A field guide to native flora used by honeybees in tasmania

1

A Field Guide to Native Flora Used

by Honeybees in Tasmania

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© 2009 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

All rights reserved.

ISBN 1 74151 947 0 ISSN 1440-6845

A Field Guide to Native Flora Used by Honeybees in Tasmania

Publication No. 09/149

Project No. PRJ-002933

The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances.

While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication.

The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors.

The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165

Researcher Contact Details Name: Mark Leech of Brueckner Leech Consulting Email: [email protected]

In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form.

RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National CircuitBARTON ACT 2600

PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604

Phone: 02 6271 4100 Fax: 02 6271 4199 Email: [email protected]. Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au

Published in December 2009

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A Field Guide toNative Flora Used by

Honeybees in Tasmania

by Mark Leech

RIRDC Publication No 09/149 RIRDC Project No. PRJ-002933

Electronically published by RIRDC in December 2009 Print-on-demand by Union Offset Printing, Canberra at www.rirdc.gov.au

or phone 1300 634 313

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Contents

Contents .............................................................................................................4Foreword ............................................................................................................6Acknowledgements ...........................................................................................7Introduction........................................................................................................8Tea Tree Species ...............................................................................................10Using this guide................................................................................................11Floral Species....................................................................................................15Silver Wattle, Acacia dealbata subsp. dealbata................................................16Coast Wattle, Acacia longifolia subsp. sophorae ..............................................18Black Wattle, Acacia mearnsii ...........................................................................20Blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon ......................................................................22Prickly Moses, Acacia verticillata ......................................................................24White Waratah/Fragrant Candlebush, Agastachys odorata ............................26Drooping Sheoak, Allocasuarina verticillata ....................................................28Horizontal, Anodopetalum biglandulosum ......................................................30Tasmanian Laurel, Anopterus glandulosus .......................................................32Golden Pea, Aotus ericoides ..............................................................................34Sassafras, Atherosperma moschatum subsp. moschatum ................................36Silver Banksia, Banksia marginata ....................................................................38Saw Banksia, Banksia serrata ............................................................................40Wiry Bauera, Bauera rubioides ..........................................................................42Prickly Box, Bursaria spinosa.............................................................................44Yellow Bottlebrush, Callistemon pallidus .........................................................46Prickly Bottlebrush, Callistemon viridiflorus .....................................................48Native Plum, Cenarrhenes nitida ......................................................................50Mountain Clematis, Clematis aristata ..............................................................52Native Hop/Broadleaf Hopbush, Dodonaea viscosa subsp. spatulata ............54Heaths, Epacris species......................................................................................56Black Peppermint, Eucalyptus amygdalina ......................................................58

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Snow Peppermint /Snow Gum, Eucalyptus coccifera ......................................60White Top/Gumtopped Stringybark, Eucalyptus delegatensis subsp. tasmaniensis .....................................................................................................62Tasmanian Blue Gum, Eucalyptus globulus subsp. globulus ............................64Smithton/Western Peppermint, Eucalyptus nitida ..........................................66Brown Top Stringybark/Stringybark, Eucalyptus obliqua ................................68Black Gum, Eucalyptus ovata subsp. ovata ......................................................70Cabbage Gum, Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora ..................................72White Peppermint, Eucalyptus pulchella..........................................................74Swamp Gum/Giant Ash, Eucalyptus regnans ...................................................76Ironbark, Eucalyptus sieberi ..............................................................................78Alpine Yellow Gum, Eucalyptus subcrenulata ..................................................80White Gum, Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. viminalis ...........................................82Leatherwood, Eucryphia lucida ........................................................................84Dwarf Leatherwood, Eucryphia milliganii ........................................................86Cutting Grass, Gahnia grandis ..........................................................................88Mountain Pinkberry, Leptecophylla juniperina subsp. parvifolia .....................90Woolly Tea tree, Leptospermum lanigerum......................................................92Manuka/Common Tea tree, Leptospermum scoparium...................................94Coast Paperbark, Melaleuca ericifolia...............................................................96Scented Paperbark, Melaleuca squarrosa ........................................................98Lancewood/Satinwood, Nematolepis squamea subsp. squamea..................100Musk/Musk Daisybush, Olearia argophylla ....................................................102Tallow-wood/Cheesewood, Pittosporum bicolor...........................................104Common Dogwood, Pomaderris apetala subsp. apetala ..............................106Christmas Mintbush, Prostanthera lasianthos var. lasianthos........................108Yellow Eye, Xyris operculata ...........................................................................110Appendix 1 - Non-native flora........................................................................112Appendix 2 - Leatherwood predictive extent ...............................................114References ......................................................................................................116

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Foreword This pocket field guide is intended to provide a user-friendly tool for beekeepers to help identify Tasmanian native flora likely to be accessed by and beneficial to honeybees. It is an essential element of a suite of products that describe Tasmania’s honeybee industry and the floral resources accessed by honeybees.

The National Workshop on the Effects of Honey Bees on the Environment identified the need for each state to develop a beekeeping resource database to assist the beekeeping industry and relevant national and state government departments when determining beekeeper usage of government-controlled lands.

Materials presented here build on the 2004 Apiary Census and2005 Apiary Industry Profile undertaken in Tasmania by the Forest and Forest Industry Council and the Apiary Working Group.

This field guide is an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1,900 research publications, and forms part of our Honeybee R&D program, which aims to improve the productivity and profitability of the Australian beekeeping industry.

Most of RIRDC’s publications are available for viewing, free downloading or purchasing online at www.rirdc.gov.au. Purchases can also be made by phoning 1300 634 313.

Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation

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Acknowledgements This field guide would not have been possible without the following assistance:

The beekeepers who warmly welcomed the author and gave freely of their time in interviews and who responded to the surveys;RIRDC who funded the project; The Forest and Forest Industries Council who funded the 2005 Apiary Industry Profile by Brueckner Leech Consulting, which, with the report based on the 2004 ApiaryCensus, has provided the data for the field guide; The floral images kindly provided by Hans and Annie Wapstra, and Mark Wapstra (Environmental Consulting Options Tasmania);Botanical editing generously donated by Mark Wapstra; Scott Livingston of Livingston Natural Resource Services who interpreted the spatial data and production of the distribution maps, and Josh Crawford who designed and compiled these resources into a field guide format.

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Introduction The field guide to Tasmanian native flora accessed by honeybees (Apis mellifera) has been produced as a component of the Tasmanian Floral Database project. The base data was derived from the Tasmanian Apiary Census, 2004 and the Tasmanian Apiary Industry Profile, 2005. The guide is intended to provide an easily understood visual assessment of native flora distribution and its use by honeybees. The floral sequence data has been regionalised, and a range of values for honey yield and pollen values provided.

Species distribution maps have been based on site records of the Tasmanian Natural Values Atlas (NVA). The NVA, developed and managed by the Resource Management and Conservation Division of the Department of Primary Industries and Water, is a comprehensive set of maintained natural values with integrity and validation. Its use at the printed map scale provides a surrogate of species distributions, but species may occur outside the recorded points.

Hive locations are those reported by beekeepers in association with the species taken from the 2004 Apiary Census data. An attempt at creating some notion of the significance of species based on low honey yield and pollen value eliminated only one species from the guide. This indicates that the floral species reported by beekeepers as being important to their bees are either yielding honey or are an important source of pollen.

The majority of semi-commercial and commercial beekeeping in Tasmania is migratory, i.e., hives are moved to capture peak honey flows as part of the overall management process, either in preparation for provision of pollination services, or to optimise honey production.

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The 2004 Apiary Census captured valuable information about the flora used by bees and beekeepers in their apiary management. Native flora and introduced flora contribute in an interlinked mosaic across the landscape. Information has been provided here for species that beekeepers know their bees are accessing, although in extensive natural settings more species than indicated may be used. There are at least 51 native species, and at least 41 introduced species accessed by bees in Tasmania.

Managed honeybees make extensive use of all flora, whether native or introduced. The floral database produced from the 2004 Apiary Census provided the following information:

At least 93 species and plant associations have been identified by beekeepers as being accessed by managed honeybees;Leatherwood (Eucryphia lucida) is the most important floral element in the Tasmanian floral sequence, being accessed by at least 12,500 hives from at least 280 sites, and yielding approximately 1,000 tonnes of honey per year. It is also the latest-flowering species, providing crucial winter stores for bees; Tasmanian Blue Gum, Prickly Box and Tea Tree species are other native species that consistently produce sizeable commercial honey flows; The plants consistently considered by beekeepers to be most important for pollen are Crack Willow, Gorse and Blackberry, all of which are serious environmental weeds; Production of clover-blackberry ‘white honey’, once the mainstay of the industry, is threatened by changing agricultural practice and biological control.

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Tea Tree Species Tea tree honey has begun to attract the attention of the consumer and beekeeper for its therapeutic properties and associated high potential value. New Zealand has led the research into the therapeutic activity levels of some honeys, with a particular interest in Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium,also commonly known as tea tree). Non-peroxide activity level has been identified in honey from a number of species, but appears to be most reliably produced from Manuka. The New Zealanders have trademarked their acronym UMF® (Unknown Manuka Factor) which relates to a relative score of laboratory-tested honey potency in comparison with known antibiotic agents, mainly standard phenol solutions. Very high returns have been recorded for honey with UMF® scores greater than 20. It appears that this trend has increased all tea tree honey prices, regardless of any nominated therapeutic factors.

While some Tasmanian beekeepers are making use of the extensive tea tree resource, the distribution maps indicate that there is a lot of unused resource. Beekeepers have often reported tea tree as being present, but providing no honey, but also noting that it may represent a pollen resource. These tea tree sites are usually on the west coast where the leatherwood flowers so prolifically that bees will prefer to visit that species.Tea tree has been unpopular at these sites as it can ‘taint’ the first leatherwood honey take. However, the tea tree usually begins flowering three to four weeks before the leatherwood, potentially providing the opportunity to obtain a pure tea tree take prior to commencement of the leatherwood flow. The tea tree resource offers a significant potential to the industry, with a need for further research into peroxide- and non-peroxide based therapeutic activity levels of the honey based on region of origin and site conditions.

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Using this guide

The guide is intended for use in the field to assist visual identification of native species in flower. The distribution map and regionalised floral sequence should aid in identification, especially when used together with more detailed botanical field guides.

Each species map has its own legend and is self-explanatory. The species’ botanical name and most commonly-used name appear as a heading.

Natural Values Atlas recorded locations of species are shownby a blue cross (+), and recorded hive locations by a red square ( ).

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Each of the floral images are considered to be representative of the species, but may not cover all variations found within the different regions.

Common names have been referenced from the Little Book of Common Names for Tasmanian Plants (Wapstra et al. 2008). However, if the name used by beekeepers was consistently different it also has been included.

The information provided in the floral sequence tables has been derived from the 2004 Apiary Census. Some key points in relation to the tables are:

number of sites and the number of hives accessing a particular species provides a measure of relative importance;pollen nutritional value was rated by beekeepers from 1-5, with 1 being considered to be of little nutritional value; flowering may vary within regions and the indicated flowering timeline is the cumulative flowering period within the region; honey yield has been provided as a range from the sites within the region, unless it was constant across sites and reflects an average take from a site; where a number of species may be flowering at once from a given site, beekeepers have, where possible, provided estimates of pollen importance and honey yield for individual species.

The floral sequence data provided for each species provides an indication of the importance of the species in terms of the number of sites and hives accessing individual species, the time and duration of flowering, the relative importance of the pollen and the range of honey production.

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The sequence presents flowering times and duration within six regions based loosely on the local telephone districts (see below). Differences occur within regions, and care must be used in applying the information, as the range for each species indicated by the bar chart (below) is cumulative across the region, thus, a species may flower for one month in the southern part and two months on the coast, which may appear as three months of continuous flowering on the chart.

RegionsNorth West (NW): The ‘04’ telephone district south to the Arthur River, then limited by a line due east to the ‘03’ boundary.North (N): The western ‘03’ telephone district west of the River Tamar, extending down the Midlands Highway.North East (NE): The eastern ‘03’ telephone district east of the River Tamar, extending down the Midlands Highway. West (W): The ‘04’ telephone district south of the Arthur River, then limited by a line due east to the ‘03’ boundary.South West (SW): Forests in the Derwent and Huon State forest districts managed for leatherwood.South East (SE): All other areas in the ‘02’ telephone district.

Floral Sequence J F M A M J J A S O N D

NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

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Floral Data

Total Sites TotalHives

YearBetweenFlowering

Flowering Duration(months)

PollenValue (1-5)

Honey Yield (kg/hive)

1 2 3 4 5 6

Floral Species

1� 16

Silver Wattle, Acacia dealbata subsp. dealbata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


19 1121 1 1-2 1 0-10

Plant TypeSmall to medium tree (5 – 30 m) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, to wet sclerophyll forest Flowers Lemon to bright yellow globular flower-heads, in racemes or panicles.

© Mark Wapstra

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17

1� 18

Coast Wattle, Acacia longifolia subsp. sophorae


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


13 264 1 1-2 4-5 0

Plant TypeBushy shrub to small tree (to 5 m) Vegetation Communities Coastal vegetation including sand dunes and coastal forest and woodland Flowers Long straight yellow spikes in upper leaf axils.

© Mark Wapstra

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19

20 20

Black Wattle, Acacia mearnsii


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


3 28 1 1-2 3-4 0

Plant TypeSmall tree (to 10 m) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland Flowers Fragrant, pale yellow globular flower-heads in long axillary racemes or panicles.

© Hans and Annie Wapstra

21

21

22 23

Blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


11 387 1 2 2-5 0

Plant TypeSmall to medium tree (8 – 30 m) Vegetation Communities All forest communities, especially in higher rainfall areas Flowers Dense, globular, pale yellow heads, solitary or on short racemes of 2–8 heads.

© Mark Wapstra

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24

2� 25

Prickly Moses, Acacia verticillata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


3 20 1 2 3 0

Plant TypeSlender shrub to small spreading tree (2–10 m) Vegetation Communities Most forest and woodland types, especially in damp areas Flowers Dense, bright yellow cylindrical spikes, axillary in upper branches.

© Mark Wapstra

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26

2� 27

White Waratah/Fragrant Candlebush, Agastachys odorata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


29 2090 1 1 1-3 0-1

Plant TypeErect bushy shrub (2–3 m) to small tree (to 8 m) Vegetation Communities Wet scrub with buttongrass plains, occasionally in forest Flowers Strongly scented, creamy white, straight upright spikes, 5–8 cm long in leaf axils near ends of branches.


2�

28

2� 29

Drooping Sheoak, Allocasuarina verticillata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


1 24 1 2 3 0

Plant TypeMuch-branched small tree (4–10 m) Vegetation Communities Coastal communities to dry woodlands Flowers Male flowers: long yellow-brown spikes; female flowers: red globular masses.


2�

30

30 31

Horizontal, Anodopetalum biglandulosum


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


8 420 1 1-2 0 0-14

Plant TypeSmall tree to 10 m forming dense thickets Vegetation Communities Rainforest, mixed forest and wet sclerophyll forest Flowers Small flowers with 4 pale green to white pointed petals.


31

32

32 33

Tasmanian Laurel, Anopterus glandulosus


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


22 1040 1 1-2 0-3 0-38

Plant TypeShrub (2–4m) to small tree (to 10 m) Vegetation Communities Rainforest, mixed forest and wet sclerophyll forest Flowers Showy white, cup-shaped flowers to 2 cm diam., on slender stalks in terminal racemes.


33

34

3� 35

Golden Pea, Aotus ericoides


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


1 24 1 2 4 0

Plant TypeShrub (0.3–1.3 m) Vegetation Communities Coastal communities, heath, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland Flowers Classic peaf flower, golden yellow with red markings, solitary or up to 3 in upper leaf axils forming cylindrical heads.


3�

36

3� 37

Sassafras, Atherosperma moschatum subsp. moschatum


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


19 1375 1 1-2 1 0

Plant TypeMedium to large conical shaped tree (to 45 m)

Vegetation Communities Rainforest, mixed forest, wet sclerophyll forest

Flowers/other features Stalked flowers on underside of branches facing downwards; male flowers c. 2 cm diam.; female flowers smaller; flowers white and scented; bark and leaves gives sarsaparilla-like smell and taste when crushed.


3� 38

3� 39

Silver Banksia, Banksia marginata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


22 1472 1-2 1 1-2 0-20

Plant TypeSmall shrub to small tree (0.5–12 m) Vegetation Communities Variable from sea-level to 1000 m; coastal heathland, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, wet sclerophyll forest Flowers Bottlebrush-like spike of soft lemon yellow to golden flowers, spike 10 cm long by 4 cm wide.


3�

40

�0 41

Saw Banksia, Banksia serrata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


1 20 2 2 1 10

Plant TypeSmall tree (to 15 m) Vegetation Communities Coastal vegetation, restricted to the Rocky Cape–Sisters Hills area in northwest Tasmania Flowers Large spikes up to 20 cm long by 10 cm wide; pale yellow to golden flowers.

© Mark Wapstra

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42

�2 43

Wiry Bauera, Bauera rubioides


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


21 1590 1 1 1 0

Plant TypeWiry shrub, prostrate to thicket-forming (to 6m) Vegetation Communities Widespread, especially in wet heaths; occasional component of higher rainfall forests Flowers Pendulous 1.5–2 cm flowers, axillary on slender stalks, petals pink or white.


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44

�� 45

Prickly Box, Bursaria spinosa


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


96 4534 1 1-4 1-5 0-50

Plant TypeShrub to small tree (3–10 m) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodlands, especially dry hillsides and rocky areas Flowers Numerous star-like, white to cream flowers in branched pyramidal infloresences; flowers scented.


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46

�� 47

Yellow Bottlebrush, Callistemon pallidus


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


5 110 1 1-2 4 4-14

Plant TypeErect shrub (to 4 m) Vegetation Communities Poorly-drained areas in forest and scrub, often in riparian areas Flowers Bottlebrush-like spike of pale yellow flowers, 8 cm long by 3 cm wide.


��

48

�� 49

Prickly Bottlebrush, Callistemon viridiflorus


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


15 1200 - 1 1 0

Plant TypeErect shrub (1–2 m) Vegetation Communities Various and widespread, but often at higher elevations in poorly-drained and rocky sites Flowers Bottlebrush-like spike of pale yellow to greenish yellow flowers.


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50

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Native Plum, Cenarrhenes nitida


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


10 585 - 2 2 0

Plant TypeSpreading shrub to small tree (to 10 m) Vegetation Communities Wet scrub and heath, wet sclerophyll forest, mixed forest, rainforest Flowers/other features Flowers in near-terminal axillary spikes, white to 1 cm diam.; fruit a large purple spherical drupe; leaves produce nauseating smell when crushed.


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52

�2 53

Mountain Clematis, Clematis aristata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


4 130 1 2 - 0

Plant TypeWoody climber (to 15 m) Vegetation Communities Mainly wet sclerophyll forest and canopy gaps and edges of rainforest and mixed forest, occasional in drier forests Flowers Creamy white star-shaped flowers, c. 4.5 cm diam., with 4–7 long narrow segments.


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54

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55

Native Hop/Broadleaf Hopbush, Dodonaea viscosa subsp. spatulata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


2 44 1 1 1-5 2-20

Plant TypeDense shrub to small tree (to 6 m) Vegetation Communities Coastal vegetation, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, rocky hillsides Flowers/other features Small flowers in terminal clusters; fruits conspicuous reddish-brown papery capsules.


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56

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Heaths, Epacris species


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


105 7238 1 2-7 1-5 0-5

Plant TypeGround flora and shrubs (mostly <1 m, some up to 5 m) Vegetation Communities Coastal vegetation, heathlands, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland Flowers Various, many with bright white tubular flowers.


��

58

�� 59

Black Peppermint, Eucalyptus amygdalina


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


35 2457 8-15 1-2 1-3 0-35

Plant TypeMedium tree (to 30 m) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, coastal communities Flowers/other features Narrow willow-like leaves; rough bark on whole trunk and on to upper branches.


��

60

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Snow Peppermint /Snow Gum, Eucalyptus coccifera


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


1 25 4 2 5 0

Plant TypeMedium tree (to 25 m) Vegetation Communities Montane woodland Flowers/other features Fruit in groups of 7–15 (sometimes 3); deciduous smooth bark; adult leaves green or greyish with a small hooked tip.


�1

62

�2 63

White Top/Gumtopped Stringybark, Eucalyptus delegatensis subsp. tasmaniensis


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


45 2645 1-20 0-3 1-5 0-38

Plant TypeLarge tree (20–90 m)

Vegetation Communities Wet and dry sclerophyll forest, generally at higher elevations

Flowers/other features Fruit in groups of 7–15; persistent bark on base, deciduous on upper trunk; “seedlings” red-stemmed with leaves blue/green and almost circular.

© Greg Jordan

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64

��

65

Tasmanian Blue Gum, Eucalyptus globulus subsp. globulus


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


74 2385 1-12 1-7 1-5 5-60

Plant TypeLarge tree (3 m in coastal areas, up to 90 m in wet forest) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, wet sclerophyll forest Flowers/other features Fruit solitary or in groups of 3; large white to pale yellow; characteristic large “warty” capsule.


�� 66

�� 67

Smithton/Western Peppermint, Eucalyptus nitida


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


22 1730 2-80 1-10 4-5 0

Plant TypeSmall to medium tree (5–20 m, up to 50 m)

Vegetation Communities Coastal vegetation, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, wet sclerophyll forest, mixed forest, sedgeland copses and edges

Flowers/other features Multi-fruited umbels; rough persistent bark on base, smooth bark on upper trunk and branches; crushed leaves have “peppermint” scent.


��

68

�� 69

Brown Top Stringybark/Stringybark, Eucalyptus obliqua


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


82 2784 7-14 2-4 1-5 3-38

Plant TypeMedium to very large tree (15–90m) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, wet sclerophyll forest, mixed forest Flowers/other features Bark fibrous (“stringy”) and persistent on trunk and branches; adult leaves typically oblique.


��

70

�0 71

Black Gum, Eucalyptus ovata subsp. ovata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


11 325 1-4 1-4 3-5 8-40

Plant TypeMedium tree (to 50 m) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, wet sclerophyll forest (usually on broad flats and riparian areas), heathland and sedgeland margins Flowers/other features Bark persistent on base, fibrous to “platy”; adult leaves typically “oval”.


�1

72

�2 73

Cabbage Gum, Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. pauciflora


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


3 65 1-4 3-4 3-5 0

Plant TypeMedium tree (up to 20 m) Vegetation Communities Mainly dry sclerophyll forest and woodland; also coastal Flowers/other features Fruit in groups of 5–15; weeping habit, often with long pendulous branches; smooth deciduous bark on trunk; leaves are “glossy”, thick and waxy.


�3

74

�� 75

White Peppermint, Eucalyptus pulchella


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


1 24 - 1 4 0

Plant TypeSmall tree (usually 6–15 m, up to 30 m) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland Flowers/other features Attractive white, yellow and grey smooth bark; very thin leaves.


��

76

�� 77

Swamp Gum/Giant Ash, Eucalyptus regnans


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


14 735 7 1-2 3 0-38

Plant TypeVery large tree (to 100 m) Vegetation Communities Wet sclerophyll forest, mixed forest, rainforest Flowers/other features Basal bark fibrous, upper bark deciduous and peeling in long ribbons.

© Greg Jordan

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78

�� 79

Ironbark, Eucalyptus sieberi


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


2 60 6 2-4 - 30

Plant TypeMedium to large tree (15–30 m) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, occasionally in wet sclerophyll forest Flowers/other features Deeply-fissured, persistent bark; red branchlets.


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80

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Alpine Yellow Gum, Eucalyptus subcrenulata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


1 30 4 1 5 0

Plant TypeSmall to medium tree (6–55 m). Vegetation Communities Wet sclerophyll forest, sub-alpine woodland Flowers/other features Smooth trunk, orange-red or yellow-green.

© Greg Jordan

�1

82

�2 83

White Gum, Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. viminalis


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


32 1627 2-10 2-4 0-5 0-30

Plant TypeMedium to large tree (to 90m) Vegetation Communities Dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, wet sclerophyll forest Flowers/other features White trunk with ribbon bark.


�3

84

�� 85

Leatherwood, Eucryphia lucida


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


281 12453 1 1-5 1-5 8-115

Plant TypeTall shrub to medium tree (to 30 m) Vegetation Communities Mixed forest, rainforest Flowers “Large” flower to c. 3 cm diam. with 4 bright white petals, in leaf axils near ends of branches, often numerous.

© Mark Wapstra

��

86

�� 87

Dwarf Leatherwood, Eucryphia milliganii


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


13 460 1 2 1-5 0-15

Plant TypeSpreading small shrub (to 2 m) Vegetation Communities Montane vegetation Flowers White flower with 4 petals.


��

88

�� 89

Cutting Grass, Gahnia grandis


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


7 160 1 1-4 1-5 -

Plant TypeLarge tussock (to 3.5 m) Vegetation Communities Widespread on poorly drained sites Flowers/other features Plume-like flowerheads; grass-like leaves with cutting edges.


��

90

�0 91

Mountain Pinkberry,Leptecophylla juniperina subsp. parvifolia


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


1 30 1 4 - 30

Plant TypeDense shrub (0.6–1.2 m) Vegetation Communities Sub-alpine vegetation Flowers/other features Small, cream, bell-shaped flowers in leaf axils; pink spherical berries, often numerous.


�1

92

�2 93

Woolly Tea tree, Leptospermum lanigerum


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


26 1791 1-2 1-2 2-4 4-5

Plant TypeLarge shrub to small tree (3–6 m)

Vegetation Communities Widespread and abundant; coastal vegetation, wet sclerophyll forest, montane vegetation, riparian vegetation

Flowers Small, creamy white, solitary (but numerous) flowers to 1.5 cm diam.


�3

94

�� 95

Manuka/Common Tea tree, Leptospermum scoparium


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


44 3036 1 1-2 0-5 3-12

Plant TypeSmall shrub to small tree (2–7 m) Vegetation Communities Coastal heath, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland Flowers Small white solitary flower in leaf axil, to 1.5 cm diam.


��

96

�� 97

Coast Paperbark, Melaleuca ericifolia


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


30 2153 1 1-2 3-5 0-13

Plant TypeShrub to medium tree (3–8 m, up to 25 m) Vegetation Communities Swamp forests, riparian vegetation, wet sclerophyll forest Flowers/other features White spikes (small brush) of creamy white flowers; paper-like peeling bark.


��

98

�� 99

Scented Paperbark, Melaleuca squarrosa


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


21 894 1 1-2 5 5-7

Plant TypeSmall to tall shrub (1–6 m) Vegetation Communities Heathland, moorland, wet sclerophyll forest, swamp forest Flowers Small creamy yellow bottlebrush-like flowers, spike to 4 cm long; sweet-scented.


��

100

100 101

Lancewood/Satinwood, Nematolepis squamea subsp. squamea


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


6 80 1-4 2 4-5 5-30

Plant TypeLow to medium shrub to small tree (1-6 m to 12 m) Vegetation Communities Wet sclerophyll forest, riparian scrub Flowers Flowers in small clusters in leaf axils, c. 1 cm diam, white.


101

102

102 103

Musk/Musk Daisybush, Olearia argophylla


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


3 75 1 2 5 0-15

Plant TypeSmall tree, much branched from low height (5–15 m)

Vegetation Communities Wet sclerophyll forest, broadleaf shrubbery in canopy gaps and fern gullies

Flowers/other features Small (to c. 1 cm diam.), white ‘daisy’ flower in large terminal heads; large olive-green leaf, silvery-white below.


103

104

10� 105

Tallow-wood/Cheesewood, Pittosporum bicolor


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


5 350 1 1-2 5 0

Plant TypeSmall tree (to 14 m) Vegetation Communities Wet sclerophyll forest, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland Flowers Small bell-shaped, yellow with deep crimson or purple flushes.

© Mark Wapstra

10�

106

10� 107

Common Dogwood, Pomaderris apetala subsp. apetala


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


4 100 1 2-3 5 0-14

Plant TypeSmall tree (to 10 m), often in dense thickets Vegetation Communities Wet sclerophyll forest, mixed forest, riparian scrub Flowers Lemon to yellow flowers with no petals in large heads.

© Mark Wapstra

10�

108

10� 109

Christmas Mintbush, Prostanthera lasianthos var. lasianthos


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


5 150 1 1-2 1-5 0-6

Plant TypeShrub to small tree (2–6 m) Vegetation Communities Wet sclerophyll forest, riparian scrub, canopy gaps and edges in mixed forest and rainforest Flowers Prolific, white or pale lilac spotted with deep purple.


10� 110

110 111

Yellow Eye, Xyris operculata


NW

N

NE

W

SW

SE

Floral Data




PollenValue (1-5)


20 1590 1 1-2 1 0

Plant TypeRush-like plant (to 0.6 m) Vegetation Communities Widespread on poorly-drained sites, especially sedgelands and wet heathlands Flowers Bright yellow flowers on a leafless stem.


111

112

112

113

Appendix 1 - Non-native flora The non-native flora form an interlinked mosaic with the native flora across the landscape. The non-native species are essential to hive nutrition and early build-up, and have traditionally been a mainstay of the industry. However, the resource is being subjected to rapid change through alterations to agricultural practice and environmental weed control.

The table provided below is indicative of species named by beekeepers as being important either nutritionally, as a honey source, or a pollinated crop.

Highlighted species are the most significant contributors statewide, being either accessed by >1,000 hives, with pollen values > 4, and/or a honey yield 5kg/hive.

113

114

Weeds Crops (C) / Horticulture Garden (all) CommonName

Botanical Name

CommonName

Botanical Name

CommonName

Botanical Name

Blackberry Rubusfruticosus

Apples Malus spp. Banana passionfruit

Passifloratarminiana

EnglishBroom

Cytisusscoparius

Apricots Prunusarmeniaca

Blue Pacific Ceanothus sp

Cape Weed Arctothecacalendula

Blackcurrants Ribes nigrum (cultivars)

GardenFlora

Various

Gorse Ulexeuropaeus

Blueberries Vaccinium sp HomeBerries

Various

Ragwort Seneciojacobaea

Cherries Prunus apetala (cultivars)

HomeOrchards

Various

SalvationJane/PatersonsCurse

Echium plantagineum

Grapes Vitis vinifera (cultivars)

Linden Tiliaeuropaea

Scotch Thistle Onopordum acanthium

Lavender Lavandula sp MalleeGums

Eucalyptus spp.

Spanish Heath Ericalusitanica

Loganberries Rubus spp. (cultivars)

Pride of Madeira

Echium fastuosum

Thistlesvarious

Raspberries Rubus spp. (cultivars)

Tree Lucerne Chamaecytisus palmensis

Strawberries

Wild radish Raphanusraphanistrum

Brassicas (C) BroccoliCabbageCauliflower

Brassica spp.

Wild turnip Brassica rapa subsp.campestris

Clover (C) Trifolium spp.

Yellow Tree Lucerne

Cytisus spp. Lotus Major (C)

Lotus major Trees

Lucerne (C) Medicagosativa

Sycamore Acer pseudo-platanus

Garlic (C) Allium sativum CrackWillow

Salix fragilis

Mustard (C) Brassicajuncea

Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna

Poppies (C) Papaversomniferum

PussyWillow

Salix discolor

Potatoes (C) Solanum tuberosum

WeepingWillow

Salixbabylonica

Pyrethrum (C)

Tanacetumcinerariifolium

White lucerne Medicagosativa

11�

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Appendix 2 - Leatherwood predictive extent A spatial analysis of the existing leatherwood resource using Natural Values Atlas (NVA) site records, and photo-interpreted (PI) and old-growth forest type mapping, was used to identify the potential leatherwood resource in Tasmania (Leaman et al. 2008).

This work has advanced the simplistic approach used in the field guide (i.e. using the NVA site records as a surrogate for species distribution) and provided a more sophisticated stratification based on forest type and elevation.

The analysis of the resource identified 1.09 million hectares of forest likely to contain leatherwood; 64% of the predicted leatherwood resource is considered theoretically accessible, and 36% of the currently accessible leatherwood is theoretically used for beekeeping.

The mapping has stratified the leatherwood resource into four productivity classes based on forest typing and elevation: very high (1), high (2), moderate (3) and low (4). The analysis used an average bee foraging range of 3 km to determine accessible forest from established roads.

The map shows the modelled extent of the resource and its current use, based on hive sites and the applied 3 km foraging buffer. This provides an indication of potential gaps that may exist in the use of the resource.

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Summary of theoretical accessibility and utilisation of leatherwood. Leatherwood Productivity Class ('000)

1 2 3 4

TOTAL(ha)

Area (ha) 344 333 241 172 1,090Accessible (ha) 212 218 163 103 696Utilised (ha) 95 72 57 27 251% of area accessible 62 65 68 60 64% of accessible utilised 45 33 35 26 36

Distribution of the leatherwood resource (Eucryphia lucidaand E. milliganii) currently used for beekeeping (Leaman et al. 2008).

11�117

References Leaman, T., Gao, R. and Hickey, J. (2008). Changes to oldgrowth forest management in Tasmanian state forests and implications for the leatherwood nectar resource. A Report to the TCFA Implementation Committee, Forestry Tasmania.

Leech, M. (2005). Apiary Industry Profile. Forest and Forest Industry Council, Tasmania.

Wapstra, H., Wapstra, A., Wapstra, M. and Gillfedder, L. (2005). The Little Book of Common Names for Tasmanian Plants. Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart.

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1

A Field Guide to Native Flora Used by Honeybees in Tasmania

This pocket field guide is intended to provide a user-friendly tool for beekeepers to help identify Tasmanian native flora likely to be accessed by and beneficial to honeybees. It is an essential element of a suite of products that describe Tasmania’s honeybee industry and the floral resources accessed by honeybees.

The National Workshop on the Effects of Honey Bees on the Environment identified the need for each state to develop a beekeeping resource database to assist the beekeeping industry and relevant national and state government departments when determining beekeeper usage of government-controlled lands.

Materials presented here build on the 200� Apiary Census and 200� Apiary Industry Profile undertaken in Tasmania by the Forest and Forest Industry Council and the Apiary Working Group.

Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

PO Box ��KINGSTON ACT 2�0�

Level 2, 1� National CircuitBARTON ACT 2�00

Ph: 02 �2�1 �100Fax: 02 �2�1 �1��

Email: [email protected]: www.rirdc.gov.au

Bookshop: www.rirdc.gov.au or phone 1300 �3� 313

By Mark Leech. Pub. No. 0�/1��

A field guide to native flora used by honeybees in tasmania

Science

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