Part Three Plant Descriptions Page 187 Page 188 Information about the plant Profiles). descriptions • Site preference: Describes the preference of the plant to such things as soil types, This section contains information about selected moisture, aspect, etc. plant species that are found in the Border Rivers - Gwydir catchment. Most of the species • Habit: Describes what the plant looks like, described relate to those that are highlighted such as flower colour, growth form, bark in bold in Part Two: Vegetation Profiles. colour and texture, etc. They represent the species that are of special interest, or those that are of use for revegetation • Flowering: Time of year you would expect purposes. As a total list of plant species for each to see the plant flowering. landform is too large to be accommodated in the • Seed collection: How or when to collect Vegetation Profiles, there may be some species seeds for propagation. described in this section that have not been listed there. The plant descriptions do not describe all • Propagation: Notes the easiest method the plant species that grow in the Border Rivers of propagation, i.e. growing from seed, -Gwydir catchment, because the list would be cuttings, etc. Also see Appendix One for too large. For information on plants that are not further information. described in this section, see the bibliography • Rainfall: Average annual rainfall of the following the plant descriptions (p 277). species’ natural range. Interpreting the descriptions • Values and uses: Lists the species’usefulness, including palatability for livestock, use for The species are listed alphabetically using timber, wildlife habitat, etc. their scientific name. There is a common name index provided at the end of the species • Comments: Any other information that is descriptions, following the bibliography. The of interest or importance. common name, if known, is listed next to the scientific name, and the family that the species As far as possible, jargon and scientific language belongs to is listed on the right. After the species has been minimised in the descriptions. For name there is either an (i) or an (r), which information on any terms that you do not indicates whether they are described for special understand, consult a reputable botany book. interest purposes or if the species is useful for One such book is Name That Flower by Ian revegetation. The other parts of the descriptions Clarke and Helen Lee, 1987, Melbourne are as follows: University Press. The glossary on PlantNet (http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/) is also very • Previous names: Refers to any other useful for technical terms. scientific names by which the species has How the descriptions were put together been known. Many sources were used to gather information • Other names: Refers to other common for the descriptions. The literature that was names by which the plant is known. used is given in a bibliography following the • Habitat: Lists the common pant plant descriptions. Greg Steenbeeke (Office communities in which the species can often of Environment and Heritage NSW) also be found. contributed his knowledge and expertise. • Occurrence: Refers to the Bioregion PLEASE NOTE in which the plant can be found (BBS Because many sources have been used, and the = Brigalow Belt South, DRP = Darling same species can adapt to conditions in two Riverine Plains, NAN = Nandewar, NET different regions, it is important that you use = New England Tablelands. For further seeds from the same region as where you want information see Part Two: Vegetation to revegetate. Page 189 You should also speak to experienced people, such as nursery staff, before you make a decision on what plants you will use for revegetation. Also, Chapter Twelve in this book provides excellent information about planning for, and carrying out, revegetation work. Page 190 Abutilon leucopetalum (r) Lantern bush Malvaceae Previous names: Abutilon calliphyllum Other names: Desert Chinese Lantern. Habitat: Often associated with Bimble Box. Occurrence: DRP, BBS. Site preference: Grows on shallow soils. Grows on rocky hill sides and along edges of ephemeral streams. Habit: Shrub to 1 m high. Leaves with long stalks. Stems and branches covered in very fine hairs. Flowers yellow. Flowering: Spring to summer. Seed collection: Late summer. Propagation: From seed or cuttings. Rainfall: 200-800 mm. Values and uses: Relatively unpalatable to stock. Comments: An uncommon plant. Abutilon oxycarpum (r) Straggly Lantern Bush Malvaceae Other names: Lanternbush, Flannel Weed. Habitat: Grows in a variety of vegetation communities. Occurrence: DRP, BBS, NAN, NET. Site preference: Rocky hillslopes and stream banks. Grows on red earths with a sandy or clay loam mixture. Habit: Straggly plant to a height of 90 cm. Leaves and stems minutely hairy, giving a velvety feel. Flowering: Summer. Seed collection: Late summer. Propagation: From seed. Rainfall: 300-1200 mm. Values and uses: Known to be eaten by stock but little is known of its nutritional value. Acacia amoena (r) Boomerang Wattle Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Habitat: Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland. Occurrence: NAN, NET. Site preference: Rocky sites. Habit: Erect or spreading shrub 0.5-3 m high. Phyllodes straight or sometimes slightly curved and leathery, with a central vein and thick margins. Flowers round yellow to bright yellow or sometimes pale yellow. Pods straight. Flowering: July to October, December. Seed collection: Summer, when pods dry. Propagation: From scarified seed. Rainfall: 800-1000 mm. Values and uses: Wildlife habitat and food source value. Good small shrub for windbreaks. Acacia atrox (i) Myall Creek Wattle Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Previous names: Acacia sp. 'Myall Creek' Habitat: Eucalypt woodland. Occurrence: NAN (known only from one site near Bingara). Site preference: Hill crest and upper slope. Habit: Shrub 0.5-2 m high, with suckering habit and grey-brown bark. Phyllodes rigid and spiny, with a yellow vein. Round, cream­ coloured to pale yellow flowers. Flowering: Throughout the year. Propagation: No pods or seeds have been seen, appears to reproduce through root suckers. Rainfall: 800-1000 mm. Values and uses: Wildlife habitat. Comments: Endangered species that was only found in the year 2000. Page 191 Acacia binervata (r) Two-veined Hickory Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Previous names: Racosperma binervatum Habitat: Wet or dry sclerophyll forest and in rainforest. Occurrence: NET. Site preference: Sandy or basaltic soils. Habit: Variable species as either an erect or spreading tall shrub to 5 m high or tree to 15 m high with smooth or rough, grey-black or grey-brown bark. Phyllodes smooth, with 2 or occasionally 3 longitudinal veins prominent. 30-50 flowers pale yellow to white round flowers. Flowering: August to November. Seed collection: Collect pods when almost dry, prior to opening and place in paper bags until seeds are released. Propagation: From scarified seed. Rainfall: 1000-1600 mm Values and uses: Good for windbreaks and a useful wildlife plant that provides shelter and nectar. Acacia buxifolia (r) Box-leaved Wattle Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Previous names: Racosperma buxifolium Other names: Hill Wattle, Box Leaf Wattle. Habitat: Dry sclerophyll forest, woodland and heath. Occurrence: NAN, NET. Site preference: Well-drained soil. Slopes, ridges and often on rocky outcrops. Habit: 1-3 m high erect or spreading shrub with thick blue-grey foliage. Rounded phyllodes to 3 cm long with a central vein. Masses of small, golden, ball-shaped flowers. Pod flat and straight. Flowering: July to November. Seed collection: December to mid-January. Seeds released immediately or within 1-2 days of maturity. Propagation: From scarified seed. Rainfall: 600-1200 mm. Values and uses: Low-level cover in windbreaks. Good bird habitat and flowers attract butterflies and insects. Good for erosion control as it has fibrous roots. Comments: A hardy species. Acacia cheelii (r) Motherumbah Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Habitat: Dry sclerophyll forest and scrub, eucalypt and Cypress Pine woodland. Occurrence: BBS, NAN. Site preference: Rocky ridges, often in sandy soils. Habit: Erect or spreading shrub or tree to 7 m high or sometimes taller. Phyllodes bluish in appearance, smooth with numerous longitudinal veins. Juvenile phyllodes with a distinct yellow knob at their tip, less noticeable on mature phyllodes. Bright yellow flowers. Flowering: August to November. Seed collection: Summer. Propagation: From scarified seed. Rainfall: 800-1200 mm Values and uses: Bird and wildlife habitat. Page 192 Acacia dealbata (r) Silver Wattle Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Previous names: Racosperma dealbatum Habitat: Dry sclerophyll forest or woodland. Occurrence: NET. Site preference: Variety of substrates, often on slopes and creek banks. Habit: Tree 30 m tall or a spindly shrub, depending on location. Bark is grey to almost black with deep fissures. Foliage and branches are a creamy-white due to a coverage of short white hairs. Flowers are round, yellow and prolific. Flowering: July to October. Seed collection: November to January. Seeds are dropped soon after maturity so monitor the trees closely and collect seeds by shaking over a sheet placed on the ground. Propagation: From seed that has been scarified with boiling water. Rainfall: 800-1000 mm Values and uses: A fast-growing species that is good for medium level cover in windbreaks. A good plant for erosion control due to its fast growth and suckering habit. Excellent bird, glider and possum habitat. Its structure is great for nesting and foraging. Comments: Lifespan of several decades and seeds are long-lived (~50 years). Acacia deanei (r) Green Wattle Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) Other names: Deane’s Wattle Habitat: Grows in a variety of sclerophyll and woodland communities. Occurrence: DRP, BBS, NAN, NET. Site preference: Red earths on level plains and also on mountain sides and slopes Habit: Shrub or small tree to 7 m high, with a spread of 4 m. Bark smooth and grey-brown, with green or green-yellow foliage. Phyllodes are dark green. Flowers are round, golden yellow or almost white. Flowering: Throughout the year.