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South West Capes Newsletter

June 2021
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NEXT EVENT

Metricup – Guided walk on Land for Wildlife property with Cherie Kemp

               June 12 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm


This 40 acre private property has a DBCA covenant that restricts certain activities whilst encouraging landowners to undertake management, and the landowner has excelled.  It is a mix of Jarrah/Marri woodland, a swamp, a densely vegetated section of the Carbunup  river, and sandy, banksia woodland.  Logging as well as grazing of sheep, and maybe cattle, has taken place, in addition to gravel extraction which is undergoing revegetation.
Fungi are in full swing at the moment.

Please RSVP to Richard at southwestcapesbranch@wildflowersocietywa.org.au or 0427 385 551 for event details (car pooling is encouraged due to limited parking).  

We may have to restrict numbers so get in quick.
MAY'S EVENT - A WALK IN

MARRI RESERVE, DUNSBOROUGH
     Kelly & Emily Lamp                                                                Part of the Group
Our May walk in the Marri Conservation Park in the middle of Dunsborough was an easy ramble in good weather on a newly laid limestone track, great for prams and a wheelchair. The walk had been advertised as children friendly and we had  about 30 adults and 8 children.  Kelly Lamp had  organised a treasure hunt for the children which led them on a different route from the adults and it  sounded like they had a lot of fun.
Most of the park is recognised  as a Swan Coastal Plain Paluslope Wetland, now listed as a Priority 1 Threatened Ecological Community.  This wetland is draining from the sandy low hills south of it.
The walk through this very special wetland  has some of the largest paperbarks (Melaleuca preissiana) and on the drier areas Marri (Corymbia calophylla), Blackbutt (Eucalyptus patens), Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus rudis ssp. cratyantha) and Banksias.  The sedges (Cyathachaeta species and Lepidosperma tetraquetrum) and the large stand of the river pea (Callistachus lanceolate) were all there to impress. Few orchids were in flower: Greenhoods and Bunny orchids only.
May is a good time to spot fungi and we were rewarded with a number of colourful specimens which will appear in the newsletter.  Most exciting was the large number of Ghost fungi found, many at the base of trees and very large.  
What was most impressive is the pristine condition and variety of plants found here in the middle of a  suburb. Also astonishing was the amount of water in large pools within the park at the end of summer.  
Shirley Fisher
                   Arli Black                                                                   Silviculture!
Spencer Lamp with Ghost Fungus                           Spencer with Leopard (aka
                                                                                            Wynne Tucker!)        
Drosera rosulata (top left) FloraBase            Lomandra nigricans (top right) FloraBase
Pterostylis vittata, Banded Greenhood          Eriochilus dilatatus, Bunny Orchid
                                          FloraBase                                                          FloraBase
Favolaschia calocera, Orange Ping Pong Bats (top left) FloraBase           
Gymnopilus purputatus (top right) FloraBase
Omnaphalotus nidiformis, Ghost Fungus (bottom left) FloraBase     
Russula purpureoflava (bottom right)  FloraBase
Photos by Kelly Lamp, Shirley Fisher, Vikki Viela & John Hill
PLANT OF THE MONTH
Each month we feature a local plant that is flowering at the time of publication, that will make a great addition to any garden, encourage wildlife, provide habitat, and best of all, contribute to the wonderful diversity that surrounds us.  You can start with one local native plant in your garden then see where that takes you!
For more garden inspiration see our "Out and About Plantings" section and seek advice from your local native nursery - local nurseries are listed below.
 
Photos: Richard Clark

Hakea lissocarpha

Honey Bush
FloraBase
QUICK FACTS:
  • An attractive, medium shrub, 1-2m, with dense, interesting, lime green prickly foliage.
  • Will tolerate a wide range of soil types from sand to loam and through to granite, as well as heavy soils; and sun through to shady locations. 
  • Drought resistant and tolerant of light to moderate frost.
  • Masses of white to pink scented flowers from late autumn through to spring.
  • Bird, insect, bee and cockatoo attracting.
  • Ideal for native gardens, revegetation projects, embankments, low hedging and makes an ideal screen or bird refuge due to its dense, prickly habit.
WEED OF THE MONTH
        ACACIA BAILEYANA
  Cootamundra wattle,  Cootamongrel wattle

This tree is native to a relatively small geographic location in NSW. An evergreen fast growing, relatively long lived small tree up to 10m tall with drooping branches and distinctive fern like leaves which are silvery grey-blue or purple. Golden yellow ball flowers up to 8mm, appear from winter - early spring. A very hardy tree, especially in dry sites. It is shade tolerant, readily invading natural  bushland and shading out and excluding local plants. Fixes nitrogen in the soil which discourages local plants and encourages weeds. Seeds are long lived in soil, germinating massively after fire/disturbance. Commonly available in commercial garden centres, and is widely planted in gardens, farms and into bush blocks.
One of our worst woody weeds throughout Australia and many places overseas, due to its garden appeal and adaptability to most soils and climates.

Seedlings are easily pulled out, larger trees can be cut and removed and the stump painted with herbicide.

Alternative plantings: Agonis flexuosa, Acacia cyclops, A.cochlearis, A.myrtifolia, A.rostellifera, A.saligna, Paraserianthes lopthana.
                                                                               
                                                                                                     Margaret Moir
INTERESTING TIDBITS
PRUNING NATIVES
 
Watch Josh Byrne pruning natives, and learn from an expert! Josh shows us how to prune for access, to reclaim order, for safety, to keep things compact and to tidy up. Watch this Gardening Australia segment here.

A new project aiming to employ and train local people to gather native seeds for vital habitat restoration has been successfully rolled out in the South West of WA.

South West Catchments Council, in collaboration with Leschenault Catchment Council, has employed and trained 10 eager seed-collectors through the State Government’s Green Jobs initiative, which forms part of the COVID-19 State Recovery Plan.

The project seeks to improve habitat for WA’s unique flora and fauna by teaching important skills in seed collection, sorting and storing. The seeds collected will ensure a supply of seedlings for revegetation of 275 hectares of land in the region. Ongoing planting is vital for re-establishing wildlife corridors and providing areas of habitat for threatened species such as the South West’s black cockatoos.

The team have already successfully extracted quality seeds from a diverse range of native species in bushland across the South West. The project which will run until June 2021.
The film ‘Breathing Life into Boodja’ (48 minutes) is a good-humoured and galvanising portrayal of farmers, scientists, environmentalists, the Aboriginal community and local groups working together for the environment and wildlife. Through restoring nature, respecting culture and renewing communities, these people and groups are leading globally significant change across southern WA.

Nature Conservation and Undalup are hosting this film event, at the Margaret River Heart, to promote the Margaret River region’s participation as the western ‘pillar’ in the visionary Gondwana Link program.
 
Leading into the screening of ‘Boodja’, the evening’s entertaining program includes:
- Presentations by Iszaac Webb, Undalup Association Chair and Wadandi Cultural Custodian, and Gondwana Link CEO Keith Bradby
- A 16 minute compilation of video stories from across Gondwana Link, produced for the new WA Museum Boola Bardip
- Q&A panel to explore ‘where to from here’ for the Margaret River region as a participant in the unfolding Gondwana Link story

More details here
A request from Holly Freeman in Mullewa
Good Evening,
I’m organising Mullewa’s Wildflower Festival , Outback Bloom 2021, and I’m writing this email in the hope that you will be able to help me find some wildflower experts.
 This year, as like previous years, we are wanting to offer visitors some guided walks and expert talks on the wildflowers that are indigenous to the area. It would be especially great if we can find someone who knows about our Wreath Flowers!
 I would greatly appreciate if you could please pass on the contact details of anyone who may be able to help me. 
 Kind Regards,
 Holly Freeman
Coordinator
coordinator@mullewacrc.net.au
Ph: 9961 1500 
PO Box 258
Mullewa WA 6630

Bacon preservative in magnetic boxes kills feral pigs in 'humane, quick' WA baiting trials - a reprieve for the bush!

 
The pigs learn to open magnetically closed poison containers using their snouts.
Other animals cannot open the boxes.(Supplied: Leschenault Biosecurity Group)

A world-first feral pig bait using an everyday food preservative is reportedly proving more than 80 per cent effective at wiping out mobs of the animals plaguing Australian farms.

The bait was developed by Animal Control Technologies Australia (ACTA) and began trials in 2019.

In January, the bait was approved as a Schedule 6 poison, meaning landholders can purchase and use it without needing a permit.

Read more here

 

Mysterious spinifex grass rings of the Australian outback may be caused by microbes

Scientists may have solved the mystery of how Australia's spinifex grass got its hole.

But it also grows in mysterious rings.

The plant starts out as a dome then, as it gets older, the centre dies off while the outside continues to expand, giving it its distinctive ring shape.

What causes these stunning patterns to form has long puzzled scientists.
Find out what it may be here.

Rare, critically endangered orchids discovered in NSW Southern Highlands after wet summer
A cluster of critically endangered pot-bellied greenhood orchids has been found in the NSW Southern Highlands. The plants are difficult to find and identify because they only flower for a couple of weeks a year, if at all.
Scientists believe the plants may be thriving because of a wet summer.  Find out more here.
 
 
IN THE BUSH
                                                             photos by John Hill
                                                                flowering in May
Myoporum oppositifolium, Keenan SF (top left)  FloraBase
Olearia paucidentata, Autumn Scrub Daisy, Yelverton NP (top right)  FloraBase
Adenanthos obovatus, Basket flower, Manea Park, Bunbury (bottom left)  FloraBase
Adenanthos barbiger, Hairy Jug Flower, Yelverton NP (bottom right) FloraBase
Prasophyllum sp.'early', Scented Leek Orchid, Calgardup   (top left)  FloraBase
Pithocarpa pulchella var. melanostigma, Yelverton NP  (top right)  FloraBase
Boronia sp.Leeuwin, Gracetown (bottom left)  FloraBase
Ficinia nodosa, Knotted Club Rush, Augusta (bottom right)  FloraBase       
Philotheca spicata, Pepper & Salt, Manea Park, Bunbury (top left) FloraBase
Paraserianthes lophantha, Cape Leeuwin Wattle, Cowaramup (top right) FloraBase
Banksia littoralis, Swamp Banksia, Manea Park, Bunbury (bottom left) FloraBase
Hovea chorizemifolia, Holly-leaved Hovea, Yelverton NP (bottom right)  FloraBase   
 
And Some Fungi
                                                             photos by John Hill
                                                               fruiting in May
Boletellus obscurecoccineus,, Rhubarb Bolete, Yelverton NP  (top left)  FloraBase
Coprinus comatus, Shaggy Ink Cap, Augusta (top right) 
Fistulina hepatica, Beefsteak fungus, Keenan SF (bottom left)    FloraBase
Tubifera ferruginosa, Slime Mould, Yelverton NP (bottom right)  FloraBase
 Calocera guepinioides, Scotsman’s Beard, Manea Park, Bunbury (top left)                                                                                                               FloraBase
 Cortinarius australiensis, Yelverton NP (top right)  FungiOz
 Trametes coccinea, Scarlet Bracket Fungus, Manea Park, Bunbury (bottom left)   
Austriboletus occidentalis, Yelverton NP (bottom right)  FloraBase
I must acknowledge the many experts who help and correct me with id's. Notably Jane Scott, Jenny Kikeros, Andrew Webb and Shirley Fisher. And id's, particularly of the fungi, are always open for correction!                
                                                                                                                                             John Hill
 
FLORA FROM FURTHER AFIELD

photos by Graham Cahill
                                                                flowering 4th May
My husband was in the remote Kimberley region of Oombulgurri last month and took these photos to share the flora he encountered.  I had to consult with the brains trust on the Wildflower Society's Facebook page so the ID's are as close as I can provide. If anyone has any other suggestions, please contact me at: gravik_oz@hotmail.com
Vikki Viela
Gossypium sp (top left)
Polycarpaea longiflora (top right)  FloraBase
Unidentified sp  (bottom left)
Calytrix exstipulata, Kimberley Heather  (bottom right)  FloraBase
Gomphrena sp  (top left)
Trachymene dendrothrix  (top right)  FloraBase
Unidentified sp  (bottom left)
Calandrinia strophiolata  (bottom right)  FloraBase
 
OUT AND ABOUT PLANTINGS

photos by Vikki Viela
                                                                flowering 21st May
Banksia prionotes, dwarf, Acorn Banksia (top left)  FloraBase
Clematis pubescens, Common Clematis (top right)  FloraBase  Vikki's garden
Hakea laurina, Pincushion Hakea  (bottom left)  FloraBase
Callistemon x viminalis, Little John Bottlebrush  (bottom right)  FloraBase
Dunsborough townsite landscaping with exception
 
A TALE OF SURVIVAL
                                                             photos by Vikki Viela
On our bush block last year, several large marris were blown over in the winter storms.  This was one of them, and due to a number of reasons, we did not try to save the grass tree that was growing at the base of it and was therefore also uprooted.  Imagine my surprise, when, at the end of summer I noticed that not only was it still alive but putting on new growth!  A few of its roots have evidently remained in the ground, and it's been able to adapt to its new position.
May 2021
ON THE BOOKSHELF
Robin Wall Kimmerer is a Native American Professor of Botany. As a botanist, she has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these lenses of knowledge together to show that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings are we capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learning to give our own gifts in return.
A Quote:
  "People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us."
Iris Murdoch, 'A Fairly Honourable Defeat'
TIME FOR PLANTING
The easiest time to plant is in the late Autumn - Winter, letting the rain establish the plants, so get planning, purchasing and planting!
Here is a short list of local nurseries:

The Tube Nursery, Cowaramup
Boyanup Botanical, Boyanup
Southern Flora, Bridgetown
Tintuppa, Balingup

More nurseries and plant sales can be found in the metropolitan area.

This is a page I (Richard) have created for the Wildflower Society : Western Australian Native Plant Nurseries. It needs further editing, but there are a surprising number of nurseries specialising in our native Australian flora.

Bits and Pieces
Membership
Info on the Wildflower Society website here. You can join online, or phone the office Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00am to 2.30pm (08) 9383 7979
Richard has a fairly up-to-date membership list, but he would appreciate new members letting him know that they have joined. rmc@swisp.net.au

Our newsletter archive
ALL OUR PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS CAN BE ACCESSED FROM THE WSWA WEBSITE.
 
Other groups
Updates from other groups in our region concerned with the environment:
  • Nature Conservation's Darch Brook Community Planting Day has been rescheduled to the 12 June from 3-5pm.
  • Toby Inlet Catchment Group: 19 & 20 June - Quindalup foreshore winter planting mornings.  Check out their Facebook page here or website here.
  • Geocatch is holding a seminar on the 30 June on: Science, management and values of seagrass in Geographe Bay and beyond. More details here.
  • Cape to Cape Bird Group - contact Christine Wilder: cwilderone@yahoo.com.au for May's newsletter.
South West Capes Committee -  2020/21
 
President Kay Lehman kaywinny@bigpond.net.au  
Vice-President Shirley Fisher fishergs@iinet.net.au 0417 179 763
Secretary Richard Clark rmc@swisp.net.au 0427 385 551
Treasurer Vikki Viela gravik_oz@hotmail.com 0403 438 573
Committee Margaret Moir, Pia Parker, Kelly Lamp, John Hill & Jennine Frost
John Hill (newsletter)  dihill@iinet.net.a
If anyone has interesting articles or photos that you would like included in the newsletter, please forward them to John Hill at dihill@iinet.net.au
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South West Capes · PO Box 784 · Dunsborough, WA 6281 · Australia

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