Flora of the Barwon River (Ring Road to Breakwater) Sponsored by: General Disclaimer Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC’s) This booklet is designed and compiled for the wider community EVC’s are a way of classifying plant communities according to to increase knowledge and awareness of indigenous plants floristics, habit and position. along the Barwon River. More information about EVC’s can be found on the Department Whilst all due care has been taken at the time of publication in of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) website. providing correct information, we take no responsibility for any The Ecological Vegetation Classes of the Barwon River are errors of content. • 55 Plains Grassy Woodland The information provided relating to the Aboriginal use of plants for food, items or medicinal purposes has been approved by the • 56 Floodplain Riparian Woodland Wathaurung People. • 104 Lignum Swamp • 538 Brackish Herbland References and Further Research • 641 Riparian Woodland Corangamite Catchment Management Authority website • 653 Aquatic Herbland (CCMA) ‘Barwon through Geelong Management Plan’ • 656 Brackish Wetland www.ccma.vic.gov.au • 851 Stream Bank Shrubland Victorian Flora website • 947 Brackish Lignum Swamp www.victorianflora.wmcn.org.au Vegetation with no EVC has been allocated as: Department of Sustainability and Environment • Revegetated Floodplain Riparian Woodland www.dse.vic.gov.au Costermans L, 1981 ‘Native trees and shrubs of South Eastern Australia’, Reed New Holland. Society of Growing Australia Plants Maroondah Inc, 1991 ‘Flora of Melbourne’, Hyland Publishing Pty Limited, South Melbourne. Cover photo: Near Balyang Sanctuary Back cover photo: Near Balyang Sanctuary Page 2 Page 3 Azolla filiculoides The booklet is organised into sections based on the growth Aquatic habit of plants. Plants within each section are listed Pacific Azolla 1.5 cm (h) alphabeticall using Botanical name, Common name and 2 - 3 cm (w) Azollaceae Family name. Aquatic Plants that require partial or complete submersion in water to survive. Groundcovers and Climbers Groundcovers are low spreading plants that grow across the ground. Climbers sprawl or scramble over and through other plants or objects. Herbs These plants produce fleshy rather than woody stems and are usually up to a metre in height. Grasses and Sedges Grasses and sedges have narrow leaves that arise from the base of the plant to form a tuft. Shrubs EVC 653 Aquatic Herbland Plants with many woody stems arising from near the base of • A free floating fern the plant. Shrubs have no distinct trunk. • Dies back in cold weather • Can be green or red in colour • Spores are produced, rather than flowers and fruits Trees • Good cover for fish Woody plants over three metres in height with branches • Found in still corners of the Barwon River developing above a distinct trunk. Flower colour: No flowers Flowering: None Page 4 Page 5 Phragmites australis Triglochin procerum Aquatic Aquatic Plant Common Reed Up to 3 m Water Ribbons 20 - 50 cm (w) Poaceae Juncaginaceae EVC 56 Floodplain Riparian Woodland EVC 56 Floodplain Riparian Woodland EVC 641 Riparian Woodland EVC 641 Riparian Woodland EVC 653 Aquatic Herbland EVC 538 Brackish Herbland EVC 656 Brackish Wetland EVC 653 Aquatic Herbland EVC 947 Brackish Lignum Swamp EVC 656 Brackish Wetland • Semi-aquatic, fast growing perennial grass • Located in shallower areas, confined to the edges of the river or wetlands • Flower-heads have a fluffy-feathery appearance • Leaves are fleshy and ribbon-like, erect or floating • Habitat for birds such as the reed warbler, coot and swamphens • Flower spikes are erect above the water • Black Swans feed on the fleshy shoots and use the leaves for nesting Aboriginal use: Leaves were used to weave baskets. Rhizomes were eaten roasted. Aboriginal use: The tuberous roots were roasted. Part of the stem was eaten like celery. Flower colour: Green to purplish Flowering: All year round Flower colour: Greenish Flowering: Most of the year Page 6 Page 7 Typha domingensis Acaena novae-zelandiae Aquatic Ground Cover Cumbungi 1 - 3 m (h) Bidgee-widgee Prostrate 10 m (w) 1 - 4 m (w) Typhaceae Rosaceae EVC 653 Aquatic Herbland EVC 641 Riparian Woodland EVC 656 Brackish Wetland EVC 851 Stream Bank Shrubland EVC 56 Floodplain Riparian Woodland • A spreading plant, with burrs covered in hooks that attach to clothing and EVC 641 Riparian Woodland animal fur EVC 947 Brackish Lignum Swamp • The early settlers used the leaves as a tea substitute • Typha orientalis (Broad-leaf Cumbungi) is another similar species • Fruit are sphere-shaped and covered with small red spines • Distinct velvety-brown flower spike Aboriginal use: Bidgee-widgee was used as a medicine to aid digestion. • Good for frog habitat Greenish white Oct - Jan Aboriginal use: Baskets were made from long leaves and fibres. The roots Flower colour: Flowering: were cleaned, steamed and roasted or eaten raw like potatoes. Flower colour: Greenish Flowering: All year round Page 8 Page 9 Clematis microphylla Einadia nutans Ground Cover Climber Prostrate Small-leaved Clematis 4 m (h) Nodding Saltbush 1 - 2 m (w) Ranunculaceae Chenopodiaceae EVC 175 Grassy Woodland EVC 175 Grassy Woodland • Feathery fruits are dispersed by wind • Small nodding succulent triangular leaves • Masses of cream cross-shaped flowers • Small flowers and tiny red berries are produced during summer months • Leaves are dull green 130 mm in length • Fruits are great food for lizards and birds • Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants Aboriginal use: Ripe berries were eaten but are poisonous if picked • Found around Buckley Falls car park too early. Flower colour: Cream Flowering: July - Nov Flower colour: Green Flowering: Dec - March Page 10 Page 11 Enchylaena tomentosa Tetragonia implexicoma Ground Cover Ground Cover Ruby Saltbush 0.1 - 1 m (h) Bower Spinach Prostrate 1 - 1.5 m (w) 2 m (w) Chenopodiaceae Aizoaceae Revegetated Floodplain Riparian Woodland Revegetated Floodplain Riparian Woodland • Succulent bluish-green cylindrical or linear leaves • Red berries are produced and ripen to black • Small green flowers • Leaves are succulent • Berries ripen to orange and red • Small four petalled flowers • Fruits are food for small lizards and birds such as Silvereyes • Earlier voyagers to Australia used this plant to help fight scurvy Aboriginal use: Berries were eaten when ripe and a dye can be made from Aboriginal use: The leaves and juvenile shoots were cooked and eaten like the berries. spinach. Berries were also eaten when ripe. Flower colour: Green Flowering: Sept - March Flower colour: Yellow Flowering: Aug - Sept Page 12 Page 13 Chrysocephalum apiculatum Lythrum salicaria Herb Herb Common Everlasting Prostrate Purple Loosestrife 1 m (h) 1 - 2 m (w) 1 m (w) Asteraceae Lythraceae Revegetated Floodplain Riparian Woodland Revegetated Floodplain Riparian Woodland • A perennial herb • Semi-aquatic perennial herb • Silver grey foliage • Flowers on tall stems • Flowers attract butterflies • Adapted to most soils Flower colour: Yellow Flowering: Sept - Dec Flower colour: Purple Flowering: Nov - March Page 14 Page 15 Senecio quadridentatus Vittadinia cuneata Herb Herb Cotton Fireweed 40 - 90 cm (h) Fuzzy New Holland Daisy 10 - 30 cm (h) 50 - 90 cm (w) 10 - 30 cm (w) Asteraceae Asteraceae EVC 56 Floodplain Riparian Woodland Revegetated Floodplain Riparian Woodland EVC 538 Brackish Herbland • It is difficult to identify the many different species of EVC 947 Brackish Lignum Swamp Vittadinia. The fruit is the main distinguishing feature • Perennial herb • A small perennial herb or sub-shrub • Stems and leaves are covered in wispy hairs, giving a greyish look • Mauve-coloured daisy flowers on leafy stalks • Small yellow flower-heads attract butterflies • Found on cliff tops around Buckley Falls • Found at upper Buckley Falls car park Flower colour: Mauve to blue Flowering: Sept - Dec Flower colour: Green to yellow Flowering: Oct - March Page 16 Page 17 Wahlenbergia gracilis Austrodanthonia spp. Grass Herb 20 - 40 cm (h) Sprawling Bluebell 10 - 50 cm (h) Wallaby Grasses 20 - 40 cm (w) Campanulaceae Poaceae EVC 641 Riparian Woodland EVC 55 Plains Grassy Woodland EVC 104 Lignum Swamp • Delicate perennial tufted herb EVC 175 Grassy Woodland • Flowers have five petals EVC 653 Aquatic Herbland • Fruit contains small black seeds • Leaves are blue-green in colour, can be hairy or hairless, flat or rolled in appearance Flower colour: Pale blue Flowering: Sept - Nov • Many different species, difficult to distinguish between species. All have fluffy flower heads • Mature flower spikes are creamy white colour Aboriginal use: Seeds were collected and ground to make flour for damper. Flower colour: Brownish Flowering: Oct – Dec Page 18 Page 19 Dianella revoluta Carex tereticaulis Tuft Tuft (aboriginal 1 m (h) 50 - 70cm (h) Hollow Sedge or Poong’ort name) Black-anther Flax-lily 1 m (w) 0.3 - 2 m (w) Cyperaceae Liliaceae Revegetated Floodplain Riparian Woodland EVC 56 Floodplain Riparian Woodland • Perennial grass-like sedge with rhizomes • Flowering stems grow taller than the leaves • Narrow hollow stems, almost triangular in cross section • Produces small dark berries • Found at Balyang Sanctuary • Berries are food for skinks and other lizards • Similar but not as common as Dianella brevicaulis which is found along Aboriginal use: The leaves were used by the Wathaurung people for Wal Whiteside Walk basket weaving and for string. Aboriginal use: Berries were eaten when ripe and used to make dyes. The Flower