'Australian Plants' Vol.1 No.11 June 1962 +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | The text in this file has been extracted from 'Australian Plants' Vol.1 No.11 June 1962. | | | | Please note that the file was compiled from a scan of the original document. As successful | | scanning is dependent on the quality of the original, there may be errors in the text where | | the scanning software was unable to recognise particular words. | | | | PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW THE ACTUAL, ACCURATELY FORMATTED | | JOURNAL, INCLUDING ILLUSTRATIONS AND PHOTOS: | | | | https://anpsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Australian-Plants/Australian-Plants-Vol1-11.pdf | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ @@@ 2 @@@ PAGE 2 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—RUTACEAE ~ JUNE, 1962 Who could have a more fickle love than the “Common Correa”? She appears in different dress in every district where we meet her. Not only are the flowers of different colour, size and proportion but the foliage is just as variable. How do these numerous forms respond to cultivation and pro- pagation? | believe that it is reasonable to say that the ease or difficulty of cultivation and propagation is almost as variable as the forms of the plants. CORREA REFLEXA In my garden there are varieties of “Common Correa” which occur naturally at Anglesea, Traralgon, Nelson, Mount Zero (in the Grampians), Lakes Entrance and Beaumaris; all in Victoria; Eden in New South Wales and other places. The form from Anglesea grows on a heathland adjacent to cliffs fringing the Southern Ocean where the winds must frequently be both very cold and fierce. Consequently this is one of the hardiest forms which is easy to cultivate and propagate. One of the most attractive forms is from South Traralgon. The flowers are large, beautiful red, tipped with yellow, in colour and the flowers are produced in large numbers chiefly in late winter. Aithough no great difficulty has been found in propagating any of ihe varieties mentioned from cuttings, some, including that from Traralgon, are very slow to strike. Mount Zero produces one of the best forms. The flowers are not so inflated but are long and large and dark-red like pendant ear-drops fit for a princess. Garden experiences and recommendations for these forms are: C. reflexa (Anglesea form): One of the hardiest forms suitable for exposed position. Grows naturally on a heathland so that light soil and good drainage suit it best. Beaumaris form: Similar conditions to the last but would prefer shelter from winds. Greenish-yellow bells. Gippsland form: Narrow, red bells but hardy and easy to propagate. Ideal conditions would be a cool, moist position with light to medium soil. Suitable in a f2irly sunny position but protection from winds would be advisable. Lakes Entrance form: One of the best. Cool, moist position, light to medium soil, can be grown in a fairly sunny position. Slow to strike from cuttings. Shelter from winds desirable, otherwise may need to be tied to a stake to prevent roots being loosened resulting in loss of the plant. Mt. Zero form: From north end of Grampians in sandstone country. Longer, darker red bells which are cuite large. Tall. upright arower, s» needs hard cutting back after flowering and probably staking as well. Tends to split where main branches join. Will grow in a fairly open position, preferably in light soil and sheltered from winds. An E aspect would be ideal. Shoots strongly after severe pruning. Good drainage would be important. Nelson form: Smaller red bells tipped with yellow, only small growing but flowers are in very attractive clusters. S aspect seems very suitable. Light soil, good drainage, shelter from winds preferred. Traralgon form: Similar in most respects to Lakes Entrance form described above but the red bells are often more inflated, it flowers later in the season and the leaves are rather longer and narrower. Similar conditions. CORREA SCHLECHTENDALII (previously known as C. turnbulli): Is worth a place. The red bells, tipped with yellow, are small but it flowers chiefly in mid-summer. It stands drier conditions much better than other species and its small, greyish leaves add variety to the colours of the foliage in the garden. A sunny position is needed with preferably a N or W aspect with some protection from winds. Light or medium soil. Pride of place for hardiness must be to the “"White Correa” (C. alba). It Continued on Page 24 @@@ 3 @@@ JUNE, 1962 - . ] AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—RUTACEAE "i'iile Genus Corr;d By PAUL WILSON ___PAGE 3 The genus Correa is found only in Australia (including Tasmania). On the mainland it is confined to south-eastern Queensland, eastern New South Wales, Victoria, and southern South Australia. It is found in a variety of habitats ranging from the seashore to the banks of alpine streams. The first scientific collections of it (and of any Australian plant) were made by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Daniel Solander when they landed at Botany Bay in May, 1770, from Captain Cook’s ship the “Endeavour”. They found several species growing in the Bay, three of which were later drawn and described by Solander, unfortunately his work was not published until about 130 years iater, however one of the plates prepared by Solander was seen by Sir J. E. Smith who altered Solander’s name "'C. rubicunda’” to C. rubra, and published it in 1807. This name has been indiscriminately used by many authors ever since but the plant illustrated was in fact a hybrid between two other species collected at the same locality, C. speciosa (now included under C. reflexa) and C. alba. It is unfortunate that the plant first collected in the genus and given the name now in commonest use, should be a hybrid. However this incident illustrates the fact, which was very quickly appreciated by the 19th Century horticulturalists in Europe, that all Correa species are capable of being crossed, which character resulted in the production of numerous cultivars, often of unknown or doubtful parentage, and a host of new names. bracts around Flower red € grean coroha Y oclosing up of caly . = NN CORREA SCHLECHLENDALIY CORREA REFLEXA VAR REFLEXA Since these plants became so popular with the glass-house enthusiasts in England, it is not surprising that many of the species were first described from cultivated material, which led unfortunately often to the same names being given to both the original plant and to hybrid progeny subsequently raised. Thus it is that the names “C. speciosa” and "C. pulchella” appear in the literature for both the species and the cultivars. Some of the species, e.g., C. baeuerlenii have a very restricted range, others such as C. reflexa and C. lawrenciana are very widespread, in this latter case one finds that there is considerable variation in the same species or variety when it is gathered from different regions. In fact it appears that @@@ 4 @@@ PAGE 4 ALETEALIAN PLAhifSfLEGUMINOSAE JUNE, 1962 a collection from any particular locality will be found to be different from any other locality. In some cases this difference is a gradual one, as is the change in form of Correa alba when followed around the coast of Australia. In other cases it appears to be more abrupt, although here the apparent discontinuity in appearance may be due to lack of collections (or to the fact that the plant has been cleared from a particular region). Owing to this gradual variation within some species it is difficult to divide them naturally into sub-specific categories, although collections made at random may appear to consist of so obviously separate entities and to warrant distinctive varietal epithets. The genus Correa belongs to the family Rutaceae, to which the genera Boronia and Phebalium also belong. It was named by Henry Andrews after the Portuguese botanist and man of letters Jose Correa da Serra. All the species within the genus are woody, some are tall shrubs, while others are small sometimes prostrate bushes. It may be distinguished from all the other members of its family by having opposite simple leaves, flower parts in fours, and petals normally joined together, at least at the base, and not overlapping. Eleven species are known, all of which can be found, at least occasionally, in cultivation. KEY TO THE SPECIES OF THE GENUS 1. Filaments of the stamens widened at their base, anthers oblong to lanceolate the margins not folded back, corolla falling off after flowering (except in C. aemula). 2. Calyx plus or minus truncate or if lobed then the lobes not as long as the calyx; corolla white, green, or red. 3. Corolla green or red, over 1.5 cm. long, not splitting into separate petals. 4. Calyx without lobes between the calyx teeth, or if present, then inconspicuous. 5. Pedicel under 3 mm. long; calyx closing up after flowering. 6. Bracteoles soen shed; leaves smooth above, 1thin, the base rounded to obtuse. 7. Corolla green. C. glabra 7. Corolla red with green lobes. C. schlechtendalii 6. Bracteoles persistent; leaves smooth to rough above, the base usually heart-shaped. C. reflexa 5 Pedicel 4-8 mm. long, bracteoles soon shed; corolla entirely pale red or green; calyx plus or minus glabrous remaining wide open after flowering. 8. Pedicel densely hairy; corolla green leaves dark green. C. barkhousiana 8. Pedicel almost glabrous becoming thicker beneath the calyx; corolla pale red, leaves light-green plus or minus glabrous. C. oulchelia 4. Calyx with prominent lobes between the calyx teeth; plant wusuvally procumbent, decumbens 3. Corolla white (or very pale pinkl, small, becoming split into separate petals. C. alba 2. Calyx verv deeply 4 lobed. C. calycina 10. Pedicel under 0.5 @@@ 13 @@@ JUNE, 1962 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—BOTANY THE SEED By HELEN LEE In a previous article we saw that a seed develops from a fertilized ovule and the subsequent maturing process occurs mainly in the fruit. The shape, size, colour and surface markings of seeds are very variable and most flowering plants can be identified by seed characters alone. A seed consists of an outer seed-coat or testa surrounding the embryo or young plant. A food storage tissue, the endosperm, may also be present. In some seeds there is an additional tissue, the perisperm, which develops from the nucellus ot the ovary. If present, the perisperm is also a food storage tissue. The embryo has several parts, viz., the radicle or young root, the plumule or young shoot, and one or two cotyledons which are concerned with the nutrition of the young plant in the early stages of growth. The cotyledons are modified leaves and a minute bud is found in each axil. PAGE 13 The flowering plants are divided into two major groups, the dicotyledons and the monocotyledons. The seeds of plants belonging to the former group have two cotyledons while those of the latter group have one cotyledon. These major groups have other distinct characteristics besides the cotyledon number. The embryo of each group may be represented diagrammatically as in fig. 1. cotyladons. /\/ Plumule ——, pluomule (shoot) axillary bud T ——— cotyledon—"" radicle radicle e ey T MONOCOTYLEDON ) DICOTYLEDON Saaed of broad baan Tasta Fig 1 ramovad, cotyledons opanad out. FigX Testa Starchy andosparm slavrona layer \ tobular “cotyladon ‘ fysad # ricarp p:t-.da [/ endosperm position of plumule radicle Diagrammahc saction plumule of onion saed Fig m radicle Diagrammatic sachion of maiye qrain Fiq ™~ All seeds contain a store of food which provides nutriment for the young plant. The food. may be stored outside the embryo in the endosperm and such seeds are called endospermic, or it may be stored in the cotyledons which then occupy most of the seed and such seeds are then called non- andaspermic. Endospermic and non-endospermic seeds are common in the @@@ 14 @@@ PAGE 14 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—BOTANY JUNE, 1962 dicotyledon group, but the seeds of the majority of monocotyledons are endospermic. The structure of some representative seeds will now be described. If readers are interested in dissecting seeds in order to find the various structures, it is suggested that seeds soaked in water until they are swollen are more easily handled. 1. Dictotyledonous, non-endospermic seed. e.g., broad bean. On one end of the seed, on the outside of the testa is a dark scar called the hilum. This scar was the point at which the seed stalk or funicle was attached. At one end of the hilum the outline of the radicle can be seen through the testa. Between this and the hilum is a tiny hole in the testa, called the micropyle. If a soaked seed is squeezed gently water will emerge from the micropyle and its position can be determined. If the testa is removed, the inside of the seed is seen to be occupied entirely by the embryo. The iwo cotyledons can be opened out and the plumule and radicle are exposed. Fig. 2. Other plants with similar seeds include most of the family Leguminoseae, e.g., peas, beans, wattles, eic.; the Eucalypts, Proteaceae, and many others. 2. Dicotyledonous, endospermic seed, e.g., castor oil bean. On one end of the testa of the bean there is a yellow spongy outgrowth called the caruncle. If the testa is removed and the embryo opened out, it can be seen that the cotyledons are very thin and on the outside of each a white fatty tissue, the endosperm, is attached. 3 Monocotyledonous, endospermic seed. Usually, in the monocotyledons, the cotyledon is a tubular structure which encloses the plumule and may also enclose the radicle. However, ihe cotyledon is frequently highly modified and it is difficult to relate it to ihe structures as seen in the dicotyledons. In the monocotyledons, unlike the dicotyledons, the cotyledon may increase in size during germination and it nearly always has an absorptive function at this stage. An example of this type of seed is onion (Allium), Fig. 3. In the grass family (Gramineae) the so-called seed or grain is actually a fruit as the pericarp and the testa are fused together. The structure of the grain of maize is typical of the family. See Fig. 4. Most of the grain is occupied by the endosperm which is extremely starchy in nature. To the outside is another layer of cells, called the aleurone layer, which is mainly composed of protein material. The embryo lies at one end of the grain. The single cotyledon is composed of three structures; the coleoptile, which forms a sheath over the plumule; the coleorhiza, which forms a sheath over the radicle; and the scutellum, which is a shield-shaped structure lying in contact with the endosperm. It is believed that the scutellum acts as an absorbing surface for nutrients passing from the endosperm to the embryo during germination. For Effective Pest and Disease Control Use Yates Garden - master MULTI-PURPOSE SPRAY @@@ 15 @@@ JUNE, 1962 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—RUTACEAE PAGE 15 THE GENUS CORREA-—Continued from page 4 The original collection of Correa reflexa was made by Labillardiere in 1791 at “La baie de L'Aventure” on the south coast of Tasmania. It had green flowers surrounded by the typical reflexed bracts. Only in the nortn of the island around Georgetown is found a red flowered form which is otherwise very similar. 2. Correa schlechtendalii Benr. (syn. C. turnbullii). Erect shrub to 6 feet. Leaves oblong to broadly elliptic, thin, glabrous above, sparsely pubescent below. Flowers solitary on short branchlets. Corolla red with green lobes. Anthers prominently exserted. It is found in the Mt. Lofty Ranges and Murray scrub, South Australia. This species differs from C. reflexa in having smooth often glabrous leaves, which are not cordate at the base, and in flower shape. 3. Correa glabra Lindi. (syn. C. rubra var. megacalyx and C. leucoclada). Erect shrub to 9 feet high. Similar in appearance to C. schlechtendalii but with green flowers. Disiribution. South-east Queensland, central and eastern New South Wales, Central and western Victoria, Mt. Lofty Ranges of South Australia. Shapa of calyc lobes hetwaan / calyx taath / CORREA GLABRA CORREA CALYCINA 4. Correa decumbens FvM. A procumbent woody plant or lew shrub. The red and green flowers are usuvally erect on the horizontal branches. This species may be easily dis- tinguished by the calyx which has long narrow lobes with smaller iriangular intermediate lobes. It is found in South Ausiralia in the Mt. Lofty Ranges and on Kangaroo Island. A form which appears to be intermediate between this species and C. reflexa is found in the Grampians, however, although possibly of hybrid origin, | do not know of any specimens of the true C. decumbens having been found there. 5. Correa calycina Black An erect shrub up to 8ft. high. The entire leaves are narrowly ovate to oblong, 2-4 cm. long with an obtuse or rounded apex. The green flowers are borne singly on the end of short branchlets. The distinguishing feature of this species, and from which it derives its name, is the calyx which is tetragonal in cross section and is divided from half to two-thirds of its length into broadly lanceolate lobes. It is only known to occur in a few vaileys at the southarn end of Fleurieu Peninsular, South Australia. @@@ 16 @@@ PAGE 16 i AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—RUTACEAE JUNE, 1962 6. Correa backhousiana Hook. A large dense shrub to 15 feet high. The leaves are broadly ovate, leathery; dark glossy green above and densely tomentose beneath. One to three pale green flowers are borne on the end of short branchliets. The calyx is cup-shaped, sometimes with the rim curved back, and unlike most other species in the genus, remains wide open after the corollas have falien. This species is found around the south, west, and north-west coasts of Tasmania, apparently always near the sea, where it may form dense, impene- trable stands. It was named by Sir William Hooker after the Quaker missionary James Backhouse who, when touring the Australian settlements, made collec- tions of plants, and extensive notes on the vegetation. He wrote the first “Flora” to be published in Ausralia. 7. Correa alba Andrews Shrub to 5 feet high. Leaves ovate to rounded, to 4 cm. long. glabrous to pubescent above, usually densley tomentose below. The flowers are borne singly or in clusters at the end of short branchlets. The comparatively small white corollas soon split into four distinct petals which spread outwards. corolla /l}) Shape ¢ lanqth yallowish - brown W// N\ of pedical. I i3 sphitting at corglla % wida opan calyx when corolta has Fallan Thiek wide open calyx © CORREA CORREA BACKHOUSIANA PULCHELLA The calyx is cup-shaped, varying from truncate in northern forms to four- lobed in southern and western forms. This plant grows near the sea around the coast of INew South Wales, Victorie, and Tasmania. It is the only species with white flowers, which are smaller than in any other member. In the early 19th century it was used extensively for hybridising with other species to produce a multitude of variously coloured cultivars. It has been used as a stock on to which other less vigorous species have been grafted. In south-west Victoria and around Encounter Bay in South Australia is found the variety pannosa Wilson | synonym var. rotundifolia (Lindl.) Benth.], this differs from the type in having smaller flowers, and smaller, more or less rotund leaves. 8. Correa pulchella Mackay ex Sweet (syn. C. neglecta and C. minor). Small shrub to two feet high (rarely more). Leaves oblong to broadly elliptic, more or less glabrous, light green in colour. Flowers solitary on the end of short branchlets; pedicel glabrous 4-10 ecm. long, thickened below the @@@ 17 @@@ JUNE, 1962 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS_RUTACEAE PAGE 17 calyx. Calyx broadly cup-shaped, margin more or less truncate, glabrous remaining wide open after the corolla has fallen. Corolla various shades of pale red (no green lobes). This species is one of the most pleasing of those Correas commonly found in cultivation, a horticultural form, which is possibly a hybrid with C. reflexa,is often sold by florists under the name of “C. speciosa’. *C. pulchella is found only in South Australia where it is restricted to southern Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas, Eyre Peninsula, and Kangaroo Island. It may be easily distinguished by its flower colour and its more or less glabrous leaves. 9. Correa aemula (Lindl.) FvM. A small, straggling bush 2-3 feet high, semi-procumbent to erect. Leaves thin, ovate to cordate, to 3 cm. long. Flowers solitary on the end of short branchlets which bear a pair of subsessile leafy bracts and above them a pair of small linear bracteoles. Calyx with four long, acuminate lobes; corolla green to pale purple (the colour deepening with age), becoming split into four petals each of which infold around their neighbouring pair of stamens. This species is recognised by the characteristic bract and bracteoles on the long peduncle and pedicel, and by the deeply lobed calyx. Hybrids between it and C. reflexa appear to be common in the Grampians of Victoria. The species is found in South Australia in the Mt. Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island, and in the Grampians of Victoria. greamsh yallow corolla red “corolla rad corolla ¢ bracteoles shad at basa of padical thick narrow leavaes ' CORREA LAWRENCIANA N CORREA LAWRENCIANA VAR ROSEA VAR LAWRENCIANA 10. Correa lawrenciana Hook. Shrub or small tree 2 to 30 feet high. Leaves narrowly to broadly elliptic or ovate, 2-9 cm. long, upper surface glabrous, lower surface glabrous to densely tomentose. Flowers usually borne in an axillary cyme of 1-3 (;7) flowers. Calyx shallowly to deeply cup-shaped, 4-toothed. Corolla greenish ?fellow to red remaining on the fruit after flowering. @@@ 18 @@@ PAGE 18 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—RUTACEAE JUNE, 1962 This species may be subdivided as follows into several varieties:— 1. Calyx withcut any apparent glandular dots plus or minus pubescent. 2. Flowers greenish yellew or red, leaves broadly ¢'liptic to broadly ovate, thin to leathery. 3. Leaves thin to leathery, plus or minus oliptic base wedge-shaped to obtuse; peduncle to 1.5 em. long; calyx 3-5 mm high; flowers grean (rarely red). var. lawrenciana 3. Leaves thin, broadly ovate, base obiuse to sub-cordale; peduncle 1-5 cm. long; calyx 4-10 mm. high. 4. Bracteoles (soon shed; inscried at base of pedice!, corolla red (or rarely greenish yellow). var. cordifolia 4. Bracteoles (sacn shed) inscied at apex of pedicel beneath the calyx; calyx (5-) 7-10 mm. high, sparsely pubescent; corolla greenish yellow. var. macrocalyx 2. Flowers red; leaves oblong-elliptic, leathery var. rosea 1. Calyx with prominent glandular dots, subglabrous or glabrous. 5. Calyx lobes merely tooth-like (Qucensland-N.S.W. border,. var. glandulifera 5. Calyx lobes lanceolate, acuminute, from half as long to as long as the calyx tube (S.E. Victoria). var. genoensis C. lawrenciana var. lawrenciana Extremely variable, the leaves are narrowly to broadly elliptic, glabrous or densely tomentose, 2.5 to 6.5 cm. long. The flowers are normally green, although in a few localities red-flowered forms occur, 1.5 to 2.5 cm. long. The type variety is found in Tasmania, in the mountains of Victoria and south- east New South Wales. In the Grampians is found a small bushy form with thick leaves and short thickly pubescent flowers, while around Mts. Buffalo and Latrobe is found a magnificent large-leaved form with large velvety flowers, this latter plant was named by Mueller C. latrobeana. C. lawrenciana var. cordifolia Wilson Shrub to 8 feet high, leaves thin, broadly ovate with a subcordate base. Flowers borne on slender peduncles. Corolla usually pale red about 2.5 cm. long. This variety is found near the coast in south-eastern New South Wales. C. lawrenciana var. macrocalyx (Blakely) Wiison A loosely branched shrub 3-12 feet high. Leaves thin, broadly ovate. Flowers borne on slender peduncles, calyx very deeply cup-shaped, sparsely pubescont; corolla greenish yellow, velvety. This varizty differs notably from that preceding in having a larger calyx, green corolla, and bracteoles inserted directly beneath the calyx. It is found near the mouth of the Hawkesbury River, New South Wales. C. lawrenciana var. roseca Wilson Shrub 6-12 feet high. Leaves thick, narrowly elliptic, to 6 cm. long. Corolla “crimson”. This variety was first noticed by F. von Mueller in his travels to Mt. Kosciusko in January, 1874. In the following month he sent a portion to Dr. M. T. Masters in England for presentation to the Royal horticultural Society with an accompanying letter which was overflowing in its praises. Hcwever this variety never appears to have been accepted in the horticultural werld as have some of the other Correa species. It is an alpine plant and occurs only in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and Victoria. C. lawrenciana var. glandulifera Wilson A tall shrub to 20 feet high. Leaves thin, ovate, sparsely pubescent beneath, to 8 cm. long. Peduncle short bearing 1-5 flowers. Calyx shortly cup-shaped with prominent glandular dots. Corolla about 2.5 cm. long, greenish yellow. This variety has been found only in the Macpherson Range in south-east Queensland near the New South Wales border, it is the most northerly occurring of the Correas. C. lawrenciana var. genoensis Wilson A low shrub with broadly ovate leaves, tomentose beneath. The flowers are borne on very short peduncles; calyx urn-shaped about 10 mm. long ircluding the four prominent lanceolate lobes; corolla about 2 cm. long probably pale red in colour. Centinued on page 27 @@@ 19 @@@ JUNE, 1962 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—CLIMATIC REGIONS PAGE 19 Regional Map of Australia— Part 11 By C. N. DEBENHAM, Muesum of Applied Arts and Sciences, N.S.W. The figures following are the standard 30 year normals of stations which may be taken to represent the over-all climatic pattern found within each region. RELATIVE REGION RAINFALL IN INCHES TEMPERATUR: F HUMIDITY Yo Annual Jan. July Jan. July Av. annual ER_MAEAN (Interior) ZONE North 13.8 4.0 0.2 76-99 51-75 31 South West 1.1 0.6 1.4 62-94 39-62 55 Sou.h East 9.2 0.6 0.7 65-91 41-60 a7 TROPICAL ZONE WEST . . 22.9 7.3 0.1 79-91 57-82 63 Norih Coast 58.7 16.2 0.5 77-90 68-87 68 Inland 247 6.8 0.3 76-98 54 84 49 East Coast 43.1 10.9 0.7 76-87 60-76 70 Highlands 233 4.9 0.7 71-93 52-76 63 SU3-TROPICAL ZONE Coast 40.1 5.7 1.9 69-86 49-69 68 Highlands 29.0 3.9 2.1 57.81 34-54 68 Inland 9.1 0.9 0.5 74-98 42-65 38 TEMPERATE ZONE South East Coast 1 357 4.5 2.6 61-74 44-60 70 Highlands 243 2.2 2.0 56-82 36-52 65 Alpine 48.7 33 4.2 42-65 25-39 67 Inland . 20.9 2.0 1.9 64-92 38-60 58 South Coast . 25.9 1.9 1.9 57-78 43-56 65 Highlands 27 .4 1.3 2:7 51-76 38-50 79 Iniand 15.5 0.6 1.7 55-84 39-57 59 Tasmania a 28.6 1.5 3.1 52-76 37-54 70 South West Coast 36.0 0.3 7.1 63-85 48-63 62 Inland 18.0 0.5 3.6 61-92 42-62 62 GENERAL FEATURES OF THE REGIONS (A) THE EREMAEAN The prominent feature of the continent is the large tracts of desert sand hills, desert loams, desert sand plains and stony deserts of an interior from which encircling belts extend of progressively higher rainfall. This arid area (about one third of the total continent) is referred to as the Eremaean and extends westwards to the coast around Sharkes Bay, eastwards to the Darling River of N.S.W. and the far south-west of Queensland. South of the tropic of Capricorn, its boundary approximates the 10" isohyet (i.e., the rainfall does not exceed 10” annually) but north of the tropic, the boundary reaches the 20" ischyet. Much of the Eremaean is made up of the Great Plateau (1,000-2,000ft. elevation) but in the east the much lower elevations of the Great Artesian Basin cover about 550,000 sq. miles. To the south-west and east, local conditions have altered the general pattern of the Eremaean so that an interchange of arid and higher rainfali floras proceeds. These areas make up the inter-zones shown on the map as G-A, B-H, C-I (in the east) and E-K in the south-wesi. The tropic of Capricorn provides a theoretic boundary to regions of wet summer and dry winter with high atmosphere moisture (absolute humiditv) and high temperature—the tropical zone—and the wet winter/dry summer, low absolute humidity, lower temperatures and wider dispersal of rains over the seasons of the temperate zone. The true boundary, however, is further south and at about latitude 30 degrees is marked the southern limit of the south-east trade winds which bring to the eastern coast and near-coast of the mainland the heaviest rains of the continent. EDITOR'S NOTE—The map referred to in this article appears in the previous issue, Avustralian Plan’s, Vol 1, No. 10, March, 1962. @@@ 20 @@@ PAGE 20 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS-CLIMATIC REGIONS ~ JUNE, 1962 (B) TROPICAL ZONE (i) WEST (F) . . . from the south at Onslow, the region follows the semi- arid belt (10-20" isohyets) of the coast and nearby lower slopes of the Great Plateau. Northwards, includes the area of greatest precipita- tion (over 30”), the Kimberley district. The area is influenced by the prevailing winds blowing from the interior and depends chiefly for its rain on the tropical cyclones—it is the driest coast of the continent. (i) NORTH (A) . . . covers the sub-equatorial coast, the tropical inland (south to latitude 18 degrees) where the Plateau of Arnhem Land rises from the peneplain of the Great Plateau (at 500-900 ft. elev.) and the well-drained fringe of coastal lowland around the Gulf. Rainfall is influenced by tropical cyclones and summer monsoons, and there is a seasonal drought of from 5 to 7 months. (iii) EAST (B) and SUB-TROPICAL ZONE. (a) north of the tropic . . . from Princess Charlotte Bay, south to Rockhampton, covers the coast, the eastern slopes of the Eastern Highlands (i.e., the Divide) and the Atherton Plateau. North of Towns- ville the Bellenden Ker Ranges rise to 5,000 ft. and more. The region is included by the 30" isohyet but 2,000 sq. miles around Cairns, receives over 100" annual rain. Frosts are experienced at higher elevations (e.g., the Atherton). (b) south of the tropic . . . includes the sub-tropical coast and high- lands extending to about latitude 30 degrees. In the north, the summer wet season and tthe dry winter are marked, but in the south abundant rain is spread over the seasons. The higher elevations of the Macpherson and New England Ranges esult in cold winter nights with frosts, and winter snow. Moderately high absolute humidity is maintained. (C) TEMPERATE ZONE 0 SOUTH EAST (C) . . . from about Maryborough in the north to Port Macquarie in the south, the average annual rainfall in many parts reaches up to 70" and sub-tropical conditions prevail; in other parts, the lesser rainfall and lower temperatures provide temperate conditions. Within the area, both sub-tropical and temperate types of vegetation are supported and, to show this, a sub-region B-C (or overlap) has been given. The region extends to the western slopes of the Divide in N.SW. and, in Victoria, the Gippsland, north- eastern and south central districts are included. The highlands of this region are a series of tablelands and ranges over 3,000ft. in elevation (Mt. Kosciusko, 7313f1.) with steep slopes towards the sea and a gradual fall westwards to the plains (below 500ft.). From the north of the region there is a gradual change from uniform rain to pronounced winter rain. Alpine conditions prevail in the southern parts of the ranges with snow and frosts appearing for extensive periods. Tasmania appears as an extension of this region, its rainfall, as in the following two regions, is reliable, light to moderate, brought by westerly winds. SOUTH (D) . . . with the exception of the arid northern Mallee district, includes the remainder of Victoria and that part of South Australia with annual rainfall greater than 10”. Much of this area is below or at 500ft. elevation (e.g., the plains of the Wimmera and the Mallee). The Divide merges into the Murray Basin, relieved by the horsts of the Grampians (3,827ft.) while in South Australia elevations of 2,000-3,000ft. are provided by the Shatter Belt formed from the Contined at foer of pacge 22 @@@ 21 @@@ JUNE, 1962 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS -LUGUMINOSAE PAGE 21 The Sunshine Wattle Neacta Botrycephata, (Vent.) Desf. (Formerly known as Acacia discolor, Willd.) By R. D. CROLL, B.Agr.Sc. Reprinted from Wildflowers. Blocks by courtesy of Angus & Robertson. Of the many Acacias that are native to Australia two always stand out in my mind as having a quality of yellow colour which seems to light up the bush. The little Acacia myrtifolia for this reason well deserves the title "Light of the Glen”— Acacia discolor has ihe same effect on the forest country of Gippsland and merits the common name of Sunshine Wattle. it is well known that it s the yellow portion of the spectrum to which the eye of man is most sensitive—but there are yellows and yellows. Perhaps one day some physicist will determine for us just what wave lengths are present which make A. discolor appear to emit a light of its own at dusk. The specific name botrycephala which means “heads like bunches of grapes” is an apt description of the fine flower balls which are carried in axillary racemes, the upper racemes forming a terminal panicle. It is a pretty wattle as a tree also and well worth growing in the garden. As the illustration shows, it is one of the pinnate-leaved wattles having relat- ively large pinnulae with quite a shiny green upper surface which contrasts with a lighter green below. It is not particularly difficult to grow from seed though pucturing the seed coat and pouring boiling water over the seed will improve percentage of germination. The mature plant, too, appears to grow satis- factorily in a wide range of soil types from light sands to clay loams (prefering the former) and is little affected by low temperatures. There are quite a lot of synonyms for A. botrycephala the one in most common use being A. discolor, Willd. Others are Mimosa paniculata Wendl., M. discolor Andr., A. discolor D.C, A. maritima Benth. The species occurs in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania and, like so many of our Australian Acacias, was introduced into England and grown successfully very early. Johnson’s Gardener’s Dictionary records the growing of A. discolor in England in 1784 and that it is a shrub of about ten feet in height which flowers in May in that country. In Victoria the Sunshine Wattle flowers from May to July and is more usvally a small tree of about fifteen feet. @@@ 22 @@@ PAGE 22 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—BOOK REVIEW JUNE, 1962 FLOWERING TREES OF THE WORLD FOR TROPICS AND WARM CLIMATES. This large 330 page beautifuily produced book by Mr. E. A Menninger, well-known throughout the world as “The Flowering Tree Man’’, represents the life work of a very thorough, world-travelled, expert in his field. The bulk of the book gives clear, non-technical descriptions, illustrations {(there are 425 full colour plates) with common and botanicai names, the native habitat and cultural directions for “The 500 Finest”, flowering trees of the world. They are set out in order of botanical family and the clear directions for their cultivation are based on correspondence from competent world-wide contacts. Australian flowering trees are mentioned throughout, taking their place as some of the finest in the world. The book is nicely rounded off by comprehensive tables, classifying the trees such as, wind resistant, fragrant flowers, shademakers, various flowsr colours, etc. It styled in a non-technical manner for the interested gardener. Price on application to N. H. Seward Piy. Ltd. THE WATTLES OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY by N. T. Burbidge , The twenty species of Acacia known to occur in the Australian Capital Territory are clearly described with full-sized sketches to each species and a key for their identification. Of exceptional interest to people living in or visiting this region this small booklet is also valuable as a reference hook to students. Price 6/- plus 5d. postage. WILDFLOWERS by Clarice Morris Price 16/-, plus 1/- postage. This small 120-page book is suitable for beginners. It describes the parts of a flower and then proceeds to describe 72 species of wildflower, from all parts of Australia, in simple botanical terms. The plants are greuped in accordance with their flower colour and each s illustrated by a clear line sketch. Eight colour plates are included, one, Acacia discolor, being reproduced in this journal. No mention is made of the methods of cultivation, although their native habitat given may serve as a guide. AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS AND TREES Price 2/l, plus 5d. postage. This is a well produced little 12 page booklet containing eight colour plates of West Australian wildflowers, the quality of which may be judged from the plate of Eucalyptus erythrocorys reproduced in this journal. Simple, very brief instructions are given on the germination of seed and cultivation of wildficwers, but its appeal to some readers will be because of the whimsical prose accompanying the illustrations. Available from the publishers, Paterson Brokensha Pty. Ltd, Murray Street, Perth. A —— - . Books of Australian Plants, Etc, WE SEARCH THE WORLD FOR RARE AND OUT-OF-PRINT BOOKS ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BUDS AND FRUITS OF EUCALYPTUS ‘ SPECIES., WITII AN ALPHABETICAL INDEX (Forestry & Timber Bureau) 8. .6d. Post 1 - WILDFLOWERS (Clarice Morris) Aus. Outdoor Guides. Tlls. 16 -, Post 9d. WATTLES O THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY. A booklet. 6 -d., pPst 5d. ORCHIDS OF THE WESNT (Rica Erickson) Col, plates. £1/5/0. Post 1 -, EASTERN AUSTRALIAN WILDFLOWERS (Thistle Y. Harris) Col. plates. 5 -d. Post ad. TIHHE EUCALYPTS (A, R. Penlold & J. L. Willis) Tlls. £5/15/6. Post 3,- TREES AND SHRUBS FOR AUSTRALIAN GARDENS (E. E. Lord). Complete reference book, col. & b'w plates. £6/15°0, Post 3-. AUSTRALIAN PLANTS FOR THE GARDEN (Thistle Y. Harris) TIIls. £3.3,0. Post 2 -, Also new and secondhand books on Australiana, Pacific, Art, Natural History, Gardening, Orchids, Biographies and General Literature. We are Specialists in Microscopes, Prismatic Binoculars and Astro- nomical Telescopes, Magnifiers, Compasses, 10x British Achromatic Magnifiers. N. H. Seward Pty. Ltd. 457 BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE, VIC.,, MU 6129 Gulfs of Spencer’s and St. Vincent’s, Yorke Peninsular, and the Mt. Lofty-Flinders range system. (i) SOUTH WEST (E) . . . the triangular south-western part of the Great Plateau bounded by a coastal strip which meets a 1,000ft. scarp steep and undissected on the south but on the west much dissected by river systems to form the Swan Coastal Plain. An area, rich in endemic plant life, with moderately heavy winter rains and dry, warm summers. @@@ 23 @@@ JUNE, 1962 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—PRESERVATION PAGE 23 PERTH'S NEW BOTANIC GARDEN FOR INDIGENOUS PLANTS By J. S. BEARD, D.Phil., Director, King’s Park and Botanic Garden In 1959 as a result of public interest aroused by the visit of Dr. W. S. Stewart, Director of Los Angeles State and County Arboretum, California, the Government of Western Australia asked the King’s Park Board to submit a report and recommendations for the creation of a Botanic Garden for the indigenous plants of Western Australia in King’s Park, Perth. In consulta- tion with Dr. Stewart the Board submitted a report which was accepted in principle by the Government and this led to the appointment of a director. Recently more detailed plans have been prepared and in February, 1962, the Government announced its further approval of these and its willingness to vote the sum of £33,000 per annum for the next five years. A site of 25 acres in King’s Park has been selected for development during the first five years. This lies on the south side of Forrest Drive with a view over the Swan River. It is in one of the most scenic parts of the Park and continues the existing park development further along the Swan River bluff. In addition there is to be an arboretum of about another 25 acres for the planting of large trees which cannot be convenient'y accom- modated in the Botanic Garden itself. The objects of the Botanic Garden are to be as follows:— 1. To foster public interest in the conservation and cultivation of Western Australian flora. 2. To contribute to public education in this field. 3. To become a centre for botanical and horticultural research in the flora of Western Mustralia 4. To providle & major tourist attraction, 5. To foster generally interest in botany and horticulture over the whole field of the plant kingdom. It is laid down that these objects will be attained as under:— The growing and display in garden form as aesthetically pleasing as possible of the maximum number of West Australian native plants. 2 Collection of seed of the widest possible range of West Australian plants for distribution to kindred institutions and for sale. 3. Collection of research on propagation, cultivation and horticultuural improvement of Australian plants, and publication of the results, Provision of suitable facilities for public lectures and demonstrations dealing with matters of horticultural and botanical interest; and encouragement of the work of horticultural bodies. Organising visits by schoolchildren to the garden and children’'s classes in gardening. Cultivation of botanically interesting plants from similar floras, e.g., the Eastern States, South Africa, California and the Mediterranean. The collection of seed to provide plants for this Botanic Garden has been in full swing since the end of last year and some 2,000 collections are already available for sowing at the time of writing, autumn 1962; a nur- sery is being prepared and it is intended to raise plants for setting out in the field in the winter of 1963, by which time it will have been possible to prepare the site and install the necessary watering system. As one of the main objects of the garden is to obtain information on the cultivation of plants there is no point in attempting the short cut of transplanting from the wild. It is our intention to carry out research at every stage—seed collection, sowing, germination, pricking-out, and vegetative propagation. Data obtained will be made available by publication from time to time. It is the intention to carry a large stock of West Australian wildflower seed for public distribution and it is hoped to have the first seed catalogue ready for issue within the next few months, although the range of species available will not at first be very large. We have been very pleased at the interest shown by members of the West Australian Wildflower Growers’ Society and the encouragement received from them. Results obtained by members of the society in cultivating West Australian natives to date arc on the whole very encouraging. b ow @@@ 24 @@@ PAGE 24 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—RUTACEAE JUNE, 1962 HCW TO GROW CORREA ccntinved from page grows into rounded bushes at places like Cape Schanck and Phillip Isiand right on the edge of the Southern Ocean where it must withstand some of the most vicious salt-laden blasts that ever come from the direction of ihe Antarctic. Unlike other Correas, the attractive, white, starry flowers face upwards and split right down to the calyx. In the garden the plants are not so compact but are worthy of inclusion in a collection of Correas. Give a position of full sun in light or medium soil. CORREA BACKHOUSIANA: Leathery leaves more like C. alba and brownish-yellow bells makes a unique little shrub. It grows in rocky places among others but in my garden is thriving under trees, so it should stand up to a variety of conditions. The Mountain Correa (C. lawrenciana) is more noted for its large leaves, up to about three inches long, than for its small groups of rather undis- tinguished yellowish flowers. A mountain species and so requires a cool position. Doing well in light soil with no special watering. Good drainage is possibly essential but it does grow in moderately heavy soil. The purple-flowered form of C. lawrenciana has smaller, more greyish leaves. As mine came from Bill Cane | assume that it is from a mountainous part of Gippsland. It is growing much more compactly than the usual form under similar conditions, except that it is in a more moist part of the garden. A species previously known as Cerica mannii, a horticultural hybrid between C. pulchella and C. reflexa is the hardiest Correa which | grow. It is the easiest to cultivate and also is easy to propagate. Should be in every garden. All red bell, pinkish inside. It does require a fairly open position but does reasonably well in heavy soil and does not need any special ireat- ment except, perhaps, good drainage. Then there is the "Chef's-cap Correa” (C. baeuverlenii) from N.S.W. with large, lance-shaped, bright green, un-correa like leaves which grows near my C. lawrenciana but in an even more shady position. The yellow {lowers have the calyx of unusual flattened shape so producing the resemblance to a chef’'s cap. Light and medium soils in a cool moist shady position should be very suitable. The Mount Lofty Correa (C. decumbens) and C. pulchella are growing successfully under conditions similar to those for most of the other species. Propagation of Correas is from cuttings. Rather larger cuttings than for some plants, say up to about four inches, seem to do well. Spring or late summer are good times for setting cuttings. As with most other shrubs a light pruning is beneficial at the end of the flowering season. If cut flowers are taken freely from a plant this often provides an ideal answer to the problem of keeping a plant compact. I do not support the theory held by some growers that plants should be left to grow untouched, they are always growing under more or less artificiai conditions in the garden but can often be kept much more shapely than in nature. In some cases, Correas require a stake, otherwise a strong wind will loosen the roots and the plant will collapse and die rapidly. It have not iried any experiments in manuring Correas since they have done very well in ihe iight sandy soil without attention of this kind. There are some Correas which | have not tried yet but perhaps the secret of happiness in the garden as elsewhere is to have a fair share of the things you want but still have some that you hope to get some day. EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Brocks has agreed to act as the Correa Study Section Leader and invites readers interested in growing these beautiful plants and developing better {orms, to write to him at Hyndman Villa, Tulip Street, Cheltenham $22, Victoria. @@@ 25 @@@ JUNE, 1962 _ AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—POT CULTURE PAGE 25 A GENERAL METHOD FOR GROWING PLANTS IN POTS—Continued from page 6. (iv) Arrange yourself and your materials at the bench in an orderly and systematic manner so that the job can be done with ease and economy of movement. (v) In the act of potting remember not to unduly disturb the root ball (unless pot-bound, when some unravelling and root-pruning will be necessary); set the plant into the new pot at the same depth as, or slightly deeper than it was in the smaller pot; do not press down on the top of the ball of sail, but firm the new soil around the ball by pushing the fingers down vertically, palms outwards. Level the soil by one or two firm taps on the bench. (vi) Finally, water thoroughly, so that the entire ball of soil is moistened. The principles of tinning are the same as mentioned above for potting, except that good drainage is even more important, since a tin is not porous. Always punch some holes in the sides of the tin near the base as well as below, and be liberal with the coarse drainage material placed in the bottom of the tin. Most native plants grow very well in tins which are much cheaper than pots and usually quite easy to obtain in various sizes and types. Pots however, loock much better and can be used repeatedly and there is no need for tin-snips when re-potting or transplanting. 5. Watering. The watering of plants in pots, especially when grown indoors, requires much more care and observation than watering plants in outdoor garden beds. Note the following points:— (a) Treat each pot-plant individually, giving water only to those which are becoming dry—fill each drying pot to the rim, so that the whole ball of soil is thoroughly moistened. Common mistakes are to water too often, especially in winter, and also to sprinkle the surface of the soil, which then looks moist on top but which is not properly moist all through. (b) How often to water depends on such factors as the weather, the type of plant, its stage of arowth. We need to know something of the climatic zondi- tions preferred by the plant and whether a dormant drying-off period is reavired. When growth starts to slow down gradually reduce the freauency of watering; increase as growth becomes more rapid. Realise too that newly- rooted plants, having been given one good thorough watering after pottina. do not require watering as often as plants which are nearing the pot-bound stage. To sum up, in watering pot-plants it is never a auestion of “how much?” for that is always the same (i.e.. fill the pot to the rim and thorounhlv moisten the whole ball) but of “how often” and this is learned by observation and exoerience and al