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Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 1
From the Editor Welcome to the October edition of our Newsletter. Without doubt, rain and floods
have dominated conversations over the past month. Our thoughts go to those who have
been adversely affected by these extreme weather conditions.
For those of us who have not had our lives or livelihoods overly disrupted by the
floods, we are already noticing the impact of all this rain on our gardens and properties.
One thing I am really noticing is that the new Eucalyptus growth seems more lush and
vibrant – and windswept – than most years.
Unfortunately, many of the Eucalypts are also being hit severely by the larvae of
the Cup Moth (Doratifera sp.). This decorated
pest is proving particularly destructive. A note
of caution. According to Queensland Museum,
the colourful larvae of cup moths are among the
few venomous native caterpillars. They can
inflict a painful sting resulting in extensive
rashes and welts. More information is available
at www.qm.qld.gov.au or
www.medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/caterpillar/httm
Another recent visitor has been the moth
Dasypodia selenophora, more evocatively known
as the Granny or Southern Old Lady moth. These
names are said to be inspired by the fine
‘Rustlings in the Kangaroo Grass’
Australian Plants Society
Ballarat District
Newsletter – October 2016
Cup Moth larva having a good munch. Photo: G. Casey
New lush and vibrant growth on Eucalypts. Photos: G. Casey
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 2
markings, resembling Granny’s needlework, on the moth’s wings, The larvae of this moth
feed on Acacia species.
Native orchid lovers are likely to be in heaven for some
time to come. Already the Greenhoods have put on a show along
with the Golden Moths, Diuris chryseopsis. Reports from the
Ballarat Environment Network suggest that a burst of sunshine
will bring on many more including more Diuris spp, Glossodia major
as seen in Whipstick in September, the Caladenia Spider orchids
and, later in the season, perhaps the Thelymitra Sun Orchids.
Back in the home garden the outlook is just as bright.
Everything is bursting at the seams with new growth and the
promise of outstanding floral displays.
Indeed, this augurs well for our Spring Flower Show,
coming up on the weekend of 22 and 23 October. One other observation I have made is that many of the
early-flowering Acacias are not setting seed. I wonder whether
the pollinating insects have found
the weather too inclement or
indeed whether they have
perished by wind or water. If
this were to be the case, we
could expect a prolonged
flowering season as many of the
insect-pollinated plants attempt
to set seed. It could also be the
case that there will be very little
seed available for the birds, such
as the rosellas that love my
Acacia baileyana, or the native
insects that use the seed pods of
my Hardenbergia violacae as incubation boxes and feed lots for their young.
Time will tell. Any stories, observations or photos around this issue will be
appreciated.
Dasypodia selenophora with fine needlepoint markings (left) and as nature’s stealth aircraft (above). Photo: G. Casey
A Golden Moth enjoying a burst of sunshine after extensive rain. Photo: G. Casey
The Gold Dust Wattle, Acacia acinacea, hanging out waiting for the pollinators to come and party. Photo: G. Casey
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 3
MEMBERS’ SPECIMENS AT SEPTEMBER 2016 MEETING – THE EARLY-SPRING
COLLECTION
Paddy Marshall: Acacia pravissima,
Callistemon ‘Little John’, Chorizema
cordata, Grevillea juniperina X Pink
Lady’, Grevillea ‘Red Rambler’,
Grevillea ‘Bronze Rambler’, Kunzea
baxterii, Thryptomene sp.
John Hastie: Acacia aspera, Acacia
chinchillensis, Acacia floribunda,
Acacia lassiocarpa, Acacia leprosa.
Acacia paradoxa, Acacia rostriforma,
Acacia verniciflua, Acacia verticilliata,
Hardenbergia comptoniana (white and
purple forms), Indigofera australis,
Kennedia prostrata, Westringia glabra,
Zieria ‘Pink Crystals’.
Gloria Salt: Boronia megastigma,
Boronia coerulescens, Correa pulchella,
Correa ‘Canberra Bells’.
Ruth Marton: Acacia aculeatissima,
Acacia cultriformis, Acacia drummondii
ssp elegans, Grevillea alpina, Grevillea
aquifolium, Grevillea arenaria, Grevillea
‘Billy Wings’, Grevillea flexuosa,
Grevillea ‘Flora Mason’, Grevillea
intricata (grafted), Grevillea lanigera
lutea, Grevillea levis, Grevillea
magnifica, Grevillea manglesii, Grevillea
shiressii, Grevillea ‘White Wings’,
Grevillea ’Winpara Gem’, Hakea
neurophylla, Hakea victoria, Pandorea
‘Wonga Gold’, Prostanthera
aspalathoides.
Judith Lewis: Hakea macreana,
Pteryostylis concinna, Pteryostylis
curta, Pteryostylis nutans.
Hakea macreana, flower and fruit. Photo: Fon Ryan
Grevillea lanigera lutea. Photo: Fon Ryan
Hardenbergia comptoniana Photo: Fon Ryan
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 4
Members’ Notes
Annual General Meeting, 14 September 2016
At the Annual General Meeting the following members were elected to the
Committee for 2016/2017:
President: Gladys Hastie Vice-President: Jenny West
Treasurer: Carol Matthews Assistant Treasurer: Gloria Salt
Secretary: Ruth Marton Assistant Secretary: Carolyn Pinkowski
Events Co-ordinator: Gladys Hastie Library Officer: Judith Lewis
Newsletter Editor: Gerard Casey
Delegate to APSVic Committee of Management: John Hastie
Our congratulations to the new Committee and thanks to the Committee of 2015/16.
Excursion 3 September 2016: Whipstick Forest, Bendigo Flower Show and Plant Sales
and garden of Marilyn Sprague.
On a pleasant early-Spring morning, seventeen members boarded the bus for
Bendigo. After a brief tour of Clunes – driver error – we stopped at the Rotary Gardens in
Bendigo for a leg-stretch and to pick up our guide to the Whipstick Forest, Rodney Orr.
Rod is an Environmental Scientist, retired, and passionate advocate for the
preservation of the Greater Bendigo National Park. With many years of involvement with
the park, Rod was a wonderfully knowledgeable and gentle guide.
The Greater Bendigo National Park covers an area of over 17,000ha, with Whipstick
being the more southerly section. On our first stop,
barely metres into the park, we were greeted by Waxlip (Glossodia) and
Leopard (Diuris pardina) orchids on the side of the road. Other plants
flowering at the time were Bitter Pea (Davesia sp.), lemon-flowered
Grevillea, Rosy Heath Myrtle (Euromyrtus ramosissima) and long-stemmed carnivorous
Sundew (Drosera sp.) reaching up for prey.
Waxlip orchid, Glodossia sp. Photo: G. Casey
Euromyrtus ramosissima, Rosy Heath Myrtle. Photo: G. Casey
Drosera sp waiting for the unwary.
Photo: G. Casey
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 5
Rod pointed out the difference between the two sides of the track, one unburnt
with no weeds and the other burnt with weeds and little native regrowth. Old tree stumps
show that there was no history of burning the forest prior to European settlement.
After driving through areas of Acacia williamsonii – the graceful Whirakee wattle
that both Laurie Lees and John Hastie have shown – and noting the change in forest trees
from Ironbark to Box to Yellow Gum, we stopped at Notley’s for lunch. Like so much of the
area, Notley’s has a history of its own, now physically eradicated but living in the stories
of people like Rod. Once the site of a Eucalyptus distillery, much of the land was rendered
infertile as a result of high acidity due to the onsite burning of all the old timber
infrastructure.
After a
delightful lunch,
provided by Gladys and
John Hastie and
accompanied by a brief
information discussion
with Rod, at Notley’s
camping ground, we set
off through the forest
again, stopping to
admire Roger’s Tree,
the only remaining
original tree in the area.
Another area we
passed through was low-
growing (2-3 metre)
sparse forest. The
growth habit was a
result of the poor soil,
low rainfall and
generally harsh
environment. Rod
explained that it has
required annual lobbying
to prevent burning off
in the area which is an important habitat for a number of bird species, while being distant
from any human habitation.
Rod was disappointed with what he was able to show us, as the area was on the verge
of, but not yet, bursting into flower. He pointed out sweeps that would be covered in
golden Wattles, white Olearia and mauve Melaleucas, to name a few. Many of us found the
area to be enchanting just as we saw it. Unfortunately, time did not permit more stops for
exploration and discovery.
Our sincere thanks to Rodney Orr for his fascinating guide to a rich and varied
landscape.
The Yin and the Yang of caravan accoutrements, as seen at Notley's camping area in the Whipstick Park. Photo: G. Casey
Food for the mind, food for the body. Our guide, Rodney Orr rear centre, talking about the history of Whipstick while members finish off their lunch at Notley's. Photo. G. Casey
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 6
Returning to Bendigo, we stopped at the Bendigo Native Flower Show and admired
the variety of plants displayed. The mallee-area plants, that have their south-easterly
boundary in the Bendigo region, were much in evidence, together with elements of our
more recognisable Ballarat district flora. As always, many of us bought up at the plant
sellers to stock our gardens and expand our clutter of pots.
Our final stop for the day was for afternoon tea and a garden tour at the home of
Marilyn and John Sprague. And what a garden it is. Marilyn sold her Goldfields Indigenous
Nursery 4-5 years ago and she now concentrates her talent and effort on her own
extensive garden. One of her current projects is grafting Verticordia. She also provides
cut-flowers to the local florists. We were taken by, and envious of, the spectacular
flowers close to the house and a garden bed dominated by Dampiera and Lechenaultia.
Marilyn explained that, shortly
after they bought the property many
years ago, they erected vermin and
kangaroo-proof fencing. Without this
protection, the gardens would not survive
the onslaught of grazers and wanderers.
After tea and cake, Marilyn took
us through the gardens down the hill
from the house block. Shale, slate and
granite sand have been incorporated into
the landscape to improve drainage and
allow Marilyn to grow the wide variety of
plants that would not otherwise survive
the local soils and conditions. On show is
a complete range from the small and
dainty, including the native foxglove Dasymalla terminalis and Marilyn’s grafted
Verticordias, to sweeping vistas of colour provided by Hakeas, Acacia and Eucalypts. Many
of us wished we had more time to browse
and admire and learn more from Marilyn
about her plants and their requirements.
Homoranthos darwinioides. Photo: G. Casey
Geleznowia verrucosa.
Photo: G. Casey
Dasymalla terminalis. Photo: G. Casey
Thryptomene baeckeacea. Photo: G. Casey
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 7
We are very grateful to Marilyn and John for their hospitality.
From the Lewis’ garden – it is a wild world out at Mt. Helen
It has been some time since we had seen any Koalas at Mt. Helen, so when Lance
heard screaming and grunting (September 7) he went out to investigate. There was a little
female koala trying to climb a eucalypt and at the same time bat away an amorous male.
Lance raced in for the camera and to call me and when we returned, she was further
up the tree and two males were battling each other – wrestling and biting, fur flying, faces
bloodied – until eventually one climbed up the fence to plan his next move. The victorious
male had other ideas and chased him further along the fence before returning to ‘claim his
prize’. She had gone to the top of the tree by this time and when we checked later all
three had moved on.
Later in the day we had a visit from a local echidna who dug out an ant nest near the
pots of succulents.
To top the day off, we spotted a pair of crested shrike tits at the waterbowl!
Report: Judith Lewis
App for Android and iPhone
Museum Victoria have produced Field Guide Vic., an app for mobile devices.
Unfortunately, it does not cover flora. However, it does cover vertebrates and terrestrial,
freshwater and marine invertebrates, with good identification photos of the birds, insects
and other bugs that pollinate, occupy or destroy our plants. I used this app to garner some
of the moth information above. Field Nats. members may already know this app.
Downloadable free from Google Play or Apple App Store. More information from
www.museumvictoria.com.au.
Coming Events ***Wednesday 12 October, 2016 MONTHLY MEETING 7:30pm at the Robert Clark
Horticultural Centre. Entry through Gate 3, Gilles St. Wendouree.
Speaker: PAMELA J. SPENCER – USING DIRECT SEEDING TECHNIQUES FOR
NATIVE GRASSLAND SPECIES TO CREATE URBAN GREEN ROOFS.
There is a growing awareness that using the vast roof areas in our urban
environments as green spaces has many and varied benefits. Particularly, green roof
vegetation has demonstrated value as a biodiversity provider. Manipulation of these novel
green roof communities may contribute to conservation as; a pollinator refuge, foraging
site and corridor; a seed harvest source; a seed rain contributor to on-ground biodiversity
and in the conservation of rare species taxa.
Pam’s research utilised and developed grassland-restoration direct-seeding
knowledge. In particular, she investigated using this ecological approach as a tool to
establish and support early grassland communities on green roofs. Pam will discuss the
evaluation of some of these techniques and their ability to create species-rich cover on
these new urban roofscapes.
***22-23 OCTOBER, 2016 – BALLARAT SPRING FLOWER SHOW and PLANT
SALES. ROBERT CLARK HORTICULTURAL CENTRE, BALLARAT. Entry $5.00
includes complimentary Tea and Coffee. Extensive display of Ballarat flora, Plant
Sales, associated Giftware stalls and Pre-loved books for sale.
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 8
Members are asked to assist in any way they can with setting-up, general support on
the days and cleaning up afterwards. Please contact Gladys Hastie, 5341 5567, to
volunteer.
29 & 30 OCTOBER, 2016 (NOTE DATE CHANGE) – APS VIC QUARTERLY
MEETING “MALLEE TO MOUNTAINS” & WIMMERA GROWERS OF AUSTRALIAN
PLANTS 40TH ANNIVERSARY. Registration payable by Friday 14 October. Contact:
Royce Raleigh 03 5383 6200, [email protected]
15 October, 2016 APS Mitchell Annual Spring Plant Expo and Sale, from 9.00
am to 3.00 pm Memorial Hall, Sydney Street, Kilmore.
15 & 16 October South Gippsland Native Plant Sale & Flower Show. South
Gippsland Historical Automobile Club Pavilion, Leongatha Recreation Reserve. 10.00 am to
4.00 pm.
22 October APS Echuca Moama Native Plant Society – Native Flower Showcase.
Echuca Uniting Church Hall, Hare Street, Echuca. From 9.00 am to 4.00 pm. Native plants
to attract bees and birds to the garden.
22 & 23 October Growing Friends Spring Plant Sale – RBG Cranbourne. 10.00 am
to 4.00 pm. (Mel 133 K10).
And for those who like to plan ahead:
12 to 20 January 2018 – ANPSA 2018 Conference, Hobart. Pre- and Post-
Conference tours to King Island and Tasmanian Alpine areas. To receive updates email
11 to 22 June 2017 – ANPSA 12 day Natural History Kimberley Camping Tour.
One last look. A splash of colour amongst the leaf litter in Whipstick Forest, Greater Bendigo National Park, September, 2016. Photo: G. Casey
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 9
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District
Spring 2016
NATIVE PLANT SHOW
DISPLAYING THE REMARKABLE DIVERSITY OF
AUSTRALIAN FLORA GROWING IN AND AROUND BALLARAT
EXTENSIVE SELECTION of NATIVE PLANTS for SALE WIDE RANGE of PRE-LOVED BOOKS
Saturday 22 October 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday 23 October 10:00am-4:30pm
ADMISSION $5 (includes complimentary tea & coffee)
ROBERT CLARK HORTICULTURAL CENTRE Ballarat Botanical Gardens
(Next to the Conservatory) Access from Wendouree Parade or Gillies Street
FURTHER INFORMATION: 5341 5567 INTERNET: www.apsvic.org.au
EMAIL: [email protected]
Australian Plants Society Ballarat District Inc. Newsletter OCTOBER 2016 10
Deadline for November Newsletter: Saturday 29 October 2016
Next Monthly Meeting: Wednesday 12 October 2016
Supper: Members please bring a plate of something to share
Just one of the vistas of colour and form, seen at Marilyn and John Sprague's garden during our visit in September 2016. The dominant red-flowering shrubs are 8 to 9-year-old Hakea francisiana. Photo: G. Casey
Who we are: AUSTRALIAN PLANTS SOCIETY (SGAP) BALLARAT DISTRICT INC. Inc. No. A0013127M
MONTHLY MEETINGS ON THE 2ND WEDNESDAY each month at 7:30PM (No meetings January or July) at: ROBERT CLARK HORTICULTURAL CENTRE, Ballarat Botanical Gardens GILLIES STREET ENTRANCE – GATE 3 President: Gladys Hastie 5288 Midland Hwy. Elaine 3334 5341 5567 Secretary: Ruth Marton 116 Sunraysia Dve Mitchell Park 3355 53346134 Treasurer: Carol Matthews PO Box 123W Ballarat West 3350 0408 101 715
NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS: [email protected] Gerard Casey, 210 Tannery Rd. Smythesdale 3351. Ph. 0410 250 294 CORRESPONDENCE: [email protected]
Thanks to all those who contributed reports or items for this newsletter
