'Come Back to the Bush' by Thomas A Spencer.
OUR NATIVE PLANTS & FLOWERS
Most of the flowers and plants (flora) that used to grow in the Borough have been cleared for farming and housing. The foreshore is one of the few areas in the Borough that has not been cleared but weeds have killed much of the native vegetation.
The native flora that does still exist includes:
Source: Queenscliff Coastal Management Plan 2006.
Some of the plants in our Borough are threatened plant species. This means they are in danger of becoming extinct (dying out). Some of these plants are listed on this page.
For more information, please visit:
http://bird.net.au/bird/index.php?title=Threatened_flora_in_Corangamite_Shire#.28Arrowgrass.29
Most of the flowers and plants (flora) that used to grow in the Borough have been cleared for farming and housing. The foreshore is one of the few areas in the Borough that has not been cleared but weeds have killed much of the native vegetation.
The native flora that does still exist includes:
- the coastal dune scrub/coastal dune grasslands which grow along Point Lonsdale back beach to Shortlands bluff;
- the coastal alkaline shrub which grows inland from the dunes and north of the Point Lonsdale lighthouse;
- the coastal tea tree sites in Point Lonsdale, including around the back beach and near The Point development;
- the moonah woodlands, the main body of which grows in Queenscliff west of Camp Wyuna; and
- the saltmarsh meadows that grow in Swan Bay;
Source: Queenscliff Coastal Management Plan 2006.
Some of the plants in our Borough are threatened plant species. This means they are in danger of becoming extinct (dying out). Some of these plants are listed on this page.
For more information, please visit:
http://bird.net.au/bird/index.php?title=Threatened_flora_in_Corangamite_Shire#.28Arrowgrass.29
Shrubby Glasswort
Shrubby Glasswort is a saltmarsh species. Stands of Ghrubby glasswort are found behind stands of Bead Glasswort which run around significant segments of Swan Bay. Shrubby Glasswort can grow up to 2 metres in height. It is found in coastal and wetland areas.
Bead Glasswort
The Bead Glasswort is a small, compact, succulent shrub growing to 30 cm in height and 40 cm wide. Bead Glasswort plants generally occur on the margins of salt lakes, saline flats and coastal salt marshes. They can also grow behind sand dunes.
Shrubby Glasswort is a saltmarsh species. Stands of Ghrubby glasswort are found behind stands of Bead Glasswort which run around significant segments of Swan Bay. Shrubby Glasswort can grow up to 2 metres in height. It is found in coastal and wetland areas.
Bead Glasswort
The Bead Glasswort is a small, compact, succulent shrub growing to 30 cm in height and 40 cm wide. Bead Glasswort plants generally occur on the margins of salt lakes, saline flats and coastal salt marshes. They can also grow behind sand dunes.
Moonah Trees
The moonah trees in the Borough have thick, twisted and gnarled branches. The canopies of the trees are dense and they are found along the seaward side of the Borough. During summer they bear white/cream flowers.The Wada Wurrung people made sweet drinks from the moonah trees flowers. The thick canopies of the trees would have also provided shelter from the sun and rain. Their scientific name is Melaleuca lanceolata.
The moonah trees in the Borough have thick, twisted and gnarled branches. The canopies of the trees are dense and they are found along the seaward side of the Borough. During summer they bear white/cream flowers.The Wada Wurrung people made sweet drinks from the moonah trees flowers. The thick canopies of the trees would have also provided shelter from the sun and rain. Their scientific name is Melaleuca lanceolata.
Rare Bitter-Bush
This shrub is found around the Port Phillip Heads area. It is an endangered plant species. Some plants are male, others are female. You can tell which plant is which by looking at the flowers. It grows in marine, coastal and wetland environments. Its scientific name is Adriana quadripartita.
This shrub is found around the Port Phillip Heads area. It is an endangered plant species. Some plants are male, others are female. You can tell which plant is which by looking at the flowers. It grows in marine, coastal and wetland environments. Its scientific name is Adriana quadripartita.
Bower Spinach
This is a plant with thick fleshy leaves. It climbs over other plants, trees and man-made structures in the Borough. It can be eaten and has a distinctive salty taste. Wada Wurrung women would have gathered the spinach to serve as part of their meals. Bower Spinach's scientific name is Tetragonia implexicoma.
This is a plant with thick fleshy leaves. It climbs over other plants, trees and man-made structures in the Borough. It can be eaten and has a distinctive salty taste. Wada Wurrung women would have gathered the spinach to serve as part of their meals. Bower Spinach's scientific name is Tetragonia implexicoma.
Spiny-headed mat rush
This reed-like plants have smooth tapered leaves with spiky ends. It is found throughout eastern Australia. Wada Wurrung people used to split the leaves and use the halved leaves for weaving baskets and other materials. They ground the seeds of the rush to make the flour for damper. The scientific name for spiny-headed mat rush is Lomandra longifolia.
This reed-like plants have smooth tapered leaves with spiky ends. It is found throughout eastern Australia. Wada Wurrung people used to split the leaves and use the halved leaves for weaving baskets and other materials. They ground the seeds of the rush to make the flour for damper. The scientific name for spiny-headed mat rush is Lomandra longifolia.
Coast Banksia
There are fewer and fewer coast banksias in the Borough. Those that have survived are found mostly along the banks of Swan Bay. They like to grow in the coastal sands there. You can recognise the banksias by their pale yellow spiky flowers and their woody cones. Wada Wurrung people learnt to soak banksia flowers to make syrup and use the banksia cones as strainers. The scientific name for coast banksias is Banksia integrifolia.
There are fewer and fewer coast banksias in the Borough. Those that have survived are found mostly along the banks of Swan Bay. They like to grow in the coastal sands there. You can recognise the banksias by their pale yellow spiky flowers and their woody cones. Wada Wurrung people learnt to soak banksia flowers to make syrup and use the banksia cones as strainers. The scientific name for coast banksias is Banksia integrifolia.
Tiny Arrowgrass
This grass is a threatened plant species. It is found in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. It is classified as 'rare' in all four states. It grows in coastal sites, fresh water/brackish mudflats and near swamps. As its name suggests it is very small growing 2-5cm high. Its scientific name is Triglochin minutissima.
This grass is a threatened plant species. It is found in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. It is classified as 'rare' in all four states. It grows in coastal sites, fresh water/brackish mudflats and near swamps. As its name suggests it is very small growing 2-5cm high. Its scientific name is Triglochin minutissima.
Cushion Bush
This bush has delicate grey/silver limbs which splay outwards to create a mosaic of tiny soft branches. It grows up to 1 metre in height. It has small round creamy white/yellow flowers during summer. Wada Wurrung people used this plant for cushions and pillows. Its scientific name is
Leucophyta browni.
This bush has delicate grey/silver limbs which splay outwards to create a mosaic of tiny soft branches. It grows up to 1 metre in height. It has small round creamy white/yellow flowers during summer. Wada Wurrung people used this plant for cushions and pillows. Its scientific name is
Leucophyta browni.
Hop Goodenia
The hop goodenia is a small shrub with clusters of yellow flowers throughout the year but most prolifically between October-March. It grows to approximately 1-2.5 m in height and spreads up to 3 m. It is common throughout most of Australia. The Wada Wurrung discovered that Hop Goodenia leaves had soporific qualities. Its scientific name is Goodenia ovata.
The hop goodenia is a small shrub with clusters of yellow flowers throughout the year but most prolifically between October-March. It grows to approximately 1-2.5 m in height and spreads up to 3 m. It is common throughout most of Australia. The Wada Wurrung discovered that Hop Goodenia leaves had soporific qualities. Its scientific name is Goodenia ovata.
Kangaroo Grass
Kangaroo grass is found throughout the Borough. It is a hardy, drough tolerant grass which grows up to 1 m tall. It has long flower heads which can grow high above the main body of the grass (up to 25 m tall). Wada Wurrung people used the grass to make fishing nets. Its scientific name is Themeda triandra.
Kangaroo grass is found throughout the Borough. It is a hardy, drough tolerant grass which grows up to 1 m tall. It has long flower heads which can grow high above the main body of the grass (up to 25 m tall). Wada Wurrung people used the grass to make fishing nets. Its scientific name is Themeda triandra.
Sap
Trees produce sap because of increased pressure within them. This pressure is created by presence carbon dioxide in the sapwood. Tree sap is made up of water, minerals, nutrients and hormones. Sap helps trees distribute nutrients and keep from freezing during winter. The Wada Wurrung used sap as glue, for example when making weapons, and gave it to children to chew on when their teeth were coming through.
Trees produce sap because of increased pressure within them. This pressure is created by presence carbon dioxide in the sapwood. Tree sap is made up of water, minerals, nutrients and hormones. Sap helps trees distribute nutrients and keep from freezing during winter. The Wada Wurrung used sap as glue, for example when making weapons, and gave it to children to chew on when their teeth were coming through.