Our Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be held at Gumnut Hall, Gumnut Place, Cherrybrook, on Saturday, 23 April 2016 at 2pm. Mark Abell will speak on Australian Native Ponds: Using Native Fish and Plants to Create a Healthy and Attractive Watergarden.
If our future is drier than it is now as a result of climate change, a pond may be an essential part of the design of a native garden. Plants, fish and the trickling and reflections from a small pond complete with a pump to circulate and aerate the water are magic factors. Don’t miss Mark’s talk.
Our Visit to Boongala Gardens, 12 March
Group members are invited to visit to Boongala Gardens as a group on Saturday, 12 March, at 2pm. Malcolm and Jenny Johnston have a wonderful garden and sell quality plants. The Gardens are at 76 Pitt Town Road, Kenthurst. Entry is $2 (donation to Royal Doctor Flying Service), children free. To take the Guided Rainforest Walk the additional cost is Adults $3, children free.
Succulents
The recent issue of Australian Plants was given over to a fine article by Attila Kapitany on Succulents. Considering that we live in the driest continent on earth it is surprising that we tend to ignore such plants that have an in-built mechanism to combat lack of water.
We should be thankful to have such plants available to us. I have heard of some but never considered finding a place in the garden for any of them. Attila has surely awakened a new interest in these.
Do we have any members growing a range of succulents? Please let us know your experience with these.
APS NSW Strategic Planning
APS President, John Aitken, presented his report for 2015 in the recent issue of Native Plants for NSW and early on refers to the strategic planning that the Board commenced last year.
I have not sought to know how many copies of Native Plants were being printed at current issue for many years and was astounded to note by accident that the present run is only 1,400 copies, far below the number 25 years ago. If we wish our Society to flourish for the sake of our flora we need to recreate a vibrant membership.
Yes, there is a need to arouse others to the need to learn more about our Australian plants and to prepare for such demands as climate change may require to help conserve our unique flora. Experts tell us that plants can adapt to new environments but almost certainly not at the rate that may be necessary to survive the onset of the level of climate change that is predicted currently.
Our President urges “members to have ownership of any plan that is developed”. I am confident that members do have ideas that may help – speak up, let us all play a role in the resurgence of APS NSW Ltd!
Calendar
Mar 2016
Wed 9 Propagation at Bidjiwong Community Nursery at 10am
Sat 12 Visit to Boongala Gardens, Pitt Town Rd at 2pm
Apr 2016
Wed 6 Deadline for Calgaroo news / articles
Wed 13 Propagation at Bidjiwong Community Nursery at 10am
Sat 23 Our meeting at Gumnut Hall at 2pm – speaker Mark Abell on Australian Native Ponds: Using Native Fish and Plants to Create a Healthy and Attractive Watergarden
Late Bill Harden
It is with deep sympathy for his family that we report that Bill Hardin, a life member of APS NSW and a member of the APS Tamworth District Group, died on 20 February 2016. Although probably not well known by our members Bill, who had been ill for years, was still active and a source of inspiration.
APS Gathering
The speaker at the APS Gathering at the Northern Beaches on 27 Feb was Narelle Happ whose subject was Growing Bush Tucker in the Garden. Narelle, who spoke confidently on Bush Tucker plants, is a garden designer and horticulturalist who specialises in native garden and permaculture design and her web pages are very interesting.
Visit http://www.agardenforlife.com.au/#sthash.IOeintBR.dpuf
Narelle presented a list of useful Bush Tucker plants that may be grown in the garden, commencing with those that are categorised as trees, then large shrubs, small shrubs, climbers and finally ground covers.
Space available at this time does not allow for detailed descriptions of the plants themselves but seek additional information you desire on-line or from your reference books.
Trees
In the Tree category there are many Acacia species, the seeds of which have been a subject of increasing interest and research in recent years as a source of human food. Much of this work is based on an understanding of traditional Aboriginal use of many of these species. The overall nutritional value of certain Australian dry-zone Acacia seeds is typically high, reflecting their protein, fat and carbohydrate content, and the seeds contain no or low levels of toxic or anti-nutritional compounds. Frequently the seeds are roasted and ground to provide an alternative to flour.
The fruit of Antidesma bunius or Bignay or Queensland Wild Cherry, which also grows in much of South East Asia, is used as both a food and for medicinal purposes. It is used for jams, sweet and savoury sauces, juices and flavourings and can be eaten raw. Its leaves may be used in salads and with rice. The leaves are used for treating snake bite in Asia and it is said to be a treatment for measles, urinary tract infections, amemia and hypertension. Please leave any decision to your doctor.
Araucaria bidwillii or Bunya Pine trees found in south eastern Queensland, are majestic, towering pines that produce huge cones filled with tasty nuts that are sweet and starchy when cooked, rather like a deliciously nutty flavoured potato, or chestnuts. However they should be reserved for large gardens as the Bunya nut cones are huge, covered in spikes, can weigh up to 10kg, and fall from dizzying heights – meaning they could be quite lethal and not the kind of tree you’d want to plant in a suburban garden! Within a week of falling a cone may be broken open with an axe and each nut extracted from its individual fibrous packaging that needs to be peeled off. The number of nuts varies with the size of the cone but may reach 100 in a very large one or less than half that number in a small one.
Indigenous Australians have long used Backhousia citriodora or Lemon Myrtle, which is endemic to subtropical rainforests of central and south-eastern Queensland, both in cuisine and as a healing plant. The leaf is often used as dried flakes, or in the form of an encapsulated flavour essence for enhanced shelf-life. It has a range of uses, such as Lemon Myrtle flakes in shortbread; flavouring in pasta; whole leaf with baked fish; infused in macadamia or vegetable oils; and made into tea, including tea blends. It can also be used as a lemon flavour replacement in milk-based foods, such as cheesecake, lemon flavoured ice-cream and sorbet without
the curdling problem associated with lemon fruit acidity. A study in 2003 which investigated the effectiveness of different preparations of Lemon Myrtle against bacteria and fungi concluded that the plant had potential as an antiseptic or as a surface disinfectant, or as an anti-microbial food additive.
Backhousia myrtifolia or Cinnamon Myrtle comes from the subtropical rainforests of Eastern Australia and its leaves, when crushed, impart a cinnamon-like fragrance and are being experimented with by some innovative cooks.
Davidsonia pruriens or Davidson”s Plum, a native of the rainforests of Northern Queensland, after flowering develops purple, edible fruits up to 50mm diameter which resemble small plums. The fruits, while edible, are not particularly palatable, however, they make excellent jams and a full-flavoured, dry red wine.
Pleiogynium timoriense or Burdekin Plum is found widely in South East Asia and in Queensland. The tree has yellowish-green flowers which flower between January and March and later grow into a fruit. The fruit’s flesh is generally plum coloured, however, white varieties have been reported. The fruit is edible when ripe. Fruit must be removed from tree to ripen for several days in a dark, damp place. Aboriginals are known to have buried the fruit underground to ripen. Fruit can be cooked, eaten raw or used in jellies, jams and preserves.
Some 52 species of the genus Syzygium, commonly known as Lillipillies, Brush Cherries or Satinash, are native to Northern Australia although about 1,200 are found worldwide. A few Australian species produce edible fruits that are eaten fresh or used in jams and jellies.
Large Shrubs
Within the category of Large Shrubs is included the Archirhodomyrtus beckleri, Rose Myrtle, that may reach 5m in North Eastern Queensland but can be as low as 30cm in NSW. In late summer colourful sweet fruit may be picked and made into delicious sticky jam.
Citrobutus pauciflorus has been renamed Pittosporum multiflorum but is commonly known as Native Orange or Orange Thorn. It grows on shales or volcanic soils, from Eden, NSW north to Queensland, usually in or near rainforest areas. Flowering occurs in spring or summer and the 3cm diameter orange fruit that follows in winter often persists on the plant. It is said to need maintenance as it does host the Dull Copper Butterfly. It takes shade.
Ficus coronata or Sandpaper Fig grows along watercourses along the east coast of Australia. An attractive small tree with sandpapery leaves and edible fruit that is harvested in autumn. It grows densely in full sun, less so in shade and is very good for stream bank stablilisation. All native figs are edible but this is the most palatable, very sweet.
Linospadix monostachys or Walking Stick Palm is a small palm tree growing as understorey in rainforests from north-eastern NSW to about Gympie in Queensland. Long strings of red fruit look very attractive hanging from the tree both to humans and birds.
Small Shrubs
Within the Small Shrub category falls Austromyrtus dulcis or Midyim Berry which occurs commonly from around Valla, NSW, to Fraser Island, Queensland. An attractive period for the plant is the fruiting stage. The fruits are berries containing 3-9 pale brown seeds. They are white and covered in small blue black spots, giving the fruit a mauvish appearance. The fruits are edible and have a sweet taste.
Citrus australasica or Finger Lime is found from south east Queensland to north-east NSW in tropical to subtropical rainforest communities. Its flowers are followed by elongated fruits about 30-120 mm long by 10-15 mm wide. The fruits ripen in winter through to spring and may be green, yellow, black, purple or red. The pulp is green, yellow or pink. The fruits are edible and have a strong citrus flavour.
Melastoma affine or Blue Tongue is a bushy shrub with attractive dark green, leathery foliage and contrasting red stems that is found in tropical and sub-tropical forests of India, South-east Asia and Australia, It’s large showy, mauve to purple flowers last only a few days but are produced over many months and in some areas throughout the year. Flowers are followed by blue-black fruit with a sweet, edible flesh which stains the mouth. It needs plenty of sun and water.
Prostanthera rotundifolia or Native Thyme is native to south-eastern Australia and needs plenty of moisture in the dry months. Pruning after flowering will keep the bush compact and generate shoots for picking. It is much stronger in flavour than traditional herbs and has a peppery taste as well. It complements lamb and veal dishes, is a flavoursome addition to potato salad, can be used to make mint sauce and, used with discretion, can add unusual flavours to jellies and desserts.
Rubus parvifolia or Native Raspberry is scrambling native but extends through Eastern Asia to Japan. The red fruit is about 1cm wide, pleasantly flavored and can be eaten raw or used in sauces and jams. The dried fruit are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The leaf and berry of the Tasmannia lanceolata or Native Pepper Bush are used as a spice, typically dried. It is a shrub native to woodlands and cool temperate rainforest of south-eastern Australia. Native pepper was used as a colonial pepper substitute but more recently it has become popularised as a bushfood condiment. It can be added to curries, cheeses, and alcoholic beverages. The small cream or white flowers appear in summer and are followed by black, globose, two-lobed berries 5–8mm wide, which appear in autumn. There are separate male and female plants. It enjoys some shade and some cold weather.
Only two plants were categorised as Climbers, the first being Billiardiera scandens or Apple Berry which occurs in forests in the coastal and tableland areas of all states and territories in Australia, apart from the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Peak flowering period is spring but flowers may also occur at other times. The flowers are followed by green, fleshy fruits containing many seeds in a sweet pulp. The ripe fruits are said to have a flavour similar to stewed apples.
Smilax australis or Native Sarsparilla leaves make medicinal tea and the fruits which are black globular berries with hard shiny seeds when ripe, are edible. The leaves can be sucked to soothe a dry mouth. The species occurs in rainforest, sclerophyll forest, woodland and heathland in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Lord Howe Island, and the northeastern corner of Western Australia.
Ground covers include Astroloma humifusum or Native Cranberry and six other species. Native Cranberry is endemic to south-eastern Australia. The tubular flowers appear from February to June, and are all red. These are followed by green globular berries around 0.4-0.6 cm in diameter, which become reddish as they ripen. The juicy berries are edible, although they are mostly made up of a large seed. They can be used to make jams or preserves. The flavour of the berries has been described as “sickly sweet”.
Carpobrotus glaucescens or Native Pig Face grows on the shore line of temperate eastern Australia. The succulent leaves are long and relatively narrow and the flowers light purple. The fruit is red to purple and about 2–3 cm long and 1.6–2.4 cm wide. The fruit pulp is edible, with a flavor like salty strawberry or kiwifruit. The skin is discarded. The leaves are also edible cooked, and can be used as a preserved pickles. Fruit of the plant can also be made into a toffee or jam.
Kunzea pomifera or Muntries are low-growing plants found along the southern coast of Australia. The berries produced by these plants are about 1 centimetre in diameter, green with a tinge of red at maturity and have a flavour of a spicy apple. Crunchy in texture, muntries contain up to four times more antioxidants than blueberries and can be eaten fresh or used in many sweet and savoury dishes. They also provide natural waxes that are good for skin nourishment.
Mentha satureioides or Native Pennyroyal grows on the banks of streams and especially on shale in southern and eastern Australia. This native mint has the scent of exotic pennyroyal but in bushtucker recipes can be used in the same way as common mint. Leaves are highly fragrant and said to aid insect repellent in the garden around cabbages and tomatoes.
Tetragonia tetragonioides or Warrigal Greens is grown for the edible leaves, and can be used as food or an ornamental plant for ground cover. Like spinach, it contains oxalates; its medium to low levels of oxalates need to be removed by blanching the leaves in hot water. It was first mentioned by Captain Cook who used it to fight scurvy. It grows in Argentina and the Pacific Rim enjoying hot, wet conditions.
Anthropodium strictum or Chocolate Lily is normally grown for its scent – that of chocolate. The tubers, which are juicy and slightly bitter in taste, were eaten by Aborigines. One authority suggests the taste is like carrot. It may be found in the eastern part of Australia.
The corms of mature Bulbine bulbosa or Native Leek plants are nutritious, containing calcium and iron, and were used as food by the Aborigines, who called it parm, puewan, and pike. They regarded the corms as the sweetest-tasting of the lily and lily-like Australian plants. However, the aerial parts of the plant contain toxins and should be treated carefully. The foliage is said to cause scouring if eaten by sheep or cattle. It is endemic to Australia.
Ed. I found it difficult to record Narelle Happ’s address and have researched the species to which she referred. I trust you find the information helpful. Please let us know how things go if you venture into Bush Tucker. In many cases these are obviously attractive plants so they may be an asset to your garden even if you choose not to eat any part of them.
Camping at Goulburn River National Park
*Jill Cronin
Each year we go camping in a National Park and this year decided to re-visit Goulburn River NP. It’s about twenty years since our last visit and my most vivid memory apart from wonderful rocky cliffs, was exploring the river, mostly ankle-deep, and wading through thigh-high “cobblers’ pegs” (Bidens pilosa) also known as “farmer’s friend”. They’re a bane of many farmers and a devil to get out of socks and clothes. But many a humble weed has hidden virtues and recent Japanese research reveals this herb is anti-microbial and can be beneficial in the treatment of malaria, allergies, inflammation, diabetes, hypertension and cancer. Not bad for a despised, nuisance weed! The NPWS must have had an eradication program because the cobblers pegs have gone and been replaced by another feral, the attractive Californian Poppy (Eschscholzia californica).
The park is located between Mudgee and Sandy Hollow. It is 70,000 hectares of dissected sandstone country dominated by a 90km stretch of the river that joins the Hunter River below Denman. It is culturally significant with many caves and overhangs and was a major trading route between the coast and the western plains. One of our walks took us to “Hands on Rocks”, aboriginal art, and to “The Drip”.
We were a bit late for many wildflowers but along the way there were lovely specimens of Petrophile pedunculata and the rather delicate Dodonea boronifolia. Tree cover was predominantly Eucalypt, including three species of ironbark, punctuated with Grevillea sericea
Callitris sp like tall exclamation marks. Along the river banks and flats were Allocasuarina cunninghamiana, E. crebra and Angophora floribunda, the rough-barked apple.
Another excursion was to Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve, 6,800 ha of sandstone pagoda bushland. We were hoping to catch a glimpse of the endangered Regent Honeyeater but it proved elusive. We walked in to Castle Rocks, fascinating pagoda remnants with great views from the top.
Les was happy to see a local Macrozamia sp (a native cycad), and the interesting understorey included Calytrix tetragona, Grevillea sericea, and Patersonia sp. We were thrilled to discover some lovely blue sun orchids, Thelymitra sp. but the breeze made them difficult to photograph. Another find was the yellow donkey orchid, Diuris aurea.
*Jill Cronin is a member of APS Hunter Valley Group in whose newsletter Gumleaves this article first appeared.
Ed. Surely someone wants a camping holiday. Mudgee is only about 240km from Castle Hill and obviously the views of Castle Rocks and the flora makes one want to leave yesterday. However you will need to plan your trip in some detail. To see other beautiful images visit the APS NSW web site and go to District Group newsletters.
Study: Antarctic Icebergs Surprise Role in Slowing Warming
*David Twomey
Scientists have revealed the biggest icebergs breaking off Antarctica unexpectedly help to slow global warming as they melt away into the chill Southern Ocean.
The rare Manhattan-sized icebergs, which may become more frequent in coming decades because of climate change, release a vast trail of iron and other nutrients that act as fertilisers for algae and other tiny plant-like organisms in the ocean.
Reuters Newsagency reports these extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, a natural ally for human efforts to limit the pace of climate change blamed on man-made greenhouse gas emissions. Ocean blooms in the wake of giant icebergs off Antarctica absorbed 10 to 40 million tonnes of carbon a year, the study estimated. That is roughly equivalent to annual man-made greenhouse gas emissions of countries such as Sweden or New Zealand.
Until now, the impact of ocean fertilisation from the demise of giant icebergs, defined as floating chunks of ice longer than 18 kilometres or almost the length of the island of Manhattan, had been judged small and localised. “We were very surprised to find that the impact can extend up to 1000km,” from the icebergs, Professor Grant Bigg of the University of Sheffield, an author of the study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, told Reuters.
The scientists studied satellite images of 17 giant icebergs off Antarctica from 2003-2013 and found that algae could turn the water greener for hundreds of kilometres around the icebergs, with nutrients spread by winds and currents. Reuters reports there are typically 30 giant icebergs floating off Antarctica at any one time, they can linger for years.
The study said the giant icebergs had an outsized impact in promoting ocean fertilisation when compared with small icebergs. Professor Bigg noted that global man-made greenhouse gas emissions had been growing at about two per cent a year. “If the giant icebergs weren’t there, it would be 2.1 to 2.2 per cent,” he said.
Dr Ken Smith, an expert at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in California who reviewed the study, said in an email he found the new findings “convincing”.
The Sheffield University scientists noted other estimates that the amount of ice breaking off Antarctica had gained by five per cent in the past two decades and that it was likely to rise in future with warming. That in turn could spur more ocean fertilisation.
*David Twomey is a journalist with Eco News in which this article first appeared
The Hills Council Living Sustainably Walks and Workshops
The Hills Council is holding the following events in the near future. Check details when booking.
Natural fertilisers, Thursday, 17 March, 10.00 to 12 noon. Learn about the plants and minerals used to boost soil fertility. Techniques for making cold and hot compost; herbal ferments; compost tea and compost accelerators will be examined.
Bush walk, Richard Webb Reserve, Saturday 19 March, 9.30am to 11.30am. Stroll along one of the loveliest walks in the Hills. Walk below sandstone cliffs, admire the waterfall and climb up to the sandstone ridge where totally different plants can be found.
Basic bushland photography, Thursday, 31 March 10.00 to 12 noon. An engaging introductory workshop to help you achieve a more professional and focused photographic image. A walk in the local bushland and a free photography booklet included.
Bush walk, Hunts Creek, Saturday, 2 April 10.00 to 12 noon. The local bush provides an important habitat for our native animals in terms of food supply and shelter. Spot plenty of water features and native plants along this pretty creek track.
Book walks and workshops on line at: www.thehillsenvironment.eventbrite.com.au
Hornsby Herbarium
The Hornsby Herbarium group has been listing all native plants on their chosen track, finding and reporting rare plants, scanning plant specimens to obtain high resolution images and maintaining the Hornsby Herbarium website. It now contains 966 native plants found in the Hornsby Shire, plus a number of introduced plants. Visit http://www.photosau.com/hornsbyherbarium/scripts/home.asp
Save Our Flora E-bulletin No 13
Maria Hitchcock has issued E-bulletin No 13, included in which is the table below of critically endangered plants.
Critically endangered plants
Arthrochilus huntianus subsp. nothofagicola Tas
Corunastylis littoralis NSW
Eucalyptus recurva NSW
Euphrasia arguta NSW
Euphrasia fragosa Tas
Euphrasia gibbsiae subsp. psilantherea Tas
Gastrolobium diabolophyllum WA
Gastrolobium luteifolium WA
Grevillea brachystylis subsp. grandis WA
Guichenotia seorsiflora WA
Gyrostemon reticulatus WA
Haloragis platycarpa WA
Hemigenia ramosissima WA
Hybanthus cymulosus WA
Keraudrenia exastia WA
Image: www.flickr.com
You can now access all previous Save Our Flora E-bulletins online. Go to https://saveourflora.weebly.com/ They are not available in hard copy but if you need it, seek the help of a family member or friend.
One really good story in this E-bulletin is the discovery of a very, very rare plant, Commersonia rosea. It is a story picked up from the ABC by Jane March, editor of Caleyi, newsletter of the APS Northen Beaches Group. Jane finds some wonderful stories regularly.
A rare flower only found near Sandy Hollow in the Upper Hunter has flourished, exciting botanists and bushwalkers alike. Prior to 2013 only five specimens of the Commersonia rosea had ever been sighted by a botanist. Bushwalkers and a botanist have reported the Commersonia rosea is now growing over several kilometres of rock shelf in the Wollemi National Park near Sandy Hollow. It is thought the Hungerford bushfire, which burned for 40 days near Martindale at the end of 2013, caused the plant’s seeds to germinate.
Trevor Wooley from the Martindale Creek Catchment Landcare Goup said the plant’s seeds may have been dormant for some time. “Possibly 40 years,” he said. “There hasn’t been a really big fire in that area for, well, within living memory. There have been smaller fires, but about 1955-56 was the last really big fire.”
Just five of the plant’s specimens had been seen by a botanist prior to 2013. Mr Wooley said the blaze has uncovered new information about local plant species. “Botanically people have learned a lot from walking through the remains of that Hungerford fire and finding out what grows after the fire,” he said. “We don’t know very much – that’s the bottom line.”
ANPC News – February 2016
11th Australasian Plant Conservation Conference 2016 will be held in about November (dates are to be advised)
The theme will be ‘New Approaches to Plant Conservation Challenges in the Modern World’.
Conference sub-themes have been announced:
- Assisted colonization as a practical tool for climate change mitigation.
- Conservation for people and nature: how do we maximise the benefits for both.
- Rethinking landscape restoration: seed production, provenance, conservation planning.
- Holistic conservation – the role of mutualisms in ensuring functional ecosystem recovery (pollinators,soils).
- Rescuing small populations from extinction.
- New challenges and emerging ideas.
Registrations are due to open in May 2016. Registration fees and the Call for Abstracts will be announced soon.
Restore and Renew Project
https://www.anbg.gov.au/anpc/projects/RestoreNSW.html
An important consideration in any restoration project is where to source seed and other plant material to be planted on selected sites. Similarly, evaluating how to store and germinate seed can have a profound impact on long-term success. Despite the importance of these decisions, obtaining the necessary information can be challenging. Restore and Renew NSW responds to this challenge.
Objectives of the Restore and Renew NSW Project
Restore and Renew NSW will develop researchbased, detailed and specific restoration guidelines for over 200 plant species which are considered useful in restoration projects across NSW.
Genetic, adaptive, environmental, and ecological information will be collected for all 200+ species by taking advantage of innovative research techniques. For example, Next Generation Sequencing, a technique similar to that used in the ‘Human genome project’, will be used to collect genetic information on a scale never before attempted in plants. The resulting research outcomes and restoration guidelines will be publicly available through a practitioner- friendly website.
While initially providing guidelines for around 200 species, research outcomes will also help to identify predictive generalisations that can be applied across many of the other species used in restoration throughout NSW.
For further information please contact Maurizio Rossetto. maurizio.rossetto@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Ed. This item from Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, was published in a Save Our Flora e-Bulletin in August 2015.
Calostemma luteum
Image: Murray Fagg
I wonder whether any member happened to read (on-line) of this beautiful plant in the APS Sutherland Group newsletter recently.
“There is some debate as to whether C. luteum and C. purpureum are distinct species or just different colour forms. In any case, related to the common daffodil, this small herb emerges from its bulb to display a brightly coloured flower from January to April. The purple form can be seen in profusion at Sylvan Grove Native Garden. I was happy, after waiting 10 years or more, to see a yellow flower appear in my rockery in late January this year. Apparently the purple form is more common and quicker to flower. They are easy to propagate from seed (bulbils) so it is about the right time to harvest if you know someone who has some for you. They can even germinate before you plant them.”
Peter Shelton is editor of the APS Sutherland Group newsletter in which this article first appeared.
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.
Parramatta and Hills District Group
Email: apsparrahills@gmail.com
Website: https://austplants.com.au/Parramatta-And-Hills
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APSPARRAHILLS/