:TLAS (5) Mar ·19EJ6 DEPAR T· E~ )1;;~ \;0;~:1Al: CLSE.VA ION.. R No.

EDITED BY: ANNE TAYLOR, MAR. 86

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ILLUSTRATIONS BY: David Hutchison (front cover) Rosemary Opala (p.4,7,11,17) Sue Patrick (p.9)

ENQUIRIES TO: Atlas, W.A. Wildlife Research Centre, P.O. Box 51 , Wanne roo, W.A., 6065 This last newsletter is certainly a "bumper" edition. I've been swamped by wonderfully interesting and informative articles sent in by volunteers. Unfortunately Ross Bradstock's "Plant Population Dynamics Under Varying Fire Regimes" arrived just too late to be included. I will be happy to send a copy of this article to anyone who reque sts it.

Very many thanks to contributors for Newsletter No. 5 - Le's Gray, Alf and Esme Salkin, Arnold Berkin, Rosemary Opala, Norma Ali, Rauleigh Webb, Joan Adams, Cyril Henshaw, and Neil Marriott, not forgetting the artists David Hutchison, Rosemary Opala and Sue Patrick. I've really enjoyed reading all the articles sent in for past and present newsletters and hope other people have as well.

Accompanying this newsletter is a questionnaire to be filled in by anyone who received a recording kit. The idea is to obtain feedback about the project from those who were on the receiving end, i.e. you the volunteers! If you didn't ever get around to filling in a sheet, don't worry, we're not out to get you! You don't even need to put a name on your reply - although you can if you want to. I'm hoping for a very high return rate so please don't put the questionnaire aside and then forget to do it. FILL IT IN TODAY! - it really will only take a few minutes of your time.

Since Newsletter No 4, 2 595 record sheets have been received from the following 166 contributors (includes 59 new contributors). The total number of contributors to date stands at 344. This is about 34% of the 1 003 people who were sent recording kits.

Joan & Laurie Adams (37) NSW Steve Dawson (4) WA Norma Ali (34) TAS Joan Dewhurst (3) SA Margaret Allan (2) TAS Doris Dove (4) QLD Jennie Allen (121) WA Greg Drake & Anne Knight (15) NSW Terry & Helen Allen (2) WA WT Dullard (1) VIC Eric Anderson (1) QLD Linn Dyason (6) QLD Robin Andersson (63) WA Robin Elkin (5) NSW P Austin (6) NSW Barbara & Margaret Evans (6) WA Bob & Barbara Backhouse (14) WA Ken Felton (6) TAS Gary Backhouse (8) VIC Lee Fernie (1) WA Betty Ball ingall (60) QLD Ian Fowler (10) NSW Tony Bean (4) QLD Lawrence Frizzell (1) WA Don & Barbara Bellairs (8) WA Mary Gandini (19 ) QLS Graham Bennett (5) QLD Ray Garston (1) WA Jo Benyon (4) ACT Anne Giblin (1) NSW Arnold Berkin (15) VIC John Gibson (40) ACT Doris & Vic Blampey (115) WA Lloyd Gibson . (11) ACT Tony Bloomfield (2) TAS Robert Goodman (7) WA John Blyth (1) QLD Mal Graham (14) WA Beryl & Fred Boase (5) WA Les Gray ( 115) SA RA & J A Boyd (5) NSW Olga Green (2) WA John Boyle (9) WA Murray Haby (102) VIC Keith Bradby & Heather Pearce (31) WA Kate & Mark Hackling (6) WA G Brandt (1) ACT Annette Hallpike (10) VIC Mary Bremner (22) WA Brenda Hammersley (16) WA Peter Bridgewater (6) ACT David Handscombe (2) VIC Lola Broadhurst (5) WA Gary B Hardy (6) QLD Judith Brown (26) WA Paul Harris (2) QLD Dick Burns (17) TAS Cyril Henshaw ( 73 ) VIC Keith & Ann Cairncross (8) NSW Lynne Heywood (7) NSW Peter Cale (6) WA Sheila Hill (39) WA Jim Carpenter (39) TAS Maria Hitchcock (37) NSW Don Carter (4) WA Meri Hitchins (1) WA Bruce Champion (8) TAS Peter Hook (6) WA Arthur & Kathleen Charlton (7) WA Wade Howlett (3) VIC John Chilvers (6) WA Ida Jackson (64) SA Ruth Clark (1) WA Robert Jago (6) QLD Steve Clemesha (24) NSW Brendan Johnston (8) NSW Jeanette Closs (7) TAS Chris Johnstone (7) NSW Phil Collier (45) TAS Wendy Kappelle (16) WA John Conran (23) QLD Morton Kaveney (1) NSW Ron & Margaret Cooper (100) NSW Ian Kealley (36) WA Diana Cordiner (3) NSW Margaret Kelly (2) QLD Colin & Verna Cornford (3) QLD Claire Kennedy (11) NSW Doug Coughran (4) WA Ian Kirwin (6) VIC Ron Cox (6) NSW Matthew Kirwan (8) VIC Jenny Craigen (1) NSW Raymond Lacken (1) QLD Val Crowley (8) WA Penny Leighton (15) WA Rosemary Cugley (5) WA Lenore Lindsay (2) QLD Pat & Thelma Daniell (2) WA Shirley Loney (3) WA Alan Danks (16) WA Enid Lowe (2) WA John Davey (2) WA Neil Marriott (10) VIC .l

Cyril Marhsall (3) NSW Andrew & Lois Sourry (7) NSW Gary Martin (4) WA Barb St John (9) SA Peter Mawson (3) WA Don Stallard (2) NT Ian McAllan (12) NSW Helen & Mick Statham (10) TAS Ian McDonald (1) NSW Jim Steenson (3) NSW Olga McGreen (4) WA Norman & Jane Stevens (5) WA Helen McKenzie (8) NSW Trevor Stoneman (5) WA F.C . McNamara (2) WA Margery & Graham Stutchbury (2) OLD Michael Merrony (4) ACT Donna & Peter Summers (13) WA Col Middleton (3) OLD Ted Summers (2) SA Phillipa Middleton (1) SA Katie Syme (4) WA Kevin Mills (111) NSW Tony Tapper ( 25) WA National Park & Wildlife Ser. (17) NSW Paul Taylor (5) OLD Rosemary Opala & Lynda! Thorburn (2) ACT Evelyn Peacock (56) OLD Rosemary & Neville Thorn ( 6 ) WA Sue Palmer (3) WA Ross Thompson (3) NSW Rae & Rodney Papenfus (2) WA David & Helen Tranter (2) NSW Margaret Parris (3) NSW Stephen Van Leeuwen (12) WA Sue Patrick (2) WA Graham Velterop (32) WA Patricia Perrin (3) NSW Ken Veness (1) NSW Max & June Preece (11) VIC Marjorie & Len Wall ( 51) TAS E Pickering (15) NSW Brian Walters (59) NSW Lois Prictor (1) VIC Mr & Mrs B Ward (4) NSW Barry Rick (3) WA Peter & Carolyn Wardle (2) WA Paul & Thelma Roach (47) SA Rauleigh Webb (20) WA Jill Roberts (5) TAS S G Webster ( 2) WA Ed Robinson ( 16) WA Beth Williams ( 16) NSW Alf Salkin (250) VIC Don Williams (12) WA Janet Semmens (3) VIC Pip Williams (4) SA Dave Sieber (2) WA Jim Williamson (8) WA

For those who haven't yet made a start, its still not too late. The last records must be received at WANNEROO before August 31 1986. Eastern states people please allow your State Co- ordinators time to check your sheets and send them on to me . Your l ast records should be sent in no later than August 10th

Which brings me to the State Co-ordinators. They've done a marvellous job and I definitely couldn' t have survived without them. They ' ve willingly checked through hundreds of record sheets, written letters, answered. queries, visited volunteer recorders, and filled in their own record sheets, and all within their spare time. My sincere thanks go to Paul Taylor, Paul Spratt, Ross Goldingay, , Alf Salkin, Bruce Champion and Les Gray. How on earth will you fill in those "empty" hours when the project is over?

Here at Wanneroo I ' m indebted to Scott Wilson. During the last year, he's regularly taken time off from his university studies to come and grapple with computer printouts, distribution maps and record sheets.

In Canberra, thank you to Marjorie May , Joan Hegarty and Jo Benyon who have assisted with distribution of Newsletters and Interim Maps.

Finally I would like to thank every contributor who has taken part in the project. I wish I could have met you all but there just hasn' t been enough time. I know you've put a lot into the project, I do hope you 've also got a lot out of it. I wonder how many of you like Rosemary Opala (p. 7) will be instinctively recording for years to come - I know I will be.

The end result of this 3 year Banksia Atlas project will be, naturally, a BANKSIA ATLAS, It should be available by late 1987/88. In early 1987 all contributors will be informed of its progress and proposed completion date.

ATTENTION QUEENSLAND VOLUNTEERS

Paul Taylor, Queensland State Co-ordinator has moved from Bundaberg to Brisbane. His new address is 362 Warrigal Road, Eight Mile Plains, 4123. Phone 07-892 5880 (a/h) • 3

.BANKSIA NEWS NOV. 85 - MAR. 86 by Anne Taylor

There has not been time to do a thorough analysis of the latest Banksia distribution maps. The following conunents represent those new sightings, since Interim Maps II, which have been most readily remembered. Apologies to any volunteers who have sent in new sightings but do not get a mention. Your efforts will become apparent in the final analysis.

B. conferta var penicillata - N.s.w. - Previously restricted to a few areas within Newnes Plateau, Blue Mountains, a new population has been found some 100 km away near Mittagong by Brian Walters. Brian is willing to show the site to any interested Banksia volunteers. His address is R23 West Wilchard Rd, Castlereagh, 2750, tel: 047 761 360.

Brian comments that "In the Supplementary Field Guide, one of the features listed as distinguishing conferta var. penicillata from var. conferta are the serrated mature leaves on the former. My own observations indicate that plants of var. penicillata on Newnes Plateau can have either entire or serrated mature leaves" .

B. ericifolia var. macrantha - N.S.W. - Brian Walters has found a few plants as fa1 south as Forster N.S.W. He didn't have time for a thorough search and suggests that volunteers within reach of the area should have a good look,to see if there are any reasonable stands remaining.

B. serrata - QLD - has been found on Fraser Island by Phillip Manley. Previously only ~· aemula had been recorded there.

B. spinulosa, N.S.W. - Joan and Laurie Adams appear to have found all 3 varieties of B. spinulosa within a single locality in the Blue Mountains. This is definitely a 'first' as the 3 varieties do not usually co-exist.

New Species in Far North Queensland? - Two intriguing reports _of possible new species in Cape Yorke Peninsula have been received, both from non-banksia recorders. Unfortunately no samples were collected, so until someone else can get to the areas concerned its a case of "wait and see" - Both the Tableland and Cairns branches of the S.G.A.P. (Society for Growing Australian Plants) have been notified and will be trying to investigate the sightings before the end of the project. If anyone else is heading that way before August, please let me know.

~· scabrella, ~· grossa, ~· incana, W.A. - New populations of these 3 banksias are recorded east of Arrowsmith, W.A. (see article by R. Webb "In Search of a New Location" For B. incana, another new find near Moore River by Barbara and Margaret Evans, Bob and-Barbara Backhouse.

B_. sphaerocarpa var. sphaerocarpa, W.A. - A new location north of Blackwood River and west of Nannup found by Jennie Allen and Robin Andersson.

~· benthamiana, W.A. - Many years ago Stan White observed this species in two new locations:

1. At Tardun Mission (between Morawa and Mullewa) right inside the Mission gates; 2. Just south of Wurarga on road to Morawa.

Both these locations need to be investigated to see if the plants still exist. Can anyone refind these sites before August?

REMEMBER - August 31st, at Wanneroo is the absolute deadline! 4

B. gardneri var. hiemalis, W.A. - A new location reported by Mal Graham from Pallarup Lake, north of Ravensthorpe.

B. grandis, W.A. - the most easterly recorded B. grandis is now at Badgebup, 33 km ENE of Katanning. (Ken Wallace).

B. menziesii , W.A. Nigel Hewett has recorded a population at Piawanning definitely the most inland recorded so far.

B. audax, W.A. - recorded as far south as Lake King Nature Reserve by Barry Rick.

ANOTHER NEW BANKSIA?!? by Les Gray

I was walking through the local Woolworths supermarket the other day and was rather amused by the sight that befell me. A young "check-out-chick" was putting the finishing touches to a hand painted sign mounted above some very familiar looking banksias in the cut-flower section. Familiar these beautiful bright scarlet and grey blooms may have been, but the name was not. The sign boldly declared "COCKS ZINIAS $2.50 EACH". The things you see when you haven't got your field note book!

11 /'f' .rrEMS ,. H.-fvE S'rAAr£.J> .r1Nc,E I To/N~~ 7"NE IJ "1A1~.r1A ,mmE . ''

Some strange things you see on record sheets - "Dominant species" - "scribbly gums, aemulas, car bodies!" "Aspec t of slope"-lsjEI Xll

The invitation in Newsletter No. 4, for volunteers to write in with their comments on the Banksia Atlas was taken up by only a few. Extracts of these appear below. However, now that there is a questionnaire for everyone to fill in, I expect to read many more comments during the ·next few months.

Cyril Henshaw, Vic - " Intere sting though I may find the triple-trunked integrifolia s urvivor with its two suckering offspring, it is manifestly impracticable to feed information of this nature into a computer, especially if other observers made s imilar lengthy contributions. Perhaps I 'm too conscientious - or jus t p l ain finnicky. For instance, I agonize over the correct answer to put in various code boxes. Take soil type - even when I have plenty of time to scratch through the 5

grass and discover that its sandy, or is it loamy? But then, there is bound to be rock down below eventually, but how far down does it have to be to qualify for code V? Even if the rock is a long way down, close to the surface there may be a shallow layer of ironstone gravel resting on an unfathomable band of clay. Now how do I accommodate that within the given soil types?"

Doris Blampey, WA - "Reading about the Cooma farmer who was against banksias reminds me of one we met. He too, 'killed Banksias wherever we find them, they're a pesky nuisance'. However in spite of this he was kind enough to send a man with us to show us where we would find some. I later wrote to thank him and to tell him the name of the type we found, also a few other names and I asked him wherever possible to please spare the trees. About 3 months later I received a delightful l etter in answer thanking me for 'opening his eyes' and to say he had no idea there were so many types nor that they had such a variety of names, shapes and colours. He promised to leave them alone where possible and invited us to call again when we were near. Possibly a little more knowledge about them in school might be helpful.

Ian McDonald, NSW - "I think the idea is splendid and hope that some financial provision can be made for its continuation. Considering the enormous contributions to biology by amateurs during the 17th, 18th, and 19th Centuries, there must surely be some way of harnessing the talents of enthusiasts for defined projects during the rest of this Century and the next."

Jennie Allen, WA - "One of my problems has been whether or not to do another recording when perhaps only one thing changes - grey sand to orange sand or an area of grassland (with littoralis for example) in consistent woodland ••• I found the work/study day at the beginning of the project to be very important. It helped a lot to meet you and to actually practise in the field doing a few record sheets • ••.• I've really enjoyed taking part."

Phillip Manley, Qld. - "I believe that the idea and objectives of the Atlas are good ones. I only hope it does not end up costing too much. I have always held a keen interest in banksias and I think that an exhaustive survey is an excellent idea."

Phil Collier, Tas. - "My main suggestion for improvement next time you organise an Atlas is that you choose something with a few more Tasmanian species!"

SEARCH FOR B. CHAMAEPHYTON IN PROPOSED W.A. NATURE RESERVE

Thanks to Barbara and Margaret Evans, Bob and Barbara Backhouse for their successful search (despite temps. of 40°C+) for this rare banksia in a proposed nature reserve near Quinns Hill. Good to see such co-operation between volunteers· and a Government Department.

REMEMBER - August 31st, at Wanneroo is the absolute deadline!

ZOOMING IN ON MAPS

Those of you who've been receiving the Interim Distribution Maps will be used to peering at very small maps represen~ing large expanses of Australia on which it is often very hard to work out the exact position of the banksia lcoations indicated.

The map shown below of a part of the Central Wheatbelt WA, illustrates how it is possible to "zoom in" on any area and take a closer look.

Similar maps will be sent to anyone who requests them - just write and let me know the lat. and long. co-ordinates defining the area you are interested in. (eg. with map shown,co-ordina,tes would be-latitude 32°20'00" - 33°45'00"; longitude 118°15'00" - 119°30'00") FLORAPLOT Y2.0 ue0 u1· ue0 30• us·

A Depert•ent ot Conservation and Lend Manegeaent LANO INFORMATION SYSTEM PROJECT, foraing pert of the Atlee of Western ~Hyden Auetrelien Flore Pilot Pro1ect. Funded by the Auetrelien Biological Kondinin Resources Study end the Department of Conservation end Lend Menege1ent Date : 13-FEB-85 eJJ11 SPfCIFICATIPNS 32'.(5'

Bankeie elderane E 16 records Bankeie leevigeta eep. fuecolutea L 6 records 33• Bankeia aedie M 14 records E 33• Nature AIHrVH o Newdegete Nat1on1l Pll'ka >10000 he. o Lake Grace

0.. k• 50

M M M r M M M National perk & net4re reserve boundaries as et 30/6/82. Digitised 0 """"' fro• i: 1000000 & 1: 3QOOOOO aeps v fro• Lends & surveys State Modified M Polyconic aeries and reprojected. M Map date courtes! Lande &survey' Dept. M Alber • Area Pro • Std Per 17 30 • 31 30' C. Mer 121 Eon larke's 1858 spheroid. Proj. routines by Hutchinson, 1980. 33• .(5' .___~,__~---t--"..._--+----..J...,..----..,1----_J__J u9• 1!5 • ue· 30 • ue· e · us• ug• 1!5 · u9"30·

THE HORTICULTURAL MERITS OF B· SAXICOLA by Neil Marriott, Vic

Being a nurseryman I look at a plant species for its horticultural merit; in my opinion ~· saxicola has much to offer.

In the Grampians it occurs either as a tall open shrub to small tree in forested areas , or as a dense medium to large shrub on the exposed rocky mountain tops. This means that in cultivation ~· saxicola can be grown from full sun to almost full shade - its appearance being totally different in each aspect. In both sites it is proving to be very hardy, surviving very dry conditions and frosts (to -6°).

On the mountain tops its low, dense stature allow it to withstand icy blizzards and winter snow falls in a rainfall of around 40" per annum.

In the forest habitats howeverJ its tall open habit makes it prone to wind or snow damage; in the winter of 1984 very heavy snow falls occurred in the Grampians - as a result approximately 90% of B. saxicola in the forests below Major Mitchell Plateau were severely broken and damaged by the weight of snow on their branches.

Flower colour shows some variation from creamy-yellow to grey-yellow and the occasional cl one occurs with beautiful mauve-blue on the perianth limb very similar to some forms of -B. ---canei.

REMEMBER - August 31st, at Wanneroo is the absolute deadline! 1

SOME CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE BANKSIA KIND by Rosemary Opala

Will life ever be quite the same once our programme winds down? Here's one person who will instinctively record for years to come, and regret future "wasted" sightings!

Who' 11 care then about that hard-learned identification of c'ompars? Or share the excitement when something "not quite right" turns out to be indeed by hybrid?

Then there are the bonuses. This season, a happy mix of emerald roburs, crimson pachyphyllus, and our precious remaining Christmas Bells in a Caloundra swamp. Indeed a living greeting card. Other treasures - ruby red, instead of sepi a fruits on an unusual aemula; black cockatoos holding a witches' · sabbat h in Peregian integrifolias.

To close with a few Sunshine Coast statistics:

TALLEST ROBUR: At least Sm, in the Wooroi State Forest area. (see accompanying illustration)

MOST PREVALENT: Oblongifolias, which we're told aren't the right variety but anyway all we've got.

LONGEST COMPAR LEAVES: Mt. Tinbeerwah, some 25 cm.

SMALLEST & LARGEST AEMULAS: Peregian area.

MOST HYBRIDS SEEN: Caloundra area.

BANKSIA ATLASSING IN THE MOUNT LOFTY RANGES, S.A. by Les Gray

Most of the land in South Australia where banksias once grew in profusion is also some of the most arable and has been almost totally cleared since the arrival of the first settlers 150 years ago. During the time I have been collecting field data for the Banksia Atlas, I have spent most of my time surveying the Mount Lofty Ranges, a chain of hills curving on a north-south axis on the eastern side of Adelaide. The Ranges are a complex pattern of ancient folds and faults, and the varying relief, soils and rainfall have produced a wide variety of native flora.

B. ornata and B. marginata are the only banksia species native to South Australia. B. ornata occurs as a round bushy shrub, 1-2 metres high, found growing in areas of deep sand, and is easily identified at a glance, however B. marginata occurs in a variety of forms from a small shrub to a tall tree in a di ve.rsity of soil types and is not always as obvious. Most of those remaining in the hills can be found growing as an under-storey plant along the narrow verges of roads, occurring continuously for seve ral kilometres in some areas. I can usually tell when I'm in "banksia country" by keeping an eye out for companion plants, that is native plants which grow in the same environment as banksias. I have also found that the requirements of Pinus radiata must be similar to those of banksias. Areas developed as pine plantations often have banks ias growing around the perimeters in remaining scrub and sometimes along the edges of fire breaks. 8

Scattered throughout the Ranges are many areas of native bushland that have been left uncleared for a variety of reasons. Most are either areas not suitable for farming or are tracts set aside as conservation parks, however there are some less obvious places worth a look, like the rough of golf courses and cemeteries I The early settlers usually fenced off 1 or 2 acres outside of town to inter their dearly departed and I have noticed that quite a few of these country cemeteries have not been put to much use and support small stands of native scrub on that part of the reserve not yet "occupied". As opportunities and fortunes wane, so these rural communities have dwindled in size, in some cases disappearing altogether, l eaving the local cemetery to fall into disrepair.

On a recent trip to the northern part of the Ranges, I visited Mount Crawford, an area of intensive pine forestry. I had driven several kilometres along a road through the Pinus radiata forests in what must have been "banksia country" but there were none t~seen. I had been wondering at the time if perhaps all my theories on companion plants were nonsense when on rounding a bend in the middle of the forest I noticed a ruined church set back off the road amongst the trees. Stopping to have a better look I found that behind the tumbled down building was an old cemetery completely overgrown with B. marginata. Most of the headstones were dated around 1900 and the largest banksia, almost 8 metres high, was growing out of the centre of one of the graves (must have been something in the soil).

So there it was - a small patch of native scrub to remind us what once grew there before it was converted to a sea of pines.

The Adelaide urban sprawl has advanced into the foothills of the Ranges and I have found banksias growing on uncleared allotments amidst new housing estates. I guess their days are numbered but it's always a surprise to find them in this alien environment cut off in some cases by a considerable distance from the nearest natural woodland with an established banksia population. And I suppose the most unusual place I have recorded banksias was in scrub within the confines of a nudist camp, a tricky exercise when you have no intention of getting your gear off!

So the next time you plan on spending a day out enjoying the bush and recording banksias, spend some time before you leave home consulting the map to plan a route, a circuit pattern is best, so that you return home by a different way thereby covering more territory. Also search out sights of natural and historical significance, you may be surprised by what you see and find.

IN SEARCH OF A NEW LOCATION by Rauleigh Webb, W.A.

Date: 28 December 1985 Persons present: Peter Summers, Shannon Summers (4), Rauleigh Webb and Becky Steven.

The area to the east of Lake Arrowsmith, W.A., is an intriguing one as very few banksia recordings have been made from this area. So, after some discussions with Peter and Donna Summers, whose farm is just north of Lake Arrowsmith, we set off along an old seismic track that headed due east.

We rumbled along in the old Toyota Land Cruiser, stopping every kilometre to record the banksias. At first we found exactly what we had expected - B_. elegans, B. attenuata, ~· menziesii and ~· prionotes. We also noted two large ~· leptophylla beside the track - this was the only occurrence of this banksia for the rest of the afternoon. Could they be the result of transported seeds from vehicle tyres?? Very difficult to tell.

"The most easterly tree in Australia is a var integrifolia - about 5 m high and 4 m wide. Ron Cooper, NSW Onward we bumped - then we started noting B. hookeriana (in patches) and B. candolleana (in large numbers). B. elegans continued to be quite prolific and several of the plants were in flower, making us leap from the Toyota on several occasions just to enjoy the beautiful flower spikes of this relatively rare banksia. Close inspection of the fruiting cones revealed that a surprising number were bearing a seed follicle.

The sun was beginning to set as we came upon a rise and Peter suggested that we have a quick look over the top before we headed for home. It was then that we came across a number of ~· hookeriana growing adjacent to a fence. I leapt from the vehicle to try and identify another species that I had spotted. It turned out to be ~· grossa. Looking more closely we also found a number of B. incanca. Neither of these two species had been recorded this far north before.

Date: 1 February 1986

Persons present: Peter and Donna, Shannon (4), Chris (1) Summers, Rauleigh Webb, Becky Steven and Tara Sutherland (a visitor from Canberra).

Since our previous visit, Peter had been driving his header back from a contracting job west of Mt. Adams and from his "perch" had sighted two patches of ~· scabrell.: This is a relatively rare banksia which, according to Interim Distribution Maps II, had only been recorded once before by an Atlas volunteer and not in this area.

We decided that for todays banksia excursion we would continue heading eastwards along the same track as before. Maybe we could come up with a new location for B. scabrella. After only a short distance a scruffy little banksia attracted ;y attention. At first we were unsure of its identification, but after sighting several large specimens covered with fruiting cones and looking just like the picture in "The Banksia Book", we knew we had indeed found B. scabrella.

We continued for several kilometres with B. scabrella beside the vehicle. We stopped on the edge of a large breakaway with no other banksias in sight. Just a low scrub containing B. scabrella leading to a flood plain containing a stand of eucalypts (species unknown).

After the plain the low scrub returned together with the ~· scabrella. We continued eastward until the track ended and headed north and south. Heading north we arrived at the intersection of Sunderlarra and Robinson roads. Even here we were able to find specimens of ~· scabrella amongst a number of large ~· leptophylla.

It was getting late and young Chris had had a long day so it was time to head for home. I hope that Peter and Donna can continue work in this area, as I am sure this is not the full extent of B. scabrella and that it will be found further south and east of our current locations. Many thanks to all the Summers for their hospitality on both of our trips to this very interesting area. 10 HISTORY - AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF ' BANKSIA SPECIES

by Alf and Esme Salkin, Vic

Recent BIOCLIM maps have been an attempt to predict where banksia species may occur based on climate and soil data. That species are not found in areas predicted suggests that there must be other factors responsible for banksia distribution. One such factor that cannot be ignored is history, not only the influence of man, but also the effect of time on plant communities. 1

At least one Banksia volunteer, Lois Prictor, is providing information about banksias that occurred in particular localities but are now no longer to be found in their natural habitat. These are mostly cases of very large specimens of , which have died and no seedlings have survived. Many existing roadside occurrences of a few odd trees will eventually suffer the same fate. Mowing of verges and the effects of rabbits are two main causes but there are other reasons why the distribution of banksias has changed over time.

One was the introduction of superphosphate into the Australian environment. Australian soils are low in phosphate and native plants being adapted to these conditions had an advantage over introduced weed species. As soon as phosphate levels increased the balance was tipped in favor of introduced species, and inroads were made into previously closed ecosystems. Banksias and many are particularly vulnerable to the phosphate in "super" and quickly show signs of phosphate toxicity. Whilst so far as I know no research has been done on the depletion of native species due to this effect, it must surely be an important historical factor in the current distribution of banksias.

Another factor to consider is "Dieback Fungus", Phytophthora cinnarnoni. Research done in the Brisbane Ranges, Victoria has shown Banksia species to be particularly vulnerable and it is possible that some of the blank spots on the map may be an historic "battlefield" of the fungus versus plants.

Western Banksia species grow well in a number of places in eastern Australia. The reverse is true of eastern species growing in the west, so the question arises why are there different species in eastern and western Australia and an even more important question why are there different species at all?

In the north of Australia one species Banksia dentata can be found in both eastern and western Australia. The rainfall across northern A.ustralia is fairly uniform both in quantity and the time of the year it falls. The savannah heath habitat where this species is found, is not common but must be plentiful enough for gene exchange to maintain the uniformity of the colonies, or there may be biological limits that sieve out aberrant forms. As the species occurs in New Guinea, the latter hypothesis is the more likely one.

In the southern central part of the conti nent as well as most of the interior, summer temperatures are high but more important rainfall is not only low but irregular. This large area, devoid of banksias forms a very effective barrier to what geneticists call .gene flow - the exchange of pollen between banksia colonies. This however does not explain why there are different species of banksia is eastern and western Australia or why there are many more species in the west than in the east.

The most likely reason is genetic drift. Small isolated populations are particularly vulnerable to this effect. Given sufficient time the banksias of eastern and western Australia have not only drifted, but have also been subjected to environmental pressures. · In eastern Australia the effect of genetic drift can be demonstrated by a number of examples.

ERRATA - In Interim Maps 2 , the records of B. audax from near Lake Grace were sent in by Elsie Bishop, not Elizabeth Berndt. II

Banksia canei consists of four distinct topodemes (geographical forms), but the differences are not sufficient to regard them as separate species. At one time the species formed a continuous colony in the Victorian and N.S.W. highlands, but now large river valleys separate them into four distinct colonies. This has prevented gene flow and the colonies have drifted.

The same effect can be observed in the so called I ~. collina "complex". ~· spinulosa var. spinulosa occurs as an almost continuous colony along the coast from just north of the N.S.W. - Victorian border to •the Hawkesbury River. There is little difference apart from flower colour in this continuous range. ·The species also occurs as two small isolated colonies in the north of Queensland at the Wallum Trig near Atherton and 75 kilometres further north at Julatten. The Atherton form is slightly different in leaf shape and general appearance from the southern N.S.W. topodeme. When grown in cultivation it behaves very differently. It grows much slower and is much smaller and more compact. The topodeme from Julatten is different from all the other forms, it has dentate long narrow leaves and the vestiture of hairs on the back of the leaves is pale gold in colour.

Perhaps the best example of genetic drift is the Banksia spinulosa var collina found in the Carnarvon Ranges, 300 kilometres west of Bundaberg. This topodeme has · extremely long leaves, a pale lemon flower and the perianth parts fall off the fruiting cone. Another more typical topodeme occurs in the Gibralter Range i N.S.W. This highland form has been mentioned in previous newsletters. The adult leaf is flat, almost entire and slightly lanceolate.

In a ll these examples of genetic drift there were changes in either climate or topography, which caused the separation of what were once continuous colonies. That is, it was an historic process - a change over time. Genetic drift occurred because gene exchange did not occur between these isolated colonies.

Banksia species, I believe are particularly susceptible to this process of chance. The wastage of ~d ;i.$. enormous, particularly in those species that only release their seed after fire. After years without fire much .of the seed still stored in the fruiting cones has been destroyed by fungus, boring insects or parrots. Each batch of seeds has an inbuilt variation and it is chance, not natural selection which determines which of these seeds will become a member of the next generation.

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BANKSIAMANIA - AND WHERE IT TAKES YOU by Joan Adams, NSW

When my husband and I began working on this banksia project we expected that our knowledge of banksias would be expanded. Expanded it has been. I am now able to distinguish a banksia ~ -- from the rest of the bush while travelling at ' 100 kms/hr along a bitumen highway. :r 'I I Identifying that banksia is more difficult and I that's where the real enjoyment begins. '•·• '\ .... I But our knowledge has been expanded in many ',,~' other ways. Our sensitivity to and appreciation of the bushland as a whole has greatly increased. In two years my map reading skills have much improved and not before time says my husband. We have learnt a great deal about New South Wales, its magnificent National Parks and forests and the harsher, drier, inland areas, but only by leaving the highways and zigzagging over country roads - thousand of kilometres of them.

After we had completed returns for areas within a day's drive from Sydney we decided to tackle the job in earnest. The Newsletters had given us the direction we needed. Our first trip took us to Black Range near Jenolan Caves, then north through Oberon to Glen Davis. Next day we headed north again through Rylstone with a deviation east into Wollemi National Park, then onto Coolah Tops and Coonabarabran. Copeton Dam seemed to be a promising camping spot (and was) so we turned off the Newell Highway beyond Narrabri and passed through Mt. Kaputar National Park to reach it. All this time we were seeing, alternatively, bushland and open, cleared country; sometimes locating banksias unexpectedly and at other· times finding cleared land where we understood banksias had only recently been growing. From the dam we travelled t o Glen Innes and then on to Tenterfield.

On the Queensland/New South Wales border we visited the Boonoo Boonoo and Bald Rock National Parks. Boonoo Boonoo was not indicated on our road map so was an exciting surprise. Heading east we reached the coast at Ballina.

Here we rested before heading south, by ferry first over the Richmond River, then along every road which allowed us to cling to the coast. Our return to Sydney involved excursions into Broadwater, Bundjalung, Yuragir, Hat Head, Crowdy Bay and Myall Lakes National Parks and Booti Booti State Recreation Area. We also drove passed Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve. And what banksias we saw!

Excited by our experiences we decided to tackle the southern coast. We had already walked into the Budawang Range in Morton National Park so we began our new banksia search at Batemans Bay. The south coast of New South Wales is a series of beautiful waterways, delightful campsites and birds aplenty. Our visits this time were to Mimosa Rocks and Ben Boyd National Parks and to Bournda State Recreation Area. We continued along the Victorian east coast to Wilsons Promontory, calling in to Croajingalong and Gippsland Lakes National Parks on the way, before we returned to New South Wales via the Cann Highway to Bombala, our staging point for a four-wheel drive into Wadbilliga National Park - and how rewarding that was. Misty rain was falling and formed sparkling crystals on the scrubby Casuarinas amongst which the rare Banksia canei was growing. We still have much more country to cover. These trips have s imply awakened our Oliverian appetite for more .

REMEMBER - August 31st, at Wanneroo is the absolute deadline! 13

BANK SIA ORNATA AND BEE KEEPING AT MT· SHAU GH , S.A. by Arnold Berkin

Since 1974 I have kept honey bees as a livelihood. Over the same period I have studied a 20 km radius of Banksia ornata at Mt Shaugh.

I find it a very unique desert plant. New growth starts in December-January, typically a dry time. Bud setting fol lows in January-February. This is helped if thunder storm activity brings rain. Blooming starts in late 'April and finishes by early August. This is when most rain falls for the year, also many frosts can be experienced. B. ornata does not mind frost as low as -5°, but at -8° it does suffer, but over a ll it is not killed. I have not observed a situation of lower readings.

After a fire, it takes 5-6 years for the first flowers to appear. There is one area here which has not been burnt s i nce 1945. These plants are still flowering and producing nectar.

At the height of nectar production you can catch 300 ml dropped from one flower . spike (we call them cobs! ), in 14 hours. Seasonal conditions can vary this from year to year. The most we have measured is 425 ml in 12 hours overnight. This was on the 27th May 1976.

Honey production from B. ornata occurs during the winter months of May/ June/ July. For this 3 month period, the average yi el d for 400 beehives over 12 years was as follows:

1974 11.46 kg per hive 1980 21.09 kg per hive 1975 7.2 kg per hive 1981 13.16 kg per hive 1976 25.75 kg per hive 1982 26.2 kg per hive 1977 5 . 7 kg per hive 1983 very few flowers , bees had to be fed 1978 hives only maintained themselves 1984 34. 94 kg_ per hive 1979 35.8 kg per hive 1985 31. 04 kg per hive

These differences from year to year are largely due to weather.

Of course, a delightful bonus of having a bee apiary in the desert is seeing the abundance of birds that come in for a free feed of nectar and water which is put the re.

The importance of ~· ornata to bee keepers is considerable. The plant flowers in winter when other nectar-producing sources are few and far between. Also the pollen is extremel y high in protein ( 36. 9%) , compared to that of other pollens. Bees overwintered on Banksia ornata are guaranteed to have a strong spring production and also produce strong colonies for pollination services to other crop producers. In this way we begin to understand the i mportant rol e that B. ornata pl ays in food production in thi s part of Australia.

PER HAPS THE LA RG EST BANK SIAS - A CO MME NT FROMTHE WE ST by Kevin Collins

In response to our Eastern States counterparts - in the south west of W. A. our grow in abundance on rich loamy river beds of the Warren, Frankland, Blackwood, Donne lly, and other rivers. They are often competing with our karri trees and sometimes can be up to 100-120 feet high.

Furthermore, I have heard on good authority that the pioneer farmers and loggers of the ar ea picked the smaller trees and cut them to make dart boards.

One sample tree in ·a household frontyard in Manjimup - obviously a tree younger than some in the wild, has a trunk of 1.5 m diameter. lit

GROWING BANKSIAS IN HOBART by Norma Ali, Tas

Is it the challenge, a love of such beautiful flowers and foliage, their attraction for birds, or just plain crazy, to try and grow mainly Western Australian banksias in Hobart? A little of all probably!

Firstly something about the conditions and climate in which these Banksias are growing.

My 4 acre property is situated at Lower Sandy Bay, 4 miles south-east from the Hobart G.P.O., with a north-easterly aspect. The slope is 1 in 3. According to the Lands Department the soil is PODZOLIC SOIL ON MUDSTONE = loamy surface over dense poorly-drained clay. This soil is developed on mudstone rock.

The following information re the Climatic Conditions was obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology:

Rainfall: Average 626 nun per year December 1985 was the wettest on record, and January 1986 within the top highest 10% of records ever taken.

Temperatures: Average - Sununer 16° Autumn 12°-5° Winter 8°-5° Spring 12°

Sunlight: Average monthly of 172 hrs. Varies from least amount per month minimum 112 hrs in June to maximum of 235 hrs in January.

Growth in general is slow and flowers much smaller compared to Banksias grown in deep sand, and in a higher rainfall area, on a former ·property, 26 miles south of Hobart.

Some earlier losses were due to a form of pythium, resulting from a poorly-drained bed, (water coming from a down-pipe has since been diverted and no further losses have occurred) •.

I have sorted my Banksias into four groups and will refer to them as being in 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Group 1: Front of the house, facing east. Morning sun only, except B. media which would r eceive some afternoon sun as well. Planted in existing soil. Mulched with sawdust/buzzer chips or pine bark. Watered by trickle irrigation system approximately every three weeks, in summer only.

Group 2: New area planted late autumn/winter of 1985:

(a) planted into existing soil with gypsum added to improve drainage; (b) planted into coarse sand, in raised beds, with one teaspoon of Osmocote placed in the hole before planting; (c) planted in to existing soil with 1 teaspoon of Osmocote placed in the hole before planting.

All of group 2 is mulched with blue metal, in some beds with newspaper underneath as well. At this stage these plants have only been watered by the excess rains of December 85 and January 86, and if they look distressed.

Group 3 : Facing west. Afternoon sun only as background of big Eucalypts, thus soil is very dry. Planted into existing soil. Mulched with straw. Watered by trickle irrigation system approximately every 3 weeks, in summer only.

Group 4: Planted in existing soil and receiving maximum sunlight. 15

! 4 DUE · - NAllE PLUl?ID GROUP COllll.ENTS •• 15/16 Pobl'\lary,1986

Ver1 elow \o et art. Plr1\ tlow1r1 1980. B. t•rdnarl 28/5/8~ 2(b) : Loolr:lne fl\ .... srow\ h Good growt h ainot wet Dto .1985/Jan.1986 and core flower bude \ban ututl. B. tana\a 2}/6/85 2(b) · Ne• \lpa deylng ou\ •f\er ••klng 1ood proareu B,bloobnltolla 17/9/78 Alot ot ne• grOW\h 1lnoe • et Oto .1985/J an.81 Only produoed }/4 tlowe ra. B. leptopbylla 28/5/85 2(b) '. Bu• b.J and aUlng good grow\b. B, oahyi 27/7/80 l One flower. Kew growth thla a1aaon. B. nu\ a.n• 12/6/85 2(b) Now growth. B,dryandroidn 27/7/80 l Good eptol&en - haa had CIJ\1 tlowere. B. aoabrell• 28/5/85 2(b) : Cood n ... gro• \h Plen\y or new srowth. B. tnoa.na 2)/6/85 2(b)___ ,.j I.ookin1______dry _ B. oldoran• 27/7/80 Slow, bu\ beal\b,y. lit• grOW'\b thle Haaon. I B, 1Tandla 28/7/80 Good 1peoloen. Plenty ot ne• gronh, but no elp ot tlowera ye\ . B. oanel 28/5185 - 2~0~ _l _N:w_1:~·~·-~ 0 ~1na m. e. bookarana 17/9/78 Produced aoce tlowera, al tbou&)l am all and eocae onlJ' halt t or.id. More new groW\b B. barhri 26/10/80 ) iNn' aroir\ h . Plow1r1 only half develop. at prt1tn\ alnoe •t\ Seaeon. B. brovnii 16/7/8) ) B. lani1ata 27/7/80 Slow. Ho n owere. Mo new growth. 1 H~~!~r::":~ii!::~lng 1lolc - only

B. lae'f'l&•\• ••1 B. bllrdeUi ' l/10/82 ) Se\ l bud 1 but drhd out. Ve• grotr\h. tlulOOllltH 27/7/80 Sever a l bude bu\ dld no\ develop 'f'H';y tar. 2 tlutty buda now and nn grow-\b. B. gro11a 16/7/8) ) Hardly aoved - no\ tl\. B. lllllt1 h11 27/7/80 Slow. Co• pe\l\lon tro. o'btr plan'• - no\ B. 1ntegr1 f oll 26/10/80 ) Growin1 hl\4nd l..U:, \o 1•• OW1ll1b\. l enOllgb ll8fl\ • bud 1e\. New grow\b B. a-41• 17/9/78 l Bia\ bank.ala ln gudan • •U•9¥• a\ 10.t B. lllllU UU 10/7/8) Slow, b.1\ ooape\1U on troa other pla.n\a. tlowe rlng a\ege 'bl'O\l8'JOU\ 'b• 7tar. Good B. aarglna.\a 'l/10/8) flowered and ae\ aead. 111• grOW'\b and buds. new srow\h and •&n.1 tlowai ·tN.de a\ pra11n\ and. eoce muoh larger 'ban u1ua1. B. QllUOlrOll• 26/10/80 ) SloW. lfew grow\h - ba1 bad eneral mall Uower1. 17/9/78 l Pl re\ bud 1980. Slow and no\ f1\ un\11 w1\ aaaeon - good new gr01'1h. B. oanool• 16/7/8) ) Ve ry al.ow. Ca\erpl llar aUaolc. B. oblonalrolla 27/7/80 l Fl ra\ tlowere 1984/85. Buda and naw aro..-&b B. oerra>a 'Vl0/82 ) Slow. Soae new gronb (•rn .aoplon1ro11 ) •\ praaan\. B. opbaorooarp 16/7/8) ) Slow. Mo f lo.1r1 or buda. lie• grow\b. B. oooiden\all• 27/7/80 l Plowared tor ae'f'eral yaaratbu\ uall. B. \r1cuep1a 26/10/80 ) New grow\b. lfo tlowara •• 71\. Poel\loo \ oo dryt B. om••• 17/9/78 l Hae no\ flowered for eH·eral year1. W&f\1 --- 1------undeveloped buda on ahrub. llo 1l gn1 of B. gardner1 l978T • 1 Jn a ralltd btd. SUn •ol\ ot \be d&¥. new bude. Hew gr orth praaen\ . Produoed approximately 10 flO'llere. I B. pallldOn 17/9/78 l Slow. Only produoed 5 tlowara. Cood grow\b B. ll\\oralle 2)/10/80 4 I P1ra• nowora 1985 - good d ..p yellow/ ' > a\ preaen\. orange tora. Wade 400.:1 ~rowtb, bu\ Dan)' B.peUolar1e 4/7/8) l Slow to e\ar\ bu\ c.eklng good grow\b now. yellow leave• at prtatn\ Ho flower• as ye\. ------1-----' -- --- B. pllootylu 27/7/80 l Plre\ tlowere thle year. Me• growth. I have aleo :ar own \he t0Uowta.a1 bu\ •1\bou\ 1uooeH. S0&ie\11:1e1 I \ry 2/' \l.&ta and nen l :C \ht~ dle, j •ve to ad&IU deteaU B. robllr 17/9/78 l Only produoed 12 lea'f'ea. A l.1Ult nt• gra.r\b on \op. Ho floware. too dry. B. alldax 12/6/85 2(b) A \lfl¥ plant and not r u rroo the •••rt. B. HrUolllah 11/7/82 l Slow. Hew growth and l bud now. Po1l\1on B. oandollHM 1/8/80 l j Died 1984 \OO dryf B. Ulclrolla 2)/10/80 4 I Pulled Ollt 17/7/8) - bOYe not noted tbe B. viotori.. 27/7/80 l Hardi)' aoved.. llo\ tu. . reaaon~ B. le•an.o.lana 28/9/80 ; Pulled out 1986 - e\ruuled tor • l ons j \ Uie. B, aobbyi 20/5/85 2( a) Good naw growth B. llndhyana 20/!/85 2( b) ! A \ley plant and not ru rrom •••rt. Died B. oooo ln•• 20/5/85 2(a) llt• \ op grow\b i 1985 B. at11&h1U 20/5/85 2(a) Ne• 1TOWtb now reel1113 dry. B.praa•oraa 27/7/80 l • Dhd 198? 2(a) B. or1opbll• 21/5/85 2(a) lit• grortb, bu\ 1howlne 1lgn1 ot detloitno)t B. pr1ono\e1 20/5/85 jDttd leb. 1986 atur Ytr)' we\ a eaaon Yell.ow in& o f leavee wl\b plnk apo\e. B. pW.obella 16/ 6/85 2(b) Died 1985 B. reptn• 9/6/85 2(a) Very alow B. 1p1ol o 1a 17/9/78 Dled leb/Warob, 1985. 81v1nl flCN•r• and. ! good grow\b. B. IOtp\ rua 21/5/85 2(a) Good new grow\b troc a plan\ l n pot too lon3. B. violaoea l. 27/7/80. l Died 1982. B. eplnulo1a 2. 26/6/85 2(b) IDied 1985 Hr' oolllna 25/5/85 2(•) Good growth. 0 , 5'0 b l a)I • .•u lou\ 8 blldo .

"The Banksia Atlas has finally been recognised by Australia Post and as a sign of gratitude for all the business we've created for t hem, they are issuing a 33¢ stamp on the 12th of March featuring B. serratal" Les Gr ey, S.A.

DO SOME BANKSIA FRUITING CONES BURN BETTER THAN OTHERS? by Anne Taylor,

extract from the original paper "Ftanunabte infruatescences in Banksia: a fruit opening mechanism" by Byron Lamont and Richard Cowling, Australian Journal of Ecology (1984) 9 295-296.

Many speci es of banksia do not shed their seed each year but retain it within the unopened follicles on the fruifing cone . Re lease of seeds occurs after plant death due to drought or fire. This ability to hold viable seeds on the plant for a number of years is t ermed serotiny.

Cowling and Lamont observed that many serotinous types of banksia also retained their old flower parts on the fruiting cone. They wondered whether this retention of old f l ower s had any functional significance. Could it be t hat the presence of the old f l ower s resul ted i n better igniti on of the fruiting cone thus ensured that the follicles would open and shed t heir seeds?

They conducted experiments using two species with persistent ol d f l owers (~. hookerana and B. l ept ophylla) and two with deciduous old flowers (~. menzies11 and B. prionotes). With t he first two species, ten of the fruiting cones had their old flowers artificially removed. The flammability and follicle opening of these was then compared with normal hookerana and leptophylla (old flowers intact) and with the other two species (lacking old flowers). After pre-drying, the fruiting cones were briefly passed over a bunsen burner flame and if ignition occurred they were allowed to burn.

The results were remarkable. The only cones which ignited were the leptophylla and hookerana with old flower parts intact. Prior to burning and seed follicles on these two species had been totally closed. After burning, 54% of B. hookerana and 65% of ~· leptophylla follicles had opened. On the 10 cones wtiich h~d had their old flower parts removed, there was no ignition and no opening of seed follicles.

With B. menziesii and B. prionotes, a percentage of follicles were already open prior -to treatment (68%- and 18% respectively). With these two species which have deciduous flower parts, there was no ignition of fruiting cones and no additional opening of follicles.

With banksias, it seems that there is a strong functional relationship between persistent old flowers and serotiny. Those species which depend largely on fire to open their seed follicles tend to assist the process by retaining old flowers on their fruiting cones. This supply of readily-combustible material ensures that even a mild fire will ignite the fruiting cones and cause seed release. On the other hand, species which shed their old flowers at an early stage, tend to release their seed at maturity rather than rely on flame heat.

REMEMBER - August 31st, at Wanneroo is the absolute deadline!

SEARCHING FOR MELBOURNE'S ORIGINAL BANKSIAS by Cyril Henshaw, Vic

Sight record sheets for banksias in gardens were probably not expected or wanted for the Banksia Atlas. However on sighting three mammoth integrifolias (measured girth of largest one - 6m) in the Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens I made some enquiries and found that they were already mature trees when white man arrived 150 years ago. Their age can only be guessed at - 200 years? 500? who knows? We can't cut them down to count the rings! lOkm south from these Botanic survivors are the next nearest integrifolias I know of, at Red Bluff, Sandringham. A dozen healthy saplings are growing from a stump/roots of a tree that has been vandalised - as have so many along the Bay, either wilfully or in the name of progress, or simply firewood.

At Rickett's Point, Beaumaris a 'forest' of over 150 integrifolias stretches for 1.2 km. In here is supposed to be Victoria's biggest banksia - a huge tree but the divided effort of six trunks denies it the majesty and height of the Gardens giant.

Between Mordialloc and Frankston I've counted 685 integrifolias from a speeding train. Then there's another 600 or so in Seaford Park and more along the Seaford foreshore.

Surprisingly there are few integrifolias on the cliffs and gentle slopes between Mornington and Balcombe. Maybe early lime-burners at Fossil Beach cleared the banksias to feed their furnaces, but curiously they left some sturdy casuarinas, otherwise only coast wattle, boobialla and tea tree.

Nothing grows under tea tree and the Sandringham Council has cleared and burned areas of this native pest. As expected many of the original heathland species are regenerating including ~· marginta, but costly labour must be used to weed out the young fast-growing tea tree. Two schools of thought - one says the tea tree moved in from the ocean sandhills after Europeans cleared the Bayside. Others think aborigines kept tea tree in check after fire , enabling marginata, etc. to regenerate. 17

While integrifolia var. integrifolia grows near the coast, marginata pops up when least expected, a dozen stands being found within 80 km. of the city ranging from N.N.W . (Daylesford area) to S.S.E. (Bass Range, Western Port) which suggests many others may have been swept away by man's civilising influence.

Good friends showed me healthy marginatas on the Royal Melbourne Golf Course at Sandringham but failed to find some said to be on the Municipal Links. Informed opinion said marginata once florished in the N. E. of Studley Park, along the Yarra , barely 6 km. from the G.P.O., but a 2~ hour search criss-cross1ing the area, did not locate any. Other native species , Bursaria, Goodenia ovata, etc. are there gr owi ng among the eucalypts and blackberries.

"THE tND"