Newsletter of Menai Wildflower Group Menai Wildflower September 2018 Group

Membership fees are: Individual $56 Individual con. If you wish, you can renew for 3 years. cession Despite that worrying lack of rain, the ever-so-chilly $48, Joint $66, Joint concession $58 mornings and the sunny, crisp days that usually followed, our members have been busier than usual. Being a small group, we all have to wear extra hats (as it were) from time to time, but despite not wanting to take on committee duties, Lloyd Hedges ______1 has been a veritable hat rack for the last couple of months! He has covered for absent committee Renewing your APS Membership Online ____ 1 members and has managed some remarkable Coming Events ______2 publicity avenues for our events, so that we have had excellent numbers for our diverse range of Reports from Meetings ______2 speakers. As well, the unsung heroes who prepare Australian National Botanic Gardens...... 2 the refreshments and set up for our meetings are the Aboriginal Bush Tucker ...... 3 ones who make it possible for us to be there to Season and Smoke: Key Elements of Dormancy welcome visitors and answer questions about and Germination ...... 4 growing native plants. Special Interest ______5 The experiment of having rotation of chairperson Nurseries Report August 2018 ______6 for our monthly meetings (voluntary, of course) and Tip nursery ...... 6 report writers and plant chat presenters seems to be IRFS Compound Nursery ...... 6 working well. Not only does it provide new IRFS Garden Report...... 6 opportunities in public speaking and organisation of Grevillea Park Report ...... 7 the programme for some, it can also be a pleasant change for the audiences. Although I would never advocate not having an elected president by choice, it appears to be working for us in 2018. Do check your programme to see what great things are planned for the coming months: regional meetings, a great bush walk for all abilities, a picnic speakers. Invite your friends, neighbours and never miss an opportunity to promote our friendly group, as we want to be around for the long haul!

Renewing your APS Membership Online Eucalyptus caesii at firestation, L Hedges. You should receive notification that your membership is due for renewal by email. Please renew membership online at http://austplants.com.au/about-membership when you receive this notification. If you have problems, please contact Sharon. Newsletter of Menai Wildflower Group Spring 2018

Coming Events

9 Aug Working Bee

11 Aug Meeting Saturday 1pm. Gerald Nansen on Australian bio-geography

26 Aug Bush walk at Limekiln Bay, Oatley

1 Sep Propagation from 1pm

1-2 Sep Open day, Grevillea Park Styphelia tubiflora (Pink 5 Corners), L Hedges. 8 Sep Meeting Saturday 1pm. Karen Sommerville, Native Orchids Reports from Meetings Australian National Botanic Gardens 13 Sep Working Bee at IRFS from 9am On 9 June we were fortunate to hear all about

-established gardens that might 22 Sep Garden walk at Sylvan Grove in morning followed by APS NSW famous Cranbourne, a much more recent regional meeting development.

Maureen and John Connelly were in a unique 23 Sep MWG picnic and garden walk at Silky position to give real insights into ANBG as they Oaks, Oakdale have been associated with the Gardens for over a

decade, with Maureen being a dedicated volunteer 5 Oct St Matthew Peakhurst Garden Clubtalk guide and John being co-conveyor of the Growing by Jason Cockane on bush Friends at the Gardens. Their descriptions of regeneration various aspects of the ANBG were illustrated by

excellent colour images of native plants and 6 Oct Propagation from 1pm IRFS sculptures in both mature settings and new areas

landscaped in botanical or geographic 10 Oct Meeting, Trevor Wilson, Prostanthera arrangements. and Plectranthus Maureen guided us through some of these special

landscapes: the statue of Sir Joseph Banks 11 Oct Working Bee at IRFS from 9am surrounded by Banksia serrata, with plans for a

whole new Banksia Garden to be ready by 2020; the 3 Nov Propagation from 1pm IRFS extensive lawn area, surrounded by 70 species of

Eucalypts where summer concerts and movies are 8 Nov Working Bee at IRFS from 9am held; the Red Centre Garden opened in 2013, an

area of 4000 square metres divided into five distinct 14 Nov AGM followed by Robert King, parts to represent different desert landscapes, with Mangroves. great photos of Desert Oaks, Pearl Blue Bush,

Ptilotus, Solanum (Desert R 12 Dec Christmas Social Nightshade and Waddy Wood (now very rare in the

was planted in the 1960s and includes Blandfordia grandiflora, seed fern fossils and many species of Proteacae such as Banksia and Dryandra. We also saw rare shots of Wollemia nobilis and Podacarpus elatus and even a local native (brown snake) basking in the rock garden one summer and a well- I loved the great

Tasmanian rainforest species that took me back Waiting for rubbery, Big Island, P Forbes more years than I care to count, to the times we took Newsletter of Menai Wildflower Group Spring 2018 our visitors to the ACT there to walk through that native plants and walked us around the gardens at spray of water. Very nice on a hot Canberra day. the Illawong Rural Fire Station pointing out those John took the floor and the remote control to tell us useful plants we have growing. We were lucky that roup. It was the weather improved to make walking outside formed about 25 years ago and currently has 50 active members. John pointed out that ANBG is Plants Compatible to the Sydn actually a national park and also a plant quarantine contains much of the information in his zone, with the restrictions/constraints that go with such status. the fire station. Terry is also a keen cook and The volunteers are occupied in growing plants for brought an extremely nice wattle seed and lemon sale and in maintaining records of procedures and myrtle cheesecake for afternoon tea that he made research. himself, which proved the star of our spread. He was progress of the 12-20 species they grow each month happy to share the recipe. As Terry told us, Australia is getting hotter and recording areas, the names of workers, hormones drier, and with the rate of climate change, likely to used, etc. This regime has helped them to measure become more so. Exotic plants are dying from lack their improved success rate in propagation. We of water, but our local bush plants, although noted the strict protocols used, and that all potting suffering, are hanging on better. Australia is short of mixes were sterilised by steam. water and likely to become more so as the climate One cheeky person in the audience predicted that changes and the population increases. Terry thinks our MWG propaga we should therefore make more use of our waterwise local plants. hidden away in the Canberra gardens, but there were s presentation, plants were divided into also shots of the series of upended concrete pipes filled with different soils for comparison of different - growing media. Lloyd Hedges has been experimenting with similar pipes in our fire station Tetragonia gardens and Ray Brown has used them in tetraganoides) which we have growing very happily landscaping at Grevillea Park. Gardeners, please at the fire station. It is a ground cover for shady area note. which thrives on neglect and is a useful vegetable. We could perhaps take from the Friends some clues Used instead of spinach, it is high in fibre and can on their great efforts in raising about $12,000 pa in be used to make a pesto or salad. It roots at the their spring and autumn sales. They advertise the nodes, so is very easily propagated. Anyone want species pre-sale in the local news and make sure that some? Other sprawlers for flavouring include all species are suited to the Canberra climate, mostly Prostanthera rotundifolia (Native Thyme), Mentha frost-tolerant plants. australis (Native Mint strong flavour), and Apium Maureen and John Connolly are dedicated prostratum (Sea Celery). volunteers who were happy to share their passion Dianella for growing and promoting native plants. It was revoluta, Blue Flax Lily and we have lots of those easy to see why they have been honoured with Life at the fire station. They are tough as. The blue Memberships of the Friends of the Gardens. We are berries are sweet, loved by birds and kids, and can indebted to local resident Margaret Johnson, who be eaten as such or made into a cordial, which is a alerted us to their expertise and hosted them on their great flavour your vodka tipple. The seeds of recent visit to Menai Wildflower Group. Gahnia and Lomandra can be ground to make a flour and bread (although it is a lot of work) and Lomandra leaves are good for basket-weaving. Aboriginal Bush Tucker (Santalum acuminatum), Native Peach, Mistletoes, Terry Lennis is a proud Dharawahl elder, a Native Cherry (Exocarpus cupressiformis), E. horticulturist and a tour guide. He hosts Bush aphyllus, and Native Currant (Leptomeria acida). Tucker walks in conjunction with Woollahra Austromyrtus Council and Eastern Suburbs Organisation for dulcs (Midyam Berry) were a favourite. It is a small reconciling Australia (ESORA) and runs Bush ground cover, with pretty white flowers and lots of Tucker workshops. fruit. Terry says they are delicious, with soft skin At our Saturday meeting he gave us a very and small edible seeds. It is also a bird attractant. interesting presentation on aboriginal uses for Page 3 Newsletter of Menai Wildflower Group Spring 2018

The flowers of Grevilleas, Leptospermums and Season and Smoke: Key Elements of Callistemons can be soaked in water to make a sweet, nectar-flavoured drink, or you can shake the Dormancy and Germination nectar on to your breakfast toast instead of honey. Our 14 July meeting was very well attended with You can also use the leaves of Leptospermums to guests attending from far and wide. Dr Mark Ooi, heal wounds. Geebungs (Persoonias) have edible Senior Research Fellow at UNSW School of fruits which should be picked when about to fall off Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and the tree for a not too sour taste. The Native Pepper his colleague Dr John Porter, made a joint (Tasmannia spp) is becoming widely used as a presentation. This was a response to MWG having condiment. provided a $2000 scholarship for further research into the dormancy and germination mechanisms of Actinotus forsythii (the Pink Flannel flower) which we have been working on. Seed ecologist Mark gave us an overview of dormancy and germination characteristics of our local flora. He posed the question: why study seed ecology? Then he pointed out that in our fire prone, arid and climatically unpredictable country, the seed stage is perhaps more important than in areas without the extremes Australian plants suffer. Seeds hold the key to species survival. If their adaptations in the areas of dormancy and germination are out of synch with the environmental challenges plants face, the species can disappear. So, if we are to understand the likely effects of climate change on Melaleuca filifolia L Hedges. plants, we need to understand seeds and their

relationship with climate. - Syzygiums (Lillypillies), great hedging plants with why anyone would have an exotic Murraya hedge given these alternatives. The nectar from Xanthorrhoea (Grass Trees) makes a sweet drink and the flowering spike and resin make the perfect fishing spear. Banksia flowers provide heaps of nectar for drinks, and some of the native figs have edible fruits, although they taste dry compared with the exotic figs. Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) and Cinnamon Myrtle (B. myrtifola) are great for flavouring food. L Hedges. (Paperbark), whose bark was used for shelter and to wrap food for cooking and to carry fire (after In fire prone areas like the south east coast of soaking). Terry has used the leaves of Corymbia Australia, fire is the main driver of population citriodora (lemon scented gum) over charcoal to dynamics. The vast majority of species only recruit flavour bbq cooking. after fires and the action takes place in the post-fire window. Species can be divided into those that are Pimelea killed by fire (obligate seeders) i.e. dependent on the linifolia, and Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus) seed to produce the next generation, and the plants were once used to make nets. Resin and branches that are not killed but resprout (resprouters). In the from Callitris spp were used for spears and axe fire s aftermath the action is furious. This is the best handles. opportunity to recruit and replace the dead population of the obligate seeders and also some of the sprouters because some will not have survived. Understanding seed ecology is necessary for the protection of biodiversity which is being lost at a rate 100-1000 times greater than previously. It is Newsletter of Menai Wildflower Group Spring 2018 both necessary for in situ management and ex situ There are 18 species of Actinotus, many of which through seed banks collecting, storing and utilising are fire ephemerals i.e. short-lived species that seeds. To be successful we need to better understand require fire to germinate and recruit. Others are the complexity of the dormancy/germination annuals or short-lived perennials. They all rely on a mechanism. persistent and long-lived seed bank. They may be Dormancy is divided into two types: highly visible for short periods of time but the Physical: a hard seed coat that prevents the majority of their life is entirely cryptic in the soil ingression of water and is only broken by age or seed base. heat. Actinotus forsythii is an annual that is almost Physiological: This can be broken by such things as entirely dependent on fire to germinate and recruit seasonal temperatures and smoke. seedlings. It is highly visible for a short period of Mark started his career as a researcher into time but dies as it completes flowering. It spends Australian native plant seed physiology, reading all most of its life in the soil seed bank. the text books available, which were mainly from The study John is going to undertake will Europe. So, it was not surprising that his initial investigate the seed ecology of populations of A. experiments into breaking seed dormancy failed to forsythii in the central table lands near Lithgow in produce any germination at all. But he persevered. relation to altered disturbance (fire) regimes and Smoke has been shown by others to greatly improve climate change. the germination rate of problematic seeds and it was The meeting was a success in terms of the number assumed break the seeds dormancy. of visitors and the fact that people stayed long after work has produced a remarkable conclusion: smoke the meeting was over and seemed to enjoy does not break dormancy - but it does enhance themselves. The sumptuous spread provided by germination after the dormancy is broken. Pam and cohorts may have had something to do Physiologically dormant seeds usually have a with this. Thanks to Bruce Angus for moving the specific dormancy-breaking temperature cycle. This engines, all who helped to set up and all who can be quite low for some but many respond to a attended. Please come again. temperature around 80ºC. Case studies - Leucopogon: The seeds did not respond to short Special Interest term treatments such as fire or seasonal Deadline for contributions to the summer stratification but long term burial alleviated newsletter is Sunday 28 October. dormancy and smoke enhanced % germination. Any items suitable for inclusion in the newsletter Asterolasia buxifolia: This obligate seeder, requires may be sent to the Editor (Post to Secretary or e- 6-8 weeks of winter temperatures to germinate and mail [email protected]) before the deadline. this is enhanced by smoke. Preferred format is unformatted text in a Word Boronia floribuda: Another obligate seeder, it also file. needs 6-8 weeks of cooler temperatures and smoke Working Bees are held on the second Thursday of enhances response. month at IRFB starting at 9am and include weeding, Field trials also indicated that Ericaceae and mulching and munching. Rutaceae produced winter flushes of seedlings after Propagation days at Illawong Rural Fire Station on both summer and winter fires, confirming the the 1st Saturday 1pm and Tuesdays 9am are a seasonal nature of the dormancy. great opportunity to be involved in interesting This information is vital in working out burn off projects and learn new skills. Members can assist in regimes. MWG ventures or propagate species for themselves. I certainly hope Mark and co. keep working on the Please contact Lloyd (95431216) for more details drive mechanisms of dormancy and germination on these opportunities. because there is a long way to go and I am sure Keep up to date with our Facebook page or many more surprises are waiting to be unearthed. I website, http://menaiwildflower.austplants.com.au/. also hope the Rural Fire Service find a way to Meetings are held at the Illawong Rural Fire consult with Mark and colleagues when planning Brigade Headquarters each month except January. Hazard Reduction Burns. Most meetings are held on the second Wednesday John Porter followed up with a short presentation on at 7pm but over winter (June to September) this Actinotus ssp. titled Flannel flowers - ecology & changes to the second Saturday of the month at 1pm. responses to disturbance. New members and friends are welcome.

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Remember that members of Menai Wildflower IRFS Compound Nursery Group are also welcome at other APS group We have propagated many Pink and White Flannel meetings, bushwalks, etc. Visit the APS NSW flowers and they have also sold well. More will be website www.austplant.com.au/ to check out what ready for spring sales other districts are doing, particularly our neighbours

East Hills and Sutherland: http://easthills.austplants.com.au/ http://sutherland.austplants.com.au/ .

Nurseries Report August 2018 Tip nursery At present we had about 1800 Lomandra longifolia tubed up for the Big Island planting day with 1000 now planted (see later article). The Community Propagation days (1st Saturday of the month) usually produce a number of interested people and some are going on to join Anne, Ruth, Jan and me on Tuesday mornings (9-12pm) producing plants for the group

IRFS Garden Report There were few flowers in the autumn flush due to the drought but conversely the warm weather has resulted in a spring in winter scenario with quite a few species starting flowering in July. Out the front the Melaleuca fulgens purple is already in full flower. Of the new plantings, Grevillea miniata’s Lomandra for Big Island, L Hedges. first flowering is underway in the front corner. The Euc caesia is still in flower and the first golden rods The Glossies in the Mist campaign is getting up a of the Sandpaper Wattle (Acacia denticulosa) are head of steam. We have 6000 Allocasuarina opening. littoralis seedlings tubed up. The first of these will be released at the beginning of September and the rest will follow through October. There are a few more germinated and they will continue to be tubed up. There is a request for still more to follow so this campaign seems to be steaming on. Some more information on the Glossy Black Cockatoos is available at

Acacia glaucoptera, L Hedges. Out the back Grevillea aurea, one of the new plantings, is now in full flower and is definitely worth a visit. Nearby the Isopogon cuneatus we grafted on to the local Isopogon anethifolius is Allocasuarina littoralis for Glossies in the Mist, L Hedges coming into flower. The large pink heads are worth and R Fraser. a look before the rain ruins them. Behind the water tank the Bell-fruited Mallee (Eucalyptus pressiana) Newsletter of Menai Wildflower Group Spring 2018 is in full flower and if you go around to have a look you will also see the Grevillea Ellendale Pool (Grevillea fililoba) in full flower. Over on the mounds the Grevillea preisseii is still in full flower but nearing the end of its time, a pity because it probably draws more comments that any other. The Hakea Burrendong Beauty has already passed its best and is on its way out. It was an eye- catcher in full flower. A plant that has caught the eye of many this year on the tallest mound is a Eucalyptus youngiana/kingsmilli cross with its enormous flower. There are still a few flowers yet to open. Two other plants that deserve a mention are

Melaleuca filifolia with its large pink, fluffy Planting in the area where kikuyu has been killed, P flowers; there are several of them dotted around the Forbes. gardens. Grevillea simplex which we refer to as the All enjoyed the sunny skies and calm seas and vanilla custard plant is coming into flower. On a still appreciated the opportunity to enjoy this interesting day the aroma has got to be the best there is. island. The soil was easy to dig although we were all tired by the end of a strenuous day. The island is Grevillea Park Report now back in the hands (wings?) of the nesting birds and we hope we have more petrels joining the Like the fire station garden, there are few flowers out at the park. The park open day numbers were shearwaters and penguins. August November is down a bit from May and so sales were lower but peak egg-laying with pelicans and ibises already still respectable. The flowering did not approach the nesting. Birds arrive from July with August- peak of previous years, like the IRFS they have November the principal egg-laying months. Little suffered from the drought, but many are budding up Penguin (Eudyptula minor), Wedge-tailed and well for the next open day. Short-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus and tenuirostris), White-faced Storm-petrel

(Pelagodroma marina), Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Crested Tern (Sterna Five Islands bergi), Reef Egret (Egretta sacra), Sooty An intrepid group of members joined Rowena from Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus) and Silver NP and her crew to plant the lomandra that Lloyd Gull (Larus novaehollandiae), all make use of the and his team have been propagating. island. You can see a few in the Youtube video at Erden, Robin, Pam, Greg and Lloyd planted 550 on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tguayyV1Go Tuesday and Marian M and Phil continued the good Reference: work on Thursday with the final count reaching over http://sossa-international.org/forum/content.php?158- 1000 lomandra in by the end of the planting season. Five-Islands-History-and-Future-Management The rest of the seedlings will have to wait till next year as the birds are due to arrive at the island for the start of the breeding season. Please address all correspondence to the Secretary, PO Box 3104 Bangor NSW 2234 Website is www.menaiwildflower.austplants.com.au E-mail is [email protected] President Vacant Vice President Pam Pitkeathly 9771-9789 Secretary Annette Tuckfield 9543-1490 Treasurer Sharon Pearson 0405 508 552 Editor Pam Forbes Publicity Officer Marion Payne 9543-1040 General Committee Margaret Olde 9543-2242 Jan Riley Mary Hedges 9543-1216 Robin and Lloyd heading out, P Forbes.

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