The Clematis

Summer 2005/2006 Issue No 66

BAIRNSDALE

POSTAGE

Victoria

3875 PAID

Quarterly Newsletter of theBairnsdale & District

Field Naturalists Club Inc A0006074C

28 1 BAIRNSDALE & DIST FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC. ed 333 orchids, the highest number ever recorded. A0006074C List of Office Bearers for 2006 Camp-outs were held at Native Dog Flat in January and at Moroka River President: Pat McPherson ph. (03) 5152 2614 in early December. Secretary: Wendy Parker ph. (03) 5152 2615 Treasurer: Margaret Regan ph. (03) 5156 2541 In October, your President attended the South Eastern Australian Natural- ists Association annual Spring Camp which was held at Mallacoota this Correspondence to: year. It was well organized by the Sale & District Field Naturalist Club The Secretary, and attended by 150 keen field naturalists from all over and be- P.O. Box 563, yond and was a great success. BAIRNSDALE 3875 Web Site: www.eastgippsland.com/bdfnc Also in October the Club organized a dinner at the Main Hotel to farewell Lindsay Simmons, a committed long term member of the Club and the General meetings take place at: immediate past President who has moved to Western to live. Noweyung Centre, 84 Goold Street Bairnsdale 3rd. Friday of the month at 7.30pm sharp. No meeting June, July, August October also saw the Club’s request for a identification course at Committee meetings take place: Thursday of the previous week Forestech become a reality. It was open to all comers and nine of the before the 3rd. Friday of the month at members homes except June, July, eighteen participants were members of our Club. Over six weeks, we August when held on field excursions if required. gained an enormous amount of knowledge which we can now build on and . which will inform our future excursions. Group Co-ordinators: The course was ably led by Bruce Macpherson who has informed us that Botanic Group: James Turner Ph. (03) 5155 1258 Forestech will offer it again next Spring and in addition arrange any edu- Fauna Survey Group: Jenny Edwards Ph. (03) 5157 5556 cation programme, long or short, that our Club would like to request. G.L.O.G. Lynn Turner Ph. (03) 5155 1258 Bushwalking Group: Noel Williamson Ph. (03) 5152 1737 I would like to record my thanks to the management of Noweyung for the Newsletter Editor: Pauline Stewart Ph. (03) 5152 2135 continued use of their building for our general meetings and to thank Em- 80 Bengworden Rd. Bairnsdale.3875 ma Rowe and through her, the Department of Sustainability and Environ- email: [email protected] ment for the use of their facility in August and the use of their data projec- tor. Finally, thanks to the Office Bearers and the Group Co-ordinators for their All articles for Autumn Clematis must be in by March 1st. contribution to the activities of the Club which has made 2005 another successful year. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 1. To further the study of natural history in all its branches, promoted by periodical meetings, field excursions and other activities. 2. To observe and strengthen the laws for the preservation & protection of Pat McPherson indigenous flora and fauna and habitat and important geological features. 3. To promote the formation and preservation of National and State Parks President and Reserves.

2 27 PRESIDENT’S REPORT—December 2005 RULES TO OBSERVE ON FIELD TRIPS: 1. Excursions are cancelled on days of TOTAL FIRE BAN. I am pleased to present the 2005 Annual Report for the Bairnsdale and Members may proceed on the planned trip AT OWN RISK. District Field Naturalists Club. 2. Participants to keep a visual on the car in front and behind. The six officers of the Club were elected in December 2004 and have par- 3. When making a turn, give signal, and stay at intersection until ticipated in eight committee meetings and two planning meetings. following car has also turned. 4. If separated from other cars, stop, and stay with your car. The current membership of the Club is sixty two. Other members will return to find you.

Seven general meetings of members were held during the year followed by presentations by: SUBSCRIPTION FEES • Elden Marshall and Andrew Bould of natural history photographs • Grant Kuseff on Butterflies and moths of Central America Family membership $25 • Lucy Clausen on the Brush-tailed Wallaby program Single membership $15 • Rohan Bilney on Sooty Owls Mid-year fee (new members only) $ 7.50 • Bob Fisher on Working on the Great Barrier Reef • Ruth Cross on Bees and Bee keeping • Alison Oates on Vegetation mapping in Victoria Responsibility for the accuracy of information and opinions expressed in this The Club also hosted a presentation by Jim Reside on his six month study newsletter rests with the author of the article. of a community of chimpanzees in Uganda. All presentations were advertised in the local paper and attracted interest from people outside of the Club as well.

CONTENTS Monthly field excursions were once again ably led by James Turner to

Marlo Plains, Ewings Marsh, Nargun’s Cave, Ballyhooley at the conflu- Program - January to June 2006 5-6 ence of the Buchan and Snowy Rivers, Mount Sugarloaf, the Chinese Dig- Boole Poole 7-8 gings at Melwood, Bullumwaal, Colquhoun Forest, Mounts Buck and Freestone Creek 9-13 Raymond near Orbost, Boole Poole Peninsula, Freestone Creek near Cultivation of Terrestrial Orchids 14-15 Briagalong and Tulloch Ard Road in the National Park. Tullach Ard—Snowy River National Park 16-20

Camp-out to Moroka River 20-23 Monthly bush walks were not as well attended as the field excursions and Snippets 24 three were cancelled because of lack of participants. Nonetheless, walks Statement of Receipts and Expenditure 2005 25 were enjoyed to the Lake Tyers area, Lonely Bay, Gray’s Track, Old President’s Report 2005 26-27 Mitchell River Weir, Fairy Dell, and the Glenaladale area. A bike ride along the Rail Trail was substituted for one of the cancelled walks.

In March, Jenny Edwards conducted the Club’s annual fauna survey for the third time in the Mitchell River National Park. In October, the Club conducted the annual Metallic Sun Orchid Survey at Blond Bay and sight-

26 3 CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS and email address’s for meetings STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE and field trips. for the period 2nd November 2004 to 2nd November 2005

Andrew Bould 5156 6494 [email protected] National Bank cheque Account Jenny Edwards 51575556 [email protected] Balance as at 2nd November 2004 189.90 Heather Oke 5156 3231 [email protected] Pat McPherson 5152 2614 [email protected] Receipts Wendy Parker 5152 2615 [email protected] Members’ subscriptions 800.00 Margaret Regan 5156 2541 Supper donations 76.10 Pauline Stewart 5152 2135 [email protected] Bank interest .02 James Turner 5155 1258 [email protected] Birds Australia raffle 40.00 Noel Williamson 5152 1737 [email protected] Donation 5.00 921.12 Sub Total 1111.02 DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY FOR BUSH WALKS Easy Flat, good firm track. Payments Moderately easy Mostly flat, track in good to fair condition Field Nats C1 subscription 55.00 Moderate May be undulating, track in good to fair condition Consumer & Business Affairs– incorporation fee 35.80 Mod. difficult May be some steep sections, track may be rough in Government tax 9.00 places Noweyung hall hire 176.00 Difficult May have long steep sections, track may be non Clematis costs 82.50 existent at times Australia Post– post box 56.00 Walks vary in distance from 6 to 12 km. Treasurer’ expenses 40.30 Contact the leader of the walk for a rating if it’s not included in the Royal Horticultural Soc. of Vic. –insurance 20.00 program. Beth Isakson’s birthday 49.00 Website 104.00 Please take note of safety procedures in your Bairnsdale & District Donation to rock wallabies trust fund 50.00 Field Naturalists Club Inc. ‘RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY’ 677.60 booklet. Balance as at 2nd November 2005 $433.42

Please note this program could be subject to change. Bendigo Bank Gold Account It is your responsibility to contact the co-ordinator of each field Balance as at 2nd November 2004 $5802.82 trip to notify them of your intention to participate. The co- Receipts ordinator can then notify you if the trip has to be cancelled due to Bank interest 300.71 300.71 adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Evening committee meetings may not be required. Please check Balance as at 2nd November 2004 $6103.53 before arriving. Total assets: $6536.95 Membership: 62 4 25 Snippets from “Nature” Autumn 2005 PROGRAM - JANUARY TO JUNE 2006 (Journal of the Sydney Museum) JANUARY Members may have noticed large white jellyfish medusae in the . No committee or general meeting in January These are Common Jellyblubbers which appear in the harbours and estuaries of 6,7,8,9 Camp-out to Native Dog Flat eastern Australia in autumn. They start life as larvae attached to the sea floor Contact: James Turner where they become polyps. These bud off medusae which grow quickly to be- Sun. 22nd Monthly excursion 8.45am (Bridge Club) 9.30am (Nowa come strong enough swimmers to avoid being carried out into deep waters. The Nowa) to Marlo Plains. medusae are different colours in different areas from white to brown and blue. The colour depends on the photosynthetic algae living within their see-through Contact: James Turner tissues. The algae provide the Jellyblubbers with oxygen and nutrients. They are No bush walk an Asian delicacy, so there is an Australian fishery. FEBRUARY 3,4,5th Camp-out to Bogong High Plains, Buckety Plain. Book accommodation at Falls Creek if required. Contact Beth Isakson for location and phone number. Some of us have heard of the New Zealand Governor George Grey who in 1862 Contact: James Turner purchased Kawau Island near Auckland for his personal residence. He planted Thurs. 9th. Committee meeting 7.30pm at Margaret Regan’s home. many exotic trees and shrubs and introduced exotic animals such as zebras and Frid. 17th. General meeting 7.30pm. Presentation by local environment antelopes. There were also a number of Australian species such as the Laughing groups. Kookaburra, Parma, Swamp and Tammar Wallabies and Brush-tailed Rock Wal- labies. The New Zealand authorities have now decided to embark on an eradica- Sun. 19th. Monthly excursion 8.30am (Bridge Club) to Mount Baldhead. tion programme to remove the remaining introduced wildlife Our well-known Contact: James Turner local naturalist Jim Reside has made two trips to the island to capture Brush-tailed Sat. 25th. Nightwalk to spotlight fauna at Rickards Sanctuary, Nowa Rock Wallabies and successfully (with great difficulty) captured some. I think Nowa. $15pp. BYO BBQ. BBQ provided. from DNA studies these were believed to have originated from around Sydney. Contact: Pat McPherson They have gone to the captive breeding programme, where the females are being used as surrogate mothers for Victorian progeny. The Tammar Wallabies have MARCH been found to be of a subspecies which existed on the mainland in South Australia Thurs. 9th. Committee meeting 7.30pm at Pat McPherson’s home. and had been thought to be extinct. Some of these have also been returned to Frid. 17th. General meeting 7.30pm. Speaker: Members from the EG Australia and are being kept at Monarto Zoo in SA for captive breeding and rein- Bird Observers Club to help us with identification of birds troduction into the wild. which may be seen or heard and the Waterholes Guest House. 17,18,19,20 Fauna Survey at Waterholes Guest House. Contact: Jenny Edwards The Australian family Epacridaceae includes native heaths (Epacris) one of which Sun. 18th. Monthly excursion 9.00 am (Bridge Club) to Waterholes is our State emblem, Common Heath (E. impressa), and beard-heaths Guest House. (Leucopogon). Recent research has placed the Epacridaceae in the middle of the Contact: James Turner Ericaceae which includes the rhododendrons of China, the heaths (Erica) of Afri- Sun. 26th. Bushwalk 9.30am Bruthen Walking Trails ca and the heathers (Calluna) of Scotland. The epacrids closest relatives are the Contact: Pauline Stewart blueberries (Vaccinium) from all over the world and the waxberries (Gaultheria) Not yet graded. from Australia, New Zealand and South America. The Epacridaceae members are now placed in a new subfamily Styphelioideae within the family Ericaceae.

24 5 APRIL Euryomyrtus ramosissima (Rosy Baeckea), Gaultheria appressa (Wax Thurs. 6th. Committee meeting 7.30pm at Wendy Parker’s home. Berry), Leucochrysum albicans subsp. albicans var. albicans (Hoary Sun- Frid. 21st. General meeting 7.30pm. Speaker: Alan Scrymgeour ray), Pimelea alpine (Alpine Rice-flower), Tasmannia lanceolate “The Sea Rules” A presentation on our unique marine life (Mountain Pepper), Viola hederacea (Ivy-leaf Violet) and Wahlenbergia from Boyd’s Tower to the Gippsland Lakes. sp. (Blue-bell). Sat 22nd. Monthly excursion. Paynesville - Afternoon and evening sessions with Alan Scrymgeour—”Mud, Sand, Algae and On the way back from the Pinnacles we intended to have a look from Billy Angiosperms!” Wade the shallows and observe the marine Goat Bluff, but one of our two vehicles couldn’t quite make it up the 4WD environment in the late day. track so we headed back to camp for lunch. We broke camp after lunch Details to be finalized with a list of what to bring. and headed for home down the Marathon Road. James pointed out to the Contact: Andrew Bould group the Kybean Mallee-ash (Eucalyptus kybeanensis) (rare) on the way Sun. 30th. Bushwalk 9.00am. To Sandy Creek off Mt. Baldhead Road. down. Usually 2-4 m it grows on shallow soils of exposed rocky sites usu- Contact: Pauline Stewart ally near Snow Gums. Also found were: arborescens (Tall Oxylobium) and Tetratheca labillardierei. About 30km down the Mara- MAY thon Road was Callistemon pallidus (Lemon Bottle-brush) and to finish of Thurs. 11th. 6.00pm Casserole dinner followed by committee meeting and the trip a colourful display of Stylidium sp (Trigger Plant) straddling a sad- planning meeting at Pauline Stewart’s home. dle to great effect. Frid. 19th. General meeting 7.30pm. Speaker: Mary Cole speaking on Many thanks to James for leading us on a mountain weekend. Fungi. Sun. 21st. Monthly excursion 9.30am (Bridge Club) 10.00 (Nowa Nowa) Lake Tyers House Rd. Fungi search with Mary Cole. Sun. 28th. Bushwalk 9.00am to Mitchelldale. Camp site at Horseyard Flat Contact: Wendy Parker Not yet rated. Committee meetings and general meeting are now in recess for the winter.

JUNE Sun. 18th. Monthly excursion to Providence Ponds. Contact: James Turner Sun. 25th. Bushwalk to be announced.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year

May Mother Nature receive all the help she needs in 2006

6 23 subsp. Trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) was discovered sheltering BOOLE POOLE, September 2005 under a ledge. On our map a track should have taken us from here to the by Beth Isakson gorge itself: which showed as just being around the next bend in the river but this track also had returned to nature. A couple of members decided to The night had been windy and wet. At 6.30a.m. the lake was still very bush bash through to the gorge but only one made it. The other retired in choppy. Would the boat trip to Boole Poole Peninsula still go ahead? By defeat. Orchids found near the gorge were: Caledenia phaeoclavia the time the passengers arrived at 10a.m. the lake was calm, the sun was (Spider Orchid), Caladenia congesta (Black-tongue caladenia) and Ca- shining, and the helmsmen and crew were ready to welcome their guests ladenia gracilis (Musky caladenia). found during the walk were: aboard. It was a very smooth trip across the lake to moor at the Silver Shot Derwentia derwentiana (Derwent Speedwell), Derwentia perfoliata Landing at The Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park. Rafts of coots were resting (Diggers Speedwell), Drymophila cyanocarpa (Turquoise Berry), Luzula on the water, Little Black Cormorants were sunning themselves on the meridionalis var. densiflora (Woodrush), Patersonia sericea (Silky Purple jetty posts, some with wings outspread. Pacific Gulls and a pair of Chest- -flag), Diuris monticola? (Mountain Golden Moths), Banksia canei nut Teals also seemed to be enjoying the beautiful weather conditions. A (Mountain Banksia), Greville miqueliana subsp. Moroka (Oval-leaf Gre- Great Egret was stalking on the water’s edge. villea) (rare), Hakea microcarpa (Small-fruit Hakea), Olearia phlogopap- pa var. phlogopappa (Dusty Daisy-bush), Olearia erubescens (Moth Dai- With backpacks in place 9 members strode forth in a westerly direction sy-bush), Ozothamnus conditium (Pepper Everlasting), Persoonia conferti- across a flat saltmarsh plant community. The sun had opened the purple flora (Cluster-flower Geebung), Persoonia chamaepeuce (Dwarf Gee- flowers of the native pig face (Carpobrotus rossii). It has been recorded bung) and squamata syn.aff.rufa (Rustyhood). that the Aborigines ate the fresh or dried globular purplish red fruit, and We all ended up back at camp worn out after strenuous but satisfying also used the salty leaves to flavour their meat. There were also patches of day’s activities. introduced yellow flowered pig face (Carpobrotus edulis ). Austral Sea- blite (Suaeda australis) and Beaded Glasswort (Savcocornia quincefolia ) It is glorious to wake up in the morning to the dawn chorus. Some of the grew on the edges of the wetter regions. It was disappointing to see patch- birds heard and seen were: Flame Robin, Grey Fantail, Grey Shrike- es of the pest plant, Prickly Pear. Rosellas flew from tree to tree, and kan- thrush, Rufous Whistler, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, White- garoos were grazing on the grassy slope. We did observe a dead juvenile eared Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Tree Martin, hog deer lying beside the track. Great Cormorant, Pied Currawong, Magpie, Australian Raven, Golden Whistler, Olive Whistler, Eastern Whipbird, Crimson Rosella, Fantailed While crossing the bridge over Baines Swamp we disturbed Welcome Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo, White-naped Honeyeater. Swallows which were nesting underneath. The swamp, more like a calm lake, was home to swans with cygnets. Bordering the swamp were consid- We left camp Monday morning for the short trip to the Pinnacles. We erable areas of Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia). climbed rock steps up to the vacated fire look-out and we were rewarded with views looking down on the and, across to the On the walk through the well drained red gum woodland the flowering south-east: Castle Hill. Fluttering around the summit were many beautiful Coast Beard-heath (Leucopogon parviflorus) dominated the habitat. Other black, white and green, Macleay’s Swallowtail Butterflies. Plants recorded flowering plants were few. There were some flowering Running Postman were: Arthropodium milleflorum (Pale Vanilla Lilly, Brachyscome diversi- (Kennedia prostrata ). This is a plant the Aborigines used, sucking the folia (Tall Daisy), Brachyscome nivalis (Snow Daisy), Brachyscome nectar and using the stems as twine. We saw a few examples of Twining spathulata (Coarse Daisy), Caladenia alpine (Mountain Caladenia), Glycine (Glycine clandestina ) in the tea tree heath, the leaves of a helmet Celmisia latifolia (Silver Snow daisy) (rare), Chrysocephalum semipappo- orchid sp. rosettes of greenhood sp. and a Glossodia major in bud. Soon a sum (Clustered everlasting), Euphrasia lasianthera (Eye Bright) (rare), few flowers were noticed. Also there were a few Trim Greenhoods. We

22 7 passed a patch of the Snowy Daisy-bush (Oleanea lirata ), and clematis damage was very much in evidence throughout the whole area. Trees (Clematis microphyllia) twining through the shrubs. The birds were very were toppled exposing mud encrusted root formations and large branches vocal although were difficult to see. Grey Currawongs and Chestnut Teals lay everywhere on forest floor. On reaching Horseyard Flat, camp was set were seen. Whip Birds, Fan-tailed Cuckoos, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters up and we had some lunch before heading off to see what we could see. and pardalotes were heard. A pair of Grey Thrushes was arguing. We had On the drive to have a look at the Moroka Hut the following plants were to stop to admire two very old red gums at the site of an old hut. Noticea- seen: Podolepis robusta (Alpine Podelepis) (leaf rosettes only), Podolepis ble throughout the walk were some diggings, which after some discussion, jaceoides (Showy Copper-wire Daisy), Muehlenbeckia axillaries (Matted was decided were the damage made by wild pigs. Also secreted in the un- Lignum) (rare), Eucalyptus pauciflora (Snow Gum), Eucalyptus stellulata dergrowth were some water holes, both natural and man made. (Black Sallee), Hibbertia pedunculata (Guinea-flower), Brachyscome spathulata (Coarse Daisy), Craspedia sp. (Orange Billy-button) (rare), The circuit walk brought us back to Baines Swamp. It was a natural incli- Pimelea ligustrina (Tall Rice-flower), Epacris paludosa (Swamp Heath), nation of everyone to sit on the sides of the bridge to rest and admire the Pterostylis monticola (Mountain Greenhood), Lycopodium fastigiatum surroundings – sun shining, calm water, swans & cygnets, and a canoe (Mountain Clubmoss). approaching. Perfect! We walked about 300 metres along a path into the bush to have a look at the cattleman’s hut. Water was overflowing the surrounding pastures On return to Silver Shot Landing, lunch was enjoyed while watching sev- from the swollen streams nearby, creating lakes around the hut. Cattle eral more pairs of swans & cygnets with the lake like a mill pond. were grazing around the hut. It certainly looked the iconic part.

Instead of more walking, it was decided to boat to Box’s and Chinamans Back at camp and a ‘walk about’ discovered many plants of Chiloglottis Creeks. Three dolphins entertained us with their antics. While in the valida (Large Bird Orchid), Ranunculus scapiger (Buttercup), Senecio creeks we could see a sea eagle soaring high. For me the highlight of the pinnatifolius (Variable Groundsel), Craspedia variabilis (Common Billy- day was watching a Whistling Kite flying from tree to tree along the button), Thelymitra media (Tall Sun Orchid), Baloskion australe water’s edge until driven away by an irate magpie. (Mountain Cord-rush), and near the entrance to the flat, a rare Thelymitra Berthing at the jetty, and life jackets off, our hosts Kevin and Ruth Cross simulate (Sun Orchid). and Peter and Helga Pech were thanked for a safe, different, and very en- joyable outing. On Sunday the 4th the group packed their lunches and embarked on a walk A field naturalist’s excursion would not be complete without finding some from the campsite to Moroka Gorge. The beginning of the track was very good orchid specimens. wet with swollen streams and creeks, and water channels had to be negoti- We preceded to the site of the old hot pools The orchid species observed ated where the track should have been. We passed through a sphagnum while walking to the observation platform just topped off a wonderful day. morass and on and up onto higher, dryer, terrain. The track was unmain- Healthy specimens of Pterostylis curta (Blunt Greenhood ), Pterostylis tained and at times difficult going. After hearing the roar and feeling the nutans (Nodding Greenhood ), Pterostylis penunculata (Maroon Geen- spray from a distance we reached the first falls. An enormous amount of hood ) and Pterostylis concinna (Trim Greenhood) and Acianthus pusillus water was pouring over the falls and it made a wonderful sight. James (Mosquito Orchid ) were admired. was on the lookout for a rare Zieria, (Zieria robusta) and we found it What a way to finish the day! growing amongst large boulders on top of an exposed lookout. Another plant James wanted to find, couldn’t be found, as a track that it had been reported to grow on had reverted back to nature. We continued on down a steep section until we reached the Moroka River. Here there was a rocky platform beside the river and a rare Asplenium trichomanes

8 21 site sessile pinnae and the sporangia along the edges of the pinnae and FREESTONE CREEK - 23 October 2005 covered by the margin; and Hard water-fern. A female Common Brown by Margaret Regan Butterfly was observed. Grasses are the larval plants of this butterfly. On our way to Freestone Creek we paused first (as it was spring and peak We then descended back to the Buchan - Gelantipy Road through dry for- flowering time) to peruse the grasslands beside the railway line along the est. At a site where James collected the seed of the rare Smooth Tea-tree Fernbank - Lindenow Road. Some original vegetation has been preserved ( glabrescens) to send to the Global Seed Bank at Kew Gar- along the railway lines, while it has been completely cleared for agricul- dens in London, we saw Bushy clubmoss (Lycopodium deuterodensum) tural purposes everywhere else and the indigenous plants replaced with and Pouched Coral Fern (Gleichenia dicarpa). The clubmoss (which is pasture grasses. Areas of this remnant grassland, which is so rich in her- not a moss, but more advanced) is a small plant to 100cm looking like a baceous species, have been fenced and are managed by the Department of tiny tree but not woody, with many small leaves around the stems. Spo- Sustainability and Environment. The beautiful Purple Donkey Orchid rangia are borne in cones at the ends of the branches and when ripe release (Diuris punctata) whose status is vulnerable has been especially pre- clouds of yellow spores. The coral fern is scrambling and has a very open served. This orchid usually has two slender leaves to 25cm and a flower repeatedly branching system of fronds. Each ultimate pinnule forms a stalk to 60cm with 2-10 flowers. The stalked , labellum and dorsal pouch and when fertile encloses two sporangia. are purple and spotted, with the long thin lateral more green. Another orchid in bloom was also a donkey orchid; the Tiger Orchid Another glorious day thanks to James. (Diuris sulphurea) so called for its sulphur-yellow colour. Its flower has bold brown blotches on the yellow perianth parts, but they don’t look very CAMP OUT TO HORSEYARD FLAT, MOROKA RIVER AREA tiger-like! A sun orchid was blue Slender Sun Orchid (Thelymitra pauci- 3rd to 5th December 2005 flora). The sun orchids have simple flowers where all the perianth parts by Pauline Stewart, Heather Oke and James Turner are similar and there is no specialised labellum. The male and female parts are still organised into a . The column is the prominent struc- Five members ventured forth from Bairnsdale on Saturday 3rd. heading for ture in the centre of an orchid flower and is formed by the fusion of the the Moroka area. We met up with another member (Joy Johnstone) from style with the staminal filaments. The stigma is usually sunken and filled South Gippsland at Licola. While waiting for us Joy recorded the Noisy with a fluid. The anther is usually a cap-like structure at the top of the Friarbird, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Wood Duck, Common Bronzewing column. The pollen grains in most orchids are collected in packets known Pigeon, Grey Fantail and Superb Fairywren. as pollinia and the whole packet is removed by a pollinator when it visits the flower. The pollen may be aggregated in pollinia so that as many pol- After a cuppa at Licola we all headed up the Moroka Rd. to Horseyard len grains as possible are carried to the next plant as the ovaries of orchids Flat. Along the way to our camp site were many species of plants in contain vast numbers of ovules. Sun orchids are named because their massed flower. Oxylobium ellipticum (Common Shaggy Pea), Daviesia flowers only open in response to hot sun. Another orchid was the Slender laxiflora (Mountain Bitter Pea), Viola hederacea (Ivy-leaf Violet), Dianel- Onion Orchid (Microtis parviflora). This orchid has a flower stem to la tasmanica (Tasman Flax-lily), Euphrasia collina (Eye Bright) Subsp. 50cm which bears up to 80 very small (3mm) greenish flowers with heart- not noted but most likely paludosa as quite common and showy in area. shaped labellums. Daisies were yellow Common Everlasting The day was not cold but it was overcast, with intermittent light showers. (Chrysocephalum apiculatum) which has flower heads in terminal clusters It was intended to begin the camp on the previous day but it was cancelled and the also yellow Button Everlasting (Helichrysum scorpioides) with a due to the weather conditions which were very poor, with lots of rain in solitary large flower head. A pea was Smooth Parrot-pea (Dillwynia gla- the area. The lady at the Licola shop told us they had about 25ml on Fri- berrima) which has arching branches with hanging clusters of yellow and day, following on from 40ml a few days earlier. Previous storm and snow crimson flowers. Lilies were Milkmaids (Burchardia umbellata), a small

20 9 herb with white starry flowers with a dark red ovary and anthers; and the most unusual bluey-grey flowers. Apparently older film couldn’t cap- Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum) which has delicate mauve flowers ture this strange flower colour and they were photographed as brown. A with crinkly-edged petals. There was also Grass Trigger-plant (Stylidium very prevalent herbaceous unnoticed plant that we saw constantly was a graminifolium) which has a tuft of grass-like leaves and a spike-like flow- raspwort (Gonocarpus teucrioides) which has toothed leaves and very in- ering stalk with many pink flowers. The flowers are very unusual. The conspicuous separate male and female flowers. In the drain along the side filaments of the two are united with the style to form a column. of the road were two water ferns Fishbone water-fern (Blechnum nudum) The anthers (carrying the male pollen) are attached at the top of the col- and Hard water-fern (B. wattsii). These two species of water-fern have umn with the stigma (female part receiving pollen) between them. The distinct barren and fertile fronds with the fertile fronds much narrower and column is at first reflexed. When an insect visits the flower to collect nec- borne in the centre of the plant. The spore structures are borne in continu- tar, the sensitive column springs up and deposits pollen on the insect’s ous bands either side of the midrib beneath the frond. We heard Pied Cur- back. After the insect leaves with the pollen, the column is reset and the rawong and a very loud . A Macleay’s Swallowtail stigma becomes receptive. When the next insect visits, the column is butterfly was seen feeding on the flowers of a Christmas Bush. The adults again triggered and hopefully this new insect is carrying the pollen of an- fly rapidly high up in the canopy or in sunlit areas in the understorey, oc- other plant and this is deposited onto the stigma. Pollen grains can then casionally descending to feed from other flowers such as tea-tree and dai- germinate on the stigma, grow down the style into the ovary and fertilise sies. In Victoria the larval food plant for this butterfly is Sassafras the waiting ovules. Two tiny herbs were Common Rice-flower (Pimelia (Atherosperma moschatum). Swallowtails are large butterflies, often humilis) and Thyme Spurge (Phyllanthus hirtellus). black and green such as the Macleay’s.

Further west along the railway line, an area has been protected to preserve At Ash Saddle we were on cool temperate rainforest with magnificent an endangered orchid, the Gaping Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum correctum). towering Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) with silver wattles below. There are only a very small number of plants in this enclosure and they Also in the mid storey were Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) which very rarely flower. Wynne’s very sharp orchid-searching eyes found a has a conical shape and opposite serrated leaves that are whitish below and new flower. The enclosure was filled with a gorgeous swathe of Choco- nutmeg scented; Black Olive-berry (Elaeocarpus holopetalus) whose late Lilies and there were more Milkmaids and another lily, the yellow leaves are alternate, serrated and brown beneath with sunken veins; and Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa) whose stamens have bearded filaments. Austral Mulberry (Hedycarya angustifolia) which has opposite glossy ser- rated leaves and fruits like a yellow mulberry. There were two large shrub We then headed up into the hills and further west to Insolvent Track where daisies, Blanket-leaf (Bedfordia arborescens) where the leaves are dark overhead the Silvertop Ash (Eucalyptus sieberi) flowered. Daisies includ- green above and very woolly white beneath and is very obvious with dead ed the Snowy Daisy-bush (Olearia lirata); a Fireweed (Senecio sp.); and leaves hanging below the branches; and Musk Daisy-bush (Olearia argo- the mauve or blue Brachyscome spathulata. The two delicate violets, phylla) with alternate serrated leaves, green above and silver with raised white and mauve Ivy-leaf Violet (Viola hederacea) which has creeping veins beneath. Other large shrubs were Hazel Pomaderris (Pomaderris above-ground stems and deeper violet Showy Violet (V. betonicifolia) aspera); Stinkwood (Zieria arborescens) with opposite leaves with three which has a basal tuft of leaves, were admired and compared. There were leaflets and branchlets covered with glands; and Banyalla (Pittosporum peas (Family ) - Rough Bush-pea (Pultenaea scabra) with wedge bicolor) which has narrow dark green leaves and capsules which open to -shaped rough leaves; and Hop Bitter-pea (Daviesia latifolia) which has reveal bright red sticky seeds. Two creepers were Wait-a-while or Lawyer large flattened phyllodes (petioles) acting as leaves. The Family Rutaceae -vine (Smilax australis) with broad leaves and very long prickly stems; includes the edible citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. The leaves and Twining Silkpod (Parsonsia brownii) whose fruit is a with contain oil glands and most are very scented. This family includes our silky-plumed seeds. Ferns were Soft Treefern (Dicksonia antarctica); boronias and correas. In these hills we saw in this family the Sandfly Bat’s wing (Histiopteris incisa), a large pale green fern with paired oppo-

10 19 the many flower-heads have 3-15 white ray florets. Zieria (Zieria smithii). It is a tall sparse shrub with a warty glandular stem. The other local species Stinkwood (Z. arborescens) has a furry Past the locality New Guinea grows a grevillea (Grevillea brevifolia stem. Another member of this family here was Long-leaf Wax-flower subsp. polychroma) which is well named as the flowers came in several (Philotheca myoporoides). The genus Philotheca used to be Eriostemon. different colours - red, orange and cream?? This species was once includ- Two guinea-flowers were Showy Guinea-flower (Hibbertia obtusifolia) ed in Royal Grevillea (G. victoriae). The grevilleas are in the family Pro- which has blunt leaves; and prickly Guinea-flower (H. calycina) whose teaceae. Members of this family have a flower with a perianth (sepals and leaves have a sharp point. The yellow Hop Goodenia (Goodenia ovata) petals) of four similar parts. The stamens are united to these parts and the was in flower as was Nodding Blue Lily (Stypandra glauca); one of the style is very long eventually protruding way beyond the rest of the flower. Pink-bells (Tetratheca bauerifolia); and Creamy Candles (Stackhousia The pollen is often shed onto the end of the style before the flower opens monogyna). The flowers of Creamy Candles have a sweet perfume and and while the style is extending. The stigma is receptive later after the are pollinated by night-flying moths (hence the cream colour, more obvi- pollen has dispersed. Two peas were Gorse Bitter-pea (Daviesia ulicifo- ous at night???). These flowers are in a dense spike-like . Birds lia) with phyllodes (leaf stalks adapted as leaves), spiny branchlets and we heard were Grey Shrike Thrush, Fantail Cuckoo and Spotted Pardalote. triangular seed pods; and the Prickly Bush-pea (Pultenaea forsythiana). Two orchids were the blue Tall Sun Orchid (Thelymitra media) with dark- We took a detour to Mt Difficulty and along the road we stopped especial- er streaks on the sepals and petals and the Red Beard Orchid (Calochilus ly to see the rare Galbraiths Boronia (Boronia galbraithiae ). This boronia paludosa). This beard orchid grows in moist low-lying areas as well as has very dissected leaves and pale pink flowers. We felt very privileged well drained areas, hence the “palu” which is Latin for “swamp”. Most as this plant only grows in this small area, and one other nearby, in the beard orchids are easily recognised by the long dense hairs covering the whole wide world. (I once fed a Lord Howe Island Wood Hen, in the labellum. A small interesting shrub was Shrubby Platysace (Platysace wild, macadamia nut bar, and was ecstatic to know that I was with a bird lanceolata) and it shows the characteristic floral arrangement of the family of which there were only about 200 in the whole wide world.) This boro- Apiaceae which also includes carrot, celery, dill and parsley. The flowers nia was named after the celebrated amateur botanist Jean Galbraith who are many in an umbrella-shape called a compound umbel. In an umbel the lived and worked in at Tyers, was a member of the flowers have stalks which all arise from the same terminal point on the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists and wrote the only complete Victorian stem. field guide for smaller plants. (I recommend reading Anne Latreille’s book “Kindred Spirits” which tells the story of the relationship between Jean We moved higher and finally into the Snowy River National Park. Parts Galbraith and Joan Law-Smith, two women with very different back- of the area must have been added to the Park more recently and had obvi- grounds. Joan Law-Smith was beginning botanical illustration and real- ously been logged in the not too distant past. The trees were quite young ised that she needed botanical knowledge of the plants to paint them accu- and even-aged. The Victorian Christmas Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos) rately. Jean Galbraith taught her plant identification by correspondence gave a lovely white display (perhaps a little early!!). It is a tall shrub with using her own diagrams and drawings. It's a fascinating tale and instruc- upright sprays of flowers and drooping leaves. The Slender Tea-tree tive for those learning about plants. The book is in the (Leptospermum brevipes) has reddish drooping branchlets. A new mem- Council library.) ber of the Goodeniaceae was the herb Lanky Goodenia (Goodenia elonga- ta) which was small (about 20cm) with a single yellow stalked flower. On then to Freestone Creek via Winkie Creek Road. The road follows the creek for many kilometres. Our first stop was to count another rare or- We moved to an area of very tall Silver Wattles (Acacia dealbata) and chid, this time, a greenhood, the Leafy Greenhood (Pterostylis cucullata) more of the Christmas Bush. Here was another very unusual mint, of which we found 58 specimens. This orchid is quite robust on a short Blotchy Mint-bush (Prostanthera walteri). This was a small shrub with stem to 15cm, the flower being up to 30mm, which is twice the size of the

18 11 Trim Greenhood. The single flower is mostly reddish brown and the pet- it with a flower stem to 50cm. Ten to thirty yellowish green fragrant flow- als and sepals are softly hairy. Other greenhoods found close by along the ers (10mm) borne in an open spike. It is apparently confined in Victoria creek were Blunt Greenhood (P. curta), Maroonhood (P. pedunculata) and to East Gippsland. We counted 57 spikes, which is down on last year. Mountain Greenhood (P. alpina). Also along the creek edge was Maiden- Again we saw a hyacinth orchid, this time in flower and it was identified hair Fern (Adiantum sp.). Along the road bank were Green-comb Spider as Dipodium punctatum. This orchid has spotted petals and sepals and a Orchids (Caladenia phaeoclavia). There were also peas; a Bush-pea dark labellum. Another hyacinth orchid (D. roseum) which is also local, (Pultenaea foliolosa), a sprawling rusty hairy shrub with tiny, almost has reflexed sepals and petals and they are blotched rather than spotted. round leaves; Hop Bitter-pea and the climber Twining Glycine (Glycine One tiny herb were Small Poranthera (Poranthera microphylla) with mi- clandestina) which has slender stems to 1m and purple flowers; and the nute white flowers in leafy corymbs. Corymbs are an arrangement of the daisy Showy Podolepis (Podolepis jaceoides) whose single bright yellow flowers where the flowers originate from the stem at different levels but heads are fringed with deeply cut ray florets. The overstorey was Apple their stalks (pedicels) are of differing lengths so that the flowers are all Box (Eucalyptus bridgesiana) or Gippsland Peppermint (Eucalyptus held on the same level and the whole arrangement looks like a head. An- croajingalensis). Birds about were Grey Shrike Thrush and Spotted Par- other small herb was Pomax (Pomax umbellata). Here the groups of flow- dalote. ers have stalks (peduncles because there is more than one flower) which all arise from the same point so that they form an umbel. While at this site A little further along the road was the bower of a Satin Bowerbird sur- we heard Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Golden Whistler and Fantail Cuck- rounded by bright blue objects, mainly Crimson Rosella feathers. Another oo. object of interest by the side of the road was one shrub, a prostrate form of the Sallow Wattle (Acacia floribunda). There was also Creeping Bossiaea Further north again the overstorey was Silvertop Ash (Eucalyptus sieberi) (Bossiaea prostrata) and another climber Common Apple-berry whose bark when older looks very like ironbark, being dark, hard and fur- (Billardiera scandens) which has linear leaves with wavy edges, yellowish rowed, but the upper branches have peeling gumbark leaving distinctive hanging tubular flowers and green berries. silvery branches. The bark on the young trees is flaky like the bark of gee- bungs. The Hickory Wattle (Acacia penninervis) which has phyllodes and A slope by the road further west was a treasure trove of orchids with Dot- flowers in globular heads was flowering and there was Black She-oak ted Sun Orchid (Thelymitra ixioides), Purplish Beard Orchid (Calochilus (Allocasuarina littoralis) with tree-ferns in the gullies. James asked us to robertsonii), one plant of which was half a metre high with 6 flowers, try and identify a plant we rarely see. Those of us who have been attend- Common Bird Orchid (Chiloglottis valida), Wax-lip, Tiger Orchid and ing the Plant Identification course at Forestech should have been able to Musky Caladenia (Caladenia gracilis). The Daphne Heath (Brachyloma recognise the family. The small shrub, on a difficult to access slope, was daphnoides) in white flower was plentiful, as was Nodding Blue Lily and covered with mauve flowers and was Purple Coopernookia (Coopernookia Wattle Mat Rush (Lomandra filiformis) with yellow flowers. There were barbata) which is in the family Goodeniaceae where mostly the flowers many of the delightful Slender Violet-bush (Hybanthus monopetalus) with are irregular and two-lipped or fan-shaped and there is a pollen cup or in- the one petalled bright purple-blue flowers. It seems much too small and dusium at the top of the style. Purple Coopernookia has star-shaped hairs delicate to be called a “bush”. Again we heard a Fantail Cuckoo, but also on the leaves (you would need a hand lens to see these) which probably Kookaburra and Pied Currawong. explains the specific name “barbata” which is Latin for “bearded”. Inter- estingly two other members of that same family were growing nearby, In one area which must have been damper than surrounding areas the eu- being Hop Goodenia (Goodenia ovata) a shrub with yellow flowers and calypt was the unusual Silverleaf Stringybark (Eucalyptus conspicua). In Blue Dampiera (Dampiera stricta). Also along the road were the daisies this shadier area grew the orchids Pink Fingers (Caladenia carnea) and Golden Everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum) and Twiggy Daisy-bush Nodding Greenhood (Pterostylis nutans), Blue Dampiera (Dampiera stric- (Olearia ramulosa) whose small leaves have white cottony undersides and

12 17 TULLACH ARD ROAD, SNOWY RIVER NATIONAL PARK ta), Cluster-flower Geebung (Persoonia confertifolia) with green fruits 20 November 2005 and the tiny Screw fern (Lindsaea linearis). Nearby a Superb Lyrebird by Margaret Regan carolled.

Out from Buchan our first stop was along Basin Rd. where we saw Blunt- Freestone Creek passes through quite steep gorges with rocky sides and tongue Greenhood (Pterostylis atrans) which has very fine lateral sepals we stopped at McKinnon Point for afternoon tea. Here the creek runs over and the extension of the galea is also extended into a fine point. Trees large pebbles of many different colours and opposite the picnic area was a overhead were Mountain Grey Gum (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa) which has cliff of conglomerate with many small caves. Welcome Swallows could peeling gum bark, the buds (usually 7) and therefore the fruit are borne on be seen nesting in one of the larger caves. The calls of Golden Whistler, a long flattened peduncle (stalk). Lilies were the very common Nodding Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Whipbird and Pere- Blue Lily (Stypandra glauca) which has deep blue pendent flowers with grine Falcon were heard. reflexed sepals and petals, and bright yellow stamens; Pale Vanilla-lily (Arthropodium milleflorum) with hanging mauve flowers and mauve hairy A great day thanks again to James. stamens; and Common Fringe-lily (Thysanotus tuberosus) whose mauve petals are differentiated from the sepals by a surrounding fringe of hairs. The daisy Shiny Cassinia (Cassinia longifolia) which has clusters of small white flower heads was budding profusely. Small plants were Common Rice-flower (Pimelea humilis) and where the area was a little damper the fern Common maidenhair (Adiantum aethiopicum). This delicate looking fern survives quite well in exposed situations and is found all over Aus- tralia.

Further north now on the Tullach Ard Road itself we often saw a Hyacinth Orchid (Dipodium sp.) appearing. Although the flowering stems may be green, all these were burgundy coloured, looking much like (except for the colour) asparagus stalks. The small Pale Flax-lily (Dianella laevis) showed its tall stalks with many mid blue flowers with the anthers longer than the orange swollen part of the filament. There were a few plants of the small deep purple Austral Bugle (Ajuga australis) from the Mint fami- ly Lamiaceae. Plants in this family have square stems, opposite aromatic leaves and a two-lipped corolla (petals). Another greenhood was Rustyhood (Pterostylis squamata). This orchid has a rosette of leaves and a flowering stem with 3-15 reddish flowers. The labellum of the flower has prominent marginal hairs.

At another very dry site we spread out over the hillside to count the VROT (very rare or threatened) Forest Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum sylvestre). Flowers of leek orchids are borne upside down on the stalk and usually in large numbers on the stalk. The Forest Leek Orchid has a tall slender hab-

16 13 Cultivation of some Terrestrial Greenhoods final level of the mix. Add remaining mix, firm, water and label. by Margaret Regan Coarse sand or She-oak (Casuarina) needles can be placed on top of the pot as a mulch. The needles also provide a good environment for orchid Information collected from a number of texts on the cultivation of colony- seed germination. forming greenhoods following the purchase by many members of speci- Pots should preferably be kept off the ground as snails and slugs are very mens of the Blunt Greenhood (Pterostylis curta). These greenhoods are fond of orchids. one of the easiest to grow and multiply well. Pots should be kept evenly damp during the growing period, which for most terrestrials in temperate Australia begins in autumn, going through When repotting, it is recommended that the new potting mix should con- winter and into spring. Late in spring when the leaves yellow, pots must tain 50% of the old mix to ensure the presence of suitable mycorrhizal be allowed to dry out. During summer, a light sprinkle about once a week fungi. is all that is required to prevent the tubers from dehydrating. By the end of December, most of the plants will have died down and be Basic Potting Mix ready for repotting if required. All colony-forming species should be re- Coarse sand - 2 parts potted yearly, as some species increase by up to 5 times in one season. Mountain soil - 1 part (My plants increased from 6 to 18 this year, although only 10 flowered.) Buzzer chips - 1 part If the pots are tipped over a 5mm sieve, most of the mix will fall through Leaf mould - 1 part and the tubers can be readily found. If the tubers have multiplied well, use The addition of approx 1 dspn blood and bone per bucket of mix helps a larger pot or two pots. Good luck!! replace nitrogen bound up by the use of buzzer chips.

Coarse sand provides drainage and should not be full of clay. If contami- nated, wash well. Mountain soil (rich heavy loam) provides food for the plants and helps retain moisture. The soil should preferably be natural with no weeds and no fertilisers. The editor would like to thank all those who contributed to Buzzer chips (hardwood or softwood, but not western red cedar or treated the Clematis in 2005. Many thanks also to the staff at the pine) provide food for the fungi and assist in drainage. Sawdust is not Department of Sustainability and Environment suitable. (Bairnsdale) for their help and interest in producing our Leaf mould is particularly important as food for the fungi. Obtain from newsletter. the surface layer under suitable trees and consisting of a mixture of recent- ly fallen leaves, partly broken down leaves and humus. Most commonly used trees are eucalypts, she-oaks and Coastal Tea-tree. Coastal species of orchids benefit from mixes which contain leaf mould from coastal areas and some grey coastal sandy loam. SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2006 ARE NOW DUE

Minimum pot diameter should be 10cm. A piece of shadecloth, placed in (see page 3) please send to: The Treasurer, BDFNC the bottom over the drainage holes before the mix, keeps out tuber eaters such as slugs and snails. Fill the pot about two-thirds full with mix and P.O. Box 563, arrange tubers in it. The tops of the tubers should be about 3 cm below the BAIRNSDALE Vic. 3875

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