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~
Newsbits
Jul 2008~
Visitors Welcome.
Next
Meeting:
Friday
11th
July
7.30pm for 8.00pm start.
*Venue:
Horticultural
Research Station, Research Rd., Narara
Speaker For July Guest speaker for July will be Nola proprietor of the Australian native plant nursery at Erina Heights The Wildflower Place. Nola is a well-known local identity and co-author of the recently released publication ‘Native Grasses for Australian Gardens’ a book written in collaboration with Jocelyn. Nola has been involved in the native plant industry for most of her life and was previously proprietor of the legendary ‘Floralands’ situated in Woy Woy Road Kariong. She is also famous for her skill in floral design and her floral arrangements with native plants. Nola’s subject on this occasion is, (and who would be more qualified to speak on this subject?), The Latest Development Around in Australian Native Plants.
Speaker For June Maree For as long as she can remember Maree has been a nature lover having grown up in Sydney with a family involved in horticulture. It wasn’t until she started working and met up with a lady who worked in her office who was a member of the APS that she gave much thought to native plants. This lady was always raving on about native plants but Maree thought they were a bit on the scraggy side but over a period of 30 years of working with this lady was worn down and began her love affair with native plants. As soon as her daughter commenced school Maree went out and started studying horticulture and joined the Australian Plants Society and the more she learned the more she came to appreciate native plants. Maree believes that bees are the main pollinators of plants overseas. In Australia we do have a wide range of native bees but the birds are also very important pollinators. Our birds are far more colourful than those overseas and our native insects are also more colourful. There’s the Fiddler Beatle a beautiful black beetle with green or yellow markings, the lady bird, the butterflies, etc., while the insects from overseas are dark and dull. When Maree finished studying horticulture she took up employment with the Newcastle Wildflower Nursery. Working with native plants made her realise that we need to look after the Australian bush and she became a bit of a conservationist so she did a course in Environmental Science hoping that it would give her enough authority to talk to people and have them listen to what she had to say. Maree’s main focus is on colour, she has studied colour for the horticulture industry and is aware of what’s available commercially for home gardens. Her experience is with native plants as ornamentals and not so much for bush regeneration and how to put colours together in the garden. A hand out of native plants in colour groupings was prepared by Maree with many plants to try listed in their colour groupings and for either dry or moist conditions. Since leaving the Newcastle Wildflower Nursery Maree has set up her own business called Nature’s Magic Designs where she specialises in designing gardens using colour themes with Australian native plants and eco/bird landscaping.
Pam’s choice for Book of the Month was not really a book but a Website and that website is ‘Ecology of the Cumberland Plain Woodland’ which can easily be found with internet access by doing a ‘Google’ search. For those people who don’t have internet access Pam offers her apologies however she has printed out a hard copy for the group library so that any members without internet access who wish can access the information. The website covers the ecology of the Cumberland Plain woodland at Mt. Annan Botanic Gardens and it includes the Western Sydney woodlands, Woodland at Mt. Annan Botanic Gardens, Woodland ecology, plant species in woodland Wildlife in woodland which also covers invertebrates and each topic goes into much more detail. Another section covers the importance of the soil, and here is a weakness Pam says, it doesn’t say much about the huge significance that fungi plays. A very comprehensive site, it is very clearly written and has good information and there are plenty of photographs. There is a seasonal diary with a month by month account of what’s happening in the woodland over the 12 months i.e. in April seeds are abundant, in March major flowering time, etc. All of the sites are listed down the side of the page and can be used to short cut by clicking on the selected choice. There is heaps of information to be accessed through this website and Pam enthusiastically recommends it to members.
Plant Of The Month Jonathon Jonathon chose a local plant for his plant of the month Acacia prominens otherwise known as ‘Gosford Wattle’ probably the only plant with a common name associated with the Central Coast and of course the Central Coast is probably the most prominent area where you would find Acacia prominens, the plant is in bud but unfortunately not in flower yet. Named ‘prominens’ because of its prominent gland on the phyllode or leaf, it flowers from July to September and its distribution area is from The Hunter Valley down to the Snowies and in scattered areas around the Blue Mountains usually found in moist gullies on sandstone clay. It has a smooth greyish bark and greyish foliage. Jonathon has found the flowering period to be short but it is spread out over a lot of trees depending on the particular growing conditions and altogether they put on a lovely show. The area where it was first noticed was south of Sydney around Hurstville. The height varies – different books depending on which one you have - in Robinsons it states that its habit grows from 3m – 6m high Flora of NSW states 4m – 18m in height, which is quite a range, and anyone who lives in the valleys around the Central Coast knows that you do see small trees but when you get into the valleys you get these whoppers. The flowers have a fragrance and in Robinsons it states that Maiden described it as ‘The glory of the southern suburbs of Sydney’. The plant has disappeared from the area around Hurstville and the Central Coast is now the only place where it can be seen. Jonathon grew a lot of these plants from seed last year. The previous year he could hardly find any seed around it suffered during the drought and didn’t set much flower but he believes this year will be a good year after all the rain. Last year Jonathon ran some trials on Acacia seed. He was using hot water to treat the seed of Acacia elata, the Cedar Wattle and A. prominens and when he hot-water treated them he experienced a lot of problems with fungal attack. Because the plants grow in moist gullies their seed would probably fall on moist ground so probably don’t need the harsh treatment that other pea flower require. He had a much higher success rate when he treated them with warm water just to swell them up. This plant is possibly too big for most gardens although in harsh conditions it would probably not exceed 3m in height.
An Award For Mary Congratulations to Mary who was awarded a special commendation certificate by his Excellency Major General Michael Jeffrey, Governor General of Australia. The ceremony was held in Sydney in early June and recognised Mary’s voluntary work over many years. Mary has worked at Lisarow Public School assisting younger students who need extra help with reading. Her contribution to the school is highly valued by all the staff and this award is richly deserved.
Habitat For Wildlife
Land for Wildlife is a project for people living on rural
properties that include ½ hectare of natural bushland. Habitat
for Wildlife is another project of CEN which was created to fill a
need for people who
live on rural properties that don’t have that
amount of natural bushland on their property and don’t qualify When funding ran out for the project last year Dora and Peter picked up the reins and volunteered to run the programme and they now each spend two days per week at CEN helping to promote and run the programme as well as doing a few other things. Dora and Peter have been visiting areas to promote the programme and have just signed up the 500th member. This member is a football club with its grounds on the bank of Ourimbah Creek, a very community-minded club which has 60 kids that are involved with various non-competitive sporting activities and Dora and Peter were very happy to have them on board. New members who join Habitat for Wildlife are registered and placed on a data base. Each member on joining receives an information pack loaded with brochures and information on how to set up their gardens to attract wildlife. They also receive a free t-shirt and a ‘Habitat for Wildlife’ sign to place at the front of their property. They are also offered a garden site inspection. Members who take up the offer of a garden site inspection get advice on what native plants they could grow, plant ID, weed control and how to make their garden more wildlife friendly. CEN and our Central Coast APS Group have formed a partnership to carry out these garden visits usually attending in pairs. Approximately 180 members are waiting on a site inspection and there is a need for more people to carry out these garden visits to make up the backlog. If you would like to be a part of this project and help with garden visits contact Andrew or Audrey for more details and how to get started.
Specimen Table
Presented by Ian It’s time for the early flowering Acacias to brighten up the winter months with their golden blooms and we saw evidence of this with several Acacias appearing on the table this month. Amongst them was A.suaveolens, a local species that grows to around 1.5m; Acacia oxycedrus, (Pictured right) another local that is sweet smelling, very prickly and grows to 3m high; the small growing A.myrtifolia, common in the area and A.linifolia with its soft pine-like foliage which is restricted to the Sydney area and grows to about 2m high. Boronias are known to be spring flowering but they usually start appearing around July. B.pinnata grows in coastal areas including the Central Coast; it grows to about 1.5m high and brightens up the bush with its deep pink flowers. Prostanthera linearis is a relatively hardy shrub that reaches 1.5m in height.
A local plant that prefers some shade it is long flowering and can
be propagated from cutting. Prostanthera incisa
grows 1-2m high
and bears violet flowers mainly in spring; it has highly aromatic
leaves and can also be grown from cutting. This is another local
species. Darwinia citriodora is a plant from W.A. and the hardiest of the species for growing on the eastern states. It has lemon scented foliage and white flowers aging to orange in spring and summer. Requires good drainage and likes some shade. Hovea acutifolia (Pictured left) likes a cool root run in well drained soil. Its purple pea flowers resemble little faces and they usually appear late winter and through spring, it grows to about 1.5m high, can be propagated from treated seed and is another local plant. Grevillea ‘Red Clusters’ is a small rounded shrub to about 1m that bears small dark red flowers in clusters for most of the year. A good shrub for attracting birds. Grevillea triloba is a spreading shrub that grows to 2m high and bears perfumed feathery white flowers in mid winter. Another W.A. species and it can be propagated from cutting. Plants making repeat appearances this month included Correa alba, Thryptomene saxicola, Banksia ericifolia and Crowea saligna.
Chlorociboria aeruginascens is a reasonably common fungus in rainforests; often it is the blue-green stained dead wood on the forest floor that is seen. The wood permeated by the mycelium of this fungus turns a distinctive blue-green. The stained timber, known in many countries overseas as Green Oak, was highly prized by nineteenth-century craftsmen who used it in the manufacture of ‘Tunbridge ware’. These patterned veneers were used to decorate small pieces of furniture and knick-knacks. This fungus grows gregariously, or scattered, on fallen branches, rotting logs, wood that has lost its bark. The fungus if found in Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
National Tree Day Sunday 27th July We will celebrate National Tree Day at Katandra on Sunday 27th July. This will be a work and social day with a sausage sizzle BBQ lunch supplied by Gosford City Council followed by a walk in the rainforest for all those interested. Our group will supply the morning tea.
Come along and help make this a great day.
Flora Festival Thursday 11th September – Sunday 14th September The festival roster will be circulated at the July meeting and all meetings leading up to the festival and we are hoping that you will be adding your names at the times most convenient for you. The chart below gives an idea of the 3-hour shifts and this chart can be used to record when you have offered to help. If you’re unable to attend the monthly meetings leading up to the festival and would like to help, telephone me on 4365 5049 or contact me by email at damael@bigpond.net.au And I will add your name to the chart.
The roster will be circulated at all our meeting leading up to the festival – don’t be afraid to add your name. Get to know and enjoy working beside other members and join in the camaraderie.
Regional Training Calendar Wednesday 30th July Wybung Headland Walk Join NPWS for a winter walk at Wybung headland in Munmorah Recreation Park. Check out the Themeda grassland and maybe see some passing Humpback whales! Bookings essential. Phone Deb on 4320 4224 or John 4358 0406 to book your place. Saturday 23rd August Hollows and Nest Boxes Why are our hollow-dependent mammals and birds disappearing? Learn all about natural hollows and constructing nest boxes. Bookings essential. Phone Community Environment Network (CEN) Administration 4349 4756 or email cccen@cccen.org.au to book your place.
Gosford Bushcare Training Calendar
Bookings essential, please contact 4325 8195 or 4325 8169 to book your place.
Ginie was blaming the brush turkeys for digging
in her
cutting pots but it turned out to be this spiny little devil caught
in the act foraging away at the pots. Echidnas along with the Platypus are the world’s only monotremes, or egg-laying mammal. There are two species of echidnas one that is found only in New Guinea and the other smaller species lives in Australia and in New Guinea. They vary in colour from light brown to black depending on the location the fur becoming darker as they move further south. Solitary creatures that have large territories that often overlap the territory of other echidnas, they can usually be found among rocks, in hollow logs and in holes among tree roots. Their keen sense of smell helps them to locate food, other echidnas and also to detect danger. Termites are the preferred food giving the animal its common name ‘spiny anteater’ and it uses its sticky tongue to catch its prey. In warm areas they sleep during the hot part of the day and feed in the cooler morning and evening hours. A fearsome but shy animal that would rather retreat than fight and when frightened will curl up into a ball and wedge itself between rocks or burrow down into the soft soil with its sharp spines sticking up to protect itself from predators such as eagles and dingoes. Like the male platypus the male echidna has a sharp spur on his hind leg but unlike the platypus he does not contain the ability to inject poison into his would be attackers. The female echidna develops a simple pouch into which she lays a single egg. The egg takes about 10 days to hatch producing a young animal about the size of a jellybean weighing as little as 380 milligrams. The young echidna is carried around in its mothers pouch for about 3 months but is sometimes dropped into a burrow for protection. Before the infant leaves the pouch its spines have started to develop but it still continues to suckle milk through specialised pores in the skin inside the pouch. They have been known to live for as long as 16 years in the wild but seldom exceed 10 years. Information source www.environment.nsw.gov.au/plantsanimals/Echidnas.htm
The winter meeting of Plants in Pots will be held at 2.00 pm on Sunday 20 July 2008 at the home of Max & Elaine Members are asked to bring along their 2 grasses for a friendly comparing of plants. Our Lechenaultia and Conostylis trial continues if you’d like to bring them along also. If anybody would prefer to bring along another potted plant that will be fine too. Visitors are always made welcome at our PIP meetings and we do all enjoy a cuppa and friendship after the meeting. See you there!
June
Bushwalk
Waterfall Springs Wildlife Sanctuary at Kulnura runs
breeding programmes for the endangered Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby,
Petrogale penicillata,
(Can you spot it on the left?) found in the eastern States. Our Group
arranged to be shown around the property, and our guide, Anthony,
was most enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The large acreage is
securely fenced and gated to keep out predators, and each enclosure
contains large rock piles, where rock wallabies can feel at home,
with hideaways inside the piles of boulders. The most endangered
group, the southern form of the brush-tailed rock wallaby, from
Victoria, has only 15 animals remaining in the wild, and there are
only 200 of the more common central form, from NSW. The Sanctuary also breeds the very beautifully narked Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, to act as surrogate mums and help increase the success rate of the breeding programme for the Brush-tails. We had good views of a cheeky male Brush-tail who came up for a carrot hand-out, although his mates were much more reclusive. We were able to walk through the Yellow-footeds’ enclosure to see these much more placid animals. Anthony explained the work of volunteers and part-time staff, and we heard how much of their time they give to caring for the animals and maintaining the rounds, with very little assistance from government sources. At the end of the tour our Group made a donation to the Sanctuary, and individual members took away brochures and membership forms. We thoroughly enjoyed our guided tour, which lasted over 2 hours, even though the weather was less than pleasant. Raincoats and beanies protected us from a cold wind and fine drizzle, and at the finish we voted against a detour to Mangrove Dam, and instead returned to Deans’ place t have lunch inside where it was warm and dry. Our next outing will be back to walking in the bush again, when the earliest of the Spring Wildflowers make their appearance. Bushwalk co-0rdinator: Diana
Sunday 13th July - Bambara Road Fire Trail, Brisbane Water N.P. Kariong Meeting Time: 10.00am Meeting Place: Bambara Road is still shown on some maps, but is not sign-posted. It is necessary to get there via the Pacific Highway from West Gosford, and turn left into Woy Woy Road (due to the road collapse at the foot of the hill near Woy Woy. The car parking area is on the Woy Woy Road just south of the 80km speed sign outside the boundary of Kariong. Park in the large cleared area on the left. The access is by foot only along the fire trail which meanders downhill and turns right along the ridge overlooking Koolewong. What we see: We should see Boronias, Philothecas, yellow peas of Dillwynia and Phyllota species, several Hibbertia species, and the prostrate Hop-Bush Dodonaea camfieldii (a plant mostly restricted to this area of BWNP), as well as many others. Bring your lunch pack, sturdy shoes and leech protection. The track is easy, but the return is mostly uphill. For more information ring Diana before 9am on the day, on 4372 1120, or Elsie on 0408 653140 after 9.30am. We hope to welcome more of our newer members and visitors on this outing for the start of the Wildflower photography season. Bushwalk co-0rdinator: Diana
Flora Festival Planning Meeting
We will be holding a meeting to plan our strategy for this years festival on Saturday 19th July at 2pm at the home of Audrey. At the meeting we will be planning our display and selecting some of the plants for sale. Everybody welcome so come along, bring fresh ideas and a small plate of finger food for afternoon tea .
Region AGM At the recent AGM at Ermington, Central Coast Group member Jonathon, having served the maximum allowable 3-year term, stood down as President and was elected as Vice President. Graeme was re-elected also as Vice President and Olga as Publicity Officer. A number of positions are still vacant including that of President and Treasurer. Joanne, a long standing and dedicated Secretary resigned prior to the meeting and Sutherland Group member John is standing in as Secretary for now. Peter accepted the nomination as Exhibitions Manager.
Cd - Native Plants & Bushwalks Of The Central Coast The CD contains over 400 photographs and lists 24 bushwalks in National Parks, State Forests and Reserves of the Central Coast region and each bushwalk has a listing of the plants which may be found along that walk. In some cases maps are included. The disc is available for $15 plus $2.50 if postage (within Australia only) is required and can be ordered by filling in the form below and posting to Diana Dean 4 Grants Road, Somersby 2250, or purchased at any of our monthly meetings. An order form is now available for download on our website. With most computers it will be necessary to click on the ‘Start’ menu, go to ‘My Computer’, and double click on the CD or DVD drive. Most people will be able to access the CD by clicking on the ‘Internet Explorer’ icon. For computers that are not operating with Microsoft the CD can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Acrobat Reader’ icon.
CD - Native Plants & Bushwalks of the Central Coast
Many years ago Alan created a list of plants that the group had identified while on their monthly bushwalks. This list was passed over to Diana & Barry a few years ago and it was then converted into a data base. Over the past 3 years a great many more plants have been added to the list and now 800 plants are included on the data base. Photographs were also collected along the way some taken by Diana & Barry and others taken by some of the keen photographers amongst the group members. From this data base and collection of photos a DVD was produced to run on the coach for the Sydney Tour of the ASGAP Conference last year. This particular tour was subsequently cancelled due to lack of numbers but a seed was planted and the thought of a CD began to grow. After many hours spent at the computer the CD is now complete. It contains over 400 photographs and lists 24 bushwalks in National Parks, State Forests and Reserves of the Central Coast region and each bushwalk has a listing of the plants which may be found along that walk. In some cases maps are included. The disc is available for $15 plus $2.50 postage (within Australia only) The CD can be purchased at any of our monthly meetings.
or if you wish to order
a form is available from this website.
The Committee and members would like to thank Diana and Barry for all the effort and hours spent in producing the CD the profits from the sale of which will benefit the group.
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