Groundflora Project
Lowland
temperate grasslands and grassy woodlands once occurred from mid-north
of S.A. through much of Victoria and up into central N.S.W. These environments
supported hundreds of different species of grasses, lilies, orchids
and small herbs as well as the more obvious eucalypts, casuarinas and
wattles.
Such a species-rich environment provided habitat for countless numbers
of insects, spiders, birds, reptiles and mammals. Unfortunately only
tiny fragments of these ecosystems remain today.
At the Arboretum, several significant areas of such groundflora have
survived a history of grazing and quarrying. Along the ridge which runs
from the small and main 'Points', below the office and beside the Lindner
walk, right through to the western boundary, the greatest concentration
of groundflora can be seen. More than 80 species have been identified.
For much of the year these plants seem unremarkable - to the uninitiated, they appear drab, messy, of no great interest. But with the arrival of spring a wonderful change occurs. Orchids tentatively poke a simple fleshy leaf above ground (much to the delight of browsing animals); lilies begin to make their presence known, while the grasses thicken up and develop their unique characteristics.
Take time to look closely at some Milkmaids (Burchardia umbellata), Sundews (Drosera spp.) with their insect catch, Twining fringe lilies (Thysanotis patersonii) or the countless other miracles of nature displayed here and you can't help but feel in awe of the wonders that exist beneath our feet.
Kangaroo grasses (Themeda australis), Wallaby grasses (Danthonia spp.) and Spear grasses (Austrostipa spp.) provide a subtle backdrop with their varying hues of red, cream and grey-green.
Visit the groundflora sites in mid-late spring and witness the vibrancy of nature - insects buzzing and fluttering around the flower heads, small reptiles scuttling between the tussocks and birds chattering in nearby trees while waiting for the chance to snatch a meal. There is so much to see.
Throughout the grassland bright splashes of colour are provided by the Red parrot-pea (Dillwynia hispida), Running Postman (Kennedia prostrate), Blue pincushion (Brunonia australis) and Common everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum).The fluffy Featherheads (Ptilotus macrocephalus) just beg to be touched!
Some grassland species are limited to specific locations and are therefore much less common. On the small 'Point' look for the coppery Long-haired plume grass (Dichelachne crinita) and Salmon sun-orchid (Thelymitra rubra). Lemon beauty-heads (Calocephalus citrous), Thin-leaf wattle (Acacia aculeatissima) and Narrow-leaf plantain (Plantago gaudichaudi) are abundant at the main 'Point".
South of the Lindner walk in the area below the office/nursery, the site is rich with Chocolate lilies (Arthropodium strictum), Native bluebells (Wahlenbergia sp.), Twining fringe lilies (Thysanotis patersonii), Sun orchids (Thelymitra spp.) and Clover glycine (Gtycine latrobeana).
Imagine what the western volcanic plans once looked like. Imagine the abundance of insect and animal life that once flourished here. There is an urgent need to save what remains of these depleted ecosystems. Only in recent times has our groundflora been widely acknowledged as a critical element in the maintenance of biodiversity. Almost too late we are discovering what has been lost.
Remnant sites at the Arboretum provide an ideal opportunity to come
and see some of the diversity inherent in our groundflora and to familiarize
yourself with the appearance of many species. A number of them would
make maintenance-free, drought-proof ground covers and lawn substitutes
for the home garden.
