Irongate Nature Conservation Reserve

Scrub Wilga

2010-06-15T11:48:00.003+10:00

Geijera salicifolia
see The Perfect Windbreak

Updating this website

2010-03-10T13:56:00.005+10:00

The text and botanical illustrations from John and Ruth Walter's 1994 guidebook to the Park are now being added, with their kind permission.
This book is out of print but it is hoped that a new edition will become available soon.

2010-02-07T09:43:00.006+10:00

Field Naturalists visit with butterfly, bird and plant lists
Nodding Saltbush Einadia nutans
Hedge Saltbush Rhagodia spinescens

1. Mountain Coolibah

2008-08-03T12:17:00.007+10:00

Eucalyptus orgadophila [Eucalyptus = well covered, referring to the cap on the bud; orgadophila = many flowers]
Family SYMPHOMYRTUS
The small branches are clean of bark on this spreading tree, which supplies food for koalas, and is a valuable source of pollen and nectar for bees. The timber is strong and heavy but of only fair durability, and makes good fuel.
In the Mountain Coolibah area look for trees with hollows used by birds, bees and animals.
More on Mountain Coolibah, hollows for wildlife.

2. Black Orchid

2008-08-03T12:16:00.004+10:00

Cymbidium canaliculatum [Cymbidium = boat shaped, referring to part of the flower; canaliculatum = channelled, referring to the leaves.]
Always found in a fork or hollow spout of Coolibah and Bull Oak trees and some other gums. The root system becomes massive, extending down the hollow trunks and branches. The flowers are variable in brownish/green blotched with brown or purple. These orchids prefer the drier inland areas. The bulb-like stems can be eaten, but are tasteless and gluggy. Aborigines mixed ochre paints with the juice from the stems which helped to 'fix' it.
Family ORCHIDACEAE
more on Black Orchid

3. Red Olive Plum

2008-08-03T12:15:00.006+10:00

Cassine australis var. angustifolius, [Cassine = after the French botanist Cassini, australis = southern land, angustifolius = narrow leaves]
now Elaeodendron australis var. angustifolius.
This is a small tree with shiny opposite leaves, and fruit that become bright red when mature.
Family CELASTRACEAE

more on Red Olive Plum

4. Native Olive

2008-08-03T12:14:00.003+10:00

Notelaea microcarpa [Notelaea = southern olive, microcarpa = small seeds]
This small often crooked tree is very hardy, frequently growing in stony ground. It has, as its name suggests, blue/purplish/black olive type fruits which are eaten by birds.
Family OLEACEAE

5. Broad Leaved Leopard Ash

2008-08-03T12:13:00.003+10:00

Flindersia collina [Flindersia = after Mathew Flinders (explorer/navigator), collina = growing on hills]
Called the leopard tree because the bark is shed in small patches year round giving a mottled appearance. The creamy flowers are followed by unusual prickly looking pods which open like five fingers to shed the seed. The timber is good for flooring and pick handles; and some of the other Flindersia species are used for furniture, casks, and even ammunition boxes, and oars. This tree is host to the Orchard Butterfly.
Family RUTACEAE
more on Leopard Ash

6. Sandalwood

2008-08-03T12:12:00.003+10:00

Santalum lanceolatum [Santalum = fragrant, lanceolatum = narrow leaves]
A small tree with drooping branches and grey/blue leaves. White flowers become small blue/black plum shaped fruits. Sandalwood is a root parasite, attaching its roots to other plants - not harming their host. It is an excellent fodder tree for stock, being palatable and nutritious. The wood takes a good polish and is yellowish in colour, and useful for cabinet work. In Asia Sandalwood is used in the production of small ornaments and for incense sticks because of its fragrance. Aborigines burnt the leaves and branches as an insect repellent, and perhaps the incense works in the same way.
Family SANTALACEAE
more on Sandalwood

7. Bead Bush

2008-08-03T12:11:00.002+10:00

Spartothamnella juncea [Sparto = a broom, thamnella = scrub, juncea = resembling a rush]
an erect woody small shrub with unusual square stems, tiny leaves, and in season small red berries like very tiny tomatoes.
Notice the change to brigalow dominant woodland as you walk westward.
Family LAMIACEAE

8. Twinleaf, Gallweed

2008-08-03T12:10:00.004+10:00

Zygophyllum apiculatum [Zygophyllum = of the Caltrop family, apiculatum = sharp pointed apex]
This plant has succulent fleshy leaves of two leaflets. The flowers are bright yellow, and the capsules are five-angled with a seed in each section. the plant seems unpleasant to stock, though sheep graze it sometimes when it is dry. The plant will grow on opal mine spoil and may be a useful coloniser in these areas.

more about Twinleaf

9. Brigalow

2008-08-03T12:09:00.003+10:00

Acacia harpophylla [Acacia = to sharpen (the first one named had spines and grows in Africa), harpophylla = scimitar (sword) shaped leaves]
One of our famous wattles, it is a tall tree with a silvery top and reputed to flower well when heavy rains are on the way. Sheep will eat the young suckers which appear after clearing. The wood, which supposedly smells of violets, is good fuel and makes charcoal. The bark has also been used for tanning, and also for dyeing wool and cotton in a red/brown colour. Aborigines used the wood for spears, nulla nullas, and boomerangs, as the timber is quite hard but not very durable. 'Brigalow Itch' a form of dermatitis affects some people in contact with this tree.
Brigalow is the host plant for three butterflies - Tailed Emperor, Felders Line Blue, and Daemels Blue the larvae of which are attended by ants; and this is the southern limit of this butterfly's range.
Look on horizontal branches for Tawny Frogmouths who nest in this area.
more about wattles
Family MIMOSACEAE

10. Ruby Saltbush and Berry Saltbush

2008-08-03T12:08:00.005+10:00

Ruby Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa [Enchylaena = fleshy, succulent, tomentose = hairy]
These plants are drought survivors and usually grow at the base of trees. They have hairy stems and leaves, which is a moisture-saving mechanism used by many arid area plants. The leaves are not grazed readily but the red berries are popular with stock and birds. The berries can also be green, yellow and black.
- seen in February 2010

Berry Saltbush Rhagodia parabolica [Rhagodia = berries, parabolica = shape]
Leaves greyish green and rather shield shaped. Berries present anytime, and can be green, yellow, or various shades of red.
Family CHENOPODIACEAE

11. Ellangowan Poison Bush

2008-08-03T12:07:00.001+10:00

Eremophila deserti [Eremophila = desert loving, deserti = dry places]
This shrub has thin branches with small warty lumps. The narrow leaves have a bitter, burning taste. Pretty white bell shaped flowers can be singly or in groups up to four, and these are followed by small yellow fruits. This plant is not browsed by stock as a rule, but seems to be most poisonous in the fruiting stage (travelling stock are more at risk). The fruits are eaten by emus and bustards (plains turkeys).
Family MYOPORACEAE

12. Broom Bush

2008-08-03T12:06:00.001+10:00

Apophyllum anomalum [Apophyllum = very few leaves, anomalum = differing from the general pattern]
A tough shrub with small narrow leaves, and cream fragrant flowers in clusters, and a small black berry fruit. It is drought resistant and doesn't mind lopping. The young branches and berries are browsed by stock. In November and December this plant is host to the black and white migratory Caper White butterflies, and their larvae frequently cause much damage.
Family CAPPARACEAE
Keep a look out for macropods (kangaroos and wallabies) in this area.

13. Currant Bush

2008-08-03T12:05:00.001+10:00

Carissa ovata var. ovata [ovata = egg shaped leaves] Also known as Kunkerberry.
A low dense spiny shrub with small white flowers and shiny black fruits which are sweet and edible. It is browsed by sheep and cattle, and although suspected of poisoning stock, it has not been proven toxic. It is host to the Common Australian Crow, a black and white butterfly.
Family APOCYNACEAE

Notice the change in vegetation with closed shrub on your right and more open grassland on your left as you walk to no. 17.

14. White Holly

2008-08-03T12:04:00.002+10:00

Pittosporum rhombifolium, [Pittosporum = refers to the sticky covering on seeds, rhombifolium = diamond shaped leaves] now Auranticarpa rhombifolia Also known as Hollywood or Diamond-leaf Pittosporum
A tall dark green tree with toothed diamond shaped leaves. Small white flowers in clusters are followed by orange berries which open to expose a red interior with black seeds. These seeds are popular with birds, which assist in spreading them.
Family PITTOSPORACEAE
see Hollywood; Golden Hollywood

15. Wilga

2008-08-03T12:03:00.001+10:00

Geijera parviflora [Geijera = after a Swedish botanist, parviflora = small flowers]
A small to medium size tree with a dense rounded crown and branches which hang to the ground unless they have been browsed by stock, when they have the appearance of being neatly trimmed. Leaves have a smell of peppermint when crushed. The flowers are small and white and produce a dark strong honey, and the seed pods are tiny, green, and open to show black seed. Spotted bowerbirds are fond of building their bowers in the protection of a wilga's hanging boughs. It is not certain that these birds are in the park, but they could be.
Family RUTACEAE

Some of the mistletoes which grow on wilgas are host to the Orchard Butterfly and the Nyza Jezebel butterfly.

16. Gargaloo

2008-08-03T12:02:00.012+10:00

Parsonsia eucalyptaphylla [Parsonsia = after James Parsons (a botanical author), eucalyptaphylla = gum tree type leaves]
A vigorous vine growing over live or dead trees, fences, fence posts and even the ground. The pale yellow flowers have a sweet perfume, and the plant is grazed by stock. It is a host for the Blue Tiger butterfly.
Family APOCYNACEAE

see June 2008, Gargaloo

17. Queensland Cascarilla Bark

2008-08-03T12:01:00.014+10:00

Croton insularis [Croton = seed resembles a tick, insularis = of the islands] Also known as Silver Croton due to the silver undersides of the shiny lime-green leaves.
Family EUPHORBIACEAE
see Silver Croton, December 2009

18. Jasmine

2008-08-03T12:00:00.010+10:00

Jasminum didymum ssp. racemosum [Jasminum = Arabic for fragrant species, didymum = pairs, racemosum = branching]
A twining, scrambling plant with attractive white flowers which have a typical Jasmine perfume, and may be found at any time of year.
Family OLEACEAE

19. Wild Orange

2008-08-03T11:59:00.004+10:00

Capparis mitchelli [Capparis = of the caper family, mitchelli = after the explorer Mitchell]. Also known as Mitchell's Bumble-tree.
A shrub with leathery green leaves, and large delicate cream flowers with many stamens which only last for a day, and golf ball size fruit on a long stem which turns from green to dark brown, and has a smell of citrus. The shrub is grazed by stock, and Aborigines ate the fruit. The timber is white, hard and too small for anything but carving and engraving. The plant is host to the Caper White butterfly, and their larvae are green with tiny yellow dots. These butterflies are eaten by Blue Wrens. Other butterflies which use this tree as a host are:- Australian Gull, Chalk White, Common Pearl White, and the Narrow winged Pearl White.
Family CAPPARACEAE

20. Peach Bush

2008-08-03T11:58:00.012+10:00

Ehretia membranifolia [Ehretia = after George Ehret (a German illustrator), membranifolia = membranous foliage]. Also known as Thin-leaf Koda.
A small tree with pale green leaves with entire edges, which is browsed by stock and can be lopped for fodder in drought times. It has white flowers, and fruits which turn from red to black.
Family BORAGINACEAE

21. Weeping Pittosporum, Cattle Bush

2008-08-03T11:57:00.003+10:00

Pittosporum angustifolium formerly P. phylliraioides [Pittosporum = refers to sticky seed covering, angustifolium = narrow leaved, phylliraeoides = leaf-like]. Also known as Meemeei.
A slender tree with long narrow leaves, and weeping habit. The pale yellow scented flowers produce orange apricot shaped berries. The pods open to reveal red seeds. The tree is good stock fodder. Aborigines used gum which oozed from the injured trunk or branches, ground the seeds and ate them although they are very bitter; and treated internal pains and cramps with an infusion of the leaves, seed or wood. Birds eat the seeds and spread them and they readily come up in the garden.
Family PITTOSPORACEAE.

see meemeei, June 2008, Gumby Gumby

22. Scrub Boonaree, Holly Bush

2008-08-03T11:56:00.013+10:00

Alectryon diversifolius formerly Heterodendron diversifolium. [Alectryon = from the Greek word for rooster (refers to the cockscomb appearance of aril on the fruit), diversifolium = leaves of differing shapes, heterodendron = different tree]
Rather sparse shrubs, with mottled grey bark. The leaves which are pink and holly shaped when young, become green and plain later. It is slow growing, and the fruits are two lobed and egg-shaped. the seeds are black. The shrub plays host to the Daemels Blue and the Felders Line Blue Butterflies.
Family SAPINDACEAE

see Scrub Boonaree

23. Belah

2008-08-03T11:55:00.014+10:00

Casuarina cristata [Casuarina = cassowary (branchlets resemble birds feathers), cristata = crested (seed cones)]
A tough tree with leaves that are tiny teeth on the green branchlets. The male and female flowers are different and not always on the one tree. The seed in small woody cones is an important source of food for the Glossy Black Cockatoo which is very specific in its foods. It is also the smallest of the black cockatoos, and uncommon. The Belah is a useful fodder tree for stock but can cause impaction. While it needs heavy rain to bring up seedlings, it does at times cause problems with suckering. The timber is dark brown, polishes well, makes good fence posts of moderate lifespan, and is good fuel.
Australian casuarinas are being planted in Egypt on drippers, in a revegetation project.
Family CASUARINACEAE

for more, see Belah [June 2010]

24. Queensland Ebony

2008-08-03T11:54:00.011+10:00

Diospyros humilis formerly D. ferrea subsp. humilis [Diospyros = divine, grain of wheat, humilis = low to the ground, ferrea = rusty]
A small tree with variable leaves, male flowers in clusters and the female flower is single. The timber is similar to true ebony, hard and black and heavy. It is good for small decorative items. Ripe fruits were eaten by Aborigines, the Persimmon tree is also a member of this family.
Family EBENACEAE

see Native ebony

25. Needle-leaf Mistletoe

2008-08-03T11:53:00.004+10:00

Amyema cambagei [Amyema = a new feature separating it from another mistletoe, cambagei = after Richard H Cambage (a surveyor, geologist and botanist in 19th century NSW)]
A parasite only on Belah and River Oaks, the leaves and flowers match the host plant very well. In drought years mistletoes can be a severe stress on the trees, but in most cases the mistletoe dies first, and if the stress level of the tree improves it often survives. this plant is host to the Delias butterfly, and also the Satin Azure whose larvae are attended by ants.
There are several other mistletoe species in the park.
Family LORANTHACEAE.
see Do Mistletoes kill trees?

26. Hovea

2008-08-03T11:51:00.001+10:00

Hovea longipes [Hovea = after Anton Hove (a Polish botanist who collected for Sir Joseph Banks), longipes = long stalks]. Also known as Long-stalked Hovea.
An uncommon plant with hairy stems, and leaves that are dark green above and biscuit colour beneath, and with edges rolled under. this Hovea likes to grow in stony ground, and is usually of upright growth, being taller than it is wide. In spring, attractive mauve/blue pea flowers appear. Aborigines ate the pods.
Family FABACEAE
see Brush Hovea

27. Wonga Vine

2008-08-03T11:50:00.002+10:00

Pandorea pandorana [Pandorea and pandorana = all gifted, and refers to Pandora's Box and the way the pods open to release the seeds]
A vigorous woody climber, scrambling along fences and over trees creating a beautiful display in winter/spring, when the bunches of creamy flowers with wine red markings in the throat are at their best. Aborigines used the canes for spear shafts. Today many of the other species of Pandorea and their hybrids are grown in gardens.
Family BIGNONIACEAE
see Wonga Vines

28. Weeping Myall, Boree

2008-08-03T11:49:00.000+10:00

Acacia pendula [Acacia = thorny, because the first one identified had thorns, pendula = weeping]
This tree is not in the park, but there is a pure stand of these attractive trees on the southern side of the road, approximately 2 km back towards Pittsworth. It is rare to see more than the isolated tree due to clearing. It is a wattle, an erect tree with weeping silvery foliage, yellow flowers mainly in spring, and a flat thick woody seed pod. The leaves often finish with a point. Weeping Myall grows in association with Brigalow, but more commonly with Poplar Box trees. It is palatable to stock. The timber is hard, heavy and dark in colour and also has a violet perfume. It makes fence posts, firewood and was extensively back-loaded to the southern states in the early days of using drays for transport. The Aborigines made boomerangs from it. It is prone to attack from the bag moth caterpillars which live in untidy nest structures in the branches and emerge to feed on the leaves often defoliating the whole tree.