'Australian Plants' Vol.3 No.24 September 1965 +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | The text in this file has been extracted from 'Australian Plants' Vol.3 No.24 September 1965.| | | | 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-Vol3-24.pdf | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS IN 10,000 COPIES Liegistered at G.P.O., Sydney, for transmission SEPTEMBER, 1965 Vol. 3, No. 21 by post as a periodical. Volume 3 will comprise issues No. 21.28. Price 3/- Colour Photography, F. W. Humphries PIMELEA SUAVEOLENS The “"Scented Banjine”, P. suaveolens, comes from the Darling Ranges, W.A. Flowering in winter and early spring, the fragrant lemon-yellow flowers, with orange coloured anthers make this plant a prized garden subject. HOW TO GROW NATIVE PIMELEA—See over @@@ 2 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 146 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THIS ISSUE SEPT., 1965 CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE The theme is Pimelea. With 80 odd species an adequate coverage has not permitted space for many of the usual feature series such as ““Tasmanian Plants”, "“Botany”, “Wildflowers of Central Australia” etc. Despite the prominence given to Pimelea there are some other possibly better articles which because of their excellency will be listed first. The Flying Duck Orchids— ‘The Genus Caleana’” by L. Cady, page 174—“Growing the Duck Orchids”’ by B. Whitehead, page 177 and Caleana—‘‘Orchids in Tasmania’’ by John Firth, page 178. Colour plate on rear cover. The Casuarina—A series on ‘‘Street Trees’’ by J. R. Garnet, page 185—A well written general introduction to the beautiful Australian ‘‘Oaks.” ‘‘Calytrix’’—An introduction, page 169. King’s Park Botanical Garden—Part 1—The Opening, page 170. Preservation, page 171. ““Thymelaeaceae’’—The Family in Australia by C. N. Debenham—The plant family that includes Pimelea. Pimelea—The index below will give a ready reference to each species as mention to it appears in this issue. Those articles that refer to their cultivation and propagation are from page 147 to page 168. Some species of special garden merit are mentioned often by different authors and any attempt to summarise their opinions may tend to obscure a vital point. Pimelea alpina .. 150, 157, 167 F. haematostachya 150, 168, P. petraea .. P. altoir . 184 . 1 P. petrophill P. ammocharis P. hewardiana P. phylicoides P. angustifolia . P. hirsuta ... F. physodes 147, P. argentea . ... 153, 182 P. hispida .. P. ariflora 150, P. holroydii P. preissii P. biflora . P. humilis 157, 159, 160, 181 P. punicea P. bowmanii . P. imbricata . 154 P. pygmaea .. 16 P. brachyphylla P. latifolia .. P. rosea ... 147, 156, 158, 159, P. brevifolia ... P. lehmanniana 162, 163, 164, 167 P. cinerea P. leptospermoides P. sanguinea 167 P. clavata . P. leptostachya . P. sericea P. collina . P. leucantha . 167 F. sericostachya ... 182 P. colorans . P. ligustina ... 149, 157, 160, P. serpyllifolia 159, 1€0, 183 P. concreta . 162, 180 P. shuttleworthiana syn. P. cornucopiae P. linfolia 150, 160, 162, 180 P. argentea P. curviflora . P. longifolia . P. simplex 182 P. decora .. P. longiflora .. P. spathulata 160, 180 P. dichotom F. macrostegia . P. spectabilis P. drupacea P. mazwellit P P. elachantha syn. P. P. micrantha . F. hewardiana P. microcephal P. P. eyrel .cocivecses 184 P. milliganii . P. P. ferruginea 147. 159. 162, P. modesta . : 163, 164, 166, 167 P. myriacantha syn. P. sulphurea ... 163, 179, 180 P. filiformis ... 162, 182 P. argentea P. sylvestris 163, 179, 180 P. flava . 157, 160, 183 P. nervosa 155, 180 P. tenuis .. ... 180 P. floribunda ... .. 180 P. nivea ... 150, 160, 181 P. thesioides 184 P. Jjorrestiana o P. octophylla 150, 157, 159, P. treyvaudii 181 P. gilgiana . 180 1 F. trichostachya . 182 P. glauca 157, 159, 160, 130 P. pauciflora P. umbricata 181 P. graciliflora ... 180 P. penicillaris P. villifera .. 181 P. williamsonii . .. 182 OUR PUBLICATIONS . . . AVAILABLE FROM EDITOR BY MAIL ONLY 860 Henry Lawson Drive, Picnic Point, N.S.W. — Please be patient for a reply. AUSTRALIAN PLANTS . Price 3/ The annual subscription of 12/- includes postage of the next 4 issues to your home. Past issues 1-8 & 18-21 are available as individual copies at 4/- plus 5d. postage. Some issues 9-17 are out of print and are available only in the bound volume. AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—Volumes 1 & 2 G s Price £3/-/- each plus 2/- postage. Volume No. 1 comprises issues 1-12. We are now on our last few hundred. It will shortly be a rare out of print book. 350 pages, 75 sketches and 45 full colour plates. Volume 2 comprises issue 13-20. Delays have deferred its availability until late October 1965. Bound in the same volume will be the publication Descriptive Catalogue of West Australian Plants, see below, giving this volume its exceptional value. These volumes are beautifully presented in gold lettered, hard covers and include The Language of Botany, see below. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF WEST AUSTRALIAN PLANTS . Price 12/- plus 1/6 post & pack. This book lists all the wildflowers indigenous to Western Australia, giving for each species, kind of plant, general size, flower colour, flowering months, localities of occurrence and type of soil and/or vegetative type. Illustrated with many full colour photographs and supplemented by articles such as ‘‘Planning, Making and Growing A Native Garden’’, ‘‘Notes on Growing W.A. Plants”, ‘‘Recommended Subjects for the Beginner’’, ‘‘Propagation’’, etc., it is fantastic value. Available in October, 1965. BINDERS Price 12/- plus 1/- postage For flliixg issues of Australian i’lanis—piastié covered stiff cover—gold lettered. *AUSTRALIAN PLANTS“—Vol. 2 and “The Descriptive Catalogue of West Australian Plants” will not be available until early October. @@@ 3 @@@ STPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE Vol. 3—Page 147 PIMELEA by FRANK WOOD Pimeleas, or Rice-flowers, belong to the family Thymelaeaceae of which the popular garden daphne is a well known representative. The relationship is apparent in such species as Pimelea rosea, but in the Qualup Bell etc., the true flowers are hidden by the large leafy bracts which form a protective cup. Apart from 15 species in New Zealand the genus Pimelea is almost exclusively Australian (almost 80 species), and many of the species are rather difficult to discriminate. Most are erect evergreen shrubs, but a few are prostrate, or semi-prostrate, with opposite or alternate leaves, or both. The chief characters of the reproductive parts are . . . terminal or axillary flowers, white, yellow, pink or red; perianth single, tubular, four-lobed; stamens two; fruit dry cr pulpy. The botanical name comes from “pimele” meaning fat, and refers to the oily seeds. All species of Pimelea are comparatively short lived, but most are well worth growing under suitable garden conditions. Plants are readily increased by seed or cuttings, the latter method being the best means of renewal in most cases. Pimeleas enjoy a light free soil, with absence of lime, full sun but protection from heavy frosts. Of the 80 odd Australian species, a few species have been accepted garden plants for a long time, and | propose to deal with these first, as they stand out from the main body in the minds of horticulturalists. However, there are many more just as good, and these would reward the efforts of enterprising gardeners. PIMELEA FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA Pimelea ferruginea, undoubtedly the best known of all, is an erect shrub to 2 feet in height, with oblong-elliptical shining green and closely placed leaves. It flowers freely in spring with rose coloured flowers in heads 1%2" across, and has long been a popular glass-house plant in Britain and America. It always seems to me to resemble a rather neat box-leaf Veronica. Bushes should be well pruned after spring flowering. Colour Pl. p. 164. Pimelea rosea is a pretty little shrub, with silky hairy pink flowers and slender stems sparsley covered with small, narrow leaves. A little gem. A colour plate appears on page 100 of our No. 23 issue. The flower is very similar to Pimelea ferruginea, but with a fringe of hair on the more acute bracts. Pimelea suaveolens, the “Scented Banjine,” is a common species of the Darling Ranges, found between Perth and Albany and flowers in winter and early spring. The fragrant lemon-yellow flowers, with orange coloured anthers, form drooping heads with silky green bracts. It grows to a height of approximately 3’. Colour Plate on front cover. Pimelea physodes, the “Qualup Bell,” is one of the outstanding wild flowers of Western Australia. The flower heads form graceful nodding bells and the enclosing, overlapping bracts have o lovely autumn tint. The perfume is considered by some to be more delicate than Boronia. It is a handsome small shrub, 2 feet or so in height, with the colour of the bracts varying from purple through to apple green. More people are growing @@@ 4 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 148 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE SEPT., 1965 this rewarding shrub every year. In nature it has a limited range of distribution, being found on gravelly soils between Ravensthorpe and the Gardener River, W.A., and occurring abundantly near the old Qualup Homestead. Pimelea clavata, a tree or large shrub species of the Karri Forest, is said to have bark tough enough to tether horses. According to C. A. Gardner it has very small flowers, yellowish-white in colour, and is known as the “Club flowered Rice-flower.” Quite a few gardeners have grown it as a novelty. It grows to a height of 10 feet. Pimelsa spactabilis, an overseas favourite, is another fine shrub attaining a height of 4 feet and producing crowded flower heads varying from creamy-white fo rich pink in colour and about 2 to 3" in width. The tubes and lobes of ihe flowers are covered in minute hairs. Colour photography by F. W. Humphries PIMELEA SPECTABILIS This species from the Darling Ranges is worth a place in the garden. The shrub grows erect, to 4 feet or more tall, the leaves are glabrous, lanceolate about ! inch long. The involucral bracts 4-6 are about ': inch long ovate-lanceolate in shape. The creamy, pink-tinged flowerheads are up to 1Y: inches in diameter. The large size of the globular flower heads makes this a very attractive garden plant. It does well in cultivation—E. Wittwer. @@@ 5 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE Vol. 3-Page 149 PIMELEA FROM EASTERN AUSTRALIA Most of the Eastern species have white or yellow flowers. Pimelea ligustrina, “Tall or Privet Rice-flower,” is one of the best, in my experience, for response to cultivation. It is an ornamental species having dense hemispherical clusters of white flowers, often 1" wide, that nod at branch ends. Leaves dark green, 2" long and %" wide. Bracts 4-6. It grows to a height of 5’ to 8’ and flowers in summer. N.SW., Vic., Tas., S.A. (where rare). In N.SW. it occurs on the tableland and south coast, Colour photography by D. Baglin. Reproduced from he Alpine Flowers of the Kosciusk State Park’ by courtesy of The K. G. Murray Publishing Co. Pty Ltd. and The Kosciuskc State Fark Trust. PIMELEA LIGUSTRINA Reports by stockmen last century of a “Kosciusko Rose’’ puzzled botar discovered that Pimelea ligustrina was the plant, its clusters of resemblance to the banksia rose. s until it was flowers having ague @@@ 6 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 150 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE SEPT., 1965 flowering October-January. See species listing for three other varieties to the type. Pimelea linifolia (syn. P. involucrata), “Flax-leaf oi Nodding, sometimes Slender Rice-flower,” has for many years been cultivated overseas as a pot plant and is a beautiful species with showy pinkish-white flowers and yellow stamens. Leaves are narrow and under 1” long. It prefers sandy soil and makes a bush of from 1’ to 3’. Native to Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania. It is widespread in N.S.W., flowering mainly in August- December with occasional flowers over much wider periods. There is considerable difficulty (even for botanists) in distinguishing P. colorans and P. spathulata from P. linifolia. One authority is prepared to include all three under the one name, P. linifolia. Pimelea axiflora, “Boot-lace Bush,” has slender arching branches clothed with very narrow light green leaves and small clusters of creamy- white flowers close against the stem. It grows to a height of 10 feet and flowers in the spring. In the old bush days, strips of tough bark were used for tying up parcels, and even used as bootlaces by isolated settlers. N.S.W. (S. Coast), Vic., King Id., flowering August-October. Pimelea axiflora var. alpina. "A low shrub with very small ovate conisceous leaves usually under 2" long.” (Bentham). N.S.W. (S. T'lands.), Vic., flowering December-January. Pimelea octophylla, “Downy Rice-flower,” has been grown quite extensively in gardens. It is an attractive slender plant covered in white woolly down, and has fragrant cream flowers which are at their best during spring and summer. It grows to a height of 2 feet. Vic., S.A. Pimelea alpina, "Alpine Rice-flower”, is a rather unusual species of the sub-alpine woodlands and high mountain heaths; the rosy-pink flowers are highly decorative. There is also a white form. It is a much branched, prostrate or occasionally erect shrub to a height of 3 feet, glabrous or nearly so except for the inflorescence. Leaves oblecng or oblong lanceolate, opposite and crowded on flowering branches. N.SW., Vic., flowering December- January. Pimelea hazmatostacfiya, the Queensland species known as “Red-hot Poker” is unique by reason of its blood-red flowers in spikes. This is a really magnificient plant, 1’-2° high; | sha!l never forget a vase of it at one of our early shows in the Melbourne Town Hall, contrasting with another of P. spectabilis, against a background of Coral Gum. Unfortunately the species is highly toxic to sheep. Pimelea nivea, a free flowering Tasmanian species, is recommended by a very enthusiastic plantsman, Mr. A. L. Hargrave of Camberwell. It grows to a height of 4 feet and appears to be a very suitable garden subject, unusual in having a close mantle of white felt on the branches and undersides of the leaves. These species virtually exhaust those that are grown in gardens in Melbourne to any extent. However, there are many more interesting kinds well worthy of a trial. Looking speculatively over the field, one could pick out a few well worthy of attention. Continued on page 166 where following propagation hints, all the Australlan species are listed and briefly described. @@@ 7 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE Vol. 3—Page 151 WESTERN PIMELEA PIMELEA SPECIES FROM THE ONGERUP AREA by KEN NEWBEY In the area under review several species of Pimelea are found growing on the loams, sands and sometimes loamy clays. They are not a dominant group but are otten present on the soil types mentioned above. They normally grow from 1’ to 3’ as well-shaped, open shrubs, or open straggly plants. Plants which exceed 3’ in height are often forced to by their environment. The stems are usually willowy, covered with very strong bark which is difficult to break. For this reason it is advisable to use secateurs when pruning or cutting flower heads. leaves are generally linear or ovate in shape, leathery in appearance, under 1" in length, opposite or alternate and in varying shades of green or blue-green. The involucral bracts are often deltoid in shape and the same texture and colour as the leaves. In a few species they are larger, giving the flower heads a bell shaped appearance, and as they persist for up to a month after flowering, they lengthen the apparent flowering period of that species. Flower heads vary in colour from white through yellow to deep pinks. The smaller flower heads are mostly upright with the larger ones becoming pendulous. Individual flowers vary in number from a few to about a hundred per flower head, depending on the species. The plants have long, vigorous tap roots in common with most of the lower rainfall flora. Young seedlings under 3" in height often have a tap root in excess of 15", All cpecies described in this article (with one exception) are worthy of cultivalion with some being outstanding. They prefer well drained positions as most live in 14”-18" rainfall area on plain country which is generally well drained. As they have strong stems and deep tap roots they can be grown in exposed situations. In their natural state, grazing by stock helps to produce better shaped and denser plants. Pruning under cultivation should have a similar effect and if done after flowering would serve another purpose. As flower heads die, they become a dirty colour and should be removed. Cut flowers will last for up to 2 weeks or more inside. Most species flower from August to November, but a few flower spasmodically till February. The Pimelea species appear to be both disease and insect free in their natural habitat. The cnly insect | have consistently observed on them is a harmless species of “hay” spider, light yellow in colour, which lives inside the “bell” of the Qualup Bell. In common with most of the flora in the Ongerup area, only a couple of the species have common names. Most are known simply as Rice Plants, with no distinguishing name for each species. Of the approximately 19 species known or anticipated to grow within the Ongerup area, 16 are listed in alphabetical order. Species have only been divided into forms where there is a reasonable difference within the species. The species | have not yet found are Pimelea clavata, P. eyrei and P. spectabilis. PIMELEA ANGUSTIFOLIA White form: Grows as a low shrub in coarse sandy soil in 14”-18” rainfall. The plant branches from ground level to form a dome-shaped shrub of 2' or under. The leaves are linear, up to %" long, flat, leathery and Continued on page 153 @@@ 8 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 152 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—EPACRIDACEAE SEPT., 1965 EPA S The next issue will feature the family Epacridacece and the genus ILpacris. As has become my practice a cclewr plete of an Epacris species is inciuded below in the hope that it will inspire the reader to take up pen and advise the Editor their expezriences in growing these showy little plants. Such species as Epacris impressa, the floral emblem of Victoria, and Epacris longiflora, the red Epacris of N.S.W., and other eastern States are quite well known and much sought after. Please help the Editor to produce your publication, Awustralian Plants. Colour photograph by D. Baglin. Reproduced from “The Alpine Flowers of the Kosciusk State Park’ by courtesy of The K. G. Murray Publishing Co. Pty. Ltd. and The Kosciusko State Park Trust. EPACRIS SERPYLLIFOLIA—THYME HEATH The mountain heaths, of which there are more than half a dozen species in the Snowy Mountains, generally grow in damp and infertile situations. The thyme heath, a small shrub about one foot high, can be distinguished by its small, pointed, -clasping leaves. Its white Aowers are sweect-scented, and the foliage turns red in autumn. @@@ 9 @@@ B STPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE Vol. 3—Page 153 dull green in colour. Involucral bracts are green, small, heart shaped and 4 in number. Flower heads are small, 2" to 3%’ across, white to cream in colour, mainly held upright but sometimes inclined to be slightly pendulous. Pink form: Similar to the above but differs in being a more open shrub, flower heads are small with fewer flowers and pink in colour. Both forms are worthy of cultivation where the white form could be used as a border plant and both forms as individual specimens. Sept.-Nov. PIMELEA ARGENTEA Inland form: This unusual Pimelea grows as an open, upright shrub to a height of 3’ in coarse sands or loams in 15" rainfall. The leaves are about %" long by 3/16” wide, silky, light green in colour, opposite and fairly close together. The flowers are very small, without involucral bracts, forming very small axillary flower clusters. Coastal form: Similar habit to the inland form but the leaves are longer (up to %), silky grey in colour, closer together and the flowers are larger. Both forms flower July-November. Neither form would be much use in cultivation. The inland form sometimes becomes a nuisance in some wheat growing areas where it periodically grows profusely. It is known locally as Shepherd Bush. angustifolia F. argentea P. brachyphylla P. brevifolia PIMELEA BRACHYPHYLLA A low, more or less upright plant to 12", found in sands, coarse loams and sometimes grey clays in 14" rainfall. Leaves are linear, %" in length with margin recurved and the points slightly hooked. They are green or blue-green in colour and are sometimes borne fairly close together on the stems. Involucral bracts are the same colour as the leaves, 4 in number, elliptical in shape with a broad base and are %" in length. Flower heads are white or slightly pink in colour, terminal and %2” across. Aug.-Qct. @@@ 10 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 154 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS -THYMELAEACLEAE SEPT., 1965 An outstanding small species which could be well used as a border plant or for massed effect. Germinates well after fires in its natural habitat. PIMELEA BREVIFOLIA An outstanding, low, fairly dense shrub to 3’ found growing in soils ranging from gravelly to sandy loams in 13”-20” rainfall. The leaves are small, linear, %" to %" long and light green in colcur. Involucral bracts are green, heart shaped, about 4" long and 4 in number. Flower heads are under 1" across, white in colour and borne in profusion. Due to its good dome-shaped habit and abundance of flowers in September-October, this species would make an excellent garden subject. It is very similar to the white form of P. angustifolia from which it has small botanical differences. P. ferruginea P. hispida P. tmbricata P. lehmanniana PIMELEA HISPIDA Found in wet, sandy soils in 30" to 40" rainfall where it grows as a very open, upright shrub to 2’ 6"”. Leaves are elliptical, up to 1" in length, dark green in cclour, smooth and leathery in appearance. Involucral bracts are the same colour as the leaves, elliptical but broad at the base and 3" long Flower heads are terminal, about 34" across, near white in colour and not very numerous. Flowers August-March. This species should do well in wet places in the gaiden and under cultivation should develop into a good specimen plant. PIMELEA IMBRICATA A low, dense dome shaped shrub to 10” found growing in sand in 14" rainfall. The leaves are linear, about ' long, very soft, covered with fine hairs, light to medium, green in colour and growing fairly close together. Involucral bracts aze similar to the leaves in shape and texture but are nearly %" in length, and number 9 or 10 per flower head. The flower heads are terminal, more or less upright, about 38" across, dense, cream-white in @@@ 11 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS— THYMELAEACEAF Vol. 3—Page 155 colour and borne in profusion so as to completely cover the plant when in full flower. Fiowers September-November. Ideal as a border or single specimen plant. PIMELEA LEHMANNIANA Growing in sand in 20" rainfall, this species forms an open type ot shrub to 3'. Leaves are linear, up to 1" in length, leathery and light green in colour. Involucral bracts are lanceolate, 4 in number, about 3" in length, light green turning to light red in the centre. Flower heads are terminal, more or less pendulcus, over 1" across and yellow in colour. Flowers July- October. An outstanding specimen plant. PIMELEA LONGIFLORA Found growing in sand in 20" to 30" rainfall where it forms a very open shrub to 3’ Leaves are linear, up to %’ long, smooth and green in colour. Involucral bracts are similar to the leaves and are 4 in number. Flecwer heads are up to 1 across, inclined to be open, light yellow in colour and sometimes slightly pendulous. Flowers September-January. Grown under cultivation, this species would most likely form a well shaped shrub. P. longiflora P. maxwellii F. nervosa P. physodes PIMELEA MAXWELLII A very open type of shrub to 2’ high found growing in sand in 20" rainfall. Leaves are linear, up to %" long, and dark green in colour. Involucral bracts are lanceolate, slightly over 4" in length, 4 in number and light green in colour. Flower heads are terminal, about 3%’ across and white in colour. With pruning under cultivation, this species should form a good shaped, fairly dense shrub covered with flowers September and October. In its natural habitat, this species carries a large number of flowers in relation to the number of branches. PIMELEA NERVOSA This species is to be found growing in coarse sands or loams in 14" rainfall where it may reach 3’ in height. The main stem usually reaches 1 @@@ 12 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 156 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE SEPT., 1965 in height where it branches into a very open type of shrub. Leaves are narrow linear, up to %" long and blue-green in colour. Involucral bracts are similar to the leaves in shape and colour, %2 in length and from 6 to 8 in number. Flower heads are terminal, up to %’ across, white and fairly dense. PIMELEA PHYSODES—sce page 16 PIMELEA ROSEA Pink form: An upright plant to 4/, found growing in sand in 20" to 30" rainfall. The leaves are linear, up to %" in length, smooth and light green in colour. Involucral bracts are deltoid, 33" long and being light green at the base with margins shading through to light red in the centre. Flower heads are upright up to 1%’ across and varying in colour from light to deep pink. White form: Grows as a better shaped shrub to 2’ in 15" rainfall. Differs from the pink form in the leaves being longer (up to 1”), involucral bracts are light green and 3" in length, flower heads are near white or very light pink, smaller and more dense. Both forms flower August-November. Both forms are well worthy of cultivation with the pink form being better svited to wet conditions and the white form to exposed conditions. PIMELEA SUAVEOLENS Open form: Found on very old granitic soils where it grows as a very open shrub to 3’ in 14”-16" rainfall. It has a main stem to 12” and then forms an open umbrella shaped top. lLeaves are ovate, varying from 38" to %" in length and are smooth. The young leaves are dark green in colour, becoming light green with age. Involucral bracts are similar to the leaves but are slightly larger and lighter in colour. Flower heads are less than 1" across, pendulous, and yellow in colour. Dense form: Differs from the open form in that it forms a more closely branched shrub with larger flowers in excess of 1" in diameter. Both forms flower June-October. P. rosca P. suaveolens P. sylvestris F. sulphurea Continued on page 164 @@@ 13 @@@ < SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE Vol. 3-—-Page 157 EASTERN PIMELEA SOME EASTERN PIMELEA SPECIES by JEAN GALBRAITH SOME DWARF RICE-FLOWERS Two delightful little dwarf species of Pimelea which would be attractive in a rock garden or the front of a border, are Pimelea glauca and P. humilis. Both are low bushes with a “pom-pom” of white flowers above a collar of four green bracts. They have a long flowering period and are quite covered with bloom in spring. Pimelea glauca, ‘““Smooth Rice-flower”, is a little taller than P. humilis and has bracts noticeably broader than the leaves. Those of P. humilis are the same size as the leaves. Pimelea humilis, "Dwarf Rice-flower”, always a very dwarf spreading undershrub, is commonest in fairly good rainfall areas of foothills and valleys, while P. glauca, of rather more erect and loose habit, is common in open hilly and mountainous areas and may be 18" or even 2 feet high. Both species grow in clay and are widespread. Both like sunshine, good drainage, a moderate amount of water and some root protection. Pimelea stricta, “Erect Rice-flower”, belongs to the same group but the flower heads are less regular in shape and the flowers less erect, though not less aitractive. It is commonest in the sandy lowlands. Pimelea octophylla, “Downy Rice-flower”, is well named. Its big creamy pom-pom heads (often 2 inches across) are downy with soft hairs. They nod on the ends of slender very slightly branched stems clothed with soft narrow leaves like slivers of grey-green flannel which become less hairy when older. “Downy Rice-flower” is a plant of sandy soils in S.A., Vic. and N.S.W., and the slender bushes, one or two feet high, are often abundant near the sea. Instead of a collar of broad bracts as in many Pimelea species, the heads are surrounded by brac:s very like stem leaves. Pimelea alpina, “Alpine Rice-flower”, is a delightful little wandering prostrate plant of the mountain tops where it grows in rocky outcrops and alpine meadows at between 4,000 and 5,000 ft. in Victoria and New South Wales. Its tough little branched stems creep through other ground-hugging plants, their dark, smooth leaves inconspicuous, but every upturned branch tip bearing a head, about half an inch across, of little red or pink flowers. It flowers on the mountains in December and January. Pimelea ligustrina, “Tall Rice-flower”, is a large much branched bush, often 6 ft. high or more with big nodding white flower heads often touched with pink and enhanced by a cup of 4 or more broad green bracts under *the flower. As one would expect from its leafy stems and large privet-like leaves, it is chiefly a forest plant of good rainfall areas. It grows in all south- eastern states. There is a mountain form, often very abundant at above 4,000 ft., that is a dwarf (1-3 ft.), rounded, densely branched bush with very large flower heads. SOME GRACEFUL RICE-FLOWERS Pimelea flava “Yellow Rice-flower.” The yellow rice-flower is slender and graceful, arowing from one to three feet high, with long branchlets crowned with little clusters of butter-yellow flowers. The pairs of rounded very bright green leaves (yellow-green where other species are dull or @@@ 14 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 158 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—-THYMELAEACEAR SEPT.. 1935 bluish green) are almost as decorative as the flowers. The whole plant has an air of distinction, and it will grow in any well drained soil, sheltered from wind and with a few rocks to keep its roots cool. There is a rarer but less attractive white-flowered form in N.W. Victoria, and this is the common form in South Australia. The yellow flowered form grows in western and southern Victoria, in Tasmania, N.SW. and Quensiand. Pimelea axiflera, "Tough Rice-flower”, could well be called the “Grace- ful Rice-flower.” It is a willowy bush or small tree, not bearing flowers in heads on the branch ends but in tiny white or cream clusters in the leaf axils. The leaves are narrow and one or two inches long, and each leaf with its accompanying white cluster is part of a wreath-like branchlet, slender and drooping. The whole bush is like a veil of loosely cpen white lace when it flowers in the mcuntain forests of Victoria, Tasmania and N.S.W. PIMELEA ROSEA Experiences in its propagation and cultivation by H. BRACKPOOL Plants were bought from “Floralands,” Gosford, N.S.W.. One was put intfo a rockery of bush sand 12" deep and did well for about two years but, being a position where it had too much shade in the colder months, it became diseased and died. The second cne went into a bush sand rockery two feet deep with much more sun in the winter. This is still doing fairly well but not as well as the cuttings that | struck from it. Two of these struck cutting were put against the house in my heavy clay based Eastwood soil, where it is usually fairly dry, being partly sheltered from the rain by overhanging eaves. This positicn faces north east so that the plants have practically full sun from the north during the colder months. | rarely water them. They have now reached about three feet in height and are a little greater in spread. These are the most healthy and flower magnificently. See colour plate on page 100 of No. 23 issue of "Australian Plants.” For a proportion of our Australian plants | find that the best positions are against the house facing N.E. or N.W., where plenty of unobstructed sunlight can reach them in the colder months, and where they miss much of the rain. Even my kangaroo paws are against a wall which faces north west—five healthy clumps which do not look as though they will ever get the black smut that killed so many previous ones. To return to Pimelea cuitings, these strike easily in bush sand under jam jars, but only when taken as three or four inch tips from a plant when it is rushing its growth—tip pieces that show no signs of branching out, and have not yet begun to make flower buds. These are the cuttings that | always select to achieve cuccess. Usually they make enough root in two or three months to permit planting out. This is being written in the middle of July. | just went outside and noticed that there were at the least two of these suitable tips showing on a Pimelea rosea at this moment. There could be more if | searched. @@@ 15 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE Vol. 3—Page 159 PIMELEA IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA . by I. G. HOLLIDAY Unfcrtunately we must admit to a very limited knowledge of Pimelea under garden ccnditions. This is partly because plants of these beautiful shrubs have been difficult to obtain. In my experience Pimeleas appear to be very difficult to raise from seed, although this is possibly due to a lack of knowledge of their correct requirements. A few species such as Pimelea ferruginea are relatively easy from cultings, but generally speaking, in Adelaide at least, cutting material of most of the attractive species is difficult to obtain. Pimelea ferruginea from Western Australia grows fairly easily in garden conditions provided drainage is adequate. Due mainly | think, to heavy wet top soil (common in winter in Adelaide) plants often collapse when apparently thriving. | saw this plant growing in beach sand dunes at Culham Inlet in W.A., where we tested the soil and found it to be Ph. 9, similar to Adelaide’s coastal sand dunes. This would indicate that this species may thrive in sea-side gardens. It is a lovely dense, compact plant, 2-3 ft. high, with small, shining, decussate leaves, and masses of pink flower heads, usually in spring. Pimelea rosea (deep pink form) from near Albany in W.A. is also occasion- ally grown here, but requires well-drained acid scils. The white flowering form of this species appeals as a superior subject for gardens. In the Darling Range near Perth it can be seen lining the roadsides in masses—small compact bushes so loaded with large pure white flower heads that the foliage is barely visible. Pimelea suaveolens. A very fine form was seen in future farmland abutting the Salt River Road along the boundary of the Stirling Range reserve. The flower heads were particularly large and a bright sulphur yellow. (P. suaveolens in the Stirlings had cream flowers). Two S.A. coastal species, P. dichotoma and P. serpyllifolia both grow naturally along the coastal sand dunes and are well suited for exposed sea-side gardens. Beth are low spreading small shrubs with crowded decussate leaves. P. dichotoma has bluish foliage and small white flowers. P. serpyllifolia has rounded green leaves and pale yellow flowers with orange stamens. It is doubtful if these 2 plants would have much appeal away from difficult coastal sites, as there are many other mcre ornamental species. P. octophylla is one of my favourites. A lcvely slender, erect shrub to 2 ft. with soft, woolly, grey foliage and large, drooping cilky, cream or pale lemon flower heads. This species prefers well-drained sandy soils. Unfortunately plants are not easy to obtain. It is also native to Victeria and New South Wales. P. glauca is a wide-spread little annan KEY TO THE PLATE major, helf natural size. Column front view, labellum side and labellum top. minor. Column front, labellum side view, labellum top view. nigrita. Column front, labellum side view, labellum top view. nublingii. Column front, labellum side view, labellum top view. sullivanii. Column front, labelllm side view, labellum top view. 'Plants shown half natural size, the part all enlarged. @@@ 32 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 176 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—ORCHIDACEAE SEPT., 1965 may be that unless the flower is expanded, they are very hard to see. It is suggested that the following mixture should supply their needs, 40% grey or black sand, 409% leaf mould and 20% peat and charcoal. Water the plants when they are in growth so as to keep the soil moist, and dry the pots out somewhat in their dormant period. Shady conditions but with plenty of light would appear to be the best situation. DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIES 1. Caleana major R.Br. “Large Duck Orchid” A very slender plant up to 50 cm. high, leaf broad linear to lanceolate. Flowers 1 to 6, deep red-brown to green with brown markings or more rarely wholly green. Flower when expanded 2 cm. long. Dorsal sepal about 14 mm. long, channelled and appressed to and following the contour of the column. Lateral sepals to 16 mm. long, reflexed channelled for basal half then contracted and tubular or filiform for distal half. Petals narrow linear shorter than the sepals erect alongside the column wings. Claw of labellum long and conspicuous (5-7 mm. long) strap-like, lamina ovate, peltate on the claw smooth, entire, centre inflated and hollow; the cavity open below; produced on the column side into a beak and at the other end into a flat appendage. Column curving with large broad wings, forming a receptical to receive the labellum in its “triggered” position. The labellum is extremely irritable. Dist.: All states except Western Australia also in New Zealand. Flowers: Spring and summer. 2. Caleana minor R.Br. “Smaller Duck Orchid.” Very slender plant 6 to 20 c¢m. high. Leaf narrow linear, up to 12 cm. long. Flowers 1 to 6 green or dull reddish brown. Dorsal sepal to 8 mm. long, slightly recurved. Lateral sepals shorter than the dorsal sepal, slightly channelled. Petals shorter than sepals, filiform. Labellum on a lorate claw, very irritable, ovate, peltate on claw, produced on the column end into a bifid gland tipped appendage, the opposite end has a triangular pointed process with a spur on each side, centre inflated and hollow, upper surface and margins tuberculate except at the base. Column long with largish wings and a conspicuous foot. Dist.: All states except Western Australia, also in New Zealand. Flowers: Late spring and summer. 3. Caleana nigrita Lindl. “Western Aust. Flying Duck” A slender plant up to 15 cm. high. leaf basal ovate acute, stem clasping at its base, reddish. Flowers 1 or 2 dark reddish brown. Dorsal sepal to 12 mm. long incurving. Lateral sepals just shorter than dorsal sepal, narrow linear. Petals almost as long as lateral sepals, filiforme. Labellum on a lorate claw, peltate very irritable, ovate with a drawn out obtuse point which is much tuberculate particularly towards the apex, the other end with a triangular appendage, this with a few calli. Column wings and foot conspicuous. Dist.: Western Australia only. Flowers: August to October. 4. Caleana nublingii Nich. A slender plant up to 20 c¢m. high. Leaf linear up to 8 cm. long. Flowers 1-4, green with reddish purple markings. Labellum on a long lorate claw extremely irritable. Lamina peltate on claw, pyriform, densely tuberculate with @@@ 33 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—ORCHIDACEAE Vol. 3—Page 177 a narrow longitudinal medium groove widening basally to a bilobate, emarginate or retuse-truncate end; apex broad and rounded upper margins crenate, under side hollow, 2 celled. Column about 15 mm. long light green, the foot extending along the labellum claw and forming a cup-like cavity. Dist.: Blue Mountains, Bell, N.S.W. only. Flewers: Summer. 5. Caleana sullivanii F. Muell. A very slender plant up to 20 cm. high. Leaf narrow linear. Flowers to 8 more commonly 1-4, very small, light green with reddish markings Dorsal sepal a little longer than the column, its tip deflexed slightly. Lateral sepals shorter than the dorsal sepal, narrow linear. Petals shorter again, filiform. Labellum on a short claw lanceolate-ovate, passing from a gradually attenuated base into curved stipes of hardly half the length pointed at the anterior end, turgid above and concave beneath, lamina with a few calli towards the centre. Column abortive. Labellum only slightly irritable. Dist.: Victoria only. Flowers: Late spring and summer. Growing Caleana by B. WHITEHEAD, Forbes, N.S.W. 1. Caleana major To date a limited success has been had with this species in cultivation here. Plants from three localities were tried in order to ascertain whether there was any indication of a strain more tolerant of cultivation. It appears that plants found growing naturally some distance inland are no easier of cultivation than those from coastal areas. The most suitable compost appears to be one consisting of 70% natural soil (for the species) and 30% clean sand. A compost of 70% clean sand and 30% leaf mould has also been found satisfactory. Plants grown in the former mixture have shown less inclination to die from rotting than those grown in the latter. A wet soil surface should be avoided as this readily leads to leaf or stem rot. Plants should be placed in a situation where they are protected from the majority of the natural rainfall, and plants are then judiciously watered by hand. An error of judgment in watering is usually indicated by loss of some plants. Plastic or terra-cotta pots can be used, provided good drainage is arranged. 2. Caleana minor No difficulty has yet been encountered with cultivation of this species when given normal care for terrestrial orchids. Compost of 60% sand and 40% leaf mould is used. Plants in flower in early December can reappear after a period of dormancy lasting 6-8 weeks. Moderate shade is beneficial and compost is best kept rather dry with occasional waterings. DEANE’'S ORCHID NURSERY Specialising in Australian Native Orchids Nursery open weekends only Send 8d. stamp for descriptive list. Plants sent anywhere. 157 BEECROFT ROAD, CHELTENHAM, N.S.W. @@@ 34 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 178 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—ORCHIDACEAE SEPT., 1965 Orchids in Tasmania TASMANIAN ORCHIDS—Part 2 of a series by JOHN FIRTH I have every respect for those who grow our native plants. It is the sort ot thing | aim to do myself when | get mcre time. The irouble is that all my spare time is spent in collecting plants in their natural surrounding. But let me make it quite clear that | use the word “collecting” in a special way. My collecting consists of sighting the plants in their natural surroundings and photographing them in colour. From o general interest in native flora, | have gradually tended to concentrate on our native orchids. There are over one hundred and twenty species of these in Tasmania, and | hope eventually to view most of these in their native habitats. | say most of these as it appears that a few of them are already extinct. | am finding the last twenty or so rather difficult. : ’ Take Caleana minor for example, the small Flying Duck Orchid. Since | took up colcur photography of our orchids about 1959, | have been searching intensively for this orchid. Prior to 1959, for over twenty years | roamed Tasmania’s bush searching for, and identifying our plants, but never finding C. minor. | am now convinced that in this time, | must have occasionally walked cight over it without seeing it. The trouble was | was not quite sure where to look for it. In January last year a search of a scrubby area revealed a solitary specimen of the plant which was possibly a year old. Although in a mummified condition, it was obviously C. minor. This, of course, did not satisfy me, but it stimulated me to greater efforts in the summer of ‘64-65. On New Year’s Day | was at last successful. | found a little groun of four specimens on an open plain, in association with another tiny orchid, Prasophyllum brachy- stachyum, on Tasmania’s East Coast. It was a splendid moment. Here was Caleana minor at last, tiny in stature, exceedingly slim, green and brown in colour, and locking like little brown reeds in the grass. An examination of the "head” of the duck—the labellum—showed it to be covered with pimply glands. The flowers are very similar to those of Caleana major but on a much smaller scale. In fact one member of the party spoke of them rather disrespectfully, but not inapprcpriately, as “warty dwarfs.” Now note what happened on our way home from the excursion. This is peculiar but instructive. We found two more areas where our long sought orchid flourished, and both of these we had searched several times previously. In cne instance the Caleana minors formed a sort of under-storey amongst a hundred or so Caleana majors. There they were crouched in the grass at the feet of their stately brothers, overlooked because each time our questing eyes had been drawn to their more showy companions. The next day we re-surveyed the areas we had examined the day before, and counted over a hundred specimens of our little friend. Caleana major is far more common than the dwarf species. It is also much easier to find. It is nct like many of our other Orchids existing under- ground as a corm for most of the year, and producing overgraund parts in only a few weeks, and then retiring underground again. lts flowers appear in late spring and early summer, but its narrow rusty leaves can be seen at all seasons cf the year. N @@@ 35 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS —ORCHIDACEAE Vol. 3—Puge 179 From the bases of these leaves which occur singly, in spring, a long thin flower stalk rises, lifting a tiny bud to a height of from a foot to eighteen inches. As the bud gradually enlarges it assumes a peculiar form. It begins to resemble a small box with a dark hole at one end. When the time is ripe, the box lid opens, and unrolls itse!f to become the neck and head of the duck—the labellum, poised over the open box—the column. Any insect touching the duck’s “nose” is now due for a shcck. When touched the labellum flips back down into its box once more, often carrying the surprised insect with it. As the insect siruggles to get clear it brings about pollination. Strangely enough the labellum will recock itself quite readily. This is truly a remarkable example of the ingenuity of nature. Occasional patches cf the cichid are to be found many miles inland. But Caleana major usually favours rocky ridges amongst eucalypts, or open heathy country near the c2a. | know of one interesting area where only a few inches cf peaty soil cover a rocky granite knoll. Here amongst the out-cropping rocks, beneath the shelter of Callitris pines and tea trees, over- looking the sea, many Flying Ducks are to be found. A mile cr so away is another colony in far different soil. Here they shelter beneatk Casuarinas and Eucalypts on a heathy plain not far from a swampy area. In fact there are cuite a number of these areas on our East Coast where, with experience, one can predict that Caleanas will be found. Here’'s a button grass swamp with Melaleuca, and Fairy Bonnets (Utricularia), and Swamp Heath. Search amongst the Eucalypts along itc margin and, as likely as not, you will find odd specimens of this fascinating orchid. WESTERN PIMELEA—Continued from page 165. PIMELEA SULPHUREA An upright shrub to 18", found growing on sand in 14”-18" rainfall. The main stem grows to 9" or so and then forms 3 to 10 more or less vpright branches. Leaves are ovate, "' long, smcoth, green in colour and growing fairly close together on the branches. Involucral bracts are similar to the leaves in shape but are longer and light green in colour and 6 to 8 in number. Flower heads are nearly pendulous, up to 1” across and deep rich yellow in colour. Flowers August-October. Should be grcwn as a small specimen plant for the colouring of its flower heads which is the most intense of any of the species of Pimelea in the Ongerup area. PIMELEA SYLVESTRIS Found growing along watercourses in coarse sandy loam in 20" rainfall. The main stem is upright to 12" to 15” and then forms an open umbrella ‘ype shrub to about 3’ in height. Leaves are linear-ovate, %" long, smooth and green in cclour. Involucral bracts are similar in shape and coclour o the leaves being 6 in number per flower head. Flower heads are white ‘n colour and about %’ across. Flowers July-January. An average Pimelea for cultivation. Pruning should be beneficial. @@@ 36 @@@ vol. 3—Page 180 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE SEPT.. 1965 PIMELEA—Continued from page 167. The West Australian Group P. gracilifiora (Endl.) Hook. A graceful W.A. species. Erect shrub to 2 ft. with pale pink flowers in Dec. It grows on sandy limestone hills in the Darling District. P. sylvestris R.Br. Perfectly glabrous shrub, except for the receptacle. Leaves opposite, oblong or lanceolate, mostly %2 to 6", more or less concave. Flower heads globular; flowers pink or yellow. 2'-3'. W.A,, King George Sound. The variety aeruginosa is noteable in that the leaves dry out blue. The bracts of the involucre are large, obtuse. P. brevifolia R.Br. Low shrub, pinkish white flowers in September. W.A. P. maxwellii (F. Muell.) Benth. An erect shrub with slender branches, opposite linear leaves and small globular flower heads. 1'-1%2'. W.A. (Gordon and Kalgan Rivers). P. modesta Low shrub, white flower, Coolgardie District, W.A. P. angustifolia R.Br. Slender erect not much branched shrub, glabrous except for the inflorescence. Leaves opposite, linear or linear-lanceolate, concave, %" to 1" long. Flowers white or pink, globular. 1-2’. W.A. (King George Sound, Stirling Range, etc.). P. nervosa (Walp.) Meissn. Erect shrub, glabrous except for the inflorescence. Leaves opposite, linear, concave, 2" to 1” long. 1'-2’. Stirling Range, W.A. P. tenuis A dense sub-shrub to 2 ft., white to yellow flowers growing in sand heath of Coolgardie District, W.A. P. sulphurea Meissn. Erect slightly branched shrub, with ovate 2" leaves; flowers nodding, globular, sulphur in colour. Known as Yellow Flowered Rice-flower” in W.A. 1’-2’. Swan River, W.A, P. floribunda Meissn. An erect annual shrub, although hard and woody at base. Flower heads creamy-white, nodding. Swan River, W.A. P. suaveolens (Endl.) Meissn. (see foreword). There are two varieties of the “Scented Banjine’’—the variety tinctoria has shorter leaves than the type form that dry out blue. The variety menkeana is similar but flower heads are smaller. P. physodes Hook. (see foreword). P. gilgiana Pritzel. Slender sub-shrub. W.A. The East Australian Group P. glauca R.Br. Much-branched floriferous shrub of open country. Flower heads white with 2 bracts, glabrous and two, silky-hairy inside. ¥2'-1%%". All States except W.A. P. linifolia Sm. “Flax leaf or Slender Rice-flower.” (see foreword) P. colorans A. Cunn. ex DC. Glabrous shrub except for the inflores- cence. Leaves opposite, petiolate, linear to linear-lanceolate. Tapering at both ends, concave, %2’ to 1”. Perianth like P. linifolia. See P. linifolia in foreword. Native to N.S.W. P. spathulata Labill. Now treated as a form of P. linifolia but with broader leaves and nodding flower heads. It has much less hairy perianths than P. linifolia. 2'-3'. See P. linifolia in foreword. N.S.W., Tas., S.A. P. collina R.Br. Now treated as a form of P. linifolia, not a separate species. The leaves are slightly concave with the lateral veins underneath running into the marginal nerve when the leaves are narrow. More pinnate @@@ 37 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE i Vol. 3—Page 181 when the leaves are broad. Q’ld., N.SW. (5. Coast, C. & N. Tlands, N.W. Slopes), Vic. Flowering June-January but mainly October-January. P. ligustrina Labill. (see foreword). The variety hypericina Benth is a shrub attaining 8’-10’, with the foliage and general characters of the typical form, but the involucral bracts usually 6-8, much shorter than the flowers and silky-pubescent or hoary; the flowers rather smaller and more slender. Flowering September-December. N.S.W. Coast bordering on tlands. The variety glabra is a small bushy shrub about 18" high, with crowded erect oblong leaves 5”-8" long. Flower heads nodding, with 6-8 large involucral bracts glabrous inside, and of a purplish cast when in fruit. Receptacle glabrous. Persistent base of the calyx glabrous from the first, on short glabrous stalks; calyx-tube glabrous, the lobes generally sparingly hairy. Flowering December. N.S.W. (S. T'lands.). Another variety (unnamed) from the N.S.W. S. Tlands. has a fringe of long white hairs on the margins of the bracts. Flowering December-January, occasionally in February. P. macrostegia (Benth.) J. M. Black. Glabrous S.A. shrub. Kangaroo Island. Dec. P. humilis R.Br. Rarely 1’ with terminal white flowers and silky branches. Ranges over Vic., Tas., S.A. and N.S.W. (Far South Coast). Known as “Bread and Butter.” It flowers in October in N.SW. and as late as December in more southern areas. P. sericea R.Br. A bushy shrub, resembling P. nivea, but readily known by the underside of branches and leaves which are covered with silvery silky hairs. 1-2°. Tas. (common towards summits of mountains, e.g. Mt Wellington, Rodway). P. nivea Labill. (see foreword). P. treyvaudii Ewart & Rees. Small glabrous bush about 1/; flowers very small in heads to %" wide, surrounded by 8 or 9 pointed bracts as long as the flowers, silky-hairy on the inside and on the edge, glabrous outside. Leaves flat, linear-lanceolate, opposite, %’ long, the lower ones shorter and narrower. Flowers in summer. Vic,, N.SSW _A.C.T. Sub-section 2. Phylloleana Flower heads terminal with numerous involucral bracts not at all, or scarcely, broader than the leaves. P. imbricata R.Br. Erect much branched shrub, sometimes completely globular and sometimes clothed from the base with long silky hairs. Some- times with all leaves except uppermost glabrous, crowded, alternate, oblong- lanceolate, under %". Flower heads globular 6”-1%2'. A polymorphic species with pink flowers. Has several varieties. W.A. P. villifera Meissn. Rather coarse branching shrub, villous with stiffish hairs. Leaves opposite, sessile, oblong-lanceolate, flat, thick but soft. Flower heads globular. Densely hirsute. W.A. Sub-section 3. Choristachys Flowers in clusters, spikes or racemes without involucres, or the bracts not broader than the leaves and very deciduous; leaves flat or with slightly recurved margins; flowers small except P. haematostachya; seeds with scanty albumen and broad cotyledons. P. drupacea Labill. (syn. P. umbratica). An untidy straggling shrub attaining 6’-8’, sometimes more. Branches silky hairy. Leaves opposite, oval, @@@ 38 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 182 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAKACEAE o SEPT.. 1965 6"-2", smooth above, often siiky hairy below, flat or with recurved margins. Flower heads terminal on young shocts, but mostly axillary and sessile. Flowers small, nct numerous, white tinged with pink. Vic., Tas. P. haematostachya F. Muell. (see foreword). P. decora Domin. Very close to P. haematostachya. N. Q'ld. (Hughenden P. filiformis Hook. A diffuse or prostrate shrub, glabrous or nearly so with slender almost filiform branches. Closely allied to P. spicata but with the leaves usually smaller and broader and flower heads not lengthening intc a spike. Tas. (Tamar and Piper Rivers). P. spicata R.Br. New South Wales species of the Central Coast, similar to above in many respects. Flowers September-January. P. latifolia R.Br. A broad-leaved Queensland species. Leaves often alternate, elliptical to lanceolate, 1%2""-3" long. A spreading silky hairy shrub with short stalked flower heads more or less lengthening into short spikes. 2. N. Q'ld. P. simplex F. Muell. An erect glabrous annual with alternate linear leaves. Scattered appressed erect on stems and foliage or becoming almost glabrous except the inflorescence. Flewer heads small, globular, depressed, yellow. 1°. S. Q'ld. Vic.,, S.A.,, N.SW. (W. Slopes and Plains). Flowering mostly Augusi- September but ¢n to January. P. sericostacaya F. Muell. Spikes silky; leaves alternate, lanceolate to oklong-linear, %" to 1” long. Flowers small in compact heads. There is a variety parviflora but botanists are doubtful whether it is worthy of recognition. N.S.W., Q'ld. P. trichostachya Lindl. Erect slender branching annual, glabrous except for inflorescence. lLeaves aliernate, linear, concave. Flowers small, yellow, without involucral bracis. 1. Interior cf all mainland states. Flowers September- October, but also July-January. P. leptostachya Benth. A slender undershrub with erect or ascending stems. Globrcus or with a few cilky hairs. Leaves alternate, lanceolate or oblong, 2 to 1 long. Fruiting spike long and interrupted. 6” to 1. Q'Id. (Herberts Creek and Rockhampton). P. williamsonii ). M. Black. Dwarf silky-hairy shrub 6-12 high, restricted o mallee ccuntry and rare. Leaves alternate, flat, about 2" long. Flcwers appearing in spring or summer, very small, whitish, in leafy heads that may lengthen into cpikes 17-2%2" long. Vic., S.A. P. spiculigera (F. Muell) Benth. Straggling shrub to 3 ft. Deep yellow fls., July-Sept. From granite area of the Austin District, W.A. P. forrestiana F. Muell. Yellow flowers. Slender sub-shrub, Austin District, W.A. Section 5. MALISTACHYS Involucral bracts usually small or little different frcm stem leaves; flowers small, strictly dioecious; male perianth with a slender tube; anthers with a narrow connective; the cells very distinct and when opened placed back to hack; ovarv obortive, female perianth tube circumsciss over the ovary after flcwering, the lower portion persistent around the somewhat succulent fruit and almost adnate tc it. P. argentea R.Br. (syn. P. myriacantha, P. shuttleworthiana). An erect shrub with twigay branches. The branches clothed with soft silky hairs giving the plant o silvery white appearance. leaves opposite, sessile. Flowers @@@ 39 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE Vol. 3—Fage 183 dioecious, very small and numerous in axillary clusters, shorter than the floral leaves, male on pedicle and female sessile. 5-6’. North of Stirling Range, Swan River, W.A. P. clavata Labill. (see foreword). Section 6. DITHALAMIA Involucral bracts either absent or not very different tc stem leaves; flowers small, strictly dicecious, male perianth with o slender tube, anthers with a narrow connective; the cells very distinct and when opened placed back to back, the ovary obortive and rudimentary, female perianth wholly persistent, with small lobes divided to the ovary or rarely with short tube tardily circumsciss. Fruit not succulent. Leaves oppcsite or alternate, flat or nearly so. P. axiflora F. Muell. ex Meissn. (see foreword). P. leptospermoides F. Muell. Leptospermum-like erect shrub; slightly silky hairy. Foliage pale with an almost glaucous hue. Leaves mostly alternate, oblong, %" to 1%” long, glabrous above with 2 or 3 veins on each side of midrib or nearly parallel to it and preminent underneath. Flowers usually white, terminal or axillary. 1°-3’. North Q’ld. (Cawarra etc.). P. microcephala R.Br. “Mallee Rice-flower.” Leaves linear-lanceolate; flower heads very small, perianth hairy and strictly diocecicus. Fruits greenish- yellow. Of no garden value. Interior of all mainland states and known in Queensland as Yackahber—an aboriginal name. 8-10°. N.S.W. (slopes and plains), Vic.,, S.A., W.A. Flowers April-October. P. pauciflora R.Br. A plant which much resembles luxuriant specimens of the above, but usually mcre slender. The perianth is glabrous. Fruit red when ripe. It would be o waste of time to grow it. Q'id., N.S.W., Vic,, Tas. Actually the species proper (southern form) is distinct from the form from northern N.SW. and Q’ld. which flowers April-December. Southern form flowers October-December. ) P. hewardiana (syn. P. elachantha). "Forked Rice-flower.” A iow very slender shrub, mcre or less hoary with appressed hairs. Leaves opposite, ovate, %" long. Flowers yellow, minute in little sessile heads in the torks of branches, appearing October-December. Bracts 2-4, similar to leaves. Vic. only. P. flava R.Br. “Yellow Rice-flower.” Almost glabrcus shrub, 2'-4’ high. Leaves rounded, '%"-2" long. Flowers small, yellow, congested in button-iike heads about 2" wide, appearing October-December. Vic., Tas., S.A. P. dichotoma Schlechteid. “Diosma Rice-flower.” Similar to P. Hava but with smaller leaves and white flowers. All mainland states. P. pygmaea F. Muell. Grows at 4,000’ in western mountains ot Tasmania. This low shrub has o hoary appearance owing tc the closely stem-hogging hairs. Leaves opposite, lanceclate. Forms tufts of densely matted moss-like plants. Whitish flowers. P. serpyllifolia R.Br. “Thyme Rice-flower.” A densely branched shrub, sometimes to 4’ high, very leafy with smooth ovate-oblong leaves 2-3 lines long, leathery and somewhat cencave. Flowers yellowish, very small in termina! heads. with orange stamens. Vic,, Tas., S.A, W.A. (chiefly coastal). P. petrophila F. Muell. Erect shrub with dichotomous slightly hairy branches and smooth foliage. Leaves opposite, lanceolate, 2" to 3%”. Fiower heads small, terminal or in forks of branches. 1’-2". S.A. (Flinders Range). @@@ 40 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 184 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—THYMELAEACEAE SEPT., 1965 P. thesioides S. Moore. Much branched glabrous, yellow-green shrub 2'-3' high, with flaxlike leaves and very numerous loose heads of small yellow flowers, W.A. (Eastern Goldfields and Frazer Range). Section 7. EPALLAGE Flowers hermaphrodite, or more or less dioecious; perianth tube usually circumsciss after flowering leaving the lower portion persistent round the fruit; anthers rather flat with a broad dorsal connective, the cells closely parallel on the inner, the whole anthers usually rolled back after flowering; flowers in clusters or heads, rarely solitary or in dense spikes. P. bowmanii F. Muell. Named after Mr. E. Bowman. An erect shrub, silky hairy all over. Leaves alternate, crowded. Flowers solitary in upper axils. Broad Sound, Q’Id. P. panicillaris F. Muell. An erect shrub to 3, the branches and leaves densely covered with silky hairs. Leaves alternate, sessile, lanceolate or obovate-lanceclate, apex acute, about %" long. Involucral bracts 6. Male flowers humerous, crowded in terminal heads to 1" dia. P. ammocharis F. Muell. Much branched, foliage densely silky. Leaves alternate, oblong. Flower heads depressed, globular. 2'-3'. North Australia (Arnhem Land to Kimberleys), Cent. A., S.A. P. ammocharis also occurs as quite isolated plants just a few miles south of Horseshoe Bend Homestead, towards Finke township. This is a curious occurrence, as it is not found elsewhere in Central Australia—C. Chippendale. P. biflora N.A. Wakefield. “Flat Rice-flower.” Matted alpine semi-shrub with downy opposite leaves about 4" long. Flowers small, reddish, in terminal pairs during summer. Vic.,, N.S.W. P. curviflora R.Br. Low bush with hairy leaves and dark yellow, often curved, flowers. 1'-2'. N.S.W. (Coast, T'lands, Slopes verging on Plains), Vic., Tas., S.A., Q'ld. Flowering mainly September-December but also May-Sept. P. micrantha F. Muell. ex Meissn. Sometimes treated as a variety of P. curviflora, but with much smaller flowers. S.A., Vic.,, N.S.W. P. hirsuta Meissn. Much branched low shrub. Leaves mostly alternate, ovate or elliptical, %" to 2" long. Flowers very few in terminal or apparently axillary clusters. 3. N.SW. (mainly coast), flowering August-November. P. altior F. Muell. A tall bush to ¢’. Hairy with short spreading hairs. Leaves opposite, shortly petiolate, broadly ovate to orbiculate, under 6" long. Flowers heads terminal or in forks, not many flowers. N.S.W. (N. Coast), Qld. (Brisbane River, etc.). Flowering September-December, March-April. P. octophylla R.Br. (see foreword). P. petraea Meissn. Similar 10 above but leaves softer and erect flower heads smaller. S.A., N.SW. (N.W. Slopes). Flowers October. P. phylicoides Meissn. “Hairy Rice-flower.” A slender plant with green- ish-yellow flowers (sometimes cream), and crowded, almost erect leaves " long. A variable plant in colour. 1'-2°. N.S.W., Vic,, S.A. P. eyrei F. Muell. A slender shrub of straight growth. Leaves opposite, oblong-lincar, more or less silky hairy, 2" long. Flower heads terminal. 2'-4'. W.A. (Eyre Ranges, Phillips and Fitzgerald Rivers). P. longiflora Banks & Sol. An erect slender shrub, with linear leaves. Receptacle with long dense silky hairs. Bracts hairy on outside. Flowers white. 1-4'. W.A. Continued page 187 @@@ 41 @@@ SWPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—CASUARINACEAE Vol. 3—Page 185 THE CASUARINA A SERIES ON “STREET TREES” by J. ROS. GARNET In writing about Casuarinas, | am sorely tempted to indulge in a kind of botanical dissertation—a first class way of learning something about these quite fascinating plants. However, my purpose is to write about them as street trees. Consequently any remarks about their peculiar anatomy will be purely incidental. The Editor has since prevailed on Mr. Garnet to describe Casuarina more fully in the next issue . . . “The Casuarina — 2". Colour photography, Kay Holliday—Reprinted from “Growing Australian Plants” by courtesy of Rigby Ltd. CASUARINA STRICTA In the days of Bentham and Mueller, eighteen species of Casuarina were recognised. Nine of the eighteen were recorded as occurring only in Western Australia. At least twice that number are now known but still, almost half of them are Westralian and endemic in that part of the Commonwealth. Despite the variely of species which are to be found throughout Australia, only nine or ten grow to a size which would qualify them for use as street trees. Most of the species which commend themselves for the purpose occur in the eastern States of Commonwealih although, for dry inland localities, the tall Centralion Desert Oak, C. decaisneana, would seem to be admirably suitable on several counts. Like most of the Casuarinas, it grows rapidly and the mature tree is tall, straight and fairly symmetrical but it lacks the @@@ 42 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 186 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—CASUARINACEAR SEPT., 1955 density of foliage of the species which flourish in temperate and less arid environments. In places where a shade tree is wanted other species are to be preferred. Casvuarina stricta, C. cunninghamiana, C. glauca, C. cristata, C. luehmannii, C. littoralis and C. torulosa all possess features which merit a second glance. They grow easily from seed, hence the establishment of a reservoir of nursery seedlings is unlikely to prevent any problems—nor is seed gathering a difficult matter. Mature female trees generally hold plenty of unopened cones and the winged seeds discharge freely from the valves within a week or so of harvesting the cones. It is only a matter of collecting ripe unopened cones, letting the seeds diccharge, then planting them in the soil or sand with the tip of the wing sticking out of the ground and waiting until the plants have germinated and grown to a size suitable for distribution singly into separate containers. In fime, if damping off is avoided, most of them will be ready for planting in their permanent position in the street and an avenue of well-grown Casuarinas is indeed something to see and admire. In my travels | have seen some such avenues, some of them deliberately planted and others more or less accidental—where o municipal or other road construction authority has left the naturally occurring roadside trees in their natural and irregular spacing to lend distinction to a thoroughfare. Among some growers of native trees Casuarina stricta has its bad points and one of them is a tendency to throw up suckers when the tree is ringbarked or when its rcots are damaged or severed—rather in the manner of some of the exotic poplars. Under natural conditions, suckering does not appear to occur at all frequently. When it does it is, no doubt, due to root damage by cockchafers or other predatory animals. Along the Princes Highway, near Werribee, the species exhibits the phenomenon well but the parent trees have all suffered at the hands (or machines) of roadmakers. However, on the spacious verges of this Geelong road the resulting and unusual density of the trees is not a bit amiss. Some fine examples of Casvarina strictca are to be seen on the Mornington Peninsula, especially near the shores of Port Phillip Bay and along the Nepean Highway. Some of the very old trees with trunks up to a foot in diameter, are still clean, umbragecus and shapely. | have three favourites among the Casuarinas—"favourite’ because | know them well and people in most States of the Commonwealth will know them too. One is, of course, C. stricta, known in Victoria as the “Drooping Sheoke” and, in New South Wales, as the “Swamp Oak.” Another is the aforementioned “Desert Oak’ whose cones are the largest of all Casuarina cones and crnamental tco. The third favourite is C. littoralis, the “Black Sheoke” or "Corky Oak” cf every eastern State. All three can grow to handsome irees, a character they thare with species such as C. cunninghamiana (the River Oak), and C. torulosa (the Forest Oak), both of Queensland and New South Wales, and C. equisetifolia (the Ironwood) of the tropics and habitats beyond Australian shores. There is something appealing about these Casuarinas. There is grace in the movement of their branchlets as the wind glides through the foliage. The gentlest breeze enlivens the air with their quiet song even though the leaves have little to do with the sound. The leaves are mere vestiges and are represented by an ensheathing ring of tiny teeth at the end of @@@ 43 @@@ SEPT., 1965 i AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—CASUARINACEAF. Vol. 3—Page 187 each node on the wispy branchlets. The petioles (or leaf-stalks) of these tiny leaves are to be seen as more or less noticeable ribs which extend from node to node along the length of the needle branchlets. The song of the wind in the Casuarinas owes much to the fluted branchlets. The number of ribs or leaf-teeth is one of the characters used in distinguishing species; the length of the branchlets between nodes is another, but a more important means of classifying the species is to look closely at the cones (and the seeds) from the female trees or, in some cases, from trees which habitually carry flowers of both sexes. In the field (or along the street) other features serve for ready, if not always reliable, identification. In all of the tree species the trunks are clean and ensheathed in rough and tough persistent bark, the furrows of which widen and become deeper with age. The leaves (or “branchlets” to be technically correct) are generally a guide to the species. The pendulous and rather long branchlets of C. stricta and C. torulosa (and the rather erect and much shorter branchlets of C. suberosa) are dark green and generally dense enough to produce a fairly shady tree. The grey “Belar”, C. cristata, of the dry inland and “Buloke”, C. luehmannii, of swampy places as well as of habitats similar to those of the “Belar,” have rather thick and hoary branchlets whose internodes are several times longer than those of C. stricta. Both "Belar” and “Buloke” are rather like the “Desert Oak” in that they are not shade trees. But whether the foliage is green or grey, pendulous or erect, shady or otherwise the trees it belongs to are good to look at and they always look at home. And so they should for they are as typically Australian as the Eucalypt, and they would probably grow a lot better and prove a lot less of a nuisance than some of the Sugar Gums which many country towns favour as street trees. To begin with, they would not need to be lopped or pollarded or otherwise mutilated in the interests of overhead power lines or telegraph wires and that should be something to be groteful for. Seen in the sunlight a well grown male tree in full bloom has a crown of burnished or old gold. Each slender branchlet, terminating in a catkin of tiny pollen-laden flowers, adds its shaft of bright colour to the scene. The female trees, when in bloom, are not so conspicuous unless one chances to gaze obliquely through the foliage towards the setting sun. From a certain angle one will then see the tufts of crimson flowers scattered along the branches glowing like fire. But this is a sight one seldom sees, perhaps because it is not often one can view at just the right angle the sun low in the sky through a flowering Casuarina. PIMELEA—Continued frcm page 184. P. stricta Meissn. Erect rather slender shrub with white flowers loosely branched. Leaves opposite, lanceolate. Flower heads globular, usually nodding. N.S.W. (W. Slopes), Vic., Tas.,, S.A. Flowers July-November. P. preissii Meissn. A narrow leaved species with white flowers. 1'-2'. W.A, P. holroydii F. Muell. This is a remarkable sub-tropical species, approaching P. haematostachya in appearance, but with broad bracts and persistent perianth of Heferolaena and others of Epallage. W.A. (Hamersley Range). @@@ 44 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 188 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—NURSERYMEN SEPT., 1955 YOUR GUIDE TO NATIVE PLANT NURSERYMEN Alezander Plant Farm—2 Winifred Street, Essendon, W5, Victoria, Amaroo Nursery—86 Lang Street, Padstow, N.S.W. Une of the widest ranges of natives. Belbra Nursery—Box 12, Hall’s Gap, Vic. W. and R. I. Stanton. The home of the Thryptomene. Boddy’s Eastern Park Nursery—32 Denman St., Geelong, Victoria. 3,000 varieties. Clearview Nursery—W. Cane, Box 19 Maffra, Victoria. Specialist in developed plants. Deane's Orchid Nursery—157 Beecroft Road, Cheltenham, N.S.W. Denovan’s Nursery—188 Marco Ave., Panania, Sydney, N.S.W. At nursery only. Echberg’s, G. A. & K. M., Nursery—Braeside, Highett & Moorabbin, Victoria. Greenbriar Drive-in Nursery—55 Britnells Rd., Briar Hill, Victoria. Large & varied selection McLeod, F. C. J.—Warrien Rd., Croydon, Victoria—Quality Plants. Narrabeen Nursery——1444 Pittwater Rd., Narrabeen Nth., N.S.W. Plants for coast. Parry, P. J.—‘‘Floralands’’, Kariong via Gosford, N.S.W. A wide range. Postal orders taken. Tinderbox Nursery—Tinderbox Blackman Bay, Tasmania. Tullamarine Plant Farm—8 Sharp’s Road, Tullamarine, Vic. Closed Mondays. Willunga Nursery—21 Nelson Street, Thornleigh, N.S.W. Wyalandra Nursery—47 Jacana Grove, Heathcote, N.S.W. Wildflowers of Heathcote area. Wholesale rates on application BELBRA NURSERY In the Heart of the Grampians LARGE RANGE OF AUSTRALIAN NATIVES Inquiries: Box 12, ITALL’S GAP NARRABEEN NURSERY 74 AUSTRALIAN NATIVES 1444 Pittwater Rd., Narrabeen Nth., NS.W. — XX 2604 OPEN EVERY DAY Specialist in plants for sea coast. NATIVE PLANTS — USUAL & UNUSUAL F. C. J. McLEOD Wildflower Nursery WARRIEN ROAD, CROYDON, VIC. TULLAMARINE PLANT FARM 8 Srarps Road, Tullamarine Phone: 30-7893 1 mile north of Issendon Airport Closed Mondays -— Phone: 30-7893 — SHRUBS, TREES, PERENNIALS — Popular and Rare dera, N.S.W. of species contact: 44 Margaret Street, More than 300 Native and exotic treces and shrubs available from Forestry Commision nurseries at Pennant Hills, Dubbo, Forbes, Muswellbrook and Narran- For free catalogue giving complete details and prices FORESTRY COMMISSION OF N.S.W. Sydney. Species .. . Telephone: B 0236 @@@ 45 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—NURSERYMEN Vol. 3—Page 189 F. C. PAYNE WILDFLOWER GARDEN Addison Ave., Manager: H. R. Holliday Athelstone, S.A. Telephone: 371325 AUSTRALIAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN PLANTS Sce mature specimens Open Every Day plants you buy. No Mail Orders ALEXANDER PLANT FARM (Doug. Twaits, Prop.) 2 Winifred Street, ESSENDON, W.J. Phone: 379-5163 EVERYTHING FOR THE GARDEN Specializing in Australian Native Plants Greenbriar Drive-in Nursery AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS Large and Varied Selection. BRITNELLS RD., BRIAR HILL, VIC, V2 mile beyond Greensborough Phone 43-1468. Open Weekends AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS GOOD SELECTION ADVANCED & SEMI-ADVANCED PLANTS AT DENOVAN'’'S NURSERY 188 Marco Avenue, — uUu 889 Panania, N.S.W. SORRY NO MAIL ORDERS PRISERVATION BY CULTIVATION HE]L@]IRALAN]ID& KARIONG, via GOSFORD, N.S.W. A large varicty of the most popular native pllnll at nursery PHONE: Gosford 21142 ARRY G. A. & K. M. ECHBERG'S NURSERY Lower Dandenong Road Braeside. Tele.: 91-9438 /2 mile west of Springvale Road THE HOME OF UNUSUAL PLANTS NATIVE AND EXOTIC BODDY’S EASTERN PARK NURSERY NATIVE PLANT SPECIALISTS (3,000 varieties) Short Cataloque with Retail Price List and full descriptions available. South African Proteas, Leucadendrons and Leucospermums grown in variety. Plants despatched all States 32 Denman Street, East Geelong, Vic. Tel.: 91264 [INInig WILLUNGA NURS:IRY Trade Supplies of Native Plants 21 NELSON ST., THORN'EIGH Closed weekends PHONE 84-3709 KING’S PARK AND BOTANIC GARDEN PERTH, W.A. Descriptive Catalogue of W.A. Plants, 13/6 post free; 24-page Co'oured Booklet on King’s Park 6/6 post free; 1955 Seed List (new season’s list), 3/- post free; Progress Report on Botamc Gard=n, 2/6 post free; Seed 3/- per packet. Wholesale Rates on Application NINDETHANA NATIVE PLANT SEEDS By Packet, Ounce or Pound Large selection. Send for free list. NINDETHANA (G. W. Althofer) Box 5. Dripstone, N.S.W. NATIVE PLANTS 250 varieties of shrubs, rockery plants. ground covers, trees. Many displayed in a rarden setting. AMAROO NURSERY 86 LANG ST., PADSTOW, NSW. Clos~d Wednesdav. Tel.: 77-7342 Catalngue 1/3 Posted. No Interstate orders. @@@ 46 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 190 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—YOUR SOCIETY SEPT., 1965 THE SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS “"AUSTRALIAN PLANTS"” IS AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL PRESERVATION JOURNAL (A non-profit making venture, produced quarterly, dedicated to preservation by cultivation.) This journal is published by The Publishing Section on behalf of The Society for Growing Australian Plants and its member Societies as follows: SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—N.S.W. REGION: President: Mr. C. M. Taylor, 39 Addison Avenue, Roseville, N.S.W. Secretary: Mrs. R. Bartholomew, 143! Anzac Pdldde, Little Bay, N.S.W. SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—QLD. REGION: President: Mr. P. Hamilton, Carnoola Street, Bardon, Brishane. Secretary: Mr. M. W. Hodge, 25 Barford St., Moorooka, QId. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS: President: Mr. R. Schahinger, 22 Kings Avenue, Burnside, S.A. Secretary: Mr. E. J. Thompson, 115 Wattle Street Fullarton South Australia. SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN FPLANTS—VICTORIA & TAS.: President: Mr. F. Rogers, 108 Wanterna Rd., Ringwood, Victoria. Secretary: (Sister) E. R. Bowman, 4 Homebush Cres., Hawthorn, E.3, Vic. SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS—CANBERRA REGION: President: Mr. G. E. Blakers, 46 Vasey Crescent, Campbell, A.C.T. Secretary: Miss S. Rosengrave, Hotel Acton, Canberra, A.C.T. WEST AUSTRALIAN WILDFLOWER GROWERS’' SOC. INCORPORATED: President: Mr. A. S. Mummery, Highview Rd., Greenmount, W.A. Secretary: Mrs. G. Oxnam, 55 Phillip Road, Nedlands, West Australia. Membership is open to any person who wishes to grow Australian native plants. Contact the Secretary of the Society for your State for information without obligation. PUBLISHING SECTION FOR SOCIETIES Managing Iditor: W. H. Paync assisted by P. D. Leak Sec.: K. Coxhead. Dispatch: V. Hopkins, assisted by J. Birtles, N. Gane, C. Hubner, R. Greenaway, with families. Stencils: R. Bartholomew. Illustrations: A. Spurway and E. Ham. Advertising and Sales Representatives in each State: N.S.W., P. D. Leak; Qld., W. W Kilgour; S.A., I. G. Holliday, Tas., G. van Munster; W.A., F. Lullfitz; Vlct F. R. Jefls MAIL—Address mail to the Editor, 860 Henry Lawson Drxve, Picnic Point, N.S.W SUBSCRIPTION—Members : Apply state Secretary above. NON-MEMBERS: You may receive the next 4 issues direct to your home by forwarding an annual subscription of 12/-. Overseas subscriptions are 12/- sterling or 1% dollars. BOTANICAL PUBLICATIONS AND SCIENTIFIC PAPERS We wish to advise Editors and Publishers that we are printing specialists in this field and would be glad to discuss the printing of these journals at your convenience. SURREY BEATTY & SONS Rickard Road, Chipping Norton, N.S.W. Telephone . . . 602-6522, 602-7404 @@@ 47 @@@ SEPT., 1965 AUSTRALIAN PLANTS _ Vol. 3—Page 191 PIMELEA AND FROST by TOSS FRAZIER, ARMIDALE Preliminary trials of these plants, though very limited at this stage, give encouraging results and there is good reason to believe that most eastern states species at least will prove to be very frost hardy. My only experience with W.A. species was with P. rosea last season. This one took a lot of heavy frost (no recordings taken) but died from other causes before the heaviest frosts were experienced. Present winter conditions have been more severe than is normal, ground temperatures recording as low as 10° F. (twice) and several ranging from 12° to 17°. Pimelea linifolia (P. involucrata) is healthy and undamaged and is approaching full flower—a good Pimelea with several forms. P. ligustrina. Suffered severe foliage damage by a 107 recording in May whilst in full tender growth. Has nct been damaged since and new growth has commenced. Two other Pimelea sp. which came from the north coast heath areas are healthy and undamaged. Their exact identity is not known at present but will be published in a further report of frost hardy natives in the December issue. BOOK REVIEW THE ALPINE FLOWERS OF THE KOSCIUSKO STATE PARK . . Price 12/6 This beautifully presented book has four main features. Foremost 1s the large, 16 full colour plates of wildflowers in the Park. (Portion only of one of these colour plates is reproduced showing Pimelea ligustrina, in this issue). The photography and colour reproduction is superb. Interesting articles, each written by expert and obviously an enthusiast of the subject, include: ‘“A Unique Flora’’ generally describes the flora of the park: ‘‘Australia’s Largest Park’’, describes the purpose and extent of the park and ‘‘In Ancient Times’’, delves into the geological formation of the area. This is an essential reference for those interested in our Alpine flora of this amazing park. GROWING AUSTRALIAN PLANTS by Noel Lothian and Ivan Holliday . . Price 37/6 “‘Obviously it is important to know the conditions under which a plant flourishes in nature in order to grow it successfully . . . in a single habitat . . . the garden.” This quotation from the introduction sets the pattern of this very practical book for beginners. Australian plants recommended for cultivation in a home garden are then grouped in chapter under the headings of their native habitat. A guote from another chapter entitled ‘‘Planning The Garden’, is typical of the practical approach of the authors, both of whom are regarded as experts in the cultivation of wildflowers.”” There is a tendency to treat Australian plants as separate from others. and this is, of course, quite wrong. Provided a plant’s native habitat is known and understood it can be treated in the same way as any other plant.”” The book is styled especially for growers in Adelaide but can be used with advantage, anywhere. CORRECTIONS FOR OUR LAST ISSUE No. 23 DATED JUNE, 1965 The editor wishes to offer a sincere apology for the following errors in spelling of botanical names in our last issue. We go to considerable lengths to ensure that this aspect is beyond reproach but in that issue we slipped very badly. Page 99—Pileanthus linearis should read Pileanthus limacis. Page 101—(Rock Gardens—2), noblis instead of mnobilis, ferruginia instead of ferruginea, Correa decumbens instead of Correa prostrata. Page 102—Actinotis instead of Actinotus in two places and Brachycombe instead of Brachycome. Page 103—(Plants of Special Merit), Astraloma instead of Astroloma in two places. Page 106—Stylidium ripens instead of S. repens. Page 113—Arthrocneumum instead of Arthrocnemum. Page 115—(Cassias), for C. leursenii read C. luerssenii. Page 117—for Ozylobmm lanceolata read O. lanceolatum and for Pelarogentum read Pelargonium. Page 118—C. Hammet's H. elegans means Humea elegans and Freeman’s Corea should be Correa. Page 128—Lists of Eria species—Our practice, in line with modern use is to not use capital letters in the second (specific epithet) of a species name, hence E. Johnsonii is E. johnsonii. Page 133—For Thryptomene hymenomena read hymenonema (two places). Page 13¢—For Jasmium read Jasminum, for Aldrouanda, Uticularia and Folypompholya read Adrovanda, Utricularia and Folympompholyx respectively. Page 140—Last par (from D. minnus), for Rhodendron read Rhododendron. Page 141—For Grevillea streglitziana read G. steiglitziana. Page 104—‘Dwarf Acacias’’ It was mis-stated that Acacia farnesiana does not occur in Australia. The following report from D. J. Nelson is of interest: Acacia farnesiana, a tall shrub is common in some creeks in the Alice Springs District and is eaten by cattle in hard times. Good stands of it can be seen in the Harry & Burt Creeks, respectively 32Y: and 36 miles north of Alice Springs. @@@ 48 @@@ Vol. 3—Page 192 ~ AUSTRALIAN PLANTS —ORCHIDACEAE SEPT., 1965 Colour photography, Eric Gordon. THE FLYING DUCK ORCHID—CALEANA MAJOR In spring, a long thin flower stalk rises from the base of a narrow rusty leaf, lifting a tiny bud 1o a height of from 12 to 18 inches. As the bud enlarges it assumes a peculiar form. It begins to resemble a small box with a dark hole at one end. When the time is ripe, the box lid opens, and unrolls itself to become the neck and head of the duck—the labellum, poised over the open box—the column. Any insect touching the duck’s “‘nose” is now due for a shock. When touched the labellum flips back down into its box once more, often carrying the surprised inzect with it. As the insect struggles to get clear it brings about pollination. Strangely enough, the labellum wili recock itself cuite readily. All species of Caleana are described with instructions on their cultivation. SURREY BEATTY & SONS, Prixtirs, Rickard Road, Chipping Norton — 602-7404, 602-6522