems. However our knowledge of most species is poor. Shifts in pollination systems are often associated with changes in attractive cues such as scent and colour.

In South Africa, shifts from bird to small mammal Remote camera set up to record video footage of vertebrate visitors to Protea pollination of various Protea species are most often scabra in Houw Hoek Pass, Western Cape, South Africa.

Page 4 50 years of Maroondah Group Kunzea August/September 2016 Some extra Maroondah outings coming up Melton Botanic Garden Visit to Humphris Nursery Wednesday 7 September at 11 am Wednesday 5 October at 10 am cnr Williams St & Tullidge St, Melton 218-220 Cardigan Road, Mooroolbark (not far from the old Austraflora Nursery) In the autumn of 2015 some Maroondah members travelled to Melton to see the recently established A number of members have expressed an interest Botanic Garden. It is an impressive project which is being as to just how the plants we buy commercially are added to continually. produced and what goes into the marketing and Late last year a new garden bed was established to production of these plants. Our group will be fortunate showcase some Western Australian plant species. This enough to visit and get an insight into the goings-on has grown quickly, and is already flowering. Other parts at one of Melbourne’s major wholesale production of the Garden which have been established for longer, nurseries. such as the eucalyptus arboretum, are looking great. Humphris produce a wide range of plants, not just Maroondah group has arranged for a return visit Australian natives, some in very large quantities. They to Melton this spring. This will be on Wednesday 7 are one of the leading producers of grafted natives, September. Anyone interested in going should make including standards (, Acacias, etc). their way to the Garden by about 11 am. Some people Our visit will be while the nursery is open for business might like to car-pool. The journey from Blackburn takes but not open to the public, so we can’t buy plants and about one hour – longer if you get lost! we won’t need the cheque book or Mastercard! Bring your lunch with you. Hot drinks can be Enter the main driveway at the above address and provided. The nursery may also be open. Members of park in the car park on either side of the driveway. other APS groups are welcome to join in too. Additional car parking can be found by continuing down the driveway between the main building and green houses, and parking under the trees at the back of the green houses on the left of the driveway at the end.

TIPS AND TRICKS Celebrating Kangaroo Paws A month-long celebration of the iconic Kangaroo Get that plant out of the pot Paw at Cranbourne Gardens is planned for November Sometimes it can be hard to get a plant out of a pot or this year. Come and see the Australian Garden forestry tube, especially if the roots have grown to fill the pot. transformed into a riot of colour, with an abundance Trevor Edwards has a trick that can help. of displays featuring this most distinctive of Australian First thoroughly wet the pot or plants. tube by soaking it in a bucket of water. The celebration is being held in association with This gives a lot of extra weight to the the Cranbourne Friends and renowned Kangaroo Paw contents of the pot and softens the breeder Angus Stewart. potting mix. Then firmly squeeze the Activities will run throughout November, sides of the pot to loosen the root ball. especially the week 19-26, and include displays and Finally give the top of the pot a quick plant sales, a 3-day symposium, and the launch of the downwards tap. The plant should slide new Anigozanthos ‘Landscape Violet’ bred by Angus out easily. Stewart, Never try to pull the the plant out of This is a first in celebrating this iconic plant. the pot. You will likely finish with nice Further updates on program details will be available foliage but no roots! soon on RBGV website www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit- Please send in your gardening tips and tricks so cranbourne, or by contacting Rodger Elliot on that we can all learn and be better gardeners. 8774 2483 or [email protected].

Kunzea August/September 2016 50 years of Maroondah Group Page 5 SPECIMEN TABLE June meeting – by Mirini Lang Eucalyptus sideroxylon grows up to 25 m tall and can Stenocarpus sinuatus is a rainforest tree which loves an handle a range of soils including shallow poor soils. open position. It flowers well and likes extra food such as However it doesn’t tolerate waterlogging or salinity. Joe potassium/potash. said it is a common naturestrip tree and needs space Templetonia retusa is a which grows to about 2 m around it. tall. Joe said that it is one of the best plants as it grows Eucalyptus preissiana grows 2-3 m with large attractive happily in the shade, clay soils and river beds. It attracts yellow flowers. It prefers well drained soils in full sun. many birds. It can be pruned well and hard, and likes Joe said it could grow to 5 m if not pruned. People often extra lime added to the soil. Marilyn Bull has seen it in have difficulty growing this small tree. the northern Flinders Ranges and Alison Rogers has seen it in a paddock near Ceduna.

Eucalyptus preissiana Eremophila maculata ssp. brevifolia grows naturally in Templetonia retusa the warmer climate of South Australia. However it puts Correa ‘Catie Bec’. Merele Webb said that it has up with our colder weather. It flowers prolifically and flowered well in a shady spot. It grows to about 1 m and attracts birds. It grows 1-1.5m tall in an open position, flowers prolifically. not crowded by other plants. Merele Webb commented that it needs a draft of air through it. ‘Gold Rush’. There was some uncertainty about the specimen’s identification. Liz Triggs said this grevillea grows to about 1 m. Grevillea ‘Lemon Supreme’ is not the easiest grevillea to grow. Joe observed that it’s not the most popular either. People commented that it grows everywhere, and is inclined to sprawl. Eucalyptus polyanthemos was shown for its Gall Wasp problem. This shows that these insects are not restricted to infecting just our citrus trees.

Correa ‘Catie Bec’.

2016 FJC Rogers Seminar 8 & 9 October to be held in Hamilton. Theme: ‘Native Terrestrial and Epiphytic Orchids’. Saturday: full-day conference and formal dinner. Sunday: field trips to Hamilton, Casterton and Grampians. Register your interest with Kevin Sparrow, [email protected].

Eucalyptus sideroxylon bark Stenocarpus sinuatus

Page 6 50 years of Maroondah Group Kunzea August/September 2016 The Royal National Park Notes from the talk given by Prof Robert King at our June meeting. by Bill Aitchison Professor Robert King came from Sydney fact that there is an inverse relationship between to speak at our June meeting about the Royal fertility and species richness on a global scale. National Park, which is about 25km south of Hence, the Royal National Park’s unsuitability for Sydney. Although from Sydney, it felt as though agriculture has been its saviour. Robert was really part of our Group – he is the son Robert illustrated his talk with some of the of Marion King, and the brother/brother in law of diverse range of fauna and flora to be found in Alison and Peter Rogers. the Park. From a botanical point of view, just Robert is a Professor of Botany, previously at a few of the plant types that he referred to the University of NSW, and has a particular interest in were the Ericaceae (38 species, almost all common algae (his doctoral thesis having been on the subject of garden plants – from the genera Acrotriche, Astroloma, Australian algae). He has a close involvement with the Brachyloma, Dracophyllum, Epacris, Leucopogon, Royal National Park, and in 2013 edited a “Field Guide to Lissanthe, Monotoca, Sprengelia, Styphelia, Trochocarpa, Royal National Park”. Woollsia), Fabaceae (very common, including, for Robert commented that the decision in 1879 to example, 27 species of Acacia), and Orchids (111 proclaim this large area of about 15,000 hectares as a species). national park has proven to be a great investment. It Many of our members present indicated that they provides the “green lungs” of the city, has a very diverse had never visited the Royal National Park. However, flora and fauna, and attracts 4 million visitors per year. some may well have been motivated by Robert’s talk to Interestingly, when Joseph Banks first came to visit this area, described by Robert as being a fantastic Australia, he said Botany Bay would be a good place to park, one of the botanical highlights of Australia, and settle because there were so many species of plants – for from late August to early October (the best time to visit), a long time the assumption being that if there are many “truly like walking through a natural wildflower garden”. species of plants then the flora is rich, and it would make Our thanks to Robert for an excellent and good agricultural land. But it is now a well established entertaining presentation. o

Plant Containers … how they have changed by Bev Hanson HILE AWAY FROM WORK ON A HOLIDAY TRIP, Some purpose-made tin containers also came on the I have had time to reflect and write a few market around this time. In 1972/3, straight-sided Wnotes. I have been thinking of how plant 3 inch plastic tubes were introduced to the market. containers have changed over the years since I have Plants were hard to remove from the pots, and they been in the business of horticulture. would not stack one inside the other. Also 2 inch plastic When I started at Burnley Horticulture College tubes appeared at about the same time. None were UV in 1959, plants in the nursery were always grown in resistant so they broke down rapidly. terracotta pots of various sizes. We were taught that Then the plastic pots with which we are now familiar drainage was important, so bits of broken pots were appeared, UV-tolerant, and tapered to stack and remove used to cover the hole at the plant easily. Plastic bags were the bottom, and coarse also used. aggregate added before The forestry tube was originally the soil and the plant. wooden veneer. These came to These pots were bulky nurserymen as a flatpack which to store, would break had to be shaped around a mould easily, and with only one and held together with a staple or hole could block, causing rubber band. They had to be stacked drainage problems. in a box to keep upright before Later on all kinds of adding potting mix. These were the recycled tins were used forerunners of the much less labour- as containers, from the intensive, UV-tolerant, PVC, tapered small dog/cat and food/beer cans to the larger 7 lb jam/ forestry tubes used successfully pineapple/beetroot tins, and on up to kerosine tins, etc. today. The great disadvantage was that it required a can opener There have been other types and to make drainage holes, and also removing the plant colours of containers introduced, but I think the current from the tin often required tinsnips, and tin inevitably popular black tapered containers will be here for a long rusted out over time. time. o

Kunzea August/September 2016 50 years of Maroondah Group Page 7 Consider at least one eucalypt for your garden by Trevor Blake N READING A RECENT GROWING AUSTRALIAN grows close to Melbourne near Bacchus Marsh. E. aquilina magazine, I was really interested in the selection of is a small mallee with interesting fruits a little like eucalypts suggested for growing in home gardens. E. preissiana ssp. lobata. E. cooperana is a mallee O with white trunk and greyish foliage that grows from a A whole group of these spectacular small mallee type eucalypts have been difficult to grow, mainly because lignotuber. E. doratoxylon would fit in here too. of cold, drizzly and overcast conditions. For example, E. diversifolia flowers at a very young age and always looks E. youngiana comes from some pretty arid areas, so attractive. E. preissiana ssp. lobata (the large flowered the transition may be just too much for it. But the story form) has striking yellow flowers. E. erythronema is another becomes entirely different as grafted plants become attractive mallee. available, and with the climate changing, many eucalypts Of course there are a number with round or unusual are well worth trying. silver juvenile foliage, and the flavour of the month is Well-raised and well-drained beds that receive plenty E. latens, ‘Moon Lagoon’. E. crucis, E. kruseana (both more of sun can help success. There are species that will do well, difficult) E. crenulata, E. perriniana, ‘Spinning Gum’, and and there are constant requests for small eucalypts for E. pulverulenta are all worth considering. home gardens. Many of them have spectacular flowers, and A magnificent very fine-leafed one is E. formanii, and the benefits to the ecology of your locality is well worth if the juvenile foliage is kept by judicious pruning it can be considering. special. This is a real specialist species, and another in the Lets have a look at a few species that may have a sporting chance category if you can get it. E. polybractea chance of doing well in gardens. I’ve been fascinated at is a mallee with grey foliage, and a species that has been what has been growing in our garden here in Northcote. A regularly harvested for distilling oils, and it grows well in high percentage of gardens have E. caesia ‘Silver Princess’ most soils. doing superbly where they receive plenty of sun. We have There is a group of ‘Scribbly Gums’ with white bark that inherited a magnificent E. macrocarpa which flowers from won’t scribble outside the distribution of the insect that April until the end of November, but this is one of those does the work, but nevertheless are worth a look at. They beauties that shouldn’t grow here at all. can get a little taller though, but in the Melbourne area I These around Melbourne just shouldn’t exist: have not known them to reach their full height – E. stoatei, forrestiana, lehmanniana and macrandra E. haemastoma, racemosa, sclerophylla, rossii, signata. have done well in nature strips, along with Callistemon For a good talking point about either fruit or leathery salignus and viminalis, Agonis flexuosa, Acacia implexa leaves, E. tetragona and E. tetraptera should do the trick. and some glorious A. pendula. Middle Camberwell has had E. sepulchralis is a fascinating wispy weeping mallee species a spectacular success with an E. erythrocorys flowering that requires a little water during dry times. E. leptopoda, magnificently. This species has also flowered well in E. leptophylla, E. eremophila, E. fasciculosa, E. gregsoniana, Blackburn and Northcote. E. grossa, E. stricta, and E. viridis are all worth looking up. E. synandra and a similar E. rosacea are beautiful in Some of these species you may roll your eyes at, and there are plenty of others I have not mentioned, like the dwarf C. eximea, or the hybrids like ‘Torwood’ and the specky C. ficifolia/ptychocarpa cross, and don’t forget local indigenous species. Others may have great success with species not mentioned that are worth growing, so let’s hear of them. One of the greatest things we can do is share and record our knowledge. Some of the species I have mentioned will be very difficult to track down, but there are growers out there with ‘odd bods’ that are well worth ferreting out. o

Red fruit on Eucalyptus forrestiana growing in Doncaster flower with mallee habit. The true species of E. caesia is well worth looking at, with smaller more delicate flowers. The recommended E. pimpiniana has stunned me with the masses of flowers, and the attractiveness of the buds which take over 12 months to mature. Well, back to a selection – how many have tried E. verrucosa, the dwarf species from Tasmania’s south-west mountains, which grows well in Melbourne gardens. E. orbifolia is a splendid grey-leafed mallee with attractive Mature foliage of E. Latens ‘Moon Lagoon’, with red flowers. E. torquata has attractive fruits and red flowers stems and new flower buds. Most people grow it for its that appear for many months. E. behriana is a mallee that juvenile foliage, but the mature tree is equally attractive.

Page 8 50 years of Maroondah Group Kunzea August/September 2016 SPECIMEN TABLE July meeting – by Bill Aitchison Our thanks to Bev Fox and Merele Webb for leading the Specimen Table at our July meeting. ssp. glabrilimba – flowers have a very strong perfume, Graeme Nicholls said that his plant so grow it near your steps or doors is about 2 m high, flowers for a long and you will enjoy it every time you time and is in a somewhat shady go past it. It normally gets to about spot, a lovely foliage plant. 1½m high. – This yellow- Correa pulchella ‘Annie’s Delight’ – A flowered form also came from very delicate small correa. Bev finds Graeme Nicholls, and gets to about it does well in a fair amount of shade. 2 m. There is also a red form. In Merele noted that there are not Graeme’s garden it is in a shady many correas with orange flowers like spot which means it doesn’t flower this one. Grevillea preissii ssp. glabrilimba as well as it otherwise might. It is Acacia willdenowiana (Grass Wattle) – This is doing well extremely prickly which makes pruning a challenge. for Peter Rogers in rather harsh conditions. When not – Our specimen was from a tall in flower, it has a grass-like appearance, almost leafless, upright form of this species, growing about 2 m x 1.5 m. and the long thin stems bear flowers at this time of year. It will grow in considerable shade and flowers prolifically It grows to about 0.3 m x 0.6 m, and will lean through in winter and spring. In Merele’s garden it looks beautiful other plants if grown amongst them. growing in combination with a pale coloured Correa. multilineata – Hovea acutifolia – Bev finds that quite a lot of Hoveas Bev is amused that, in grow well in the shade, including this one. Other plants their book, Wrigley and that do well in the shade for Bev are Zieria ‘Pink Crystals’ Fagg include this as a and Phebalium woombye (this flowers for about 11 shrub. Her plant is at months of the year in pretty much total shade). least 20 feet tall. But it Guichenotia macrantha – In Bev’s garden this plant is is a beautiful plant. tall and slim, whereas Merele’s plant is more bushy and Prostanthera calycina – compact as a result of the tip pruning that she does. Bev This came from Marion particularly loves King, a small compact the plant for its bush with pink flowers, long flowering about 60 cm high. It period. Peter comes from dry areas Rogers recalled in SA. seeing it growing last year near Eneabba in WA, where the plants were about 2 m Guichenotia macrantha high. – By tip pruning, Merele has managed to keep this to a compact bush about 1 m high. Leionema ‘Green Screen’ – This is a hybrid of L. lamprophyllum and L. elatius. A good garden plant that grows in dry and shady spots, about 1.5 m tall. Prostanthera calycina Callistemon sp. – Graeme Nicholls grew this lovely pink-flowered plant from cuttings, but was unsure which species it is. About 2 m high. (Warby Ranges form) – This is a fairly tall form but can be made denser by tip pruning. Grevillea ‘Knockout’ – This is a small, naturally very dense Grevillea, with bright red flowers that cover the whole bush when in flower. Acacia flexifolia – This is currently in flower in Merele’s garden. Her plant grows in total year-round shade. It is very dainty with fluffy pale flowers and delicate semi- grey leaves, making it an outstanding small plant. The Grevillea dielsiana

Kunzea August/September 2016 50 years of Maroondah Group Page 9 July Meander – Kurth Kiln, Beenak by Sue Guymer E HAD THE BEST POSSIBLE WEATHER FOR OUR (blue flowers), Olearia lirata, Acacia myrtifolia and A. meander to the Kurth Kiln Regional Park in oxycedrus, Goodenia ovata and Hovea longifolia. An WBeenak. The sun was shining, and there was unusual plant was an Acacia howittii in the carpark. This no wind or rain. It was a perfect day for re-creating the is not believed to be a local plant – perhaps a misguided experience of gathering for a walk in the bush, in an planting? area where several lengthier Maroondah meanders have We travelled on to Kurth Kiln where we first looked been held over the last 30 years or so. at the kiln itself. It was Sixteen people turned up to take advantage of the used to burn charcoal outing. Ken Gosbell remarked that the last time he had to produce carbon visited this area was with Fred Rogers (our founder, and monoxide to power cars Peter Rogers’ father). Also, Bruce Schroder came along during World War II. The – he had been one of the core group of “meanderers” area around the kiln was from the early days. So history is never far away from us. damper than elsewhere Our first stop was at Shiprock Falls. Peter showed and we saw ferns, us a very interesting mistletoe in the carpark. It was including Gleichenia easy to study as it was on a piece of broken branch on dicarpa (Pouched Coral the ground. The plant was Muellerina eucalyptoides Fern), blechnums and (Creeping Mistletoe). Unusually it has multiple Cyathea australis (Rough attachments to its host – it put down roots along the Treefern), as well as host branch at intervals. Most mistletoes have a single Dianella tasmanica and attachment to their host. . We walked down to the falls and saw a number After lunch in the picnic area, we walked down near of plants along the way, although not many in flower. the creek where we found the very unusual Lycopodium One of the most unusual was Tetratheca stenocarpa deuterodensum (Bushy Club Moss). Club mosses are not (Gippsland Pink Bells) true mosses but are considered to be in a separate group which has a very limited of their own. They are included as fern allies in botanical distribution. There literature. This species is the largest with a height of up to seemed to be two forms a metre. There are two different foliage types – we saw growing together – both. An individual plant can have one type of foliage, or one with red buds and both. We saw fruiting bodies on some individuals. pedicels (flower stalks), We had a further quick walk to higher, drier ground the other with white where we found Pimelea flava(with bright lemon-yellow buds/pedicels. flowers), Hibbertia empetrifolia, marginata and Other plants seen included var Viola hederacea. cunninghamii (form with black styles), Spyridium Thanks to Peter and Alison Rogers for organising this parvifolium, Correa reflexa, Platylobium infecundum meander and providing the plant information. It was a (previously included with P. formosum), Hakea lovely way to spend a Sunday with friends. o decurrens, ilicifolia, Bauera rubioides (with white flowers), Polyscias sambucifolia, Pandorea pandorana, Pultenaea scabra and P. hispidula, Epacris impressa (very dark pink flowers), Dampiera linearis

Lycopodium deuterodensum Bushy Clubmoss

Page 10 50 years of Maroondah Group Kunzea August/September 2016 A Study in Evolutionary Relationships in Grevilleas by Susan Hoebee ack in 2013, our lab was delighted by the donation of visitation by many honeyeater species and silvereyes (Fig 2). $3,649 from the APS Maroondah Group to support a However a bird exclusion experiment demonstrated that genetic investigation into relationships among Grethe - insects were also able to effect pollination in most forms. B The genetic analysis identified only three groupings: villea Floribunda subgroup. This is called a phylogeny, and is much like creating an ancestry tree of species. The project is one corresponding to the Mt Zero population (Grampians led by Susan Hoebee and Trevor Edwards (Ecology, Environ- form); another combined Tooborac (Small-flowered form) ment and Evolution, La Trobe University) and Whroo (Goldfields form) populations; and the last was Since then this donation has been used as leverage to a large mix of populations from across the species range, secure an internal La Trobe University grant ($35,139) and suggesting recent gene flow among them. However further later an ARC discovery ($217,600). These additional grants populations need to be incorporated before we are fully expanded the study to allow a more comprehensive analysis confident as to how much genetic profiles correspond to of the Floribunda and Arenaria subgroups. They have also forms. supported a pollination and genetic study ofG. alpina, For the analysis of species relationships, we are using a G. chrysophaea and G. celata. So from humble beginnings, very modern approach that generates sequence data across all the APS donation has given flora research a monetary return genomes – nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial. Juli did the of about 70 fold its original value. initial testing and optimisation, but sadly she has withdrawn

Figure 1. Examples of diversity within the Grevillea floribunda subgroup. L-R: G. alpina (Northern Victorian form), G. celata and G. chrysophaea (Brisbane Ranges). Photos by: Susan Hoebee. The main aims of the expanded project are to: from her PhD studies due to health issues. We have since (1) establish the relationships among the Floribunda and employed Dr Gareth Holmes (of G. repens fame) to progress Arenaria subgroups; this approach, as it forms the backbone of the project. The (2) assess the reproductive boundaries within and among phylogeny studies are in their infancy, but we have good species and forms of G. alpina, G. chrysophaea and quality sequences from across the genomes. Multiple G. celata (Fig 1). chloroplast DNA regions show that G. alpina separates as a The project is still ongoing, with a completion date in coherent group (clade) which is quite distinct from the other 2018. So far, we have sampled all recognised species in the species in the Floribunda and Arenaria subgroups. two subgroups, ranging from Qld through NSW to Vic, largely A huge thank you to the APS Maroondah Group for by Juli Atkinson (PhD student). In G. alpina, we have also providing the initial support to this project. The research measured floral variation, including colour, across all forms, will greatly improve our understanding of the diversity and and the evolution of pollination mutualisms. These data were conservation of the focal group of grevilleas, and will be collected by Juli, and analysis was undertaken by Reannon a trailblazer for reproductive studies in other Australian Smith (Honours student), who also assessed the genetic Proteaceae. We also express our sincere thanks to a large diversity and structure present among populations and forms number of other people who have supported other aspects of G. alpina using a traditional molecular approach. of this study. This includes: Peter Olde and Neil Marriott, The results from the floral measurements reveal Bob Makinson, Bob Baird, and numerous student and differences betweenG. alpina populations, but these did volunteer helpers. not always correlate to forms. There was some evidence for Any questions can be sent to Susan Hoebee (s.hoebee@ separating populations and some forms based on colour and, latrobe.edu.au) or Trevor Edwards (trevor.edwards@ as expected, the reflectance patterns were highly skewed latrobe.edu.au). Or you can approach either of us at our APS to the wavelengths visible to birds, consistent with floral meetings. o

Fig. 2. A selection of floral visitors to Grevillea alpina. L-R White-eared honeyeater, Silvereye and Eastern Spinebill. Photos by: Juli Atkinson

Kunzea August/September 2016 50 years of Maroondah Group Page 11 Diary for 2016 Other events coming up 3 September – APS Wilson Park Plant Sale. Wilson Botanic Park, Princes Hwy, Berwick. Friday Meetings 9 am–4.00 pm. 19 August 3 & 4 September – Bendigo Native Plants Group Flower Show. Speaker: Dr. Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen Rotary Gateway Park, 26 High St, Kangaroo Flat. How scent influences pollination by mammals 10 September – APS Yarra Yarra native plants and book sale 16 September (no Expo this year). Eltham Senior Citizens Centre, Grand Specimen Table 903 Main Rd, Eltham. 10 am–4 pm. 21 October Speaker: Bruce Schroder: 10 & 11 September – Open Garden of Pam and Jim Yarra: A Plants We No Longer Grow Sustainable Habitat. 65a Dickasons Road, Heathmont. 18 November Mel 62B2. 10.30 am to 4.30 pm. Admission $6, students $4. Speaker: TBA 17 & 18 September – ANGAIR (Anglesea and Aireys Inlet Wildflower and Art Show). Anglesea Memorial Hall, McMillan St, Garden Visits Anglesea. 10.00 am–4.30 pm. Small entry fee. 1 & 2 October – APS Grampians Group Pomonal Native 21 August Education Centre and Frog Pond Flower Show. Pomonal Hall. 9.30 am–5.00 pm. at Warrandyte State Park 18 September Carn garden, Monbulk 2 October – Wartook Gardens Open Day for Horsham Hospital. 2866 Northern Grampians Rd, Wartook.. 23 October Gardens in the Wallan area 7–9 October – Horsham Garden Festival Weekend. Further 20 November 50th Anniversary lunch at Karralyka Centre details at www.visitvictoria.com.

8 & 9 October – 2016 FJC Rogers Seminar in Hamilton. Committee Theme: ‘Native Terrestrial and Epiphytic Orchids’. Michael Cook President 0417 539 740 15 October – APS Mitchell Annual Spring Plant Expo and Sale. Bill Aitchison Vice President 9872 3583 Memorial Hall, Sydney St, Kilmore. 9 am–3 pm. Brenda Moore Secretary 9725 8278 Joe Wilson Treasurer 9812 0209 15 & 16 October – South Gippsland Native Plant Sale & Sue Guymer Minute Secretary 9872 3583 Flower Show. Gippsland Historical Automobile Club Pavilion, Jan Nicholls Membership Secretary 9893 4422 Leongatha Recreation Reserve. 10 am–4 pm. Graeme Nicholls Newsletter Editor 9893 4422 22 October – APS Echuca Moama Native Plant Society – Bev Hanson 9844 3906 Native Flower Showcase. Echuca Uniting Church Hall, Hare St, John Hanson 9844 3906 Echuca. 9 am–4 pm. Peter Rogers 9801 6946 Tony Moore 9725 8278 22 & 23 October – Open Garden. Graham and Maree Goods, 2197 Geodetic Rd, Wail East. Bruce Schroder 9728 1342 Barry Ellis 0403012109 22 & 23 October – APS Ballarat Annual Spring Flower Show, book and plant sales. Robert Clark Horticultural Centre, Ballarat Special welcome to Barry Ellis Botanic Gardens. Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Sunday 10 am–4.30 pm. who has agreed to be co-opted to the Maroondah committee. Thank you for your willingness to 22 & 23 October – Growing Friends Spring Plant Sale. assist and get involved. RBGV Cranbourne Gardens. 10 am–4 pm.

Australian Plants Society Maroondah Inc. Postal address: P.O. Box 33 Ringwood 3134 as it happened . . . Email: [email protected] —glimpses of the past Website: australianplantssoc.wix.com/maroondah Newsletter contributions: from the November 1980 Newsletter Contributions for the August/ September 2016 Newsletter You know I even had the silly thought today that I’m should be sent to Graeme Nicholls no later than actually GLAD we have weeds. It stops us from just Monday 1 August 2016 walking through the garden. We must get down on Published by APS Maroondah Inc. Registration No. A0013122B our hands and knees, and we really see and feel the Newsletter Print Post approved: 100004147 things around us. It’s just as well I feel this way Check out the new Maroondah Group website at because there’s still more to do tomorrow! australianplantssoc.wix.com/maroondah – Gwen Elliot, reflecting on the subject of weeds Members page login: mrndh2016 How about making a contibution to the YOUR SAY page? Visit the APS Vic website at www.apsvic.org.au

Page 12 50 years of Maroondah Group Kunzea August/September 2016