Eucalyptus ovata – Swamp Gum
To 20M. Upright tree with open to moderately dense canopy, bark mostly smooth but rough at base. Shiny broad lanceolate to ovate leaves with wavy edges. Axillary racemes of 7 diamond-shaped buds, turning to profuse creamy flowers Mar-Sept. Nectar source for butterflies and other insects.
Funnel-shaped flat-topped fruit, 3-4 valves to rim level, disc level or raised.
Eucalyptus melliodora – Yellow Box
To 30M. Variable open to dense tree, loose fibrous to scaly, yellow-brown bark, smooth pale grey to yellow bark on top and branches.
Oval grey-green becoming dull green to greyish lanceolate leaves. Axillary racemes of 7 club-shaped buds followed by profuse perfumed creamy flowers Jul-Feb. Nectar source for butterflies and other insects.
Eucalyptus leucoxylon – Melbourne Yellow Gum
To 20M. Upright tree with spreading crown, bark rough, loose, fibrous at base, smooth yellowish above. Young heart-shaped green or blue-green leaves becoming long olive-green to green.
Axillary clusters of ovoid buds in 3s on long thin stalks, followed by profuse light yellow flowers May – Sept. Nectar source for butterflies and other insects.
Fruit wine-glass shaped with sunken disc and 4-6 sunken valves.
Clubs and shields were made from the wood. Early settlers used o9il distilled from its leaves for a variety of purposes including cough and cold remedy, insecticide and disinfectant.
Status: Vulnerable.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis – Red River Gum
To 40M. Large open spreading tree, smooth mottled bark becoming rough at base. Bluish green when young, becoming long dull green leaves. Axillary racemes of 7-11 long stalked buds followed by profuse cream to pale yellow flowers Nov – Feb with long stamens. Nectar source for butterflies and other insects. Fruit small, rounded with disc raised, 4 strongly projecting valves. Seeds cubed, yellow, smooth.
An important species. Many trees are renowned as corroboree or canoe trees. Food, containers and clubs were other by-products, while the gum treated burns and diarrhoea.
Dodonea viscosa subsp. spatulata – Sticky Hop Bush
To 4M. Erect to spreading shrub. Sticky slender green darkish leaves. Tiny greenish petalless flowers, Aug – Dec. Fruit showy, becoming conspicuous dark red seed pods with papery wings, often mistaken as the flowers. Fruit was used by the early settlers for brewing beer, while chewing leaves provided relief for toothache.
Dichelachne crinita – Long-haired Plume Grass
Flat green to bluish-green leaves. Dense erect spike-like panicle with feathery seed head. Flowers Oct-March.
Dianella longifolia – Arching Flax-lily
1.3M x 0.4-1M. Soft, spreading linear light green (to blue-green) leaves.lowers Sept-Jan. Roundish pale blue berries. The tough strap-like leaves were used for basket making and plaiting into cords. The roots were cooked. Berries of some species were eaten in moderation, while the black seeds were nutty when chewed. Berries also provided dye.
Correa alba – White Correa
0.5-2M x 1-3M. Dense spreading shrub, grey-green leaves, paler and velvety below. Adapts to most well-drained soils, tolerating moisture or extended dry periods. Waxy white flowers, peaking spring and summer. Useful for soil building or low screen. Butterfly-attracting. The icon of our logo!
Cladium procerum – Leafy Twig-sedge
0.9-2.5M high. Large rhizomatous perennial herb forming extensive clumps. Moist to wet soils tolerating moderate saline levels. Full sun, semi-shade. Rare in Victoria.
Chrysocephalum semipapossum – Clustered Everlasting
0.3-1M x 1-3M. Aromatic perennial herb, erect stems produced from creeping rhizomes. Foliage is variable. Dense clusters of flowerheads Oct-May. Requires moist to dry soils.Full sun, semi-shade. Old growth should be hard-pruned.
