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CALGAROO A journey into nature Newsletter of the Parramatta and Hills District Group Australian Plants Society NSW Ltd Our vision: inspiring people to admire, grow and conserve native plants
WHAT’S ON IN 2024
| 6 November Wednesday 10am: | Propagation |
| 23 November Saturday | Members’ meeting and end-of-year celebration Gumnut Hall |
| 4 December Wednesday 10am: | Propagation |
If you’d like to come to our propagation days at Bidjiwong Community Nursery and haven’t been before, you can get details from Lesley Waite – phone 0438 628 483
Members’ meeting Saturday 23 November at 2pm
Gumnut Hall, Gumnut Place Cherrybrook
Jennifer Farrer
The speaker will be James Indsto, one of our own members, and his subject ‘Forensic botany in major crime and drug identification’
You may remember James’ fascinating talk to us last year about the mimicry used by Diuris Orchids to encourage pollination. James will talk this time about his experiences as a forensic botanist.
James has always had an interest in science and horticulture, and started out by training in horticulture. A BSc. in biology led to a role in plant virology research and then in cancer genetics. This led to a position with NSW Police as a forensic botanist, where he has undertaken major crime casework.
In his talk, James will explore some of the techniques used to present evidence such as analysing leaf fragments, wood, pollen and Cannabis.
James says “Simple microscopy techniques can be very useful. Quality photography is a big advantage. Forensic botanists usually have limited time and resources for specimen preparation, so simple is good.
My forte is specialized photography techniques so these will be featured. An important principle in expert evidence presentation is the idea that the expert needs to demonstrate their ability to do the work. Gone are the days when a respected person such as the family doctor might give an opinion on almost anything and be believed. So, showing the actual evidence is important.
Most forensic botanists spend most of their time on drug botany. I am in the process of writing up a project on Cannabis microscopic features photographed using the photomacro technique with image stacking. This has been a reason to develop skills in this area.”
The meeting will conclude with an end-of-year celebratory afternoon tea.
Visitors are welcome.
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”
Confucius
The early story of Grevillea ‘Lawson Queen’
Pip Gibian Photos Rob Horton
In about 1988, I was walking in the Lawson area with a long-standing friend, who had been brought up there and had returned to live in the area again. As an adolescent he had roamed the local bush trackless and knew it well. As we were walking, I passed this plant with a beautiful dark pink, almost cerise, flower.
I presumed it was a very good colour form of Grevillea sericea, and took a few cuttings. We had been walking trackless and I did not have a clue where we were. I grew a few and sold a small number to Mal and Jenny Johnston at Annagrove Grevilleas.
Quite some years later I took two flowering plants to one of the native plant shows at Rouse Hill, run by our group. My arrival with these plants at the Grevillea Study Group tent caused a great stir – where did this plant come from? I gave one plant to Peter Olde and the other went to either Neil Marriott or Ray Brown. I also asked my friend to go for another walk so we could find it again and document its location. It took a few hours to find, and there were many similar plants with paler flower colours, smaller flowers and more narrow leaves.
Nothing further happened for quite some years. I was growing it in our garden, where it flowered in spring and also demonstrated that it root-suckered. However, it did not set seed, an indication that it might be a hybrid. The Grevillea Study Group had the plant and were calling it Lawson Giant, a name I thought inappropriate for such a pretty-coloured flower. In 2015 I officially named it with the Australian Cultivar Registration Authority, calling it Grevillea ‘Lawson Queen’.
The area of bush where it was found is off the end of Queens Road in Lawson. Peter Olde thinks it is a hybrid between Grevillea sericea and Grevillea oleoides. The second parent, which is found in southern Sydney, has also been found on the Kings Tableland at Wentworth Falls. Certainly, it seems as if the same hybrid has been repeated often to explain the large number of plants, similar to but not as striking as Grevillea ‘Lawson Queen’.
Plants in my garden – Prostanthera scutellarioides
Ian Cox
Prostanthera scutellarioides looks stunning in spring, its purple flowers contrasting and eye-catching against the dark green foliage. The flowers last for several weeks.
I was introduced to this attractive plant accidentally. In fact, it introduced itself. I was at the John Benyon Park at Kenthurst and here it was, in this unlikely place one spring, covered in flowers and looking brilliant! Of course, I took home some cuttings.
Prostanthera scutellarioides has a wide distribution, usually growing in woodland and forest from the Cooma district north on the NSW ranges and up along the coast to southern Queensland. It’s round in shape, usually about one metre by one metre, with purple to deep lilac flowers which contrast nicely with the verdant green foliage.
It sometimes grows larger than this in the garden, to 1.8m x 1.8m or more. I find it easy to grow without much attention, and it grows fairly quickly. It does like being watered during dry periods until established. It should flower after its first year. It prefers a position where it only gets morning sun or not much sun at all. A light pruning after the flowers are finished will ensure more flowers and a denser look next season.
The ‘scutas’, as we sometimes call them, look great in repeat and massed plantings. They’re excellent as cut flowers too. They propagate easily from cuttings.
Prostanthera scutellarioides can be planted as a hedge. This photo was taken at the Community Environment Centre, Annangrove, where some of our group’s members work as volunteers. It formed a spectacular border along the walkway to the meeting hall.
Our new Facebook Page
Linda Pine
We have created a new Facebook Group page called Australian Plants Society – Parramatta Hills Group. We received strange messaging through our existing page, which seemed a bit dodgy and set off alarm bells with a couple of us.
On the existing page are a couple of hundred followers from various overseas countries that are often listed as being at high risk for originating scams. Our committee decided to create a new Facebook Group to control who has access to our details. This way we will see who wants to be involved on Facebook and, as they need to be vetted and approved instead of just being able to click ‘follow’, we will have better control over who sees our posts and underlying details.
Please come over to our new Group page as the old one will be eventually phased out.
This is the link to the new page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/878507514096665
Banksia robur
As soon as I saw this amazing and exquisite photo on the Banksia lover group’s Facebook page, I wanted to share it.
I contacted the photographer, Sally Louise Hudson, who kindly gave her permission.
Such delicate beauty!
Earlier this year, the Government Architect of NSW released Biodiversity in Place, an amazing 86-page document that says, “. . . is a call to action to support nature recovery and enhance biodiversity. We must meet the growing demand for housing. But we must also continue ‘greening’ our cities, bringing the benefits of this and enhanced biodiversity to our communities.”
To access Biodiversity in Place, click here.
The following article is a summary, from the Government Architect’s website.
The cover photo is of The Hills Showground Metro planting trials.
Biodiversity in Place
The Biodiversity in Place Framework provides a practical guide to bring nature back into our cities, towns and suburbs.
As we plan for more housing, it’s important our urban areas are nature positive and support urban habitat.
How we plan and what we plant on our verges, backyards, balconies, public spaces, rooftops as well as in the land around critical infrastructure, such as our roads, railways and creek corridors, can make a big difference in the health of the local environment.
No space is too small to be valuable from a biodiversity perspective.
The framework developed by Government Architect NSW will provide industry, community groups and government agencies with a roadmap to design for biodiversity in new and existing developments.
The framework is an important step to improve our overall urban biodiversity.
Key steps that can help build more biodiversity in your neighbourhood
- Identify the space to improve
Making meaningful changes in a space starts with understanding its layout, size, surroundings and intended purpose.
Biodiversity can occur in many different places in the urban environment, including: nature reserves, national parks, schools, riparian zones, rail corridors, street verges, pollinator corridors, backyards, rooftops, plazas, microforests, and regional parks. - Choose your approach
Think about the conditions of the site and your available resources so you can decide on the best approach to encourage biodiversity.
Here are some ideas to create more biodiversity in your local area.
Roads, streets and laneways
Road and street verges in residential neighbourhoods are often overlooked as places for habitat restoration. But they present a unique opportunity to integrate:
• diverse understory planting, urban meadows and grasslands can be a low-cost way to encourage and support insect populations that are essential for biodiversity.
• shallow, on-slab planting to increase understory planting in dense urban areas when deep soil beds aren’t possible.
• microforests that breathe life into the smallest spaces within a city, creating lush habitats filled with plants and wildlife.
Rooftops
Rooftops can become habitats for various animals and plants. To encourage more biodiversity, we can integrate:
• rock, sand and log features to allow birds, reptiles and insects to take refuge or nest in these spaces.
• architecture for multiple species with consideration of wildlife-friendly design features and building materials, such as bird-safe glass.
• insect hotels and wildlife boxes made from dead trees, hollows, logs and artificial nests, which provide important habitats for birds, possums and microbats.
Backyards
Backyard gardens contribute significantly to the green space in cities. We can support more biodiversity in our gardens by integrating:
• plants for pollinators – choose plants that flower frequently to provide food and habitat for pollinators such as insects, bees and birds.
• high-density planting – planting a variety of different plants close together helps prevent erosion, retain water and stop spontaneous plants from popping up.
• water – fresh water sources like ponds, water features or small bowls in gardens support wildlife.
These ideas are provided as a guide for ways to build more biodiversity in your neighbourhood. Please check with your local council for any relevant policies that you may need to follow. - Management and care
Biodiverse places need ongoing management and care to thrive. Some techniques for managing these spaces include:
• retaining deadheads on flowers, leaf litter and beneficial weeds
• reducing mowing and using less herbicides and pesticides
• using fertilizer thoughtfully, applying it in moderation to prevent excess nutrients or pollution from reaching waterways.
Interesting Links . . .
Sixteen insect species photographed for the first time by citizen scientist – from The ABC.
Australia is hosting the world’s first ‘nature positive’ summit. What is it, and why does it matter? – from The Conversation.
NSW couple helps rare wild grevillea spring to life after drought – from The ABC.
Alchemy of a rainforest – from Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
What will be Australian Insect of the Year? See the finalists here – from The ABC.
This is super interesting – a great article by Julia Baird about Tim Winton’s new book on the future of humans in climate change:-
Tim Winton’s ‘Juice’ is eco-anxiety on steroids. It’s also a reminder that knowledge is power — so long as we use it – from The ABC.
‘The bush calls us’ – the defiant women who demanded a place on the walking track – from The Conversation.
Galls – a home you can eat
Paul Whitington
To read this story from Life in a Southern Forest, click here.
How we created a native wildflower meadow in the heart of the city using threatened grassland species
Katherine Horsfell, The University of Melbourne
To read this story from The Conversation, click here.
Bonsai
Ian Cox
On 19th October I visited the 40th Annual Bonsai Show at Ray Nesci’s Nursery, Dural.
The School of Bonsai organised this event. Many people attended, and wonderful and striking examples of the art of Bonsai were on display.
Here are photos of some of the native plants used as subjects:
Urban Forests for People and Climate Change
Paper presented by Dr Greg Moore, former Head of Burnley Horticultural College, School of Agriculture, University of Melbourne, at the ANPSA Conference September 2024
Jennifer Farrer
Warmer days will bring storms of higher intensity and higher rainfall. Urban forests will have an important role to play in our changing climate. Urban forests are not shared equally. There is great inequality between the suburbs where green spaces occur in our cities.
Studies overseas have shown a link between better health outcomes for people who live with more tree cover. In our cities, the most disadvantaged have the least access to green spaces and tree cover.
There is a ratio which indicates good tree cover in our suburbs. It is 3:30:300. This means everyone should be able to see three trees from where they live, their property should have 30 % tree canopy and they should be able to access green space for recreation within 300 metres of their home.
Studies have shown that property values increase when there are trees on the property, but only up to 30% canopy cover. If it is more than that the value decreases. In other words, we want trees in our gardens but not a forest.
There is not enough public land in our cities to meet the target of everyone being able to access green space within 300 metres of their home. Future planning documents often do not mention the importance of providing tree cover and green space.
We are clearing urban vegetation instead of creating more green space and tree canopy in our cities. This is going to lead to a crisis in heatwave deaths. More people died in the Black Saturday heatwave than died in the bushfires in Victoria in 2009.
Public policy needs to acknowledge the positive advantages of urban vegetation. A price needs to be put on the value of trees. They are public assets.
Here are some of the advantages:
•Trees enhance the recreational use of open space
•There are reduced social disadvantages and better health outcomes in areas with greater tree cover.
•Two trees on a property will reduce the electricity bill
•Trees extend the life of bitumen in a street
•Trees capture carbon in the atmosphere but only when they are older than 25 years.
We need to consider rewarding tree owners to encourage people to value trees and see them as assets rather than disadvantages. Tree removal is theft from future generations.
Some of the fears about the danger of trees to people and property need to be put into perspective. Trees like sharks cause many to have irrational fears about the risk they pose. There are many more dangers to human life and property than trees. Dr Moore cited the obvious one of cars but raised a few laughs when he told us that ladders, couches and even toilets cause more deaths than trees.
Those members who have heard Professor Michelle Leishman speak to our Group about her research into the urban heat island effect and the search for the ideal street trees for our climate in 2050 would be familiar with some of the ideas in this paper.
For a more detailed paper by Dr Greg Moore on this subject, click here.
The Woody Pear (Xylomelum pyriforme)
Ricki Nash
A few months ago, I was in the back of our bush block and decided to check on the stand of Woody Pears which grow in a sheltered position between sandstone boulders and the cliff above the creek.
As I approached the trees, I noticed fruit present together with new flower buds, and since I had my secateurs, I decided to collect some of the old fruit to see if I could get the seed to germinate.
Once back at the house, I put the fruit in a warm spot near the loungeroom window and within a few weeks the follicles opened revealing two winged seeds in each of the three fruits.
As I had not previously sowed this seed, I decided to check on the ANPSA website. I found a fact sheet about seed preparation which involved placing it in a container, covering it with boiled water and leaving it to stand overnight before sowing the seed 24 hours later.
Then using a 50/50 mix of Searle’s seed-raising soil mix and commercially washed river sand I planted the seed into a small Forrester tube and firmed the soil around it before placing the pot in a mini glasshouse. After about 3 weeks it germinated, which was exciting to see, and eventually, two of the others germinated, so now I have three seedlings. Once these are mature and “hardened-off”, I will plant them in the bush near where they first began their journey.
Woody Pear is an endemic species of the Proteaceae family which is distributed from Mittagong to the mid-north coast, where it is found on plateaus and ridges growing in well-drained sandstone soils. It is often found in combination with species such as Yellow Bloodwood (Corymbia eximia), Red Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera), Grey Gum (E. punctata), and Brown Stringybark (E. capitella).
The plant is closely related to Banksia, Telopea, Grevillea, Hakea and more recently because of DNA studies in 1975 by S. Hoot and A.W. Douglas, the genus Lambertia.
Xylomelum pyriformis takes its name from the Latin “pyri” meaning pear and “forme”- from “forma” meaning shape.
Woody Pears grow to a height of 4-5 metres. The foliage consists of dark green leaves with prominent veins, and the leaf margins are entire whereas juvenile leaves have toothed margins. Leaves (mature) are 10-20cm long, 5cm wide and glabrous. The inflorescence is a raceme, rust coloured with flowers appearing from September to November. Eventually, the seed pods develop and can be 9 cm long and 5 cm wide when mature.
There are six species of Woody Pear in Australia. Two are found in Western Australia – Xylomelum occidentale, and X. augustifolium; three species in Queensland – Xylomelum scottiannum, X. cunninghamia and X. benthami, and two species in NSW Xylomelum pyriforme and X. cunninghamia.
Woody pears need fire to open the seed pod allowing the winged seeds to disperse, with the tree regenerating via lignotuber, epicormic buds or suckers after the fire has passed.
References:
Atlas of Living Australia- Occurrences https://www.ala.org.au
Australian Native Plants Society Australia https://anpsa.org.au/plant_profiles/xylomelum-pyriforme/
Media release – Tasmanian Greens MPs and Senators, 23 October 2024
The passing of Distinguished Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick
The Tasmanian Greens are deeply saddened at the passing of a much-loved and esteemed stalwart of the conservation movement in lutruwita/Tasmania, Distinguished Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick. We offer our condolences to family, friends and colleagues.
Jamie’s contribution to conservation in this state is massive, and his legacy lives on in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, in the state’s scientific knowledge base, and in the plethora of past students now researching, managing, and advocating for the protection of our wild places.
It is impossible to overstate the impact Jamie has had on conservation in Tasmania and the movement of people working to protect it.
Since the 1970s Jamie has led the scientific and academic charge for the recognition and protection of Tasmania’s unique biodiversity, ecosystems and geo-heritage. He has published hundreds of scientific papers and articles, underpinning community campaigns and collectively contributing to the understanding and incremental protection of some of the world’s most precious places.
Arriving in Tasmania in 1972, Jamie has explained the drivers for his life’s work. ‘I came to Tasmania, saw this amazing place, knew learning about the socio-economic impediments it was worth fighting for, and decided to dedicate the rest of my life to doing just that.’
Jamie’s capacity and commitment is just one part of his impact in this state. A senior lecturer in ecology at the University of Tasmania, Jamie has literally lectured thousands of students, including past and present Greens’ members of Parliament and our staff. Ever the eclectic professor, Jamie combined a unique blend of knowledge, passion, generosity and joy, to inspire and infuse in others his passion for protecting and restoring place.
As an author Jamie refused to stop at academia. Writing advocacy, memoirs, field guides, and satirical books under his own label ‘De Press Inc.’, Jamie constantly explored the human condition and its complicated relationship with, and disproportionate impact on, nature. Jamie joined with revered wilderness photographer Peter Dombrovskis to publish ‘In the Forest’ (2001), and ‘On the Mountain’ (1996), also with Richard Flanagan.
Jamie has been a dedicated contributor to process, serving decades on advisory bodies and committees and being ever reliable in offering frank and fearless advice to ensure the official record reflected formal advice against ill-thought-through or downright destructive Government decisions.
Vale Jamie, a towering giant seeding inspiration, excellence and delight in the understanding and protection of our precious island.
ANPSA Conference “Gardens for Life” 2024
Jennifer Farrer
Having only attended parts of ANPSA conferences in the past I decided that this year I was going to go for the whole immersive experience. Part of the attraction was that it was being held in my hometown of Melbourne and one of the post-conference tours was to The Grampians, an area I had visited several times in the past. Here was an opportunity to go again but this time with the local plant experts.
The conference was held in a new venue, The Round, owned and managed by Whitehorse City Council in the suburb of Nunawading 18 km from the Melbourne CBD. I heard some criticism in Sydney that it was unfortunate that the conference was not being held in the centre of Melbourne but the venue had excellent facilities, was close to transport, had plenty of parking, and accommodation was no doubt cheaper than in the city centre. A definite downside was that Nunawading is not near any of Melbourne’s famed dining venues.
My expectations were surpassed. The conference was an amazing experience on many levels. First of all, every speaker gave an excellent presentation. I have written a separate report about Dr Greg Moore’s lecture on the importance of urban trees. This paper led to many conversations in the next couple of days. Other plenary sessions included Damien Cook talking about wetland restoration, Prof John Rayner on the value of naturalistic planting of public landscapes including the creation of wildflower meadows. Julie Weatherhead from Peppermint Ridge Farm in Tynong North gave a talk on the use of native foods. There was a queue to purchase her book at the end of the session. I will bring my copy to our next Members’ meeting.
The last session concluded on a high note. Dr Alex Maisey described his PhD project, which involved quantifying the impact lyrebirds have on the health of forests. This focussed on the amount of leaf litter and soil which they turn over whilst foraging for food. The conclusion is that individual birds turn over truckloads of soil which is an important factor in maintaining forest health and aiding the germination of plants.
One day was devoted to concurrent short sessions. The focus of these presentations was local and community-based projects. It was hard to choose. Sessions related to tours and excursions were obvious choices. I chose the Chris Larkin talk on Garden Design because I was going to visit her garden on one of the all-day excursions, and Neill Marriott’s talk on Conserving Rare Plants of the Grampians was also an obvious choice. As a former Melburnian I was also interested in sessions about places I knew such as the restoration of Merri Creek (what an amazing account of community action!) and the Indigenous Plants of the Mornington Peninsula. There was no APS Group when I lived there.
Two days of the conference were spent on excursions. I will talk about the two I chose, the Dandenong Ranges and Knox Gardens for Wildlife, and show some photos at our January meeting.
The other marvellous part of the conference experience is the people you meet. It was lovely to have the company of fellow Parra Hills members Sarah Tyrell-Adams for the whole conference and Tony Maxwell, who came on one day, and to see old friends from other Sydney groups. It was also amazing to see people who had just been names in the Australian plant scene for many years. Rodger Elliott led our walk in Sherbrooke Forest, Neil Marriott presented several papers at the conference and led two days of The Grampians and Wimmera tour, Chris Larkin (who was a regular contributor to The Garden Design Study Group newsletter) presented at the conference and hosted a visit to her garden. Then there were the regular members from all over Australia. Everyone was so friendly and it was great to share experiences of growing and seeing Australian plants and in some cases ideas for our Groups.
The next conference will be in two years in Alice Springs. Will you be there?
The Isopogon & Petrophile Study Group Newsletter is one of the best.
It’s well presented, with wonderful photos and tremendous information – a great read!
To access the October 2024 issue, click here.
Lake Parramatta
A painting by Chris Coe
Photo Lesley Waite
Bushwalk Lake Parramatta Saturday 26 October 2024
Jennifer Farrer
14 members met to explore part of the Western shore of the lake. This is the more rugged side, with large sandstone outcrops and exposed tree roots presenting a challenge for walkers. This terrain also provides a variety of habitats for the local plants.
The walk commenced through tall Blackbutts and Turpentines and then descended to the lake shore where Micranthemum and Hibbertia predominated along the track.
The main flowering season is certainly finished, but this did not deter our attempts to identify many of the plants encountered on the track. Our final list contains 37 species. It is located on the Resources page on our website. Groups of Flannel Flowers were still flowering beautifully in several places. We also encountered a large patch of orchid leaves and buds, which our experts pronounced to be a species of Cryptostylis. It would be good to go back soon and see what has bloomed.
From the opposite shore we had a good view of the new beach which has been created to make swimming in the lake safer. In the 1920s swimming in the lake was so popular that the Life Saving Club there was the largest inland club in Australia. It is great to see that people can again enjoy the lake in this way.
Now that the weather is getting warmer there will be no more walks this year. If you have a suggestion for a place you would like to walk next year, please let me know.
From Linda Pine:
COMING SOON!
Here’s a snapshot of the front and back pages of our Native Edibles booklet.
It was produced for the Community Environment Centre Annangrove.
Copies should be available in early November from the Community Environment Centre.
A massive thanks to Lachlan Turner for pulling this together for us.
Get inspiration for your cooking!
Share your stories . . .
Your contributions to Calgaroo are always welcome.
If you have interesting observations of plants in the garden or the bush, photos, or any other news, please send them to me at itcox@bigpond.com for the next edition.
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In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of our Country, the people of the Dharug Nation, whose cultures and customs have nurtured, and continue to nurture, this land since time immemorial. We honour and celebrate the spiritual, cultural and customary connections of Traditional Owners to Country and the biodiversity that forms part of that Country.
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Parramatta and Hills District Group
SECRETARY: Jennifer Farrer apsparrahills@gmail.com 0407 456 577
EDITOR: Ian Cox itcox@bigpond.com