Clifton Springs. Flora of. Coastal Reserve. Beacon Point Boat Harbour The Dell

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1 Flora of Clifton Springs Coastal Reserve Beacon Point Boat Harbour The Dell 1

2 Disclamer This booklet has been created to increase community awareness of indigenous plants and identification of environmental weeds at the Clifton Springs Fore Shore. While all due care has been taken at the time of publication in providing correct and factual information, we take no responsibility for any errors of content. The information provided relating to the Aboriginal use of plants for food, items or medicinal purposes has been approved by the Wathaurung People. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUPPORT This booklet was funded by City of Greater Geelong, Drysdale & Clifton Springs Community, Association and Bellarine Catchment Network and created by Diploma of Conservation and Land Management students at The Gordon (TAFE). The authors of this booklet would like to thank the following people of who have contributed enormously to the creation of this booklet. SPECIAL THANKS TO: Photography: Matt Crawley, Katy Rowland, Kate Skinner, Ursula Hopfer, Sarah Hopfer and Beth Ross Neil Hickman, who generously shared his beautiful and stunning bird images. Project Team: Matt Crawley, Katy Rowland, Sarah Hopfer, Beth Ross, City of Geelong Council, Kate Skinner Graphic Artwork: Sarah Hopfer Design and Layout: Sarah Hopfer, Katy Rowland, Matt Crawley Editors: Matt Crawley and Katy Rowland Welcome Councillor Purpose Photo Cover photo: Lovely flower picture Back cover photo: Nasty weed picture Printed: January 2014 FOR EXTRA COPIES OF THIS PUBLICATION CONTACT THE BELLARINE CATCHMENT NETWORK ON REFERENCES AND FURTHER RESEARCH Clifton Springs Coastal Management Plan Final. City of Greater Geelong. Report prepared by Thompson Berrill Landscape Design Pty Ltd. Et.al Flora of Melbourne, A Guide to the Indigenous Plants of the Greater Melbourne Area. Australian Plants Society, Maroondah, Victoria Native Tree and Shrubs of South-Eastern Australia. Leon Costermans Plants of Melbourne s Western Plains. A gardener s guide to the original flora. 2nd Edition Wathaurong Medicines. Sue Ferrier. Victorian Flora website Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) 2 3

3 How to use this booklet The booklet is organised into sections based on the growth habit of plants. Plants within each section are listed alphabetically using Botanical name, Common name and Family name. Sizes are indicated as height (m) x width (m). These sizes are an approximation only. GROUNDCOVERS AND CLIMBERS Ground covers are low and spreading. Some are prostrate plants that grown across the ground and others are small, erect plants. HERBS Herbs are plants that do not develop a woody stem. GRASSES, SEDGES, AND TUFTED PLANTS Tufts are clumping plants where the leaves rise from the base of the plant. Grasses, rushes, sedges and lilies are examples. SHRUBS Pink Bindweed Rounded Noon-flower Small-leaved Clematis Convolvulus angustissimus Disphma crassifolium Clematis microphylla Creamy Candles Stackhousia monogyna Feather heads or Tall Mulla Mulla Ptilotus macrocephalus Fuzzy New Holland Daisy Vittadinia cuneata Love Creeper Comesperma volubile Milkmaids Burchardia umbellate Minnie Daisy Minuria leptophylla Showy / Basalt Podolepis Podolepis jaceoides Tufted Bluebell Wahlenbergia communis Black-anther Flax-lily Dianella revolute Common Reed Phragmites australis Feather Spear-Grass Austrostipa elegantissima Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra Nine-awn Grass Eneapogon nigricans Rough or Slender Spear-Grass Austrostipa scabra Silky Blue Grass Dichanthium sericeum Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia spp Windmill Grass Chloris truncate Creeping / Berry Saltbush Atriplex semibaccata Introduction NANKEEN KESTREL is one of the smallest falcons, and unlike many, does not rely on speed to catch its prey. This Indigenous Flora Booklet is a result and increased awareness, understanding and appreciation of the flora, natural and cultural heritage values of the Clifton Springs area. In 2011 a project was started to address woody and invasive weed species in the Dell. This led to a heightened awareness of the indigenous flora values in this area. Plant species that are localized to this area and are not seen in other parts of the Bellarine were identified and an agreement was set out to protect and enhance these values. This was led through the Drysdale Clifton Springs Community Association and Bellarine Catchment Network. This has led to community education and involvement, weed control, revegetation activities and ultimately a greater appreciation of the area. It is hoped that this booklet continues the love for this area and new initiatives and groups form to help protect and enhance the Dell, Clifton Springs and Beacon Point areas. Shrubs are plants with woody stems and with several branches growing from near the base of the plant. They may be up to 3m high. There is no clear distinction between a shrub and a small tree. TREES Trees are large woody plants over 3m high, with a distinct trunk. The height of trees along the coast can change dramatically depending on their location. E.g. trees pruned by salt winds can be quite stunted or low growing, appearing shrub-like in such a location. 4 Common Boobialla Myoporum insulare Drooping She-oak Allocasuarina verticillata Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha River Red-gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis Moonah Melaleuca lanceolata 5

4 Geophysics Maps 6 7

5 Fauna of COCKATOO Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs. Narrow heads of tiny yellow flowers with,daisy WILLY WAGTAIL Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs. Narrow heads of tiny yellow flowers with,daisy LITTLE PIED CORMORANT Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs. Narrow heads of tiny NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs. Narrow heads of tiny ECHIDNA Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs.narrow heads of tiny yellow flowers with,daisy REED WARBLER Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs. Narrow heads of tiny yellow flowers with,daisy RAINBOW LORIKEET Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs. Narrow heads of tiny yellow flowers with,daisy RED-RUMPED PARROT Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs. Narrow heads of tiny yellow flowers with,daisy Introduction to Plant ID The booklet covers flora species that are regionally significant in conservation; Allocasuarina verticillata Drooping She-oak and Dicanthium sericeum Silky Blue-grass and plants, listed as state wide, which are rare in Victoria; Zygophyllum billardierei Coast Twin-leaf and Dune Poa poiformis var.ramifer with other indigenous species include Acacia pycnantha Golden Wattle and native grasses. To help you enjoy and identify the plants in their local area, each plant has three photos and easy to read plant descriptions. You may find a few weeds on your journey, so take a look in the back of the book for helpful descriptions. The existing indigenous vegetation at the Clifton Springs Foreshore is limited to small pocket areas of distribution, which consists of a large remnant of Drooping She-oak Woodland and Grassy Woodland (EVC175) and Berm Grassy Shrubland (EVC 311). Take a walk and enjoy exploring this beautiful area whilst taking care not to trample the plants along the way. By keeping to the paths, these plants are part of a as healthy ecosystem providing an intact environment with food, habitat and shelter. SMITHS SPOTTED PARDALOTE Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs. Narrow heads of tiny MASKED LAPWING Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub, covered in rough spreading hairs. Narrow heads of tiny yellow flowers with,daisy GOLDEN WATTLE more on page

6 Australian Bindweed Convolvulus angustissimu Creamy Candles Stackhousia monogyna Climbing or twining, perennial herb mostly, but there are some shrubby habit of growth Funnel-shaped, pink rarely white flower, usually opening only briefly in sun Leaves varying in shape and size from base of stem, where deeply lobed, to top of stem, where nearly entire An erect herbaceous perennial Smooth narrow leaves to 40mm long, often widely spaced on the stems Many tiny, tubular flowers in a candle-like spike at the end of each stem The perfume of the flower, is especially noticeable at night FAMILY: CONVOLVULACEAE HABITAT: Widespread, usually in woodland and grassland FLOWERING TIME: October to February FAMILY: RANUNCULACEAE HABITAT: Common in open forest, heathland, grassland and woodland. FLOWERING TIME: August to January HEIGHT: 0.1 m WIDTH: 1.5 m The tough starchy root of this plant was roasted by Kooris HEIGHT: cm WIDTH: cm Small-leaved Clematis Clematis microphylla Feather - heads Ptilotus macrocephalus A woody climbing shrub often found scrambling over other vegetation Flowers consist of four, oblong, creamy-white petal-like sepals but no actual petals Leaves divide into three leaflets with the terminal leaflet, oblong to obovate in shape Fruit is small and brown and fluffy seeds A perennial herb A basal rosette of dark green leaves Large, creamy or greenish-yellow, feathery flower-heads on tall erect stems, in spring and summer Prefers open sunny position in well-drained soils FAMILY: RANUNCULACEAE HABITAT: Throughout Victoria in a wide range of habitats, including coastal shrub-land FLOWERING TIME: August to March FAMILY: AMARANTHACEAE HABITAT: Grassy plains FLOWERING TIME: October to November HEIGHT: about 3 m The tough starchy root of this plant was roasted by Kooris HEIGHT: 50 cm WIDTH: 60 cm 10 11

7 Fuzzy New Holland Daisy Vittadinia cuneata Milkmaids Burchardia umbellate Rounded to erect, perennial sub-shrub Covered in rough spreading hairs Narrow heads of tiny yellow flowers with, daisy petals mauve to purple in 2 or more rows The flowers are held erect in loose clusters on leafy stalks most of the year Dark green wedge-shaped leaves Also known as Fuzzweed, the fluffy seeds are a most conspicuous feature FAMILY: ASTERACEAE HABITAT: Red gum woodland, plains grassland, grassy wetland, tea-tree heath FLOWERING TIME: Spring summer months HEIGHT: cm WIDTH: 30 cm A small perennial lily A very dainty herb, with a heart-shaped stamen. White honey-scented flowers (occasionally tinged with some pink), with a reddish centre growing in clusters (umbels) on simple erect stems. The crispy, starchy roots were cooked and eaten by the Wagawurrung throughout the year Require moist but well drained soils in sunny or lightly shaded location FAMILY: COLCHICACEAE HABITAT: Open forests, woodlands and health and damp swampy areas FLOWERING TIME: September to December HEIGHT: cm WIDTH: 1.5 mm Love Creeper Comesperma voluble Minnie Daisy Minuria leptophylla Slender twiner, creeping herb Stems are glabrous and angled Leaves, when present are, linear to ovate, to 45mm long Small pea-like flowers, displayed prominently, blue or purple in colour Suitable in well drained soils, woodland and open forests with dappled and semi shade Small rounded perennial White to mauve daisy-like flowers with yellow centre, on short stalks above the leaves, through most of the year Prefers a sunny position in moist, well-drained soils FAMILY: POLGALACEAE HABITAT: Heathland, woodland FLOWERING TIME: August to November FAMILY: ASTERACEAE HABITAT: Plains Grassland FLOWERING TIME: June to March HEIGHT: 3 m high HEIGHT: cm TWINER WIDTH: cm 12 13

8 Rounded Noon-flower Pimelea curviflora Tufted Bluebell Wahlenbergia communis A spreading, ground cover succulent, forming dense carpets of stunning colour With succulent, smooth, more or less cylindrical leaves up to 50mm and 60mm thick with a pointed tip. Leaves growing in clusters, varying in colour, from bright green and often flushed with red, yellow or purple tinge Flowers are shining pink to purple, with numerous linear petals, about 3cm diameter, with a crisp white FAMILY: PIGFACE HABITAT: Grows in a wide range of soils and plant communities, especially in saline depressions and on the fringes of saltmarsh and cliffs along the coast A spreading, delicate, perennial herb Narrow, bright green leaves on erect stems Bears masses of delightful-blue, bell-shaped flowers from spring to autumn It self-seeds readily and also suckers Prefers sunny position in dry, well-drained soil FAMILY: CAMPANULACEAE HABITAT: xxxxxxxx FLOWERING TIME: October to May HEIGHT: Prostrate WIDTH: up to 2 m Leaves were eaten by the Wadawurrung HEIGHT: cm WIDTH: cm Showy/Basalt Podolepis Podolepis jaceoides Black-anther Flax-lily Dianella revoluta Erect tufting perennial herb Showy bright yellow daisy-like flowers, held on tall erect stalks. Dark green leaves, lanceolate in shape to 100 mm in length and arranged in a basal rosette A very showy floral display Prefers dry conditions An erect, hairless, perennial herb Blue to purple berries containing 3-4 seeds Grow from underground rhizomes and forming clumps. Sometimes a dominant understorey species and can form large spreading colonies Very hardy and has a wide spread moisture and temperature range It is drought and frost resistant FAMILY: ASTERACEAE HABITAT: Plains Grassland, Grassy Wetland, Red gum woodland FLOWERING TIME: October to November FAMILY: LILIACEAE HABITAT: Plains grassland, box and red gum woodland, dry, valley and damp sclerophyll, tea tree heath FLOWERING TIME: September to December HEIGHT: cm WIDTH: 30 cm The roots were baked then eaten. Long leaves have strong fibres and have been used for basketry. The berry is edible and tasty. HEIGHT: cm WIDTH: cm 14 15

9 Common Reed Phragmites australia Kangaroo Grass Themeda triandra Semi-aquatic perennial grass. Thick, fleshy rhizomes, leafy stems. Leaves are smooth and flat or loosely inrolled, 80cm long and 4 cm wide. Flower-heads are large, oval shaped with dense panicles, from 10 40cm long. FAMILY: POACEA HABITAT: Edges of lakes and water courses FLOWERING TIME: Around the whole year A tufted, perennial and deep rooted grass. Spikelets are large, red-brown in colour and grow on branched stems. Spikelets have long distinct spathes (bracts) at the base and florets with black awns (4-7cm long). Awns remain on the seed when it falls. Seeds are dark-brown and shiny with a tapered, sharp base and a collar of fine hairs. Younger leaves are grey-green in colour and cm long and 2 5 mm wide. Older leaves are red- FAMILY: POACEAE HABITAT: Wide spread, but is domminant in grassland communities. FLOWERING TIME: December to February HEIGHT: 3 m WIDTH: 2 cm Used the leaves for twisting into rope and stems as spear shafts an dthe roots for food. HEIGHT: 1.5 m WIDTH: 50 cm Feather Spear-grass Austrostipa elegantissima Nine-awn Grass Enneapogon nigricans A rhizomatous, perennial grass with branched stems Flower-heads are widely spreading with many branches forming a large mass of pinkish-grey heads Branches are covered in fine filaments, giving a feather-like appearance Florets are pale to dark brown when mature. Leaves are hairless FAMILY: POACEAE HABITAT: Grows on granite, limestone soils, deep sandy soils and saline soils. FLOWERING TIME: August to December/January. A small tufted perennial grass Flowers occur in a dense terminal Flower heads are green when flowering Seedheads are dark grey to black and resemble bottlewashers The distinguishing feature, is the presence of nine awns on the seed Leaf blades are inrolled and hairy, grey-green in clour, stiff and narrow FAMILY: POACEAE HABITAT: Plains Grassland FLOWERING TIME: September to February HEIGHT: 30 cm 2 3 m HEIGHT: cm WIDTH: cm 16 17

10 Rough or Slender Grass Austrostipa scabra Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia spp A large dense, spreading shrub or small tree Clusters of fragrant white flowers with purple spots, followed by purple fruit Salt tolerant and leaves are succulent beside the sea Prefers a sunny position in well-drained soils and suckers readily A tufted, perennial grass with a dense tussock-like base. Flower-heads are a dense, oblong shape, 3cm 10cm long and purplish in colour spikelets, which appear fluffy and cream-coloured when mature The floret body is mm long, ending in two erect, tapering lobes Leaves are flat to inrolled, commonly hairy but occasionally hairless. The upper leaf surface is blue-green in FAMILY: MYOPORACEAE HABITAT: xxxxxxx FLOWERING TIME: September to December FAMILY: POACEAE HABITAT: Wide spread, but is domminant in grassland communities FLOWERING TIME: September to January HEIGHT: 2 4 m WIDTH: 3 m The Wadu Wurrung ate the edible fruit, which are a round purplish-green drupe HEIGHT: cm WIDTH: 12 cm Silky blue Grass Dichanthium sericeum Windmill Grass Chloris truncate An erect, tufted perennial grass with blue-green stems Leaves are folded or flat with a prominent, white midrib Leaves are 8 15cm long and 2 4mm wide Spikelets are straw-coloured and covered in silky hairs A small tuft of the seedhead remains at the stem tip after the ripened seed has fallen off A short-lived (2 3 years) tufted perennial grass Young florets are green in colour, becoming purplish when mature and black once ripe The seedhead is windmill-like in shape, made up of 5 10 spikes (5 17cm long) that radiate from the stem Short, narrow leaves that are pale-green in colour Leaves are flat to folded FAMILY: POACEAE HABITAT: Prefers warmer, drier climates. Grassland and woodland habitats FLOWERING TIME: spring to summer HEIGHT: cm FAMILY: POACEAE HABITAT: Grassy wetland, plains grassland, red gum and box woodland FLOWERING TIME: Spring to Autumn HEIGHT: cm 18 19

11 Creeping/Berry Saltbush Atriplex semibaccata Drooping She-oak Allocasuarina verticillata A spreading, low growing perennial shrub, grey-green in colour Female and male flowers occur on separate plants Female flowers are in the lower axils, singly or in small clusters. Male flowers are in the upper axils and grow in small dense clusters. Flowers are a rusty colour Female flowers develop into succulent, diamond-shaped, red berries FAMILY: CHENOPODIACEAE HABITAT: A common ground cover in coastal areas. FLOWERING TIME: Most of the year HEIGHT: 15 cm A small tree Male and female flowers are on separate plants Male flowers occur in yellow-brown spikes Female flowers are globular and red in colour Grey-green branchlets are drooping, up to 40cm long and 1.2mm thick Cylindrical woody cones with sharp, pointy valves occur on female trees FAMILY: CASUARINACEAE HABITAT: Widespread on coastal cliffs and secondary dunes. Also found on the volcanic plains FLOWERING TIME: Flowering all year round HEIGHT: 4 10 m Small tree Common Boobialla Myoporum insulare Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha A large dense, spreading shrub or small tree Clusters of fragrant white flowers with purple spots, followed by purple fruit Salt tolerant and leaves are succulent beside the sea Prefers a sunny position in well-drained soils and suckers readily National floral emblem A shrub or small Flowers are large fluffy golden-yellow flower-heads with up to 80 minute sweetly scented flowers The leathery leaves, broadly lance or sickle-shaped and bright green in colour Gland at base of leaf The dark brown mature pods splits along one side to release the seeds FAMILY: MYOPORACEAE HABITAT: Common on cliffs and dunes along the coast, rarely found inland FLOWERING TIME: September to December FAMILY: MIMOSACEAE HABITAT: Shrub or small tree FLOWERING TIME: June to November HEIGHT: 2 4 m WIDTH: 3 m The Wadu Wurrung ate the edible fruit, which are a round purplish-green drupe HEIGHT: 4-8 m Shrub or small tree 20 21

12 River Redgum Eucalyptus camaldulensis A medium to tall tree with a thick trunk, twisting branches and a spreading crown Flowers are white and occur in clusters of 7 11 Buds occur in groups of 5 10, but most commonly 7 per cluster. The bud caps are distinctively pointed, with slender stalks Adult leaves are 9 20cm in length, dull greyish-green in colour on both sides with an obvious mid-vein Fruit is a woody disc-domes shape (usually in 4 s), with FAMILY: MYRTACEAE HABITAT: Open forest or woodland, mostly along inland rivers, floodplains and dry waterways FLOWERING TIME: December through to February Aboriginal European HEIGHT: m TREE Moonah Melaleuca lanceolata A perennial rough-barked tree A bushy shrub or low-branching small tree The white-cream flowers occur in cylindrical spikes (2.5cm x 2cm) forming dense bottle brush clusters at the end of the branches Leaves are arranged alternately and are linear in shape They are curved and dull-green in colour Fruit is a woody capsule with a globular-ovoid shape with a small, round opening FAMILY: MYRTACEAE HABITAT: Coastal scrub and inland woodlands FLOWERING TIME: October to March HEIGHT: 1 8 m TREE 22 23

13 Double spread Landscape PICTURE over both pages and more pictures Photos 24 25

14 Double spread Map 26 27

15 List of common & latin contents Glossary A tufted perennial grass. Inflorescence is erect and opens and spreads at maturity. The seed head is usually erect, growing from 6 to 20cm long. Seeds are green and oval in shape. Leaves are bright green soft, hairless and mostly smooth. FAMILY: POACEAE FLOWERING TIME: Spring and Summer. ORIGIN: South Africa Panic Vedlt Grass Ehrharta erecta *Environmental weed that grows prolifically HEIGHT: up to 0.6 m Radiata Pine Pinus radiata GREAT CORMORANT is one of the smallest falcons, and unlike many, does not rely on speed to catch its prey. A large, tall evergreen tree, with a strong pine fragrance Grey-brown bark is deeply furrowed, sticky and resinous Flowers occur in cones. Leaves are dark green needles, occuring in groups of three along the stems FAMILY: PINACEAE FLOWERING TIME: Cones can open any time. ORIGIN: California, USA. 28 *Invasive environmental weed HEIGHT: 20 m to 50 m 29

16 Flax-leaved Broom Genista linifolia An erect evergreen shrub Stems consist of one main stem at the base and many branches above Hairy leaves, which are light green and arranged alternately on branches without stalks, 2-3cm in length Flowers are bright yellow and pea-like. Grow to 1.2cm long, have short stalks and occur in approximately 2000 flowers per plant and cluster at the end A grey to black silky pod, about 2.5cm long FAMILY: FABACEAE FLOWERING TIME: November to March ORIGIN: Mediterranean region A tussocky perennial speargrass Flowerhead, growing up to 40cm long Leaves are mostly hairless and flat to slightly inrolled. Grow to 30cm long and 5mm wide Seeds are pale brown when mature and hairless, except along the midrib. At the junction of the seed there is a ridge of small teeth encircling the awn FAMILY: POACEAE FLOWERING TIME: Mostly September to December ORIGIN: South America. Chilean Needle Grass Nassella neesiana HEIGHT: 3 m Shrub *Declared Noxious Weed - Regionally controlled *Restricted HEIGHT: 1 m Grass Hare s Tail Grass Lagurus ovatus... A perennial herb with heart shaped leaves, growing in clumps The flowers are yellow with five small yellow petals Bulbs are produced by the oxalis, if pulled out and left on the ground, it can encourage birds and mice to eat the bulbs, using nature s way of weed control They are produced on long stalks, from spring throug to Autumn, and may be individual or in small clusters Common Oxalis/Sour Sob Oxalis pes-caprae FAMILY: POACEA FLOWERING TIME: August to November ORIGIN: Mediterranean region FAMILY: OXALIDACEAE FLOWERING TIME: August to March ORIGIN: South Africa HEIGHT: 5 50 cm Grass *Environmental weed *Restricted HEIGHT: cm Herb

17 Cape Weed Arctotheca calendula Blue Periwinkle Vinca major A prostrate, spreading perennial or annual, which grows in rosettes Yellow daisy like flowers with dark centres Leaves are covered with white woolly hairs, especially on their undersides Leaves are lobed or deeply toothed A trailing perennial ground cover herb capable of covering hundreds of square metres Dark green, shiny leaves and sky blue flowers in spring Very serious threat to our indigenous plants as it smothers and prevents the growth of associated vegetation It produces little or no seed and is spread primarily by stems rooting at the tips. Roots also develop where stem nodes come in contact with the soil FAMILY: ASTERACEAE FLOWERING TIME: September to November ORIGIN: South Africa FAMILY: APOCYNACEAE FLOWERING TIME: November to March ORIGIN: Europe HEIGHT: 30 cm xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx HEIGHT: 3 m Coast Wattle Acacia longifolia subsp. sophorae An upright and bushy shrub to small tree Bark is smooth or slightly fissured and greyish Flowers are yellow, fluffy and stalkless. With dense spikes growing 2-4cm in length Leaves are elongated to linear in shape Fruit is an elongated pod, leathery and pale brown Each pod contains 4-10 black oval-shaped seeds FAMILY: FABACEAE FLOWERING TIME: July to October ORIGIN: xxxxx A woody, erect shrub, with brown hard stems Leaves are alternately arranged and oval-shaped with tapering and irregularly toothed margins Green in colour, 2-8cm long with blades Flowers are bright yellow and daisy-like with five to eight petals Fruit, 6-8mm diameter and light brown when dry A prolific seeder and mature Boneseed plants can produce up to 50,000 seeds per plant FAMILY: ASTERACEAE FLOWERING TIME: August to October ORIGIN: South Africa Boneseed / Bitou Bush Chrysanthemoides monilifera HEIGHT: 1 8m Tree/Shrub *Significant environmental weed in some parts of *Declared Noxious Weed - Regionally controlled HEIGHT: 2 3 m WIDTH: 2 6 m 32 33

18 African Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum Artichoke Thistle Cynara cardunculus L. A large multi-branched shrub with rigid stems that are brown to grey bearing stout spines to 15 cm long Smaller spines terminate the numerous branchlets Smooth, fleshy, short stalked leaves form in clusters at the numerous nodes White flowers with lilac or purple throats are followed by green berries about 1cm diameter that turn orange-red mainly in the summer FAMILY: SOLANACEAE FLOWERING TIME: xxxxxxxxx ORIGIN: Southern coast of Africa HEIGHT: 5 m WIDTH: 3 m *Declared Noxious Weed - Regionally controlled A flowering perennial herb Stems are a greyish-green colour, ribbed and branch towards the top. Mature plant stems are covered in cotton-like hairs Leaves are grey-green on the upper surface and deeply divided, with the underside covered in dense white hairs. Leaves occur in a basal rosette, which can grow horizontally to 1m long and 30cm wide. Florets are globular-shaped, blue to purple in colour FAMILY: ASTERACEAE FLOWERING TIME: December to February ORIGIN: Mediterranean region Weed Introduction This section of the booklet identifies the most common weeds found, at the Clifton Springs Foreshore, looking at grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees that are unwanted, harmful and environmentally detrimental to the area. These weeds have invaded some areas, out-competing native plant communities and threatening the values of the natural ecosystem. Pine species produce a dense canopy of pine needles, littering the ground and Boneseed Chrysanthemoides monilifera form dense stands under which nothing else will grow. The weeds are divided into three broad groups and for each plant in the booklet, they have been classified as follows; Declared Noxious Weeds There are four categories of declared noxious weeds State Prohibited Regionally Prohibited Regionally Controlled i.e. Flax-leaved broom Genista linifolia and African boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum Restricted i.e. Chilean needle grass Nassella neeslana Environmental Competition from environmental weeds, often reduce plant diversity and result in loss of habitat for native animals i.e. Hare s tail grass Lagurus ovatus and Blue periwinkle Vinca major. Agricultural Weeds The spread of agricultural weeds threaten, pasture production, crops and horticulture i.e. Chilean needle grass Nassella neeslana (Ref: City of Greater Geelong and Bellarine Catchment Network have a weed eradication program in place to help control these species of plants. HEIGHT: 2 m WIDTH: 1 m *Declared noxious weed 34 35

19 WEEDS WEEDS WEEDS WEEDS Weeds of Clifton Springs Coastal Reserve WEEDS WEEDS WEEDS WEEDS