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Department of Sustainability and Environment Department of Primary Industries This project is funded as part of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority Regional Catchment Strategy in the Shepparton Irrigation Region and is provided with support and funding from the Australian Government and Victorian Government. This project is delivered primarily through partnerships between the Department of Primary Industries, Goulburn Murray Landcare Network, Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority, Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee and other bodies.

Published by: Department of Primary Industries Catchment and Agriculture Services 255 Ferguson Road, Victoria, Australia January 2007

© The State of Victoria, 2007

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

Authorised by: Victorian Government 1 Treasury Place Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia

Printed by: PrintWorks Print & Copy Solutions Pty Ltd 195b Corio Street, Shepparton, Victoria, Australia

ISBN: 1 74106 985 8

Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

For more information about DPI visit the website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Cover photo: Grey Box woodland. Inserts (left to right): Leafy Templetonia (Templetonia stenophylla), Pussy Tails (Ptilotus spathulatus), Blue Devil (Eryngium ovinum), Cut-leaf Burr-Daisy (Calotis anthemoides). Contents

Acknowledgments Contents

The Sustainable Irrigated Landscapes - Goulburn Broken, Index of common and botanical names i - iv Environmental Management Program staff compiled this booklet based on research of literature and Symbols iv communication with recognised flora scientists. Plant descriptions: A variety of sources were referred to for the information contained in this booklet. These are listed on page 45. Trees 1

Thanks go to all Environment Program staff who have Shrubs 9 been involved in this publication over time, especially Fiona Copley for her significant dedication and Grasses 17 commitment to follow through with publishing this booklet. Ground vegetation 20

Thanks also goes to the Goulburn Murray Landcare Pre-European major vegetation groups 43 Network for enabling the printing of this booklet and to Circa 1997 major vegetation groups 44 the Shepparton Irrigation Region Implementation Committee for their ongoing support. References 45

Best management practice 46

Funding opportunities 46 Index of common and botanical plant names

Name Form Page Name Form Page acinacea S 9 Broughton Pea G 38 Acacia dealbata T 1 Bulbine bulbosa G 21 Acacia hakeaoides S 9 Bulls-eye (see Common Early Nancy) G 42 Acacia implexa T 1 Buloke T 3 Acacia montana S 10 Buloke Mistletoe - 3 Acacia paradoxa S 10 Bursaria spinosa S 12 Acacia pycnantha S 11 Acacia salicina T 2 Caladenia caerulea G 23 Acacia stenophylla T 2 Callistemon sieberi S 12 Acacia verniciflua S 11 Callitris glaucophylla T 4 Allocasuarina leuhmanii T 3 Calocephalus citreus G 23 Amyema linophylla - 3 Calotis anthemoides G 24 Arthropodium minus G 20 Calotis scabiosifolia G 24 Arthropodium strictum G 20 Carex tereticaulis G 25 Atriplex semibaccata G 21 Carex bichenoviana G 25 Austrostipa sp. Gr 17 Casuarina cunninghamiana T 3 Austrodanthonia sp. Gr 17 Chocolate Lily G 20 Chrysocephalum apiculatum G 26 Basalt Daisy (see Swamp Daisy) G 22 Common Early Nancy G 42 Berrigan S 14 Common S 14 Berry Saltbush G 21 Common Everlasting G 26 Black Box T 6 Common Nardoo G 33 Black-anther Flax-lily G 27 Common Tussock Grass Gr 19 Bluebush G 33 Common Wheat-grass Gr 18 Blue Caladenia G 23 Convolvulus erubescens G 26 Blue Devil G 29 Cotula coronopifolia G 27 Blushing Bindweed G 26 Creamy Candles G 37 Brachyscome basaltica G 22 Curly Windmill Grass (see Spider Grass) Brachyscome chrysoglossa G 22 Gr 18 Form: T= Tree; S= Shrub; Gr= Grasses; G= Groundcover Cut-leaf Burr-daisy G 24 i Index of common and botanical plant names

Name Form Page Name Form Page Desert Cassia S 16 Glossodia major G 29 Dianella revoluta G 27 Gold-dust Wattle S 9 Dillwynia cinerescens S 13 Golden Wattle S 11 Dodonea viscosa subsp. angustifolia S 13 Goodenia G 30 Drumsticks G 36 Goodenia spp. G 30 Grey Box T 5 Einadia nutans G 28 Grey Germander G 40 Elymus scaber Gr 18 Grey Parrot-pea S 13 Enchylaena nutans G 26 Grey Sunray (see Paper Sunray) G 37 Emubush (see Berrigan) S 14 Enchylaena tomentosa G 28 Hakea Wattle S 9 Enteropogon acicularis Gr 18 Hedge Wattle S 10 longifolia S 14 Hakea tephrosperma T 8 Eryngium ovinum G 29 Hollow Sedge G 25 albens T 4 Hooked Needlewood T 8 Eucalyptus camaldulensis T 6 Hyalosperma semisterile G 30 Eucalyptus largiflorens T 6 Hypoxis glabella G 31 Eucalyptus leucoxylon T 7 Eucalyptus melliodora T 5 Juncus spp. G 31 Eucalyptus microcarpa T 5 Eucalyptus tricarpa T 7 Kangaroo Grass Gr 19 Eumong (see River Cooba) T 2 Kangaroo Thorn (see Hedge Wattle) S 10 Eutaxia microphylla S 14 Lambs Tails G 35 Fairies Aprons G 41 Leafy Templetonia G 39 Lemon Beauty-heads G 23 Leptorhynchos squamatus G 32 Leptospermum obovatum S 15 Lightwood T 1 Form: T= Tree; S= Shrub; Gr= Grasses; G= Groundcover Linum marginale G 32 ii Index of common and botanical plant names

Name Form Page Name Form Page Maireana spp. G 33 Pussy Tails G 36 Mallee Wattle S 10 Pycnosorus globosus G 36 Marsilea drummondii G 33 Microseris lanceolata G 34 Red Ironbark T 7 Mimulus gracilis G 34 Red Swainson-pea G 38 Minuria integerrima G 35 Rhodanthe corymbiflora G 37 Muehlenbeckia florulenta S 15 Rigid Panic Gr 30 Mulla Mulla (see Lambs Tails) G 35 River Bottlebrush S 12 Murnong (see Yam Daisy) G 34 River Cooba T 2 Murray Pine (see White Cypress-Pine) River Red Gum T 6 T 4 River She-oak T 3 Myoporum montanum S 16 River Tea-tree S 15 Rough Burr-daisy G 24 Native Flax G 32 Ruby Saltbush G 28 Native Rushes G 31 New Holland Daisy G 41 Scaly Buttons G 32 Nodding Saltbush G 28 Senna artemesoides S 16 Silky Swainson-pea G 39 Orange Sunray G 30 Silver Wattle T 1 Slender Monkey Flower G 34 Paper Sunray G 37 Small Vanilla-lily G 20 Parson-in-the-pulpit (see Wax-lip) G 29 Smooth Minuria G 35 Pink Bindweed (see Blushing Bindweed) Spear-grass Gr 17 G 26 Spider Grass Gr 18 Pittosporum angustifolium T 8 Stackhousia monogyna G 37 Plains Sedge G 25 Sun Orchid G 40 Poa labillardierei Gr 19 Swainsona plagiotropis G 38 Ptilotus spathulatus G 36 Swainsona procumbens G 38 Ptilotus exaltatus G 35 Swainsona sericea G 39 Form: T= Tree; S= Shrub; Gr= Grasses; G= Groundcover Swamp Daisy G 22 Sweet Bursaria S 12 iii Index of common and botanical plant names

Name Form Page Name Form Page Tangled Lignum S 15 Yam Daisy G 34 Templetonia stenophylla G 39 Yellow Box T 5 Teucrium racemosum G 40 Yellow Bulbine-lily G 21 Thelymitra spp. G 40 Yellow Gum T 7 Themeda triandra Gr 19 Yellow Star G 31 Tiny Star (see Yellow Star) G 31 Yellow-tongue Daisy G 22

Umbrella Grass (see Spider Grass) Gr 18 Utricularia dichotoma G 41 Symbols

Vittadinia spp. G 41 Rare/endangered Significant in region Varnish Wattle S 11 R S Rare or threatened within May be widespread or common the state of Victoria. in other areas but is rare in the Wallaby-grass Gr 17 Goulburn-Broken Catchment. Water Buttons G 27 Waterbush S 16 Bird attracting Butterfly attracting Wax-lip G 29 Wedge-leaf Hopbush S 13  Drought tolerant  Prefers wetter areas Weeping Pittosporum T 8 Whalleya proluta G 30 White Box T 4 White Cypress-pine T 4 Willow Wattle T 2 Description: Wurmbea dioica G 42 Size, form, colour, flowering and seeding. Cultivation: Soil type, when to prune etcetera. Special Notes: Form: T= Tree; S= Shrub; Gr= Grasses; G= Groundcover Any additional information of interest. iv id5572653 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com

Trees

Silver Wattle Lightwood Acacia dealbata Acacia implexa

  Description: Description: Spindly shrub to tall tree: 2-30m. Leaves Small to medium tree: up to 15m. Leaves narrow, feathery; silver-grey. Flowers in winter to sickle-shaped. Flowers pale yellow to almost white in spring. Pods straight-edged and flattish. late summer to autumn. Pods narrow and coiled. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers moist soil but will not tolerate waterlogging. Prefers sandy loams. Adaptable to many soils but intolerant of waterlogging. Special Notes: Special Notes: Commonly found along the Goulburn and Murray Rivers, and other water bodies. Helps prevent bank Found in open forests. Useful for wind-breaks. Fixes erosion. Fixes nitrogen. Suitable for planting around nitrogen. Aboriginals used fibre for string, leaves as effluent disposal fields. Aboriginals ate gum or fish poison and bark to treat skin diseases. dissolved it in hot water for a sweet drink. 1 Trees

Willow Wattle River Cooba Acacia salicina Acacia stenophylla

  Description: Description: Large shrub to small tree: up to 12m. Leaves Small erect tree: up to 10m. Leaves long, narrow and irregularly formed on slightly zig-zag branchlets. strap-like. Flowers at various times. Pods hard and Flowers at various times. Pods thick and woody. lumpy, like a string of beads. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers heavy soils, but can tolerate sandier soils. Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Special Notes: Special Notes: Stabilises riverbanks. Fixes nitrogen. Found with Black May be found with River Red Gums and Black Box. Box. Fixes nitrogen. Also called Eumong.

2 Trees

Buloke Buloke Mistletoe Allocasuarina leuhmanii Amyema linophylla

R 2cm R Description: Description: Small to medium tree: up to 20m. Long wire-like Parasitic plant (NOT A TREE) that grows upon the branchlets resemble foliage hanging down. Buloke branches of various trees, usually Bulokes. Leaves trees are either male or female. Male’s flower in long appear similar to host plant. Flowers bright red and yellowish to red spikes, Female’s flower very small; tubular, splaying at tip to display anthers. cones flat and round. Cultivation: Cultivation: Is parasitic but usually co-exists without significant Prefers sandy clays. detriment to host. Special Notes: Special Notes: Commonly associated with Grey Box and Cypress- Lives almost exclusively on Bulokes. Listed as pine. vulnerable in Victoria.

3 Trees

White Cypress-pine White Box Callitris glaucophylla Eucalyptus albens

 2cm S Description: Description: Small to tall tree: up to 25m. Foliage narrow and Small to tall tree: up to 24m. Branches typically begin cylindrical. No flowers. Plant has both male spikes and high up on trunk. Fine whitish-grey bark. Large leaves female globular cones. with broad base tapering to tip. Juvenile leaves are Cultivation: rounded. Creamy white flowers in August to February, although not every year. Prefers loamy plains or sandy rises. Is slow growing. Cultivation: Special Notes: Prefers fairly fertile soils. Found in woodlands. Can occur in pure stands. Mature trees are important habitat for Grey-crowned Special Notes: Babblers and Apostlebirds, especially when near Grey Useful in irrigation recharge control. Box and Buloke. Aboriginals used resin for water- Appearance is similar to Grey Box but canopy is more proof adhesive and wood for many implements. Leaves contain an antiseptic oil. Also called Murray blue-grey and nuts are larger. Pine. 4 Trees

Yellow Box Grey Box Eucalyptus melliodora Eucalyptus microcarpa

S  Description: Description: Medium to tall tree: up to 30m. Yellow bark becoming Small to tall tree: up to 25m. Y-shaped form is typical. increasingly smooth from trunk to branches; scaly Scaly grey bark on trunk and large branches, smooth grey-brown box-like bark on base of trunk. Leaves and ribbony on smaller branches. Leaves narrow and thin and tapering. Juvenile leaves are oval. Creamy tapering. Juvenile leaves are oval or narrow. White white flowers in spring to summer. flowers in summer to winter. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers sandy and loam soils, although able to grow Prefers heavy loams. on a wide variety of soil types. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found with other Boxes, Ironbarks, Buloke and Good nectar producer. Leaves can produce a range of different coloured dyes. Cypress-pine. Appearance is similar to White Box but canopy is greener and nuts are smaller. 5 Trees

Black Box River Red Gum Eucalyptus largiflorens Eucalyptus camaldulensis

S  Description: Description: Small to medium tree: up to 20m. Branches typically Distinctive medium to very tall tree: up to 45m. Dull begin low on trunk. Hard ash-grey to black bark, grey bark with cream, red or dark grey patches. rough to tips of branches. Leaves narrow and tapered, Leaves narrow and tapering with obvious veins. White flowers at various times. tip often curved. Juvenile leaves are very narrow and tapered. Creamy white (occasionally pink) flowers, in Cultivation: spring to summer. Prefers clay soil with deep moist subsoils. Cultivation: Special Notes: Prefers clay or clay loams. Found along inland rivers, dry watercourses and Special Notes: floodplains forming extensive pure forests. Aboriginals used large sheets of bark to make canoes Mostly in pure stands. and large burls were cut off and hollowed out to make water containers. 6 Trees

Yellow Gum Red Ironbark Eucalyptus leucoxylon Eucalyptus tricarpa

S  Description: Description: Small to tall tree: up to 30m. Bark mottled yellow, Medium to tall tree: up to 30m. Hard black bark, white or blue-grey with scaly, dark grey base. Leaves thickly furrowed. Leaves thin and tapering with faint narrow and tapering with obvious veins. White flowers veins. White, occasionally pink, flowers in winter to in late autumn to mid-summer. summer. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers deep soils but will grow on rocky sites. Prefers drier soils in open forests. Special Notes: Special Notes: Good for honey production. Usually with other boxes, also Yellow Gum and Cypress-pine. Aboriginals used timber to make boomerangs. Essential oils can be extracted from foliage. 7 Trees

Hooked Needlewood Weeping Pittosporum Hakea tephrosperma Pittosporum angustifolium

R S Description: Description: Small crooked tree or in dense thickets: 3-12m. Large shrub to small tree: 3-9m with attractive weeping Leaves greyish and needle-like with curved tips. White habit. Leaves long and narrow. Small, pale yellow, flowers in spring. fragrant, bell-shaped flowers in winter to spring. Yellow to orange oval fruit with sticky red seeds. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Young are Prefers sandy loam but adaptable to a wide range of exceptionally palatable to grazing animals and must conditions. Will not tolerate waterlogging. be protected for survival. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in woodlands. Also called native apricot for Nectar can be sucked from flowers or mixed with colour of fruit. Aboriginal uses varied with location: water for a sweet drink. When protected from grazing seeds pounded to make flour, infusions from seed, animals, will regenerate readily through root suckers. leaves or wood to relieve cramping, colds, sprains & itching. 8 id7309230 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com

Shrubs

Gold-dust Wattle Hakea Wattle Acacia acinacea Acacia hakeaoides

  Description: Description: Spindly shrub: up to 2m. Leaves stalkless and small. Large wide shrub: up to 3m high and 7m across. Flowers in winter to spring. Pods curved or coiled. Leaves narrow and blunt-ended. Flowers in winter to early spring. Pods constricted between seeds. Cultivation: Cultivation: Adapts to most soils. If in garden, occasional tip pruning promotes bushy growth, whilst heavy pruning Commonly found on loams but will grow on a wide promotes suckering. variety of soils. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in woodlands and open forests. Fixes nitrogen. Found in woodlands and open forests. Fixes nitrogen.

9 Shrubs

Mallee Wattle Hedge Wattle Acacia montana Acacia paradoxa

  Description: Description: Dense and rounded shrub: up to 4m. Leaves straight- Spreading shrub: 2-4m. Fine intricate branching with edged and rounded at tip, often sticky. Flowers in fine thorns along branches. Leaves leathery and often late winter to spring. Pods almost straight with a wavy-edged. Flowers in spring. Pods straight or curved, dense, white, woolly covering. with erect white hairs giving furry appearance. Cultivation: Cultivation: Adaptable to a wide variety of soils. Very hardy. Prefers drier soils. Fast growing and lives 10-20 years. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in woodland and adjoining open forests. Fixes Found in woodland and open forests. Fixes nitrogen. nitrogen. Also called Kangaroo Thorn.

10 Shrubs

Golden Wattle Varnish Wattle Acacia pycnantha Acacia verniciflua

  Description: Description: Shrub to small tree: 3-8m. Loosely branching. Leaves Small bushy tree: up to 4m. Leaves long, narrow and broad and curved. Flowers in early to mid-spring. Pods shiny, as if freshly painted with varnish. Flowers in flattish and almost straight-edged. winter to spring. Pods flat and straight-edged. Cultivation: Cultivation: Adapts to most soils. Short lived, usually 5-10 years. Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in open forests and along creeks. Fixes May be found in drier open forests, especially box nitrogen. Seeds can be roasted and ground as a forests. Fixes nitrogen. food/garnish. Aboriginals ate gum or dissolved it in hot water for a sweet drink. Australia’s floral emblem.

11 Shrubs

Sweet Bursaria River Bottlebrush Bursaria spinosa Callistemon sieberi

S S Description: Description: Large thorny many-stemmed shrub: up to 8m. Creamy Tall willowy shrub: up to 7m. New growth pinkish. white flowers in spring to summer in loose pyramidal Cream or pale pink, distinctive round brush-like clusters at end of branches and have a distinctive flowers. Flowers in late summer. fragrance. Red-brown seed capsules thin, dry and Cultivation: purse-like. Adaptable to a wide variety of soils. Prefers moist Cultivation: conditions but will tolerate dry soils. If in garden, may remove spent flowers to promote bushy growth. Prefers clays. If in garden, may be pruned to shape. Special Notes: Special Notes: Widespread on riverbanks. Suitable for planting Found as generally isolated plants on roadsides and around effluent disposal fields. Nectar can be sucked creek banks. Useful for controlling erosion. Nectar can from the flowers. Crushed leaves make a tea. be sucked from the flowers. Seed pods rattle when dry. Attracts beneficial parasitic wasps and butterflies. 12 Shrubs

Grey Parrot-pea Wedge-leaf Hopbush Dillwynia cinerescens Dodonea viscosa subsp. angustifolia

S Description: Description: Small shrub: up to 2m high and 1m wide. Narrow rigid Small to medium shrub: 2-3m. Leaves variably wedge shaped (subspecies variation: some have leaf tip grey-green leaves. Flowers during spring in small pea- straight edged as if cut off, others have rounded tips). like flowers clustered at the end of branches. Plants either male or female but appear similar. Cultivation: Reddish inconspicuous flowers at various times of year. Distinctive red-brown winged papery seed pod. If in garden, may prune after flowering for bushy growth. Cultivation: Common in dry rocky areas but adapts to most soil Special Notes: types. Responds to light pruning. Found along creek banks. Fixes nitrogen. Special Notes: Found with Grey Box and Yellow Box. Suitable for planting around effluent disposal fields. Aboriginals used chewed leaves for toothache and on stonefish 13 and stingray wounds. DO NOT SWALLOW JUICE! Shrubs

Berrigan Common Eutaxia Eremophila longifolia Eutaxia microphylla var. diffusa

S S Description: Description: Tall shrub to small tree: can be up to 8m. Long Growth variable, usually a shrub: up to 1m but may narrow grey-green leaves. Reddish flowers at various also form prostrate mats: up to 1.5m across. Thickly times of year. Purple fleshy fruit oval in shape with clustered, small narrow leaves along stems, long tail at tip. sometimes spiny tipped. Small yellow and red pea-like flowers during spring. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers sandy loams. Often suckers, forming clumps. Tolerates a wide variety of conditions. If in garden, Special Notes: can respond well to occasional pruning. Useful in controlling erosion. Attractive to birds: Emus Special Notes: said to eat fruit, flowers attract honeyeaters. Aboriginals used bruised leaves to tan skin. Also Useful in controlling erosion. Fixes nitrogen. called Emubush. 14 Shrubs

River Tea-tree Tangled Lignum Leptospermum obovatum Muehlenbeckia florulenta

  Description: Description: Tall shrub: 2-4m. Bark fibrous and persistent on larger Small to medium many-branching and fine-stemmed stems, smooth on smaller stems shedding in stringy shrub: up to 3m. Leaves generally absent. Dark grey- strips. Leaves aromatic, variable: broadest towards the green branchlets stiff and wiry. Small creamy flowers blunt and often indented tip. Creamy open flowers in clustered close to stem various times of year. summer. Seed capsules about 5mm wide. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers silty, clay and heavy soils. If in garden, may prune regularly to encourage Special Notes: bushiness. Found in woodlands, especially Black Box. Can be Special Notes: found along creeks, in swamps and in occasionally Found by streams and swamp margins. flooded areas. Useful to control erosion in waterlogged and saline sites. 15 Shrubs

Waterbush Desert Cassia Myoporum montanum Senna artemesoides

 R Description: Description: Wide bushy shrub: up to 3m. Leaves long, thin and Small to medium shrub: 1-3m. Leaves long and tapered. Small white open flowers, furry inside; at narrow, can broaden at tip. Flowers abundantly in various times of year. Globular fruit matures to spring (occasionally summer). Fragrant flowers clear yellow with petals curving inwards. Dark brown pods purple. flat and membranous. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers sandy soil. If in garden, may prune lightly and If in garden, prune lightly after flowering to maintain regularly to promote bushiness. shape and to promote flowering. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in White Cypress-pine and forest communities. Found in open forests and woodlands; also Aboriginals used gum from stems as glue. occasionally creek frontages. Fixes nitrogen. 16 id7787167 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com

Grasses

Wallaby-grass Spear-grass Austrodanthonia sp. Austrostipa sp.

 R Description: Description: Common tussock grass with long graceful flower Tussock grass: up to 1m high. Feathery flowers and stalks: up to 1m high. Linear narrow flowers, often shiny, bronze seed heads with corkscrew twists and green to purple. Distinctive fluffy seed heads. long awns in early summer. (Awn - slender bristle-like appendage) Cultivation: Cultivation: Perennial. If in garden, may rejuvenate old tussocks by pruning severely or even burning and watering Perennial. Prefers well drained infertile soils. If in afterwards. Very hardy and persistent. Useful on garden, may rejuvenate old tussocks by pruning groundwater recharge areas. severely and watering afterwards. Special Notes: Special Notes: Valued for its persistence, palatability and Found with other grasses. productivity. 17 Grasses

Common Wheat-grass Spider Grass Elymus scaber Enteropogon acicularis

  Description: Description: Open, sparsely tufted grass: up to 30cm high. Narrow Dense clumping tussock grass. Green leaves from green to bluish leaves with half-twist, rough along erect usually branching stems, leaf blades often curl edge. Slender flower spikes: up to 1.2m high. Flowers into a spiral at tip: up to 20cm long and 6mm wide. with long outward-curving awns in summer: up to Flowers terminal cluster of 7-15 wide-spreading 5cm long. (Awn - slender bristle-like appendage) spikes, usually not on one plane: up to 18cm long. Develops numerous dark seeds. Cultivation: Cultivation: Perennial. Perennial. Prefers heavier soils. Special Notes: Special Notes: An important component of native grasslands. Once dominant. Stabilises sandy soils. Very similar to Flowers have been described as wheat-like; hence Windmill Grass (Chloris truncata) but Chloris flower name. spikes are all on one plane and tussocks are smaller. Also called Curly Windmill Grass or Umbrella Grass. 18 Grasses

Common Tussock Grass Kangaroo Grass Poa labillardierei Themeda triandra

  Description: Description: Large dense tussock grass: up to 80cm. Flower Dense clumping tussock grass. Soft bright green spikes, initially green becoming light brown. Open, linear leaves form tussock: up to 50cm high. Flower pyramid-shaped flowers in spring becoming finely spikes initially green with distinctive purple or green branched seed heads as they mature : up to 1.3m. flower heads and black awns, becoming red-brown in summer: to 1m high. Cultivation: (Awn - slender bristle-like appendage) Perennial. Prefers well drained loams. Cultivation: Special Notes: Perennial. Deep rooted. Adaptable to any soil type. Unpalatable to stock. Aboriginals used stems and Rejuvenate old tussocks by pruning severely in winter. leaves as string to make nets. May help control Special Notes: erosion. Aboriginals used stems and leaves as string to make 19 nets. Seeds can be ground and baked. id8597903 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com

Ground Vegetation

Small Vanilla-lily Chocolate Lily Arthropodium minus Arthropodium strictum

 R Description: Description: Fine grass-like leaves arising from tuber: up to 10cm. Grass-like leaves in small tussock: up to 80cm. Flowers borne along stalks: up to 30cm. Deep pink to Flowers born singly on branched stalks: up to 1.2m. purple flowers in spring with vanilla-like fragrance. Dark mauve to pink-violet flowers opening in Purple stamens are distinctly hairy. succession along stems in late spring with a rich chocolatey fragrance. Purple anthers are hairless. Cultivation: Cultivation: Perennial. In garden, flowering may be extended by removing stems before seed heads form. Perennial. Prefers some shade. Leaves die down over summer. May self-seed. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in grasslands and open woodlands. Aboriginals ate tubers roasted or raw throughout year. Found in grassy plains and woodlands. Can smell similar to Vanilla-lily. Aboriginals ate tubers roasted or raw throughout year. 20 Ground Vegetation

Berry Saltbush Yellow Bulbine-lily Atriplex semibaccata Bulbine bulbosa

  Description: Description: Prostrate perennial forming dense mats. Small grey- Hollow, cylindrical, onion-like leaves in small tuft: up green oval leaves borne singly along long stems. to 30cm. Flower stalks: up to 60cm high. Bright Small flowers borne singly where leaf joins stem. yellow six-petalled flowers (technically 3 petals and 3 Diamond-shaped succulent red fruits. sepals that look identical), fragrant, clustered pyramidally, opening in succession along stem in Cultivation: spring. Suits most conditions. Can persist in degraded areas, Cultivation: including salt scalds. Perennial. Prefers heavy or water-retentive soils but Special Notes: adaptable to a wide range of soils. May self-seed. Dies Found in grasslands and woodlands. Common in Grey down after flowering and re-shoots in autumn. Box dominated roadsides. Special Notes: 21 Aboriginals probably ate bulbous roots year-round. Ground Vegetation

Swamp Daisy Yellow-tongue Daisy Brachyscome basaltica Brachyscome chrysoglossa

 R Description: Description: Long narrow branching stems, occasionally forming a Leafy tuft: up to 6cm high. Stemless, hairless leaves clump: up to 9cm. Single clear-white daisies with vary in shape with irregular teeth. Bright yellow yellow centre, held erect on slender stems: up to flowers on leafy branching stems: up to 15cm high. 45cm high and 2.5cm across. Can flower most of Cultivation: year, depending on conditions. Perennial. Prefers heavy clay soils. Cultivation: Special Notes: Perennial. Found. Found in grasslands and woodlands. Special Notes: Found in wet grasslands and on land that floods, often with River Red Gums. Also called Basalt Daisy.

22 Ground Vegetation

Blue Caladenia Lemon Beauty-heads Caladenia caerulea Calocephalus citreus

R  Description: Description: Slender orchid. Single leaf, hairy. Flowers have five Silvery tufted perennial. Pointed, linear leaves. Fine petals with a large central labellum, typically spring to wiry flower stalks emerge from leaves with bright early summer. Colouring variable but can be vivid with yellow oval flower heads born terminally: up to 40cm. striking patterns. Labellum has small ornate Flowers in spring to summer. outgrowths (calli). Cultivation: Cultivation: Perennial. Prefers loamy and clay soils that flood Do not disturb. occasionally. If in garden, may cut back after flowering, will re-shoot in winter. May self-seed. Very Special Notes: hardy once established. Calli often act as tactile guides for pollination carried Special Notes: out by the attempt of brightly coloured native wasps of the sub-family Thynninae to copulate with the Found in lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands. 23Caladenias labellum. Ground Vegetation

Cut-leaf Burr-daisy Rough Burr-daisy Calotis anthemoides Calotis scabiosifolia

R  Description: Description: Hairless, fine-leafed tuft: up to 10cm. Narrow pale- Hairy leafed tuft: up to 45cm. Leaves short and green leaves. Flower stalks leafless. White flowers with tapered, usually toothed. Flower stalks with narrower yellow centre borne terminally: up to 1.5cm across. leaves along stems. White or mauve flowers with Flowers in spring. yellow centres borne terminally in late winter to early spring: up to 3cm across. Fruiting in late spring. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers heavy soils. Plants spread by runners. Perennial. Prefers heavy soils. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in grasslands and woodlands. Found in grasslands and woodlands.

24 Ground Vegetation

Hollow Sedge Plains Sedge Carex tereticaulis Carex bichenoviana

 

Description: Description: Rush-like tussock with slender green leaves: up to 2m. Rush-like tussock with slender green leaves. Brown Brown flower spikes. flower spikes. Cultivation: Cultivation: Perennial. Prefers moist conditions. Perennial. Prefers moist conditions. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found on pond and watercourse edges and in swamps Suitable for planting along drainage lines. Useful for and wetlands. Suitable for planting around effluent preventing creek bank erosion at bank/water interface disposal fields and drainage lines. Useful for and for slowing water movement. preventing creek bank erosion at bank/water interface and for slowing water movement.

25 Ground Vegetation

Common Everlasting Pink Bindweed Chrysocephalum apiculatum Convolvulus erubescens

Description: Description: Dense silvery-leafed plant that can be low and Small trailing plant. Grey-green leaves usually spade spreading or erect: 7-60cm. Leaves variably shaped shaped with irregular teeth. Showy open pink flowers but with dense white hairs. Bright golden flowers borne along stems in spring to summer: up to 2cm borne as terminal clusters on flower stalks: up to across. 1.5cm across. Can flower most of year, but principally during late winter to spring. Seeding in summer. Cultivation: Cultivation: Perennial. Flowers prefer full sun. Perennial. Fast growing and adaptable. Longer Special Notes: flowering in full sun. If in garden, may respond well to pruning. May die back in dry conditions but re-shoots Found in grasslands, woodlands and forests. well after rain. Aboriginals ate starchy root roasted, also used boiled plant extracts to treat stomach pains. European Special Notes: Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is very similar but Found in grasslands and woodlands. generally much larger. Also called Blushing Bindweed. 26 Ground Vegetation

Water Buttons Black-anther Flax-lily Cotula coronopifolia Dianella revoluta

 S Description: Description: Small mat-forming water plant: up to 10cm. Light Tall greyish tussock: up to 1m high and 6m across. green leaves deeply lobed. Bright yellow Leaves long and strap like. Vivid blue star-shaped hemispherical flowers in summer. flowers with bright yellow stamens and black/brown anthers in spring. Small shiny blue oval fruit in Cultivation: summer. Prefers clay soil and moist conditions. Cultivation: Special Notes: Suits most conditions. Can persist in degraded areas. Found in wetlands. Can become invasive in wet saline Special Notes: conditions. Found in drier forests, woodlands and grasslands, often with Grey Box. Also along creek banks. Aboriginals used leaf fibre for baskets and cord and 27 the berries for food and dye. Ground Vegetation

Nodding Saltbush Ruby Saltbush Einadia nutans Enchylaena tomentosa

  Description: Description: Trailing or climbing perennial. Small grey-green Prostrate spreading perennial forming large mats. arrowhead-shaped leaves borne along long stems. Small fleshy leaves borne along long stems blue-green Inconspicuous small flowers borne on short spikes at to grey-green. Small flowers borne singly where leaf the end of stems. Fleshy red, orange or even yellow joins stem. Small tomato-shaped fruit initially green, berries in small clusters. becoming bright distinctive ruby colour most often, although can also be mauve-red or yellow, drying to Cultivation: black colour. Suits most conditions. Cultivation: Special Notes: Suits most conditions. Can persist in degraded areas. Found in grasslands and woodlands. Berries are Special Notes: edible. Found in grasslands and woodlands. Berries are edible. Was an important food plant for Aboriginals. 28 Ground Vegetation

Blue Devil Wax-lip Eryngium ovinum Glossodia major

Description: Description: Upright spiky plant. Soft green deeply-toothed leaves Slender orchid. Single leaf from base of plant is at base of plant from which arises stiffly erect ribbed oblong to tapering at each end. Purple-blue to white stems: up to 60cm. Prickly blue cone-shaped flowers five-petalled flowers borne terminally (when blue, in clusters: from spring to summer. base of labellum is white) with prominent yellow callus, in spring. Flowers may be single or paired. Cultivation: Cultivation: Perennial. Prefers heavy damp soils or areas prone to flooding. Dies down over winter. Do not disturb. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. Often Found in grasslands, woodlands and forests. mistaken as a weed, especially when not in flower. Also called Parson-in-the-pulpit.

29 Ground Vegetation

Goodenia Orange Sunray Goodenia spp. Hyalosperma semisterile

R Description: Description: Prostrate to erect plant: up to 1m high. Dark green Small erect plant: up to 15cm. Leaves long and narrow leaves, often toothed, form tuft at base of plant. arising from a single base. Flower stalk protrudes Flower stalks generally arise above leaves. Bright beyond leaves. Flower almost hemispherical with yellow flowers with five petals fused at centre: at papery pale yellow petals and bright yellow centre in various times of year. Globular fruit containing many small seeds, heavy, bends flower stalk. spring. Seeds in late spring. Cultivation: Cultivation: Can be perennial or annual. Tough and adaptive. Annual. Adaptable to a wide variety of soils. Responds well after spring rain. If in garden, may respond well to pruning. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in native grasslands and grassy woodlands. Found in grasslands and woodlands. 30 Ground Vegetation

Yellow Star Native Rushes Hypoxis glabella Juncus spp.

 R Description: Description: Small erect grass-like tuft. Bright shiny green narrow Erect or spreading grey/olive-green rushes. Narrow leaves arise from underground tuber: up to 6cm high. cylindrical leaves either hollow or pithy, forming Flower stalk same height or shorter than leaves. Bright clumps to dense thickets. Flower spike at same height star-shaped yellow flowers borne singly or or higher than leaves. Small pale-coloured flowers occasionally paired, with six petals (technically 3 throughout year ranging from densely clustered to petals and 3 sepals that look identical): one to three spreading. flowers per plant in winter to early spring. Cultivation: Cultivation: Can be perennial or annual. Often prefer heavy soils such as clay and clay loams. Perennial. Special Notes: Special Notes: Useful for controlling soil erosion along watercourses Common in grasslands, also in forests. and around dams. Some suitable for planting around 31 Also called Tiny Star. effluent disposal fields. id8791882 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com

Ground Vegetation

Scaly Buttons Native Flax Leptorhynchos squamatus Linum marginale

Description: Description: Low growing wiry plant. Green tapering leaves slightly Erect spindly plant: up to 60cm. Small smooth narrow hairy, attached to wiry stems that are initially tapered leaves grow along erect wiry stems. Open prostrate, then become erect. Flower stalks arise blue (occasionally white) flowers with five petals borne above leaves: up to 6cm. Bright yellow flower-heads in loose terminal clusters in spring. Round five-celled with yellow florets overlapping pale green bell-shaped fruit papery. base to form a flat disc on top; in spring. Cultivation: Cultivation: Perennial. May be short-lived but often self-seeds. Perennial. Prefers heavier soils, especially in low lying areas. Prefers full sun. If in garden, may prune hard in Special Notes: growing season to rejuvenate. Found in grasslands, grassy woodlands and open Special Notes: forests. Aboriginals used fibrous parts of the plant for Found in grassland, heathlands and woodlands. making cords and nets; seeds were used for food. 32 Ground Vegetation

Bluebush Common Nardoo Maireana spp. Marsilea drummondii

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Description: Description: Blue-green plant, can be prostrate or erect. Pointed Grows in low, wide clump. Single large leaf grows on a thin wiry stem: up to 20cm long. Green leaves given green leaves often fleshy, along stems. Insignificant grey-green appearance by fine hairs; circular, divided solitary flowers borne at leaf base on ends of stems in into four, giving a clover-like appearance. No flowers. spring. Fruit capsule often winged, seeding in dry Hard fawn-brown spore case is bean-seed shaped: up summers. to 1cm long. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers heavy soils such as clays. Perennial. Prefers shallow water, muddy sediments and damp soils. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in grasslands and woodlands. There are several species of Bluebush in this area. Nardoo is a native fern, so has no flowers or seeds; reproducing via spores. Found along Murray River and 33 adjacent waterways, in areas prone to inundation. Ground Vegetation

Yam Daisy Slender Monkey-flower Microseris lanceolata Mimulus gracilis

R  Description: Description: A short tufted plant with dandelion-like flower. Dark Slender plant up to 25cm. Stems arise singly. Shiny green tapering leaves forming small tuft. Leafless dark-green oblong-shaped leaves grow in pairs along flower stalk: up to 30cm long, arises from leaves at stem. Flower stalk arises from leaf/stem junction. base. Single bright yellow flower terminally borne - Open mauve flowers with short tube and rounded stalks droop when in bud, erect when in flower; mid- petals borne singly in winter to summer. winter to spring. Cultivation: Cultivation: Prefers grey soil. Prefers moist conditions. Perennial. Dies back. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found on swamp margins, paddock depressions and Once common. Root tubers were eaten by Aboriginals other wet areas. Most abundant after heavy rains. and probably formed a major part of their diet. Murnong is the Aboriginal name. 34 Ground Vegetation

Smooth Minuria Lambs Tails Minuria integerrima Ptilotus exaltatus

R  Description: Description: Bright green linear leaves form loose tussocks. Short Erect hairy plant: up to 30cm. Variable leaves tapered flower stalks arise from end of branches. White- to egg-shaped, broader at base with leaves on petalled flowers with yellow centre borne singly in branches and flower stems narrower and smaller. spring. Narrow seeds topped with long bristles. Purplish individual flowers straight and covered with silky hairs, collectively forming a hemispherical to Cultivation: oval shape, from winter to early summer. Perennial. Cultivation: Special Notes: Perennial. Occurs as scattered plants or small colonies, often in Special Notes: shallow water or mud. Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. Mulla Mulla is the aboriginal name. 35 Ground Vegetation

Pussy Tails Drumsticks Ptilotus spathulatus Pycnosorus globosus

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Description: Description: Small prostrate plant. Dark green spoon-shaped fleshy Silver-grey erect tussock but can form woody shrub: leaves, mainly at base of plant, but also along hairy up to 60cm. Narrow silvery leaves: up to 12cm long stems. Greenish-yellow individual flowers cylindrical in becoming shorter along erect stems. Flower stems shape, curve up from base to collectively form cone erect: up to 1m high. Oval to globular golden-yellow shape, late winter to early summer. flower-head: up to 1.5cm wide, in spring to summer. Cultivation: Cultivation: Perennial. Prefers clays and clay loams. Perennial. Prefers heavy soils. Prefers moist conditions. If in garden, cutting flowers may promote Special Notes: new growth and second flowering. Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. Special Notes: Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. 36 Ground Vegetation

Paper Sunray Creamy Candles Rhodanthe corymbiflora Stackhousia monogyna

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Description: Description: Slender silvery-grey plant: up to 30cm. Narrow soft Simple structured erect plant. Narrow green linear grey-green hairy leaves lie close to branching stem: leaves clustered along lower stems. Creamy five- only one or two stems per plant. Fine multiple leafless flower stalks from main stem. White papery petals petalled flowers surround top of stem forming surround yellow centre of flower, in loose clusters in ‘candles’ up to 10cm long in spring to early summer. spring. Seeds in early summer. Nocturnally fragrant. Cultivation: Cultivation: Annual. Prefers sandy or loamy soils in seasonally wet flats and depressions. Responds well to spring rains, Perennial. Dies back to root stock over summer. Can flowering rapidly and then dieing, persisting only as form dense localised colonies. seed until the next season. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. Recovers Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands and amongst Black Box. Also called Grey Sunray. quickly after fire. 37 Ground Vegetation

Red Swainson-pea Broughton Pea Swainsona plagiotropis Swainsona procumbens

R S Description: Description: Low spreading plant. Narrow green feather-like leaves. Low spreading plant: up to 50cm. Green feather-like Large pea-like flowers with paler petals and darker leaves from base of plant are hairless on upper coiled keel and has a sweet fragrance; in early spring. surface, occasionally hairy beneath. Large, sweet Cultivation: scented, mauve to blue pea-like flowers with yellow tip to the keel which is coiled into a full circle in Perennial. Prefers heavy soils. Flowers profusely spikes of 3-9; in late winter to early spring. following good winter rain. Cultivation: Special Notes: Perennial. Prefers heavy soils. Flowers profusely Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. Unique to following good winter rain. the Riverina. Special Notes: Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. 38 Ground Vegetation

Silky Swainson-pea Leafy Templetonia Swainsona sericea Templetonia stenophylla

R R Description: Description: Prostrate hairy plant: up to 10cm. Divided green Low straggling plant with one to several stems: up to feather-like leaves are hairy. Red to purple pea-like 60cm. Green linear leaves. Dark purplish wedge- flowers with slightly twisted keel in spikes of 2-8 shaped buds opening to creamy yellow pea-like flowers. flowers with red-brown and green centres in spring. Cultivation: Cultivation: Flowers profusely in spring following good winter Prefers loam soils. rain. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in dry forests and woodlands, mostly along Found in grasslands and woodlands. creek and riverbanks. Fixes nitrogen.

39 Ground Vegetation

Grey Germander Sun Orchid Teucrium racemosum Thelymitra sp.

 R Description: Description: Small grey-green plant, can be single stemmed or in Variably coloured orchid. Single leaf linear to tapered tufts: up to 25cm. Narrow grey oval leaves with arising from base of plant. Single flower spike may undulating margins on short stalks along square bear up to 15 flowers but only one opens at a time. stems. Short flower stalk arises from leaf/stem Flower has six pointed petals and often distinctive junction. Five-lobed unusually shaped flowers and fine central column. arching stamens in spring to autumn. Cultivation: Cultivation: Re-grows annually from underground tubers. Flowers Prefers grey soils. only open on warm still sunny days. Flowers may not open at all if self-pollinating. Special Notes: Special Notes: Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. Often found along channel or drain banks. Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. 40 Ground Vegetation

Fairies Aprons New Holland Daisy Utricularia dichotoma Vittadinia spp.

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Description: Description: Distinctive slender plant. Tall thin stems with terminal Erect branched silvery small shrub: up to 40cm. Grey- loose clusters of one to four purple fan-like flowers green leaves along stems are variably shaped. Small with yellow at base. pale blue to mauve flowers borne terminally for most of year, usually in early spring in northern Victoria Cultivation: and southern . Narrow ribbed fruits. Prefers heavy soils, such as clay, where water ponds. Cultivation: Special Notes: Can be perennial or annual. Requires well drained Found in grassy wetlands. Catches insects in basal soils. traps. Special Notes: Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands.

41 Ground Vegetation

Rigid Panic Common Early Nancy Whalleya proluta Wurmbea dioica

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Description: Description: Erect, often loose tussock: up to 40cm. Flat bright green leaves, narrow and pointed: up to 10cm long Slender plant with distinctive flowers: up to 10-12cm. borne on upward spreading stems. Flower spike Fleshy bright green narrow leaves from base. White protrudes beyond leaves: to 1m high. Distinctive six-petalled open flower with distinctive band of branched flowers spread widely at maturity in spring. purple encircling centre: in groups of three to five in Individual heads give appearance of delicate winter to early spring. Seeds in spring. Christmas tree. Seeds on long fragile stalks remain attached to head which becomes windblown at Cultivation: maturity. Perennial that dies back and re-sprouts annually from Cultivation: tuber. Prefers grey soils. Perennial. Heavy soils. Special Notes: Special Notes: Particularly common on wet sites. Seed heads can pile Found in grasslands and grassy woodlands. In arid up against any barriers in their way when windblown. areas, flowers can be greenish-yellow. Also called Aboriginals ground seeds for flour. Bulls-eye. 42 id8939975 pdfMachine by Broadgun Software - a great PDF writer! - a great PDF creator! - http://www.pdfmachine.com http://www.broadgun.com

Pre-European Major Vegetation Groups

Major vegetation groups (Pre-European) in Victoria [image] 2001. Retrieved May 2, 2006 from http://www.audit.ea.gov.au/ANRA/ © Commonwealth of Australia 2002 43 Circa 1997 Major Vegetation Groups

Major vegetation groups (circa 1997) in Victoria [image] 2001. Retrieved May 2, 2006 from http://www.audit.ea.gov.au/ANRA/ © Commonwealth of Australia 2002 44 References

References/Further Reading Australasian Native Orchid Society. 2004. Spider Caladenia Orchids. Retrieved 9 August, 2006 from http://www.anos.org.au/photos/caladenia/cal-spid.htm City of Greater Bendigo and Bendigo Native Plant Group Inc. 2004. Indigenous plants of Bendigo. City of Greater Bendigo, Australia. Costermans, L. 1996. Native trees and shrubs of south-eastern Australia. Lansdowne Publishing Pty Ltd. Sydney, Australia. Diez S. and Foreman P. (1996) Practical Guidelines for the management of native grasslands on the Riverine plain of south-eastern Australia. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Bendigo, Victoria. Earl G., Stelling F., Titcumb and Berwick S. (eds.) 2001. Revegetation guide for the Goulburn Broken Catchment. Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Victoria, Australia. National Land and Water Resources Audit. 2001. Retrieved 2 May, 2006 from http://www.audit.ea.gov.au/ANRA/

Lunt I., Barlow, T. and Ross J. 1998. Plains wandering - exploring the grassy plains of south eastern Australia. Victorian National Parks Association and Trust for Nature. Victoria, Australia. Marriot N. and Marriot J. 1998. Grassland plants of south-eastern Australia. Bloomings Books. Hawthorn, Australia. Nathalia Wildflower Group. 1999. Flora of the Nathalia district and Barmah Forest. Prominent Press. Shepparton, Australia. Indigenous butterfly food plant information. Retrieved 9 August, 2006 from http://www.horticulture.unimelb.edu.au/current/hortproject/9908/pages/foodplant.html

45 Best Management Practice Funding Opportunities 

Best practise of native vegetation is often about being Tree growing/Environmental incentives aware of the needs of the vegetation. The aim of these incentives is to help landowners Example 1: If you graze your land, then manage protect and enhance native vegetation in the grazing as a tool to benefit native vegetation. For Shepparton Irrigation Region. A percentage of the example: total cost of fencing, and revegetation or direct > Graze when weeds are flowering, not during the seeding can be offered to those land holders that flowering times of native ground covers or shrubs. qualify. The incentive rate is calculated against 10 > Never graze when the ground is wet, or pugging criteria (For example properties with covenants may and soil degradation may result. be eligible for higher incentives). A whole farm plan > Seek advice for the best times to graze. is required to be eligible for Tree Growing incentives. Example 2: If you have native terrestrial plants that For more information, call DPI Tatura on (03) 5833 don’t like getting their feet wet, such as Grey Box, 5222. then minimise the amount of irrigation water run-off Bush Returns that reaches the native vegetation. This can be done through efficient irrigation and use of drains to The key feature of Bush returns is providing land remove irrigation tailwater. This leads to more holders with ongoing financial returns for land efficient water use (and hopefully lower water bills) management activities that allows native vegetation to and reduces salinity. return naturally. A tendering approach is used to Example 3: Manage weeds. Native plants have a award contractors with the best sites and proposals. competitive advantage over most weeds in poorer For more information, contact the Goulburn-Broken soils. In areas where nitrogen and phosphorus are Catchment Management Authority on enhanced through drift from fertilisers, weeds are Phone: (03) 5820 1100 or (03) 5797 2001 more likely to out-compete local species. By having a Email: [email protected] buffer that minimises fertiliser drift, native plants will Other funding exists for environmental management. be much more competitive. Where possible, control For further information visit: weeds already present to give native vegetation a http://www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/ head start. Please feel free to cut this page out and Monitor the effects of your management plan pass it on to a neighbour, friend, or anyone at all. and revise what you do accordingly.

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