Indigenous plants in the Aldinga Arts Eco Village, South Australia

Indigenous plants in the
Aldinga Arts Eco Village,
South Australia
Text and Photographs by
Jenni McGlennon
Compiled for use in common land and gardens
of Village neighbourhoods
Page 1 of 47
How to use this resource:
Notes and illustrations of species are arranged sequentially, one species
per page, in alphabetical order of species names.
On Page 3, there is an Index Table of plant types that identifies species
as trees, large shrubs and windbreaks, small shrubs, ground covers,
climbers, and species for wetter areas. Species are listed alphabetically
within each category.
Species names in the table are hyperlinked to the respective species
notes so, if you are consulting an electronic copy of this resource and
want to check on a particular species listed in the table, just click on the
name to go to the species notes. There is also a link back to the Index
Table below the text on each species.
If you prefer using a printed hard copy, page numbers are also listed in
the Index Table.
Page 2 of 47
Index of Species:
Type & Species Name
Common Name
Page
Trees
Acacia pycnantha
Allocasuarina verticillata
Callitris gracilis
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Eucalyptus porosa
Melaleuca lanceolata
Pittosporum phylliraeoides
Golden Wattle
Drooping She-Oak
Native Pine; Southern Cypress Pine
River Red Gum
Mallee Box
Dryland Tea Tree; Moonah
Native Apricot; Weeping Pittosporum
7
9
15
22
23
34
41
Kangaroo Thorn; Prickly Acacia
Silver Banksia
Christmas Bush
Sticky Hop Bush
Coastal Boobialla; Common Boobialla
Sticky Boobialla
Coastal Daisy Bush
Twiggy Daisy Bush
6
11
13
20
35
37
38
40
Gold Dust Wattle
Flax Lily
Mallee Pea
White Goodenia
Clasping Goodenia
Lavender Grevillea
Short-Beaked Hakea
Cushion Bush
Austral Trefoil
Mallee Daisy Bush
Sea Berry Saltbush
White Fan-Flower; Pale Fan-Flower
Cushion Fan-Flower; Thick-Leaved Fan Flower
Large-Flowered Groundsel
New Holland Daisy
4
18
24
25
26
27
28
32
33
39
42
43
44
45
47
Prostrate Acacia
Berry Saltbush
Native Pig Face
Round-Leaved Pig Face
Ruby Saltbush
Running Postman
Creeping Boobialla
Native Spinach; Warrigal Greens
5
10
16
19
21
30
36
46
Sweet Appleberry
Old Man’s Beard
Native Violet; Purple Coral Pea
12
17
29
Swamp Wattle; Silver Wattle
River Bottlebrush
Silky Tea Tree; Woolly Tea Tree
8
14
31
Large shrubs & windbreaks
Acacia paradoxa
Banksia marginata
Bursaria spinosa
Dodonaea viscosa
Myoporum insulare
Myoporum viscosum
Olearia axillaris
Olearia ramulosa
Small shrubs
Acacia acinacea
Dianella revoluta
Eutaxia microphylla
Goodenia albiflora
Goodenia amplexans
Grevillea lavandulacea
Hakea rugosa
Leucophyta brownii
Lotus australis
Olearia passerinoides
Rhagodia candolleana
Scaevola albida
Scaevola crassifolia
Senecio lautus
Vittadinia blackii
Ground covers
Acacia cupularis (prostrate form)
Atriplex semibaccata
Carpobrotus rossii
Disphyma crassifolium
Enchylaena tomentosa
Kennedia prostrata
Myoporum parvifolium
Tetragonia tetragonoides
Climbers
Billardiera cymosa
Clematis microphylla
Hardenbergia violacea
Wetter areas
Acacia retinoides
Callistemon sieberi
Leptospermum lanigerum
Page 3 of 47
Acacia acinacea
Gold-dust wattle
Growing habit
Up to 2 metres high and 1.5 wide with an open,
sparse habit. Fast growing and may be fairly short
lived.
Flowers
A spectacular display of flowers completely covers
the plant in late winter and early spring
Conditions
Dry
Care
Water in the first summer only
Uses
A coloniser which will fix nitrogen in the soil. Could be planted in groups for a greater
effect and to increase its appeal to birds.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 4 of 47
Acacia cupularis (prostrate form)
Prostrate Acacia
Growing habit
A very dense layered mat of up to 2 metres
Flowers
Yellow wattle flowers in winter
Conditions
Very dry
Care
Water in when planting and than walk away.
Uses
This Acacia will cover a large area and is an effective weed suppressant. It will also cover
any small plants nearby and becomes difficult to prune back when mature due to its
density.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 5 of 47
Acacia paradoxa
Kangaroo Thorn
Growing habit
A very prickly shrub up to 3
metres high and wide. Fast
growing.
Flowers
Yellow wattle flowers cover the
plant in late winter, early spring.
Conditions
Dry
Care
Water occasionally in the first
summer only.
Uses
A very important plant for habitat for small birds and mammals as it provides protection
from cats and other predators. Plant in groups in areas that are not walked through such
as next to fences. A great deterrent for areas where people are not welcome such as
graffiti-prone walls.
An Acacia paradoxa hedge at a farm in Nuriootpa
[Return to Index Table]
Page 6 of 47
Acacia pycnantha
Golden Wattle
Growing habit
The ultimate height of pycnanthas in the Eco Village
has been variable ranging from a shrub to a small
tree of 6 m. Acacias are generally known as
‘pioneer’ plants that colonise disturbed sites and fix
nitrogen in the soil early on, but then die out as
other species take over.
Flowers
Clusters of scented flowers cover the tree in late winter, early spring.
Conditions
They are fairly adaptable, but may
grow taller if planted on flat spots eg
adjacent to mounds rather than on
them.
Care
Water over their first summer only.
Pruning is not necessary.
Uses
Pycnanthas provide nectar for
butterflies and honey-eaters love
them. A very good windbreak which
can grow quite quickly.
Great Examples:
Adjacent to the
Visitors Info sign in Dianella Way; cnr
of Hakea and Olearia Walk on the
eastern side.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 7 of 47
Acacia retinoides
Swamp wattle
Growing habit
A graceful small tree growing up to 6 metres.
Flowers
Late winter and spring.
Conditions
It grows naturally along creek-lines so to thrive needs to be planted where rainfall pools
winter
Care
Should only need water in the first summer
if planted in the right place
Uses
Screening and beauty
Great Examples:
On Yacca Way in the
rip-rap; cnr Grevillea Way and Tetragonia
Walk in the rip-rap
[Return to Index Table]
Page 8 of 47
Allocasuarina verticillata
Drooping She-oak
Growing habit
A tree, growing up to 10 metres high
Flowers
Sheoks can be male or female. In autumn the
male plants have rusty golden threads and an
overall golden appearance when in flower; the
female plants develop cones in a rounded cluster.
Conditions
Sheoks will grow in dry conditions and like
eucalypts are very effective at seeking moisture
from the surrounding area. They may stunt
growth in other plants nearby for this reason.
They are shallow-rooted and are better suited to
flat ground rather than the side of a mound as
they may uproot and fall over in the wind.
Uses
Provides filtered shade, and makes a stirring sound when the wind passes through. An
effective wind-break when combined with other vegetation. Sheoks host many insects
which feed smaller birds, and the fruit is food for the Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo and
other parrots.
Great Examples:
Clematis Walk; and below the dam at the end of Market St.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 9 of 47
Atriplex semibaccata
Berry saltbush
Growing habit
An attractive groundcover with greygreen leaves which grows to about 1.5
metres
Flowers
Insignificant white flowers with small flat
red edible berries.
Conditions
Dry
Care
Water very occasionally over its first summer than not at all
Uses
A hardy and attractive groundcover. Is not thick enough to outdo soursobs.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 10 of 47
Banksia marginata
Silver banksia
Growing habit
Can grow to 6m tall but is highly variable
Flowers
Any time of the year
Conditions
Banksias needs very good drainage and are usually found
on the coast or in sandy soil. Quite a few have been
planted in AAEV but perhaps only one (pictured) has
survived, and it has really thrived. Perhaps try planting
them in rip-rap areas or create a mound of sand mixed in
with top-soil to a depth of 30cm. If planted in heavy, clay soil with poor drainage they will
probably remain stunted and may go yellow from the high alkalinity which can lock up the
intake of iron.
Care
Banksias are very susceptible to phosphorous (which occurs naturally only at very low
levels in our soil). Do not plant near food-producing beds where the run-off from
fertilizers may occur.
Uses
Loved by nectar-eating birds and marsupials
Great Example:
Grevillea Way near Carter St
[Return to Index Table]
Page 11 of 47
Billardiera cymosa
Sweet appleberry
Growing habit
A delicate looking but vigorous
twining climber to 2 metres, or a
scrambling shrub to 1 metre tall.
Flowers
Beautiful purple-blue flowers in
spring and summer
Conditions
Dry, sun, part shade
Care
Prune to shape if growing as a climber, or tip prune to create a dense bush. Very little
water is required.
Uses
Great as a screening plant for a fence as they grow bushy from the ground up. If grown as
a bush they will create colour in the garden. Deserves to be much more widely planted in
AAEV. The fruits were eaten by Kaurna and have an aniseed flavour.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 12 of 47
Bursaria spinosa
Christmas bush
Growing habit
A thorny, sparse growing shrub to 3 metres high.
Flowers
Masses of perfumed white flowers cover the bush in late
spring and summer.
Conditions
Adaptable to different conditions
Care
Water over its first summer, and try pruning after
flowering as it is prone to be spindly.
Uses
Thorny plants provide excellent protection for small birds from predators, and are more
effective as habitat if planted in groups. If Bursaria was planted with Acacia paradoxa it
would be like a bird hotel and would reward you with flowers in both winter and summer.
Bursaria also supplies an important source of nectar to native birds over the dryer summer
months when little else is in flower. The fruiting capsules that develop over autumn
provide food for insects, beetles and spiders.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 13 of 47
Callistemon sieberi
River bottlebrush
Growing habit
Grows to 3 metres tall
Flowers
Small cream bottle-brush flowers in
summer
Conditions
Grows naturally along creek banks so will
need some moisture such as dam edges,
rip-raps or boggy spots.
Care
Prune after flowering as flowers appear on the new growth each year.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 14 of 47
Callitris gracillis
Native Pine
Growing habit
Slow growing to 10 metres
Conditions
Dry
Care
Very tough once established, but can be slow to get
going. Water for the first summer.
Uses
The Callitris is the most formal of the local natives.
Use it to mark an entrance, walkway, street sign
etc, or in a row along a driveway.
Great Examples:
By both the Dianella Walk and Hakea Walk signs.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 15 of 47
Carpobrotus rossii
Native Pig Face
Growing habit
Will cover a large area in the right conditions and
will hang over rock walls.
Flowers
Large pink flowers cover the plant in spring and
summer.
Care
Pigface like it hot and will come alive in summer
with no watering. They grow naturally in sandy soils or on cliffs.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 16 of 47
Clematis microphylla
Old man’s beard
Growing habit
A delicate looking but vigorous climber to
several metres. Plants are male and female
and ask the grower to try and give you both
to maximise flowering.
Flowers
Delicate wispy flowers in late winter and
spring. After flowering, the female plants
develop clusters of fluffy seeds which cover
the plant, hence its common name.
Conditions
Dry, full sun or part shade
Care
Prune to shape if training it to grow along a structure.
Uses
Grow over fences or scramble over anything including other plants or signs - it won’t harm
them. Clematis might be too delicate in leaf to be an effective screener. Both male and
female flowers attract bees. The fluffy seeds are used by birds to line their nests.
Great Example:
In the mound in front of 18 Yacca Way (pictured).
[Return to Index Table]
Page 17 of 47
Dianella revoluta
Flax lily
Growing habit
Ultimately forms a large clump of around 1 metre
diameter.
Flowers
Beautiful blue flowers on stalks in spring. Round
purple fruit.
Conditions
Adaptable to most conditions, including part shade.
Care
Only needs watering the first summer.
Uses
Strappy plants that look particularly good in a
massed planting, lining a path or at the bottom
of a mound. The fruit and seed are eaten by
birds and lizards.
Great Examples:
By the Dianella Walk sign
[Return to Index Table]
Page 18 of 47
Photo: Ben Moulton
Disphyma crassifolium
Round-leaved Pig Face
Growing habit
A small rounded succulent leafed plant.
Flowers
Hot pink flowers in summer.
Care
Likes a hot dry position. Has not been very successful in the AAEV mounds, with the leaves
turning black in winter, probably due to the increased moisture levels created by soursobs.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 19 of 47
Dodonaea viscosa
Sticky Hop Bush
Growing habit
To 4m tall and 3 m wide
Flowers
Distinctive red leaf-like flowers
Conditions
Dry
Care
Tip prune often when young, and then again annually after flowering to promote bushiness
Uses
An effective windbreak, particularly when combined with one or two other rows of
windbreak plants.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 20 of 47
Enchylaena tomentosa
Ruby saltbush
Growing habit
A very dense mat to 1 metre
Flowers
Insignificant flowers. Edible and decorative berries that
range from hot pink to orange or red.
Photo: Ben Moulton
Conditions
Dry
Care
Perhaps our most hardy groundcover - water until it
starts growing then forget about it. It will take over
the area in which it is growing, so choose to be willing
to prune it back.
Uses
Enchylaena provides a green blanket all through
summer and will suppress weeds, including soursobs.
It is effective for hanging over rocks or retaining
walls. The fruit is eaten and distributed by birds and
lizards which must be already occurring as they are regenerating widely. No need to buy
these plants – ask around – they will be readily available in people’s yards.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 21 of 47
Eucalyptus camadulensis
River Red Gum
Growing habit
A fast growing large tree of up to 30 metres if it
has access to water
Flowers
White flowers appear in late summer
Conditions
Red gums needs access to water as they naturally
grow along creeks and rivers. Keep well away
from houses and underground services.
Care
Water for the first summer only
Uses
A living sculpture. Its nesting hollows are critical
for birds and bats.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 22 of 47
Eucalyptus porosa
Mallee Box
Growing habit
A tree that grows up to 10m tall with a straight upright
trunk.
Flowers
Small white eucalypt flowers
Conditions
The porosa is adapted to our heavy and alkaline soils and
can tolerate drought. Plant at least 3.5 metres from
underground pipes.
Care
Water over the first summer only.
Uses
Shade. Will attract possums and birds.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 23 of 47
Eutaxia microphylla
Mallee pea
Growing habit
A small plant of up to 80 cm
Flowers
Yellow or orange pea-like flowers in winter and
spring.
Conditions
Dry. Has not been widely grown in AAEV.
Uses
Colour; a food plant for the Fringed Blue
Butterfly.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 24 of 47
Goodenia albiflora
White goodenia
Growing habit
A sprawling herb to about .5 high with blue-green leaves.
Flowers
Beautiful white flowers
Conditions
Not planted widely in AAEV. In the wild it is often found
on slopes including rocky limestone, and may be a useful
soil binder. It is not dense enough to out-compete
soursobs.
Uses
Distinctive leaf colour that is attractive if planted in
groups, and will also spread. Attracts butterflies and
insects.
Great Examples:
Tetragonia Walk
[Return to Index Table]
Page 25 of 47
Goodenia amplexans
Clasping Goodenia
Growing habit
To 50 cm high and 1 metre wide
Flowers
Attractive yellow flowers in late summer,
autumn and sporadically throughout the
year
Conditions
Dry
Care
Leaves have a habit of browning off and this can detract from the look of this plant. If
pruned, stems will reshoot.
Uses
Colour and the leaves smell spicy after rain. Attracts native bees.
Great Example:
Tetragonia Walk
[Return to Index Table]
Page 26 of 47
Grevillea lavandulacea
Lavender Grevillea
Growing habit
To 30 cm high and 50cm wide
Flowers
W0.
inter and spring
Conditions
Few have survived at AAEV and it may be because of our compacted clay. Grevilleas need
excellent drainage – create a mound of top soil to plant into if possible, or add sand.
Grevilleas are also very susceptible to phosphorous (which does not occur naturally in our
soil), so do not plant near food-producing beds where you may get run-off from fertilizers.
Uses
Loved by nectar-eating birds and insects
Great Example:
Dianella Way on the eastern mound, although it will only be
noticeable when flowering
[Return to Index Table]
Page 27 of 47
Hakea rugosa
Short-beaked hakea
Growing habit
A small shrub to 50 cm high. Sharp thorn-like
leaves.
Flowers
Creamy flowers in winter and spring
Conditions
Needs excellent drainage. Hakeas have been
largely unsuccessful in AAEV so if you have
success than share your secret.
Uses
Food for honeyeaters and insects, a nesting site for wrens
[Return to Index Table]
Page 28 of 47
Hardenbergia violacea
Native Violet
Growing habit
Can be pruned to be either a climber to 3m or
will grow naturally to a smaller shrub to 1m.
Flowers
Sprays of lilac-like flowers in winter
Conditions
Adaptable in moist to dry conditions, full sun
to part-shade
Photo: Ben Moulton
Care
Tip prune when young. Hardenbergias are prone to woodiness and an annual prune after
flowering will encourage new growth and more flowers next year.
Uses
As a screen on fences, and to add colour to the garden. Provides food for the Common
Grass-Blue Butterfly.
Great example: Cnr Tetragonia Walk and Grevillea Way
[Return to Index Table]
Page 29 of 47
Kennedia prostrata
Running postman
Growing habit
A spreading ground cover to 2 metres
Flowers
Prolific red pea-like flowers in spring and
summer
Conditions
Dry
Care
Water first summer only
Uses
A very attractive, non-invasive groundcover for areas where soursobs are under control.
Will weave around other taller plants, and hang over retaining walls or rocks. Provides
larva for the Pea Blue Butterfly
[Return to Index Table]
Page 30 of 47
Leptospermum lanigerum
Silky Tea-Tree
Growing habit
A medium shrub to 3m
Flowers
‘Geraldton Wax’ – like flowers in spring
Conditions
Does best with some moisture – dam edges, rip-raps, boggy spots or somewhere close to
the house where you can spare some water. Some that had grown to 2 metres in a dry
spot died in the drought.
Care
Tip prune regularly, particularly when young to
encourage a bushy habit
Uses
A very graceful plant that provides a good screen, a
windbreak in combination with other plants, or it
could form a feathery hedge
Great Example:
In the main car-park near the
kids swing. This Tea-Tree defies the ‘conditions’
described above!
[Return to Index Table]
Page 31 of 47
Leucophyta brownii
Cushion bush
Growing habit
A dense rounded shrub, highly variable in size but up to 1m across
Flowers
Tiny button-like flowers in late summer
Conditions
Tolerant to dry soils
Care
For the patient - an overall light prune after flowering will encourage new growth, as they
can become leggy after a few years.
Uses
A structural plant that creates a strong border. Good for lining pathways or driveways as
their silvery foliage is visible in the moonlight. The form varies with the seed source – ask
Indigeflora for advice.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 32 of 47
Lotus australis
Austral Trefoil
Growing habit
A herb to 50 cm high. Lotus is fast
growing but may be short-lived. It
releases plentiful seed that bursts
from legume-like pods so may
regenerate.
Flowers
Masses of white to pink flowers in
spring
Conditions
Dry
Care
Lotus may be dwarfed by soursobs in winter so needs to be weeded around and maybe
better suited to areas close to the house for this reason.
Uses
Lotus is a beautiful plant that provides colour, fixes nitrogen in the soil and supplies food
for the Peal Blue and Common Grass Blue Butterflies. It deserves wider planting in AAEV.
Great Examples: at the base of the Olearia Walk sign (seed from Sellicks Beach) and at
the rear of Lot 47 Hakea Walk (Maslins Beach seed), see the difference.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 33 of 47
Melaleuca lanceolata
Dryland tea tree
Growing habit
Slow growing tree to 10 metres high
Flowers
Bottle-brush-like flowers in spring and summer
Conditions
Adaptable
Care
May grow larger with access to water. No pruning
required.
Uses
Windbreak; shading; nectar.
Great Examples:
At the main entrance to AAEV,
on the traffic island.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 34 of 47
Myoporum insulare
Coastal boobialla
Growing habit
Up to 3 metres high and 5 - 6 metres wide
Flowers
Tiny white flowers in winter, succulent-like leaves and
red fleshy berries
Conditions
Tolerant to dry conditions
Care
Water for the first summer then forget. No pruning required.
Uses
Perhaps our most effective windbreak
Great Examples: Next to the Hakea Walk
sign; on the western side of the Quandong
orchard; in the Amphitheatre.
This Myoporum single-handedly shelters our
courtyard from the south-westerlies, and has
been pruned to allow walking access.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 35 of 47
Myoporum parvifolium
Creeping boobialla
Growing habit
Forms a flat mat of up to 1.5m
Flowers
Long lasting white flowers in
summer
Conditions
Dry
Uses
Myoporum is a very attractive and trouble-free ground cover that will help suppress weeds
although soursobs will still find their way through.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 36 of 47
Myoporum viscosum
Sticky boobialla
Growing habit
Up to 2 metres high and 4 m wide, a
more delicate-looking plant than the
Myoporum insulare
Flowers
Small white flowers in winter, berries
Conditions
Adaptable to dry conditions. Naturally
occurs on the banks of the Onkaparinga
River, so may grow bigger in moister
conditions.
Care
Tip prune when young, then prune after flowering to maintain bushiness
Uses
A very beautiful and effective windbreak. The berries provide food for small birds.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 37 of 47
Olearia axillaris
Coastal daisy bush
Growing habit
Up to 2 metres high and wide
Flowers
Unusual woolly flowers in autumn
Conditions
Dry
Care
Are prone to growing leggy if not pruned. Tip prune when young, and prune to shape after
flowering to create a dense form.
Uses
A very effective windbreak.
Olearias can be planted densely
and pruned into a hedge. The
silver grey foliage provides a
good contrast to other plants.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 38 of 47
Olearia passerinoides
Mallee daisy bush
Growing habit
1 - 2 metres tall
Flowers
Small white flowers in winter
Conditions
Dry
Care
Tip prune when young and again after flowering to increase bushiness.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 39 of 47
Olearia ramulosa
Twiggy daisy bush
Growing habit
Up to 1.5 metres tall and 2 metres
wide
Flowers
Tiny white flowers in autumn
Conditions
Dry
Care
Tip prune when young but may not need pruning again when established. Water in the
first summer only.
Uses
A very effective mid-sized windbreak that grows naturally in a fairly formal shape. Can be
planted densely and pruned into a hedge.
Olearia ramulosa and Olearia axillaris planted
as a windbreak
[Return to Index Table]
Page 40 of 47
Pittosporum phylliraeoides
Weeping Pittosporum; Native apricot
Growing habit
A small tree to 7m with a weeping habit. It seems to be slow
growing in clay. The fruit is not edible and was only used
medicinally by Kaurna, but birds love it.
Photo: Ben Moulton
Flowers
Tiny yellow flowers in summer, and distinctive orange fruit in winter
Conditions
Dry
Care
Occasional watering over first summer then forget
Uses
A distinctive looking tree that would look good planted
in groups
[Return to Index Table]
Page 41 of 47
Rhagodia candolleana
Seaberry Saltbush
Growing habit
A fairly unruly plant growing to 1m tall and 2m wide.
Fast growing.
Flowers
Insignificant flowers, red berries in summer.
Conditions
Dry
Care
Water occasionally over its first summer than not at all.
Uses
Rhagodia will cover large bare areas including soursobs and other weeds, but will also
cover small plants. Because of its dense growing habit it may be better suited under trees
or on mounds that have large bare spaces, otherwise fairly frequent pruning back may be
required.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 42 of 47
Scaevola albida
White fan flower
Growing habit
Forms a mat 30 - 40cm wide
Flowers
Spring or summer
Conditions
Dry
Photo: Ben Moulton
Care
Has not been planted much at AAEV. Given its small size it will need to be weeded around
and may be better planted near the house for this reason.
Uses
Colour; attracts butterflies including the Meadow Argus.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 43 of 47
Scaevola crassifolia
Cushion fan-flower
Growing habit
Up to 50cm high and 1.5 metres wide
Flowers
Pale blue fan flowers in spring and summer. Semisucculent leaves.
Conditions
Dry
Photo: Ben Moulton
Care
Removing the dead flower spikes will encourage further
flowering but is not necessary.
Uses
Will overhang retaining walls and provide colour. Attracts butterflies including the
Meadow Argus.
[Return to Index Table]
Page 44 of 47
Senecio lautus
Variable Groundsel
Growing habit
A small herb up to 50 cm high. Short lived but will germinate easily.
Flowers
Beautiful yellow daisy-like flowers in spring
Care
Prune after flowering and grow in a weeded area to promote regeneration
[Return to Index Table]
Page 45 of 47
Tetragonia tetragonioides
Native Spinach; Warrigal Greens
Growing habit
A sprawling ground cover.
Flowers
Insignificant yellow flowers followed by small
woody fruits.
Care
Tough with waxy leaves, it can be grown in, or
adjacent to your veggie patch or in a drier corner.
Uses
The leaves are edible and can be cooked like spinach. Captain Cook used the plant as a
fresh vegetable for protection against scurvy, and Sir Joseph Banks took seeds back to
England where it was grown in Kew Gardens and called Botany Bay Spinach.
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Vittadinia blackii
New Holland daisy
Growing habit
A small rounded plant of up to 50 cm.
The Vittadinia is short-lived but
disperses abundant seed so may
regenerate itself.
Flowers
Tiny blue flowers with the woolly seed
heads being more prominent
Conditions
Dry
Uses
An interesting cottage garden-style plant that looks good in groups or along pathways or
borders
Great Examples:
Hakea Walk in the common land behind Lot 47
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Page 47 of 47