There are thousands of native wildlife species that occur in the south-west of WesternAustralia. This region known as the South-West Botanic Province is one of the world's 34 terrestrial hotspots for conservation priority.

This document is a guide to some of the most common native flora and fauna you arelikely to see when walking along the Bibbulmun Track.

In general terms the Track’s environmental habitat and species diversity can be roughlydivided into three eco-regions.

They are…….

• Darling Range Jarrah/Marri Forest Region Kalamunda - Balingup

• Karri Forests Region Balingup - Northcliffe

• South Coastal, Forest Hinterland & Wetlands Region Northcliffe - Albany

You are currently in the

Karri Forest Region

PERTH

Fremantle

Mandurah

Bunbury

Busselton

BridgetownNannup

Manjimup

Collie

Pemberton

Walpole Denmark

Albany

North Bannister

Dwellingup

Kalamunda

Balingup

Northcliffe

FLORA & FAUNA

MardoAntechinus flavipes

Also known as the yellow-footedantechinus, this species is amarsupial. It has variable furcolourings but is generallysomewhat greyish. Other notablefeatures include a white eye-ring,a black tip to the tail and apointed muzzle. Head and bodylength is about 10–13cm andweight about 30gm. Trekkersshould be aware that they mayseek food from your packs andlook for scraps left around theshelters. Please do not feed them.

QuendaIsoodon obesulus

Also known as the southernbrown bandicoot, the femalesare slightly smaller than males.The average male length is330mm, with a tail of 120mm.Its weight is an average of0.9kg. The fur of this marsupialis coarse and coloured a darkgreyish to yellowish brown, withthe undersides a creamy-white. It has short, round ears. Theseare omnivorous mammals andare sometimes mistaken for large rats.

EchidnaTachyglossus acanthion

This peculiar species is coveredin spines and fur, and has adistinctive snout with aspecialised tongue which it usesto catch its prey (mainly termites)at a great speed. It lays eggsbeing the only group ofmammals to do so. It hasextremely strong front limbs and claws which allows it toburrow quickly. It has noweapons or fighting ability butrepels predators by curling into a ball and deterring them with its spines.

Brush-tailed Phascogale

Phascogale tapoatafaThis is a rat-sized carnivoroustree dwelling marsupial, with atuft of black silky hair at the endof its tail. Due to habitatdestruction and predation byfoxes and feral cats they arebelieved to have disappearedfrom half of their former range.The species is considered veryvulnerable to local extinction. It eats smaller mammals, birds,lizards, insects and spiders, and also drinks nectar fromflowering trees.

by Benjamint444 GFDL fir0002 Photo by Ern Mainka

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White-tailed BlackCockatoo or

Baudins CockatooCalyptorhynchus baudinii

This cockatoo is about 56cm long. Itis mostly dark-grey with narrowvague light-grey scalloping. Its lateraltail feathers are white with black tips,and the central tail feathers are allblack. Its beak is very strong andused to tear strong nuts apart. Theycan live to 40 years but are currentlybeing threatened by a loss of habitat due to land clearing.

EmuDromaius novaehollandiae

Common throughout mainlandAustralia, this is Australia’s largestnative bird. These soft-feathered,brown, flightless birds reach up to1.9 metres, have long thin necks andlegs and will travel great distancesfor food (plants and insects). Theycan sprint at 50km/h. They ingeststones to grind food in their digestivesystem. They drink infrequently, buttake in copious fluids when theopportunity arises.

Tawny FrogmouthPodargus strigoides

This curious bird is found throughoutAustralia. They are big-headedstocky birds often mistaken for owlsdue to their appearance, colouringand nocturnal habits. They belong tothe Nightjar family. They are difficultto spot due to their camouflage skillsas they appear like a broken treebranch or similar. They will raid otherbird nests for their young and feedon small mammals which theyswallow whole.

Twenty-eight ParrotBarnardius zonarius

semitorquatus

This parrot has a dull black head, itsback, rump and wings are brilliantgreen, and its throat and breastbluish-green. It has a prominentcrimson frontal band. Its call, as itwags its tail, is strong and sharp. Itseats a wide range of foods thatinclude nectar, insects, seeds, fruit,and bulbs. It will eat fruit and issometimes regarded as a pest byfarmers. They nest in tree hollows.

Karri Height: up to 90mEucalyptus diversicolor Flowers: Sept-Dec

This enormous tree is a eucalypt native to the wetter regions of the south-westof Western Australia. It is one of the tallest trees in the world. Its white tocream bark turns brown as it matures and then sheds. Mature trees branchonly from the top third of the trunk. The leaves are dark green on top andlighter underneath, and grow to a length of 90-120mm and 20-30mmbroad. The cream-coloured flowers which occur in spring and summer, are ingroups of seven, each measuring about 18-28mm across. The fruits (1cmlong) are squat and barrel-shaped, with numerous small dry seeds. Thespecies has been heavily logged as a commercial timber.

Karri Sheoak Height: up to 15mAllocasuarina decussata Flowers: Aug-Nov

This is mainly an understory tree growing within the karri forest. It can growtall, however in harsh, exposed places it may be a stunted shrub or poorly-formed tree. As with other members of the family Casuarinaceae, the foliageconsists of wiry green branchlets called cladodes with rings of minute leafscales. The branchlets of this species are about 14cm long and roughlysquare or X-shaped in cross section. Separate male and female flowers formon the same individual plant. The fruiting structure is a woody cone, shapedlike a short cylinder with its diameter roughly equal to or slightly greaterthan its length. It has very rough cork-like bark.

by C Coverdale

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Warren River Cedar Height: up to 27mTaxandria juniperina Flowers: Feb-May

Also known as juniper myrtle this is a species of tree that only grows in thesouth-west corner of Western Australia. It occurs mostly as a tall erect tree,but sometimes grows to less than 10 metres as a dense shrub. It has fibrousbrown bark that is a light red colour on the underside. When the leaves andyoung stems are bruised they release a spicy perfume from which the plant isrecognised to be a member of the Myrtaceae family. It often grows in thedense understory that tends to follow river valleys.

Jarrah Height: up to 40mEucalyptus marginata Flowers: Dec-Apr

Probably the most famous of our hard woods, the timber from the jarrah treeis highly sought after for its excellent building and magnificent furnituremaking qualities. Originally known as Swan River mahogany its dark redcolour is a wonderful feature. It has long streaky grey coloured bark, itsflowers are white and its nuts are 1cm across with three valves. Jarrah treesoften fall victim to dieback disease. Before the area was intensely loggedsome jarrah trees had massive 2m thick trunks and were more than 400years old. Today, most of the jarrah trees in the region are subsequentregrowth forest.

Peppermint Height: up to 10mAgonis flexuosa Flowers: July-Dec

This is a very common species, and is one of the most recognisable localtrees, being commonly grown in parks and on road verges in Perth andthroughout the south-west of Western Australia. It occurs mainly as a smalland robust tree, although it may grow to 15 metres. It has fibrous, brownbark, and has tightly clustered small, white flowers. It grows in a weepinghabit with its dull green narrow leaves that reach a length of 150mm. It ismost readily identified by the powerful smell of peppermint emitted when theleaves are crushed.

Blackbutt Height: up to 25+mEucalyptus patens Flowers: July-Nov

Also known as yarri it has a somewhat similar appearance to the jarrahtree. It is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia and its naturaldistribution coincides closely with that of the jarrah. It is in short supply as aharvestable timber as significant areas of its distribution are now covered byconservation reserves. It is usually a tall tree with a diameter at breast heightto 1.8 metres. On less favourable, particularly swampy sites, it is a smallertree of poor form.

by Gordon Edwards Photo by Roleystone Bushcare

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Heart-leaf Flame PeaChorizema cordatum

Height: 0.3-1.5 metresFlowers: July-December

This is an erect, straggling orclimbing shrub with yellow, orangeand red/pink flowers. It grows nearrocky outcrops, on hills, alongstreams and watercourses andwinter-wet flats.

Tassel FlowerLeucopogon verticillatus

Height: 0.8-4 metresFlowers: August-November

This is an erect, bamboo-like shrubwith copious pink-red flowers. It isfrequently found on gravelly orgranite soils and often in wetlocations.

CroweaCrowea angustifolia

Height: 0.3-3.5 metresFlowers: September-December

This is a large strong, woody shrubwith pink and white tubular flowers.It grows in sandy soils, gravel, andalong ridge tops, slopes and rockyoutcrops.

Please note that the flowering months for wildflowers differ a great deal. Although the vast majority flower during the spring months of Augto Nov, many flower at other times during the year. The weather, especially rain and temperature can also determine the flowering period.

Cowslip OrchidCaladenia flava

Height: 10-25cmFlowers: July-December

This is a tuberous, perennial orchidwith yellow to white flowers oftenwith red markings. It belongs to thespider orchid genus and grows in avariety of soils including laterite,sand, open areas, forests, graniteoutcrops and sand.

Yellow FlagsPatersonia umbrosa

Height: 30-90cmFlowers: August-December

This is a rhizomatous, tufted,perennial plant with purses of yellowflowers which display more flowersas each delicate flower dies. It enjoyswinter-wet areas, swampy areas and hillsides.

Hooded LilyJohnsonia lupulina

Height: 30-80cmFlowers: September-December

This is a rhizomatous, tufted,clump-forming perennial, grass-likeplant. It has a distinctive hoodedcream-white flower and is mainlyfound in damp locations.

MilkwortComesperma virgatum

Height: 0.3-1.6 metresFlowers: September-March

Generally this is an erect, slendershrub, but as the flowers becomeheavy they tend to droop and sway.The flowers are pink and purple.They grow in sandy and lateritesoils, sometimes near swamps.

Native WisteriaHardenbergia comptoniana

Height: climberFlowers: July-October

This is a twining plant that can climbto great heights smothering trees andother plants. It has beautiful blue-purple and white flowers. It mainlyprefers sandy soils.

Old Man’s BeardClematis pubescens

Height: up to 5 metresFlowers: August-November

This is a prolific, strong, woodyclimber, with white-cream flowers. Itreadily climbs over any other plantsin its vicinity. It grows in a variety oflocations including coastal cliffs,coastal dunes, hills, and river banks.

Karri HazelTrymalium odoratissimum

Height: up to 9 metresFlowers: July-December

Grows in great abundance in themore southerly south-west areas ofWA. With strong slender woodystems it reaches tree-like proportions.Tiny white-cream flowers that appearin great masses over the plant. Itenjoys damp river hillsides.

Tree HoveaHovea elliptica

Height: 0.4-3.0 metresFlowers: August-December

This is a slender, erect shrub or small tree with stunning displays ofblue-purple and white flowers. Itprefers gravel, clay loam and sandysoils. It grows on rocky slopes,granite outcrops, sand dunes,hillsides and ridges.

Cutleaf HibbertiaHibbertia cuneiformis

Height: 0.5-3.0 metresFlowers: June-November

This can be either a tall erect orsprawling shrub with wedge shapedleaves. The bright yellow flowers areup to 3cm across. It has brightorange seeds that are eaten bypossums, emus and birds. Thisspecies is often cultivated.

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Coral VineKennedia coccinea

Height: climberFlowers: August-November

This is a prolific and vigorous climber with leaves that divide intothree distinct lobes. The attractivered, yellow, orange or pink flowersappear in clusters of up to 20 flower heads.

Water BushBossiaea aquifolium

Height: 0.6-8.0 metresFlowers: July-November

This can be described as a prolificlarge shrub or a small tree. When inflower it is quite spectacular with itsmassive orange/yellow andred/brown displays.

Snail OrchidPterostylis pyramidalis

Height: 10-35cmFlowers: August-October

This is a very tiny tuberous, perennialorchid. It is various shades of greenand often appears in large coloniessuch as the dozens on a mossy log inthe photograph. It thrives in peatysand and on the margins of swamps.

Morning IrisOrthrosanthus laxus

Height: 15-55cmFlowers: August-November

This is a simple rhizomatous,perennial, plant with long weedylooking leaves. It tends to grow inclumps. Flowers are usually blue butcan also be white.

(no common name)Thomasia triphylla

Height: 0.3-1.2 metresFlowers: July-November

This is a multi-stemmed shrub withrough, scalloped leaves and massesof pink, purple and white flowers.

Leaping Spider OrchidCaladenia macrostylis

Height: 16-25cmFlowers: August-November

A member of the spider orchid genusthis is a spectacular flower whenexamined closely. It is a tuberous,perennial plant with shades of greenand cream flowers with dark redmarkings. It thrives in sand andgravel/loam.

Sedge speciesThere is a very wide variety ofsedges throughout the south-west ofWestern Australia. Some have quitespectacular flowering displays.Generally they have long slendersword shaped leaves. Some species’leaves are razor sharp and willeasily cut a hand or leg. They oftenenjoy damp areas.

Karri DampieraDampiera hederacea

Height: 0.2-1.0 metresFlowers: August-December

Generally this is a spreading plantthat can climb other shrubs. It hasblue and sometimes white flowers. It generally grows in sandy andgravelly soils especially aroundswamps and creeks.

Tall BanjinePimelea longiflora

Height: 0.3-1.3 metresFlowers: August-December

Although appearing rather spindlythis species can put on spectaculardisplays with its tall stems and largewhite/cream flowers. It grows insand, sandy clay, quartzite andalong stony ridges and winter-wet swampy flats.

Southern DiplolaenaDiplolaena dampieri

Height: 0.5-2.0 metresFlowers: July-November

This is a rounded, erect, bushy shrubwith elliptic shaped leaves. It hasspectacular masses of red-orangeflowers.

Broad-lipped Spider OrchidCaladenia applanata

Height: 25-50cmFlowers: September-October

One of the many different species of spider orchid this has verycurious red, green and dark pinkcolourings and a peculiar shape. Itis a tuberous, perennial plant thatgrows on shallow soils, sand, sandyloam. It appears quickly in summerburnt areas.

Forest Mantis OrchidCaladenia attingens

Height: 20-45cmFlowers: October-November

This is another member of the spiderorchid genus. It has an intricate andquite spectacular flower head withgreen and yellow colourings and redmarkings. It is a tuberous, perennialplant that grows in sand, gravellyloam, shallow soils and aroundgranite outcrops.

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Scented Sun OrchidThelymitra macrophylla

Height: 30-65cmFlowers: August-November

This is robust tuberous, perennialplant with large ovate leaves. It is a multi-flowered blue/purpleorchid with a large post-anther lobeand short hair tufts.

Scented BoroniaBoronia megastigma

Height: 0.2-2.0 metresFlowers: July-October

This species was heavily sought for itsscent and was often sold in thestreets of Perth. It is an erect, slender,scented shrub with less thanspectacular brown and yellow/greenflowers. It enjoys peaty sand andwinter-wet swamps.

Bracken FernPteridium esculentum

Height: 0.5-2.0 metresFlowers: no flower

This prolific species is found in manycountries. It is an ancient,rhizomatous and perennial fern withlarge divided fronds. Being a fern itdoes not have flowers. In particular itthrives in winter wet areas such ascreeks in eucalypt forests.

Jug OrchidPterostylis recurva

Height: 30-60cmFlowers: August-October

The striped flower head of thisspecies is very peculiar indeed.Similar to all other orchids from thesouth-west of Western Australian it isa terrestrial, tuberous, perennialherb. It has green and whitecolouring, usually striped. It thrives in sand, clay and gravelly soils.

Silky Blue OrchidCyanicula sericea

Height: 15-40cmFlowers: August-October

This is a relatively small flowering,tuberous, perennial orchid. It hasblue-purple flowers and grows incolonies on gravelly soils.

White Spider OrchidCaladenia longicauda

Height: 35-60cmFlowers: September-November

This is a spectacular tuberous,perennial orchid with white- cream-yellow-green flowers and dark redmarkings. It grows in sandy, clayeyloam and gravelly soils. It is found inforests, rock outcrops, hillsides,winter-wet areas, near swamps andlake margins.

Winged WattleAcacia alata

Height: 0.3-2.0 metresFlowers: April-December

This species usually has flattened and sometimes hairy“leaves” (not true leaves but calledphyllodes). It can be an erect but alsoa sprawling, spindly shrub. It hascream or yellow spherical flowersand is found throughout thesouth-west of Western Australia.

Honey BushHakea lissocarpha

Height: 0.4-1.5 metresFlowers: June-October

Usually this is a dense erect, woodyand spiky shrub. When in flower itcan have a powerful, sweet scent asyou walk past it. Its flowers areusually cream but can often have apink/purple shade. It grows in sand,loam or granite soils.

Candle HakeaHakea ruscifolia

Height: 0.5-3.0 metresFlowers: December-February

This is a very prickly, woody, erectshrub. The massed white flowersgrow on thick long tentacles and attimes will droop with its heavyweight. It grows in sand, loam, clayand gravelly soils throughout thesouth-west of Western Australia.

Pink FairiesCaladenia latifolia

Height: 20-45cmFlowers: August-October

Prolific orchid species found in manyareas throughout the south-west ofWestern Australia. It is a tuberous,perennial plant with shades of pinkand white flowers. Dozens can befound growing in colonies. It thrivesin sand and loam and is often foundaround rocky outcrops.

Karri WattleAcacia pentadenia

Height: 2.0-5.0 metresFlowers: July-December

This plant often appears as aslender, willowy shrub or small treewith greatly divided leaves. It hastypical yellow-cream spherical wattleflower heads. It grows in a variety ofsoils and often in swampy areas. Itis found mostly in karri forest areas.

Balga, Grasstree, BlackboyXanthorrhoea preissii

Height: up to 5 metresFlowers: July-December

This is a perennial grasstree with aflower spike of 1.5-2.5 metres inlength and displays white- creamflowers that mainly grow on the sunside of the flower spike. It is versatile,growing in grey to black sands,grey-brown loam, brown sandy clayand gravelly soils.

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DugitePseudonaja affinis

This is a venomous snake and ispotentially lethal. It is colouredgrey, green, or brown. Thecolours vary widely betweenindividuals and are an unreliablemeans of identifying the species.The most distinguishingcharacteristic is the shape of thehead, which is small comparedto the neck, which gradesimperceptibly into the body. A dugite can grow up to2 metres in length.

Gould’s MonitorVaranus gouldii

This is a ground-dwelling reptilethat excavates large burrows forshelter. Rock escarpments andtree hollows are also suitable. Itreaches an average length of 1.4metres and can weigh as muchas 6kg. It is a relentless foragermainly during the day. Anythingsmaller than itself such as mice,birds, insects, lizards, snakes,and carrion will be eagerlyswallowed. They are seeminglyimmune to snake venom. Themonitor in the photograph isswallowing a tiger snake.

South Western Snake-necked Turtle

or Oblong TurtleChelodina (Macrodiremys) colliei

This species of turtle is endemic tothe south-west of WesternAustralia. It is a very peculiar turtleas it has a remarkably long neck,which in some cases may be evenlonger than its body. It is veryvulnerable in the wild. Thedestruction of natural habitat,many road kills of turtles searchingfor a nesting site or a permanentwater body, and the prevalence ofpredators are the main causes of adecrease in numbers. Its carapacelength is up to 40cm.

Along with the species of mammals, birds, trees, wildflowers and reptiles there are many thousands of other species of native wildlife in thesouth west of Western Australia. Frogs, insects, fungi and spiders are an extremely important and integral part of the total eco-system thatkeeps the wildlife in balance. Some species include:

by Simon J. Tonge http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marbled_Gecko.jpg#/media/File:Marbled_Gecko.jpg

FROGS INSECTS FUNGI SPIDERS

motorbike, squelching, moaning,quacking, slender tree, westernbanjo, whooping

ants and termites, butterflies,wasps, dragonflies, cicadas,crusader bugs, preying mantis

mushrooms, coral, shelf,beefsteak, bracket, jelly,puffballs, earth tongues

orb weaver, huntsman, redback, daddy long legs, jewel,garden, mouse, trap door

Marbled GeckoChristinus marmoratus

This little species is about 50-70mmlong and weighs only 2.5gm. Theyhave fat reserves in their tails whichcan be disconnected from theirbody when threatened, to aid inescape. Tails take about 8 months toregenerate. It has large finger andtoe pads which spread out to graspslippery or soft surfaces. They areAustralia’s most southerly geckooccurring from north-eastern NSWto the south-west of WA and live ina variety of habitats including openshrubland, forests, riverinewoodland and urban regions. Theirdiet consists of insects includingcrickets and flies.

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The Noongar people of south-western Australia had a very orderedway of life. Their hunting and gathering patterns were guided bysix weather-based seasons.

Although Noongar men were the main suppliers of meat suchas yonga (kangaroo), possum and bettongs (woylie), thewomen were responsible for maintaining the good nutritionof the community. They provided up to 90 per cent of thefood, by collecting roots, tubers, corms, bulbs and fruits.

Word of caution:Please be aware that some plants are poisonous and requireextensive treatment to make them edible. Tasting, therefore,should be carried out only under expert guidance. All nativeplants are protected by law and sampling some traditional foodswould also result in the destruction of the plant. Therefore, enjoyreading and learning about the plants, but please refrain from trying toeat them.

For more information see the Bush Tucker Plants of the South Westbush book produced by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Various books are available from the Bibbulmun Track website including the Wildflowers of the Northern Bibbulmun Track & Jarrah Forests by Anne Ireland and Kim Macey, and a wide range of bush books produced by the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

Visit our shop online at bibbulmuntrack.org.au

Thank you…

The Foundation thanks volunteers Cliff and Sharron Burns, authors of “Local Flora and Bushlands”, for researching and collating the content of this document. Cliff and Sharron also acknowledge the assistance of Stephen Crane from the Department of Parks and Wildlife. All three are Bibbulmun Track end-to-enders.

Unless otherwise noted the photography is by Cliff and Sharron Burns.

This guide was produced by the Bibbulmun Track Foundation with the financial assistance of Bibbulmun Track Premier Sponsor, Newmont Boddington Gold..

© Bibbulmun Track Foundation 2015 © Photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the authors

Noongar Seasons Wheel image kindly provided by the South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare.

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