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1

The Clematis Autumn 2010 Issue No 83

Quarterly Newsletter of theBairnsdale & District Field Naturalists Club Inc A0006074C

2

BAIRNSDALE & DIST FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC. A0006074C

List of Office Bearers for 2010

President: Pat McPherson ph. (03) 5152 2614 pmcphers@datafast.net.au

Vice President: James Turner ph. (03) 5155 1258 jameslynn@tvsched.com

Secretary: Fran Bright ph. (03) 5152 2008 franjohnbright@bigpond.com

Treasurer: Margaret Regan ph. (03) 5156 2541

Correspondence to: The Secretary,

P.O. Box 563,

BAIRNSDALE 3875

Web Site: www.eastgippsland.com/bdfnc

General meetings take place at: Noweyung Centre, 84 Goold Street Bairnsdale

General meetings take place: as per program at 7.30pm sharp

Committee meetings take place: at members homes in February,

May, September and November 2010 at 4.00pm (see program)

Group Co-ordinators: Botanic Group: James Turner Ph. (03) 5155 1258

Fauna Survey Group: Jenny Edwards Ph. (03) 5157 5556

Bushwalking Group: Noel Williamson Ph. (03) 5152 1737

Newsletter Editor: Pauline Stewart Ph. (03) 5152 1606

80 Bengworden Rd. Bairnsdale.3875

email: happycats@net-tech.com.au

All articles for Winter Clematis must be in by May 1st.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 1. To further the study of natural history in all its branches, promoted by

periodical meetings, field excursions and other activities.

2. To observe and strengthen the laws for the preservation & protection of

indigenous flora and fauna and habitat and important geological features.

3. To promote the formation and preservation of National and State Parks

and Reserves.

25

They draw me down to the level of the

ground Pretty Mouths suck me in and

Earth Tongues lick through leaf rot luring

me with ancient tales of Death Caps, Earth

Stars, Stink Horns and Mottle Gills, Curry

Punks, Fire Girls and Silver Tufts, Slimy

Moulds and Web Veils, Morels and frilly

Chantarelles.

So simple and appealing these

earthy inhabitants parading as caps, cups,

parasols and bonnets, with gills and spines

and spores and faces—but look out at night

when Ghosts glow bright and Ghouls bite

into bones, when Jellies tremble and others

resemble tables for fairies and elves, when

out of the wet wood’s tiny crevasses Ink

Caps dissolve into black slimy masses -

for fungi aren’t poppets but miniature rock-

ets all set to inherit the Earth!

Molly Hall

(contributed by Ruth Cross’s sister in WA)

24

FUNGI

At the bottom of the garden where

the weeds are, where the grass grows high

and worms ooze in and out of holes undis-

turbed by prongs and

sharp-edged spades. Where snails have

found paradise and slimy slugs feel wanted

and secure.

In the wild part of the woods where

dead logs lie in peace and dank, dark

leaves layer softly, like torn pages from

ancient tomes, and spiders and ants go

about their business oblivious of the curses

cast upon them by larger, deadlier species.

Here, a million mysteries play un-

seen, even in the harsh light of day. Here,

ominous scenes unfold in the cold of night

deep within the moist, primordial mire.

Millions of miniscule spores pour

their magic into the soil whispering seduc-

tive spells, conjuring threads, fine like silk,

to grow from seemingly nothing.

Then, as if some sorcerer waved a

wand, the threads spread out, weave in and

out and wind about into weird and won-

drous subterranean growths.

They hide there waiting for the first

winter rains and a sun that’s lost its sting.

Then, when sad dry paddocks smile a

sweet, young green and frog-song sways

away the night - up pop the fungi!

How mysteriously magical these

ground-hugging growths! Like a child on a

treasure hunt I rush from clump to clump

following their path like clues on a map,

each “button” a bauble that must be pos-

sessed!

3

RULES TO OBSERVE ON FIELD TRIPS: 1. Excursions are cancelled on days of TOTAL FIRE BAN.

2. Participants to keep a visual on the car in front and behind.

3. When making a turn, give signal, and stay at intersection until

following car has also turned.

4. If separated from other cars, stop, and stay with your car.

Other members will return to find you.

5. Car pool passengers should offer a donation to the driver for fuel costs.

Responsibility for the accuracy of information and opinions expressed in this

newsletter rests with the author of the article.

SUBSCRIPTION FEES

Family membership $30

Single membership $20

Mid-year fee (new members only) $10

LIBRARY INFORMATION - Librarian - Dot Prout Phone: 5153 1303

• Books are generally borrowed for one month - however you can write on

the sign-out sheet if you wish to have it longer.

• Should any library materials need maintenance, please make me aware of

same.

• If you wish to recommend a book, this can be done by writing a short

recommendation for the Clematis. This information could be from our li-

brary books or from other books that you believe our library could look at

purchasing.

CONTENTS

Program March to June 2010 5

Presidents Report 6-7

Fernbank-Munro-Swallow Lagoon 8-12

Gelantipy 13-15

Omeo Camp-out 16-23

Fungi 24-25

4

CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS and email address’s for meetings

and field trips.

Pat McPherson 5152 2614 pmcphers@datafast.net.au

Margaret Regan 5156 2541

Pauline Stewart 5152 1606 happycats@net-tech.com.au

James Turner 5155 1258 jameslynn@tvsched.com

Noel Williamson 5152 1737 nwilliamson7@hotmail.com

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY FOR BUSH WALKS

Easy Flat, good firm track.

Moderately easy Mostly flat, track in good to fair condition

Moderate May be undulating, track in good to fair condition

Mod. difficult May be some steep sections, track may be rough in

places

Difficult May have long steep sections, track may be non

existent at times

Walks vary in distance from 6 to 14 km.

Contact the leader of the walk for a rating if it’s not included in the program.

Please take note of safety procedures in your Bairnsdale & District Field

Naturalists Club Inc. ‘RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY’ booklet.

The Clematis is printed and supported by

Dept. of Sustainability and Environment,

Bairnsdale.

Front Cover:

Bonang High Plains near Cope Creek

Photo by James Turner

23

50cm has divided leaves and an inflorescence of 20-40 mauve flowers.

On the Falls Creek to Mt McKay Road was Royal Grevillea (Grevillea

victoriae) and Alpine Pepper (Tasmannia xerophila) which is similar to

Mountain Pepper (T. lanceolata) with lustrous aromatic, very hot-tasting

foliage, red branchlets and blackish berries, but the leaves are thicker and

blunter. We watched a Pied Currawong being chased by a juvenile Red

Wattlebird with no wattles. There was also Crescent Honeyeater, White-

browed Scrubwren, Flame Robin and Olive Whistler. We walked down

Pretty Valley Road to Cope Creek to look for the rare White Billy-buttons

(Craspedia alba). This is possibly the only place in Victoria that it grows.

We found it growing in large patches almost in the creek. It is a small

plant with a rosette of silvery leaves and flower heads with pale cream

disc florets. Also in the stream bed was Dwarf Buttercup. Another daisy

nearby was purple Brachyscome aff. tenuiscapa.

A very exciting and very full weekend. Thank you to James, Anne and

John Eichler. ☺

Members searching for plants at Little Lake, Dinner Plain

Photo by James Turner

22

Spider holes. Wolf Spiders are ground-dwelling hunters. One of the holes

had black pellets around it and pieces of grass pushed down the hole??

Just past the Mt Cope Track on the Bogong Plains Road was a large open

wet plain. Every plant was prostrate or very short. This is an area of

freezing winds, but it was lovely the day we visited. There were many

plants of the bright yellow Victorian Buttercup, tiny Alpine Stackhousia,

prostrate Austral Bugle (Ajuga australis) and more Snow Daisies. Alpine

Star-bush (Astrolasia trymalioides) is a shrub to 50cm with shiny round

leaves and yellow flowers with showy stamens. The leaves smell of pars-

nip when crushed. It is in the family Rutaceae, the leaves of which have

oil glands; the family includes citrus. There were minute plants of Showy

Violet (Viola betonicifolia). Thyme Heath (Epacris glacialis) (to 30cm)

had broad rounded leaves and white flowers and is restricted to the Bo-

gong High Plains. Another member of the family Epacridaceae was Car-

pet Heath (Pentachondra pumila) which forms dense mats with rounded

leaves, white furry flowers and red fruits. There were orange Billy-

buttons (Craspedia sp.). Near the watercourse amongst the Peatmoss

(Sphagnum sp.) but not flowering, were the lily Silver Astelia (Astelia al-

pina), a tufted plant forming dense matted patches in bogs, and bright red

berries on female plants; and Candle Heath (Richea continentis), a dense

rigid much-branched shrub with the leaf bases sheathing the stem. In the

water was a bright green herb Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) with long

stems with many feathery leaves in whorls around the stem. The only pea

we noticed here was Alpine Shaggy-pea (Podolobium alpestre) with net-

veined oblong leaves and orange blooms. Maybe the tiniest plant was the

Alpine Sun-dew (Drosera arcturi) which has a rosette of blunt linear

leaves with sticky glandular hairs and a solitary white flower. The Moun-

tain Celery (Aciphylla glacialis) had bright beetles with black heads and

wings, orange thorax, and orange and black striped abdomens. The large

female and smaller male beetles were mating. On another plant was a gor-

geous beetle whose wing covers were green burnished with gold with a

brown dorsal stripe. The bird seen was Richard’s Pipit.

Along the road were many clumps of Alpine Orites (Orites lancifolia), a

shrub with long thick leathery leaves and spikes of cream flowers; and

Alpine Mint-bush (Prostanthera cuneata), an aromatic dense bush with

white or pale mauve flowers with blotched throats. Just past the aquaduct

we found Milfoil Speedwell (Derwentia nivea) which is uncommon and

restricted to just a few high altitude areas. This semi-woody shrub to

5

PROGRAM MARCH TO JUNE 2010

It is your responsibility to contact the co-ordinator of each field

trip to notify them of your intention to participate.

The co-ordinator can then notify you if the trip has to be cancelled due to

adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.

MARCH

Frid: 19th. General meeting 7.30pm Speaker: Don Love

“Reef Life Survey”

Sun. 21st. Monthly excursion 9.00am Bridge Club 9.30am Red Knob

to Wulgulmerang

Contact: James Turner

Sun. 28th. Bushwalk 9.00am to Fairy Dell area.

Contact: Noel Williamson

APRIL

Thurs 8th. Committee meeting 4.00pm at Margaret Regan’s home.

Frid. 16th. General meeting 7.30pm Speaker: James Turner

“ Orchids of East Gippsland - a preview of photos for our

proposed book.

Sun. 18th. Monthly excursion 9.00am Bridge Club to the Ensay area.

Contact: James Turner

Sun. 25th. Bushwalk 9.00am Bridge Club to be announced.

MAY

Thurs. 13th. Planning meeting/committee meeting 4.00pm at

Pauline Stewart’s home

Frid. 21st. General meeting 7.30pm Speaker: Malcolm Calder

“Galapagos Islands”

Sun. 23rd. Monthly excursion to be announced

Sun. 30th. Bushwalk 9.00am to Providence Ponds

Contact: Noel Williamson

JUNE

No General meeting

Sun. 20th. Monthly excursion 9.00am Bridge Club to Lake Tyres area -

fungi trip

Contact: James Turner

Sun. 27th. Bushwalk 9.00am Bridge Club to Echo Bend

Contact: Noel Williamson

☺

6

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

2010 is an auspicious year for the Bairnsdale & District Field Naturalist’s

Club because it marks the 50th anniversary of its founding.

The first copy of The Clematis (October 1962) records the event. “On 25th

November 1960, fifty enthusiastic people, drawn from distant parts of East

Gippsland, met at the Methodist Church and formed the Bairnsdale Field

Naturalists’ Club. The movement originated in the minds of Mr.B. Nichol-

son, Mr. M. Elliott and Mr. F. Drake – the three people responsible for

convening the meeting.

Mr. B. Nicholson stated that the Club would provide ample opportunities

for members to follow up the aims of Field Naturalists and that they

should strive to preserve the natural resources of the country and to pro-

vide a general education in Australia’s unique flora and fauna. The Club

was formed on a motion by Mr. T. Morrison and Mr. J. Cashman and af-

filiation fees were fixed at 10/- per adult member and 2/- for children. The

membership for 1960-61 totalled 111.

The Club has functioned consistently since then and currently has a mem-

bership of 71.

The Committee has canvassed the wishes of the membership regarding

celebrations and has resolved to invite all past, present and life members

plus their partners to a celebratory dinner on Friday 19th November 2010

at a suitable venue in Bairnsdale. A list of these people is currently being

compiled and a notice calling for expressions of interest (from all mem-

bers, in particular past and current members who don’t usually attend

functions) in attending the dinner, will be placed in local East Gippsland

newspapers with a deadline of 1st June. A month before the dinner invita-

tions will be issued to all current members and to those past members who

expressed an interest in attending.

A display of historical photographs will be mounted and a DVD of mem-

ber’s photos of flora seen on Club excursions will be running. An interest-

ing guest speaker will be in attendance.

I will keep you posted as these plans come to fruition and could any mem-

ber with historical material suitable for use in the display please let me

know.

21

flowering stems taller than the leaves. The umbrella-shaped inflorescence

has either male or female flowers. In the cabbage family Brassicaceae

was the Bitter-cress (Cardamine astoniae). Mountain Rusty-pods (Hovea

montana) is a small pea with small broad blunt leaves and deep purple

flowers. Yellow Kunzea (Kunzea muelleri) is a tiny prostrate shrub with

bright yellow clustered flowers with prominent stamens. The small shrub

Alpine Grevillea (Grevillea australis) has concave leaves and tiny white

scented insect-pollinated flowers. Alpine Stackhousia (Stackhousia pulvi-

naris) is a light green matted herb with single yellow perfumed flowers.

There was Alpine Rice-flower (Pimelea alpina) and Mountain Caladenia

(Caladenia alpina). There was again Purple Eyebright. We saw one of

the male Mountain Grasshoppers. Both male and female grasshoppers

have brightly striped bodies, but only the smaller male has wings.

At the marker on the south side of the road marked B46 were big plants of

Tussock-grass (Poa sp.) and also Slender Speedwell. On a Snow Gum

was the lichen Menagazzia growing on the trunk of a tree. It had a grey

encrusting body with large brown cups which hold the spores. Another

lichen Usnea was growing on a post. This light grey fruticose lichen is

pendulous and shrub-like with many branches. It has fruiting cups of the

same colour at the ends of some of the branches. There were big Wolf

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shrub with rounded leaves; and rare Large Tick-trefoil (Desmodium

brachypodum), a small plant with trifoliate leaves and long flower stalks.

Lilies were Pale Flax-lily (Dianella admixta) with short filaments; and the

gorgeous purple Common Fringe-lily (Thysanotus tuberosus). There was

Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra); Austral Carrot (Daucus glochidi-

atus) which is very similar to our garden carrot with feathery leaves and

tiny white flowers in loose terminal umbels; Curved Rice-flower (Pimelea

curviflora), a shrub to 150cm whose tubular creamy flowers are often

curved; Mountain Banksia (Banksia canei), a dense spreading shrub to

2.5m with shiny green leaves mostly with sharp spines; and a Groundsel

(Senecio sp.) where all the florets are tubular.

About 2km up the road were about 30 plants of the rare Mountain Leek-

orchid (Prasophyllum sp. aff.. montanum) which has a flowering stalk to

80cm with up to 50 perfumed yellowish green flowers. Another plant was

Pale Flax-lily. We heard Spotted Pardalote and Kookaburra. After anoth-

er 3.1km we found the Mountain Leek-orchid again. Just past the

McNamaras Hut Track were many plants of white Eyebright (Euphrasia

crassiuscula); perfumed Dusty Daisy-bush (Olearia phlogopappa var.

phlogopappa); and Derwent Speedwell (Derwentia derwentiana) which

has largish lush leaves and tall inflorescences with up to 100 tiny white

flowers.

Bucketty Plain was full of interesting plants, most of which are confined

to alpine areas, as can often been seen in their common names. The open

plain was surrounded by Snow Gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora), a fairly

small tree at this altitude with long leathery leaves with almost parallel

veins and gum bark which is mostly pale, but sometimes has red or olive-

green strips. There were two buttercups, Dwarf Buttercup (Ranunculus

millanii), a low, matted plant with incised leaves and white or pale cream

flowers; and Victorian Buttercup (R. victoriensis) which grows above

1500m on Bogong High Plains and Mt Hotham. Heaths were Gunn‘s Cor-

al Heath (Epacris gunnii) which has slender erect branches with ovate

leaves and white tubular flowers cupped in the upper leaves; and (endemic

to Victoria) Thready Beard-heath (Leucopogon pilifer), a wiry trailer with

lance-shaped leaves and minute flowers in loose spikes. The daisies were

Field Daisy, and Snow Daisy (Brachyscome nivalis) which is similar but

the leaves are fernlike. In the carrot family Apiaceae was Mountain Aci-

phyll (Aciphylla simplicifolia), a tufted herb with undivided leaves and

7

On a sad note we farewell our illustrious life member Cyril Bowden who

passed away earlier in the year and extend our deepest sympathy to Zena.

On a happier note we congratulate Irene Bould on her 80th birthday and

thank her family for including us in the celebrations on Raymond Island

on 27th February.

Pat McPherson

President

☺

Fringe Lily sp. Photo by Fran Bright

8

FERNBANK - MUNRO - SWALLOW LAGOON - 18 October 2009

by Margaret Regan

At the corner of the Fernbank-Lindenow South Road and Buntine’s Lane

in and out of the vegetation reserve along the railway line was a garden of

spring-flowering plants. One of the few trees was Black Sheoak

(Allocasuarina littoralis). Beneath were yellow with brown spots Tiger

Orchid (Diuris sulphurea), Purple Diuris (D. punctata), and an Onion Or-

chid (Microtis sp.). There were lilies like Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium

strictum) with mauve chocolate-scented flowers; white Milkmaids

(Burchardia umbellata); and Twining Fringe Lily (Thysanotus patersonii)

whose gorgeous mauve flowers have petals with fringed edges. Daisies

were tiny yellow Common Sunray (Triptilodiscus pygmaeus); yellow sin-

gle-flowered Button Everlasting (Helichrysum scorpioides); yellow many-

flowered Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum); and

Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus). A pea was the small shrub

yellow Showy Parrot-pea (Dillwynia sericea) where as in all parrot-peas

the standard is wider than long giving a winged look. There were three

species of Mat-rush, the very often seen Spiny-headed Mat-rush

(Lomandra longifolia), the much smaller Wattle Mat-rush (L. filiformis)

and a minute Pale Mat-rush (L. glauca). Other plants were Kangaroo

Grass (Themeda triandra) which strangely also grows in Africa, Asia and

New Guinea (so much for common names!); Common Rice-flower

(Pimelea humilis); and Small St John‘s Wort (Hypericum gramineum), a

small herb with erect stems, stem-clasping leaves and orange-yellow flow-

ers. There were a few fungi about, including the “Navel Fun-

gus” (Omphalina umbellifera), a small light brown toadstool with a dim-

ple on top; Scarlet Bracket Fungus (Pycnoporus coccineus); and cream

spiky puffballs. Birds noted were Magpie, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike,

Yellow-tailed Black, Sulphur-crested and Gang Gang Cockatoos, Eastern

Rosella, Willie Wagtail and Noisy Miner. Unfortunately we were startled

by a Rabbit!!

After crossing the railway line at Reside’s Lane we travelled SW about

1km to just past the Gaping Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum correctum) site in

the railway reserve. Here was another lovely garden of flowers, with

again Chocolate Lilies, Clustered and Button Everlastings; the yellow and

purple flowers forming a lovely contrast with the grey foliage of the Clus-

tered Everlastings. A new daisy was Yam-daisy (Microseris sp. 3). This

19

button.

Purple Eyebright (Euphrasia collina) is a small herb with hooded flowers

with trilobed lower lips and is a root semiparasite; another species of

which, E. officianalis, was used as a cure for eye disease, hence the com-

mon name. Other herbs were Felted Buttercup (Ranunculus muelleri)

which is restricted to the alps and sub alps; the weed Mouse-ear Chick-

weed (Cerastium vulgare) which has the same distribution; Large Alpine

Leek-orchid (Prasophyllum sphacelatum) which has up to 20 scented

green to reddish flowers in a spike and is confined to the high country of

eastern Victoria; and Mountain clubmoss (Lycopodium fastigiatum) with

short, bushy shoots and clubs with sporangia carried up above the foliage.

There was a baby Kookaburra calling.

Further along the road on the right was a small man-made lake constructed

In the 1960s. We tried a bit of bird watching and saw White-faced Heron

fishing along the edge, Australasian Grebe in the water and Wood Ducks

on the bank. There were other ducks, but they were too far away and

looking into the sun to identify. A plant was Mountain Trigger-plant

(Stylidium montanum).

Victoria River Road then met Dinner Plains Track which turned out to be

incredibly bone-shaking. At altitude 1400m was rare Mountain Leafless

Bossiaea (Bossiaea bracteosa), a dense shrub with flattened upper branch-

es acting as the photosynthetic organs and small yellow pea flowers. It is

only found above 1000m. There was also Cascade Everlasting

(Ozothamnus secundiflorus), a greyish spreading shrub with arching

branches and white flower heads in dense clusters along these branches.

A little further up the track was Narrow-leaf Pomaderris (Pomaderris phy-

licifolia subsp. ericoides). This shrub has narrow hairy leaves whose mar-

gins are so rolled under that the mid-vein cannot be seen. At Precipice

Plain we stopped to admire the view and the Pomaderris was in flower,

growing right on the edge of the cliff. There were some showy Pale Va-

nilla-lilies.

On Sunday we drove to Falls Creek. Our first stop was a few km past the

Bundara River bridge on the Omeo Highway. It was warm enough for

cicadas to sing. Other choristers were Striated Pardalote, White-eared

Honeyeater and Pied Currawong. The country was dry and rocky

(granite). There were several peas in flower. These were Hop Bitter-pea

(Daviesia latifolia); Matted Bossiaea (Bossiaea buxifolia), a prostrate

18

armeria), two species of Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.), white scented

Daphne Heath (Brachyloma daphnoides), Sweet Hound’s-tongue, Wattle

Mat-rush (Lomandra filiformis), Woolly Grevillea (Grevillea lanigera),

Creamy Candles (Stackhousia monogyna) and Mother shield-fern

(Polystichum proliferum). Two others were yellow Spur Velleia (Velleia

paradoxa), a rosetted perennial herb with toothed leaves and pansy-like

flowers; and the Buttercup (Ranunculus scapiger).

Weeds were Common St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), a carna-

tion-like plant Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria), a Flatweed daisy

(Hypochoeris sp.), the yellow pea Bird‘s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

and white Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius). Birds were Sacred Kingfish-

er, Spotted Pardalote, White-eared Honeyeater and Pied Currawong.

There were the ubiquitous Common Wombat diggings and square drop-

pings. Back at Anne’s place for lunch was again the tiny creeper Pink

Bindweed.

In the afternoon we headed up the Victoria River Road, and stopped just

over the Victoria River and up over a hill. Here there were lots of Tiger

Orchids; also Grey Guinea-flower, Trigger-plant, Sticky Everlasting in

mass along the side of the track and Pale-fruit Ballart. Further on the Vic-

toria River Road and down to a plain on the left and near the road were

Mountain Golden Moths (Diuris monticola) whose flowers are yellow,

sometimes streaked with brown; Bulbine Lily and Moth Daisy-bush

(Olearia erubescens), a small shrub with often holly-like leaves with

toothed lobes and inflorescences of 1-3 heads each having usually only 3

ray florets. On the plain itself was the very rare Alpine Sesili (Gingidia

harveyana), a herb in the carrot family Apiaceae whose lower leaves are

trifoliate and when crushed have an aniseed odour. There was also the

small shrubs Small-fruit Hakea (Hakea microcarpa) which has needle

leaves; Mountain Beard-heath (Acrothamnus hookeri) with white tubular

flowers and pinkish-red fleshy fruits; and the pea Leafy Bossiaea

(Bossiaea foliosa) which has tiny round leaves and all yellow flowers.

There were a number of daisies - white Field Daisy (Brachyscome decipi-

ens) which has entire basal leaves, and single flower heads with white ray

florets and yellow disc florets; Tufted Daisy (B. scapigera) with oblanceo-

late leaves in a basal rosette; tiny Blue Bottle-daisy (Lagenophora stipi-

tata); a yellow Billy-button (Craspedia coolaminica) with the long silvery

-grey leaves and small flower heads in bud; and another very tall billy-

9

yellow herbaceous daisy with a basal rosette of toothed leaves has a large

tuber which is replaced annually. It formed a large part of the diet of abo-

rigines and was known as “myrnong”. New birds were Striated Pardalote,

Rufous Whistler and Yellow-rumped Thornbill. About 0.5km further

along, now on a gravel road, in the reserve with Tiger Orchid was blue

Spotted Sun-orchid (Thelymitra ixioides) and a spider-orchid, perhaps

Mantis Orchid (Caladenia tentaculata). There was also a minute yellow

daisy with a single flower from a rosette of obovate leaves which is the

weed Smooth Cat’s Ear (Hypochoeris glabra).

At the Fernbank recreation reserve were thousands of Purple Diuris

(Diuris punctata) and Blotched Diuris (D. sp. aff. dendrobioides) orchids.

Purple Diuris was once found across Victoria, but is now becoming rare.

It has pale to deep purple flowers with yellow at the base of the labellum

and very long lateral sepals (to 90mm) trailing below. The petals are held

erect, so the common name for this group of orchids is Donkey Orchids.

Purple Diuris (Diuris punctata) at the Fernbank recreation reserve

Photo by James Turner

10

Blotched Diuris is confined to the Gippsland Plains near Bairnsdale and is

also rare. The flowers are smaller, paler and mostly blotched. There were

also some finished Golden Moths (D. chryseopsis). Birds around were

Noisy Friarbird, Fantail Cuckoo, Galah, Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher

and Welcome Swallow. There was some of the small twiner Common

Apple-berry (Billardiera scandens) which has yellow hanging tubular

flowers and long green berries. The puffballs Earth Stars (Geastrum sp.)

were shedding their spores. These fungi have two layers of tissue, the out-

er of which splits and opens out like a star exposing the inner thin ball

which releases the spores through a small pore at the top.

On Sinclairs Road we saw the rare white shrub Fairy Wax-flower

(Philotheca verrucosa) which has warts (oil glands) on the stems and

backs of the leaves. The Fairy Wax-flower is in the family Rutaceae

whose leaves contain oil glands and are usually strongly perfumed. This

Fairy Wax-flower is mostly found in western Victoria. One of the over-

storey trees was Silver-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus cinerea). This

small dark, fibrous-barked tree has contorted trunks and opposite silver

leaves. Orchids were Spotted Sun-orchid, the very unusual Large Duck-

orchid (Caleana major) and Dusky Fingers (Caladenia fuscata). Heaths

were a white Common Heath (Epacris impressa) and white Daphne Heath

(Brachyloma daphnoides). A pea was the tough wiry shrub (to 1m)

Smooth Parrot-pea (Dillwynia glaberrima) which has very thin short

leaves and the flowers have bright yellow standard petals. A tiny very

common shrub with white starry flowers was White Marianth

(Rhytidosporum procumbens). A larger shrub (to 2.5m) was white Silky

Teatree (Leptospermum myrsinoides) which is common in heaths on poor

sandy soils. A small wattle was Heath Wattle (Acacia brownii) which on-

ly reaches 1m. Its phyllodes are very thin and the flower heads are axil-

lary and solitary. There were several bright yellow guinea-flowers, Bun-

dled Guinea-flower (Hibbertia fasciculata) where the leaves are held in

clusters, Twiggy Guinea-flower (H. virgata), Prickly Erect Guinea-flower

(H. calycina) and Prickly Guinea-flower (H. acicularis) which has needle-

points on the leaves and wiry stems. Lilies seen were Twining Fringe Lily

and white Dwarf Wire-lily (Laxmannia orientalis). There was Noisy Fri-

arbird again, but also Striated Pardalote. On the corner of Sinclairs Road

and a Great Southern Blue Gum plantation was an area labelled Signifi-

cant Native Vegetation. Here was Woolly Grevillea (Grevillea lanigera),

a grey-green hairy shrub with red/pink/cream flowers that are non-hairy

17

(C. aff. montana), blue Scented Sun-orchid (Thelymitra megcalyptra) and

blue Graceful Sun-orchid (T. simulata) in fruit - the first one since the

fires.

Peas were Mountain Mirbelia (Mirbelia oxylobioides), a wiry open shrub

to 3m with stiff short leaves in 2s or 3s and orange and red flowers; simi-

lar Alpine Shaggy-pea (Podolobium alpestre) with larger leaves; mauve

Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestina); Austral Treefoil (Lotus australe),

a small shrub (to 60cm) whose leaves have 5 leaflets, and pale pink flow-

ers; and Dusky Scurf-pea (Cullen microcephalum), a herb with erect

spikes of white or purple flowers.

Daisies were Rough Burr-daisy, white Sticky Everlasting (Ozothamnus

thyrsoideus), a dark green shrub with long narrow leaves and copious

flower heads; straggly Leafy Daisy (Brachyscome rigidula) whose leaves

are divided into slender lobes; white to pale yellow Lanky Buttons

(Leptorhynchos elongatus); Yam-daisy (Microseris sp.3), the tuberous

roots of this yellow-flowered perennial were extensively eaten by Victori-

an aboriginals; and Silky Daisy-bush (Olearia myrsinoides) whose flower

heads have only 2-3 ray florets. Lilies were mauve Pale Vanilla-lily

(Arthropodium milleflorum), a tufted plant with linear leaves and tall flow-

ering stalks with many hanging flowers; and yellow Bulbine Lily (Bulbine

bulbosa). Two of the grasses were Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)

and Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides) whose thin leaves have acen-

tric veins and rough edges. Some of the other vegetation was the cushion-

bush Knawel (Scleranthus fascicularis); Slender Speedwell (Veronica

gracilis), a dainty little perennial with straggling stems and four-petalled

flowers with 2 off-centre stamens; Rough Bedstraw (Galium gaudi-

chaudii), a small herb with ridged stems, small leaves in 4s, and tiny yel-

low flowers; Hairy Bedstraw (G. ciliare) which has hairy stems and

leaves; a form of the Alpine Rice-flower (Pimelea alpina) which is a pros-

trate plant with crowded leaves and rosy-pink flowers; and Grey Guinea-

flower (Hibbertia obtusifolia), a small shrub with broad leaves and bright

yellow flowers. There was an iridescent blue moth whose caterpillars feed

on the Guinea-flower. Pale-fruit Ballart (Exocarpos strictus) is a lax,

broom-like shrub, appearing leafless, with fruit swelling to pink-lilac in

summer. It has taken a long time to regenerate after the 2003 fires.

Some plants we see more often were deep pink Trigger-plant (Stylidium

16

OMEO CAMP-OUT - 5-6 December 2009

by Margaret Regan

After arriving on Friday afternoon, we set out for the high country on Sat-

urday morning. We were travelling along the Great Alpine Road to

Cobungra View to meet one of the Field Nats resident there, Anne U’Ren.

Before we arrived we stopped at Jim and Jack Track which is all surround-

ed by farming properties, but has some interesting plants on the roadside

verge. These were the purple herb Variable Swainson-pea (Swainsonia

behriana), yellow Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum)

which has silvery leaves and long lanky stems with flower heads in termi-

nal clusters; white or lilac Rough Burr-daisy (Calotis scabiosifolia) which

is similar to Brachyscome but it has a burr-like fruiting head; Sweet

Hound’s-tongue (Cynoglossum suaveolens), a perennial herb with small

white scented flowers; Pink Bindweed (Convolvulus angustissimus), a

trailing perennial with hairy stems and leaves, and shallowly trumpet-

shaped flowers; and Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra). We could hear

a Striated Pardalote calling.

From Anne U’Ren’s property

she took us out into the sur-

rounding bush which she

knows intimately, and is en-

deavouring to protect, includ-

ing removing weeds. The area

was burnt in the 2003 fires

which came close to Anne’s

house. There was an amazing

variety of plants. Most people,

of course, were looking out for

orchids. We saw Leek-orchid

(Prasophyllum aff. odoratum

sp.L), Tiger Orchid (Diuris

sulphurea), Erect Midge-

orchid (Corunastylis arrecta)

in bud, Common Bird-orchid

(Chiloglottis valida), Musky

Caladenia (Caladenia gra-

cilis), Mountain Spider-orchid Prasophyllum odoratum Photo by Fran Bright

11

except for the protruding ovary, a white Coast Daisy (Brachyscome par-

vula) and Blotched Diuris. On the west side of this road junction we

walked south and north of the railway line. This is the territory of the rare

Gaping Leek Orchid, but we saw none due to the dry winter. We did find

Purple Diuris, lots of Kangaroo Grass, yellow Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulb-

osa) and lemon-flowered Rough-barked Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca parvis-

taminea) which has narrow flower spikes (less than 9mm) and prominent

oil glands on the lower surfaces of the leaves . A bird was Grey Fantail.

We travelled to Swallow Lagoon Conservation Nature Reserve. This re-

serve preserves several different vegetation types, mostly Plains Grassy

Woodland, of which only 3% of the original exists in Gippsland, and

Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland, which is also rare. Some trees were

Gippsland Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis subsp. mediana),

White Stringybark (E. globoidea), Red Box (E. polyanthemos), Silver-

leaved Stringybark and Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii). There were many

young trees, but very few old ones. The reserve has only been recently

acquired (2002). In its recent history it has been illegally grazed, and had

firewood and fence posts removed. Shrubs were Rough-barked Honey-

myrtle and Spike Wattle (Acacia oxycedrus) with pointed phyllodes and

flowers in dense axillary spikes . There were many herbs - Early Nancy

(Wurmbea dioica); Bluebells (Wahlenbergia sp.); Showy Violet (Viola

betonicifolia); Austral Bugle (Ajuga australis), a perennial herb to 50mm

with square stems and toothed opposite leaves bearing purple flowers in

their axils; and Yellow Wood-sorrel (Oxalis corniculata). Although there

are at least 8 weedy species of wood-sorrel in Australia, this is an indige-

nous species. Peas were round-leaved yellow Creeping Bossiaea

(Bossiaea prostrata); and the prostrate Matted Bush-pea (Pultenaea pe-

dunculata) with crowded narrow leaves and small yellow stalked flowers.

Daisies were the herb yellow Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum)

which is much branched with sticky leaves; and Shiny Buttons

(Leptorhynchos linearis) which has woolly stems and leaves, and shiny

bracts below the flower heads. A grass was Fibrous Spear Grass

(Austrostipa semibarbata) whose leaves and glumes (part of the spike)

often become shredded with age. Orchids were Pink Fingers (Caladenia

carnea) and a green-comb spider-orchid Mantis Orchid (Caladenia tentac-

ulata). Ferns were Narrow rock-fern (Cheilanthes sieberi) and Common

maidenhair (Adiantum aethiopicum). Birds heard or seen were Pallid

Cuckoo, White-winged Chough, Rufous Whistler and Crimson Rosella.

12

At the north entrance to Providence Ponds Reserve is a corner with three

dams. Here we looked for the very rare Dwarf Kerrawang (Rulingia pros-

trata) which is known to occur here. We didn’t find it. We did see Crim-

son Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus) and there were many plants of pink

Common Fringe-myrtle (Calytrix tetragona) in flower. When the pale

pink petals of the blooms fall, the burgundy sepals which have long

threadlike awns are revealed and remain on the flower. We found a cater-

pillar on these of the same hue as the sepal. Other plants were the red pea

Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata); Blue Dampiera (Dampiera stric-

ta) with each bright blue flower on long stalks; and Bundled Guinea-

flower. A plant of Purple Beard-orchid (Calochilus robertsonii) was dis-

covered surrounded by emu poo. Maybe they like a lot of fertiliser??

Birds were Grey Butcherbird and White-backed Magpie. A Black Walla-

by was disturbed.

During our travels in this area at least seven Echidnas were seen. It must

have been breeding season!! Thank you once again to James.

☺

Trigger Plant sp

Photo by Fran Bright

15

Dwarf Boronia (Boronia nana); a Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.); Blue Na-

tive Flax (Linum marginale); deep pink Trigger-plant (Stylidium armeria);

Creamy Candles (Stackhousia monogyna); and a tussock-grass (Poa sp.)

with curly leaves. Lilies were Yellow Star (Hypoxis vaginata), Pale Va-

nilla-lily (Arthropodium milleflorum), yellow Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulb-

osa) with a flowering stalk with many flowers opening up the stem, and

the VROT (very rare or threatened) Mountain Early Nancy (Wurmbea

biglandulosum).

Under the powerlines just south of Boundary Creek on the Buchan-

Gelantipy Road we found the yellow daisy Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos

squamatus) and Sweet Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum suaveolens) which

has tongue-shaped leaves and tiny scented white flowers. ’Cyno’ is Greek

for “dog” and ’gloss’ is Greek for “the tongue”. Along the Glenmore

Road we stopped at a track on the left just past the Murrindal River cross-

ing. We saw a bait station that had been set up for wild dogs and foxes.

This was a much wetter area than our previous stops. Some trees were

Gippsland Peppermint (E. croajingolensis) which has fine fibrous bark,

alternating scented bluish-green leaves and stalked rounded buds and fruit

in clusters of 11-20; Mountain Swamp Gum (E. camphora) with rough

lower bark, ovate leaves and stalked pointed buds in 7s; and the wattle

Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon). Shrubs were damp-loving white Coral

Heath (Epacris gunnii) with small pointed leaves with stem-hugging ba-

ses; and the daisy Shiny Cassinia (Cassinia longifolia) which has long thin

leaves which are densely hairy below and terminal clusters of white flower

heads;. Other plants were mauve and white Ivy-leaved Violet (Viola hede-

racea); the tiny pale Blue Bottle-daisy (Lagenophora stipitata); and Tas-

man Flax-lily (Dianella tasmanica) with a beetle the same shiny dark ol-

ive-green as its buds; Red-fruit Saw-sedge (Gahnia sieberiana); and Fish-

bone water-fern (Blechnum nudum).

Many thanks to James.

Information on Buchan Caves from Parks Victoria Heritage Notes.

☺

14

explored by Frank Moon in 1905. It goes to a depth of 30m. A generator

had been brought on the back of a utility and a long cord taken into the

cave to hook up with the light system. We were led down several flights

of stairs, and past some stalactite and stalagmite formations to a larger

chamber with bigger formations with sheets etc. We spent some time ad-

miring all these beautiful features, then we left the photographic addicts

with their cameras and headed further north along the Buchan-Gelantipy

Road to Boundary Creek.

We stopped south of the bridge over Boundary Creek and examined the

valley to the west of the road. The area had been burnt in the 2003 fires

and again in the autumn of 2009. From the vegetation we assumed the

valley is wet sometimes. There were quite a few birds - White-naped

Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Sacred Kingfisher, Lyrebird, Striated and

Spotted Pardalote, and a Crimson Rosella sitting in the entrance to a hol-

low in a dead tree, presumably a nesting hollow. Two overhead trees were

Broad-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus dives), a small tree with fibrous

bark and broad lanceolate grey-green leaves; and Candlebark (E. rubida),

a smooth-barked tree with reddish patches and long narrow leaves. A

dense shrub (to 2.5m) was Kybean Wattle (Acacia kybeanensis) which has

dull grey-green flat phyllodes and globular flower heads in racemes, but

which was not flowering. It is found in SE NSW and East Gippsland at

higher elevations. Daisies seen were the shrub white Sticky Everlasting

(Ozothamnus thyrsoideus) with narrow dark green leaves and copious

flower heads; much-branched mauve Leafy Daisy (Brachyscome rigidula)

which has dissected leaves; mauve B. spathulata with a basal rosette of

leaves; and yellow Button Everlasting (Helichrysum scorpioides). Peas

were all yellow and orange flowered (so-called “egg and bacon”) - Hop

Bitter-pea (Daviesia latifolia), a small erect shrub with wide leaves and

many-flowered racemes; the tiny Creeping Bossiaea (Bossiaea prostrata)

with circular leaves; and the Bush-pea (Pultenaea forsythiana) with short

spiky narrow leaves. An orchid was Tiger Orchid (Diurus sulphurea)

whose flower is yellow with brown spots. Heaths were white Common

Heath (Epacris impressa) and the tiny Grey Beard-heath (Leucopogon

attenuatus). Dwarf Sour-bush (Choretrum pauciflora) is a small shrub

with leaves reduced to triangular scales, tiny flowers and round fleshy

fruits, and is in the same family Santalaceae as the Cherry Ballart. There

was a stout semiparasitic climber Coarse Dodder-laurel (Cassytha melan-

tha) with big green fleshy fruits; Showy Violet (Viola betonicifolia);

13

GELANTIPY - 22 November 2009

by Margaret Regan

At the beginning of our excursion we were meeting up with the East

Gippsland Photographic Society at Buchan. The toilet block there turned

out to be a great place for bird watching! We saw White-browed Wood-

swallow, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, White-winged Chough, White-backed

Magpie, Magpie Lark, Willie Wagtail, Welcome Swallow, the ferals Star-

ling and Sparrow, and were serenaded by a Rufous Songlark.

The Photographic Society had organised to visit the private Shades of

Death cave at Murrindal north of Buchan. This was an opportunity too

good to miss, so we joined them for the first part of our excursion. Shades

of Death is only one of as many as 600 caves so far discovered in the

Buchan region. Underground rivers cutting through limestone rock

formed these caves. The limestone was laid down in the Devonian period

about 300-400 million years ago. At that time seas covered this area and

were alive with shellfish and corals. Their remains were deposited over

the years and formed the limestone. As the ocean receded, the limestone

was subjected to severe earth movement, which folded and crumpled the

land into its present formation. Over many thousands of years, water ac-

tion has carved out the rock leaving large chambers and passages. These

underground rivers are now dry or have changed their courses, although

there are still some small flows when it is wet. Formations in the caves

were caused by the seepage of surface rainwater, which contained dis-

solved carbon dioxide from the air and some organic acids from the soil.

This acidic water dissolved some of the limestone and as each droplet

came through the roof it would hang, depositing calcite (crystalline calci-

um carbonate). The calcite crystallised in a small ring around each water

drop and as each one followed the other, stalactites were formed. Calcium

carbonate is naturally white, but is sometimes stained red, brown or or-

ange by iron oxide in the soil. In faster growing periods the water

splashed to the floor forming stalagmites. Sometimes the stalactites and

stalagmites met to form a pillar or a column. When the water flowed

down surfaces at a slight angle, blanket or shawl formations were pro-

duced. Large ’flowstone’ formations resembling waterfalls were caused

by water flowing over ledges of rock or gravel banks.

The Shades of Death cave was discovered by Henham in 1901 and