April 2017

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Next Meeting

Jann Mulholland will be our speaker at our next meeting in Gumnut Hall, Gumnut Place, Cherrybrook on Saturday, 22 April 2017, at 2pm.

As you are probably aware Jann joined our Group after speaking to us last year. Furthermore at our recent AGM we elected Jann to our Committee. Last year’s meeting was so well received that we invited Jann to speak and demonstrate again to us the basics of botanical art.

Jann has degrees in science and business administration and a Diploma in Botanical Art from The Society of Botanical Artists, Kew Gardens (UK) so she is well equipped to help us in this field.

She has exhibited in a number of “Botanica” Exhibitions (Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney), “Wildflowers of Australia” at Parliament House 2006, and a number of The Botanical Art Society of Australia’s exhibitions “Flora: The Art and Science of the Plant.” She has won a First Prize for Drawing at one of The Botanical Art Society of Australia’s exhibitions.

In this talk Jann will discuss drawing or painting some of our unique native flora on a sketchbook page for identification. As our members’ activity for the afternoon we will try our hands at sketching a floral item that Jann will choose. Furthermore, Jann has offered to bring the materials required although if you wish you may bring your own.

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APS Region AGM and Quarterly Gathering

The Region AGM and Quarterly Gathering will be hosted by the Central Coast Group at Phillip House, Kariong on Saturday 20 May 2017. The entry fee to defray expenses will be $5. The program includes:

• 9.30am – 11.30am Mt.Penang Garden Visit
• 12.00 noon AGM and Election of Officers
• 1.00pm – 2.00pm Lunch – Sausage Sizzle $2.50 – Tea and Coffee available. (or BYO)
• 2.00pm – 3.00pm Speaker – yet to be confirmed

The following APS Quarterly Gathering

The subsequent APS Quarterly Gathering will be hosted by the Blue Mountains Group on Saturday 8 July 2017. Although this is a preliminary notice three speakers have been named. They will all speak on topics related to regeneration, recovery and conservation. They and their subjects are: Paul Rymer – PEAS citizen science research program; David King – Garguree swamp care; and Dick Turner – Regent Honey Eater Recovery Program.

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Calendar

April
Mon 3 Deadline for Calgaroo news / articles
Wed 12 Propagation at Bidjiwong Community Nursery at 10am
Sat 22 Our Meeting at Gumnut Hall, Gumnut Place, Cherrybrook at 2pm. Following the very successful meeting last year Jann Mulholland who has joined our Group has been invited to to increase our appreciation of art relating to our native plants. As our members’ activity we will try our hands at sketching with Jann’s help.

May
Thu 4 Deadline for Calgaroo news / articles
Wed 10 Propagation at Bidjiwong Community Nursery at 10am
Sat 20 Regn AGM and Quarterly Gathering hosted by Central Coast Group, Phillip House, Kariong

July
Thu 27 We will visit the Mt Annan seed bank – please advise Tony Maxwell of your desire to attend

• by the end of April because we must advise numbers, pay the total fee, and organise our –
• proposed car pooling prior to the visit (See below).

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A Visit to the Seed Bank at Mt Annan

After negotiations with Mt Annan staff, Tony Maxwell advises that we need to know who wishes to visit the Australian Botanic Gardens, Mt Annan, on Thursday, 27 July. We regret that it is not open on Saturdays. Our plan is to depart from the Castle Hill area at 9.15am so that we arrive at Mt Annan with just enough time to have a cuppa (please bring your thermos and makings), possibly visit the toilet and roll up to the Seedbank just before 11am. Their presentation lasts 1½ hours so that we could move to lunch (bring your lunch or buy it at the Gardens) just after 12.30pm.

As we are there it would be a shame to go without a look around the Gardens. It seems possible to start our viewing by 1.15pm and plan to leave the Gardens about 3pm so we are near home before the afternoon peak period begins.

It is proposed that we organise car pooling to facilitate travel with a minimum of cars. For that reason we invite members who are willing to carry others to let Tony know how many and where they would prefer the pickup point to be. Likewise members who need a lift please let Tony know how many seats are required and from where. It may involve a little give and take to arrange all pickup points but your Committee will do its best.

Your Committee is willing to meet the entry cost of members as this will be a learning experience. So that satisfactory arrangements can be made please let Tony know your intent to go and interest in car pooling as soon as possible and in any case by the 30 April.

Non-members may accompany a member but will be required to pay the entry fee of $20 or $16 concession. We cannot assure you of a seat in the carpool as members must be given preference but of course you may use your own car.

We must advise numbers and pay the fees prior to our visit.

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Illawarra Grevillea Park

This Park will be open on Saturday and Sunday, May 6th and 7th, and Saturday and Sunday, May 13th and 14th. Admission adults $5.00, children free.

The Grevillea Park is nestled into the foot of the Illawarra Escarpment and is at the rear of Bulli Showground on the Princes Highway.

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No Fete at the Samuel Gilbert Public School

We have been advised that this year there will be no Fete at the Samuel Gilbert Public School at which we have had a presence for many years. It was an opportunity to make our Group known in the community and to sell cut flowers and both tube stock and more advanced potted plants.

Should a member know of an alternative function that may be an appropriate alternative which your Committee could consider please let any Committee member know.

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The Bushland of Castle Hill – Part 1 Fred Caterson Reserve

Jennifer Farrer

Castle Hill is fortunate to have several large areas of parks and bushland. The two most significant lie on either side of the Old Northern Road ridgeline. On the Eastern side in the Sydney Harbour catchment is Bidjigal Reserve on the Western side in the Hawkesbury River catchment is Fred Caterson Reserve.

Fred Caterson Reserve is 58 hectares of Crown land which has been managed by The Hills Council since 1895. The Council has used some of the reserve to create playing fields for soccer, cricket and baseball and a large basketball stadium. These are the facilities which people think of first when they hear mention of Fred Caterson Reserve. However, there are large areas of bushland surrounding the sporting facilities. Several vulnerable and endangered plant species can be found here such as Epacris purpurascens var. purpurascens, Pultenaea scabra var biloba and Eucalyptus cattai.

There are four types of native plant communities growing in the reserve. These can all be visited on the Geebung Walk a 3.5 kilometre path marked by the yellow flower of the Persoonia.

The walk starts in the Field No1 car park which is at the end of Caterson Drive, the access road into the reserve. This first part of the walk is through remnant Turpentine Ironbark Forest which is found in areas of Sydney where there is a capping of Wianamatta Shale over the underlying Hawkesbury sandstone. These areas were cleared very early in the settlement of the Sydney area for farming, as the soil was reasonably fertile. It is estimated that only 0.5% of Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest (STIF) remains. Examples of Turpentines (Syncarpia glomuifera) Ironbarks (Eucalyptus paniculata) can be seen as you walk beside the soccer field. Near the baseball field is another typical tree of the STIF, a Cherry Ballart (Exocarpus cupressiformis). As you leave the soccer field and take the path into the bush you will see many casurarinas ( Allocasuarina torulosa) and some typical understorey plants such as Prickly Beard Heath (Leucopogon juniperinus), Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa) and Breynia oblongifolia.

As the path descends you pass into the Shale-Sandstone Transition Forest. This plant community occurs where the sandstone and shale soils mix. The sandstone soil is made up of quartz grains which hold neither moisture nor nutrients. In many places the sandstone obtrudes through the soil as rock platforms or low cliffs. Plants growing here have adapted to make the most of the limited nutrients and water.. This part of the walk is through bush which is typical of many of Sydney’s reserves which are on land which was of little use for farming and too steep to easily build on. Here we find the twisted trunks of the Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata), the bright green leaves of the Broad leafed Geebung (Persoonia levis), the Green Spider Flower (Grevillea muconulata) and the candles of the Hairpin Banksia (Grevillea spinulosa) and Banskia oblongifolia. In some places there are pockets of clay soil which support clay species such as the Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera) and the Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata).

The track meets the bike path coming from Gilbert Road and at this lower level is the third vegetation community the unusual Sydney Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland. This woodland is known only from a few scattered remnants in the Upper Cattai and along Toongabbie Creek. (Examination of pollen found along the Tank Stream indicates that the bushland growing there in 1788 was Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland). Dominant trees here are Scribbly Gums (Eucalyptus sclerophylla) and Narrow leaved Apple (Angophora bakeri).

The shrub layer is thick creating a perfect habitat for small birds, such as wrens and finches. Plants seen here include the Fine Leaved Geebung (Persoonia linearis), Hakea sericea, Ozothamnus diosmifolius and Kunzea ambigua. The ground layer includes Lomandra longifolia, Dianella caerulea and Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrica).

At the time of writing the path along Cattai Creek is closed so it is necessary to take the bike path below the BMX track to link up with the Geebung Track again. Follow the path beside Field No 4 and enjoy the views into Cattai Creek. The bushland along the creek has been restored with extensive bush regeneration.

On this lower level the Sydney Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland continues on one side of the path and on the lower side we have Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest beside the creek. The dominant trees here are Sydney Peppermint(Eucalyptus piperita), Blackbutts (Eucalyptus pilularis) and Angophora costata. Shrubs include Sydney Golden Wattle (Acacia longifolia), Lemon scented Tea Tree (Leptospermum polygalifolium), Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) and Pultenaea flexilis. Many of the shrubs are covered with Clematis aristata whose clouds of white flowers are a stunning feature in springtime.

The path leaves the creek and follows Caterson Drive a short distance to meet the path which returns to Field No 1. This path leads through more Shale Sandstone Transition Forest. One of the dominant understory plants here is Pimelea linifolia which seems to flower throughout the year.A feature of this part of the walk in Spring is the large number of Petalochilus catenata orchids growing beside the path. At any time of the year take time to admire the venerable Scribbly Gum which is a bird apartment block full of breeding hollows.

Ed. This is the first of several walks in the Castle Hill area that Jennifer Farrer will write about. When more moderate weather arrives you may care to stroll around this or another walk not far away from many of us

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Are Possums a nuisance?

While seeking something else I noted advice to those who had possums attacking their trees This was given by Jane Edmanson on the ABC Gardening Australia program.

Jane’s advice was: “If you get some really thick plastic and put it around the trunk of the tree…that’s really tough plastic…and that will mean that the possums cannot possibly climb up – they’ll just keep sliding back – they can’t get their claws into that – and that makes it a really simple way to stop possums.”

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Around the Groups

The APS Sutherland Group newsletter carried an article entitled Native Mammals and Seed in the Arid Zone. It is a report on a talk given at their last meeting and is very interesting. Space may not allow it to be republished here but I propose to include it next month.

Syzygium wilsonii is a shrub or small tree from 2 to over 6 metres high. The leaves are narrowly oval in shape and about 100 to 180 mm long by 30 to 50 mm wide. The new growth is red or bronze in colour and is very spectacular. Deep red flowers appear in spring and early summer in large clusters about 100 mm in diameter. The clusters tend to be partly hidden under the leaves and are followed by white fruits. These are ovoid in shape and around 15 mm long.

Despite its origin in tropical areas, S.wilsonii is a reliable species in most temperate and subtropical climates. It is a very attractive species in both flower and foliage. It prefers rich soils and assured moisture in sun or dappled shade and makes an excellent feature plant for a large container. Like other species of Syzygium, scale infestations are occasionally observed. This can be controlled by the use of white oil.

An attractive hybrid of S.wilsonii is S. ‘Cascade’. This is similar in foliage to S.wilsonii but has large clusters of pink flowers. It forms a dense, rounded shrub to about 2 – 3m in height and is suited to all but arid and very cold climates. It will grow in full sun to semi shade but the bronze coloured new growth is best appreciated if some protection from summer sun is provided. The other parent of S. ‘Cascade’ is believed to be S. luehmannii.

The deep mauve to pink flowers occur in winter and spring, conspicuously displayed on the ends of the branches. The flower clusters are around 50 mm in diameter and are followed by the spherical (barrel-shaped) seed pods which remain on the plant for an indefinite period.

This is a very spectacular species which is well known in cultivation in Mediterranean-type climates (dry summer – wet winter). In more humid, summer rainfall areas the species is difficult to maintain in cultivation. It requires

well drained, moist soils in a sunny position or lightly shaded position. It will withstand light to moderate frosts.

I.formosus is usually propagated from seed which germinates readily without pretreatment. Cuttings are also successful using firm, current season’s growth. Some limited work has been carried out by enthusiasts on the grafting of western species of Isopogon, onto eastern rootstocks to extend the range where the plants can be grown. This offers the best chance for successful cultivation in humid areas such as ours.

Ed. Descriptions are from the ANPSA web site of which Brian Walters is editor. Does any member have I. formosus growing in their garden. Is it on its own roots or grafted and how does it manage in our area? Local Isopogons are I. anemonifolius and I. anethifolius. There are another three species that grow in the Blue Mountains. Probably because I. formosus is not readily available in our area not a lot of knowledge of grafting onto local species is known. If you can obtain one try grafting and let us know the result.

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Images from APS Menai Wildflower Group Newsletter

These images were so eye catching that I just had to copy them from the APS Menai Wildflower Group newsletter for February 2017.

Barklya syringifolia, the lone species of the genus, grows as a tree to about 20m in rainforests in coastal Queensland and North Eastern NSW but in cultivation usually becomes a small bushy tree to about 8m. It is one of the most beautiful trees of our rainforests.

It flowers orange-yellow in November and December possibly longer and may begin flowering when it is no more than 2m high. It may be grown from scarified seed but is said to take up to 10 years to flower. The preferred options are from cuttings or aerial layering. It does best in dappled sun in warmer spots though it will tolerate full sun and light frosts. It appreciates a deep, rich well drained soil with a good rainfall.

Chorizema cordatum is one of about 18 species of the genus which with one exception are endemic to WA. It is usually a scrambling shrub reaching some 50cm in height and 1 – 1.5m in width.

It carries brightly coloured red and orange pea flowers, though a yellow flowering form may be seen, in late Winter and Spring. C. cordatum may be grown from seed which has been abraded to reduce the thickness of the impervious seed coat or by placing the seed in a container and applying boiling water. The seeds of many species benefit from soaking them over night but others prefer to be removed from the boiling water in as little as one minute. Testing of a limited number of seeds is recommended if no specific data is available. The plant may also be grown from cuttings. C. cordatum is best suited to Summers with low humidity but it has proven more able to withstand humidity than many other western plants. It appreciates some shade from direct sun and performs best in well drained soils with assured moisture. It can recover from a light frost.

Ed. Both Pam Pitkeathly and Lloyd Hedges are long time members of the APS Menai Wildflower Group. The editor of the Newsletter is Pam Forbes. As always their newsletter carries valuable information and splendid images. We thank them for the inspiring images. Visit the APS NSW web site http://austplants.com.au/ and check this and other newsletters. Another URL to visit may be the APS NSW Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/pg/APSNSW/

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The Save Our Flora E – Bulletin No 16

The latest issue of SOF contains dome beautiful images of endangered Philotheca species plus much more. It also carries some other great photos from You Tube and some disappointing news from Facebook

Firstly, watch The Birds of Paradise in New Guinea – amazing photography of Birds of Paradise, high in the rainforests of New Guinea.
Visit https://www.youtube.com/embed/REP4S0uqEOc

And secondly read a brief reference to an article from the Friends of the Royal National Park News contributed by Ralph Cartwright of APS Sutherland Group. He writes: Bob Crombie, posted some pics of works taking place on Lady Carrington Drive with this comment:

“Work has begun on the construction of the Lady Carrington Hwy in Royal National Park. Swathes of rare plants and beautiful ferns cleared, rips into regenerating rainforest, wide enough for the new generation of obese walkers and bike riders to be able to pass each other. Heartbreaking. Watch Bob Crombie talk about the destruction there by visiting

http://www.theleader.com.au/story/4383756/videophotos-dismay-over-bushland-destruction/?cs=1507 Take the time to access Facebook and read the full article and watch just seven images.

Some issues of SOF are available at https://saveourflora.weebly.com/

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Choosing and finding native plants for your Garden

*Jan Williamson

Such was the interest in this topic that 30 people braved the extreme heat (44ᵒC recorded at Thornleigh earlier that day) to attend the February meeting at APS North Shore Group to hear Clare Bell speak.

Clare fielded lots of questions and explained how retail and commercial nurseries stock and sell their plants. Some of the most significant points that were raised were:

• Wholesale nurseries will rarely sell directly to individuals.
• Retail nurseries choose plants with flowers- flowers sell. It is much less likely that the plant will be available if it is the non flowering season.
• Plants go in fashions and currently native plants are losing ground. Plants now sought after are smaller, showy varieties to cater for smaller gardens and higher density living. People do not like fallen leaves and roots!!!
• There are very few garden designers who specialise in using native plants.
• Popular garden and horticultural shows will heavily influence the fashion and the price.
• There is less choice of retail suppliers and less choice of stock within these suppliers.
• Buy tube stock wherever possible. Clare does not think that plants thrive in the peat pots that are now being marketed. Clare transfers her tube stock to 6”pots and does not plant them our until they have shown that they are going to survive and hopefully thrive. Clare has a large garden and limited time so planting tube stock directly in her garden is more likely to fail. Clare uses seaweed based products to encourage root growth in the pots.When selecting plants the roots in tubes or pots should extend to the edge of the container and definitely should not be girdling (tightly curling around) .
• Nurseries have many costs that the customer is not aware of including government state levies on plastic pots, label costs, pot mixes, staff and insurance costs etc so large wholesale and retail nurseries cannot afford to grow and supply plants that have limited demand.

So what to do when you still want a particular plant? Try:

• Smaller specialist nurseries (e.g. Boongala Gardens, Brian Roach, Tharwa Nursery), Propagating groups e.g. APS NSG ☺, other APS groups (meetings, festivals etc), APS NSW Study groups, KWG Visitor’s Centre
• Internet search of specialist native nurseries
• Garden Shows, Seed companies, Growing Friends with various Botanic Gardens, Collectors Plant Fair (Clarendon), local Council nurseries.

OR Try propagating it yourself from seed or cuttings. Rodents often eat seeds, making this method of propagation a bit trickier. Seed suppliers e.g. Harvest, APS NSW

Clare’s own garden, Confetti Gardens at Mt Colah, is approximately 60 % native plants.

When following up with Clare about her talk Clare commented that she would welcome email requests for her facts sheets – visit Clare Bell <confettigardens@hotmail.com> as well as adding Our propagation team understand they are always free to take cuttings as are our APS members – I am always happy to oblige as I have many old species and cultivars here that are past and present fads of the Nursery industry – as discussed!! I have all the labels ‘loosely’ filed!

Thank you very much, Clare , for your generous sharing of your knowledge, time and enthusiasm/passion for native plants.

*Jan Williamson is the Editor of Blandfordia, the newsletter of APS North Shore Group in whitch this report first appeared.

Ed. As I read Jan’s report in Blandfordia I thought of the APS report that reveals a relatively low number of members are registered to visit our APS web site where it and other Group newsletters can be found, and my desire to pass this on has led me to copy it to Calgaroo.

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Pygmy Possums from State Forests to Re-Start Colony at North Head

It cannot be emphasised strongly enough that you must correctly identify your mushrooms. Some mushrooms are poisonous and will make you extremely sick.”

Ed. If you find an interesting story please let me have it. You may also simply let me know where I may find one that I may go to on the web where so many can be found.

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APS Armidale Group Newsletter

Don’t miss looking at the APS Armidale newsletter Summer Edition (14 pages) at the APS NSW web site at http://austplants.com.au/
There are good articles and great images.

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We suggest P&H members who need to renew their membership complete the form in the centre of Native Plants for NSW and post it to Pip Gibian at her address above or choose the direct deposit option, follow the directions carefully and advise Merle Thompson and Gordon Brooks by email. Alternatively just pay Pip at the next meeting. Please ask if you are unsure of your membership status which is shown on the address label affixed to APS publications received quarterly.

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Parramatta and Hills District Group

Email: apsparrahills@gmail.com
Website: https://austplants.com.au/Parramatta-And-Hills
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APSPARRAHILLS/