Issue No. 111 Autumn 2017

Executive 2016/17

President Pat McPherson (03)5152 2614 Vice President Jen Wilkinson 040 854 5648 Secretary (under the Act) Pat McPherson (03)5152 2614 Treasurer Margaret Regan (03)5156 2541 Ordinary members and Coordinators Clerical Duties/Club Enquiries Fran Bright (03)5152 2008 Botanic Group James Turner (03)5155 1258 [email protected] Bushwalking Group Noel Williamson (03)5152 1737 Junior Field Naturalists Group Vicki Fraser 0417 586 856 Newsletter Editor Pauline Stewart (03)5152 1606 [email protected] Website Administrator Jen Wilkinson 040 854 5648

Raymond Creek Falls - see page 12

Photo by Fran Bright

Bett’s Creek Track (see page 18) Photo by Andrew Bould

CONTENTS Programme March to June 2017 3 Omeo Camp 4-12 Nunniong Plateau 13-15 Tulloch Ard Road 16-21 The Clematis Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE TO: The Secretary, P.O. Box 563, Bairnsdale 3875 www.bairnsdalefieldnaturalists.com.au The Clematis is printed and supported by the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning

MEETINGS FIELD TRIPS It is your responsibility to contact the coordinator of each field trip General meetings take place at: to notify them of intention to participate. The Noweyung Centre,

84 Goold Street, Bairnsdale The coordinator will notify you if the trip has to be cancelled due to as per program at 7.30pm sharp adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Committee meetings take place at: members homes as per Please take note of safety procedures in your program at 4.00pm Bairnsdale & District Field Naturalists Club Inc.

‘RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY’ booklet. THE CLEMATIS This can be downloaded from our web site. Responsibility for the accuracy of information and opinions expressed in this newsletter RULES TO OBSERVE DURING FIELD TRIPS rests with the author of the article. 1. Excursions are cancelled on days of TOTAL FIRE BAN. All articles for Winter Clematis must be 2. Participants to keep a visual on the car in front and behind. sent to the Newsletter Editor by 1st June 2017. 3. When making a turn, give signal, and stay at intersection

until following car has also turned. SUBSCRIPTION FEES 2016/17 4. If separated from other cars, stop, and stay with your car. Single membership $30 Other members will return to find you. Family membership $45 5. The Car Pooling Cost Calculator is used to assist drivers and Mid-year fee (new members only) $15 car pool passengers to share fuel costs.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY FOR BUSH WALKS 1. To further the awareness and study of all Walks vary in distance from 6 to 14 km. branches of natural history within the East Gippsland community through field excursions, Easy: Flat, good firm track. regular surveys, specialist guest speakers and publications. Moderately easy: Mostly flat, track in good to fair condition. 2. To observe and strengthen the laws for the Moderate: May be undulating, track in good to fair preservation and protection of indigenous flora, condition. fauna, habitat and important geological features. Moderately Difficult: May be some steep sections, 3. To promote the formation and preservation of track may be rough in places. National and State Parks and Reserves. Difficult: May have long steep sections, track may be 4. To collaborate with other groups and agencies non- existent at times. with similar environmental interest. Contact the leader of the walk for a rating if it’s not LIBRARY INFORMATION - ask a committee member included in the program. If you would like to borrow a book. • Books are generally borrowed for one month -

however you can write on the sign-out sheet if you wish to have it longer. • Should any library materials need maintenance,

please make a committee member aware of same. • If you wish to recommend a book, this can be done by writing a short recommendation for the Clematis. This information could be from our library books or from other books that you believe our library could look at purchasing.

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PROGRAMME March to June 2017

Date Activity Time Destination Meeting Place Subject/Rated Leader/Speaker

MARCH Sun 5th Juniors 9.50am Raymond Island Raymond Island Park – need Walk/swim/snorkel Vicki Fraser to be on the 9.20 or 9.40am ferry Thurs 9th Comm. meeting 4.00pm Committee meeting Margaret Regan’s home

Frid 17th General meeting 7.30pm General meeting Noweyung Centre Bird Monitoring Lucas Bluff & Faye Bedford Sun 19th Excursion 9.00am Mt. Elizabeth Bridge Club John Saxton

9.30am Bruthen

Sun 26th Bushwalk 9.00am Mitchell River NP Bridge Club Moderate Noel Williamson APRIL

Thur 13th Comm. meeting 4.00pm Committee meeting Pauline Stewart’s home

Frid 21st Juniors meeting 6.00pm Juniors meeting before Noweyung Centre Rocks and gemstones Bairnsdale Lapi- general meeting dary Club General meeting 7.30pm General meeting Noweyung Centre Rocks and gemstones Bairnsdale Lapi- dary Club Sun 23rd Excursion com- Sperm Whale Head Details to be finalised bined with Junior group Sun 30th Bushwalk 9.00am Bullumwaal area Bridge Club Moderate Noel Williamson

MAY Sun 7th Juniors 9.00am John Herman’s home at All Abilities Playground Sustainable Living Vicki Fraser Waterholes Thurs 11th Comm. meeting 4.00pm Committee meeting Jen Wilkinson’s home

Frid 19th General meeting 7.30pm General meeting Noweyung Centre Mammal surveying Robyn Grant & Louise Crisp Sun 21st Excursion 9.00am Orbost area Bridge Club James Turner 9.45am Nowa Nowa store Sun 28th Bushwalk 9.00am Mt. Nowa Nowa Bridge Club Difficult Noel Williamson 9.45am Nowa Nowa store JUNE Sun 4th Juniors 9.00am Lonely Bay All Abilities Playground Walk to see Lichen Vicki Fraser and Fungi Sun 18th Excursion 9.00am Lonely Bay Bridge Club Margaret Regan

Sun 25th Bushwalk 9.00am Providence Ponds Bridge Club Easy Noel Williamson

CONTACTS for Field Trips. James Turner: 5155 1258 m. 0427 290838 Noel Williamson: 5152 1737 Vicki Fraser: m. 0417 586 856 Margaret Regan: 5156 2541 John Saxton: 5156 8737

Annual subscriptions are now overdue for 2017. Download a membership application form from our web site and send with fees to: The Treasurer, Bairnsdale & District Field Naturalists Club Inc. P.O. Box 563, Bairnsdale , Vic 3875

The Clematis Page 4

OMEO CAMP - 2-5 December 2016

By Margaret Regan

Most of the Field Nats stayed in the Omeo Caravan Park, situated on the banks of Livingstone Creek. The area must have been settled dec- ades ago, as there are many enormous trees. Some of these were Cottonwood or Necklace Poplar (Populus deltoides). Our attention was drawn to these trees in particular by the snowy carpet beneath them. The Cottonwood is a North American hardwood tree which can grow to 40m. The trees are single-sex with the flowers in catkins produced in early spring. After pollination, the female catkins produce small seeds attached to white cotton-like strands. These were what were carpeting the ground.

Friday

After lunch at the camp we headed up to the famous Knocker Track, reached from the Omeo Valley Road, after crossing the Mitta Mitta Riv- er. We stopped at the track’s junction with Burnside Track. The strangely-named Knocker Track derived its origin from the early days when it was the main road north of Omeo, and coaches with horses were the means of transport. Because of the steepness of the road, the hors- es would get “knocked up”. It is also believed that travelling back down the slope, the driver would throw out an attached log, which would act like a “sea anchor”. Much of this area was burnt in the extensive 2003 alpine fires. Now the vegetation has recovered and many plants were flowering. Some of the overhead trees were Broad-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus dives) with rough peppermint-type bark and scent- ed leaves; and Candlebark (E. rubida), a gum whose bark is reddish brown for much of the year, shedding to expose white new bark. Orchids were Slender Onion-orchid (Microtis parviflora) with up to 80 tiny green flowers; scented brownish Highland Leek-orchid (Prasophyllum sp.aff. odoratum 11) which has up to 40 upside-down flowers, each with a long white frilled labellum; blue Spotted Sun-orchid (Thelymitra ixioides) whose dorsal sepal and petals have darker blue spots; and Cinnamon Bells (Gastrodia sesamoides) whose flowers are brown with white insides and a three-lobed mobile yellow labellum. There were even more, with yellow and brown Tiger Orchid (Diuris sulphurea); pos- sibly Mountain Golden Moths (D. monticola); white Musky Caladenia (Caladenia moschata) which has several musk-scented white flowers and a labellum with marginal teeth ; and two spider-orchids Clubbed or Plain-lip Spider-orchid (C. clavigera) whose broad burgundy labellum has yellow-green edges; and tiny Brown-clubbed Green-comb or Small Green-comb Spider-orchid (C. parva) whose white labellum has green lateral lobes and a burgundy apex.

We searched along a dryish creek area and found the enormous green and white striped Sickle Greenhood (Pterostylis falcata), one of the largest greenhoods, with a hood to 40mm; but not its hybrid with Leafy Greenhood (P. cucullata) - Enigmatic Greenhood (P. x aenigma) which has only been found along 100m of this sub-alpine creek at Hinnomunjie. We found neither Leafy Greenhood nor Enigmatic Green- hood. This site was devastated by storms after the 2003 fires, and sand and silt was washed into the area, which was then invaded by weeds. The rare hybrid was not seen on previous excursions in 2007 and 2012.

An interesting banksia here was Mountain Banksia (Banksia canei) which only grows to 2.5m and is found on rocky sites above 900m in sub- alpine areas. The specific name honours a Victorian nurseryman, Bill Cane, who first recognized that it might be a new species. The type (from which the description for the species is made) was collected by Jim Willis at Wulgulmerang in 1962. On fallen banksia cones we also saw its accompanying bluish cup fungus, which we believe to be Banksiamyces toomansis. Daisies were the white-flowered shrub Sticky Everlasting (Ozothamnus thyrsoideus) with linear leaves and dense heads of inflorescences; and the herbs, mauve Spoon Daisy (Brachyscome spathulata) with a basal rosette of finely toothed leaves; and yellow Button Everlasting (Coronidium scorpioides). Heaths were white Daphne Heath (Brachyloma daphnoides) with scented tubular flowers; and white Common Beard-heath (Leucopogon virgatus) whose tubular flowers have an internally bearded corolla (petals). The lilies seen here were blue Black-anther Flax-lily (Dianella revoluta) where the margins of the strappy leaves are turned under and the anthers are black or brown; yellow Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa); and white and burgundy Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica) whose white petals have a burgundy nectary band near the base. Two peas were yellow and red Hop Bitter-pea (Daviesia latifolia) which has large phyllodes with prominent reticulate venation; and wholly yellow Common Wedge-pea (Gompholobium huegelii) with trifoliate leaves. There was Grey Guinea-flower (Hibbertia obtusifolia); and large and small bluebells (Wahlenbergia spp.). Other shrubs were red/pink/cream Woolly Grevillea (Grevillea lanigera) with hairy leaves, ovary and style; and cream Dwarf Sour-bush (Choretrum pauciflorum) whose leaves are reduced to triangular scales, and the plant is semiparasitic on the roots of other plants. The flow- ers are solitary and when fertilised a fleshy green fruit is produced. Smaller herbaceous plants were pale pink Tall Sundew (Drosera peltata subsp. auriculata); deep purple Showy Violet (Viola betonicifolia); yellow Spur Velleia (Velleia paradoxa) whose flowers have frilled petals with stalked crenate leaves in a basal rosette; Golden Weather-glass (Hypoxis hygrometrica); and a buttercup (Ranunculus sp.) in the wetter area. Unfortunately, we also saw many plants of English Broom (Cytisus scoparius), which has become a terrible weed in the alpine country, and lots of evidence (with plant damage and tracks) of the presence of feral deer. Page 5 Issue 111

Higher up Burnside Track, a new orchid was pink Black-tongue Caladenia (Caladenia congesta) whose flower has a prominent reddish-black labellum. Two daisies were yellow Hoary Sunray (Leucochrysum albicans) whose yellow florets have crisp yellow surrounding bracts; and yellow Common Billy- buttons (Craspedia variabilis) with spherical heads of disc florets. Another common small plant was cream Common Rice-flower (Pimelea humilis). There was a garden-like display of Violet Kunzea (Kunzea parvifolia), a shrub with tiny narrow leaves. ‘Parvi’ is Latin for small, and ‘folia’ is Latin for a leaf. Another densely flowering small shrub was the pea yellow and red Mountain Mirbelia (Mirbelia oxylobioides) which has small stiff leaves in 2s or 3s. After a recent talk on native bees, we are now searching for them on excursions. There were many on the Mountain Mirbelia, including a masked bee with a black and yellow mask, and yellow spots on its black back and shoulders. These bees are solitary and feed on pollen. We also saw an assassin bug on the Mountain Mirbelia. These true bugs are predatory and feed on the juices of other animals, mostly insects. A bite from these insects can be painful. Assassin bugs have a distinct neck between the head and thorax.

Black-tongue Caladenia (Caladenia congesta) Photo by Fran Bright

Higher up the Knocker Track were more orchids. Here again were Musky Caladenia, Brown-clubbed Green-comb Spider-orchid, Clubbed Spider-orchid, Tiger Orchid and Cinnamon Bells. New orchids were purplish Common Bird-orchid (Chiloglottis valida) which has two ovate opposite leaves on the ground and a single flower with a heart-shaped mobile labellum with dark calli; pale blue Highland Sun-orchid (Thelymitra alpina); pale green Midget Greenhood (Pterostylis mutica) with a basal rosette of leaves and up to 20 small (up to 10mm) flowers whose labellae have a basal dark green appendage; and light green Mountain Spider-orchid (Caladenia montana) whose sepals have dark clubs and the usually burgundy labellum has short marginal teeth. The last was Copper Beard-orchid (Calochilus campestris) whose flowers are pale green with red stripes, and the labellum base has two shiny purple plates, most of the rest being covered with long purplish-yellow hairs, with the naked apex being held underneath. Looking completely out of place in this rather dry environment was one smallish healthy shrub of the daisy Blanket Leaf (Bedfordia arborescens) with yellow flowers with lots of fluffy bracts. Blanket Leaf has large leaves with woolly undersides, hence the common name. Smaller plants were white Prickly Starwort (Stellaria pungens); and Purple Eyebright (Euphrasia collina), an upright hairless perennial herb or subshrub with a terminal spike-like head of two-lipped flowers. Purple Eyebright is a root parasite. There was also the small Necklace fern (Asplenium flabellifolium). Necklace fern has prostrate pinnate fronds, with the pinnae being fan-shaped with spreading veins, with the sori with spores being found on the undersurface along some of the veins. The Clematis Page 6

Saturday

Today we went to visit Anne U’Ren, a Field Nat member, at her property at Cobungra View, between Omeo and Mt Hotham. Near her house is some public land where Anne has discovered many floral treasures. There were, of course, many orchids. Seen before were Musky Caladenia, Mountain Spider-orchid, Highland Sun-orchid, Tiger Orchid and Common Bird-orchid. New species were rare blue Graceful Sun-orchid (Thelymitra simulata) with dark blue spots on the dorsal sepals and petals; creamy Honey or Golden Caladenia (Caladenia hildae) whose white fringed labellum has a purple apex and calli; and a darker fawn spider-orchid with an all burgundy labellum and burgundy clubs. Pea shrubs were again Mountain Mirbelia, but also yellow and red Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea (Daviesia mimosoides) with largish leaves to 10cm; yellow Leafy Bossiaea (Bossiaea foliosa) with tiny hard shiny leaves; and the prostrate yellow and brown Matted Bossiaea (B. buxifolia) with tiny round stalked leaves and single flowers at the ends of the branches. There was also Woolly Grevillea, Daphne Heath and Pale-fruit Ballart (Exocarpus strictus), a lax, broom-like shrub with almost black fruit on a swollen pale pink to lilac stalk (the edible aril). The aril is attractive to birds, and presumably mammals with a sweet tooth, and thus the fruits are spread around with an accompanying package of fertiliser. The ballarts are semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants. We lunched by Anne’s dam edged with the green upright hollow stems of Common Spike-rush (Eleocharis acuta), amongst which were several different species of damselflies and dragonflies. Damselflies have both pairs of wings slender, tapering near the body and held vertical at rest. Dragonflies have broader hind wings, and the wings are always held horizontal at rest. Those identified were the tiny damselfly Aurora Bluetail, and other damselflies Slender Ringtail and Wandering Ringtail and the dragonfly Australian Emporer. The males of the beautiful Aurora Bluetail have the head and thorax from green to yellow, the abdomen from yellow to red, with bright blue at the tip. The bluish Slender Ringtail is much larger and in fact, preys on the Aurora Bluetail. The Wandering Ringtail has bright black and blue males. The Australian Emporer is a large common pale brown to yellow dragonfly with dark brown mottling and clear wings. Males can grow to 65mm. Another insect seen here was a scorpion fly. These flies have two pairs of membranous wings unlike true flies, which only have one pair, and very long thin legs with strong claws. They are mostly herbivorous.

Lunch time at Anne U’Ren’s property Photo by Dianne Laws

After lunch Anne took us to her other property, which is very steep and goes down to the Cobungra River. Across the river gully we could see Mt Battery, an old volcanic cone. Here new orchids were green Common Onion-orchid (Microtis unifolia); and green Notched Onion- orchid (M. arenaria) whose labellum is prominently bilobed.. There were naturally, many other plants. Two large white-flowered shrubs were Mountain Needlewood (Hakea lissosperma) with spiky leaves; and Alpine Daisy-bush (Olearia alpicola) which has long narrow thick opposite leaves with their lower surfaces covered with white silky hairs. Other small herbaceous yellow daisies was Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus) whose solitary inflorescences only have tubular florets which are surrounded by numerous fringed bracts; and Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum) with grey cottony stems, branches and leaves and flower heads in terminal clusters. Peas were the pink trailing herbs Dusky Scurf-pea (Cullen microcephalum) which has trifoliate leaves whose leaflets have immersed black Page 7 Issue 111 glands and the flowers are mostly in 3s arranged in a spike; and Slender Tick-trefoil (Desmodium gunnii) whose three leaflets have entire margins and the flowers are paired; pink Austral Trefoil (Lotus australis) whose leaves have five leaflets, and the flowers are borne in a cluster of 3-8; and purple Southern Swainson-pea (Swainsonia behriana) with hairy stems, and leaves with up to 13 leaflets. Grasses were brown Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra); and bright green Soft Snow-grass (Poa hiemata). A small sedge was Common Bog-rush (Schoenus apogon), a tufted plant whose inflorescence is a loose hemispherical cluster of 6-16 spikelets. A shrub to 2.5m with cream flowers was Slender Pomaderris (Pomaderris phylicifolia subsp. ericoides) whose narrow leaves have their undersurfaces covered by their revolute margins. Smaller plants were the yellow shrub Curved Rice-flower Pimelea( curviflora) whose clustered flowers are hairy on the outside; purple Austral Bugle (Ajuga australis) in the lavender family Lamiaceae, with flowers borne along the length of the flowering stalk; purple Showy Violet (Viola betonicifolia); a large mid-blue bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.); and a pink bindweed (Convolvulus sp.), a prostrate trailing perennial with arrow-shaped leaves and funnel-shaped flowers. A beautiful metallic green moth may have been the Satin-green Forester whose caterpillar feeds on the flowers of various species of guinea-flower (Hibbertia spp.). There was also a specimen of the Mountain Katydid. These are well camouflaged, being dark brown like a dry leaf. Unfortunately, the insect was not disturbed, so we didn’t see the bright red, blue and black abdomen.

Sunday

Our day started at Lake Omeo at Benambra. The lake held water, so of course, there were heaps of water birds. It was later discovered that the Whiskered Terns were nesting, and it was estimated that there were 60-80 pairs breeding. We heard the singing of the Eurasian Skylark soaring high in the sky. Among the pasture grasses along the edge of the lake were some interesting plants. We saw probably two different species of bindweed (which isn’t a weed!!), and Kangaroo Grass, but also pale blue Woolly New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia cuneata) whose leaves and stems are covered in soft white woolly hairs; a rare pink Stork’s Bill (Pelargonium sp.1); herbaceous yellow Lanky Goodenia (Goodenia elongata) with a basal rosette of leaves and single irregular flowers on long stalks; white Creeping Brookweed (Samolus repens); and in the same family as the Bindweed (Convolvulaceae), prostrate mat-forming white Round-leaf Wilsonia (Wilsonia rotundifolia) with tubular flowers with recurved lobes. A most unusual plant, which most of us hadn’t seen before, was the prostrate parasite Golden Dodder (Cuscuta tasmanica) which often targets wilsonias. It has yellow twining stems and clusters of 2-5 cream tubular flowers with protruding stamens. Dodders have no roots, and their stems and leaves lack chlorophyll, so they can’t manufacture their own carbohydrates or obtain their own water and minerals. They twine around other plants (sometimes a specific plant), and enter the transporting systems of the host plants by means of suckers, then rob the host plant of the materials they require. Round-leaf Wilsonia grows in saline or brackish marsh areas. There was a Red and Blue Damselfly which has a bright red face and thorax and blue rings at the tail.

Golden Dodder (Cuscuta tasmanica) Photo by Fran Bright

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From here we moved to Oakeys Track where we had lunch before moving up into the Uplands State Forest which adjoins the Alpine National Park. Around our lunch spot were pink-white Dwarf Boronia (Boronia nana), a prostrate shrub with divided leaves and 4-petalled flowers; and the lilies, mauve delicate Pale Vanilla-lily (Arthropodium milleflorum) whose hanging flowers have gorgeous mauve furred staminal filaments, and purple Common Fringe-lily (Thysanotus tuberosus), whose species name refers to its crisp edible tuber; white or pale pink Grass Triggerplant (Stylidium gramineum); and again Grey Guinea-flower, Button Everlasting and Tall Sundew.

At our first site inside the gate we found Tiger Orchid and Common Onion-orchid. Two medium daisy shrubs were white Shiny Cassinia (Cassinia longifolia); and Sticky Everlasting. Peas were Common Wedge-pea and blue Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestina), the tiny climber. There were three shrubby rice-flowers, Common Rice-flower; yellow Curved-flower Rice-flower (Pimelea curviflora), a much- branched subshrub with hairy stems and hairy flowers in terminal heads; and white Slender Rice-flower (P. linifolia), a shrub to 1.5m with bisexual or female flowers in terminal heads. The rice-flowers are unusual in having tubular flowers which may be unisexual or bisexual and have only sepals (no petals) and mostly only two protruding stamens. There was also yellow Wattle Mat-rush (Lomandra filiformis), small tufted grass-like plants with stiff leathery leaves and round flowers. Tiny plants were Stinking Pennywort (Hydrocotyle laxiflora), a creeping perennial with round leaves with rounded teeth and hairy stalks, and an inflorescence of 30-50 horribly smelly flowers; and orange Small St John’s Wort (Hypericum gramineum).

Further up the rather interesting!! track, we came to a grassland with Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) which had been recently burnt. New plants were Swan Greenhood (Pterostylis cycnocephala) whose flowering spike (to 15cm) bears up to 10 small translucent hooded flowers whose labellae each have a basal dark green appendage; and white or blue Sweet Hound’s-tongue (Cynoglossum suaveolens), a small herb with strongly scented flowers in the same family Boraginaceae as forget-me-not, which it resembles. Here also was a small patch of purple Dwarf Milkwort (Polygala japonica) which has ovate leaves with the flowers in a spike. The bilateral flower has two lateral wing-like sepals and the lower keeled petals have much branched appendages.

A little further up we saw deep pink Black-tongue Caladenia and Common Star-hair (Astrotricha ledifolia), a shrub with leaves covered with stellate (starry) hairs. At a further distance, again in grassland, we saw again Swan Greenhood and Highland Leek-orchid, but also the lily Blue Stars (Chamaescilla corymbosa), a tufted perennial herb; white Derwent Speedwell (Derwentia derwentiana), a woody perennial to 140cm with long inflorescences with up to 100 flowers; and the rare very insignificant Austral Toad-flax (Thesium australe) which is a lax hairless yellowish herb, semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants, especially Kangaroo Grass.

On returning to Nariel road we stopped at Curtis flat which was burnt in autumn?? we found Yellow Star (Hypoxis glabella), a tiny herb with solitary flowers and differing from Golden Weatherglass by being completely hairless. Golden Weatherglass has long silky hairs.Near the turnoff to Beresford Track was a wet area with white and blue Swamp Isotome (Isotoma fluviatilis), a prostrate herb which can form dense mats and frequently root, with the flowers having anthers fused around the style; Pale Vanilla-lily; and purple Fairy Aprons (Utricularia dichotoma). This enchantingly named plant is a bladderwort and carnivorous. Wet environments are often deficient in nitrogen, and the needed nitrogen is taken from the bodies of captured prey. Bladderworts have underwater bladders which are kept under a vacuum by the walls of the bladder. The bladder has trigger hairs connected to the trapdoor. When tiny prey, such as protozoa or rotifers, brush against the hairs, the trapdoor is triggered and the prey is sucked in with surrounding water. Once the bladder is full, the trap closes. This takes only thousandths of a second. There were also many plants of Pale Vanilla-lily and Common Onion-orchid with flowering stalks to 1m. Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus ovata) was an overhead tree. Another orchid nearby was brown and cream Potato Orchid or Tall Cinnamon Bells (Gastrodia procera) which is leafless and a saprophyte. It relies on the mycorrhizal fungus associated with its roots for its nutrients. This mycorrhizal fungus must also be associated with the roots of a neighbouring photosynthetic plant, from which it derives its carbohydrates.

Monday

A few of us made a short trip out from Omeo, and up the Mt Hotham Road to the Mt Livingstone Road, which is just past the lookout to Mt Koscuisko. We stopped at a short track near a small dam. Here we saw again Musky Caladenia and Mountain Golden Moths. New plants were Creamy Candles (Stackhousia monogyna); white Gunn’s Heath (Epacris gunnii), an erect wiry shrub to 1m with tiny almost circular leaves and up to 90 flowers forming the inflorescence at the ends of the branches; yellow Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum) with grey foliage and tiny flower heads in flat terminal clusters; Pale-fruit Ballart (Exocarpus strictus), a broom-like shrub with tiny scale leaves and fruits which turn black when ripe, on a short swollen pale pink stalks (arils). Arils are usually edible enticements, encouraging transport of the seed by animals and thus aiding seed dispersal. We walked around a small dam and a Red-bellied Black Snake was seen. This snake is glossy black with a red to cream belly with black stripes. It is usually found near water. It is venomous, but Page 9 Issue 111 not aggressive. It feeds on a variety of vertebrates, including fish, frogs, lizards, snakes and mammals. They hunt on land or in water. They are live bearers, and up to 18 young, sized around 28cm, are borne. We made a brief stop on the way back at the Mt Kosciusko lookout to admire the view.

Many thanks to James for everything, Len, Jacquie and John Saxton for birds, and John Eichler for insects. We found 21 different orchid species over the camp.

Whiskered Terns at Lake Omeo

Photos by John Saxton

The Clematis Page 10

Plants recorded: Schoenus apogon Common Bog-rush Arthropodium milleflorum Pale Vanilla-lily Stackhousia monogyna Creamy Candles Asplenium flabellifolium Necklace fern Stellaria pungens Prickly Starwort Astrotricha ledifolia Common Star-hair Stylidium gramineum Grass Triggerplant Banksia canei Mountain Banksia Swainsonia behriana Southern Swainson-pea Bedfordia arborescens Blanket Leaf Thelymitra alpina Highland Sun-orchid Boronia nana Dwarf Boronia T. ixioides Spotted Sun-orchid Bossiaea buxifolia Matted Bossiaea T. simulata Graceful Sun-orchid B. foliosa Leafy Bossiaea Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass Brachyloma daphnoides Daphne Heath Thysanotus tuberosus Common Fringe-lily Brachyscome spathulata Spoon Daisy Utricularia dichotoma Fairy Aprons Bulbine bulbosa Bulbine Lily Velleia paradoxa Spur Velleia Caladenia clavigera Clubbed or Plain-lip Spider- Viola betonicifolia Showy Violet orchid C. congesta Black-tongue Caladenia Vittadinia cuneata Woolly New Holland Daisy C. hildae Honey or Golden Caladenia Wahlenbergia spp. bluebells C. montana Mountain Spider-orchid Wilsonia rotundifolia Round-leaf Wilsonia C. moschata Musky Caladenia Wurmbea dioica Early Nancy C. parva Brown-clubbed Greencomb or *Weed Small Greencomb Spider-orchid Calochilus campestris Copper Beard-orchid Chamaescilla corymbosa Blue Stars Fungus recorded: Banksiamyces toomansis Chiloglottis valida Common Bird-orchid Choretrum pauciflorum Dwarf Sour-bush Reptile: Red-bellied Black Snake Chrysocephalum apiculatum Common Everlasting C. semipapposum Clustered Everlasting Insects: Masked Bee Convolvulus spp. pink bindweeds Assassin Bug Satin-green Forester moth Coronidium scorpioides Button Everlasting Mountain Katydid Aurora Bluetail damselfly Craspedia variabilis Common Billy-buttons Slender Ringtail Damselfly Wandering Ringtail damselfly Cullen microcephalum Dusky Scurf-pea Australian Emporer dragonfly Cuscuta tasmanica Golden Dodder *Cytisus scoparius English Broom Birds recorded: Cynoglossum suaveolens Sweet Hound’s-tongue Lake Omeo: Black Swan Daviesia latifolia Hop Bitter-pea Australian Shelduck Australian Wood Duck D. mimosoides Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea Australasian Shoveler Grey Teal Derwentia derwentiana Derwent Speedwell Chestnut Teal Pacific Black Duck Desmodium gunnii Slender Tick-trefoil Australasian Grebe Hoary-headed Grebe Dianella revoluta Black-anther Flax-lily Australian Pelican White-faced Heron Diuris sulphurea Tiger Orchid Cattle Egret Australian White Ibis Drosera peltata subsp. auricu- Tall Sundew Straw-necked Ibis Swamp Harrier lata Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-rush Nankeen Kestrel Black-winged Stilt Epacris gunnii Gunn’s Heath Masked Lapwing Silver Gull Page 11 Issue 111

Eucalyptus dives Broad-leaved Peppermint Whiskered Tern Yellow-rumped Thornbill

E. ovata Swamp Gum Australian Magpie Grey Fantail

E. pauciflora Snow Gum Little Raven Welcome Swallow

E. rubida Candlebark Common Starling Eurasian Skylark

Euphrasia collina Purple Eyebright Australasian Pipit European Goldfinch

Exocarpus strictus Pale-fruit Ballart Omeo district:

Gastrodia procera Potato Orchid or Tall Cinnamon Emu Spotted Dove Bells G. sesamoides Cinnamon Bells Common Bronzewing Crested Pigeon

Glycine clandestina Twining Glycine Wonga Pigeon Whistling Kite

Gompholobium huegelii Common Wedge-pea Wedge-tailed Eagle Brown Falcon

Goodenia elongata Lanky Goodenia Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo Gang-gang Cockatoo

Grevillea lanigera Woolly Grevillea Galah Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Hakea lissosperma Mountain Needlewood Little Corella Rainbow Lorikeet

Hibbertia obtusifolia Grey Guinea-flower Musk Lorikeet Australian King Parrot

Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking Pennywort Crimson Rosella Eastern Rosella

Hypericum gramineum Small St John’s Wort Shining Bronze-cuckoo Fan-tailed Cuckoo

Hypoxis glabella Yellow Star Laughing Kookaburra Superb Lyrebird

H. hygrometrica Golden Weather-glass White-throated Treecreeper Superb Fairy-wren

Isotoma fluviatilis Swamp Isotome White-browed Scrubwren Striated Thornbill

Kunzea parvifolia Violet Kunzea Buff-rumped Thornbill Brown Thornbill

Leptorhynchos squamatus Scaly Buttons Spotted Pardalote Striated Pardalote

Leucopogon virgatus Common Beard-heath Eastern Spinebill Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Lomandra filiformis Wattle Mat-rush White-eared Honeyeater Red Wattlebird

Lotus australis Austral Trefoil New Holland Honeyeater Brown-headed Honeyeater

Microtis arenaria Notched Onion-orchid White-naped Honeyeater Noisy Friarbird

M. parviflora Slender Onion-orchid Eastern Whipbird Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike M. unifolia Common Onion-orchid Golden Whistler Rufous Whistler

Mirbelia oxylobioides Mountain Mirbelia Grey Shrike-thrush Dusky Woodswallow

Olearia alpicola Alpine Daisy-bush Grey Butcherbird Pied Currawong

Ozothamnus thyrsoideus Sticky Everlasting Grey Currawong Willie Wagtail

Pimelea curviflora Curved-flower Rice-flower Australian Raven Magpie-lark

P. humilis Common Rice-flower White-winged Chough Jacky Winter

P. linifolia Slender Rice-flower Scarlet Robin Eastern Yellow Robin

Poa hiemata Soft Snow-grass Rufous Songlark Silvereye

Polygala japonica Dwarf Milkwort Common Blackbird Mistletoebird

Pomaderris phylicifolia subsp. Slender Pomaderris Red-browed Finch House Sparrow ericoides Populus deltoides Cottonwood or Necklace Poplar The Clematis Page 12

Prasophyllum sp.aff. odoratum Highland Leek-orchid 11 Pterostylis cycnocephala Swan Greenhood P. falcata Sickle Greenhood P. mutica Midget Greenhood Ranunculus sp. a buttercup Samolus repens Creeping Brookweed

Above: Cattle at Lake Omeo Left: Highland Leek-orchid (Prasophyllum odoratum) Centre: Highland Sun-orchid (Thelymitra alpina) Right: Blue Grass Lily (Caesia calliantha) Photos by Fran Bright

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NUNNIONG PLATEAU - 15 January 2017

By Margaret Regan

On a beautiful cool day, we made our first stop on the Bentleys Plain Road in dry forest, just before entering the Nunniong State Forest. This was to view the Purple Hyacinth-orchid (Dipodium punctatum). We had already seen large numbers of Rosy Hyacinth-orchid (D. roseum) in places along the Great Alpine Road. Both these hyacinth-orchids are tall (to 100cm) with many pink flowers. Purple Hyacinth- orchid has tepals with darker pink spots and forward pointing tips, while the labellum is dark pink. Rosy Hyacinth-orchid’s pink tepals have more diffuse darker pink markings, they are recurved and the labellum is usually striped. These orchids are leafless, and they derive most of their nutrients and carbohydrates from the mycorrhizal fungi associated with their roots. As the fungi don’t make carbohydrates either, they must, at the same time, have an association with a flowering plant or fern, which can make carbohydrates by photosynthesis. In return the fungal mycorrhizae assist the plant with the uptake of water and minerals.

Our next stop was at lovely Bentleys Plain, where we were now in subalpine vegetation. Most of the trees around were Black Sallee (Eucalyptus stellulata) which has very dark bark at the base, while the upper branches are smooth and grey-green. We took the track which incorporates a boardwalk leading over the wetland. Along the track we found the shrub Mountain Beard-heath (Acrothamnus hookeri) with red berries, and oblong leaves with a white hairy coating underneath. Most of the plants along this wet cold hollow were small herbs with the surrounding trees and shrubs on the drier land. There were two leek-orchids which have numerous upside-down flowers. Mauve Leek- orchid (Prasophyllum alpestre) has up to 25 flowers. The petals are white with mauve stripes and the labellum is white with a green callus. Nunniong Leek-orchid (Prasophyllum sp. ’Nunniong’) has up to 20 flowers, which are mostly green and sweetly scented. Daisies were the tall yellow Alpine Podolepis (Podolepis robusta) where the corolla (fused petals) of the outer ray florets is dissected; Golden Everlasting (Xerochrysum subundulatum) whose flowers only have tubular disc florets, which are surrounded by crisp shiny golden bracts; yellow Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus) which has a tiny solitary inflorescence with only disc florets, with brown scales below the florets. There were also two species of Brachyscome, white and yellow Tufted Daisy (B. scapigera) with a basal rosette of entire leaves; and mauve and yellow Coarse Daisy (B. spathulata) which has toothed basal leaves; and yellow Yam Daisy or Murnong (Microseris lanceolata) whose flowers have mostly ray florets with toothed petals. Yam Daisy has a large tuber, and it was cultivated by aborigines as a staple food. Early explorers noted large plains covered with yam daisies being harvesting by women with digging sticks. Once sheep were introduced by the settlers, the yam daisies were eaten to the ground, so the tubers couldn’t be replenished by the leaves, and the ground was compacted. Now yam daisies are rarely seen.

Two lilies were the tiny starry single-flowered Golden Weatherglass (Hypoxis hygrometrica); and the delicate mauve Pale Vanilla-lily (Arthropodium milleflorum) whose flowers are vanilla-scented, and which has tubers which were probably also eaten by aborigines. There was also pinkish-white Alpine Trachymene (Trachymene humilis) with trifoliate leaves and flowers in clusters; the small deep pink Thrift- leaved Triggerplant (Stylidium armeria); blue 4-petalled Slender Speedwell (Veronica gracilis); purple Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) which is in the lavender family Lamiaceae with usually square stems, opposite aromatic leaves, a two- lipped corolla and a fruit of four nutlets; a pink willow-herb (Epilobium sp.) whose flowers have very long ovaries below the petals; prostrate yellow Matted St John’s Wort (Hypericum japonicum); and a bright yellow buttercup (Ranunculus sp.) with hairy stems and leaf petioles leading to trifoliate serrated leaves in a basal rosette.

In the Nunniong Plains area along Escarpment Track we stopped at Escarpment Plain 2. The walking trail into the plain was badly trampled by brumbies with latrines of horse poo in several areas. The surrounding trees were Black Sallee and Snow Gum (Eucalyptus pauciflora) which has thick leathery shiny green Alpine Trachymene (Trachymene humilis) Photo by Fran Bright leaves with obvious veins running lengthwise and very attractive bark, especially when wet. The Clematis Page 14

Out in the plain, which would be wet at certain times of the year, the orchids were Summer Greenhood (Pterostylis decurva) whose upright green and white-striped flower has a hood whose tip is brown, long and usually downward pointing, and long erect lateral sepals; Mountain Greenhood (P. monticola) with swept back lateral sepals; pink Parson’s Bands (Eriochilus cucullatus) whose flowers have tiny petals, dorsal sepal and labellum, but two large lateral sepals held below the flower; and blue Veined Sun-orchid (Thelymitra cyanea) which has dark blue lines on the petals and sepals, and the column arms are spiralled inwards. In the very important family in Australia, the Myrtaceae which includes the eucalypts, were the small shrubs white Mountain Baeckea (Baeckea utilis) with opposite crowded keeled leaves (3-9mm); and white Alpine Baeckea (B. gunniana) which has smaller (2-4mm) unkeeled leaves; and yellow Alpine Bottlebrush (Callistemon pityoides), a shrub to 3m with spiky leaves. Two daisies were yellow and red Alpine Shaggy-pea (Podolobium alpestre) with leaves to 5cm and hairy pods; and bright yellow Pale Everlasting (Coronidium monticola) related to Button Everlasting. Other small plants were white Swamp Heath (Epacris paludosa) which has spiky leaves and flowers clustered terminally; and pink Heath Milkwort (Comesperma ericinum) whose flowers are in loose terminal racemes; There was also a tiny (to 16mm) Montane Heath- blue butterfly, whose larvae only feed on heaths, including Swamp Heath.

In the water was yellow Marshwort (Nymphoides montana), a robust perennial rooted in the base of the water body, with the heart-shaped leaves held at the surface on long stalks. The flower petals are prettily fringed. Another water dweller was purple Fairy Aprons (Utricularia dichotoma) which is a carnivorous bladderwort, living in nitrogen- deficient waters, and obtaining nitrogen by capturing small invertebrates in its underwater bladder trap, and then digesting Marshwort (Nymphoides montana) Photo by Dianne Laws them. The flowers are two-lipped with the lower lip greatly enlarged (like an apron!!). There was also light green peat moss (Sphagnum sp.) whose leaves have small green living cells interspersed with hollow dead cells which can store large amounts of water. The plant is also extremely acidic, and was used for centuries as an absorptive wound dressing, even in World War I, as the acid inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi. It is still used today in the nursery industry for its water-holding capacity.

Later on Sawpit Road, we ventured into a wet area, dense with large Mountain Teatree (Leptospermum grandifolium), searching for Blue- tongue Greenhood (Pterostylis oreophila) which is known to inhabit these thickets. It is rare and we failed to find any plants. We did however see Summer Greenhood again and Green Bird-orchid (Chiloglottis cornuta). The single flower of Green Bird-orchid is mostly light green and the labellum has a central clump of reddish brown calli. We saw several shrubs with fleshy fruits, and these were Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) which has hot spicy leaves, and at this time of the year the fruits were only green; cream Waxberry (Gaultheria appressa) with bell-like flowers and white divided fruits; and green Shining Coprosma (Coprosma nitida) which has shiny leaves and whose fruits in autumn will be red. An unusual lily which also has a fleshy fruit was white Turquoise Berry (Drymophila cyanocarpa) whose specific name describes the turquoise berries – ‘cyano’ is Greek for dark blue and ‘carp’ is Greek for fruit. Turquoise Berry is a perennial herb with arching stems bearing leaves in two opposite rows. There was also white Forest Starwort (Stellaria flaccida), a trailing perennial with weak stems and opposite ovate leaves far apart on the stems. A small fern was Alpine water-fern (Blechnum penna- marina) which has separate pinnate vegetative and fertile fronds with the pinnae attached by very wide bases.

Thank you for a lovely day to James, and to Len, Jacquie, John and James for the bird list.

Page 15 Issue 111

Plants recorded:

Acrothamnus hookeri Mountain Beard-heath P. sp. ‘Nunniong’ Nunniong Leek-orchid Arthropodium milleflorum Pale Vanilla-lily Prunella vulgaris Self-heal Baeckea gunniana Alpine Baeckea Pterostylis decurva Summer Greenhood B. utilis Mountain Baeckea P. monticola Mountain Greenhood Blechnum penna-marina Alpine water-fern Sphagnum sp. peat moss Brachyscome scapigera Tufted Daisy Stellaria flaccida Forest Starwort B. spathulata Coarse Daisy Stylidium armeria Thrift-leaved Triggerplant Callistemon pityoides Alpine Bottlebrush Tasmannia lanceolata Mountain Pepper Chiloglottis cornuta Green Bird-orchid Trachymene humilis Alpine Trachymene Comesperma ericinum Heath Milkwort Utricularia dichotoma Fairy Aprons Coprosma nitida Shining Coprosma Veronica gracilis Slender Speedwell Coronidium monticola Pale Everlasting Xerochrysum subundulatum Golden Everlasting Dipodium punctatum Purple Hyacinth-orchid D. roseum Rosy Hyacinth-orchid Insect recorded: Mountain Heath-blue butterfly

Drymophila cyanocarpa Turquoise Berry Birds recorded: Epacris paludosa Swamp Heath Wedge-tailed Eagle Nankeen Kestrel Epilobium sp. A willow-herb Masked Lapwing Gang-gang Cockatoo Eriochilus cucullatus Parson’s Bands Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Crimson Rosella Eucalyptus pauciflora Snow Gum Laughing Kookaburra White-throated Treecreeper E. stellulata Black Sallee Satin Bowerbird Superb Fairy-wren Gaultheria appressa Waxberry Eastern Spinebill Yellow-faced Honeyeater Hypericum japonicum Matted St John’s Wort White-eared Honeyeater Crescent Honeyeater Hypoxis hygrometrica Golden Weatherglass Eastern Whipbird Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Leptorhynchos squamatus Scaly Buttons Golden Whistler Rufous Whistler Microseris lanceolata Yam Daisy or Murnong Grey Shrike-thrush Australian Magpie Nymphoides montana Marshwort Pied Currawong Grey Fantail Podolepis robusta Alpine Podolepis Australian Raven White-winged Chough Podolobium alpestre Alpine Shaggy-pea Eastern Yellow Robin Bassian Thrush Prasophyllum alpestre Mauve Leek-orchid Australasian Pipit European Goldfinch

Purple Hyacinth-orchid (Dipodium punctatum) Mauve Leek-orchid ( Prasophyllum alpestre)

Photos by Dianne Laws

The Clematis Page 16

Tulloch Ard Road - 19 February 2017

By Margaret Regan

Trestle Bridge over the Murrindal River Photo by Andrew Bould

Heading east from Buchan we travelled to the Tulloch Ard Road which heads north and runs between the Buchan – Gelantipy Road and the Snowy River. Our first stop was at the bridges over the Murrindal River. The old wooden trestle bridge has been replaced, for road traffic, by a curved concrete bridge, but it doesn’t have the romance of the lovely old white original bridge. It was a pleasure to see that it hadn’t been removed, and could be used as a viewing platform over the river. Our next stop along the road was in a very dry area with the overstorey trees being Silvertop Ash (Eucalyptus sieberi) which has lower bark fissured like ironbark, with the upper branches smooth and white; and Black Sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis), a dark green tree with hard, closely fissured bark, rusty-brown male spikes, and cones on female trees. Unfortunately, we never saw a Glossy Black Cockatoo, who feeds exclusively on seeds from the cones of sheoaks. We paused here to see the small shrub Purple Coopernookia (Coopernookia barbata) which in Victoria only grows in East Gippsland in dry open rocky forests and shrublands. Its leaves have glandular and star-shaped hairs on their surfaces, and the flowers are irregular and also hairy. Unfortunately, there were few plants, and it being late summer, even fewer flowers.

Further north along the road, the rainfall was obviously higher and there more plants to be see. A rare plant in the same family Goodeniaceae as the Purple Coopernookia was yellow Variable Goodenia (Goodenia heterophylla) which is a hairy perennial to 40cm with ovate toothed or lobed leaves. The flowers have two smaller and three larger petals, each petal with a thickened central area and wavy edges. A third member of the same family seen here was the small shrub yellow Hop Goodenia (Goodenia ovata) which often seems to prefer disturbed roadsides. [Speaking of disturbed roadsides, we were very disturbed by the large number of mature trees that had been felled along the road. It was assumed that they were removed in case they dropped branches or fell themselves, thus hindering the passage of log trucks along the road!!!] At this site we spent some time watching and photographing a delightful Flame Robin, hopping around and on a very large felled tree, no doubt searching for insects. Two daisies which were fairly common during the day were the Page 17 Issue 111

white shrub Shiny Cassinia (Cassinia longifolia) with long shiny narrow leaves and flower heads in terminal dense clusters; and Golden Everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum) which is again often seen along roadsides. Other shrubs were the fairly rare Tullach Ard Grevillea (Grevillea polychroma) which has obovate entire leaves to 8cm and whose flowers can be coloured from red through to cream, with these being cream; the white teatree Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) with stiff pointed leaves; and the smaller shrubs Broom Spurge (Amperea xiphoclada), a broom-like leafless shrub, whose stems are green and photosynthesise; and white and pink Shrubby Platysace (Platysace lanceolata) with soft ovate leaves and flowers in a compound umbel, Variable Goodenia (Goodenia heterophylla) Photo by Dianne Laws like carrot and parsley, which are in the same family, Apiaceae. Smaller plants were Blue Dampiera (Dampiera stricta), a fourth member of the Goodeniaceae; and Pale Flax-lily (Dianella laevis) with gorgeous deep purple berries.

There were many butterflies about, so we started hunting for insect life. The butterflies were Imperial White or Imperial Jezebel, which is black, white, red and yellow, and whose larval plants are mistletoes; the introduced Cabbage White, where the larval plants all seem to be in the Brassicaceae (cabbage family); Common Brown, whose larval plants are grasses; the also brown patterned Eastern Ringed Xenica, with larval plants that are also grasses; Varied Sword Grass Brown, whose larvae only feed on various species of sword grass; and brown and yellow Dingy Grass- dart, whose larval plant is Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrica). Other insects were Sawfly larvae, which we commonly call Spitfire grubs after their defensive habit of “spitting out” a noxious liquid; and the nymph of an all green leaf-like Gum Leaf Katydid, which is related to long-horned grasshoppers and crickets, and feeds on gum leaves. It will undergo a few more moults before reaching maturity. There was also a predatory Assassin Bug which has a narrow neck; and a large very friendly Leaf Insect, which was a female with small wings that are not useful for flight. The males have large wings used for flight. [This particular female was Varied Sword Grass Brown butterfly Photo by Dianne Laws The Clematis Page 18 taken home by Andrew and cared for. She then laid 15 eggs before dying.] This species of Leaf Insect can extensively defoliate eucalypts. Spiders were lots of Leaf-curling Spiders hiding inside their curled leaves hanging by webs between the bushes; and a fawn Garden Orb-weaving Spider with a large (2.5cm) abdomen who happily?? posed for the many photographers. Just as we were leaving, Jacquie discovered an almost finished plant of Horned Orchid (Orthoceras strictum) which James was astonished to find at this site, as it is normally found much closer to the coast. Horned Orchid has grass-like basal leaves and a tall (to 80cm) flowering stalk with up to 9 greenish brown flowers. The dorsal sepal is hooded, the laterals are long, narrow and erect and the labellum has a central yellow stripe.

Past New Guinea Jeep Track, we were in an even wetter environment with ferns appearing. The trees at this stop were Gippsland Peppermint (Eucalyptus croajingolensis) which has rough peppermint bark and peppermint-scented leaves; Broad-leaved Peppermint (E. dives); Messmate (E. obliqua) with stringybark, leaves with an oblique base and wineglass-shaped stalked fruit; and Alpine Ash or Woollybutt (E. delegatensis). An interesting mint-bush found in tall forest, usually on granite was Blotchy Mint-bush (Prostanthera walteri). It is a sprawling shrub to 2m with glandular leaves with short hairs and unusual blue-grey flowers. There were two water-ferns, Fishbone water-fern (Blechnum nudum) and Hard water-fern (B. wattsii). Both of these ground ferns have separate barren and fertile fronds, with the latter growing stiffly from the centre of the barren fronds. The fronds of Hard water-fern are dark green and the pinnae are stalked. Fishbone water-fern has mid-green fronds with the pinnae attached by wide bases. Another very pretty lighter green ground fern was Spreading fan-fern (Sticherus lobatus). The fronds branch, up to four times, thus forming a fan shape, and the narrow pinnules are sessile (with a wide base).

Blotchy Mint-bush (Prostanthera walteri) Photo by Dianne Weir

We made a prolonged stop at the corner of Tulloch Ard Road and Betts Creek Track. We were on Ash Saddle in the Snowy River National Park at an altitude of 845m. Betts Creek Track is a 4WD track down to the Snowy River. Near the beginning of the track isa short walking track through the wet forest. We also walked partway down Betts Creek Track. Here the huge overhead trees were Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans), specimens of which are the tallest flowering plants in the world, reaching a height of 95m. The bark is sub- fibrous below, but smooth with ribbons above. The leaves are to 17cm, and the club-shaped fruits are borne in paired clusters. On the walking track we were mostly overhung by Soft tree-fern (Dicksonia antarctica) which has a stout trunk with a large crown of drooping fronds. The spores are borne along the edges of the fronds protected by the recurved margins of the lobes of the pinnae.

A rare and unusual find growing on the trunks of some of the Soft tree-fern was pendulous Long fork-fern (Tmesipteris obliqua) which is not a real fern. Long fork-fern has simple oblong leaves flattened in one plane, and bears bilobed pointed spore cases near the ends of the branches. Another epiphyte on the tree-ferns was Fieldia (Fieldia australis), a small scrambling, self-layering plant with shiny ovate serrated leaves, cream tubular flowers and ovoid cream berries with purplish flecks. An interesting tall climber seen on the walking track was Twining Silkpod (Parsonsia brownii) which has linear leaves (to 13cm) and tiny yellow flowers in loose groups, with later, large (to 10cm) pods containing silky-plumed seeds. A larger wiry climber with a few nasty prickles was Lawyer-vine or Wait-a-while (Smilax australis). Two of its common names refer to the large prickles. They say “once a lawyer gets his hooks into you, they won’t let go”, and Page 19 Issue 111 the prickles make you “wait-a-while”!! Lawyer-vine has large ovate leaves, clusters of tiny cream flowers with obvious stamens and black berries.

Along the wider, more open, Betts Creek Track we were able to see many more plants. Another tree-fern was Rough tree-fern (Cyathea australis) which grows taller than Soft tree-fern. It has a slender trunk with the fronds held more upright. The sporangia (spore cases) are borne in naked clusters on the back of the fronds close to the midrib. Other ferns were four ground ferns, Fishbone and Hard water -ferns, Spreading fan-fern; and large soft light green Bat’s wing (Histiopteris incisa) whose fronds have opposite sessile pinnae and the sporangia are continuous along the recurved margins of pinnae.

A tree was conical nutmeg-scented Garden Orb-weaving Spider Photo by Andrew Bould Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) whose toothed leaves are shiny green above and whitish beneath, and it has scented paired cream flowers. Tall shrubs were the daisy Blanket Leaf (Bedfordia arborescens) whose leaves are dark green above, and very white woolly below (hence the common name blanket leaf!!) with dead leaves hanging below the branches; Musk Daisy- bush (Olearia argophylla) with alternate toothed leaves, green above and silver with raised veins below; Black Olive-berry (Elaeocarpus holopetalus) whose leaves are alternate, toothed and brown beneath with sunken veins, and the fruits are black; and Austral Mulberry (Hedycarya angustifolia) whose leaves are opposite and glossy green above, with obvious veins, but hairless below. Austral Mulberry has a yellow compound fruit like a mulberry. With very narrow leaves was another tall shrub River or Long-leaf Lomatia Lomatia( myricoides) which has thin woody fruits. A slightly smaller shrub was white Wedge-leaf Everlasting (Ozothamnus cuneifolius) whose flowering branches are densely cottony, the shiny leaves are cream below, and the flower heads are in terminal clusters.

Smaller plants were the daisies yellow Fireweed Groundsel (Senecio linearifolius), a perennial to 1.5m with variable leaves; tiny Blue Bottle Daisy (Lagenophora stipitata); and purplish-green Smooth Solenogyne (Solenogyne dominii), a small herb with a basal rosette of narrow-elliptic toothed leaves, and single reduced flower heads on stout short stems. A heath was Tall Acrotriche (Acrotriche leucocarpa), a spreading shrub to 130cm, with pale green tubular flowers which are followed by pearly white berries. There was the large Tasman Flax-lily (Dianella tasmanica) whose leaves have margins and midribs with hand-cutting tiny teeth, which was bearing its purple Spreading fan-fern Photo by Andrew Bould The Clematis Page 20 berries. Ground covers were purple Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) in the lavender family; white Forest Pennywort (Hydrocotyle geraniifolia), a creeping lax perennial herb with much-divided leaves; and Shade or Smooth Nettle (Australina pusilla subsp. muelleri), another creeping plant with toothed leaves, whose hairs fortunately, unlike its relative Scrub Nettle, do not sting!!. Scrambling in and over the lower layer was Forest Wire Grass (Tetrarrhena juncea) which has long (to 6m) tough wiry stems with minute barbs. A white ball of solid slime was seen attached by a short stalk to some Wire Grass. It was Mistletoe Bird poo, which would contain the seed of a mistletoe. The Mistletoe Bird feeds almost exclusively on the fruits of mistletoes. The soft sticky coat of the single seed of the mistletoe berries is attractive to the birds. The seed passes quickly through the specialized gut of the mistletoe bird, and the bird then wipes the emerging seed with a stalk (still with some of its sticky coat) onto the branch of usually a tree. The seed then germinates and a tube penetrates the branch, and enters the system transporting water and minerals around the host plant. Mistletoes are green and can make their own carbohydrates by photosynthesis. Maybe the bird releasing this seed missed the tree branch, and the sticky seed landed on the Wire Grass, which maybe wasn’t a suitable host!!

Our last stop before turning back onto the Buchan - Gelantipy Road near Gelantipy was an area where a great view was seen over the rugged Snowy River Gorge, possibly opposite the entry of Mountain Creek, a tranquil spot for afternoon tea. Here we noticed Rosy Hyacinth-orchid (Dipodium roseum); and the yellow daisy Long Podolepis (Podolepis hieracioides), a perennial to 70cm with one or more stems. The basal leaves are elliptic and stem-clasping, the stem leaves are narrow, and 2-6 flower heads are held in terminal clusters.

Thank you once again James, a wonderful day. And to Len, Jacquie, Andrew and John for information on birds, insects and spiders.

Wynne Davies, Kath Tisdale, Lorraine Davies, Sandy Towers, Dianne Laws, John Saxton. Photo by Andrew Bould Page 21 Issue 111

Plants recorded: Platysace lanceolata Shrubby Platysace

Acrotriche leucocarpa Tall Acrotriche Podolepis hieracioides Long Podolepis

Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoak Prostanthera walteri Blotchy Mint-bush

Amperea xiphoclada Broom Spurge Prunella vulgaris Self-heal

Atherosperma moschatum Southern Sassafras Senecio linearifolius Fireweed Groundsel

Australina pusilla subsp. Shade or Smooth Nettle Smilax australis Lawyer-vine or Wait-a-while muelleri Bedfordia arborescens Blanket Leaf Solengyne dominii Smooth Solengyne

Blechnum nudum Fishbone water-fern Sticherus lobatus Spreading fan-fern

B. wattsii Hard water-fern Tetrarrhena juncea Forest Wire Grass

Cassinia longifolia Shiny Cassinia Tmesipteris obliqua Long fork-fern

Coopernookia barbata Purple Coopernookia Xerochrysum bracteatum Golden Everlasting

Cyathea australis Rough tree-fern Birds recorded:

Dampiera stricta Blue Dampiera Australian Wood Duck Pacific Black Duck

Dianella laevis Pale Flax-lily Wonga Pigeon Straw-necked Ibis

D. tasmanica Tasman Flax-lily Brown Falcon Gang-gang Cockatoo

Dicksonia antarctica Soft tree-fern Galah Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Dipodium roseum Rosy Hyacinth-orchid Australian King Parrot Crimson Rosella

Eleaocarpus holopetalus Black Olive-berry Eastern Rosella Laughing Kookaburra

Eucalyptus croajingolensis Gippsland Peppermint Superb Lyrebird White-throated Treecreeper

E. delegatensis Alpine Ash or Woollybutt Superb Fairy-wren White-browed Scrubwren

E. dives Broad-leaved Peppermint Large-billed Scrubwren Striated Thornbill

E. obliqua Messmate Brown Thornbill Eastern Spinebill

E. regnans Mountain Ash Yellow-faced Honeyeater Red Wattlebird

E. sieberi Silvertop Ash Brown-headed Honeyeater Eastern Whipbird

Fieldia australis Fieldia Olive Whistler Golden Whistler

Goodenia heterophylla Variable Goodenia Grey Shrike-thrush Australian Magpie

G. ovata Hop Goodenia Pied Currawong Grey Fantail

Grevillea polychroma Tullach Ard Grevillea Australian Raven Black-faced Monarch

Hedycarya angustifolia Austral Mulberry Flame Robin Eastern Yellow Robin

Histiopteris incisa Bat’s wing Silvereye Common Blackbird

Hydrocotyle geraniifolia Forest Pennywort Mistletoebird Red-browed Finch

Lagenophora stipitata Blue Bottle Daisy Insects and Spiders:

Leptospermum scoparium Manuka Assassin Bug Cabbage White butterfly

Lomatia myricoides River or Long-leaf Lomatia Common Brown butterfly Dingy Grass-dart butterfly

Olearia argophylla Musk Daisy-bush Eastern Ringed Xenica butterfly Garden Orb-weaving Spider

Orthoceras strictum Horned Orchid Gum Leaf Katydid Imperial White or Imperial Jeze- bel butterfly Ozothamnus cuneifolius Wedge-leaf Everlasting Leaf-curling Spider Leaf Insect

Parsonsia brownii Twining Silkpod Sawfly larvae Varied Sword Grass butterfly

The Newsletter of the Bairnsdale & District

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