DRYANDRA STUDY GROUP - --

NEWSLElTER No. 1 4

Dryandra fraseri

JULY, 1988. ISSN:0723-151~

SOCIETY FOR GROWING AUSTRALlAN PLANTS

Pun. Tony C a v a n a g h 16 I h o d l a n d s Dr i u e O c e a n G r o v e Vic. 3225

Welcome t o o u r s e c o n d n e w s l e t t s r f o r 1988. F i r s t o f a l l , I: w o u l d 1 i r te t o than^ a l l member s who s u t r n i t t e d s u r v e y f o r m s . I t h a s h e l p e d u s g a i n a g r e a t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e y a n g e o f b r r a n d r a s i n c u l t i u a t i o n a n d t h e ~ e c u l t s , I h o p e , 14 i l ! a c t as a cstal: 's? t3 o t h e r s t o g r c u m o r e o # t h e unczrrrmn s p e c i e s . On t h i s p o i n t , ! am a l u a y s happy t c r e c e i v s n o t e s on t h e g r o u i n g o f i n d i v i d u a ; s p e c i e s . One a r t i c : ~ i n t h i s n e w s l e t t e r r s p o r t s Rudy Be1 i n ' s e x p e r i e n c e s h e r e i n s ~ u t h e r n V i c t ~ r i z k e r s m z s t h a v e p r o v e d t o b e re1 i a b l 2 , h a r d y p l a n t s . Merue Hodge h a s g i v e n 9s p e r m i s s i o n t o p u b 1 i s h t h e - t e x t o.f 3 p a p e r h e g a v e a t t h e fiSGAP C o n f e r e n c ~ i n C a n b e r - a t h i s rsar deal i n s w i t h a n a v e l methcid o f g r a f t i n 9 v a r i o u s s p e c iez. i n c l u d i n g I r y a n d r z z . I ' d 1 i K s t a 3 f r o m o t h e r s u h o h a v e t r i e d W r l r e ' s method o r have d o n a o t h e r . g r a f t i n g . M a r g a r e t h a s ' g i v e n me s e v e r a l n o t e s a n d a r t icles i n c l u d i n 9 h e r v e r y i n t e r e s t i n g d i s c u s s i o n o f co!our v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e g e n u s . I4 y o u a re g r o u i n g z r K n O U o + t h e u h e ~ e a b o u * ; of u n u s u a l f o r m s of D r y a n d r a , p l e a s e l e t M a r g a r e t o r myseli Knse. o f t h e r e p l s n t s mar weli h a v e e x c c l l e n t g a r d e n p a t e n t i a l . I have wr i t t z t - I scme n o t e s o n p o l ! i n a t i o n 6;

d r y a n d i - a s btct zs I i n d i c a t e , a l m o s t n o t h i n g is Knout1 o n t h i s ~ G P ~ C .

E b c e r u a t i c n s a f merabers c o i i l d h e l p c l a r i f y w h e t h e r b i r d s , a n i m l s o r i n s e c t s ( o r perhaps a: 1 t h r e e 1 c c n t r i b u t e t o p o l ! i n a t i 2r1 sc p l s a s e ses w h a t v is its y o u r d r y a n d p a s i n t h a nsx+ y e a r a n d l 2 t me have s o ~ e n o t s s .

L a s t l y , ide k l d a p l a a t i n g f a r a u n d 250 d r y a n d r a s g r o u n by K d i i h a t C r a n b a u ~ n e i . 7 J u n 2 , S i x l o c a l m r r b e r - s h a i p s d a n d w e h a d a l l p l a n t s i n t h e g r o u n d i n an h o u r a n d a h a l f . Fie v a r y d r y s u r m e r h a d t a K e n i ts t o l l a n d s o r x o l d d r ~ a n d r a s f r a n e a r l i e r y e a r s h a d d i s d , a l o n g u i t h a nuirrber o f b a n K s i a s . T h e p l a n t i n g o f a b s u t t h r e e y e a r s ago a p p e a r s t o have b e e n n e a r l y o b l i t e r a t e d b y s c m f 2 r m oi shes? e r o s i o n o r f l o o d i n g a n d t h e p l a n t s h a v e s i m p l y d i s a p p e a r e d . Most o t h e r s were s t i l l l o o K i n g g o o d a l t h o u g h a f e u o f t h e a l d e r , l a r g e r s p e c i e s s u c h as 0 . h e w a r d i a n a a n d 0. n o b i ! is h a v e f a l l e n o v e r . B e c a u s e o f t h e g r e a t v a r i e t y o f d r y a n d r a s a t C r a n b o u r n e , i t is h i g h l y 1 i K e l y t h a t h y b r i d s u i l l b e p r o d u c e d and me are K e e p i n g a n e y e o n a n y s e e d l i n g s t h a t come u p .

I h a v e a t r a y o f d r y a n d p a s t k a t K e i t h a s K e d me t a s s n d t o B u r r e n d c n g f i r b o r e t u r n . I s a n y o n e g o i n g B u r p e n d o n g i n t h e n e x t few bieeK5 o r m o n t h s uho m i g h t hove r o o m t o ?aKe t h e m ? M y p h o n e n u m b e r is (852)551180 - I c o u l d a r r a n g e t o g e t t h e p l a n t s t o M e l b a u ~ n e .

F!11 ths b e s t u i t h y s u r Z r y a n d r a g r o u i n g . ?Lease Keep u p t h a c o r r e s p o n d e n c e a n d n o t e s and a r t ic!es # o r t h e ~ e u s l c t t e r . P l e a s e r e m e m b e r t h a t s u b s c r i p t i o n s a r e n o u d u e - a ?ear o f f s l i p is p r o u i d e d o n t h e l a s t page .

- I - 2- DRYANDRAS AT MY PROPERTY, FRESHWATER CREEK, VICTORIA

I have a 31 ha farm which has a g e n t l e s l o p e t o t he North. The s o i l v a r i e s from almost pure sand i n t he south t o b a s a l t der ived i n the north. The house and most of t he garden i s s i t u a t e d i n between i n an area where the 25 cm deep s u r f a c e s o i l i s a medium loam and o v e r l i e s a r a t h e r heavy c l a y which becomes q u i t e puggy when wet. B a s a l t rocks appear a t a depth of about 2m. The a r e a of about 4 ha around t h e house i s surrounded and divided by windbreaks of a n assortment of bushy p l a n t s of var ious indigenous spec ies and numerous r e l a t i v e l y low growing euca lypts . Most of the p l an t s i n the garden grow on e l eva t ed beds usua l ly i n c l o s e proximity t o the wind- breaks. A l i t t l e over $ of t h e beds a r e between 30 and 50 cm high and c o n s i s t of coarse g r a n i t i c sand which does n o t compact. The remainder, up t o l m , c o n s i s t of c l a y m a t e r i a l s excavated from road workings and housing p ro j ec t s and a r e covered wi th 15 cm of coa r se g r a n i t i c sand.

The average annual r a i n f a l l i s 540m and is spread f a i r l y uniformly throughout t he year . Only a l imited amount of dam water i s ava i l ab l e f o r watering. The ph of t he s o i l l i e s between 5.5 & 6.0.

Before the windbreak t r e e s grew most banks i a s p lan ted a t normal s o i l l e v e l s succumbed due t o poor drainage and a high water t a b l e i n win ter and spring. The mature windbreaks have g r e a t l y lowered the water t a b l e so much so t h a t t he s u r f a c e s o i l near the t r e e s b a r e l y becomes moist even i n spring. The r a i s e d beds have f u r t h e r enhanced t h i s e f f e c t so t h a t shrubs near the t r e e s grow very slowly and need some d r i p p e r watering i n a dry summer (such a s t h i s one, 1988). Apart from t h i s t h e remainder receive l i t t l e supplementary water some none a t a l l . The garden has been extended t o l a rge a r e a s around two fenced off dams. Here t h e s o i l i s heavy bu t very wel l drained. Some banksias and dryandras s t r u g g l e with the weeds, grow slowly and even flower.

Nearly a l l my dryandras and a l l the 60 o r so spec i e s of Banksia have been r a i sed i n my nu r se ry from seed. I use a mixture of 3 p a r t s coarse p e r l i t e t o 4 p a r t 6 m minus p ine bark and 4 p a r t 6 m minus r o t t e n hay, both of which have been s t e r i l i z e d by heat . The seeds a r e placed on top of t h i s and covered wi th 6 m minus g r a n i t i c sand. The pots a r e placed i n f u l l sun and watered every morning - no fung ic ides have been used s ince convert ing t o t h e use of pine-bark.

The seed l ings , a t f i r s t growth of leaves , a r e po t t ed ou t usua l ly i n t o 12.5cm p l a s t i c po ts and a f t e r 2 weeks i n a shade house placed i n t h e open sun. The p o t t i n g mix is 5:3:k of p ine ba rk , coa r se sand, lignum pea t and the t r a c e elements and f e r t i l i z e r l e v e l s used a s those recommended by Aus t r a l i an P l a n t s , June 1987 except t h a t low o r zero phosphorous Osmocote i s used. Watering i s done by micro je t s and t h e d u r a t i o n and time is s e t on a R a i n j e t c o n t r o l l e r . Some p l an t s d i e from unknown causes but most a r e planted ou t i n t o t h e r a i s e d beds where the ma jo r i t y t h r ive . (Unfortunately i n one small a r ea Dryandras hewardiana, mucronulata a s we l l a s a few banksias a f t e r 4 years of v igorous growth and good d i s p l a y s of f lowers died r a t h e r suddenly. Other banks ias and dryandras i n t h e same a r e a a r e s t i l l th r iv ing and f lowering) .

The fol lowing s p e c i e s were planted 3% y e a r s ago on the 1 m high beds and a l l a r e t h r i v i n g and a l l except one have flowered. Dryandta Sp.,

* * ashbyi , armata, b a x t e r i , c a lophy l l a , c o n f e r t a , d r u m o n d i i , f omosa ,

* * * praemorsa(pink), p t e r i d i f o l i a , que rc i fo l i a , subp inna t i f i da , and one

shut t lewor th iana which is overgrown with o t h e r s p e c i e s and has not flowered. *

(Those marked have s e t seed) . The l a r g e s t ( l h ) and most spec tacular of

them i s q u e r c i f o l i a which i s present ly covered i n bloom. A l l my other

dryandras a r e s c a t t e r e d around i n d i f f e r e n t beds l e s s than 50cm high. Those *

near the windbreaks a r e D. b a x t e r i , drummondii, l o n g i f o l i a , nivea, a f f n ivea , * > * * n o b i l i s , obtusa, p r g i s s i i , proteoides, p t e r i d i f o l i a and squarrosa.

* A l l have flowered except p r i e s s i i , l o n g i f o l i a and a f f . nivea. (Those marked have se t seed. Most a r e between 4 and 5 y e a r s o l d and some such a s D. n o b i l i s , pruned t o a h e i g h t of 2 m, ha s flowered i n profusion. Some such a s D. ob tusa , one squar rosa , nivea, one a f f . n ivea , l o n g i f o l i a and p r i e s s i i have grown s o s lowly I decided t o he lp them t h i s suunner wi th a d r ippe r and a l l b u t n ivea and p r i e s s i i responded. There a r e two specimens of p ro teo ides and they have outshone themselves wi th f lowers . D. d r u m n d i i has grown i n t o a magni f icen t bush 60cm x lOOcm and flowered f o r t h e l a s t 3 years . D.baxteri w i th i ts g l o r i o u s f o l i a g e is pruned t o a h e i g h t of 1 4 m x l m and f lowers f o r very long per iods .

Other p l a n t s s c a t t e r e d over the remaiging 8 beds undef 50cm high and * n o t r i g h t nex t t o windbreaks a r e D. a shby i ( 3 ) , c a lophy l l a ( 4 ) , f o l i o s i s s ima ( 4 ) ,

* * * formosa ( 2 ) , f r a s e r i (5), hewardiana ( 5 ) , a f f .nivea ( l % ) , praemorsa (51,

* * * s e r r a ( 2 ) , sessilis ( 4 ) , squarrosa , spec iosa (%I, subp inna t i f i da (141,

* * t e n u i f o l i a (4). (Those marked have s e t seed. ( 4 ) e tc . is age i n yea r s ) . Genera l ly t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l of each spec ies . A l l bu t s e r r a and spec iosa &a%& have flowered and except f o r s e r r a a r e t h r i v i n g .

D. carduacea was u n t i l j u s t r e c e n t l y a ve ry vigorous grower. It grew f o r 5 y e a r s i n heavy s o i l i n a very d ry s p o t a lmos t ,under t h e e a s t e r n eaves of t h e house. When it r o s e above t h e house I c u t it back t o 2m. This y e a r because i t was s o dry I began water ing wi th a d r ippe r which seems t o have been t h e wrong th ing t o do a s it j u s t passed away.

D. spec iosa w i l l n o t grow i n t h e d r y e l eva t ed beds without some water ing. Three i n such a d ry s i t u a t i o n have d i ed bu t a f o u r t h wi th a d r i p p e r is growing v igorous ly .

D. f o l i a s i s s i m a i s a vigorous dense h e a v i l y pruned shrub. It is 4 yea r s o l d and has flowered v igorous ly f o r 2 of those. It grows i n a r a i s e d bed n e a r a small lawn which is kep t g reen wi th 2 pop-up s p r i n k l e r s . No water f a l l s on t h e dryandra b u t i t ' s r o o t s probably extend beneath t h e g ra s s .

I have grown s e v e r a l p l a n t s of D. polycephala , a l l have flowered, one f o r many yea r s , b u t now a l l a r e dead. Study of t h e r o o t s sugges ts inadequate development pos s ib ly due t o r e s t r i c t i o n whi le i n t h e pot .

A t t h e p r e s e n t I have s e v e r a l of t h e fo l lowing spec i e s i n po ts ready f o r p l a n t i n g a s soon a s t h e d r y s p e l l breaks.

D. a r c t o t i d i s , D500 b i p i n n a t i f i d a , comosa, D548 a f f . c o n f e r t a (Cardoux),

D534 a f f . c o n f e r t a ( ~ o o d a n i l l i n g ) , D547 a f f . c o n f e r t a (Corr igen) , cunea ta , * * f e r r u g i n e a , f e r r u g i n e a ( l a r g e f lowers ) , f o m s a , hewardiana , D516 h o r r i d a ,

D430 a f f . l o n g i f o l i a (Dempster Head), l o n g i f o l i a , nana, D218 af f .n ivea- * (Badgingarra) , n o b i l i s , obtusa , D423 plumosa, p r e i s s i i , q u e r c i f o l i a ,

s e n e c i f o l i a , Dl95 a f f . s e n e c i f o l i a , s e r r a , s e r r a t u l o i d e s , D247 s p . ( S t i r l i n g

Range), 508 sp.1, D515 sp.C, D370 sp.B, D480 sp.new (Kal in) , 530 a f f . squar rosa

(Whicker Road), s tuposa , t r i d e n t a t a and v e s t i t a . h he seeds of thos n o t

l a b e l l e d by a number were e i t h e r purchased from Nindethana o r wi th * ha rves t ed from my own p l a n t s ) .

Rudy BELIN 24/4/1988

THE DRYAbIDRFI SURVEY

O v e r t h e y e a r s , v e h a u e r u n s e v e r a l s u r v e y s b u t u s u a l l y t h e n u m b e r o f r e t u r n s h a s b e e n t o o s m a l l t o a n a l y s e . H o u e v e r , we h a u e K e p t a l l t h e f o r m s a n d i n t h i s n e w s l e t t e r I h a v e e n d e a v s u r e d t o i n c o l - p o r i t e i n S o r m a t i o n f r o m n e a r l y a l l t h e s u r ! ~ e y s we r a c e i u e b . AScrut t h e only v e s t r . i c t i o n I a p p l i e d uas t h a t t h e p l a n t s s h o u l d b e a t I a a s t t w o y e s r s o l d 2 n d s h o u l d b e g r c r u i n g i n t h e g a r d e n n o t i n p o t s .

GENERAL SUMMRRY

I idas a b l e t 3 use 42 i - e + u r n = a n d fc? simplicity's sav.2, I h a u e r e t a i n e d c u r r e n t l y a c c e p t e d narnec even t h c s g h I zrn a ~ a r e t h ; t many o f t h e s e h a u e o r v i l l b2 z h a n s e d , 51 . species a r a 5 c - i n g 9 ~ o ~ i r : ?:us 12 1 i s t e d as "spn o r " u ~ K ~ o u ~ " . 7 e ma>! imr; st-own b y an:: one i n d i u i d s a l uas 46 b y o n e V i c t o r iati m&er k i t h t h r e e 2~ +our V i c t a r i a n s and S o c t h A u s t r a : i a n = e x c e e d i n g 25. S u r v e y +errs idere rece i u e d +ram a1 l states e x c e p t t h e > h ? t h e r n T e r r i t o r - y a l t h o u g h V i c t o r ia a i d S o s t h a u s t r a l i a p r - ? d o n i n a t ? .

Ria f o ? . l ow i n s s p a c i e s are n o t 1 i r t e d i n c u l t i v a t i o n ( a l t h o u g h t h e y are a1 1 g r o y i n g a t C r a n b o u r n e 1 r c o n m s a , c o n c i n n a , zynai-aides, h o r r i d a , m i m i c a and z c l e r ~ p h y l l a .

T h e " t o p t e n ' ir. p o p u l a r l + y uel -e : - f o r m s a (44 p l a n t s f r o m 33 r e p o r t s )

* p r a e r n c r s a (35 " " 28 1 n o b i l i s (29 " " 26 " >

+ t e n u i + o l ia C38 " " 25 " > ) ~ n i v e a (37 " 24 !a > w p t e r i d i f o l i a < 2 7 ' " 13 n 1

q u e r c i f o l ia (22 a " 13 ' 1 ~ h e l j a r d i a n a (13 " " 18 " 3

p o l y c % p h a l a (19 " ' 17 " )

* f r a s e r i (22 " 16 " )

<* h a r d y a n d r a l i a b l e spec i e s S

h a d o n l y o n e o r t u o r e p o r t s f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g s p e c i e s : a r b o r e a , f a l c a t a , K i p p ist i a n a , p u l c h e l l a , s u b p i n n a t if i d a , s u b u l a t a , t o r t i f 0 1 :a a n d u e s t i t a . More i n f o r m a t i o n is r e q u i r e d o n these b e S o r e we c a n be s u r e o f t h e i r r e 1 i a b i l i t y i n t h e g a r d e n .

P l a n t s t h a t a p p e a r t o b e c o n s i s t e n t l y sh:? o r s l o ~ i n - F l o w e r i n g i n c l u d e b i p i n n a t i i f i d a a n d tr i d e n t a t a w h i l e a r o u n d 18 a p p e a r t o s e t l i t t l a o r n o s e e d . Such p o o r r e e d s e t t i n g is n o t i c = a S l e i n e a s t e r n n u s t r a l ia u h a r s ! s p e c i e s s u c h as n i v e a , s e n e c i i f o ! ia , s e r r a t u l o i d s s a n d s p e c i o s a n e v e r seem t o haue seaded. rbre i n 4 onmat i o n is n e e d e d h e r c as we1 1 .

I n g s n e r a l , d r y a n d r a s s e e m t o b e ~ s l i t i v e l y u n f u s s y i n t h e i r g a r d e n n e e d s . M u l c h i n g is n o t e s s e t ~ t ia l as s e v e r a l o f t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u l g r o u e r s d i d n o t u s e i t , r e l y i n g o n t h e g r o w t h o S t h e p l a n t s t o p r o v i d e r o o t s h a d ? a n d t o c r e a t e t h e i r o u n 1 i t t e r . F u l l s u n d o e s r ; c t a p p e a r t o be e s s e n t i a l a s % - 3 i u n was o f t e n r e p o r t e d w i t h l i t t l e a p p a r e n t d e t r i m n t a l e f f e c t o n f l c w e r i n g o r s i z e . One f e a t u r e u h i c h was c a m n t o a! 1 r a p o r t s was g o c d d r a i n a g e w i t h , i n g e n e r a l , m o s t

- 5- g z r d e n s b e i n g 6:-y i n summer . D r y a n d r a s a r e s e e m i n g l y r e l a t i u e i y f r o s t h a r d y u i t h s ; e o e r a l Victor i z n a n d Neu S c u t h W a l e s g r o w e r s i n d i c a t i n g l i t t l e d e t r i m e n t a l

0 2 f f e c t o+ 1C-15 h e a v y f ~ o s t s dcwn t o -6 S. I

A s r s g a r d s f i a u e r i n j , t h e r e is n c c l e a r p a t t e r n f o r a g e o f f i r s t f l ~ u e t - i n g . E. p r a e m r s a i5 ' J s u a I i y t h e e a r l i e s t o f t e n a t l a s s t h a n 18 m o n t h s f r o m s e e d u h i l e D. f o r m s a a n d D. frassr i are a l s o f a i r l y e a r l y . Mcst o t h e r s s e e m t o t a ~ e ab3ut 3 t c ~ 5 y e a r s t~ Sit-ct f l s a a r ing (see a r t i c l e o n t i m e $ram g e r m i n a t i o n t o f l o u e r i n g = ! s e u h e r e ) . Scne s p e c i e s a p p e a r t c b e l c n g - l i u s d a t 15 y e a r s o r l o n g e r u h i l a ~ p c c i z e n a s f 3 * fcrnoszt 1 zau i n a g a r d e n ir: t h e D a n d e n o n s s n e a r M e l b c u r t l e uer? s t i l l Slouer i n g elten t h o u g h t h e y had + a i l a n c v e r a n d u e r e z b o u t 35 y 5 a r 5 o l d .

P . a n K s + G K e i t h s and M a r g a r e t s z o l l e c t i r r g oS sseb r a nou haus a v e r y largs range o f s p e c i e s a v a i l a b ! e +?om t h e sesd banx. ! d o u l d a ~ p e a l t a mrhers uho h a v e r o o m i n t h e i r g a r d e n s t a o b t a i n seed and g r Q u somr t h e i n i r e uncarmmn s p e c i e s o r o n e s f o r u h i c k t 5 i s s u r u ~ y skciuad feu r e c e r d s . FQ~, b e g i n n e r s , t h o s e i n d i c a t e d by a n a 2 . t ~ ~ isX I : + ) ariz ~ j o r t h t r y i n g i n i t i a l ! ; , as t h e y h a v e p r o v e d ha;-dy at:d r ~ l T a k : ~ i:-i a w i d e r a n g e o f c o n d i t i o n s . H o u e v e r , dcn't b e a + r a i d t o t r y s o = o f :he neu species: u n t i l t h e y are t r - i a l l s d i n as many c a n d i t i o n s as p o s s i b l e , u e u o n 'f K;?cu hsti t h e y g i l l p e r f o r m .

T I E BETtJEEN GERMIbRTIDfJ 3bE FIRST FLOCJER ING OF S U E PERENNIAL PLRNTS.

T h i s is t h e t i t l e a f as1 a r t i c l e b y B.G. M u i r i n t h e M e s t e r n A u s t r a l i a n H e r b a r i u m n e u j ~ u r n a l K i n g i a (Yo1 1 , No 1 , 1988, p p 7 5 - 8 3 ) . Muir o b s e r v e d t h s t ims t o f l o u e r i n 9 b o t h i n t h e f i e l d a n d i n m o s t cases i n r u i i i v a t i o n o f i39 s p e c i e s o f W.a. shrubs i n c l u d i n g s e v e n d t % r a n d r a s . A!! t h e d r y a n d r a s we'-.e w h e a t b e l t s p e c i e s a l t h o u g h f o r D. sess i l is, z d b i t i o n a i o b s e r v a t ions Mere made i n t h o Oar-1 i n 9 S c a r p , Sman C o a s t a l p l a i n a n d a t J u r i e n Bay. The t i m e s as s i r o ~ n b e l o w a v e r a g e d 3-4 y e s ~ c u h i c h a g r e e s b r o a d l y l a i t h my o b s s l - v a t i ~ n s h e r e i n V i c t c r i a a n d u i t h t h e s u r v e y r = s u l t s . One very i n p o r t a n t # i n d i n g uas that o v e r 12% o f species ( i n c l u d i n g 0. c i r s i o i d e s P P . ~ D. p r o t e o i d e s ; t ooK 6 cr more years f o r f i r s t f l o u e r i n g . 73e iml i c a t i g n s f o r c g n t r o l l e d b u r n i n s are o b v i o u s - f i r e c y c l e s c i l e s s t h a n 5 y e w s are l i ~ c l y t o l e a d t o t h e e x t i n c y i o n o f c e r t a i n s p e c i e s i n a n a r e a f3f as US have s e e n f r o m Ken S t u c K e y s a r t i c l s , f e w d r y a n d r a s a p p e a r t o r e g e n e r a t z f r c n r o o t s t s c K a f t e r a f i r e .

Mirir's d a t a f o r D r r a n d r a a r e as i 9 l l o u s : -

SPEC IES RGE IN YEf7RS TO F t C E R FIELD ZULTIVhTED

c a r d u a c e a e 4 4 c irs i o i d e s 6 - +r aser i - 3 nab i l is 5 5 p o l y c e p h a l a 4 3 p r a t e o ides 6 5 sess i! is 2 -3 2

The k s t s r n fiustra: i a n H e r b a r i u m is t o be c o n g r a t u l a t e d f o r t h e h i g h q u a 1 i tr o f t h i s j o u r n a l ~ h i c h c a n t i n u e s t h e t r a d i t i o n c f t h e & s t e r n A u s t r a l ia-0 H e r b a r i u m R e s e a r c h N o t e s ir: p r - g v i d i n g f o r p a p e t - s on t h e f l o r a , v e g e t a t i o n a n d

- -- a c o l o g y a* W e s t e r n f l u s t r ~ l i a .

*

- 6 - COLOUR VRRIATIQNS I N DRYfiNDRAS

The c o l o u r o f m o s t d r y z n d r a f l o y e r s is y e l l o u , r a n g i n g , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e s p e c i e s , f r o m p a l e l e m n t o a r i c h g o l d e n yel!ow. T h e r e are s e v e r a l s p e c i e s , howeuer , uh i c h h a v e d iSf c r e n t c o i o u r e d f l o u e r s i n t h e i r oran r i g h t . s h a d e s o f f a ~ n , o r a n g e , Srcbln a n d r e d .

The pinK f l o u e r i n g f o r m of D. p r a e m o r s a u h i c h is n o r m a l l y y e l l o u , h a s b e e n grown f o r some time by S t u d y Group members a n d o t h e r s a n d is a l s o g r o u i n g a t C ~ a n b o u ~ n e , I b e l i e u e . The s e e d o f t h e s e p l a n t s , a p p a r e n t l y , u a s c o l l e c t e d f r o m a t r e e g r o u i n g i n K i n g s P W K , P 3 r t h . ! u o c d e r u h e t h e r t h i s o r i g i n a l p l a n t s t i l l e x i s t s o r u h e t h e r a n y o n e e l s e i n W ; t e r n A u s t r a l i a is g r b u i n s , r Knobis o i a p inK +!ouered p l a n t ?

One o f t h e f i r s t D r y a n d y a s I p l a n t e d , a b o u t t ~ e i ~ ~ y e a r s a g o , u a s cjne I S o u g h t as D . s t u p o s a . I t s a o n b ~ c a m e o b v i o u s t h a t i t h a d b e e n i n c o r r e c t l y l a b e l l e d i a n d a h e n i t i 1 2 ~ 2 r ~ d I i d ~ n t if i e d i t as D. q u e r c i f o l ia. The f l o u e t = s , i n s t e a d o f b e i n g a l l y e l l o w , were s u f f u s e d u i t h a d e l l g h t f u l u a t e r r w l o n p inK. I s t il l h a v e t h i s t a o n d e r f u l p l a n t ~ h i c h p r o d u c e s t k e s e m g n if i c e n t f l o i d ~ r s t h r o u g h l a t e sumreer u n t i l u i n t c r and i= t h e ? r i d s a n d J o y o f my g a r d e n . I s u b s e q u e n t ! y d i s c o v e r e d t h a t st l e z s t iuo ~ t h e r S t u d y Group members , i n V i c f a r i a , h a d s i m i l a r p l a n t s . Two b o t a n i s t s , tc v h ~ r n 1 s h o u e d t h e f l o u e r s , t h o u g h t t h . a t t h e y may b e h y S ~ i d s , t h o u g h , a p a r t f r o m t h e c o l o r , t h e y f i t t e d t h e d i s c r i p ? i o n 03 a q u e r c i f o : ia . A s t r o n g p a i n t i n t h e f a u a u r o f t h e h y b r i d t h e o r y u a s t h e f a c t t h a t n o n e o f t h e t h r e e p l a n t s h a d e u e r s e t s e e d s . Howeuer , s e v e r a l y e a r s a g o I began t h e tasK o f p h o t o g r a p h i n g a l l o f t h e d r y a n d r a s p e c i e s a n d o n one f i e l d t? i p i n Rpi- i l , w t i i l e i n t h e ;J i c i n i t y o f t h e F i t z g e r a l d R i u e r N a t i o n a l Par l ; , I d e c i d e d t o p h o t o g r a p h scme n o r m a l y e l l o l d f i o u e r s o f U. q u e r c i - f o l ia s i n c e I ' d a l r e a d y t a K e n q u i t e a f e u p i c t u r e s of my pinK g a r d e n p l a n t . There is a p o p u l a * i o n o f D. g u e r c i f s l ia j u s t o u t s i d e the w n s t e r n b o u n d a r y o f t h e N a t i o n a l ParK and wher; I s t ~ p p e d t o l5oK a t t h e i l o r s e r s 1 d i s c o v e r e d t o my s u r p r i s e a n d d e l i g h t t h a t m o s t o f t h e m w e r e p inK. The d e p t h o f c o l o u r v a r ies f r o m p l a n t t o p l a n t . me p i n x f l o ~ e r i n g p l a n t s , w h a t s m o r e , h a d p l e n t y o f v i a b l e s e e d .

There a r e s e v e r a l o t h e r n o r m a l l y y e l l o u d r y a n d r a s i n w h i c h t h i s phenomenon s c c u r s . Two trn-named s p e c i e s v h i c h r e s e m b l e D. armata, o n e u h i s h + o r r i s a l a r g e u p r i g h t s h r u b u i t h o u t a 1 i g n o t u b e r and is c o m n t h r o u g h o u t t h e g r e a t s o u t h e r n a r e a , a n d a n o t h e ? s i r n i l a r o n e f r o m t h e S t i r l i n g R a n g s (Ted G r i f f i n ' s s p e . E l o f t e n d e m o s t r a t e t h i s .

I n t h e s e S l o u e r s t h e 1 imb and t h e s t y l e s are y e l l o w and i t is t h e p e r i a n t h t h a t is p i n K . D. c i r s i o i d e s is a s p e c i e s I o f t e n come a c r o s s i n my t r a v e l s a n d , on o n e o c c a s i o n n e a r Harr i s m i t h I f o u n d o n e p inK + l o w e r e d p l a n t among h u n d r e d s o f y e 1 l o u o n e s . In o r d e r t o .Find it a g a i n u h e n n o t i n f lo rae r I p u t a p i e c e o f t a p e on i t . In M a y t h i s y e a r M h i l e l ~ i s i t i n g t h e area, o n e of my f a v o u r i t e d r y a n d r a l o c a t i o n s ~ i t h G s p e c i e s o c c u r r i n 9 t h e r e , I h a p p e n e d t o n o t i c e a l a r g e s h r u b , q u i t e d e a d , a n d r e c o g n i s e d my t a p e on t h e ~ P U ~ K . The a r e a h a s b e e n s u f f e r i n g d r o u g h t f o r t h e l a s t s e v e r a l y e a r s a n d t h e r e Mere many d e a d o r o b v i o u s l y s t r e s s e d a n d d i s e a s e d d r y a n d r a s . We u e r e a b l e t o c a l l e c * some s e e d f o l l i c l e s f r o m t h e r e c e n t l y d e c e a s e d p l a n t b e d o r e t h e y s h e d t h e i r s e e d s .

The f o r m o f D. f r a s e r i I h a v e i n my g a r d e n a n d lahich I h a v e seen g r o k i n g m e s t o f W a o d a n i l l i n g is o n e u h i c h is pinK a l s o . The d e e p p inK c o l o u r is m r e p r o n o u n c e d arhen t h ~ f l o u e r s a r e i n bud b e f o r e t h e p e r i a n t h s p l i t s a n d t h e y e l I o ~ s t y l e e m e r g e s . The g r e e n - y e l l o w l i m b h z s some h a i r s o f a c o p p e r y c o l o r mhich r e s b m b l e s a 5 p r i ~ K l i n g of m e t a l l i c d u s t on t o p o f t h e u n o p e n f l o u e r s a n d , a l t o g e t h e r t h e f l o u e r h e a d s t h o u g h r a t h e r small a r e a b e a u t i f u l c o l o u r c o m b i n a t i o n . I t h inK t h i s is t h e n o r m 1 c o l o u r i n g f o r t h i s p a r t i c u l a r 0 . f r a s e r i t y p e .

Most of f o r m s o f D. f r a s e r i I h a v e s e e n are b i g g e r p l a n t s w i t h larger p a l e y e l l o w f l o w e r s . T h e r e is a b e a u t i f u l low g r o w i n g f o r m , h o u e v e r v h i c h g r o u s i n l a t e r i t e a n d i n s a n d n e a r E n e a b b a , u i t h s m a l l b l u e - g r e y l e a v e s a n d y e l l o u f l o u e r s , i n u h i c h o c c a s i o n a l l y a p i n k f l o u e r e d p l a n t c a n b e f o u n d .

I u o n d e r h o u many o t h e t - , n o ~ r n a l l y y e l l o u s p e c i e s h a v e pinK f o r m s a n d uho is g r o u i n g t h e m ?

The s e e d banK h a s 1 i m i t e d s u p p l ies o f some o f t h o s e m e n t i o n e d a n d t h e y a r e a l l i n my o p i n i o n v e r y w o r t h u h i l e i n t r o d u c i n g i n t o c u l t i v a t i o n p r o v i d i n g t h e y p r o v e h a r d y e n o u g h .

O t h e r d r y a n d r a s u h i c h d i s p l a y a v a r i e t p o f c o l o r c o m b i n a t i o n s u i t h i n t h e s a m e p o p u l a t i o n are t h e d i f f e r e n t n i v e a f o r m s . One l o v e l y s h r u b i n p a r t i c u l a r , a s y a t un-named, f o r m s a neat dome s h a p e up t o a b o u t o n e m e t r e h i g h a n d u i d e and h a s l o n g n a r r o w l e a v e s w i t h "n ivea - t : :psn t r i a n g u l a r l o b e s . The f l o u e r s are a l m o s t h i d d e n d e e p u i t h i n t h e b u s h . The p e r i a n t h c a l o u r may b e y e l l o u t h r o u g h o r a n g e t o a r i c h ~ i n e - r e d and t h e l i w b b u f f y e l l o w t h r o u g h b r o n z e t o b r o u n - r e d u i t h s t y l e s y e l l o u o r r e d . One v e r y s t r i K i n g c o m b i n a t i o n is t h e u i n e - r e d p e r i a n t h a n d t h e b r o n z e 1 imb.

The D r y a n d r a d r u m m o n d i i u h i c h o c c u r s i n a n d a r o u n d t h e St i r l i n g R a n g e s and f l o u e r s i n summer h a s a p u r p l i s h - p inK p e r i a n t h a n d t h e more w i d e s p r e a d n o r t h e r n m i n t e r f l o u e r i n g f o r m is y e l l o u . H o u e v e r i n t h i s l a t t s r f o r m t h e c o l o u r o f t h e limb u i t h i n a g r o u p o f p l a n t s m a y u e r y f r o m g r e y o r b u f f t h r o u g h t o a r i c h c o p p e r y c o l o u r u h i c h is m o s t a t t r a c t i v e .

Red f l a u e r e d d r y a n d r a s i n c l u d e a. e r y t h r o c e p h a l a , D. s p e c i o s a { B a d g i n g a r r a f o r m ) a n d a n un-named p r o s t r a t e s p e c i e s f r o m t h e N e u d e g a t e a r e a .

S e u e r a l d r y a n d r a s f e a t u r e c o l o u r f u l , l a r g e b r a c t s - D. f e r r u g i n e a and its f o r m s , o r a n g e t o r u s t y - r e d , D. t e n u i + o l ia , red-broh ln a n d 0. m u c r o n u l a t a u i t h p i n K i s h o r g o l d e n - y e 1 l o u b r a c t s .

-On2 o f my f a v o u r i t e s is D r y a n d r a h o r r i d a lnhich I d c n ' t t h i n K d e s e r v e s t h e name - i t i s n ' t t e r r i b l y p r i c K l y ! I t h a s o r a n g e - y e l l o u f l o w e r s s u r r o u n d e d by s l i g h t l y l o n g e r r u s t y - r e d h a i r y b r a c t s .

If a n y o n e h a s a n u n u s u a l o r o u t s t a n d i n g c o l o u r f o r m a a n y d r y a n d r a s p e c i e s , s e e d u o u l d b e u e r y u e l c o m e f o r t h e s e e d banK. k h a v e m o s t o f t h e v a r i e t i e s m e n t i o n e d i n t h i s a r t i c l e among a l m o s t a l l o f t h e d r y a n d r a s p e c i e s , named a n d un-named.

b i t e t o me f o r s e e d a t 16 C a l p i n C r e s c e n t , f i t t a d a l e 6156, U.R., e n c l o s i n g a s t a m p e d e n v e l o p e f o r r e t u r n o f y o u r o r d e r .

I n f o r m a t i o n on t h e s u c c e s s o r o t h e r u i s e i n g r o u i n g d r y a n d r a s is a l u a y s u e l c o m e a n d v i t a l i n h e l p i n g t o assess t h e i r h a r d i n e s s a n d s u i t a b i l i t y f o r h o r t i c u l t u r e i n d i f f e r e n t l o c a t i o n s .

M a g a r e t P i e r o n i

-% - A NEW METHOD OF GRAFTING NATIVE PLANTS

r

Merv. Hodge, Queensland Region

About four years ago I was encouraged by a close friend to try grafting

as a method of increasing the reliability of some of the more difficult

native species in my area.

I followed his method of placing a small plastic bag over the scion

and sealing it just below the graft. My results steadily improved

with experience and I began to experiment with different methods.

\

The material used to bind the graft is a plastic film called "Nescofilm"

which is available in rolls of 40 metres by 10 cm. This film has the

advantage that it will break down in sunlight so that it is unnecessary

to remove it when the graft takes.. It also stretches so it is not

necessary to remove it and rebind the graft. However, there is a limit

to what has been stated because if too many layers are applied, the

breakdown and stretching could be affected.

On a number of occasions I noticed that if a dormant bud of the rootstock

was included in the binding of the graft, then it would eventually

grow and break through the tape. This gave me the idea that possibly

the scion might do the same if right conditions prevailed.

The methods used by other growers required that some leaves be left on the

scion. I reasoned that the best way to promote the growth of dormant buds

was togo against convention by removing all of the leaves. I then reasoned

that, if the whole scion was tightly bound with a single layer of tape,

then the buds might break through.

In the first trial I used an unnamed Brachychiton sp. scion onto B. acerifoliurn

rootstock and Dryandra fraserii scion onto Banksia integrifolia rootstock.

The former was almost a certain success but the latter was a little more

adventurous.

The Brachychitons were the first to take and some burst through the tape

in less than two weeks and continued to grow without any further assistance

beyond the normal watering etc. The Dryandras were slower to take but

eventually did break through: Only a couple of the Dryandras took, but

I was satisfied that the method was successful and that I should try more. 1

Since then, I have successfully used this method on the following:

Hakea multilineata I1 petiolaris II victoria

. 'cristata II crassinervia I1 corymbosa 11 c lavigera

Grevillea dryandrii I I stenobotrya II bipinnatifida

11 I I

II bracteosa

Baeckea 'Winter Pink'

(scion) I I

11

11

II

I I

11

I1

I1

II

11

I I

I I

Hakea salicifolia (stock) I1 I I I1

I1 I I I1

II II 1 1

II I I I I

I I 11 I1

I I 11 II

Grevillea robusta I I

I I t t 11

I I I 1 11

II ' Ivanhoe ' I I

I1 'Royal Mantle' 11

Kunzea flavescens II

Some of the above were tried simultaneously with the bag method, but at this

stage I would not say that one method is better than the other, but there

is reason for cautious optimism.

I have lost plants because of fungal attack on foliage of the scion using the

bag method. There is quite a build-up of condensation in the bags and

this can encourage fungal attack. In addition, there is need for hardening

of the foliage of plants by gradually opening the bag over a number of

days.

This was evident recently when I tried to graft Baeckea 'Winter Pink' onto

Kunzea flavescens. I used the bag method on 12 plants and only one using

my method. I tried only one because of the time taken to remove all of

the fine foliage and I doubted that the B. 'Winter Pink' would be strong

enough to break through the tape.

The end result was that all of the plants using the bag method were lost

just after the gradual removal of the bag. The one that was fully tapes

over the scion broke through the tape and is still growing vigorously.

At the time of writing, a number of other plants are on trial and many look

promising. One of these is Grevillea pritzelii scion onto G. robusta stock.

Both methods were tried. The foliage of the two plants, using the bag

method, has blackened and it looks as if both are dead. Two plants, using

my method, have'started to break through the tape and look healthy. All

were grafted two weeks ago.

The method has the disadvantagk that it is labour intensive where there

is fine foliage to be removed. I have not tried the method without removing

the foliage but feel that the foliage would obstruct the new shoot.

Without removing the tape, it is difficult to know when the graft has taken,

but the vigorous new shoots produced give some indication. I have found

Brachychitons generally to be tKe most successful and quickest to take,

usually within two weeks. However, the quickest of all so far is eight

days for Grevillea bipinnatifida onto G. 'Sandra Gordon' only just observed

in the last few days. Other grafts may take up to eight weeks or more.

Most of the trials so far have largely been limited by the availability

of suitable rootstocks and, to a lesser degree, the scion material.

I have sustained many losses in the past, using either method, when placing

the rootstock under stress, either because of erratic watering or by trying

to push them along with too much fertiliser. It only requires underwatering

on one occasion during the establishment period for the graft to collapse.

The rootstock may survive but the scion will die.

I did try to go one step further in the process by using an aerosol plastic

skin on the scion instead of the tape. Unfortunately, the chemicals in

the mixture burnt the scion and it promptly died. If there was an aerosol

plastic skin available which did not burn then it would be worth trying.

Please note that normal grafting tape is too thick and I doubt that it

would be successful for this method.

I have not tried my method on cutting grafts but I feel that there is some

potential in that field.

All normal precautions-and selection of material should be exercised.

Normal grafting tools may be used. In my case I use a scalpel with a number

eleven blade. I normally prefer a whip graft, although on occasions I

use a wedge graft.

I cut strips of Nescofilm lOcm long by 10-15mm wide and roll these onto

one end of a nail (about 65mm long). I use this to wind the tape onto

the graft and scion. I find this much easier to manipulate than a loose

strip of tape.%I keep two on hand in case one runs out half way through

the operation. The most difficult part of the process is starting the

t a p e and h o l d i n g t h e ~ i e c e s t o g e t h e r , p a r t i c u l a r l y when u s i n g a whip g r a f t .

However, w i t h a l i t t l e p r a c t i c e t h i s problem c a n be overcome.

A l l g r a f t e d p l a n t s a r e k e p t i n a shadehouse u n t i l t h e g r a f t h a s t aken then

they a r e hardened o f f b e f o r e p l a n t i n g o u t . Care shou ld be t a k e n t h a t t h e

p l a n t i s n o t p l a c e d under any s t r e s s u n t i l i t i s obv ious t h a t i t i s we l l

e s t a b l i s h e d . r

Nature Vol. 276 2 November 1978

The c7hsr~e .:ap?izl7 - f r o m b!ienz R ~ L I I - K ~ ' 5 a r t i c l e i n F!ature ( r e f e r e n c e 3 ) s h o l r s uer:] r.lsav.:r t h e ?zs".:il sted ?ole of s r n z l ! mammals and r o d e n t s i n p o l l i n a t i o n . T h e i n d i u S d u a i x l o u e r - z . o f Dt-ran4r.a a r e nut genersliy as large as t h o s e o f P r ~ t e a s b u t t h ~ j snera : p r inc i p l s p r o b a b l y 5 t i l l a p p l i c s .

POLL IMTION OF DRYRNORflS

mile I mas c o m p i l i n g t h e s u r v e p r e s u l t s r e p o r t e d e l s e w h e r e i n t h i s i s s u e , I was s t r u c K by t h e f a c t t h a t s e e d s e t a p p a r e n t l y o c c u r s p a r e l y i n some s p e c i e s e . g . D. n i u e a a n d D. p r o t e o i d e s w h i l e o t h e r s s u c h as D. f r a s e r i , D. f o r m o s a a n d D. p r a e m o r s a are u s u a l l y p r o l i f i c s e e d s e t t e r s . T h u s , 14 y e a r o l d p l a n t s o f O. p r o t e o i d e s i n S o u t h R u s t r a l ia had n e v e r s e t s e e d a l t h o u g h t h e y f l o u e r r e g u l a r l y . S i m i l a r l y , my t h r e e p l a n t s o f D. p t e r i d i f o l ia r a n g i n g i n a g e f r o m s i x t o t e n y e a r s f l o u e r u e l l b u t a g a i n d o d t s e t s e e d . One t h e o r y is t h a t many o f t h e s m a l l e r d r y a n d r a s t e n d t o h i d e t h e i r f l o u e r s a n d a r e n o t p o l l i n a t e d by b i r d s o r i n s e c t s b u t by small n o n f l y i n 9 mammals. But t h i s d o e s n t e x p l a i n ~ h y 0. n i u e a , u i t h r e l a t i v e l y e x p a s e d i n f l o r c s c e n c e s , r a r e l y s e t s s e e d e v e n i n W e s t e r n A u s t r a l i a . The w h o l e q u e s t i o n o f p o l l i n a t i o n o f t h e P r o t e a c e a e h a s i n t e r e s t e d s c i e n t i s t s f o r p e r h a p s 100 y e a r s o r more b u t we a p p e a r t o KnOM r e l a t i v e l y l i t t l e a b o u t t h e m e c h a n i s m i n d r y a n d r a s a l t h o u g h h i s t o r i c a l l y t h e y Mere o n e o f t h e f i r s t P r o t e a c e a e t o b e s t u d i e d . In t h e f o l l o w i n g n o t e s , I 10oK a t some o f t h e e v i d e n c e c o n c e r n i n g D r y a n d r a p o l l i n a t i o n . I t is v e r y i n c o n c l u s i v e a n d a s t u d y o f t h e r e s p e c t i v e r o l e s o f b i r d s , i n s e c t s a n d mammals would MKe a n e x t r e m e l y i n t e r e s t i n s p r o j e c t .

Over t h e r e a r s , I h a v e r a r e l y o b s e r v e d b i r d s on my d r y a n d r a s e x c e p t f o r u a t t l e b i r d s . C e r t a i n l y , Neu H o l l a n d h o n e y e a t e r s are r m r e a c t i v e i n my g r e u i l , l e a s , c a l l i s t e m o n s a n d c o r r e a s t h a n i n e i t h e r b a n K s i a o r d r y a n d r a . I n e a s t e r n f i u s t r a l ia , I thin^ i t is p r o b a b l y bees t h a t a f + e c t p o l l i n a t i o n i n s p e c i e s v i t h e x p o s e d i n + ! o r e s c e n c e s a 1 t h o u g h s u c h s p e c i e s may a l s o b e s e l f - f e r t i l e . CB. n i v e a is ~ b u i o u s l y a n e x c e p t i o n t o t h i s g e n e r a l i sat i o n b u t it does h e l p t o e x p l a i n uhy many d r a n d r a s i n E a s t e r n f l u s t r a l i a u i t h h i d d e n i n f l o r e s c e n c e s don+ s e t s e e d 1.

The g e n e r a l p r o c e s s o f p o l l i n a t i o n is r e l a t i v e l y s t r a i g h t f o r u a r d - p o l l e n must b e t r a n s f e r r e d + r o m t h e a n t h e r s t o a r e c e p t i v e s t i g m a . I f t h e p o l l e n g r a i n s are c o m p a t i b l e , a ' c h e m i c a l r e a c t i o n " o c c u r s b e t w e e n a n e x u d a t e p r o d u c e d by t h e p o l l e n g r a i n s a n d t h e s u r f a c e of t h e s t igma. G e r m i n a t i o n o c c u r s a n d p o l l e n t u b e s g r o u doun t h e s t y l e t o t h e o v u l e whet%= t h e n u c l e i i f u s e u i t h t h e e g g c e l l t o p r o d u c e t h e ' z y g o t e " u h i c h by a p r o c e s s o f c e l l d i v i s i o n d e v e l o p s i n t o t h e embryo o f t h e s e e d . Many p l a n t s a re s e l f - i n c o m p a t i b l e w h i c h means t h a t t h e i r o u n p o l l e n u i l l n o t - g e r m i n a t e on t h e st igrnas o f t h e same i n d i u i d u a l . To a c h i e u e f e r t i l isat i o n , p o l l e n mus t b e t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e s t i g m a f r o m o t h e r p l a n t s o f t h e same s p e c i e s . T h i s is blhere p o l 1 i n a t o r s come i n . I n d r y a n d r a s as i n m o s t o t h e r P r o t e a c e a e . . t h e s t y l e is i n i t i a l l y hooKed a n d is i n c l o s e p r o x i m i t y t o t h e a n t h e r . J u s t b e f o r e t h e f l o w e r o p e n s , p o l l e n is s h e d o n t o t h e s t y l e - e n d < s o m e t i m e s c a l l e d a p o l l e n p r e s e n t e r ) . S u b s e q u e n t l y , t h e s t y l e s t r a i g h t e n s a n d e l o n g a t e s and t h e p o l l e n becomes a v a i l a b l e f o r d i s p e r s i o n . In t h e c e n t r e o f t h e p o l l e n p r e s e n t e r is a n are& c a l l e d t h e s t i g m a t i c g r o o v e v h i c h b e c o m s r e c e p t i v e t o p o l l e n some t i m e a f t e r t h e f l o u e r h a s o p e n e d ; b y t h i s time, t h e p o l l e n f r o m t h i s f l o w e r h a s b e e n d i s p e r s e d . The p o t e n t i a l p o l 1 i n a t o r , i n f o r a g i n g among f l o ~ e r s f o r n e c t a r , c o l l e c t s p o l l e n f r o m r e c e n t l y o p e n e d f l o w e r s a n d b r u s h e s i t oSf on t h e r e c e p t i w e s t i g m a s o f o l d e r f l o u e r s .

S O E HISTORY

In t h e 1 8 9 b 1 s , a Serman b o t a n i s t , Onton K e r n e r von Mar i l a u n , made a somewhat r e u o l u t i o n a r y s u g g e s t i o n t h a t a n imals /mammals as u e l l as b i r d s a n d i n s e c t s c o u l d p o l ! i n a t e f l o w e r s . S u r p r i s i n g l y , h e b a s e d t h i s b e 1 i e f on o b s e r v a t i o n s o f t h e D r y a n d r a i n f l o r e s c e n c e a n d ' s u r m i s e d t h a t K a n g a r o o s t ! 1 i n

-13- v i s i t l n g t he - f l o w e r s " s t i cX t h e ir i n o u t s into t h e e x c a v a t e d i n f l o r e s c e n c e s t o d r i n K l ~ p t h e s a p ( n e c t z r 2nd u n t a n s c i o t l s l y d i l s t t h e i r m u t h s r o u n d u i t h p o l i e n u h i c h is s u b s s q u e n t l y r c n v e r e d t o ths s t i g m a s " . The s p e c i e s h e r e f e r r e d t o c a n ~ n l y h a v e b e e 9 9. 2 i v e a " a !ow s h r u b " g i t h " f ! s z e r s a r r a n g e d a r o u n d t h e m a r g i n o f 3 c ~ p a b o u t 4 c s n t i m t a r s ir, dlameteb--".

It? t h e 1 3 3 0 ' ~ ~ a n o t h e r G e r m s n , O t t c r P ~ r s c h , p r c i d u c e d 2 c l a s s i c s e r i e s a t p z p e r % dea! i n 9 u i + h marivnal PO! i n a t i a n i n c i u d i n j s t u d i e s s f D r y a n d r a , e s p e c i a l l y o f 9 . n i u e a u h i c h h e a l s o o b ; e r l ~ e d i n c 2 : t i v a t i ~ n . iir i s a l a t e d s e v e r a l r h a r ? c ? e r i s + i c s o f a c l a s s 3i: m a m a l p o l l i i l a t r d p l a n t s - s t r o n g y e a s t - l i K e o r 'sour mi!K " s d c l i r , a b a s K z t -1 i ~ e i n f ! o r e s c e n t r e ~ h i c h acccomoda te s t h e h e a d o f p o t e n t i a l mamr11a1 p = l i i t l a t a r s ( s e e f i g u r e S e l o u 1. t h e o c c u r e n c e o f s t i C i i n f l e x z d s t y l e s e s p e c i a l l y a r o u n d t h e r i m D$ t h e i n f l o r e s c z n c e , a n d h i g h n e c t a r p r o d u c t i c n iwh i c h p r e s u m a b l y is t h e r e w a r d f o r ? > e s e a n imais 1 . L a t e r iiorKei-s s u g g a s t e d t h a t a s n e c t a r p ! - o d u c t i o n o c c u r s m a i c l y at n i s h t , t h i s rsouid f a v o u r mammal p o l 1 i n a t i a n as t h e 5 2 c r e a t g r e s a re 3 s ~ ~ : l y n o c i u r n a l l j a c t i u 2 . However , o b s e r v a t i o t ~ s made i n W e s t a r n a u s t r a l i a i n t h e 1940's i n d i c a t e t h a t u e s t e r n s p i n e b i l 1 . s a l s o f e e d o n 0. n i l ~ e a a t ! e s s t a n d p o s s i S : y o t h e r s p e c i e s .

1 M i c h a e l b r c 3 1 r A e s i i e l d o b s e ~ ~ ~ a t ions i n !967 a h i c h l e s d t o t h e r e d i s c o u ~ i - . y a f t e r 83 years o f t h e rap= Lhs-kern A u s t r a l i a n d i b b l e r a g a i n a u a K e n e d i n t e r e s t inrna-1 p o l l i n a t i o n . S u b s e q u e n t l y , B e l b e r t Us ins. J o h n RourKe a n d o t h e r s p r o d u c e d s t r g n g eu i d e n c s o f rnawmal p o l i i n a t i o n o f v a r i o u s S o u t h R f r i c a n p r o t e a s . H o ~ e u e r . t h e y a l s o c s n s i d e r e d D . t e n u i f c l ia as h a u i n g f e a t u r e s f a u ~ i . i n 3 n o n f l y i n s mamrnal p o l ! i n a ? i o n a n d c i t e d e x a w g l e s o f ckewed h e a d s as e v i d e n c e o f marmra! a c t i u i t y . Hero r e c e n t l y S t e p h e n Hoppei- i n B e s t e r n R u s t r a l ia c o m p a r e d nonf !y i r , g mammal a n d b i r d ac+i:s i t : . i n B a n K s i a a n d E u c a l y p t s p e c i e s a n d c o n c l u d e d t h a t b g ? h b i r d s ( ~ d h i t e c h e e K e d h ~ n e y e a t e . r s 1 a n d mammals ( h o n e y p o s s u m s : f e e d O R

(pre5i imabl : r p o l 'i i n a t e ) Banics i a gvand is a n d Euca! y p t u s a n g u l o s a .

THE PRESEEIT SITUATiQN

b lhe re d o a l l t h e s e o b s e r v a t i o n s l e a u e u s as r e g a r d s p o s s i b i e p o l l i n a t i o n m e c h a n i s m i n D r y a n d r a ? M o s t o f t h e r e c e n t s t u d i e s o f p o l l i n a t i o n m e c h a n i s m s i n P r o t e a c e a e h a u ~ r o n c e n t r - a t e d o n b a n K s iss w itt , t h e i r l a r g e ( a n d f r e q u e n t l y b r i g h t l y c o l c u r z d ) i n S l o r 2 s c ~ n c ~ s a n d t h e r ~ l s o f b i ~ d s . Even t h o u g h as many a 25 s p e c i e s o f R u s t r a l i a n m a r s u p i a l a r e Knoun t a u i s i t f l o w e r s , much oi: t h e e v i d e n c e is l a r g e l y a n e c d o t a l a n d p e r h a p s c 3 ! y 5 h a v e t h e r e g u l a r i t y t o b e c o n s i d e r e d as p o s s i b l e p o l 1 i n a t o r s . Esren w i t h t h e s e r e g u l a r s . t h e i r r o l e is p r o b l e m t i c a l as w c h o f t h e p a l l e ~ ? is e a t e n . p o l l e n b e i n g a n i m p o r t a n t component o f t h e d i e t o f s e v e r a l small mammals s u c h as t h e pygmy possu rnand h o n e y g o s s ~ m . Much o f t h a t w h i c h s t a y s o n t h e f u r is s u b s e q u e n t l y r e m o v e d i n g r o o m i n g l e a v i n g rslaf i v e l y l i t t l e t o a f f ec t p o l l i n a t i a n . I n o t h e r u o r d s , t h e f a c t t h a t a n a n i m a l is s e e n f o r a g i n g a n a n i n f l o r e s c e n c e is n o g u a r a n t e e t h a t i t is a p o l l i n a t o r . S e c o n d l y , b o t h b i r d s a n d a n i m a l s u i l ! v i s i t t h e s a m e f l o u a r s and many o f t h e c h a r a c t e r ist l c s a+ b a n K s i a s i n p a r t i c u l a r a r e e q u a l l y a d a p t a d t o b i r d o r mammal p o l l i n a ? iar, - i n f a c t some s u g g e s t t h a t t h e r e h a s b e e n a c o e v a l u t i o n between b a n ~ s ias and t h e s e p o l 1 i n a t o r s .

P e r h a p s t h e o n l y c o n c l a s i o n uz c a a d r a u f r o m t h e r s t h e r s K e t c n y e v i d e n c e a v a i l a b l e is i h a t n o o n e r e a l l y Knous u h e t h a r n o n + i y ing m m m a l o p l a y a m i o r r o l e i n t h e p o l 1 i n a t i o n p r o c e s s . The s i t u a t i o n is c o m p l i c a t e d by t h a f a c t t h a t some s p e c i e s a t l e a s t a p p E a r t o b e s e l f - f e r t i l e a n d t h a t mst s p e c i e s o n l y s e t a f e b ~ s e e d s p e r h e a d . A l s o , s e u e ~ a l s p e c i e s w i t h ? e l a t i v e l y e x p o s e d f l a u e ~ s a t g r o u n d 1 2 l ~ e 1 2 . 9 . 0 . c s l o p h y l l a 2nd 2 . o b t u s a . r a r e l y s e t s e e d i n E a s t e r n

? . u s t r a l ia : ~ b i ? e c'hers uitk: i d d e n f l o u e r s suck: as 13. p t e r i d i f o l ia a n d D. ? r o t 5 0 i d a s may a r may n o t s e t se=d.

1

!f a n y o n e u o u l d 1 iKe 2 p r o j e c t , t h i s Dne w o u l d be m o s t u o r t h w h i : e . I i ~ o u l d be v e r y happy t o p u b l i s h o b s ~ r u a t i o n s o f : ; i s i t a t i o n s t o D r y a n d r a f l a u e r s b y b i r d s o r mammal; and a l s o a n y f u r t h e r c o m m e n t s o n s p e c i e s w h i c h a p p e a r t o be s h y seed s e t t e r s e i t h e r i n t h e f i e 3 d o r i n c u l + i v a t i o n .

1 F o r a g e n e r a l surcrey, s a e f l r r n s t r c n g , J.A. ( 1 9 7 S j . B i o t i c p o l 1 i n a t i o n mechanisms i n t h e a u s t r a : i a n f l o r a . Meu Zealatid Jcurnal a f B o t a n y , :7:467-568

2 R o u ~ Y ~ , John a n d W i e n s , D e l S e r t . ( 1 3 7 7 5 . C c n v e r g e n t S l a r a l 2 u o l u t i o n i n S o u t h f l f r i c s n 2nd Rusit-a: i a n Pro teacea2 2nd it= ~ z s s ib!e b e a r i n g an p o i 1 i n a t ion b y n o n f l y i n q m a m l o . A n n a l s o.F ths Misso2r i - Bcf an ica! G a r d e n , 64 < 11: 1-17

3 Wiens, C e l b e r t and R o u r K e , John P. (1573;. Roder;t p o l ! i n a t i o n i n S o u t h e r - n Sfpicar: P r o t e a ;pp, b k 2 3 r ~ 275 (2 ?-'tau ): 71-73

4 Wiens .. D e l b e r t ~t z 1 (i383). Monf l y i n g m m ! po i ! i n a t i o n o f s o u t h e r n Rfr lc&n P r o t e a s : a ~ 5 n - c z e v c ~ v e d s y s t s r n . A n n a l ~ o f t h e Missouri B o t a n i c a l Garden, 70 (11: 1-31

5 H o p p s r , Stephen D and B u r b i d g e , and re^ A . !!582>. Feeding b e h a u i o u r o f b i r d s a n d rmmna!s an floaers 3 f G a K s i a g r a n d i s and E u c a l y p t u s a n g b l o s a . In : P o l l inat ion a n d Euolution, i f i r ~ s t r ~ n g , J . A . , Powe l ! , J.M. a n d R i c h a r d s , A.J. e d i t o r s ? , Ra;,al Betar; ic G a r d e n s , Sydney, p p . 67-74

8 T u r n e r , V i v i e n n e t 1982:. M a r s u p i a l s as p o l 1 i n a t o p s i n A u s t r a l ia. ! b i d . pp . 55-66

The D r y a n d r a n i v e a types u h i c h g r o u i n t h e P e r t h m e t r o p o l i t a n area b u s h l a n d s o r g a r d e n s n e u e r s e e m t .a s e t s e e d . I t is t h o u g h t t h a t t h e y a r e p o i l inated b y smll m a r s u p i a l s u h i c h n o l o n g s r ex ist h e y e b e c a u s e o f i n t r o d u c e d a n i m l dept- ,edat i o n . I ' d be i n t e r e s t e d t o Know uhe ther a n u y a n e g r o u i n g f a r m s o f D . n i v 2 a has e v e r found a n y seeds o n t h e i~ p ! a n t s .

M a r g a r e t P i e r c n i .

T h i s is a n e n t i r e l y nat i u e g s r d e n i n t h e D a n d e n o n g R a n g e s n e a r M e l b o u r n e . T h e g a r d e n is o n an c a s t f a c i n c r s l o p e a c d I d o n t t h i n K t h e r e is much f r s s t b e c a u s e o f t h a s l o p e a n d g s n e r a l h iah c o v e r a + t a l l t r e e s . it is a h i g h r a i n i a l l a rea b u t t h e r i c h r s d loamy s a i l u h i c 5 c o n t a i n s some c l a y is u e l l d r a i n e d a n d t h e b e d s a r o a l l r a i s e d a b o v 2 t h e p a t h s . F r e s h o r g a n i c m u l c h is a d d e d u h e n a v a i l c b l e , t r z e ?rut? i n g s a t c . , a n d t h i s s u p p l e m e n t s e a r l ier m u l c h i n g .

T h e f i r s t d r y a n d r a s ? r s b z b l y v e n t i n v i t h t h e f i r s t p l a n t i n g a b o u t 15 y e a r s ago. R b o u t C i v 2 y e a r s a g o , K e i t h A l c s c x p r o v i d e d a u h o l e l o t m o r e . U n f o r t u n a t e l y , p l a n t s f r o m b o t h g r o u p s h a v e l o s t t h e i r l a b e l s s o i d e t l t i f i c a t i o n is s o m e t i m e s d i S f i c u l t , a s p e c iai 1 y as 1 h a d i n a d v e r t a n t l y l e f t a1 i o f my d r y a n d r a i n f o r m a t i c n i n X . R . The o lde l . p l a n t s , a s p e c i a l l y t h e s h r u b b y o n e s , u i l l h a v e b e e n p r u n e d as p a r t a f t h e g e n e r a l g a r d e n a a i n t e n a n c s ; t h e i r areas H e r e v e r y c r o u d e d a n d D u e r g r o u n b u t a number o f d e a t h s i n t h e last f e u years h a u e a g a i n c r e a t e d o p e n i n g s . The mast r e c e n t p i a n t i n g s a re a l l t o g e t h e r a n d a l t h o u g h t h e r e has a g a i n been ; a m a l ~ e r g r ~ u t h a n d l o s s c f l i g h t , t h e p l a n t s are n o t as c?owded as th? sa r l i s r o n e s w e r e . I d o n t t h i n K a n y w a t e r i n g h a s b e e n d o n e i n r e c e n t y e a r s a l t h o u g h a s m a l l a m o u n t uas car r i e d 5 u t i n ear 1 ie r days.

The s a r d e n s a r e r u n by t h e M3unt Dandenong H o r t i c u l t u r a l S o c i e t y on i a n d l e a s e d f r 5 m t h e L i l y d a l e C o u n c i l a n d a l l l a b c t u r is u o l u n t a r y a n d t h u s e r r a t i c . They a re open on k d n e s d a y , S a t u r d a y and Sunday.

B a r b a r a B u c h a n a n

( E d i t o r s n o t e : M-S, B u c h a n a n g a v e me d e t a i l s o f a b o u t I6 s p e c i e s u h i c h are g r o u i n g i n t h e g a r d e n s . I i n c l u d e d t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i n t h e s u r v e y r e s u l t s . I v i s i t e d K a r w a r r a G a r d e n s a few y e a r s a g o and c a n c e r t a i n l y recommend a v i s i t . fill p l a n t s , e s p e c i a l ! y k s t e r n f l u s t r a l i a n b a n K s i a s e s m t o l o v e t h e d e e p , r i c h s o i l a n d g r o u p r o 1 i f i c a l l y . The s l o p e o f t h e g a r d e n s a l l o u s f o r g o o d l a n d s c a p i n g and i t is a d e l i g h t t o be a b l e t o tdander a r o u n d i n s u c h p l e a s a n t s u r r o u n d i n g s a n d see s o many n a t i v e p l a n t s t h r i u i n g . Mrs. B u c h a n a n c o n c l u d ~ d h e r n o t e u i t h t h e f 0 1 1 o u i n g a d d i t i o n a l c o m m e n t s -

We h a v e h a d a c o u p l e o f damp w i n t e r s a n d s p r i n g s a n d I t h i n K t h e u e t a t m o s p h e r e c a u s e s a l a t o f d a m a g e to U s t e r n f i u s t r a l i a n p l a n t s h e r e . S t i l l , I ' v e seem t h e m 1 3 o K i n g . j u s t 2s b a d dolsn a r o u n d E s p e r a n c e . I h a d t o maKe t h i s list i n b e t w e e n h a i l s t o r m s , u h i c h d i d n ' t h e l p f o s s i c K i n g a r o u n d t o f e e l f o r s e e d . Q u i t e a f e u o f t h e p l a n t s s h o u e d no e v i d e n c e o f h a u i n g f l o u e r e d b u t s t i l l h a v e l o v e l y f o l i a g e . The m o s t a t t r a c t i v e p l a n t s a t t h e moment are t h e o l d D. a r c t o t i d e s a n d some of t h e n i v e a s a n d t h e p l u m o s a f r o m t h e n e u g r o u p . I h a v e j u s t n o t i c a d t h a t t h e E l l i o t a n d J o n e s E n c y c l o p e d i a d e s c r i b e s D. p l u m s a f l o u e r s as pa l e y e l l o u b u t these were d e f i n i t e l y p inK i s b . )

DRYAMRAS A t 4 l FIRE

( E d i t o r s n o t e : I h a v e e x t ~ a c t s d t h e f o l l a u i n g n o t e s f r o m a f e t t e r r e c e i v e d f r o m trb.. Kzn S t u c i t e y a f Sczt!: A u s t r a l i a . K e n ' s masnif i c e n t g a r d e n was d e s t r o y e d i n t h e Ash k d n e s d a y 5 u s h f ii-e a+ 22/2~'83 and s i n c e t h e n t h e r e h a s b e e n q u i t e r e m a r x a b l e r e g e n e r a t ion ~3 mat>:J h u n d r e d s o+ d i f f a r e n t s p e c i e s . The f o l l o u i n g n o t e s appl : ! t o h i r o b s e r v a t i o n s o f d r y a n d r a s . ]

The o n l y d r y s n d r a s t c r e s h o o t f r g m t h e r o o t s t o c K were 9. f r a s e t - i , D. 3 b t u s a a n d 0. ra1ophy;lz. . I t h a s b e e n o f some i n ' e r e s t t a a o t e t h e r e g e n e r a t i o n o f v a r i o u s s p e c i e s + r o m s e e d . T i e mst p r o 1 i f ic t - e g e n e r a t i o n h a s b e e n b r D. p r a e m o r s a , b o t h t h e p i n K a n d y e l l c t u + l o w e r e d forms. E v e n t h o u g h t h e r e idere a n l r a b o u t tetl or a dozzn 51d p l a n t s s c a? t= re i t h l - o u g h t h e g a r d e i ~ . t h o u s a n d s o t seedl ings a~peat- .ad and prgl.rod t o 5 e a p ~ 3 b 1 2 i 1 2 a5 they u e r e ~c t h i c i : t h a t t h e y iJere o v e r - z r o i i d i n g o t h a r p i a n t i p c i - i e s . In f x t uz ars st i l l c u t t i n g t h e m uut f icre years a f t e r tk,e f i u . 2 . The 412:::s r e m v a d a r c used as r m I c h a o u n d o t h e r 5s: f - s o d a & f i t 2 c = 1 ~ 5 ~ i c ~ s s p e c i e s . - ~ I I E ne?:? ? r - s b f e n s p e c i e s has b e e n D. S o ~ m o s a a n d tc d e m o n s t r a t e i h e a b i l i t y o f t h i s s p e c l e s t o g e r m i n a t e SG! l o u i cg u i!dS iye f made a c o u n t af t h e r e e d 1 i n g s ( two and a h a l f years after t h e f i r e ) i n an area o f 6.5 sq. metres ~ h i c h uas t h e area a 1 lotfad t a one s h r u b a d 3. i c r m s a t h a t idas a r i g i n a l l y i n a b l a c K o f a n e h u n d r e d s h r u b s . T h e r 5 uei-9 581 p l s n t s ! plus e l e v e n D. p r a e r n o r s a and two HaKea C U C C U ! ~ ~ ~ znd G : J ~ HaKea o b l i q u a . Ttl is b:oc;r o f p l a n t s h a s Seen l e f t i n . t s c t t o s e e u h a t h a p p e n s s u e n t u a ; ly, i e x p e r t a f a g o f t h e s t r o n g e r p l a n t s h ;1; z u r v i v e a n d t h e res t w i l l d i e o f f , On a n o t h e r p a t c h ~f D. f o r - m o s a t h a t hiid been p l a n t e d o u t f o r cut f l o w e r p r o d u z t ion, t h e p l a n t s u e p e Seau i l y p r u n e d l a s t y e a r and the p r u n i n g 5 u e r e p l a c e d a r ~ u i i d ;leu19 p:;z?ed-out s e e d l i n g s . I n o t i c e d y i s t e r d a y g h e n I c o K i n g around t h e s e >:ants t h a t t h e r - 2 u e r s h u n d r e d s o f d r y a n d r a s e e d l i n g s g e l - % i n a t i n g . Don ' t ycu t h i u : ~ dryandi-ac shou 1 b be d e c l a r e d n a x i a u s r e ~ c l s ! !

I am v o n d e r i n s i f some h y b r i d is l n g h a s taKen p l a c e s i n c e t h e f i r e . I t a p p e a r s thsr-e m y be a cross b e t u g e n 3. m c r o n u l a t a and E. n o b i l is b a t i t idcrilld n e e d an gupct-t t o con+ i r ~ : f h is.

{ E d i t a r s n o t e : I h a v e e x t r a c P e d t h i s n o t 2 fi-om a ? s c e n t l s t t e r + r a m M a r g a r a t . P e t e r Luscombe frgm N i n d s t h a n a Seed S e r v ice a p p a r e i - a t l y d i s r a v e r e d uhat a p p e a r s t o b e a ' n e u s p e c i e s l a s t S s p t e m b s r - . F 1 c u e r i r . g m a t e r i a l has b e e n g i v e n t o B l e x Georgs s o u e u i l l need t c ~ u a i t t o see i f i t is a n e u s p e c i e s . >

The a-25 . uhere + h e d i -yandra is g rob l ing is a r e s e r v e a n d P e t e r is h a v i n g i t l o o K e d a t b y t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f C o n s e r u a t i o n and L a n d Managemen t t o h a v e it c ! a s s i * i e d as an ft c l a s s peserve. I? c e r t a i n l y s h o u l d 6e a n d n o t o n l y b e c a u s e o f t h e d i - y a n d r a s .

T h e p l a n t s 1 sou l i K 2 a sma! l r r v e r s i o n of the nraw s p e c i e s f r o m n e a r Nmdegate (no. 56 " I T n ; . T h e y h a v e p t - o s t r a t e stems a n d t h e l e a v e s , a b o u t 30 c m . ?,gng and 2 c m . w i d e u i y h t r i a n g r r l a r l o b e s , a r e u p r i j h t a n d c r o l s d e a a n d +at-m compzc? clurrped p l a n t s a b o u t 4ecms . i n d i a m e t e r . A s nea t* as 1 caii j u d g e f r o m t h e

d e a d s p e c i m e n s , t h e f l o u e r s a r e f a i r l y l a r g e - a b o u t 5 t o S cms. a c r o s s t h e f l o w e r h e a d . Each f l o l a e r is a b o u t 5 cms. l ~ n g . The s e e d s a r e n o t a t t a c h e d t o t h e r e c e p t a c l e among f u r ~ y b r a c t s l i K e o t h e r d r y a n d r a s s u c h as t h e p t e r i d i + o l i a g r o u p . The s p e n t f l o u e r s f a l l a n d t h e m a t u r e s e e d h e a d l o o ~ s 1 i K e t h a t o f p t e r i d i f o l ia v i t h t h e o u t e v b r a c t s c u r l e d b a c x a n d t h e c e n t r e f i l l e d v i t h r u s t y - c o l o u r e d * f u r ". B u t i n t h i s c 2 5 e , tho " f u r n is on t o p of t h e s e e d c z p s u l . = s , much !iKe t h e a c h e n e sf a d a i s y . The s e e d s a r e l o o s e and c a n b e l i + t e d o u t by " t h e h ~ i i - on t h e i r h e a d s n as i t rere . :Men I f i r s t s a u t h e s e e d s , t h e y p u t me i n mind o f a h e a d u i t h a "punKn a r 'mohahiKn h a i r c u t ! The o l d f l o r n e r s and f r u i t s a r e c l o s e l y s u r ~ o u n d e d by t h e l e a 3 p e t i o l e ? u h i c h would p r o b a b i y p r e v e n t t h e m f a l l i n g o u t o f t h e r e c e p t r c : e . H o u e u e r , 2 s t r o n g u i n d c o u l d b l o v t h e m o u t , e s p e c i a ! l u i S t h e p l a n t u e r e dead. I t a11 s e e m t o s u g g e s t a n u n u s u a i f o r m o f s e e d d i s p e r s a l f ~ r a d r y a n d r a . I n o t i c e d t h a t t h e p l a n t s a r e v e i l s p a c e d a n d t h a t t h e g r o u n d is roc i iy s o pet 'haps t h e s e e d s are w i n d - a s s i s t e d and i n f a c t h a v e t o b e .

IIRYRNDRflS f3ND HONEY

P e t e r Luscombe bas t e l l i n g m e t h a t a c c o r d i n g t~ t h a b e e - K e e p e r s , t h e c o a s t a l l imesfone f o r m o f D. sessil is is m a r v e l l o u s far honey a n d t h e t y p i c a l f a r m is p r a c t i c a l l y u s e l a s s . . The v e v y t".ext d a y . I Mas t a l K i n g t o a f o r m e r b e e - K e e p e r uho s z i d q x a c t i y t h e same t h i n g . T h e r e is a r e s e r v e s e t a s i d e f o r b e e - K e e p e ~ s on t h e c o a s t n o r t h o f P e r t h u h i c h h a s t h e c o a s t a l s e s s i l i s f o r m i n a b u n d a n c e . I t is t h e f o r m u h i c h groras h e r e ir . f i t t a d a l e a n d i n l i m e s t o n e a r o u n d t h e r i v e r . I p h o t o g r a p h e d it S loue t - i n g e x c e p t i o n a l 1 l y p r o f u s e l y a t Kminana l a s t year .

SUBSCR IPTIONS FOR 1988- 1989

The g r o u p I s rear r u n s f r o m J u l y 1, 1988 t o J u n e 38, 1989. S u b s c r i p t i o n s are -.a0 f o r f i u s t r a l i a n members a n d m.00 f o r o u e r s e a s . P l e a s e m a ~ a c h e e q u e s p a y a b l e t o t h e D r y a n d r a S t u d y Group a n d f o r u a r d t o M a r g a r e t . ThmKs t o a l l t h 0 s . e u h o h a v e a l r a a d y p a i d .

ME: .......................... CJM'ENTS OR SUGGESTIONS FOR INORWTION

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