What is Wallum?

The following definition appeared in issue No.1 of the Study Group’s newsletter and was sourced from ‘The Language of Botany’ by C. Debenham:

“Wallum – an area of marshland (coastal lowland) in south-eastern Queensland in which an overlying depth of white sand up to a depth of two feet covers a water-impermeable sandstone up to three feet deep and below which is a water-holding brown sand. In virgin state supports, a wet heath of which Banksia aemula (also called wallum) is dominant, the vegetative cover rarely exceeding a few feet in height.”

Banksia aemula: Wallum Banksia; Photo: Ben Walcott

The newsletter goes on to state:

“Wallum is flat or gently undulating, with acid sandy soil, usually with a low Ph of 3.5 to 4.5 and a high water table, in the wet season in particular. Soil lacks trace elements and is deficient in nutrients, particularly nitrogen. The unique and spectacular flora is of exceptional interest, being one of the richest plant communities in the world, probably exceeding rainforests in floristic diversity, Many species produce striking flowers and interesting foliage, a fact which has excited the interest of SGAP* members over the years.

The fragile Wallum habitat supports birds, mammals, reptiles and insects, and is very easily damaged or destroyed by the activities of man and beast. SGAP* has an important role to play in fostering community awareness of the enormous value of this fast-disappearing resource.”

Although ‘Wallum’ is generally thought of as a south-east Queensland plant community, coastal heathland in other parts of Australia is similar and both share the same, or related, plant and animal species.

(* SGAP = Society for Growing Australian Plants, now ANPSA)