Santos Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs of Eastern ... · 2.6 Eastern Queensland oil and gas fileds...
Transcript of Santos Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs of Eastern ... · 2.6 Eastern Queensland oil and gas fileds...
First Edition 2007
Text © Santos Ltd
Santos House
60 Flinders Street
Adelaide South Australia 5000
Photographs © Craig Eddie unless otherwise acknowledged
Text by: Craig Eddie (BOOBOOK Wildlife Consulting Roma Qld)
Coordination by: Tony Rutter and Steve Tunstill, Santos Ltd
Photographs by: Craig Eddie (BOOBOOK Wildlife Consulting) unless otherwise acknowledged
Design by: Santos Graphic Design
Printed by: Finsbury Green Printing
Front Cover: Brachychiton rupestris
Other Field Guides by Santos Ltd:Santos (2003) Field Guide to the Common Plants of the
Cooper Basin. South Australia and Queensland. Fourth Edition. Santos Ltd, Adelaide
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. USER GUIDE 32.1 Size and form 3
2.2 Scientific names 3
2.3 Habitat 3
2.4 Common habitats of the Eastern Queensland oil and gas field 4
2.5 How to identify a plant 6
2.6 Eastern Queensland oil and gas fileds 7
3. THREATENED HABITATS 123.1 Bluegrass Grassland 14
3.2 Brigalow Woodland 16
3.3 Semi-evergreen Vine Thicket 18
3.4 Artesian Springs 20
4. RARE AND THREATENED PLANTS 224.1 Thomby Range Wattle; Acacia wardellii 26
4.2 Sandstone Prickle-Bush; Apatophyllum teretifolium 28
4.3 Ooline; Cadellia pentastylis 30
4.4 Shiny-Leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus virens 32
4.5 Sturt's Desert Rose; Gossypium sturtianum 34
4.6 Whorl-leaved Heath; Leucopogon grandiflorus 36
4.7 Carnarvon Fan Palm; Livistona nitida 38
4.8 Curly Zamia; Macrozamia fearnsidei 40
4.9 Grove’s Paperbark; Melaleuca groveana 42
5. COMMON TREES 445.1 Mulga; Acacia aneura 44
5.2 Miles Mulga; Acacia aprepta 46
5.3 Bendee; Acacia catenulata 48
5.4 Ironwood; Acacia excelsa 50
5.5 Brigalow; Acacia harpophylla 52
5.6 Slender-flowered Wattle; Acacia longispicata 54
5.7 Womal; Acacia maranoensis 56
5.8 Bowyakka; Acacia microsperma 58
5.9 Yarran; Acacia omalophylla 60
5.10 Nelia; Acacia oswaldii 62
5.11 Myall; Acacia pendula 64
5.12 Doolan; Acacia salicina 66
5.13 Lancewood; Acacia shirleyi 68
5.14 Currawong; Acacia sparsiflora 70
5.15 River Cooba; Acacia stenophylla 72
5.16 Boonaree; Alectryon oleifolius 74
5.17 Thready-bark She-oak; Allocasuarina inophloia 76
5.18 Bull Oak; Allocasuarina luehmannii 78
5.19 Forest She-oak; Allocasuarina torulosa 80
5.20 Red Ash; Alphitonia excelsa 82
5.21 Bitter Bark; Alstonia constricta 84
5.22 Rough-barked Apple; Angophora floribunda 86
5.23 Smooth-barked Apple; Angophora leiocarpa 88
5.24 Eastern Dead Finish; Archidendropsis basaltica 90
5.25 Whitewood; Atalaya hemiglauca 92
5.26 Broad-leaved Bottle Tree; Brachychiton australis 94
5.27 Kurrajong; Brachychiton populneus 96
5.28 Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree; Brachychiton rupestris 98
5.29 Prickly Pine; Bursaria incana 100
5.30 Weeping Bottlebrush; Callistemon viminalis 102
5.31 Black Cypress Pine; Callitris endlicheri 104
5.32 White Cypress Pine; Callitris glaucophylla 106
5.33 Wild Orange; Capparis canescens 108
5.34 Narrow-leaf Bumble Tree; Capparis loranthifolia 110
5.35 Bumble Tree; Capparis mitchellii 112
5.36 Leichhardt Bean; Cassia brewsteri 114
5.37 Belah; Casuarina cristata 116
5.38 River She-oak; Casuarina cunninghamiana 118
5.39 Limebush; Citrus glauca 120
5.40 Spotted and Lemon-scented Gum; Corymbia citriodora 122
5.41 Clarkson's Bloodwood; Corymbia clarksoniana 124
5.42 Dallachy’s Gum; Corymbia dallachyana 126
5.43 Red Bloodwood; Corymbia erythrophloia 128
5.44 Carbeen; Corymbia tessellaris 130
5.45 Brown Bloodwood; Corymbia trachyphloia 132
5.46 Large-fruited Yellow Jacket; Corymbia watsoniana 134
5.47 Bat's Wing Coral Tree; Erythrina vespertilio 136
5.48 Baker’s Mallee; Eucalyptus bakeri 138
5.49 River Red Gum; Eucalyptus camaldulensis 140
5.50 Dawson Gum; Eucalyptus cambageana 142
5.51 Baradine Red Gum; Eucalyptus chloroclada 144
5.52 Coolibah; Eucalyptus coolabah 146
5.53 Narrow-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus crebra 148
5.54 Gum-topped Ironbark; Eucalyptus decorticans 150
5.55 Queensland Peppermint; Eucalyptus exserta 152
5.56 Dusky-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus fibrosa nubila 154
5.57 Grey Gum; Eucalyptus major 156
5.58 Silver-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus melanophloia 158
5.59 Gum-topped Box; Eucalyptus microcarpa 160
5.60 Mountain Coolibah; Eucalyptus orgadophila 162
5.61 Poplar Box; Eucalyptus populnea 164
5.62 Narrow-leaved White Mahogany; Eucalyptus tenuipes 166
5.63 Queensland Blue Gum; Eucalyptus tereticornis 168
5.64 Mountain Yapunyah; Eucalyptus thozetiana 170
5.65 Native Cherry; Exocarpos cupressiformis 172
5.66 Sandpaper Fig; Ficus opposita 174
5.67 Crows Ash; Flindersia australis 176
5.68 Scrub Leopardwood; Flindersia dissosperma 178
5.69 Leopardwood; Flindersia maculosa 180
5.70 Wilga; Geijera parviflora 182
5.71 Beefwood; Grevillea striata 184
5.72 Corkwood Oak; Hakea lorea 186
5.73 Weeping Tea-tree; Leptospermum lamellatum 188
5.74 Budgeroo; Lysicarpus angustifolius 190
5.75 Red Bauhinia; Lysiphyllum carronii 192
5.76 Black Tea-tree; Melaleuca bracteata 194
5.77 Bush House Paperbark; Melaleuca tamariscina 196
5.78 Western Tea-tree; Melaleuca trichostachya 198
5.79 White Cedar; Melia azedarach 200
5.80 Emu Apple; Owenia acidula 202
5.81 Quinine Tree; Petalostigma pubescens 204
5.82 Cattle Bush; Pittosporum angustifolium 206
5.83 Myrtle Tree; Psydrax oleifolius 208
5.84 Sandalwood; Santalum lanceolatum 210
5.85 Yellow Wood; Terminalia oblongata 212
5.86 Vine Tree; Ventilago viminalis 214
5.87 Woody Pear; Xylomelum cunninghamianum 216
6. COMMON SHRUBS 2186.1 Bancroft's Wattle; Acacia bancroftiorum 218
6.2 Flat-stemmed Wattle; Acacia complanata 220
6.3 Crowded-leaf Wattle; Acacia conferta 222
6.4 Deane’s Wattle; Acacia deanei 224
6.5 Pretty Wattle; Acacia decora 226
6.6 Mimosa Bush; Acacia farnesiana 228
6.7 Rush-leaf Wattle; Acacia juncifolia 230
6.8 Early Flowering Black Wattle; Acacia leiocalyx 232
6.9 Zig Zag Wattle; Acacia macradenia 234
6.10 Queensland Silver Wattle; Acacia podalyriifolia 236
6.11 Glory Wattle; Acacia spectabilis 238
6.12 Gundabluey; Acacia victoriae 240
6.13 Broom Bush; Apophyllum anomalum 242
6.14 Hair Plant; Astrotricha cordata 244
6.15 Coffee Bush; Breynia oblongifolia 246
6.16 White Fringe Myrtle; Calytrix tetragona 248
6.17 Currant Bush; Carissa ovata 250
6.18 Wait-A-While; Capparis lasiantha 252
6.19 Cough Bush; Cassinia laevis 254
6.20 Lolly Bush; Clerodendrum floribundum 256
6.21 Silver Croton; Croton insularis 258
6.22 Sticky Hopbush; Dodonaea viscosa 260
6.23 Ellangowan Poison Bush; Eremophila deserti 262
6.24 Emu Bush; Eremophila longifolia 264
6.25 Spotted Fuchsia Bush; Eremophila maculata 266
6.26 False Sandalwood; Eremophila mitchellii 268
6.27 Red Spider Flower; Grevillea longistyla 270
6.28 Dysentery Bush; Grewia latifolia 272
6.29 Flame Hakea; Hakea purpurea 274
6.30 Purple Bush-pea; Hovea longipes 276
6.31 Dogwood; Jacksonia scoparia 278
6.32 Zamia; Macrozamia moorei 280
6.33 Yellow-berry Bush; Maytenus cunninghamii 282
6.34 Prickly-leaf Paperbark; Melaleuca nodosa 284
6.35 Boobialla; Myoporum montanum 286
6.36 Heath Everlasting; Ozothamnus diotophyllus 288
6.37 Butterfly Bush; Petalostylis labicheoides 290
6.38 Wallaby Apple; Pittosporum spinescens 292
6.39 Butter Bush; Senna artemisioides 294
6.40 Spring-pod Cassia; Senna circinnata 296
6.41 Bean Bush; Senna pleurocarpa 298
6.42 Forest Grass Tree; Xanthorrhoea johnsonii 300
7. FURTHER READING 302
8. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 304
9. INDEX OF PLANTS BY COMMON NAME 305
10.INDEX OF PLANTS BY SCIENTIFIC NAME 311
Santos is committed to conducting all of its exploration and production activities in an
environmentally responsible manner. Our environmental vision is that “We will lighten
the footprint of our activities”.
This field guide has been produced for Santos employees and contractors to promote
more informed environmental management, and to foster an appreciation of the plants
and environment in which the Eastern Queensland oil and gas fields are situated.
The first steps in realising these aims are becoming familiar with the names (refer to
Eastern Queensland oil and gas fields map on page 2) and appearance of the most
common plants in the region, and understanding why it is important to avoid clearance
of certain species.
As oil and gas exploration and production activities increase, so does the likelihood that
significant species or sensitive habitats will be encountered. This guide has been
prepared to aid the identification of 129 of the most common trees and shrubs found in
the oil and gas fields of Eastern Queensland. In addition, profiles have been included for
a selection of rare and threatened plants (section 4) and endangered habitats (section 3).
By doing so, the profile of significant species and ecosystems will be raised, helping to
minimise potential impacts on significant species.
This is a companion guide to another Santos publication “Field guide to the common
plants of the Cooper Basin,” which covers a selection of plants in the southwest corner
of Queensland and the northeast corner of South Australia.
1
1.0
INTR
OD
UC
TIO
N
2
Santos acreage(as at June 2007)
Gas pipeline
Oil pipeline
East
ern
Que
ensla
nd
oil a
nd g
as fi
elds
The common plants described in this Feild Guide (sections 5 and 6) have been classified
according to: (a) size and form, (b) scientific name, and (c) habitat.
2.1 Size and formBased on size and form, the plants are divided into two groups: trees and shrubs. Trees are
greater than 5 metres tall and generally have a single trunk, whereas shrubs are less than
5 metres tall and are often multi-stemmed from the base. Both are perennial (long-lived)
plants, although trees often live considerably longer than shrubs. Note that the growth
form of plants is highly dependant on landform and substrate, hence some species can
grow as either trees or shrubs.
2.2 Scientific namesWithin each of the above groups, plants are listed alphabetically according to their
scientific name. Scientific names are composed of two parts; first their generic name
(genus), followed by the specific name (species). Plants from the same genus are closely
related and therefore usually of similar appearance. Knowing the general appearance of
plants from a particular genus enables one to identify a great number of plants to at least
the level of genus. The precise identity of a plant within a genus is provided by the species
name. For example, poplar box and silver-leaved ironbark are both from the genus
Eucalyptus, but are differentiated by their species name; ie. Eucalyptus populnea
(poplar box) and Eucalyptus melanophloia (silver-leaved ironbark).
The botanical names used in this publication are up to date at the date of printing. Many
species have recently undergone name changes, and where this is the case, the old name
is listed under ‘Notes’. Common names selected for use in this publication are those most
frequently used in the region. However, many plants are known by several common names
(even within the same district) and where this is the case, a range of common names has
been included. Note that one common name is frequently applied to more than one species.
Common examples include ‘dogwood’, ‘rosewood’ and ‘black wattle’.
2.3 HabitatDescriptions of habitat relate to the environment (including soil and topography) in which
a particular plant grows. Due to the great variation in climate, elevation, topography,
geology and soils found within the coverage area, there is a corresponding high diversity
of habitats present. Twelve broad habitat types are recognisable in the coverage area.
Colour codes have been used to designate these habitats and they are included within the
habitat descriptions. Many plants occupy more than one habitat type, and in these
instances, more than one colour has been used.
3
2.0
USE
R G
UID
E
4
HABITAT DESCRIPTION HABITAT KEY
Eucalypt woodland on Common species include mountain
basalt hills and ranges coolibah, narrow-leaved ironbark
and red bloodwood.
Eucalypt woodland on Often dominated by ironbarks,
sandstone hills/ranges bloodwoods, stringybarks
(Eucalyptus spp.), grey gum,
spotted/lemon-scented gum,
budgeroo, woody pear and thready-
bark she-oak. Understorey is often very
species rich and dominated by wattles.
Eucalypt woodland Usually dominated by poplar box and/
on lowlands or silver-leaved ironbark.
Cypress pine woodland/ White cypress pine forms thickets on
open forest the vast sand plains occurring
throughout much of the coverage area.
Riparian woodland Riparian vegetation means the plants
occurring on the banks and channels
of watercourses, which typically
include river red gum, Queensland
blue gum, rough-barked apple, river
she-oak, black tea-tree, western
tea-tree, weeping bottlebrush,
doolan and river cooba.
Floodplain woodland/ Coolibah, poplar box, river red gum and
open woodland Queensland blue gum form open
woodlands on the alluvial plains
associated with watercourses. A variety
of wetland types may be associated with
floodplains, including swamps, lagoons
and gilgais or melonholes.
2.4
Com
mon
hab
itats
of E
aste
rnQ
ueen
sland
oil
& g
as fi
elds
5
Mitchell grass/blue Rolling clay plains are sometimes
grass grassland vegetated by grasslands dominated by
Queensland bluegrass (Dichanthium
sericeum) and/or curly Mitchell grass
(Astrebla lappacea). Grasslands are
locally referred to as ‘downs’ country.
Heathland/spinifex Shrubby heathlands and spinifex
(Triodia spp.) communities communities
occur patchily in the coverage area on
sand plains, sand ridges and areas of
rock pavement. They usually have many
plant species and often contain rare,
threatened and localised plant species.
Brigalow woodland/ Stands of brigalow occur on clay plains
open forest and hill slopes and were extensive prior
to broad-scale clearing. Brigalow may
occur on its own or it may occur with
other trees, for example, belah,
poplar box, Dawson gum and
mountain yapunyah.
Mulga woodland/ Stands of mulga occur on loamy red
open forest earths and hard ridges in the southern
parts of the coverage area. Associated
trees include poplar box and silver-
leaved ironbark.
Acacia woodland/open Hard rocky ridges are often dominated
forest on residual ridges by bendee, lancewood or bowyakka.
Semi-evergreen vine Semi-evergreen vine thicket is also
thicket known as bottle tree scrub, dry
rainforest or softwood scrub. It occurs
on hill slopes, sheltered gorges and clay
plains in central and northern parts of
the coverage area.
2.5 How to identify a plant
When attempting to identify a plant the following steps are recommended:
1. Decide whether the plant is a tree or shrub; go to the relevant section of the
handbook.
2. Note the type of country (habitat) in which the plant is growing; narrow down the
choice of plants to those from the relevant habitat by using the colour code.
3. Compare the photographs of the most likely plants with the plant in question, taking
particular note of the shape of the plant, the form, colour and texture of the trunk or
stem, and the colour and shape of leaves, fruit, buds and flowers.
4. Finally, if uncertain, compare the descriptions of bark, leaves, flowers and fruit with
those of the plant in question.
Botanical terminology can be difficult, confronting and hard to remember for those who
just want to know the name of a particular plant. Technical botanical terms have been
deliberately avoided in this publication and they are covered in detail by numerous plant
books (see section 7 Further Reading).
Descriptions are based on locally occurring forms of plants, hence they may vary slightly
or significantly from descriptions in other publications. Some plants vary greatly across
their range, and even within the coverage area some species may exhibit considerable
variation in growth form and the size, shape and colour of leaves, flowers, buds and fruit.
Flowering times listed for each species represent the period in which that species has been
observed flowering most frequently. Note that flowering times can vary significantly. For
widespread species, flowering times may vary in different parts of that species range (for
example, north vs south). Prevailing seasonal conditions greatly influence the timing and
intensity of flowering in some species, including mulga, bendee, false sandalwood and
wilga. Flowering intensity also varies annually. Budgeroo, ooline and woody pear are
examples of species that produce little flower in some years and masses of flower in others.
Fruiting times have not been included as they are even more variable and unpredictable
than flowering times and many plants do not necessarily produce fruit each time that
they flower.
6
Further advice should be sought before making management decisions based on
identifications using this guide. Positive plant identifications can be obtained by sending
samples to the Queensland Herbarium (phone 07-38969326 for guidelines or refer to
Santos EHS Management System Environmental Hazard Standard EHS09).
2.6 Eastern Queensland Oil and Gas Fields
The gas and oil fields of relevance to this publication occur in the Surat and Bowen Basins
of Eastern Queensland. They are aligned in a series of fields between Emerald in the north
and Moonie in the south. For the purposes of this publication, key geographic regions
containing significant petroleum resources have been grouped as follows (refer to
bioregion map on page 23)
Denison
This area lies between Emerald and Rolleston and is part of the Brigalow Belt North
biogeographic region. The landscape is predominantly undulating or rolling clay plains
with bluegrass downs or eucalypt and/or brigalow woodland. The major watercourse is the
Comet River. Several plants occur only or predominantly in this part of the coverage area;
for example, Dallachy’s gum, Leichhardt bean, Dawson gum and eastern dead finish.
7
Denison landscape
9
Santos permit(as at May 2007)
Reserve
State land
State forest
National park
Freehold
Sout
h M
ap
(Eas
tern
Que
ensla
nd)
FairviewFairview comprises the gas fields centred around Injune. The landscape is characterised
by elevated sandstone ranges, the most conspicuous being the Carnarvon and Expedition
Range, but also containing parts of the Mount Hutton and Kongabula Range. Vegetation
is predominantly eucalypt or white cypress pine woodland with areas of brigalow and
semi-evergreen vine thicket (softwood or bottle tree scrub). The area is drained by the
Dawson River and
numerous smaller
watercourses including
Moolayember, Hutton
and Baffle Creeks.
RomaThis is a large area covering interests in the vicinity of Roma, Surat and St George.
There is a small intrusion of the Mulga Lands biogeographic region southwest of Roma.
Dominant vegetation types include eucalypt and/or brigalow woodlands and bluegrass
or Mitchell grass downs with smaller areas of white cypress pine and mulga. The area is
characterised by
undulating or rolling
terrain with small
elevated areas
including the Thomby
and Grafton Range.
The major watercourse
is the Balonne River.
10
Fairview landscape
Roma landscape
Moonie
Several outlying areas occur in the vicinity of Moonie and Alton. The area is drained by
the Moonie River which has floodplains vegetated by eucalypt open woodland.
Other vegetation includes mulga, brigalow and white cypress pine woodlands.
Extensive sand plains are also present which contain areas of spinifex and shrubland.
Scotia
Scotia includes interests in the vicinity of Taroom and Wandoan. This area is predominantly
undulating or rolling terrain with brigalow or eucalypt woodland, but also includes parts of
the Expedition Range.
11
Moonie landscape
Scotia landscape
12
The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Protection Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
has provision for the listing of vegetation types or habitats (ecological communities) as
being critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable. Hence a particular plant may be a
common species (for example, brigalow); however, it may
grow in an ecological community that is threatened.
Four threatened ecological communities are listed as endangered within Eastern
Queensland gas and oil fields (refer the threatened habitats location map on page 13),
including:
> bluegrass grasslands
> brigalow woodland
> semi-evergreen vine thicket (softwood scrubs/dry rainforest)
> artesian springs and their associated ecosystems.
Listing of these ecological communities has been on the basis that they currently face
a very high risk of extinction in the near future. These communities cannot be cleared
without approval from the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage.
Some of the component regional ecosystems* of these communities are also listed as
endangered under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999 (State legislation).
*Vegetation communities have been classified into regional ecosystems by the Queensland Environmental
Protection Agency. Regional ecosystems are defined as vegetation communities that are consistently associated
with a particular combination of geology, landform and soil. Detailed information relating to the regional
ecosystem framework and their descriptions can be found by referring to Sattler and Williams (1999) or the
Regional Ecosystem Description Database (REDD).
www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/biodiversity/regional_ecosystems.
3.0
THRE
ATEN
ED H
ABI
TATS
13
Santos permit(as at June 2007)
Gas pipeline
Oil pipeline
Semi - evergreen vine thicket
Bluegrass - grasslands
Brigalow - woodland
Spring locations
Thre
aten
ed H
abita
ts
Loca
tion
Map
3.1 Bluegrass grassland
DESCRIPTIONGrassland communities in the Brigalow Belt Bioregion dominated by bluegrass
(Dichanthium spp.), particularly Queensland bluegrass (Dichanthium sericeum).
COMPONENT SPECIES Grasses include Queensland bluegrass (D. sericeum), curly Mitchell grass (Astrebla lappacea),
wild oats (Themeda avenacea), kangaroo grass (T. triandra), wire grasses (Aristida spp.) and
native millet (Panicum decompositum). Herbage includes fox-tails (Ptilotus spp.), flannel
weeds (Sida spp.) and members of the pea (Fabaceae) and daisy (Asteraceae) families.
Scattered trees and shrubs may be present including belah (Casuarina cristata), brigalow
(Acacia harpophylla), spring-pod cassia (Senna circinnata), false sandalwood (Eremophila
mitchellii), limebush (Citrus glauca), mimosa bush (A. farnesiana), emu apple (Owenia
acidula), black tea-tree (Melaleuca bracteata), boonaree (Alectryon oleifolius), whitewood
(Atalaya hemiglauca), red bauhinia (Lysiphyllum carronii), mountain coolibah (Eucalyptus
orgadophila), poplar box (E. populnea), silver-leaved ironbark (E. melanophloia), coolibah
(E. coolabah) and red bloodwood (Corymbia erythrophloia).
LANDFORMSAlluvial plains, and undulating or rolling clay plains.
REASON FOR LISTINGLess than 20% of the original extent of bluegrass grasslands remains intact due to
extensive clearing. They occur on productive soils and are extensively cultivated, cropped
and replaced with improved pasture. Bluegrass grasslands have a naturally restricted
distribution.
THREATSInvasion by weeds, particularly parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus),
and exotic pasture species; continued clearing for cropping and improved pasture;
inappropriate grazing management; changed fire ecology; drought effects;
encroachment by woody plants (trees and shrubs).
14
THREATENED FLORAToadflax (Thesium australis), Austral cornflower (Stemmacantha australis), king blue
grass (Dichanthium queenslandicum).
THREATENED FAUNAGrassland earless dragon (Tympanocryptis pinguicolla), rough collared-frog (Cyclorana
verrucosa).
OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUESHabitat for grassland fauna including birds (quails, raptors), mammals (marsupial-mice,
native rodents), reptiles, frogs and numerous invertebrates. Soil cracks are used for
shelter by many ground dwelling animals.
GAS/OIL FIELDConfined to the northern part of the coverage area (Denison), mainly in the vicinity
of Rolleston.
COMPONENT REGIONAL ECOSYSTEMS11.3.21, 11.8.11
15
Bluegrass grassland in the Denison gas field
3.2 Brigalow woodland
DESCRIPTIONWoodland or open forest communities dominated by brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) in the
Brigalow Belt Bioregion.
COMPONENT SPECIES Canopy and emergent trees include brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), belah (Casuarina
cristata), poplar box (E. populnea), Dawson gum (E. cambageana),
red bauhinia (Lysiphyllum carronii), emu apple (Owenia acidula), whitewood (Atalaya
hemiglauca), yarran (Acacia melvillei) and boonaree (Alectryon oleifolius). Shrubs include
false sandalwood (Eremophila mitchellii), wilga (Geijera parviflora), scrub boonaree
(Alectryon diversifolius), currant bush (Carissa ovata) and limebush (Citrus glauca).
Herbage is often dominated by chenopods.
LANDFORMSAlluvial plains, undulating or rolling clay plains and hill slopes; sometimes occurs on flats
with gilgais or melonholes.
REASON FOR LISTINGLess than 10% of the original extent of brigalow woodlands remains intact due to
extensive clearing for cropping and improved pasture development.
THREATSInvasion by weeds and exotic pasture species; degradation by fire.
THREATENED FLORAA daisy (Rutidosis lanata), a waterplant (Aponogeton queenslandicus).
THREATENED FAUNAPainted honeyeater (Grantiella picta), glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami),
brigalow scaly-foot (Paradelma orientalis), yakka skink (Egernia rugosa), golden-tailed
gecko (Strophurus taenicauda), common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus), little pied
bat (Chalinolobus picatus), imperial hairstreak butterfly (Jalmenus evagoras eubulus).
16
17
OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUESBrigalow communities provide numerous habitat opportunities including dense foliage,
logs, leaf litter, shrubby understorey, dead trees and loose bark. It is a favoured
habitat of the black-striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis). Declining woodland birds are
often present including speckled warbler (Chthonicola sagittata) and grey-crowned
babbler (Potamostomus temporalis). Mistletoe is often abundant along roadside
remnants and shadelines.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
COMPONENT REGIONAL ECOSYSTEMS6.4.2, 11.3.1, 11.4.3, 11.4.7, 11.9.1, 11.9.5
Brigalow woodland in the Fairview gas field
3.3 Semi-evergreen vine thicket
DESCRIPTION Semi-evergreen vine thickets (dry rainforest/softwood scrub) of the Brigalow Belt (north
and south) and Nandewar Bioregions.
COMPONENT SPECIESCanopy and emergent trees include brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), belah (Casuarina
cristata), red bauhinia (Lysiphyllum carronii), narrow-leaved bottle tree (Brachychiton
rupestris), broad-leaved bottle tree (B. australis), bonewood (Macropteranthes
leichhardtii), small-leaved coondoo (Pouteria cotinifolia), crow’s ash (Flindersia
australis), leopard ash (F. collina), native olive (Notelaea microcarpa) and native ebony
(Diospyros humilis). Shrubs include myrtle trees (Psydrax spp.), wilga (Geijera
parviflora), turkey bush (Acalypha eremorum), currant bush (Carissa ovata) and silver
croton (Croton insularis).
LANDFORMSUndulating or rolling clay plains and hill slopes, including rocky hill sides and scree;
rarely on alluvial plains.
REASON FOR LISTINGThere has been a massive reduction in the extent of vine thickets due to extensive
clearing for cropping and improved pasture development.
THREATSInvasion by weeds and exotic pasture species; inappropriate grazing; degradation of
remnants by fire; fragmentation.
THREATENED FLORARainforest cassia (Senna acclinis), ooline (Cadellia pentastylis).
THREATENED FAUNACommon death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus), short-necked worm-skink (Anomalopus
brevicollis).
18
OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUESVine thickets in the Brigalow Belt provide habitat for animals that are virtually confined
to this habitat, for example, wonga pigeon (Leucosarcia melanoleuca), varied triller
(Lalage leucomela), regent bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus), emerald dove
(Chalcophaps indica), Lewin’s honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii) and Australian brush turkey
(Alectura lathami). They typically have high invertebrate diversity and often contain
endemic or restricted range species. The number of plant species is usually significantly
higher than surrounding vegetation types.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Roma, Scotia.
19
Semi-evergreen vine thicket in the Fairview gas field
3.4 Artesian springs
DESCRIPTIONThe community of native species dependent on natural discharge of groundwater from
the Great Artesian Basin (also described as mound springs, soaks and boggomosses).
COMPONENT SPECIESHighly variable but can include sedges (Cyperus gymnocaulos, C. laevigatus), common
reed (Phragmites australis), couch grass (Cynodon dactylon), bulrushes (Typha
domingensis) and sometimes ferns.
LANDFORMSAlluvial plains or associated with sandstone gorges.
REASON FOR LISTINGExcessive extraction of artesian groundwater from the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) has led
to both the extinction of springs and a reduction in water flow of many remaining
springs. Between 70 – 90% of springs within the Queensland component of the GAB are
now extinct.
THREATSContinued extraction of artesian ground water; excavation; invasion by weeds;
inappropriate grazing; fouling and trampling by feral pests; inundation by water
impoundments.
THREATENED FLORASalt pipewort (Eriocaulon carsonii), a grass (Arthraxon hispidus), swamp fern (Thelypteris
confluens).
THREATENED FAUNABoggomoss snail (Adclarkia dawsonensis).
20
21
OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUESSprings provides habitat for a suite of fauna and flora that specialise in this habitat
including wetland plants and aquatic animals (for example, snails, crustaceans, insects).
They sometimes contain endemic or species with restricted distributions. Springs provide
a water source for mobile animals (for example, water birds) and are particularly
important as watering points during drought.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia.
COMPONENT REGIONAL ECOSYSTEMS11.3.22, 11.10.14 both the Commonwealth and State.
Boggomoss spring in the Scotia gas field
Governments have enacted legislation to protect rare species of plants.
The Commonwealth legislation is the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999 (hereafter EPBC) and the Queensland legislation is the Nature Conservation Act
1992 (hereafter NCA).
Each Act contains lists of species (schedules) that are categorised according to how rare
or threatened those plants are. Each category has legislative responsibilities which have
been developed to ensure the protection of these species. The two categories of
relevance to species in this publication are vulnerable (EPBC and NCA) and rare
(NCA only).
Under the EPBC Act vulnerable means “a species that is not critically endangered or
endangered and is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future,
as determined in accordance with prescribed criteria”. Under the NCA a vulnerable species
is one whose population (a) is decreasing because of threatening processes, or (b) has
been seriously depleted and its protection is not secured, or (c) its population, while
abundant, is at risk because of threatening processes, or (d) its population is low or
localised or depends on limited habitat that is at risk because of threatening processes.
Examples of vulnerable species in this book are ooline, Thomby Range wattle, curly zamia
and shiny-leaved ironbark. These species cannot be cleared without approval under both
State and Federal legislation.
Rare species are those that may have relatively large populations within a restricted
range, or species with small populations spread over a wide range, but which may be at
risk and require monitoring. Examples included within this guide are Carnarvon fan palm
Livistona nitida, whorl-leaved heath Leucopogon grandiflorus, Grove’s paperbark
Melaleuca groveana, sandstone prickle bush Apatophyllum teretifolium and Sturt’s desert
rose Gossypium sturtianum.
There are 27 scheduled rare and threatened species occurring in the Eastern Queensland
oil and gas fields (Table 1). Nine of the most distinctive rare trees and shrubs are
described and illustrated in this section.
22
4.0
RARE
AN
D T
HRE
ATEN
EDPL
AN
TS4.
0 RA
RE A
ND
TH
REAT
ENED
PLA
NTS
23
Sanot permit(as at April 2007)
BBN- Brigalow Belt North
BBS- Brigalow Belt South
DRP- Darling Riverine Plains
ML- Mulga Lands
NAN- Nandewar
SEQ- South East Queensland
23
Bior
egio
n M
ap
(Eas
tern
Que
ensla
nd)
24
Table 1. Rare and Threatened Flora Found In Santos Eastern Queensland Oil and Gas Fields
Key to Abbreviations: NCA = Nature Conservation Act 1992; EPBC = Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; E = endangered; EX = extinct; PE = presumed
extinct; R = rare; V = vulnerable.
Scientific Name Common Name NCA EPBC Oil/Gas Field
Acacia calantha A Wattle R Fairview
Acacia gittinsii A Wattle R Denison
Acacia spania Western Rosewood R Roma
Acacia wardellii Thomby Range Wattle V V Roma
Amphibromus whitei A Grass PE EX Roma
Apatophyllum teretifolium Sandstone Prickle Bush R Fairview
Aponogeton A Waterplant R Denison queenslandicus
Babingtonia brachypoda A Shrub R Denison
Cadellia pentastylis Ooline V V Fairview, Roma, Scotia
Dichanthium King Bluegrass V V Denisonqueenslandicum
Eleocharis blakeana Blake’s Spike-rush R Moonie
Eriocaulon carsonii Salt Pipewort E E Fairview
Eucalyptus rubiginosa A Eucalypt R Fairview
Eucalyptus virens Shiny-leaved Ironbark V V Fairview
Gossypium sturtianum Sturt’s Desert Rose R Fairview
Grevillea cyranostigma Carnarvon or R Fairview Green Grevillea
Homoranthus decasetus Red Mouse-bush R Fairview
Leucopogon grandiflorus Whorl-leaved Heath R Fairview, Scotia
25
Livistona nitida Carnarvon FanPalm R Fairview, Scotia
Logania cordifolia Cordate-leaved Logania R Fairview
Macrozamia fearnsidei Curly Zamia V V Fairview
Melaleuca groveana Grove’s Paperbark R Fairview
Senna acclinis Rainforest Cassia R Fairview
Swainsona murrayana A Darling-pea V V Roma
Thelypteris confluens Swamp Fern V Scotia
Wahlenbergia islensis Cliff Bluebell R Fairview
Zornia pallida A Pea R Roma
Other scheduled rare and threatened species found in areas immediately adjoining
Santos leases include Acacia islana (R), Acacia sp. (Gwambagwine F.Carter 2) (V), Acacia
tenuinervis (R), Actinotus paddisonii (R), Calocephalus sonderi (R), Calytrix islensis (R),
Cryptandra ciliata (R), Cyperus clarus (V), Dichanthium setosum (NCA: R; EPBC: V),
Eucalyptus curtisii Plunkett mallee (R), Gonocarpus urceolatus (V) Grevillea singuliflora
(R), Macarthuria ephedroides (R), Myriophyllum artesium (E), Notelea pungens (R),
Pseudanthus pauciflorus arenicola (R), Rutidosis crispata (R) Rutidosis glandulosa (R)
and Rutidosis lanata (E). With further field investigation these species may be found
within Santos interest areas.
4.1 Thomby Range Wattle Acacia wardellii
OTHER COMMON NAMESWardell’s Wattle.
HABITAT Occurs on ridge crests and slopes with loamy and gravelly soil along the edges of
woodlands or in clearings; occurs with dusky-leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved ironbark,
Queensland peppermint, brown bloodwood, white cypress pine, smooth-barked apple,
quinine tree, bull oak and other wattles.
DESCRIPTION Slender shrub or small tree to 6m high.
Bark: Smooth grey trunk, becoming rough at base with age; trunk and branches often
with white, pink or silvery powder giving a shiny appearance
Leaves: Dark green, glossy, curved, 110 – 170mm long x 20 – 25mm wide, with smooth
margin or toothed along edge; younger leaves broader; 2 prominent veins
Flowers: Cream to pale yellow balls, perfumed
Fruit: Flat pod, to 80mm long x 6mm wide, with bulges over the seeds
Flowering Period: April – July
NOTES Confined to the Thomby Range, southeast of Surat, and a series of ridges east of
Condamine. It readily colonises disturbed areas; for example, seismic lines, pipeline
easements and gas wells but it is apparently short lived.
LEGISLATIVE STATUS Vulnerable (Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999)
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma
26
4.2 Sandstone Prickle-bush Apatophyllum teretifolium
HABITAT Grows on coarse sandy soils among rock or along cliff edges on sandstone ridges; occurs
with ironbarks, narrow-leaved white mahogany, budgeroo, white and black cypress pine,
Henderson’s bloodwood (Corymbia hendersonii), brown bloodwood, spotted gum, large-
fruited yellow jacket, tea-trees and rush-leaf wattle.
DESCRIPTION Distinctive compact shrub, rounded or prostrate, to 0.4m high.
Leaves: Lime green, cylindrical, about 10mm long x <1mm wide, in opposite pairs, each
ending in a sharp point
Flower: Greenish cream, 0.5 – 1mm diameter, in leaf axils, on stalk to 1mm long
Fruit : Pear-shaped, flattened capsule, 5 – 7mm long x 2 – 4mm wide, with 2 lobes and
ending in a sharp point; turns brown and woody and splits in half
Flowering Period: Flowers have been observed in autumn, winter and spring
NOTESWidely scattered in the Carnarvon and Expedition Range with an additional record from
Barakula State Forest. Until recently this plant was known from a handful of herbarium
specimens but detailed field surveys have located new populations. Found with other
rare species including whorl-leaved heath and shiny-leaved ironbark.
LEGISLATIVE STATUS Rare (Nature Conservation Act 1992)
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview
28
4.3 Ooline Cadellia pentastylis
OTHER COMMON NAMESBeechwood, solidwood, ironwood, scrub myrtle.
HABITAT Occurs on clay plains, sandstone slopes and residual ridges where it forms pure stands
or associates with brigalow, belah, bendee, red bauhinia or vine thickets.
DESCRIPTION Distinctive tree with bushy crown to at least 25m high.
Bark: Dark grey, hard and fissured into small rectangular pieces
Leaves: Glossy, dark green above, lime green below, broadest at the middle, 20 – 50mm
long x 20 – 35mm wide, small notch out of tip, veins prominent on both sides
Flowers: Greenish-cream, straw coloured or reddish, star-shaped, 20mm diameter,
5 petals
Fruit: Segmented cluster of 3 – 5 balls at the centre of the old flower, each segment
containing a single, hard-coated seed
Flowering Period: October – November but intensity and timing varies between years
NOTES Vulnerable due to extensive clearing and its restricted range. Used for ornamental
plantings but slow growing. Timber has been used for wood turning and woolshed
stumps. Trees in northern part of the coverage area grow much taller than those in the
south. Hollows frequently develop in older trees, which often contain black orchids
(Cymbidium canaliculatum). Roadside remnants are easily degraded by fire.
LEGISLATIVE STATUS Vulnerable (Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999)
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Fairview, Scotia.
30
4.4 Shiny-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus virens
HABITAT Rocky slopes of sandstone ridges where it is associated with budgeroo, thready-bark
she-oak, smooth-barked apple, brown bloodwood, tumbledown ironbark
(Eucalyptus panda), inland white mahogany (Eucalyptus mediocris) and Queensland
peppermint.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 25m high.
Bark: Greyish black, deeply furrowed and reddish brown underneath; smallest branches
smooth or with soft, corky bark; branchlets reddish
Leaves: Glossy (including when juvenile), bright green, same colour both sides,
60 – 115mm long x 10 – 20mm wide, on stalk 10 – 15mm long
Flowers: White, 6-7mm diameter, in clusters of up to 7, at branch tips; buds with rounded
or cone-shaped cap, to 6mm long x 4mm wide
Fruit: Green, turning brown when dry, cup-shaped, to 5mm long x 4 – 7mm wide,
with 4 – 6 chambers
Flowering Period: November – February
NOTES Very patchy distribution with highly localised populations about the upper Maranoa and
Dawson Rivers. A very distinctive ironbark readily identified by its extremely glossy leaves.
CONSERVATION STATUS Vulnerable (Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999)
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview
32
4.5 Sturt's Desert Rose Gossypium sturtianum
OTHER COMMON NAMESSturt’s rose, desert rose.
HABITAT Occupies a wide range of habitats across its range; in the coverage area, it occurs in
silver-leaved and narrow-leaved ironbark woodland on ridges and undulating terrain
with loamy soil.
DESCRIPTION Rounded, woody, multi-stemmed shrub to 2m high; branchlets often pinkish and covered
in tiny black glands; hairless.
Leaves: Green, rounded, covered in tiny black spots, 20 – 60mm long x 20 – 40mm wide
Flowers: Hibiscus-like, 5 large pink petals with dark purplish-red centre, 40 – 60mm long
x 20 – 40mm wide
Fruit: Hairless, egg-shaped capsule, covered in black dots and enclosing many hairy
seeds; splits open into 4 or 5 segments when dry
Flowering Period: Spring – summer and sporadically at other times of the year
NOTES Occurs throughout the coverage area but it has a very patchy distribution and is recorded
from only a handful of locations. It is the floral emblem of the Northern Territory and an
attractive ornamental plant. It can grow prolifically after ground disturbance.
CONSERVATION STATUS Rare (Nature Conservation Act 1992)
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview
34
36
4.6 Whorl-leaved Heath Leucopogon grandiflorus
HABITAT Slopes and crests of sandstone ridges, including cliff edges; occurs with Bancroft’s wattle,
rush-leaf wattle, ironbarks, smooth-barked apple, budgeroo, Henderson’s bloodwood
(Corymbia hendersonii), thready-bark she-oak and black and white cypress pine.
DESCRIPTION Rounded or untidy prickly shrub to 2m high; small branches reddish-brown and covered
in short, white hairs.
Bark: Grey, rough at base and smooth on branches
Leaves: Fine, green, 8 – 10mm long x 1 – 3mm wide, with sharp point at tip, paler and
with short hairs on underside; stalkless
Flowers: Cream and tubular, 12 – 15mm long, on stalk 2mm long
Fruit: Egg-shaped, fleshy berry, orangey-brown when ripe, about 10mm long
Flowering Period: Winter – spring
NOTESWidespread throughout the Central Highlands Sandstone Belt. It can be locally common
but it occupies a specific habitat type. It has the largest flowers of all Leucopogon species.
CONSERVATION STATUS Rare (Nature Conservation Act 1992)
GAS/OIL FIELDScotia, Fairview.
4.7 Carnarvon Fan Palm Livistona nitida
OTHER COMMON NAMESDawson River fan palm, cabbage tree palm.
HABITAT Watercourses, swamps, floodplains and gorges with sandy, clay or gravelly substrates;
occurs with Queensland blue gum, coolibah, river she-oak, spotted gum, silver-leaved
ironbark and rough-barked apple or forms pure stands.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 30m high; girth to about 40cm at breast height; straight trunk gradually
becoming thinner towards crown.
Bark: Grey, tight and vertically fissured or armoured with old leaf stubs
Leaves: Fan-like, hanging downward, glossy, bright green; flattened or triangular stem
to 2m long with sharp, curved prickles; fine thread at the end of each leaf segment
Flowers: Sprays of yellowish-cream flowers, on arching stem to about 2m long, emerging
from the base of living leaves
Fruit: Glossy, dark, rounded berry
Flowering Period: September – October
NOTES Confined to the Comet and upper Dawson River catchments, including Carnarvon,
Robinson, Palm Tree and Delusion Creeks and Nathan Gorge. The fruit is eaten by many
native birds. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant and is possibly the tallest of all
Australian cabbage tree palms.
CONSERVATION STATUS Rare (Nature Conservation Act 1992).
GAS/OIL FIELDScotia, Fairview.
38
4.8 Curly Zamia Macrozamia fearnsidei
HABITAT Occurs on ridge slopes and undulating terrain among sandstone ranges; associated with
ironbarks, spotted gum, smooth-barked apple, budgeroo, thready-bark she-oak, brown
bloodwood and white cypress pine.
DESCRIPTION Cycad to 1m high; trunk below ground level.
Leaves: Tough, light to dark green leaves to 1.5m long, composed of 55 – 120 leaflets
on the twisted stem
Fruit: Male cones cylindrical, often curved, 150 – 300mm long; female cones oblong,
120 – 180mm long on stalk 180 – 270mm long containing hard, glossy, orange to red
egg-shaped seeds; seeds with flattened sides and a small sharp point at their tip, 35mm
long x 25mm wide
NOTESCurly zamia has a patchy distribution with populations restricted to the Carnarvon,
Expedition and Bigge Ranges. It sometimes occurs with another cycad, Macrozamia
moorei; however, this species has an above-ground trunk, flat leaves and bigger seeds.
CONSERVATION STATUS Vulnerable (Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999)
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview
40
4.9 Grove’s Paperbark Melaleuca groveana
HABITAT Occurs on crests of sandstone ridges with loamy or sandy soil, often overlying rock;
grows with ironbarks, budgeroo, thready-bark she-oak, wattles, red spider flower,
spinifex (Triodia spp.) and other tea-trees and paperbarks (Melaleuca spp.).
DESCRIPTION Small tree, usually 2 – 6m high; often stunted or twisted.
Bark: Grey and papery
Leaves: Green, broadest in the middle and tapered at both ends, 20 – 50mm long
x 10 – 15mm wide, with pointed tip and on short stalk
Flowers: White, bottlebrush-like, cylindrical spike, 20 – 35mm long, at ends of the
branches
Fruit: Woody, grey, round or barrel-shaped capsule, 4 – 7mm diameter, singly spaced
along the branches
Flowering Period: September – October
NOTESThis species is known from several populations that are confined to the Carnarvon Range.
Flowering events vary in timing and intensity.
CONSERVATION STATUS Rare (Nature Conservation Act 1992)
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview
42
5.1 Mulga Acacia aneura
HABITATConfined to southern parts of the coverage area on flats and undulating terrain with
loamy red earths or on stony residual ridges; forms pure stands or is associated with
poplar box, silver-leaved ironbark and kurrajong.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 10m high, with upright branches and umbrella-like crown.
Bark: Dark grey to brown, hard and fissured
Leaves: Greyish-green, covered in minute hairs giving silvery appearance, variable in size
and shape, 30 – 50mm long x 9 – 13mm wide; veins are hard to see
Flowers: Short, bright yellow short spikes, 20 – 30mm long
Fruit: Green, flat pod, brown when dry, to 40mm long x 15mm wide
Flowering Period: Often November/December but can flower at any time following
substantial rain
NOTESSeeds and ‘mulga apples’ (insect galls on the leaves and stems) are edible. The wood is
extremely hard; however, it is prone to termite attack. Furniture, fence posts and stock
yard rails are made from the timber. During drought, mulga is extensively lopped or
dozed to feed livestock. Mulga country on loamy red earths is described as ‘soft mulga’
while that on stony ridges is called ‘hard mulga’.
GAS/OIL FIELD Moonie, Roma.
44
5.0
CO
MM
ON
TRE
ES
5.2 Miles Mulga Acacia aprepta
HABITAT Patchy distribution in southern half of coverage area on slopes of rocky ridges with loamy
or gravelly soils; forms pure stands or grows in association with Queensland peppermint,
narrow-leaved ironbark, dusky-leaved ironbark, bull oak, white cypress pine, currawong,
lancewood, bendee and other wattles.
DESCRIPTION Small tree or shrub to 8m high with short trunk; branches pointing upward.
Bark: Dark brown or grey and furrowed at the base; smooth branches and stems
Leaves: Dull green, 35 – 55mm long x 5mm wide, fairly straight with pointed tip,
veins obscure
Flowers: Short, bright yellow spike, to 25mm long, perfumed
Fruit: Flat pod with bulges over seeds, greyish-green, turning brown when dry,
25 – 60mm long x 7mm wide
Flowering Period: Usually November or December but at other times following rain
NOTES Miles mulga forms very dense thickets that provide excellent habitat for small birds.
It is often host to grey mistletoe (Amyema quandang).
GAS/OIL FIELDMoonie, Roma.
46
5.3 Bendee Acacia catenulata
HABITAT Plateaus and slopes of residual ridges with shallow rocky or gravelly soil or on deeper red
or brown loams and earths; grows in pure stands or associated with poplar box, narrow-
leaved ironbark, mountain yapunyah, Queensland peppermint, Baker’s mallee and ooline.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 15m tall; older trees often with fluted trunk.
Bark: Dark grey and fissured; small branches smooth, brown and covered with tiny,
pale bumps
Leaves: Dull grey-green, dimensions and shape variable; either long and thin or short,
broad and curved, 30mm – 85mm long x 3 – 9mm wide
Flowers: Short, bright yellow spike, to 30mm long
Fruit: Brown pods, flat, thin, to 80mm long x 3 – 6mm wide, with marked constrictions
between seeds
Flowering Period: Flowers throughout the year in response to rain
NOTES Common throughout the southern half of the coverage area with a more patchy
distribution in the north. Timber used for fence posts and wood turning. Similar in
appearance and easily confused with mulga; bendee can be distinguished by its poorer
form (usually stunted and having a gnarled appearance), fluted trunk and narrow seed
pods. Although browsed by stock, bendee is of lower forage value than mulga. Bendee
woodlands provide useful fauna habitat, particularly for birds and significant reptile
species, including yakka skink (Egernia rugosa) and woma python (Aspidites ramsayi).
GAS/OIL FIELDMoonie, Roma, Denison.
48
5.4 Ironwood Acacia excelsa
OTHER COMMON NAMES Gap axe, bunkerman.
HABITAT Found throughout the coverage area on undulating terrain, banks of watercourses and
levees with sandy or loamy soils; often occurs with white cypress pine, Baradine red gum,
poplar box, Clarkson’s bloodwood, quinine tree and carbeen.
DESCRIPTION Usually a shrub or low tree, but capable of growing into a sizable tree to at least 16m tall
with a girth to 0.6m.
Bark: Hard, dark grey or brown and deeply fissured
Leaves: Dark or light green, with dull sheen, to 90mm long x 10 – 20mm wide, straight or
crescent-shaped, broadest around mid-section, short point at tip, 5 – 7 distinct parallel
veins; new growth bright yellowish green
Flowers: Cream to pale yellow balls, on stalks about 7mm long, sweetly perfumed
Fruit: Flat pod, 70 – 100mm long x 6 – 9mm wide, constricted between the seeds
Flowering Period: April – July
NOTES Extremely hard timber which is used for wood turning, fencing, and parts for musical
instruments and fishing rods. Historically used for bullock yokes. Foliage is browsed
by livestock. Often host to northern mistletoe (Lysiana subfalcata).
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
50
5.5 Brigalow Acacia harpophylla
OTHER COMMON NAMES Queensland lucerne, brickalow.
HABITAT: Occurs throughout the coverage area on clay plains and ridge slopes; forms pure stands
or occurs with belah, poplar box, red bauhinia, ooline, Dawson gum, yellow wood,
mountain yapunyah, false sandalwood and wilga.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 25m high with dense crown; trunk usually tall and fairly straight, but can be
stunted on some soil types.
Bark: Very dark brown or grey, deeply furrowed, hard and thick; branchlets orangey brown
Leaves: Sickle-shaped, silvery-green to grey green, 80 – 200mm long x 5 – 15mm wide
(different foliage forms may occur side by side); reflective in strong sunlight
Flowers: Bright yellow balls, unperfumed
Fruit: Lime green, bean-like, cylindrical pods, to 90mm long x 7mm wide; small bulges
around the seeds; hanging downwards in clusters on branches; rarely sets seed
Flowering Period: Mainly Autumn – Spring but sporadic at other times; flowering events
are irregular being ‘heavier’ in some years than others
NOTES Hard timber is useful for wood turning and yard rails. Bark used for tanning and dyes.
Foliage is browsed by stock, especially when young. Suckers profusely when roots are
disturbed. The caterpillars of the vulnerable imperial hairstreak butterfly (Jalmenus
evagoras eubulus) eat the leaves.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
52
5.6 Slender-flowered Wattle Acacia longispicata
HABITAT Occurs throughout the northern half of the coverage area on sandy or stony soils in
undulating terrain or on ridge slopes; often growing with white cypress pine, smooth-barked
apple, thready-bark she-oak, bulloak, budgeroo, zigzag wattle and weeping tea-tree.
DESCRIPTION Small tree to 8m high.
Bark: Dark brown, rough and with fissures at the base of older plants; branchlets angled
with tiny reddish to greenish-brown hairs
Leaves: Sickle-shaped, greenish-grey to silver, with 3 prominent veins, 90 – 250mm long
x 10 – 40mm wide
Flowers: Bright golden yellow spikes, 50 – 120mm long, perfumed
Fruit: Green, bean-like, almost cylindrical, to 90mm long x 3mm wide, with bulges over
each seed, in drooping clusters along the stem
Flowering Period: August – October
NOTES Forms dense groves in parts of the coverage area. Often heavily laden with grey mistletoe
(Amyema quandang). Golden-tailed geckoes (Strophurus taenicauda) shelter under
peeling bark of larger plants.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia, Roma.
54
5.7 Womal Acacia maranoensis
HABITAT Occurs on alluvial flats, undulating plains, along watercourses and less frequently on
residual ridge slopes, usually with clay soils or loamy red earths; forms dense groves or
is associated with poplar box, myall, brigalow, belah, boonaree, whitewood, false
sandalwood and wilga.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 8m high with rounded canopy.
Bark: Hard, dark grey and furrowed; yellowish, angled branchlets
Leaves: Straight, narrow, 110 – 150mm long x 4 – 7mm wide, much longer than broad,
veins indistinct with 1 – 3 veins more prominent than the rest
Flowers : Pale yellow balls
Fruit: Flat, light brown or straw-coloured pods, 30 – 60mm long x 5mm wide
Flowering Period: September – October
NOTES An attractive tree that occurs patchily and is restricted to central and southern parts
of the coverage area. It is readily browsed by livestock. Often heavy laden with grey
mistletoe (Amyema quandang).
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma
56
5.8 Bowyakka Acacia microsperma
HABITAT Usually occurs on slopes of residual ridges in pure stands or with mountain yapunyah;
also occurs with black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) on flooded clay plains in southern
Queensland.
DESCRIPTION Erect tree to 10m tall; leaves bunched and branches upright giving distinctive appearance.
Bark: Hard, dark grey and fissured; small branches smooth and grey; branchlets
orangey-brown
Leaves: Grey or greyish-green, narrow, stiff, 70 – 140mm long x 2 – 4mm wide, with hook
or point at tip, covered in short hairs giving silvery appearance
Flowers: Bright yellow balls, perfumed
Fruit: Narrow, brown pods, 60mm long x 1 – 3mm wide, similar to a string of beads
Flowering Period: August – November
NOTES Mature trees are cut for fence posts and yard rails, and the wood is used for turning.
The foliage is browsed by livestock. In EQ GAS/OIL FIELDs, bowyakka patches have
conservation significance as they are rare and isolated.
GAS/OIL FIELDMoonie, Roma.
58
5.8 Yarran Acacia omalophylla
OTHER COMMON NAMESSpearwood
HABITAT Found on alluvial flats, clay plains and undulating loamy hills; usually associated with
myall, poplar box, silver-leaved ironbark, belah, narrow-leaved ironbark, coolibah,
brigalow or among open, grassy downs.
DESCRIPTIONTree to 8m tall.
Bark: Grey or dark brown, hard and fissured; smooth upper limbs; yellowish or orange-
brown branchlets
Leaves: Green, usually straight, narrow, 50 – 80mm long x 5 – 7mm wide, much longer
than broad, with short spike at tip
Flowers: Bright yellow balls, perfumed
Fruit: Flat, brown pods, to 90mm long x 3 – 4mm wide, slightly raised over the seeds
Flowering Period: July – October
NOTES Yarran usually occurs in small groves or as scattered trees, particularly along roadsides and
stock routes. Acacia melvillei is a similar species which tends to replace A. omalophylla in
eastern parts of the coverage area. A. melvillei has larger and brighter yellow flower
heads, wider leaves (7-12mm wide) and broader seed pods (about 10mm wide).
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
60
5.10 Nelia Acacia oswaldii
OTHER COMMON NAMES Miljee, ram's horn wattle, umbrella wattle.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area in woodlands and open woodlands on flats, alluvial
plains, edges of clay pans and low undulating stony hills; usually associated with poplar
box, river red gum, myall, coolibah, black box, wilga and false sandalwood and in open
grassy downs.
DESCRIPTION Small, stunted tree, or sometimes a shrub, usually about 2 – 6m high, with short trunk
which is sometimes twisted.
Bark: Very dark, fissured on trunk; smooth, shiny brown, grey or yellowish branchlets
Leaves: Light or dark green, straight or curved, stiff, variable in shape and size,
15 – 60mm long x 3 – 5mm wide, short brown point on tip, numerous parallel veins
Flowers: Yellow balls positioned along the branches; mildly perfumed
Fruit: Woody, dark grey, flat, curly pods, 40 – 170mm long x 6 – 10mm wide
Flowering Period: October – November
NOTES A widespread but generally uncommon species, usually with scattered individuals or small
clumps in any one area; often overlooked unless in bloom. Heavily browsed and often
shaped by livestock giving bonsai-like appearance. Dry pods can persist on the plant
for over 12 months.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
62
5.11 Myall Acacia pendula
OTHER COMMON NAMESWeeping myall, boree (in NSW).
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on flats, undulating plains and low hills with clay
soils, often on floodplains of watercourses; can form pure stands but usually associated
with poplar box or in open grassy downs in association with boonaree, lime bush,
brigalow, belah and emu apple.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 12m tall with rounded canopy; branches frequently pendulous.
Bark: Hard, dark brown or grey and fissured; branchlets reddish-brown
Leaves: Crescent-shaped, greyish-green with silvery appearance due to covering of short
hairs, many parallel veins, 50 – 100mm long x 4 – 8mm wide
Flowers: Pale gold balls
Fruit: Pods, flat, brown when dry, 30 – 100mm long x 10mm wide
Flowering Period: March – May but intensity and timing is variable between years
NOTESUseful stock fodder tree during drought. Readily suckers from roots forming small
groves. Sometimes heavily laden with grey mistletoe (Amyema quandang), an important
food resource for the rare painted honeyeater (Grantiella picta). Timber has a sweet rose
or violet smell when cut and is used for wood-turning and manufacture of small fancy
items. Bag-moth caterpillars build their nests on the branches and can strip entire trees
of their foliage.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
64
5.12 Doolan Acacia salicina
OTHER COMMON NAMES Sally wattle, cooba, broughton willow, willow wattle, native willow.
HABITAT Abundant and widespread throughout the coverage area along watercourses with loamy,
sandy or clay soils; also on alluvial plains and in undulating terrain; often associated with
poplar box, myall, river red gum and silver-leaved ironbark.
DESCRIPTION Grows into a sizeable tree to over 15m high with girth to 1m, but often much smaller;
drooping branches give large trees a willow-like appearance.
Bark: Furrowed and dark brown on old plants; smooth and light grey on branches and
trunks of saplings
Leaves: Green, thick, usually long and thin, 45 – 160mm x 5 – 25mm wide; young plants
often have broader and shorter leaves
Flowers: Pale yellow or yellowish-cream balls
Fruit: Green, bean-like pods, turning brown when dry, containing shiny, black seeds
surrounded by bright red ‘flesh’
Flowering Period: Peak between February and May but can flower throughout year
NOTES Wood is used for turning and furniture. Used historically for manufacture of bullock
yokes. Suckers profusely and very fast growing; often regarded as a woody weed. It is a
useful tree for wildlife providing shelter, nest sites and food; seeds and flowers are eaten
by birds and possums.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
66
5.13 Lancewood Acacia shirleyi
HABITAT On slopes and crests of rocky ridges and plateau tops with deep reddish earthy soil; forms
pure stands or grows in association with spotted gum, ironbarks, bloodwoods,
stringybarks, smooth-barked apple, black cypress pine and thready-bark she-oak.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 18m often with straight trunk and upward pointing branches.
Bark: Dark grey or brown, fissured into long strips
Leaves: Stiff, greyish-green with a fine point on tip, single vein prominent, 100 – 150mm
long x 3 – 7mm wide
Flowers: Bright yellow spikes to 40mm long
Fruit: Woody pods, 120mm long x 45mm wide, wrinkled and sticky
Flowering Period: Flowers at any time of year, particularly following rain
NOTESOccurs in the central and northern half of the coverage area. Frequently used for
stockyard rails and wood turning. Timber has a rose perfume when freshly cut.
Foliage is browsed by livestock.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Roma.
68
5.14 Currawong Acacia sparsiflora
OTHER COMMON NAMES Currawang
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on stony ridges and undulating terrain with sandy,
loamy stony soils; often occurs with narrow-leaved ironbark, dusky-leaved ironbark,
white cypress pine, smooth-barked apple, red ash and quinine tree.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 15m high.
Bark: Dark grey or brown and fissured
Leaves: Dull, grey green, curved, long and thin, 95 – 160mm x 5 – 8mm wide
Flowers: Bright yellow spike, 20 – 45mm long
Fruit: Greyish-green flat pods, 90mm long x 3mm wide
Flowering Period: Peak in April – May but also at other times after good rains
NOTES Browsed by livestock and sometimes cut for fodder during drought.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Fairview, Scotia, Denison.
70
5.15 River Cooba Acacia stenophylla
OTHER COMMON NAMESBelalie, river myall, eumong.
HABITAT Confined to banks of watercourses, swamps and alluvial floodplains, particularly on clay
soils; often with river red gum, river she-oak, poplar box, coolibah and black box
(Eucalyptus largiflorens).
DESCRIPTION Tree to 8m tall with weeping branches.
Bark: Hard, dark brown and furrowed; branchlets smooth, green or yellowish
Leaves: Long and slender, 150 – 300mm long x 3 – 5mm wide, strap-like and with
numerous parallel veins
Flowers: Pale or lemon yellow balls to 10mm diameter, perfumed
Fruit: Slender, grey or brown pods, 90 – 140mm long x 7mm wide, with bulges over
the seeds
Flowering Period: December – June
NOTES Occurs throughout the coverage area but it is less widespread and has a more patchy
occurrence than doolan which often occupies similar habitat. Timber used for wood
turning. Foliage browsed by livestock but it is not highly regarded as forage.
Important habitat tree for wildlife along watercourses. Seeds are edible.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
72
5.16 Boonaree Alectryon oleifolius
OTHER COMMON NAMES Red heart, western rosewood, cattlebush, bullock bush, inland rosewood.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on alluvial and undulating clay plains, red earth
plains, mulga ridges, sandy ridges and levees; associated with many species including
poplar box, wilga, brigalow, belah, coolibah, black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens), white
cypress pine and mulga.
DESCRIPTION Erect tree, often crooked, to at least 15m high; old trees develop hollows.
Bark: Hard, dark grey and fissured into rectangular blocks, very thick on older plants
Leaves: Dull greyish green, long and narrow, 70 – 160mm long x 5 – 10mm wide,
prominent midvein, arranged alternately; new growth has yellowish or lime green flush
Flowers: Non-descript and inconspicuous, about 5mm diameter, yellowish-green, in
clusters at ends of stems
Fruit: Glossy, dark green capsule with one or two lobes, turning brown when dry,
9 – 10mm wide; each lobe contains a single, glossy, black seed surrounded by bright
red flesh
Flowering Period: October – December
NOTESWood used for turning and furniture. Foliage is browsed by livestock and provides useful
fodder during drought. It has a large woody base underground and readily reproduces
from root suckers. Infertile plants are frequently mistaken for whitewood. Previously
known as Heterodendrum oleifolium.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
74
5.17 Thready-bark She-oak Allocasuarina inophloia
OTHER COMMON NAMES Furry she-oak, stringybark she-oak, hairy oak, flame oak, woolly oak.
HABITAT Sand plains and slopes of sandstone hills, often with rocky substrate; commonly
associated with smooth-barked apple, white and black cypress pine, budgeroo,
bloodwoods, ironbarks, stringybarks and yellow jacket bloodwoods.
DESCRIPTIONTree to 10m with drooping branches.
Bark: Fibrous, hairy, orange or dark brown bark
Leaves: As with all of the she-oaks the fine, jointed branchlets function as leaves;
the true leaves (leaf teeth) are minute, scale-like and form a ring around the joint on
each branchlet; thready-bark she-oak has 7 – 9 leaf teeth and the branchlets are
60 – 120mm long
Flowers: Male trees have flowers that are rusty-brown to red and form in spikes about
35mm long at the end of the branchlets; female trees have bright red flowers that occur
along the branches
Fruit: Grey, woody cone, 10 – 20mm long x 10 – 15mm wide, on short stalk to 10mm long
Flowering Period: May – September
NOTESPatchily distributed throughout the coverage area. Wood is used for turning. Trees laden
with red flowers are particularly attractive. Seeds are eaten by glossy black-cockatoos
(Calyptorhynchus lathami). Previously known as Casuarina inophloia.
GAS/OIL FIELDMoonie, Scotia, Fairview, Denison.
76
5.18 Bull Oak Allocasuarina luehmannii
OTHER COMMON NAMES Bull she-oak, buloke.
HABITAT Found throughout the coverage area on plains, undulating terrain and hills slopes with
sandy, gravelly or loamy soils; frequently occurs with white cypress pine, Baradine red
gum, poplar box, narrow-leaved ironbark, silver-leaved ironbark and smooth-barked
apple.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 15m high; usually with straight trunk and erect branches.
Bark: Dark brown, furrowed and sometimes chunky
Leaves: Dull greyish green branchlets, 1 – 2mm diameter and to 200mm long; 9 – 15 leaf
teeth; foliage thicker than other she-oaks occurring in coverage area
Flowers: Male flowers in spike at ends of branchlets, to 20 – 25mm long; female flower
reddish, with rounded head, about 2mm diameter, on very short stalk
Fruit: Flattened, brown, rounded, woody cone, 12mm wide x 4mm high, without stalk,
clustered along branches
Flowering Period: November – December
NOTES Timber is attractive but splits readily. Foliage is browsed by livestock during drought.
Regarded as an excellent fuel wood. Host to slender-leafed mistletoe (Amyema linophylla
orientalis). Bull oak often grows in ‘poor’ country with duplex (two-layered) soils prone
to severe gully erosion. Seeds are eaten by glossy black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus
lathami). Previously known as Casuarina luehmannii.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
78
5.19 Forest She-oak Allocasuarina torulosa
OTHER COMMON NAMES Forest oak, rose she-oak.
HABITAT Usually occurs on hill slopes and tablelands, often of basalt origin, but also in sandstone
country; associated with many species including spotted gum, smooth-barked apple,
Queensland blue gum and stringybarks; can form small pure stands.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 20m high with girth to 0.6m diameter; spreading branches with weeping habit.
Bark: Dark grey, rough, thick, deeply fissured, giving corky appearance
Leaves: Fine branchlets <0.5mm wide, purplish when young or on trees exposed to full
sun (hence common name of rose she-oak); 4 – 5 leaf teeth
Flowers: Male flowers brown or rusty-brown in spikes to about 40mm at the ends of the
branchlets; female flowers on stalk about 10mm long with rusty-brown head
Fruit: Brown woody cone, rounded to cylindrical or barrel-shaped, 20 – 30mm long x
10 – 25mm diameter, on stalk to 10 – 35mm long
Flowering Period: April – May
NOTES Restricted to ranges in the northern part of the coverage area. Wood has been used for
shingles, flooring, veneers, joinery and fancy timber work and is regarded as an excellent
fuel. The seeds are a favoured food of the vulnerable glossy black-cockatoo
(Calyptorhynchus lathami). Previously known as Casuarina torulosa.
GAS/OIL FIELDScotia, Fairview, Denison.
80
5.20 Red Ash Alphitonia excelsa
OTHER COMMON NAMES Soap tree, soap wood, sarsaparilla, red almond, white leaf.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on flats, hills or ridges with sandy or loamy soils;
often associated with white cypress pine, smooth-barked apple, Baradine red gum,
spotted gum, lemon-scented gum, lancewood and narrow-leaved ironbark.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 15m tall.
Bark: Hard, dark or light grey and fissured; branchlets with fine, brown hairs
Leaves: Glossy dark green above, silvery white below, short point at tip, 40 – 120mm long
x 10 – 30mm wide, on stalk 6 – 8mm long, new growth covered in rusty brown hairs; veins
have fish-bone like pattern that is prominent on the underside
Flowers: Greenish-white, to 6mm diameter, 5 petals, in clusters near end of stem, scented
Fruit: Green berry, later turning black, rounded, 5 – 7mm diameter, on stalk 5mm long
Flowering Period: Spring – autumn
NOTES Timber is used for wood turning and furniture. Leaves are browsed by livestock and eaten
by caterpillars. Crushed stems and new growth smell like sarsaparilla. Leaves produce
lather when crushed and rubbed in water.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
82
5.21 Bitter Bark Alstonia constricta
OTHER COMMON NAMES Quinine bush, Australian quinine, corkwood, Australian fever bark, Alstonia bark.
HABITAT Common throughout the coverage area in a wide variety of woodland types usually on
sandy and loamy soils to light clays and red earths; also common around margins of
softwood scrubs in northern half of coverage area.
DESCRIPTION Usually 4 – 6m high, often in groves, but capable of growing into a large tree to 15m high
with girth to 0.5m diameter; milky sap.
Bark: Grey or light brown, fissured, thick and corky
Leaves: Dark or light green above, paler below; may be smooth and glossy or covered in
short, fine hairs; prominent midvein; dimensions variable, 50 – 150mm long x 50mm
wide, on long stalk to 45mm long
Flowers: Cream, star-shaped, 5 petals, 10 – 15mm diameter, fragrant
Fruit: Narrow, green, pencil shaped pod to 60 – 240mm long and 5 – 10mm wide on stalk
to 120mm long; turns brown and splits in half when dry, often curling at the ends
Flowering Period: August – December
NOTES Roots and bark contain several alkaloids which are dried and used for medicinal
purposes. Suckers profusely when disturbed and can form dense thickets. Timber used
for wood turning.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
84
5.22 Rough-barked Apple Angophora floribunda
OTHER COMMON NAMESApple gum, apple tree.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area and is usually associated with watercourses that
have sandy or loamy soils; also found on adjoining sand plains and levees and frequently
occurs with river red gum, Queensland blue gum, river she-oak, western tea tree, doolan
and Baradine red gum.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 20m high, with spreading limbs and weeping habit; branches often crooked and
sometimes touching the ground.
Bark: Dark grey or brown, furrowed and fibrous; branchlets reddish brown to green and
covered in short brown or cream hairs
Leaves: Green above, lighter green below, adult leaves 55 – 100mm long x 10 – 20mm
wide; arranged in opposite pairs; distinct yellowish midvein
Flowers: Masses of cream flowers in clusters at tips of the branches; 20 – 25mm diameter
with 5 cream petals around edge of green hairy cup; buds green with yellowish domed
cap, covered in short hairs
Fruit: Grey, woody but flexible, usually with 5 raised ribs extending down from lip,
7 – 10mm high x 10mm wide, on stalk to 8mm long
Flowering Period: November – February
NOTES Useful shade tree. Timber used for stock yards (for example, gate boards) and truck
floors. Also used historically for cutting blocks in butcheries. Flowers are attractive
to insects.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
86
5.23 Smooth-barked Apple Angophora leiocarpa
OTHER COMMON NAMES Rusty gum, cabbage gum.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on hills, ridges and slopes with sandy soils, often in
sandstone range country; commonly associated with white cypress pine, Baradine red
gum, bull oak, ironbarks, bloodwoods, thready-bark she-oak, budgeroo and woody pear.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 25m high with distinctive, crooked branches.
Bark: Smooth, grey or cream and often dimpled
Leaves: Dark green, paler green on the underside, 40 – 160mm long x 7 – 25mm wide,
arranged in opposite pairs; young plants with short, reddish hairs and rough leaves
Flowers: Cream, in clusters, perfumed; buds greenish-yellow
Fruit: Brown, woody, semi-hard with inconspicuous ribs, to 15mm high x 9mm wide
Flowering Period: November – December
NOTESIn late spring, the old bark is shed and the trees look attractive with bright orange new
bark. The flowers attract numerous insects. Hollows are used by tree-dwelling mammals
and hollow-nesting birds.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
88
5.24 Eastern Dead Finish Archidendropsis basaltica
OTHER COMMON NAMES Dead finish, red lancewood.
HABITAT Occurs on plains, hilly terrain or along watercourses with loamy or clay soils, often
derived from basalt.
DESCRIPTION Small tree or shrub to 8m tall.
Bark: Dark grey and deeply furrowed
Leaves: Dull green, fern-like
Flowers: Yellow balls
Fruit: Pods flat, to 70mm long, with raised edges
Flowering Period: November – December
NOTES Restricted to the northern part of the coverage area. Leaves browsed by livestock.
The hard timber is sometimes used for fence posts. Wood is also used for turning and
furniture. Previously known as Albizia basaltica.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison
90
5.25 Whitewood Atalaya hemiglauca
HABITATDistributed throughout the coverage area on alluvial and undulating plains, ridges and
sandy rises; associated with many species including poplar box, myall, wilga, false
sandalwood, brigalow, belah and white cypress pine.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 15m high.
Bark: Rough, dark grey and fissured into small, square blocks
Leaves: Leathery, grey-green, 2 – 6 opposite pairs on stems of adult plants, 60 – 110mm
long x 10mm wide
Flowers: Masses of cream flowers with 5 petals, about 13mm wide, in clusters at ends
of branches
Fruit: Pale green, turning brown when dry; papery, with 2 or 3 wings each containing a
single seed; develop quickly after flowering
Flowering Period: October – November
NOTESTimber used for wood turning. Useful fodder species but cases of poisoning have been
recorded if leaves are eaten on dewy nights. Prone to root suckering. Flowers are
attractive to insects.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
92
5.26 Broad-leaved Bottle Tree Brachychiton australis
OTHER COMMON NAMESSand bottle tree, Taroom bottle tree, deciduous bottle tree.
HABITAT Gullies and hill slopes among brigalow/belah or softwood scrub communities, often
in more sheltered situations than narrow-leaved bottle tree; also on rock outcrops.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 12m with inflated trunk.
Bark: Younger plants with relatively smooth, greenish bark becoming grey and furrowed
with age; branchlets green and covered in short white hairs
Leaves: Dark green above, paler green below, 5 – 7 lobes, 100 – 240mm long x
80 – 230mm wide, on long stalk 60 – 120mm long, prominent yellowish veins; deciduous
Flowers: Bell-shaped, 20mm long x 20mm diameter, 5 petals, cream inside and covered
in short, rusty-brown hairs on the outside, on stalk 8 – 12mm long; mildly perfumed
Fruit: Woody, dark brown, boat-shaped pods, 70 – 80mm long x 30 – 40mm wide,
in whorled clusters of up to 5 pods at ends of branches
Flowering Period: Winter – spring
NOTES Occurs in higher rainfall areas in the northern half of the coverage area. It is a popular
ornamental tree planted in western Queensland towns.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia, Roma.
94
5.27 Kurrajong Brachychiton populneus
OTHER COMMON NAMES Broad-leaved kurrajong, black kurrajong.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area in a variety of habitats including sandplains,
alluvial flats, undulating terrain and ridges with sand, loam or clay soils; associated
with many species including silver-leaved ironbark, poplar box, narrow-leaved ironbark,
mountain coolibah, myall, mulga, bendee and white cypress pine.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 20m tall; slender trunk with rounded, spreading crown.
Leaves: Glossy, green, 40 – 140mm long x 15 – 80mm wide, rounded edges or with deep
lobes, on stalks 15 – 80mm long
Flowers: Bell-shaped, greenish with dark red throat, 8 – 15mm high x about 10mm diameter
Fruit: Hairless, brown, woody, boat-shaped pod with pointed end, 40 – 100mm long,
Flowering Period: November – February
NOTES Frequently lopped for stock fodder during drought. Occasionally hybridises with narrow-
leaved bottle tree; these trees retain the general appearance of kurrajong but the leaves
resemble those of narrow-leaved bottle-tree.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
96
5.28 Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree Brachychiton rupestris
OTHER COMMON NAMES Queensland bottle tree.
HABITATOccurs throughout the coverage area and is most commonly associated with brigalow
woodland and vine thickets; also occurs in open, grassy downs, mulga woodland and on
residual ridges.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 15m high; trunk inflated and with dense, rounded crown.
Bark: Smooth, green and shiny on young plants; variable on older trees, generally grey
or brown with furrows of variable depth
Leaves: Glossy, dark green above, lighter green below, 45 – 90mm long x 8 – 20mm wide;
young leaves often with 5 – 7 narrow lobes on stalk to 85mm long; new growth reddish
Flowers: Bell-shaped with twisted petals, greenish-cream with dark red blotches,
6 – 8mm long x 10mm wide
Fruit: Brown, woody, thin-walled, boat-shaped pod with a prominent curved beak, 30mm
long x 10 – 15mm wide, smooth outside, hairy inside; in clusters of 1 – 5 at the ends of
the branches; each pod contains 2 – 8 hard, yellow, egg-shaped seeds
Flowering Period: September – October
NOTESFlowers are attractive to moths. It is sometimes cut for fodder during drought but the
pulp inside the trunk can at times poison cattle. A very popular ornamental tree. Leaves
are often covered with harlequin bugs during spring.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
98
5.29 Prickly Pine Bursaria incana
OTHER COMMON NAMESMock orange, prickly box.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on undulating terrain, hills and ridges with sandy,
loamy or light clay soils, in a variety of habitats ranging from eucalypt and acacia
woodlands to vine thickets.
DESCRIPTION Tree or shrub to at least 12m high; young plants tend to be very spiny.
Bark: Grey or dark brown, rough and fissured; branchlets covered with short white hairs
Leaves: Leaf shape and form variable on the same plant (short and rounded or long and
narrow), dark green above, whitish and hairy below, 20 – 90mm long x 5 – 12mm wide
Flowers: Cream, in clusters at ends of branches, 5 petals, 9 – 12mm diameter, perfumed
Fruit: Flat, purse-like capsule, green turning brown and hard when dry, heart-shaped
with sharp point, 5 – 8mm wide, splitting at the top
Flowering Period: Spring – autumn
NOTES Timber used for wood turning. Leaves are browsed by livestock. Flowers are attractive
to insects. Australian blackthorn or sweet bursaria (Bursaria spinosa) is a similar shrub
which can be distinguished from prickly pine by its hairless leaves.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
100
5.30 Weeping Bottlebrush Callistemon viminalis
OTHER COMMON NAMES Dawson River bottlebrush, red bottlebrush.
HABITAT Occurs predominantly in the northern half of the coverage area along banks and channels
of watercourses with a variety of substrates including clay, rock and sand; often associated
with Queensland blue gum, river red gum, river she-oak, rough-barked apple, sandpaper
figs and Carnarvon fan palm.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 10m, often bushy and with weeping branches.
Bark: Hard, furrowed and dark brown or grey
Leaves: Dark green, sharp point at tip, tapered at both ends, 40 – 50mm long x 3 – 7mm
wide, on short stalks and with prominent midvein; new growth lime green or bronze;
myrtle smell when crushed and oil glands conspicuous when held to light
Flowers: Bright red, brush-like spikes to 90mm long x 30mm wide
Fruit: Cylindrical clusters of small rounded capsules, 4mm high x 4 – 5mm wide and with
flattened tops
Flowering Period: Peak between September – December but sporadic at other times
NOTES Flowers are attractive to insects, particularly bees and butterflies, and nectar-feeding
birds. Many forms of this plant are available in cultivation.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Scotia.
102
5.31 Black Cypress Pine Callitris endlicheri
OTHER COMMON NAMESRed cypress pine, black pine.
HABITAT Usually on slopes and crests of rocky sandstone ridges with sandy, loamy and gravelly
soils; less frequently on flatter terrain; occurs with white cypress pine, gum-topped
ironbark, lancewood, bloodwoods, stringybarks, ironbarks, budgeroo, weeping tea-tree
and smooth-barked apple.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 15m high; bright green appearance; pyramidal shape.
Bark: Thick, deeply furrowed, and dark brown or black on old plants, grooved when
young; branches smooth, shiny and grey
Leaves: Usually bright green, sometime pale green, 2 – 4mm long, with keels on their
upper side
Fruit: Dark grey or brown woody cones, brown and rounded, 12 – 20mm diameter,
splitting when dry into 6 segments, each with pointed tip and wrinkled on their outside;
occur singly or in small clusters along branches; dark brown, winged seeds
Flowering Period: Spring
NOTES Occurs in northern and central parts of the coverage area. Resin and oil have medicinal
properties. Black cypress pine is not harvested commercially in the local area.
Distinguished from white cypress pine by its smaller size, brighter green appearance and
keeled foliage. White cypress pine also has a longer ‘stalk’ in the middle of the open cones.
GAS/OIL FIELDScotia, Fairview, Denison.
104
5.32 White Cypress Pine Callitris glaucophylla
OTHER COMMON NAMESCypress pine, white cypress, Murray pine.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on flats, levees, dunes, undulating hills and
sometimes steep ridge slopes with sandy, loamy or stony soils; forms pure stands or
associated with numerous species including carbeen, poplar box, Baradine gum,
ironwood, silver-leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved ironbark and smooth-barked apple.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 30m tall with spreading branches.
Bark: Dark brown, grey or almost black and furrowed; exudes yellowish gum from wounds
Leaves: Dull greyish to bluish-green rounded leaves, pine smell when crushed
Fruit: Brown woody balls, about 20mm diameter, splitting open into segments; stalk
inside open cone from 4 – 7mm long; winged seeds
Flowering Period: August – November
NOTES Harvest of timber from this species is a major local industry. Timber is used for kindling,
yard rails, furniture, house frames and flooring. Historically it was used for construction
of slab huts. The wood is highly resistant to termite attack. It forms impenetrable thickets
in the absence of fire, and such habitats often contain the rare golden-tailed gecko
(Strophurus taenicauda). Plants in flower have a rusty-brown flush. The seeds are eaten by
sulphur-crested and Major Mitchell cockatoos (Cacatua galerita). The name Callitris
columellaris used to be applied to this species.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
106
5.33 Wild Orange Capparis canescens
OTHER COMMON NAMES Wild pomegranate, orangewood, dog caper.
HABITAT Confined to the northern half of coverage area on flats, hills and ridges, usually on sand,
loam, gravel or light clay; often associated with silver-leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved
ironbark, white cypress pine, mountain coolibah, red bloodwood and Dallachy’s gum.
DESCRIPTION Small, untidy tree or shrub to 4m high; trunk sometimes with rose-thorn like spines;
smaller branches with sharp pairs of brown curved spines about 5mm long.
Bark: Thick, brown and furrowed with corky appearance on older plants; smaller
branches smooth
Leaves: Dull green, stiff and leathery; young foliage broad and pointed, 20 – 40 mm long
x 20 – 25mm wide, on short stalk 3 – 4mm long; older foliage longer than broad, oval,
50 – 90mm long x 30 – 50 mm wide, on stalk to 20mm long
Flowers: Cream, showy, about 50mm diameter, a mass of long stamens clustered in the
middle of 4 hairy petals; buds heart-shaped with 4 prominent ridges on long stalk
30 – 95mm long
Fruit: Rounded, 25 – 75mm diameter, on long stalk 60 – 90mm long
Flowering Period: Summer – autumn
NOTESWild orange is highly susceptible to termite attack and large trees are uncommon.
Wood boring caterpillars are extracted from the branches by cockatoos. Fruit and capers
(flower buds) are edible.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview.
108
5.34 Narrow-leaf Bumble Tree Capparis loranthifolia
OTHER COMMON NAMES Narrow-leaf bumble, bumble tree, wild orange.
HABITAT Alluvial flats, undulating plains and hill slopes with loam or clay soils; often associated
with poplar box, myall, whitewood, boonaree, coolibah, belah, brigalow, white cypress
pine and mulga.
DESCRIPTION Small tree or shrub with short, stocky trunk, to 8m high.
Bark: Rough, grey to brown and deeply furrowed, appearing corky with age
Leaves: Glossy to dull green, older leaves stiff and leathery, variable shape and
dimensions, from 40 – 70mm long x 10 – 20mm wide, on stalks to 10mm long, midvein
yellowish and raised on underside; new growth covered in short white hairs
Flowers: Showy and fragile, cream, 4 petals with long plumes of protruding stamens,
to 40mm diameter, on stalks to 20 – 45mm long
Fruit: Round, to 55mm diameter, either wrinkled or smooth, dull green or glossy, green
turning brown to reddish-brown when dry
Flowering Period: November – January and sporadically after rain
NOTES Two varieties of this plant occur in the coverage area: one has narrow leaf blades and
smooth fruit, while the other has broad leaves and larger, wrinkled fruit. The two
varieties occasionally grow side by side.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
110
5.35 Bumble Tree Capparis mitchellii
OTHER COMMON NAMESNative orange, wild pomegranate, wild orange.
HABITAT Woodlands including poplar box, brigalow, belah and mulga on clay plains or on loamy
red earths; also in softwood scrubs.
DESCRIPTION Small, rounded tree with short, solid trunk, to 8m high; young plants very spiny.
Bark: Furrowed brown
Leaves: Glossy, dark green above, pale greyish-green below, 35 – 65mm long x 10 – 35mm
wide; broadest in middle, tapering at both ends; stems pale green and covered in short
white hairs; young plants have shorter and broader leaves
Flowers: Large, 4 cream petals each 20 – 30mm long, with protruding stamens,
perfumed; buds smooth, on long stalk 30 – 40mm long, hairy, with pear-shaped end
Fruit: Smooth or warty, green, round, 40 – 70mm diameter; flesh is sweet-smelling and
edible when ripe, and contains numerous flat seeds
Flowering Period: Spring – summer and sporadically after rain
NOTES Leaves are palatable to livestock. Wood is used for carving and turning. Tends to be more
common in the southern half of the coverage area and generally occurs as widely
scattered individuals. The showy flowers are very brittle.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
112
5.36 Leichhardt Bean Cassia brewsteri
OTHER COMMON NAMES Bean tree.
HABITAT Occurs in northern part of coverage area on flats, undulating plains and ridges with
a variety of soils from heavy clay to sandy loams and gravel; often with brigalow, lemon-
scented gum, yellow wood, bauhinia, narrow-leaved ironbark, red bloodwood, Dawson
gum, silver-leaved ironbark and Dallachy’s gum.
DESCRIPTION Small, single stemmed tree or multi-stemmed rounded shrub, to 12m high.
Bark: Dark grey; rough and furrowed; smooth and light grey on smaller branches and
on trunks of younger plants
Leaves: 2 – 4 pairs of leaflets on each branchlet; glossy, dark green above, lighter green
below, new growth lime green, midvein prominent on underside of each leaflet;
individual leaflets from 30 – 90mm long x 15 – 30mm wide on short stalk
Flowers: Drooping clusters of yellow, orange or red flowers
Fruit: Straight, cylindrical pod, 200 – 500 mm long, dark brown or black with ribs
Flowering Period: September – November
NOTESA common plant along roadsides north of Rolleston. The flowers are attractive and it is
planted as an ornamental.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison
114
5.37 Belah Casuarina cristata
OTHER COMMON NAMES Black oak, scrub she-oak.
HABITATOccurs throughout the coverage area on flats, undulating terrain and hill slopes with clay
or loamy soils; grows in pure stands or is associated with brigalow, poplar box, myall,
ooline, wilga, false sandalwood and vine thickets.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 20m tall; usually with straight trunk and dense crown.
Bark: Hard, thick, dark grey or brown, fissured; outer branches smooth and shiny
Leaves: Needle-like branchlets to 350mm long and <1mm diameter; whorls of 8 – 16 leaf
teeth
Flowers: Male plants with rusty-brown spike at end of branchlets, to 30mm long; female
trees have red globular flower heads, 3 – 4mm diameter, on stalk 5 – 7mm long
Fruit: Woody cone, brown when dry, usually round, 10 – 20mm diameter, on stalk to 5mm
long; pointed valves contain pale brown winged seeds
Flowering Period: Autumn – winter
NOTESTimber is used for turning and was used historically for shingles, tool handles, trinkets
and ornaments. Cones are used for craft. Highly regarded as firewood. It is a useful stock
fodder during drought and a good windbreak tree. Glossy black-cockatoos (Cacatua
galerita) extract seeds from the cones. Often heavy laden with needle-leaf mistletoe
(Amyema cambagei). Branchlets are sometimes covered with soft, white, waxy lumps
which are made by tiny psyllid bugs. Nitrogen is fixed by the roots.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
116
5.38 River She-oak Casuarina cunninghamiana
OTHER COMMON NAMES River oak, creek oak.
HABITATWidespread but confined to watercourse channels and banks on various substrates
including sand, loam, gravel and clay; commonly occurs with river red gum, rough-barked
apple, Queensland blue gum, weeping bottlebrush and western tea-tree.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 35m tall with girth to 1.5m.
Bark: Dark grey or brown, hard and furrowed
Leaves: Fine, greyish-green, drooping branchlets, 0.5mm diameter, 100 – 250mm long;
leaf teeth in whorls of 6 – 8
Flowers: Male plants have rusty-brown flower spikes to 30mm long at the end of
the branchlets; female flower heads are red, 10mm diameter, and positioned along
the branches
Fruit: Usually a round, brown, woody cone, 5 – 12mm high x 5 – 8mm wide, with
numerous pointed valves each containing a single pale, papery seed
Flowering Period: March – October
NOTES Grows taller than any other Australian she-oak. Historically used for bullock yokes and
shingles in the Injune area. Wood is used for turning and making ornaments. Foliage is
browsed by livestock. Seedlings proliferate after major floods.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
118
5.39 Limebush Citrus glauca
OTHER COMMON NAMESDesert lime, wild lime.
HABITATOccurs throughout the coverage area on heavy or light clay and loamy red earth; associated
with poplar box, myall, silver-leaved ironbark, brigalow, belah or in open downs country.
DESCRIPTION Small tree with dense, rounded crown to 8m high; young plants have long thorns on stems
and branches.
Bark: Dark brown or grey, hard, deeply grooved; outer branches smooth, grey
Leaves: Dull green, to 60mm long x 5 – 8mm wide; oil glands obvious when held to light;
tip rounded with shallow notch; citrus smell when crushed
Flowers: Cream, with 4 or 5 petals; about 15 mm diameter; sweetly perfumed
Fruit: Round or oblong, 15 – 20mm long x 15mm wide, yellow when ripe, fleshy and dimpled
Flowering Period: August – October
NOTES Suckers profusely and young plants form dense thickets. Fruit edible and is popular among
the Australian bush food industry. Flowers are attractive to butterflies, bees, flies and
wasps. Foliage is browsed by livestock and the fruit are eaten by sheep. Previously known
as Eremocitrus glauca.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
120
5.40 Spotted and Lemon-scented Gum Corymbia citriodora
HABITAT Both varieties are found in the northern half of the coverage area on hills and ridges,
in gorges and sometimes along watercourses and flats; the substrate is usually sandy,
loamy or rocky; they form pure stands or are associated with narrow-leaved ironbark,
dusky-leaved ironbark, lancewood and zamia.
DESCRIPTIONTree to at least 30m high with long, shaft-like trunk and dense crown.
Bark: Pale grey, peeling off in summer to reveal cream, orange or pink new bark;
spotted gum is usually heavily dimpled, while lemon-scented gum is smooth or has only
a few dimples
Leaves: Green, same colour both sides, 120 – 180mm long x 20 – 30mm wide
Flowers: Cream, to 15mm diameter; buds 11mm high x 7mm wide
Fruit: Woody, urn-shaped, grey when dry, covered in warts, 15mm high (including stalk
to 8mm) x 11mm wide, valves deeply enclosed within capsule
Flowering Period: April – November
NOTES Lemon-scented and spotted gums are valued for their timber and are harvested for poles.
The leaves of lemon-scented gum (Corymbia citriodora citriodora) smell strongly of
citronella when crushed. Spotted gum (C. citriodora variegata) looks similar; however, its
bark usually has more dimples. The sap is a favoured food of the yellow-bellied glider
(Petaurus australis). Previous names applied to these trees include Eucalyptus maculata,
E. citriodora and Corymbia maculata.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Scotia
122
5.41 Clarkson's Bloodwood Corymbia clarksoniana
OTHER COMMON NAMES Inland bloodwood, long-fruited bloodwood, small-flowered bloodwood.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on sandy flats, levees and hills with loamy soils;
associated with white cypress pine, silver-leaved ironbark, bull oak, Baradine red gum,
ironwood, carbeen and smooth-barked apple.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 20m high.
Bark: Grey and fissured into fibrous, block-like segments, reddish-brown underneath;
rough bark extends to the small branches
Leaves: Dark green above, lighter green below, 90 – 150mm long (including stalk
10 – 20mm long) x 20 – 25mm wide
Flowers: White or yellowish-cream, to 25mm diameter, in clusters of 2 – 4, sweetly
perfumed; buds yellowish-cream, pear-shaped, cap with short point, 15mm long
Fruit: Green turning brown when dry, woody, variable in shape, usually longer than broad,
20 – 30mm long x 15mm wide; red-brown winged seeds
Flowering Period: February – March
NOTES Flowers are attractive to insects. Hollows are used by possums, gliders and nesting birds.
Timber is sometimes used for fencing. Formerly known as Eucalyptus clarksoniana.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
124
5.42 Dallachy’s Gum Corymbia dallachyana
OTHER COMMON NAMES Ghost gum.
HABITAT Confined to the extreme northern part of the coverage area where it occurs on flats,
levees and ridges usually with loamy or gravelly soil; associated species include
ironbarks, poplar box, ironwood and Clarkson’s bloodwood.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 20m tall, straight trunk often with crooked branches.
Bark: Light grey or cream, smooth and bare or having flaky, brown bark at the base;
rough bark can extend several metres up the trunk of younger trees
Leaves: Green, thin and wavy, 100 – 180mm long x 15 – 40mm wide, on stalk 10 – 20mm
long, prominent yellowish midvein; foliage is broader and brighter green on saplings
Flowers: Cream, 10 – 15mm diameter; buds bluntly domed
Fruit: Dark grey or brown, cylindrical, thin walled, can be crushed between fingers easily
when dry, 8 – 15mm long x 8 – 10mm wide, on stalk 5 – 6mm long
Flowering Period: November – February
NOTES Restricted to the Emerald-Springsure area. Distinguished from carbeen (Corymbia
tessellaris) by its much paler trunk (which normally does not have a stocking of bark
except around the base) and broad, lime green, wavy leaves on young plants.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison
126
5.43 Red Bloodwood Corymbia erythrophloia
OTHER COMMON NAMESGum-topped bloodwood, variable bloodwood.
HABITAT Occurs in northern and central parts of the coverage area on flats, undulating terrain and
hills with loam or clay soils, often derived from basalt; commonly associated with
mountain coolibah and narrow-leaved ironbark.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 12m high; often with short trunk.
Bark: Grey, rough, fissured into small flaky patches; grey bark flakes off to reveal
reddish, brown or orange underneath; bark smooth on smaller branches
Leaves: Green, same colour both sides, 70 – 180mm long x 15 – 25mm wide, on reddish
or yellowish-brown stalk 10 – 15mm long, prominent yellow midvein
Flowers: Creamy white, to 20mm diameter; buds pear-shaped, yellowish-cream, 6 – 11mm
long x 4 – 7mm wide, on short stalk 2 – 3mm long
Fruit: Brown when dry, woody, urn-shaped, 10 – 20mm long x 9 – 15mm wide,
thick-walled with heavy rim; reddish-brown winged seeds
Flowering Period: February – April
NOTES Flowers are attractive to insects. Formerly known as Eucalyptus erythrophloia.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Roma, Scotia.
128
5.44 Carbeen Corymbia tessellaris
OTHER COMMON NAMESMoreton Bay ash.
HABITATDistributed throughout the coverage area on flats, levees, dunes and undulating terrain
with deep sandy or loamy soils; associated with white cypress pine, poplar box, ironwood,
silver-leaved ironbark, Clarkson’s bloodwood and Baradine red gum.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 30m tall.
Bark: Dark grey, rough stocking, fissured into rectangular segments at base and usually
extending several metres up the trunk; smooth and light grey to cream above
Leaves: Dull green, thin, 50 – 110mm long x 6 – 12mm wide, with distinct yellowish
midvein, same colour both sides
Flowers: Cream, 10 – 15mm diameter; buds 10mm long x 5mm wide, bluntly domed
Fruit: Brown, cylindrical or barrel-shaped, thin walled, shiny, 8 – 12mm long x 5 – 8mm
wide, on stalk about 6mm long
Flowering Period: November – January
NOTES Tool handles, road and rail bridges have been made from the timber. Sometimes used for
wood turning and fencing. Suckers readily and often forms small groves. Bark peels in
late spring/summer revealing attractive bright cream or pinkish new bark. Formerly
known as Eucalyptus tessellaris.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
130
5.45 Brown Bloodwood Corymbia trachyphloia
OTHER COMMON NAMES Yellow bloodwood, yellow jacket (where C. watsoniana or C. leichhardtii are absent).
HABITAT Occurs on sandy rises and rocky ridges, often growing in association with yellow jackets,
spotted gum, white and black cypress pine, budgeroo, Queensland peppermint, red ash,
lancewood, quinine tree and ironbarks.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 25m high; grows as a stunted mallee (multi-stemmed) in poorer country, for
example, in the Thomby Range.
Bark: Yellowish, brown or grey, fibrous and fissured into rectangular pieces, often with
red gum stains; small branches smooth
Leaves: Adult leaves dark green on top, paler green below, yellow midvein prominent,
110 – 160mm long x 15 – 22mm wide
Flowers: Masses of yellowish-cream flowers in clusters at ends of small branches, to
15mm diameter, strongly perfumed; buds pear-shaped with pointed cap, to 11mm long
x 4mm wide
Fruit: Woody, urn-shaped, 8mm long x 5mm wide, on stalk to 7mm long
Flowering Period: December – January
NOTES:Patchily distributed throughout the coverage area. Timber is sometimes used for fence
posts. Formerly known as Eucalyptus trachyphloia.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
132
5.46 Large-fruited Yellow Jacket Corymbia watsoniana
OTHER COMMON NAMES Yellow jacket.
HABITAT Undulating terrain and hill slopes in sandstone range country with sandy, loamy or rocky
substrate; associated with other bloodwoods, ironbarks, lancewood, spotted gum,
thready-bark she-oak and budgeroo.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 25m high.
Bark: Rough, loose, flaky, bright orange to yellowish brown; small branches smooth
Leaves: Juvenile leaves rough; adult leaves pale green to grey-green, same colour both
sides, 80 – 220mm long x 20 – 80mm wide, on stalk 15 – 35mm long
Flowers: Cream or lemon-white, 50 – 60mm diameter; large yellowish-green buds, 30mm
long x 17mm wide, with broad, pointed cap
Fruit: Brown when dry, woody, urn-shaped, 15 – 30mm long x 15 – 25mm wide
Flowering Period: Winter – summer
NOTESOccurs in the northern part of the coverage area where it is most common in the
Expedition Range. The brightly coloured bark makes this an attractive and distinctive
tree. Rusty jacket (Corymbia leichhardtii) is a similar species that has smaller fruit and
buds and occurs around Springsure. Ants are attracted to the nectar-laden flowers.
Previously known as Eucalyptus watsoniana.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia.
134
5.47 Bat's Wing Coral Tree Erythrina vespertilio
OTHER COMMON NAMES Corkwood, bean tree, coral tree.
HABITAT Occurs in the northern part of the coverage area on banks and levees of gullies and
watercourses or on hill slopes and plateau tops; associated species vary with habitat
and include red bloodwood, narrow-leaved ironbark, silver-leaved ironbark, mountain
coolibah, black tea-tree, Queensland blue gum and white cedar.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 15m, often sparsely branched.
Bark: Grey, brown or pinkish, smooth and shiny or rough and grooved; branches and
trunk can be armoured with hard, short prickles
Leaves: Green, pointed tip with the outer 2 lobes spreading like wings, often broader
than long, deciduous
Flowers: Bright orange or red, curved, each 30mm long, in small clusters
Fruit: Black, leathery or woody slender pod, 80 – 20mm long x 12mm wide, containing
bright red, smooth, glossy, kidney-shaped seeds to 12mm long x 7mm wide
Flowering Period: October – November
NOTES Very conspicuous when in full flower. The blossoms attract nectar-feeding birds, such as
rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus). Wood is similar to balsa and has been used
to make fishing floats. Planted in some towns as an ornamental street tree.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison.
136
5.48 Baker’s Mallee Eucalyptus bakeri
HABITAT Most common on crests and slopes of rocky ridges with shallow soil; often associated
with mountain yapunyah, Queensland peppermint, bendee, dusky-leaved ironbark,
narrow-leaved ironbark and tea-trees (Melaleuca spp.).
DESCRIPTION Small tree to 12m high, sometimes a mallee (multi-stemmed trunk).
Bark: Grey, rough and finely fissured on trunk, branches smooth, with bark peeling in
ribbons around the level of the first branches
Leaves: Green, same colour both sides, to 90mm long x 10mm wide, on stalks
4 – 10mm long
Flowers: Cream; buds bullet-shaped, 7 – 10mm long
Fruit: Green turning brown, woody, cup-shaped, with protruding teeth, 3 – 5mm long
x 4 – 5mm wide
Flowering Period: August – October
NOTESOccurs patchily throughout the coverage area. New bark has an attractive orange or
pinkish tinge in late spring or summer. Stands of Baker’s mallee provide good habitat
for woodland birds.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
138
5.49 River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis
OTHER COMMON NAMES Red gum, Murray red gum.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on banks of watercourses, swamp margins and
alluvial plains; occurs most frequently with poplar box, coolibah, rough-barked apple,
river she-oak, western tea-tree, weeping bottlebrush, myall and doolan.
DESCRIPTIONTree to at least 25m high; large trees have massive butts and can be centuries old.
Bark: Dark grey or brown and rough at the base, peeling about the lower trunk; smooth
above and mottled with grey, brown and cream patches
Leaves: Green or bluish-green, same colour both sides, 75 – 230mm long x 9 – 22mm wide
Flowers: Cream, 15mm diameter; buds with pointed cap of variable shape
Fruit: Woody, brown, cup-shaped or hemispherical base, valves protruding well beyond
rim level, variable size and shape, 3 – 7mm high x 5 – 9mm wide
Flowering Period: October – December
NOTES The most widely distributed eucalypt in Australia. Wood used for turning, internal
construction, furniture and round posts. Distinguished from Queensland blue gum
(Eucalyptus tereticornis) by seed colour: river red gum has white or yellow seeds, while
those of Queensland blue gum are brown. Kino (gum) and leaves have been used for
medicinal purposes. Host to drooping mistletoe (Amyema pendulum). Leaves are food
for koalas and possums, while the flowers attract insects, birds, gliders and flying-foxes.
Hollows provide nest sites and homes for birds, possums, gliders and bats.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
140
5.50 Dawson Gum Eucalyptus cambageana
OTHER COMMON NAMES Blackbutt, Dawson River blackbutt, Coowarra box.
HABITATRestricted to the northern part of the coverage area where it has a patchy distribution
on undulating clay plains and hard, residual ridges; occurs in pure stands or is associated
with bauhinia, brigalow, poplar box, wilga, false sandalwood and yellow wood.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 25m high.
Bark: Hard, very dark grey to black and rough on lower part of tree, forming a stocking
to about the height of the first branches; cream, white or reddish-brown and smooth
above stocking
Leaves: Dark green, same colour both sides, to 170mm long x 20mm wide
Flowers: Cream, to 15mm wide; buds yellowish-green, in small clusters at tips of
branches, diamond-shaped, to 7mm long x 4mm wide
Fruit: Green, cup-shaped capsule, turning brown and woody when dry, 7mm long x 5mm
wide, with 4 – 5 valves at or protruding just above rim level
Flowering Period: November – January
NOTES Timber used for wood turning, furniture, flooring and fence posts. Valued by the bee
keeping industry for its nectar production. Leaves are a favourite food of koalas
(Phascolarctos cinereus). New bark is particularly attractive in summer when it may have
shades of orange, pink and brown.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Scotia.
142
5.51 Baradine Red Gum Eucalyptus chloroclada
OTHER COMMON NAMES Tumbledown gum, water gum.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on sandy levees and plains, hills with deep sand
or loam, and gully banks; often grows in association with rough-barked apple, bull oak,
Clarkson’s bloodwood, carbeen and white cypress pine.
DESCRIPTION Can reach 20m high but frequently smaller.
Bark: Dark grey or brown and rough at base; smooth with patches of grey, brown, yellow
and cream on rest of trunk
Leaves: Adult leaves green, same colour both sides, 60 – 150mm long x 10 – 30 mm wide;
juvenile leaves very broad and rounded, to 120mm long x 100mm wide, notched at the tip
Flowers: Cream, 10mm diameter; buds 10mm long x 5mm wide with conical cap
Fruit: Green, turning brown when dry, woody, hemispherical with 4 pointed teeth
extending beyond rim level
Flowering Period: August – November
NOTES Resembles river red gum although it is normally a smaller tree and differs further by its
much broader juvenile leaves. Geckoes, spiders and insects live under the loose bark.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
144
5.52 Coolibah Eucalyptus coolabah
OTHER COMMON NAMES Coolabah
HABITAT Occurs along margins of watercourses, swamps and lakes and on alluvial floodplains,
usually with heavy clay soils; grows in pure stands or is associated with poplar box, river red
gum, Queensland blue gum, black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens), doolan and river cooba.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 15m high; usually with short trunk and often wider than tall.
Bark: Rough, dark grey or brown, deeply fissured or with shallow grooves on the trunk
and main branches; smooth, powdery, cream to light grey on the outer branches
Leaves: Dull grey or bluish-green, same colour both sides, 40 – 130mm long x 10 – 40 mm
wide, on stalk to 15mm long; new growth silvery
Flowers: Cream, 10mm diameter, in clusters at tips of branches, sweetly perfumed; buds
egg-shaped, yellowish-green, 3 – 5mm long x 2 – 3mm wide, on stalk to 2mm long
Fruit: Brown, woody, hemispherical capsule, 3mm high x 3 – 5mm wide, on stalk 1 – 3mm
long, with 3 – 4 valves protruding well beyond rim level
Flowering Period: December – February
NOTES Common along the Balonne, Comet and Dawson Rivers and other major watercourses.
Timber is used for fence posts, wood turning and furniture. Mature trees provide valuable
wildlife habitat in riparian areas. Black box (E. largiflorens) is a similar tree and grows
with coolibah along the Moonie River. The bark of black box extends to the smallest
branches, whereas the outer limbs of coolibah are smooth. Trees in this area were
formally known as Eucalyptus microtheca.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
146
5.53 Narrow-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus crebra
OTHER COMMON NAMES Narrow-leaved red ironbark, narrow-leaf ironbark.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on ridges and hills with a variety of substrates
including loam, clay, red earth and gravel; occurs in a pure stand or is associated with
white cypress pine, silver-leaved ironbark, red bloodwood, mountain coolibah,
lancewood, gum-topped box, bloodwoods and other ironbarks.
DESCRIPTIONTree to at least 30m often with straight trunk.
Bark: Hard, black or dark brown and deeply fissured; outer branches frequently smooth;
branchlets reddish or orangey brown
Leaves: Variable in size and colour, green to dull bluish-green, same colour both sides,
adult leaves 50 – 180mm long x 6 – 25mm wide
Flowers: Masses of cream flowers, in clusters at or near ends of branches, about 5mm
diameter; buds variable, diamond-shaped, to 8mm long x 4mm wide
Fruit: Cup-shaped, 3 – 6mm long x 3 – 6mm wide, 3 – 4 valves at rim level or inside
capsule, on short stalk to 2mm long
Flowering Period: Throughout the year
NOTES Extensively cut for fence posts; timber also used for wood turning and furniture. It is an
important nectar producing tree and the flowers are attractive to wildlife, particularly
insects and birds. Frequently hybridises with coolibah, poplar box and mountain coolibah.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
148
5.54 Gum-topped Ironbark Eucalyptus decorticans
HABITAT Occurs in central and northern parts of the coverage area on crests and upper slopes of
sandstone ridges; forms pure stands or occurs with black cypress pine, lancewood and
Henderson’s bloodwood (Corymbia hendersonii).
DESCRIPTION Tree to 25m high usually with straight trunk.
Bark: Dark brown or black, deeply fissured over trunk and base of large branches,
smooth, shiny and coppery-brown on outer branches
Leaves: Green, same colour both sides, 60 – 150mm long x 15 – 25mm wide
Flowers: White, 11 – 12mm diameter; buds pointed and elongated, 7mm long x 4mm wide
Fruit: Woody, brown, 9 – 10mm long x 7mm wide, 4 valves deep inside capsule
Flowering Period: December – February
NOTES A very attractive and distinctive tree which is common in the Carnarvon and Expedition
Ranges. Sometimes used for fence posts. Hollow trees are used by possums, gliders and bats.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia.
150
5.55 Queensland Peppermint Eucalyptus exserta
OTHER COMMON NAMES Bendo, mountain box, yellow messmate.
HABITATOccurs on rocky ridge tops and slopes with Baker’s mallee, brown bloodwood, ironbarks,
currawong, lancewood and bendee.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 12m high with short, thick trunk; sometimes grows as a mallee.
Bark: Rough, dark grey, flaky on trunk and main branches; outer branches smooth with
pinkish-orange tinge in late spring/summer, new bark cream
Leaves: Green, 80 – 180mm long x 5 – 20mm wide; same colour both sides
Flowers: Cream, buds 8 – 12mm long x 6 – 9mm wide
Fruit: Grey and woody, size variable, 3 – 10mm long x 4 – 9mm wide, 4 curved teeth
extend well beyond rim level
Flowering Period: November – December
NOTES Occurs patchily throughout the coverage area. It is a favourite food tree of koalas
(Phascolarctos cinereus).
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
152
5.56 Dusky-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus fibrosa nubila
OTHER COMMON NAMES Blue-leaved ironbark, broad-leaved ironbark, mountain broadleaf ironbark.
HABITATOccurs on slopes and crests of stony ridges; forms pure stands or is associated with
gum-topped box, spotted gum, white cypress pine, smooth-barked apple and lancewood.
DESCRIPTIONTree to 25m high.
Bark: Hard, dark and deeply furrowed; smooth on smallest branches
Leaves: Bluish-grey, same colour both sides, adult leaves 90 – 250mm long x 20 – 45mm
wide; juvenile leaves very broad, thick, stiff and leathery, to 200mm long x 100mm wide
Flowers: White, to 15mm diameter; buds 8 – 15mm long, bluish-grey, greyish-green or
reddish-pink with long pointed caps
Fruit: Bluish-grey or greyish-green, turning brown when dry, 6 – 10mm long x 5 – 9mm
wide, 4 valves extending well beyond rim level
Flowering Period: May – July
NOTES Patchily distributed in the northern and central parts of the coverage area. Used for
fence posts but to a lesser extent than narrow-leaved ironbark. Flowers are important
for nectar-feeding wildlife, particularly honeyeaters and lorikeets.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Scotia, Roma.
154
5.57 Grey Gum Eucalyptus major
OTHER COMMON NAMES Mountain grey gum.
HABITAT Favours rocky ridges and gorges among sandstone ranges; associated with smooth-
barked apple, Henderson’s bloodwood (Corymbia hendersonii), thready-bark she-oak,
ironbarks, lancewood, black cypress pine and Queensland peppermint.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 20m high.
Bark: Smooth, often blotched with various shades of grey and brown, peeling in late
spring or summer and followed by orange new bark; branchlets and stems reddish
Leaves: Dark above, paler green below, variable in size and shape, 80 – 210mm long
x 20 – 40mm wide, on stalk 10 – 20mm long
Flowers: White, 10mm wide, in clusters of 3 – 6; buds 6 – 9mm long with conical,
pointed cap
Fruit: Grey, variable in size, 4 – 7mm high x 5 – 7mm wide, valves extend well beyond rim
Flowering Period: Summer
NOTESPatchily distributed in the northern part of the coverage area, particularly in the
Carnarvon and Expedition Ranges. Grey gum leaves are eaten by possums and koalas.
Another grey gum (E. longirostrata) occurs in the coverage area on slopes within
sandstone gorges. It grows taller than E. major, has bark peeling in ribbons (not patches)
and has flower buds that are more pointed. The name Eucalyptus propinqua formerly
applied to plants in this area.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Scotia.
156
5.58 Silver-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus melanophloia
OTHER COMMON NAMESBroad-leaf ironbark.
HABITATOccurs throughout the coverage area on plains, levees, undulating hills and ridges with
soils ranging from sand, loam or light clay to gravel; associated plants include white
cypress pine, narrow-leaved ironbark, carbeen, red bloodwood, kurrajong, mulga,
Baradine red gum and poplar box.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 20m high.
Bark: Very dark, hard, and deeply fissured, including on the smallest branches
Leaves: Silvery-green or bluish-grey, same colour both sides, heart-shaped, joining stem
at base of leaf, in opposite pairs, adult leaves 25 – 90mm long x 15 – 35mm wide;
juvenile leaves to 100mm long x 100mm wide
Flowers: Cream, in clusters at ends of branches; buds 5 – 7mm long, dull green,
diamond- shaped
Fruit: Pale green turning brown when dry, cup-shaped, 3 – 7mm long x 3 – 7mm wide,
valves well below rim level or slightly protruding
Flowering Period: October – February
NOTES One of few eucalypts retaining opposite leaves into adulthood. Timber is used for fencing
but trees are often hollow. Leaves sometimes eaten by masses of sawfly larvae which
congregate at the base of trees and can kill cattle if eaten.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
158
5.59 Gum-topped Box Eucalyptus microcarpa
OTHER COMMON NAMES Brown box, grey box, molly box, narrow-leaf box, inland grey box.
HABITAT Widespread but distributed patchily in the coverage area on slopes of ridges or on
undulating hills where the soil is often gravelly; grows in pure stands or is associated
with narrow-leaved ironbark, lancewood and spotted gum.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 20m high.
Bark: Grey with short and compact fissures on trunk, peeling in strips about half way up
or around the lowest branches and becoming smooth above; branches shiny grey or white
Leaves: Green, same colour both sides, 75 – 150mm long x 10 – 25mm wide
Flowers: White, to 7mm diameter; buds diamond-shaped, 9mm long x 4mm wide
Fruit: Hemispherical or short cylinder, 4 – 7mm high x 4 – 5mm diameter, with 4 teeth
well below rim level
Flowering Period: Summer
NOTES Another gum-topped box (E. moluccana) occurs in the coverage area and tends to replace
E. microcarpa in the north, particularly in the Carnarvon and Expedition Ranges. Field
identification can be difficult; however, E. moluccana has leaves that are broader and
thicker, and its buds and fruit are smaller.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
160
5.60 Mountain Coolibah Eucalyptus orgadophila
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area but patchily distributed, usually on undulating hills
and slopes of ridges or plains with clayey soil, often of basaltic origin; forms pure stands
or is associated with narrow-leaved ironbark, red bloodwood and sometimes white
cypress pine; also occurs on grassy open downs.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 15m high.
Bark: Rough, grey and fissured near base, peeling in strips on upper trunk or on larger
branches and becoming smooth, powdery and cream on outer branches
Leaves: Dull green, same colour both sides, 70 – 180mm long x 10 – 30mm wide
Flowers: Cream, 15mm diameter; buds yellowish-green, club or egg-shaped, 8 – 11mm
long x 4mm wide, cap with short point
Fruit: Shaped like elongated cup, brown and woody when dry, 7 – 10mm long x 6 – 9mm
wide, 3 – 5 teeth inside cup
Flowering Period: October – May
NOTES Timber used for fencing but it is difficult to split. In northern parts of the coverage area,
mountain coolibah woodlands may develop a vine thicket understorey where fire is
absent or infrequent.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
162
5.61 Poplar Box Eucalyptus populnea
OTHER COMMON NAMES Bimble box, broad-leaf box.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on a wide variety of soil and land types, including
alluvial flats, undulating clay plains, sandy levees and ridge slopes; forms pure stands or
associates with brigalow, belah, bendee, white cypress pine, silver-leaved ironbark,
mulga and myall.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 20m tall with rounded or spreading crown.
Bark: Light grey and tightly fissured; smooth on smaller branches; branchlets reddish
Leaves: Glossy, dark green both sides, variable in shape and dimensions: usually rounded
but can be broad at middle and tapered at both ends, 55 – 110mm long x 15 – 30mm
wide; juvenile leaves usually larger than adult leaves and more rounded
Flowers: Cream, in clusters at ends of branches, to 6mm diameter; buds greenish-yellow,
5mm high x 3mm wide, domed caps with a short point
Fruit: Very small, cup-shaped, 4 teeth at or below rim level, 3 – 4mm high x 3-5mm wide
Flowering Period: September – December
NOTESOld trees have massive trunks and often have burls. Used for round posts and stays.
Timber is difficult to split and most trees are hollow. Hollow billets have been used for
branding blocks (furnaces). Young plants are browsed by livestock. Poplar box is probably
the most common eucalypt in the coverage area.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
164
5.62 Narrow-leaved White Mahogany Eucalyptus tenuipes
OTHER COMMON NAMESNarrow-leaved stringybark, narrow-leaved mahogany.
HABITAT Occurs on slopes and crests of sandstone ridges with sandy or loamy soil, often overlying
rock; commonly associated with ironbarks, smooth-barked apple, budgeroo, woody pear,
lancewood, bloodwoods and large-fruited yellow jacket.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 10m high, sometimes a mallee.
Bark: Brown, yellow or orange, fibrous and stringy
Leaves: Green above, lighter green below, 50 – 100mm long x 10 – 25mm wide, turning
purplish during winter and during drought
Flowers: White, 5mm wide, in clusters of up to 7; buds egg-shaped, 3 – 4mm long,
on stalks to 15mm long
Fruit: Brown when dry, woody, cup-shaped, 5mm long x 5mm wide; seeds reddish-brown
Flowering Period: March – June
NOTES Common in northern parts of the coverage area, particularly in the Carnarvon and
Expedition Ranges. Eucalyptus apothalassica is a similar species that also occurs in the
same area; leaves of E. apothalassica are the same colour both sides, whereas those of
E. tenuipes are pale green underneath and dark green above.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Scotia.
166
5.63 Queensland Blue Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis
OTHER COMMON NAMESForest red gum, forest blue gum, red iron gum.
HABITAT Occurs primarily along watercourses, lake margins and in swamps but also on alluvial
flats and sometimes on hilly terrain; often associated with rough-barked apple, river
she-oak, white cedar, sandpaper figs, Carnarvon fan palm and weeping bottlebrush.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 45m high.
Bark: Dark and rough at base, smooth on rest of trunk and branches, shed in plates
giving mottled appearance with shades of grey, brown and white
Leaves: Green, same colour both sides, 80 – 240mm long x 10 – 35mm wide, on stalk
to 20mm long
Flowers: White, sometimes with pinkish tinge, 15mm diameter, in clusters of 5 – 9;
buds with long, curved cap, 12 – 20mm long, but some populations with much squatter,
conical caps
Fruit: Brown, woody, with teeth exerted well beyond rim level, 4 – 7mm high x 5 – 8mm
wide
Flowering Period: Winter – spring
NOTES: An important habitat tree for wildlife, providing nest and shelter sites and a nectar
source for birds, insects and little red flying-foxes. Along with river red gum, it is one of
the principal food trees for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in the region. Its distribution
overlaps with river red gum in the eastern and northern extremity of the coverage area.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Scotia, Roma.
168
5.64 Mountain Yapunyah Eucalyptus thozetiana
OTHER COMMON NAMES Lapunyah, napunyah, yapunyah, Thozet's box, Thozet’s ironbark.
HABITATPlains and undulating hills with clay soils or on slopes of residual ridges with stony
substrate; occurs with brigalow, belah, bendee, bowyakka and Baker’s mallee; patchy
distribution.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 25m high; base of trunk often fluted or buttressed.
Bark: Most trees have a stocking of rough, dark brown bark extending up to about mid-
trunk level, with silvery-grey or cream smooth bark above; some trees are entirely
smooth barked
Leaves: Dark green, shiny, same colour both sides, narrow, 50 – 150mm long
x 6 – 10mm wide
Flowers: Cream, 10mm diameter, in clusters of up to 7 flowers; buds with cylindrical cup
and short, pointed, sometimes curved cap, 5 – 9mm long x 2 – 3mm wide
Fruit: Brown and woody when dry, short cylinder, 5 – 6mm long x 3 – 4mm wide,
3 – 4 teeth deep within capsule, on stalk 4 – 5mm long
Flowering Period: May – September
NOTES Timber used for fencing, flooring, furniture, general construction and wood turning.
The name yapunyah also applies to Eucalyptus ochrophloia which grows on floodplains
of the Warrego and Paroo River.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
170
172
5.65 Native Cherry Exocarpos cupressiformis
OTHER COMMON NAMES Cherry ballard.
HABITAT Favours hills, ridges and low rises with almost any substrate including rock, sand, gravel,
loam and clay; occurs with forest she-oak, Queensland blue gum, white cypress pine,
smooth-barked apple, bull oak, bendee, narrow-leaved ironbark, silver-leaved ironbark,
spotted gum and poplar box.
DESCRIPTION Small tree or shrub to 8m high, often rounded and with hanging branches, sometimes
resembling a small cypress pine.
Bark: Rough, dark brown and with shallow grooves, tessellated on older plants
Leaves: Branchlets bright green or yellowish-green, finely ribbed and angled, giving
foliage-like appearance; true leaves are small scales about 1mm long
Flowers: Minute, to 1mm diameter, greenish-yellow, at tips of branchlets
Fruit: Berry with thick, green base and red fleshy end when ripe
Flowering Period: Throughout the year
NOTES Widespread in the northern and eastern half of the coverage area; it is most common in
the Carnarvon and Expedition Ranges. It is a root parasite deriving nutrients from
adjoining plants such as eucalypts or wattles. It suckers readily from the roots and is often
seen in small groves. Foliage is browsed by cattle during drought. Ripe fruit are edible.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
5.66 Sandpaper Fig Ficus opposita
HABITAT Found along watercourses and sheltered gullies or on rocky slopes in eucalypt woodland
and open forest.
DESCRIPTION Bushy tree to 8m high with dense canopy and short trunk; milky sap.
Bark: Light grey, flaky on older plants
Leaves: Stiff, upper surface covered in tiny bristles giving sandpaper-like texture,
underside hairy; dark green above, paler below, 30 – 170mm long x 17 – 95mm wide, on
stalk 5 – 30mm long; yellowish veins are prominent, especially on the underside; deciduous
Flowers: Tiny, enclosed in a fleshy receptacle
Fruit: globular, fleshy, hairy, 8 – 15mm diameter, on short stalk either singly or in pairs
along the branches; ripe fig on female trees is very dark burgundy or almost black and is
succulent and sweet; figs on male trees are pale burgundy, striped with green, and have
dry, seedless flesh
Flowering Period: Throughout the year
NOTES Confined to the northern half of the coverage area. Fruit attracts possums and birds.
Bark and leaves have medicinal properties. Another sandpaper fig (Ficus coronata),
occurs in the coverage area, particularly along watercourses. The leaves of F. opposita
are arranged in opposite pairs, whereas those of F. coronata alternate along the stem.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Scotia.
174
5.67 Crow’s Ash Flindersia australis
OTHER COMMON NAMESQueensland Teak, Crow’s Nest Ash.
HABITAT Normally an emergent tree within vine thickets but it also grows in adjoining eucalypt
woodlands on hill slopes and in sheltered gorges.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 20m high with dense, rounded canopy.
Bark: Flaky and mottled various shades of brown and grey on mature plants; smooth and
grey with lighter grey blotches on young plants
Leaves: In whorls at ends of branches, dark green above, pale green below, to 200mm
long x 150mm wide, leaflets to 110mm x 50mm wide; oil glands obvious when held to
light and aromatic when crushed
Flowers: Cream, about 10mm wide, 5 petals, in clusters
Fruit: Woody, brown, egg-shaped capsule, 60mm long x 40mm wide, covered in stout,
blunt spikes; splits when dry into 3 – 5 segments, each containing papery, winged seeds
Flowering Period: August – December
NOTES Restricted to the northern half of the coverage area. The dried capsules are used for craft
and floral arrangements. The timber has been used for dance floors. Large specimens
provide good shade.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Scotia, Fairview, Denison.
176
5.68 Scrub Leopardwood Flindersia dissosperma
HABITAT Restricted to the northern part of the coverage area on flats, undulating hills and ridges
with heavy clay or loam and gravel; often associated with Dawson gum, silver-leaved
ironbark, Dallachy’s gum, brigalow, belah, red bauhinia and poplar box.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 12m high with rounded canopy.
Bark: Rough, flaky and dark brown, mottled with light grey and shades of brown;
branchlets smooth and light grey or brown
Leaves: Dark green above, lighter green below, dull sheen, prominent midvein, 2 or 3
leaflets on separate winged stem to 10mm long; largest leaflet 15 – 25mm long x
5 – 6mm wide, aromatic when crushed
Flowers: Cream, 5 petals
Fruit: Brown, woody capsule, splitting into 5 segments and containing winged seeds
Flowering Period: Spring – summer
NOTES Common along roadsides where it occurs in small groves or as isolated trees. The foliage
is browsed by livestock.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison
178
179
Leaves
Flindersia dissosperma
Fruit (photo: Russell Cumming)
Trunk Flowers (photo: Russell Cumming)
5.69 Leopardwood Flindersia maculosa
HABITAT Found on plains with heavy clay, sand or loamy red earth; often associated with
whitewood, brigalow, boonaree and poplar box.
DESCRIPTION Grows to 15m high; straight trunk and open, spreading crown with weeping branches.
Bark: Flaky, mottled with grey, cream and brown
Leaves: Glossy, dark green above, pale green below, in opposite pairs, up to 70mm long
x 12mm wide; slightly aromatic when crushed
Flowers: Cream with yellow centres, 5 petals, in clusters at the ends of branches,
to 5mm diameter
Fruit: Rough, brown, egg-shaped capsule, woody when dry, splitting into 5 boat-shaped
segments and releasing winged seeds
Flowering Period: October – December
NOTES This is a slow growing but highly attractive tree that is sometimes planted in parks and
gardens. It starts life as a tangled shrub with spiny branches. The foliage is browsed by
livestock except when plants are very young. The yellow-flowered mistletoe (Amyema
lucasii) is frequently found on this species. Timber is used for wood turning.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Moonie.
180
5.70 Wilga Geijera parviflora
OTHER COMMON NAMESTree wilga.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area in a wide range of habitat types on flats, plains,
undulating terrain and slopes of ridges with substrate ranging from sand, loam and
gravel to clay; present in most eucalypt and acacia woodlands and a common component
of softwood scrubs.
DESCRIPTION Shrub or small tree to 15m high, usually with short trunk and rounded crown.
Bark: Grey, hard and rough bark on older plants; smooth and light grey when young
Leaves: Dark green, long, thin and often drooping, 60 – 180mm long x 4 – 7mm wide,
peppermint-like smell when crushed; oil glands obvious when held to light
Flowers: Cream, star-shaped, about 5mm diameter
Fruit: Round, green berry, 6 – 7mm diameter, on short stalk, splitting open to reveal a
single black, glossy seed
Flowering Period: Any time of year with flushes following rain
NOTESTimber is used for wood turning. There are two ‘chemical’ varieties, one which is
extensively browsed by stock and the other which is usually untouched. Leaves are
browsed by swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor) during drought. Wilga is a valuable shade
tree and is often host to variable mistletoe (Amyema congener).
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
182
5.71 Beefwood Grevillea striata
OTHER COMMON NAMESBeef oak, beef silky oak, western beefwood, silvery honeysuckle.
HABITAT Distributed throughout the coverage area on flats, rises, undulating terrain and hill
slopes with red earth, loam or light clay; associated with poplar box, myall, white cypress
pine, carbeen, ironwood, silver-leaved ironbark, bull oak and mulga.
DESCRIPTION Erect tree with open canopy to at least 15m high; trunk to 0.6m diameter.
Bark: Hard, dark grey and deeply fissured
Leaves: Leathery, strap-like, grey-green, to 500mm long x 4 – 9mm wide, often drooping
on older trees; 5 – 13 parallel veins clearly visible
Flowers: Masses of yellowish-cream cylinders, 50 – 80mm long, in clusters at branch tips
Fruit: Dark brown, thin and woody, egg-shaped capsule, 14 – 17mm long x 10 – 12mm
wide, enclosing winged seed, splitting in half when dry
Flowering Period: November – December
NOTES Wood is used for turning and sometimes for furniture and fencing. Used historically to
make shingles and survey pegs. The red heartwood is similar in appearance to silky oak.
Parts of the plant have been used for bush medicine. The foliage is browsed by livestock.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
184
5.72 Corkwood Oak Hakea lorea
OTHER COMMON NAMESBootlace tree, cork tree, bootlace oak, western cork tree, needlewood
(where H. leucoptera absent).
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on flats, undulating terrain and hill slopes with
loamy or light clay soil; often associated with white cypress pine, bull oak, silver-leaved
ironbark, poplar box, narrow-leaved ironbark, mountain coolibah and mulga.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 10m high; sometimes with twisted habit giving ‘bonsai’-like appearance.
Bark: Dark grey, deeply furrowed and corky; fluted on very old plants; branchlets
reddish- brown
Leaves: Drooping, long, thin and spaghetti-like, greyish-green, 200 – 600mm long
x 2 – 3mm wide
Flowers: Cream, clustered into grevillea-like cylinder, to 150mm long, forming along
the branches
Fruit: Woody, light to dark grey, tear-shaped, 40mm long x 15mm wide
Flowering Period: June – October
NOTES Mature trees are very distinctive. Those with abundant blossoms are very showy but this
plant is uncommon in horticulture, possibly because it is slow growing. It has the longest
leaves of all Australian hakeas. The flowers are attractive to nectar-feeding birds, such as
friarbirds. It was previously known as Hakea fraseri in this region.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
186
5.73 Weeping Tea-tree Leptospermum lamellatum
HABITAT Restricted to the northern half of the coverage area on sandy soils and slopes of
sandstone ranges; often in association with smooth-barked apple, thready-bark she-oak,
budgeroo, white cypress pine, gum-topped ironbark and Henderson’s bloodwood
(Corymbia hendersonii).
DESCRIPTION Small tree or shrub, with weeping habit, to 8m high.
Bark: Flaky or papery, grey or brown, orange underneath; branchlets reddish brown and
slightly hairy
Leaves: Narrow, glossy, dark green both sides, alternately arranged, 10 – 50mm long
x 1 – 6mm wide, on stalks to 3mm long; young leaves hairy
Flowers: Cream, 5 petals, 9 – 10mm diameter, fragrant
Fruit: Round, brown, woody capsule, 3 – 7mm diameter
Flowering Period: Spring – summer
NOTES Flowers are attractive to insects including wasps, bees and butterflies. Formerly known as
Leptospermum attenuatum.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia.
188
5.74 Budgeroo Lysicarpus angustifolius
OTHER COMMON NAMESMountain mahogany, Tom Russell’s Mahogany, poor man’s mahogany, mountain oak,
woollybutt, brown hazelwood.
HABITAT Sand plains or on slopes and crests of sandstone ridges, often on very rocky terrain;
associated with white cypress pine, smooth-barked apple, ironbarks, Baradine red gum,
thready-bark she-oak, wattles and bloodwoods.
DESCRIPTION Tree, sometimes multi-stemmed, to at least 15m high; often gnarled and ragged, with
a ‘bonsai’-like appearance; frequently with fire scars.
Bark: Dark grey and fibrous, able to be peeled off in strips like stringy bark
Leaves: Dark green above, pale green underneath, edges turned downwards, glossy,
to 80mm long x 2mm wide
Flowers: Cream, 5 cream petals, 10mm diameter, in clusters at ends of branches;
honey-like fragrance
Fruit: Pinkish red to bright red, rusty-brown when dry, bullet-shaped capsule, covered
in white hairs, 14 –15mm long including stalk
Flowering Period: September – December
NOTES Timber is used for fence posts and wood turning; historically it was used for general
construction. The wood does not readily burn and fence posts may last for decades.
Bark was used for burial cylinders by Aborigines in the sandstone ranges. Intensity and
timing of flowering are variable between years. Sawdust and smoke are reputed to
irritate humans.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Scotia.
190
5.75 Red Bauhinia Lysiphyllum carronii
OTHER COMMON NAMESBauhinia, pegunny, Queensland ebony, Carron’s bauhinia, bean tree.
HABITAT Occurs patchily in the coverage area on clay plains and undulating hills, or on slopes of
sandstone ridges; commonly associated with brigalow, belah, poplar box, Dawson gum,
yarran, whitewood, false sandalwood, wilga and boonaree and is a component of some
vine thicket communities.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 15m high with short trunk, rounded crown and gnarled branches.
Bark: Dark grey and fissured
Leaves: Green, butterfly-like, divided into two lobes and joined along the midvein,
to 30mm long x 20mm wide
Flowers: Red, tubular, about 40mm long x 15mm wide
Fruit: Broad, flattened pod, with dull sheen, greenish or red then turning brown when
dry, to 100mm long x 45mm wide, with bulges around the seeds
Flowering Period: October – early December
NOTESDeciduous in winter although trees in northern parts may retain their leaves. Flowers are
attractive to nectar-feeding birds. Useful fodder tree as leaves and pods are eaten by
livestock. Frequently planted in parks, streets and gardens in western Queensland towns.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Scotia, Fairview, Denison.
192
5.76 Black Tea-tree Melaleuca bracteata
OTHER COMMON NAMESRiver tea-tree, white cloud tree, snow-in-summer.
HABITAT Occurs in the northern part of the coverage area along watercourses, on floodplains,
swampy areas, gilgais and open grassy downs, usually on heavy clay soils, but also on
sandy and gravelly soils.
DESCRIPTION Tree, or sometimes a bushy shrub, to at least 15m tall.
Bark: Hard, dark grey or brown and fissured
Leaves: Short, narrow, with parallel veins, sharp point at tip, 5 – 30mm long x 1 – 3mm
wide; new growth covered in hairs, giving silvery appearance
Flowers: Cream, bottlebrush-like spike, 25 – 35mm long x 15mm diameter
Fruit: Grey, cup-shaped capsules, 2 – 3mm diameter, without stalk
Flowering Period: Peak in spring but sporadic at other times of the year
NOTES Timber sometimes used for fencing. Many forms of this plant are available in cultivation.
Black tea-tree is an important habitat tree along watercourses.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison
194
5.77 Bush House Paperbark Melaleuca tamariscina
HABITAT Occurs in the extreme northern end of the coverage area; forms pure stands or grows
with narrow-leaved ironbark, Dallachy’s gum and white cypress pine on ridges and
plateaus with stony or loamy soils, often overlying clay.
DESCRIPTION Small tree or shrub to 8m high.
Bark: Grey, cream or brown and papery
Leaves: Very small, scale-like, stalk-less, 1 – 3mm long, hairless
Flowers: Short, cream spike, to 20mm long x 15mm wide
Fruit: Grey, woody capsules, 4mm high x 3mm wide
Flowering Period: November – December
NOTES Populations of this species within the Denison gas field are at their southern range limit.
The bark is used for art and craft.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison
196
5.78 Western Tea-tree Melaleuca trichostachya
OTHER COMMON NAMESTea-tree, river tea-tree, river paperbark, flax-leaf paperbark.
HABITATOccurs throughout the coverage area where it is usually restricted to banks of
watercourses with sandy or clay soils.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 10m tall with rounded or bushy crown.
Bark: Papery, layered, pale brown, grey or cream
Leaves: Green, with sharp tip, 10 – 30mm long x 1 – 3mm wide, arranged in opposite
pairs, without stalk; new growth hairy
Flowers: Cream or yellowish-cream spikes, 25 – 35mm long x 15mm wide; green cup each
containing a feathery flower; rich honey perfume
Fruit: Grey, woody, rounded capsule, 2.5 – 3.5mm high x 2 – 3.5mm diameter, valves
above rim level
Flowering Period: Mainly October – November and sporadically at other times
NOTESAn attractive tree often occurring around permanent or semi-permanent waterholes.
Flowers are visited by nectar-feeding birds and insects. Plants in this region were
previously known as M. linariifolia.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
198
5.79 White Cedar Melia azedarach
OTHER COMMON NAMESCape lilac, china berry, tulip cedar, karabil, bead tree.
HABITAT Occurs predominantly in the northern half of the coverage area, along gullies and
watercourses or on hill slopes with sandy, loamy or clay soils; associated plants include
Queensland blue gum, river she-oak, sandpaper fig, bitter bark and bat’s wing coral tree.
DESCRIPTION Tree to 8m with short trunk, rounded crown and spreading branches.
Bark: Grey and smooth on young plants, grey and furrowed on older trees; branchlets
covered with short, white hairs
Leaves: Bright green, 120 – 450mm long, with up to 5 pairs of leaflets, each 17 – 72mm
long x 8 – 38mm wide, with toothed edges; deciduous
Flowers: Pink or cream, with 5 petals and purple protruding tube, 10mm wide x 8mm
long, on stalk 3 – 6mm long, in clusters at ends of branches, perfumed
Fruit: Yellowish or golden brown, oval or egg-shaped berry, 7 – 15mm long x 7 – 9mm
wide, containing black seeds
Flowering Period: Mainly September – October
NOTES Flowers attract numerous insects, particularly butterflies. Flowers of local plants tend to
be smaller and paler than cultivated plants. Timber used for cabinet work. Fruit toxic to
humans and livestock but is a favourite food of birds, such as red-tailed black-cockatoos
(Calyptorhynchus banksii).
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison.
200
5.80 Emu Apple Owenia acidula
OTHER COMMON NAMESGruie, crooie, sour plum, sour apple.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on alluvial flats, undulating plains and ridge slopes;
often associated with brigalow, belah, poplar box, whitewood, boonaree, white cypress
pine, carbeen and silver-leaved ironbark; soil types include clay, loam, sand and gravel.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 12m high, usually with a short trunk and dense, rounded canopy.
Bark: Hard, dark brown or grey, fissured; branches smooth
Leaves: Glossy, lime green, fern-like, 80 – 180mm long and comprising 9 – 25 narrow
leaflets, leaflets arranged alternately with prominent midvein and no stalk
Flowers: Male and female flowers on separate plants: greenish-yellow, 5mm long x 3mm
wide, with 5 petals, perfumed
Fruit: Round, hard, glossy, purple or reddish-purple berry, plum-like, 20 – 40mm
diameter, on stalk 2 – 4mm long, containing a single large, hard seed
Flowering Period: November – December
NOTES Occurs as isolated plants or in small groves arising from root suckers. Timber used for
wood turning. Jam is made from the fruit. The leaves are browsed by livestock and it is
a useful shade tree. The fruit are eaten by sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita).
It is difficult to cultivate from seed.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
202
5.81 Quinine Tree Petalostigma pubescens
OTHER COMMON NAMESQuinine bush, quinine berry, hairy quinine tree, emu berry, bitter bark, native quince,
forest quinine.
HABITAT A widespread and common plant usually found on sandy or loamy soils on flats, hilly
terrain and ridges; often associated with Baradine red gum, silver-leaved ironbark,
white cypress pine, Clarkson’s bloodwood, carbeen, ironwood, budgeroo and red ash.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 8m high with short trunk and crooked branches.
Bark: Very dark grey to black, hard and with shallow fissures; branchlets grey and
covered in hairs
Leaves: Glossy, light to dark green above, hairy and white or silvery-grey below, to 35mm
long x 15mm wide, on hairy stalk 5 – 9mm long, arranged alternately
Flowers: Yellow, in clusters along the branches; female flowers hairy, approximately
6 – 8mm diameter
Fruit: Bright orange, rounded berry, shiny, smooth or hairy, to 16mm diameter x 14mm
high, with 3 or 4 segments
Flowering Period: Spring – summer
NOTES Aboriginal uses include spear-throwers (wood), medicines (bark) and fish poison
(crushed leaves). Bark and fruit used by early settlers for medicinal purposes including
treatment of malaria. Dye has been made from bark. Foliage sometimes browsed by
livestock and fruit eaten by emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae).
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
204
5.82 Cattle Bush Pittosporum angustifolium
OTHER COMMON NAMESMeemeei, weeping pittosporum, native apricot, butterbush, gumbi gumbi, cumby cumby.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on alluvial flats, undulating terrain and ridges with
loamy or clay soils; often associated with silver-leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved ironbark,
brigalow, belah, white cypress pine and poplar box.
DESCRIPTION Shrub or small tree to 8m high but frequently smaller; drooping branches.
Bark: Dark grey or brown and deeply furrowed on old plants; grey and smooth on young
plants
Leaves: Shiny, dark green above, pale green below, narrow, 60 – 120mm long x 8 – 15mm
wide, on yellowish stalk to 10mm long, pointed at tip, distinct yellowish midvein
Flowers: Yellowish-cream, bell-shaped, to 10mm long, 5 petals, perfumed
Fruit: Rounded to egg-shaped, flattened on the sides, yellowish or orange when ripe,
12 – 25mm long x 9 – 17mm wide, splits open when dry; seeds bright red
Flowering Period: August – October
NOTES Cattle bush is most frequently seen along roadsides and stock routes where it occurs as
isolated trees or in small groves. Readily browsed by cattle. Leaves have medicinal
properties. Formerly known as Pittosporum phylliraeoides.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
206
5.83 Myrtle Tree Psydrax oleifolius
OTHER COMMON NAMESWild lemon, lemon myrtle.
HABITAT Distributed throughout the coverage area on flats, undulating terrain and hill slopes with
soil ranging from loam or red earth to light clay; commonly associated with poplar box,
myall, beefwood, white cypress pine and mulga.
DESCRIPTION Small tree to 6m high; younger plants often have horizontal branches.
Bark: Hard, dark grey and fissured on older trees; light grey and smooth on younger
plants; branchlets smooth and light brown
Leaves: Stiff and leathery, pale green, in opposite pairs, broadest at the middle and
tapering at both ends, of variable size and shape, 45 – 75mm long x 10 – 25mm wide
Flowers: Masses of strongly perfumed cream flowers with 5 petals, to 8mm wide,
in clusters along branches
Fruit: Round, shiny, dark green, black berry when ripe, about 8mm diameter, on stalk
to 3mm long, in small bunches along branches, containing a single hard, round seed
Flowering Period: November – January
NOTES Prone to suckering and young plants are often seen in groves. Flowers are highly
attractive to insects, particularly wasps and butterflies. Readily browsed by livestock
and regarded as a useful fodder plant. Previously known as Canthium oleifolium.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
208
5.84 Sandalwood Santalum lanceolatum
OTHER COMMON NAMESCommercial sandalwood, plum bush, plum wood.
HABITAT Found throughout the coverage area in a wide range of habitats including undulating
clay plains, alluvial flats, sandy levees and rocky ridges; occurs with many species
including mulga, brigalow, myall, poplar box, silver-leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved
ironbark, false sandalwood, wilga, red bauhinia and belah.
DESCRIPTION Shrub or small tree to 10m high; often with open, drooping branches.
Bark: Hard, dark grey and fissured on trunk; smooth and brown to reddish-brown on
smaller branches
Leaves: Waxy, thick and leathery; dull green to greyish-green, same colour both sides,
arranged in opposite pairs; highly variable in size and shape, from 8 – 40mm wide x
40 – 110 mm long, on short yellowish or reddish-brown stalk to 4mm long
Flowers: Star-shaped, greenish-cream, 4 petals, 8 – 10mm diameter, sweetly perfumed
Fruit: egg-shaped with flattened bottom; green, ripening to bright red or maroon and
eventually dark purplish-black; fleshy, 8 – 13mm long x 7 – 10mm wide; in clusters at
or near ends of branches; contains a single hard, brown, oval seed
Flowering Period: October – December
NOTES Suckers from roots and frequently forms small groves. Like native cherry (Exocarpos
cupressiformis), it is a root parasite. Wood is used for turning and harvested to make
incense sticks. Oil is used for medicine, soap and perfume manufacture. Flowers are
attractive to wasps. Foliage is browsed by livestock. Ripe fruit is edible.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
210
5.85 Yellow Wood Terminalia oblongata
HABITAT Usually on plains or undulating terrain with clay soils or along drainage lines; often
associated with brigalow, bauhinia, gidgee, whitewood, red bauhinia, false sandalwood,
coolibah and Dawson gum.
DESCRIPTION Small tree or bushy shrub to 12m high.
Bark: Dark or light grey, rough and fissured into small, flaky rectangles
Leaves: Smooth, glossy, lime green above, paler green below, older leaves turning yellow;
30 – 100mm long x 10 – 65mm wide, on stalk to 10mm long; veins distinct; deciduous
Flowers: Inconspicuous, pale greenish-yellow, 5 petals, about 5mm diameter
Fruit: Greenish-yellow or straw coloured nut with 2 leathery wings, 10 – 30mm wide
Flowering Period: November – December
NOTES Restricted to the area north of Rolleston. Leaves contain toxic tannins which are capable
of poisoning livestock. Wood is used for turning. Suckers readily from rootstock and
forms small groves. Many of the vegetation or regional ecosystem types in which yellow
wood grows have been extensively cleared and are classified as endangered.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison
212
5.86 Vine Tree Ventilago viminalis
OTHER COMMON NAMESSupplejack, kunianna.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on clay plains, alluvial flats, sand ridges and slopes
of stony ridges; often occurs with poplar box, silver-leaved ironbark, mountain coolibah,
mulga, brigalow, belah and in softwood scrub.
DESCRIPTION Tree to at least 10m high; trunk a straight or twisted stem, or multiple stems intertwined
giving fluted appearance.
Bark: Hard, rough, dark grey and furrowed
Leaves: Narrow, dark green, glossy, prominent yellowish midvein, to 70mm long x 10mm
wide, including stalk to 10mm long
Flowers: Yellowish-green, star-shaped, 5 petals, 5 – 6mm diameter, fragrant
Fruit: Lime green, winged with bulge around single seed, to 35mm long x 5mm wide,
turning straw brown when dry
Flowering Period: September – November
NOTES Commences life as a vine, scrambling up a nearby shrub or tree before developing its own
trunk. Flowers are highly attractive to insects particularly flies, butterflies and beetles.
Trees in full blossom appear yellowish. Timber is extremely hard and used for wood turning
and furniture making. Roots and bark have medicinal properties. It is a useful fodder tree
that is lopped during drought. Suckers readily if roots are exposed or disturbed.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
214
5.87 Woody Pear Xylomelum cunninghamianum
OTHER COMMON NAMESNative pear, wooden pear.
HABITAT Confined to northern half of coverage area on plains and ridges with deep sandy soils;
commonly associated with white cypress pine, smooth-barked apple, narrow-leaved
ironbark, quinine tree, budgeroo and thready-bark she-oak.
DESCRIPTIONTree to at least 12m tall.
Bark: Thick, brown and furrowed
Leaves: Stiff, leathery, glossy dark green above, dull bluish-green below, 80 – 170mm
long x 15 – 30mm wide; yellowish midvein prominent; young leaves with toothed edges
Flowers: Cylindrical, yellowish-cream spike, to 50mm long x 12mm diameter; faint honey
perfume
Fruit: Heavy, woody, grey, pear-shaped, velvety on outside when fresh, 40mm wide,
to 60 – 70mm long, on stalk 10 – 15mm long; splits when dry to reveal two flat, papery,
brown, winged seeds 50 – 70mm long
Flowering Period: November – April and sporadic at other times of the year; mass
flowering is uncommon
NOTES Fruit is used for art and craft and the wood is used for turning. Slow growing. Seed kernel
is edible. Formerly known as Xylomelum pyriforme.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Fairview, Denison, Scotia.
216
6.1 Bancroft's Wattle Acacia bancroftiorum
HABITAT Found on slopes of sandstone ridges, hills and in gorges in the northern half of the coverage
area; occurs with budgeroo, thready-bark she-oak, ironbarks, stringybarks, bloodwoods,
lancewood, white or black cypress pine, smooth-barked apple and spotted gum.
DESCRIPTION Shrub or small tree to 6m high.
Bark: Rough, dark brown at base of older plants, silvery grey on trunk
Leaves: Dull green or silver-grey, variable in shape and size, 100 – 230mm long x
25 – 110mm wide, prominent midrib; younger leaves with toothed margin
Flowers: Pale or bright yellow balls
Fruit: Flat, greyish-green pods, to 210mm long x 10 – 20mm wide, in drooping clusters
Flowering Period: March – May
NOTES An attractive and distinctive plant when in full flower. Bark has been used for tanning
skins. Formerly known as Acacia bancroftii.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia.
218
6.0
CO
MM
ON
SH
RUBS
6.2 Flat-stemmed Wattle Acacia complanata
OTHER COMMON NAMESDonkey’s ears.
HABITATOn slopes or crests of sandstone ridges with sandy soils or rocky substrate, often in
association with white or black cypress pine, budgeroo, smooth-barked apple, ironbarks,
bloodwoods, thready-bark she-oak, weeping tea-tree and zig-zag wattle.
DESCRIPTION Rounded, multi-stemmed shrub, with short trunk, to 5m high, with arching branches,
sometimes giving a tangled appearance.
Bark: Smooth grey, brown or green; reddish-brown branchlets with green ‘winged’ margin
Leaves: Stiff, shiny, dark green, 40 – 110mm long x 15 – 40mm wide, broadest at middle,
5 – 9 conspicuous veins
Flowers: Bright yellow balls
Fruit: Flat pods, bulging over seeds, 100 – 150mm long x 7 – 10mm wide
Flowering Period: December – March
NOTESRestricted to the northern half of the coverage area. Rapidly regenerates after fire.
A very attractive species which is cultivated as an ornamental plant.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia.
220
6.3 Crowded-leaf Wattle Acacia conferta
HABITAT Occurs throughout most of the coverage area on low hills and ridges with sandy, loamy or
stony soil; often associated with smooth-barked apple, white cypress pine, narrow-leaved
ironbark, bull oak and spotted gum.
DESCRIPTION Rounded or spindly shrub to 3m high.
Bark: Dark and rough when old; smooth and yellowish-brown on younger plants; smaller
branches are covered in fine hairs and have short, hard ribs
Leaves: Light or dark green, short and narrow, 7 – 12mm long x 2mm wide, with pointed
tip, crowded around the stem
Flowers: Bright golden yellow balls on stalk about 5mm long, at ends of branches, perfumed
Fruit: Flattened pod, 60mm long x 15 – 20mm wide
Flowering Period: Autumn – winter
NOTES Usually one of the first wattles to flower each year. Used in floral arrangements and
cultivated as an ornamental plant.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
222
6.4 Deane’s Wattle Acacia deanei
OTHER COMMON NAMESGreen wattle, fern-leaf wattle.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on sandy or loamy soils with white cypress pine,
smooth-barked apple, silver-leaved ironbark, bull oak or poplar box.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub or small tree to 5m high with upright branches.
Bark: Smooth, dark brown to orangey-brown at base, green above; branchlets reddish
with covering of fine, white hairs
Leaves: Fine, fern-like, to 50 – 70mm long and 30 – 40mm wide; 5 – 11 pairs of leaflets
Flowers: Pale yellow balls, perfumed
Fruit: Flat, reddish – brown pods, to 100mm long x 5mm wide, covered in short hairs
Flowering Period: Any time of year with flushes following rainfall
NOTES A fast growing species which is probably short lived. Pods and flowers can be found on
the same plant, due to repeated flowering events. Browsed by livestock. Occurs as
scattered plants or in small groves in disturbed areas. Leaves fold up when touched.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
224
6.5 Pretty Wattle Acacia decora
OTHER COMMON NAMESGolden wattle, western silver wattle, graceful wattle.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on flats, undulating terrain, hills and ridges with
loamy or stony soil; frequently occurs with poplar box, myall, silver-leaved ironbark, bull
oak and white-cypress pine.
DESCRIPTION Rounded or untidy shrub with short trunk, growing to 4m high.
Bark: Dark grey and furrowed on older plants, smooth and grey on saplings; branchlets
yellowish-brown
Leaves: Greyish green or bluish-grey, midvein prominent, 30 – 55mm long x 4 – 6mm wide
Flowers: Bright yellow balls, strongly perfumed
Fruit: Flat, almost black pods, 75 – 105mm long x 4 – 9mm wide, bulging over the seeds
Flowering Period: July – September
NOTES An eye-catching shrub when in full flower and it is cultivated as an ornamental plant.
The flowers are attractive to insects. It forms dense groves in disturbed areas and can
invade pasture. Sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) eat the seeds.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
226
6.6 Mimosa Bush Acacia farnesiana
OTHER COMMON NAMESSweet acacia.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on alluvial flats, plains and undulating terrain with
clay, loam or red earth soils; occurs with poplar box, white cypress pine, river red gum,
brigalow, coolibah or scattered among open, grassy downs.
DESCRIPTION Rounded, often untidy and arching, multi-stemmed shrub to 4m tall; branches with long,
sharp, double spines, 10 – 30mm long at the base of each leaf.
Bark: Shiny grey or brown, with prominent wart-like spots on young stems
Leaves: Green, fern-like
Flowers: Large, bright orangey-yellow balls, strongly perfumed
Fruit: Glossy, woody, cylindrical pod, straight or curved, green turning dark brown,
40 – 60mm long x 10 – 15mm wide
Flowering Period: peak in spring and autumn but can flower at any time of year
NOTES Probably introduced to Australia several centuries ago; now naturalised and very
widespread across the continent. Presumed to be a native of tropical America. It can
become invasive but it is rarely a problem in the coverage area. The flowers are used
world-wide for manufacture of perfume. Seeds are edible. Leaves and pods are eaten by
livestock. Ripe pods are used to make wool dye. Dense patches are favoured as habitat by
small birds including fairy-wrens and finches. Cut branches or roots emit an unpleasant
odour.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
228
6.7 Rush-leaf Wattle Acacia juncifolia
HABITAT Occurs in northern half of the coverage area on hills, ridges and cliff edges among
sandstone ranges; often associated with bull oak, white cypress pine, narrow-leaved
ironbark, thready-bark she-oak, budgeroo, smooth-barked apple, stringybarks and
bloodwoods.
DESCRIPTION Rounded or sometimes prostrate shrub, to 3m high, with distinctive upright branches
Bark: Rough, grey or brown at base, smooth on branches
Leaves: Long and thin, erect, spaghetti-like, dull green, 70 – 200mm long x 1mm wide
Flowers: Yellow balls
Fruit: Narrow, straight, cylindrical pod, to 100mm long x 4mm diameter
Flowering Period: July – September
NOTESThe upright foliage makes this a very distinctive and attractive plant.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Roma, Scotia.
230
6.8 Early Flowering Black Wattle Acacia leiocalyx
OTHER COMMON NAMESEarly flowering wattle, black wattle, Brisbane black wattle, curracabah.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on sandy or loamy soils usually in association with
white cypress pine, smooth-barked apple, spotted gum, bull oak or narrow-leaved ironbark.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub or small tree to about 6m high.
Bark: Grey and rough; branchlets reddish and prominently angled
Leaves: Green, mostly curved, 70 – 150mm long x 7 – 25mm wide, usually 3 prominent
curved veins; younger foliage broader to 30mm wide; new growth brown or pinkish
Flowers: Long, lemon yellow spikes, 30 – 70mm long, strongly perfumed
Fruit: Glossy, green, thin cylindrical pods when unripe, coiled and brown when dry,
to 150mm long x 3 – 4mm wide
Flowering Period: April – September
NOTESOne of the most common wattles in the understorey of eucalypt and pine forests in the
coverage area. It often forms dense thickets following wildfires.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
232
6.9 Zig Zag Wattle Acacia macradenia
OTHER COMMON NAMESCut throat wattle.
HABITAT Occurs in the northern half of the coverage area on rises and ridges with sandy soils,
often in sandstone range country; frequently occurs with white cypress pine, smooth-
barked apple, ironbarks, bloodwoods, bull oak, woody pear, budgeroo, thready-bark
she-oak and zamia.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub to 5m high with short trunk and arching branches, small branches have
zig-zagging stems.
Bark: Smooth, dark brown at base; branches green to reddish
Leaves: Glossy, dark green, 80 – 200mm long x 10 – 20mm wide, prominent midvein
Flowers: Bright yellow balls, strongly perfumed
Fruit: Brown, long and narrow pod, 60 – 80mm x 5mm, in drooping bunches
Flowering Period: July – September
NOTES An attractive plant when in flower and it is a common ornamental species. Flowers are
used to make wool dye. Browsed by livestock during drought.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Scotia, Roma.
234
6.10 Queensland Silver Wattle Acacia podalyriifolia
OTHER COMMON NAMESMount Morgan wattle, pearl wattle.
HABITAT Found on hill slopes, ridges and along gullies and watercourses, usually among
sandstone ranges; often associated with budgeroo, white and black cypress pine,
smooth-barked apple and weeping tea-tree.
DESCRIPTION Shrub, or less frequently, a small tree to 8m high.
Bark: Dark grey or brown and rough on old plants, smooth and light grey to silvery on
younger plants; pale silvery-grey, hairy, branchlets
Leaves: Silvery grey or greyish-green, oval, hairy, 20 – 50mm long x 10 – 25mm wide,
a little longer than broad, ending in a short, soft point
Flowers: Bright yellow balls, to 5mm diameter, at the ends of the branches, perfumed
Fruit: Flat, silvery-green, hairy pod, to 90mm long x 20mm wide
Flowering Period: June – July
NOTES Restricted to the northern part of the coverage area, particularly in the Carnarvon and
Expedition Ranges. A distinctive and attractive shrub when in full flower that is
commonly planted in parks, streets and gardens.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia.
236
6.11 Glory Wattle Acacia spectabilis
OTHER COMMON NAMESKogan wattle, Pilliga wattle, Mudgee wattle.
HABITAT Occurs in central and southern parts of the coverage area, on sandy or stony soils in
association with white cypress pine, narrow-leaved ironbark, bull oak, smooth-barked
apple, Baradine red gum and other wattles.
DESCRIPTION Rounded or flat-topped shrub, 1 – 4m high, often with arching branches.
Bark: Smooth, dark brown at base, whitish or silvery on branches, powdery
Leaves: Fern-like, bluish-green to silvery
Flowers : Masses of golden-yellow balls
Fruit: Flat pod, to 110mm long x 10 – 15mm wide, with bulges around seeds
Flowering Period: July – September
NOTES A distinctive and attractive wattle which is common in disturbed areas, for example,
along roadsides. It is a host plant for the tailed emperor butterfly (Polyura sempronius).
GAS/OIL FIELDMoonie, Roma.
238
6.12 Gundabluey Acacia victoriae
OTHER COMMON NAMESPrickly wattle, bramble wattle, elegant wattle.
HABITAT Occurs in central and southern parts of the coverage area along watercourses, on alluvial
flats and clay plains; occurs with poplar box, river red gum, coolibah, myall and boonaree.
DESCRIPTIONShrub or small tree to 8m high, often of untidy appearance; sharp spines to 10mm long
at the base of the leaves, particularly on smaller branches.
Bark: Rough, dark brown and grooved on trunk, reddish-brown underneath; smooth
green branches
Leaves: Pale, bluish-green, 30 – 60mm long x 2 – 6mm wide, pointed tip, prominent midvein
Flowers: Masses of pale lemon or creamy-yellow cream balls, perfumed
Fruit: Flat pod, 30 – 80mm long x 12 – 16mm wide, with thick edges and bulges over
the seeds
Flowering Period: September – October
NOTES The pods and leaves are browsed by livestock and the seeds are edible. It occurs as
scattered plants or in dense groves. Sometimes used as an ornamental garden planting.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma
240
6.13 Broom Bush Apophyllum anomalum
OTHER COMMON NAMESWarrior bush, currant bush, mustard bush.
HABITAT Distributed throughout the coverage area on alluvial flats, undulating clay plains and
slopes of ridges with loamy or clay soils. Occurs in vine thickets, and eucalypt, cypress
pine and brigalow woodland.
DESCRIPTION Dense shrub or small, untidy tree to 6m with short trunk and erect branches; appears
leafless, young branches hairy.
Bark: Dark brown and furrowed; branchlets smooth and green
Leaves: Appears leafless; true leaves fall off early and are small and fine, 0.5 to 15mm
long x <0.5mm wide, on short stalk 1 – 2mm long
Flowers: Inconspicuous, greenish-yellow or yellowish-cream, about 6mm diameter, with
4 petals which are hairy above; in clusters along the branches; fragrant
Fruit: Rounded, glossy berry, black when ripe, to 5mm diameter, on stalk 2 – 3mm long
Flowering Period: Mainly October – December
NOTES Broom bush is never particularly common and usually occurs as scattered plants.
It is a host plant for the caper white butterfly (Belenois java ssp. teutonia); after
emerging from their pupae in Spring, great numbers of these black and white butterflies
may be seen flying around the bushes. Stems are browsed by livestock.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
242
6.14 Hair Plant Astrotricha cordata
HABITAT Cliff faces and slopes of sandstone ridges within the northern half of the coverage area;
often grows with lancewood, ironbarks, bloodwoods, spotted gum, smooth-barked apple,
budgeroo, thready-bark she-oak and black cypress pine.
DESCRIPTION Slender shrub, most often single stemmed, to 6m tall, lower parts of stem green and
smooth apart from old leaf scars; upper stem green, covered in silvery hairs, particularly
towards growing tip, giving shiny appearance.
Leaves: Large, glossy, drooping, arranged alternately in spiral; dark green above with
peppering of short hairs, greenish-cream and very hairy below; blade to 400mm long x
180mm wide, broadest near the base, tip pointed; leaf stalk greenish-cream, to 200mm
long and covered in short hairs
Flowers: Flower structure to 1200mm long x 600mm wide; individual flowers purple,
hairless, with 5 petals and on short stems
Fruit: Hairless, flattened, oval-shaped and developing two papery wings with age,
10mm wide x 5mm high
Flowering Period: September – December
NOTES A very distinctive plant characteristic of the Central Queensland Sandstone Belt. This is
the most common and widespread of the three species of hair plant that occur in the
coverage area.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia.
244
6.15 Coffee Bush Breynia oblongifolia
OTHER COMMON NAMESNative privet, dwarf’s apple, willgar.
HABITAT Sandy, loamy and light clay soils on hills, ridges and sheltered areas in eucalypt forest
and woodlands and on margins of softwood scrub.
DESCRIPTION Usually a low shrub but capable of growing into a small tree to 3m tall in areas free from
fire; hairless branches.
Bark: Grey or dark brown and furrowed
Leaves: Soft, green above, paler below, 10 – 40mm long x 7 – 15mm wide, alternately
arranged, stalks 2 – 3mm long
Flowers: Small, greenish, on stalks to 4mm long; separate male and female flowers on
same plant
Fruit: Round, red fleshy berry, turning black with age, 6 – 10mm diameter, on short stalk
2 – 4mm long
Flowering Period: Spring – summer
NOTES Occurs as isolated plants or in small groves, often in disturbed areas. Host plant for the
common grass yellow butterfly (Eurema hecabe spp. hecabe). Grown as an ornamental
garden plant.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Scotia, Fairview, Denison.
246
6.16 White Fringe Myrtle Calytrix tetragona
OTHER COMMON NAMESWhite star flower, white calytrix,common fring myrtle.
HABITATOccurs patchily on plains and undulating terrain with sandy or loamy soils and ridge
crests with very shallow soil over rock; associated with white cypress pine, bull oak,
Baradine red gum, narrow-leaved ironbark, smooth-barked apple and wattles.
DESCRIPTION Shrub to 2m tall.
Bark: Grey, hard and grooved
Leaves: Short, thin, bright green, 2 – 8mm long x 0.5mm wide; aromatic when crushed
Flowers: Usually white, rarely pale pink, star-shaped with 5 petals, to 18mm wide
Fruit: Red-brown or rarely yellow, bluntly star-shaped, at base of flower structure and
containing a single seed
Flowering Period: Winter – spring
NOTES This is a very showy plant when in full flower. The flowers are attractive to insects.
Pink fringe myrtle (Calytrix longiflora) is a similar species found near Westmar and in
the Carnarvon Range; however, it has larger, pink flowers and keeled leaves.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Denison, Fairview, Scotia.
248
6.17 Currant Bush Carissa ovata
OTHER COMMON NAMESNative currant, black currant, black berry.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on ridges, undulating plains and open downs with
sandy, loamy, clayey or stony soils; commonly associated with brigalow, belah, narrow-
leaved ironbark, silver-leaved ironbark, Dawson gum, bendee and softwood scrub.
DESCRIPTIONDense, rounded or sprawling shrub to 3m high; long straight spines, sometimes paired,
on branches and at leaf axils; milky sap.
Leaves: Glossy, dark green above, paler green below, rounded with sharp pointed tip,
paired, midvein distinct, 10 – 30mm long x 5 – 20mm wide; new shoots and young leaves
are lime green
Flowers: Cream, star-shaped, on short tube, with 5 petals, 6 – 10mm wide (size variable
across range), perfumed
Fruit: Dark purplish-black, fleshy berry which is glossy and egg-shaped, 10 – 15mm long
Flowering Period: Peak between October – December; sporadic at other times
NOTES Although often regarded as a pest of pastures, particularly following clearing of brigalow,
ironbark and vine thicket communities, currant bush has useful habitat value. It provides
cover for small birds and reptiles and protection for seeding grasses. Spotted bowerbirds
(Chlamydera maculata) construct their bowers among large clumps. The fruit is edible.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
250
6.18 Wait-A-While Capparis lasiantha
OTHER COMMON NAMESSplit jack, nipan, nepine, maypan, honeysuckle, bush passionfruit.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on a wide range of soil types including clay, gravel
and red loams; frequently associated with brigalow, belah, poplar box, myall, white
cypress pine and mulga.
DESCRIPTION Rounded or tangled shrub to 2m high or a climber on fences, posts and trees to a height
of at least 8m; branches have short pairs of curved thorns at the base of the leaves.
Leaves: Narrow, green, 25 – 95mm long x 10mm – 30mm wide, often without a stalk,
arranged alternately along the zigzagging stems
Flowers: Cream, with 4 hairy petals (one pair fused) and white protruding stamens,
to 25mm diameter
Fruit: Egg-shaped, glossy, green turning yellow or orange when ripe, 30mm long
x 15 – 20mm wide, on stalk 15 – 25mm long, splitting open when dry; many small
seeds in pulp
Flowering Period: Peak in September – November
NOTES Leaves are browsed by stock and are often heavily stripped by caper white butterfly
caterpillars (Belenois java spp. teutonia) in spring. The fruit is edible and sweet, but they
are usually quickly consumed by ants and birds.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
252
6.19 Cough Bush Cassinia laevis
OTHER COMMON NAMESWild rosemary, Curry Bush.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on sand ridges and undulating hills with sandy,
loamy or stony soils; usually in eucalypt woodland and commonly associated with
silver-leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved ironbark, white cypress pine and bull oak.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub with short trunk; to 4m high.
Bark: Hard, grooved, grey or dark brown; branchlets covered in short white hairs
Leaves: Fine, stalkless, glossy dark green above, greenish-cream below, alternately
arranged, 30 – 40mm long x 1mm wide; shallow groove along midvein with leaf edges
curled underneath; strong rosemary-like smell when crushed
Flowers: Masses of cream, papery, tubular flowers clustered at the ends of branches;
flower tube 4mm long x 1mm wide with brownish tips; strongly perfumed
Flowering Period: Mainly November – April and sporadically at other times of the year
NOTES A decoction of the leaves was used for treatment of respiratory ailments, hence the
common name. Sago flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius) is a similar shrubby daisy bush
found in central parts of the coverage area which can be confused with cough bush.
Sago flower has shorter leaves and the flowers are flat, not tubular.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
254
6.20 Lolly Bush Clerodendrum floribundum
HABITAT Found predominantly in the northern half of the coverage area in eucalypt woodlands
and along margins of vine thickets; occurs on ridge slopes and on undulating terrain with
sandy, loamy or light clay soils.
DESCRIPTION Bushy shrub or small tree to 6m.
Bark: Grey and furrowed on mature plants; brown or grey and bumpy on young plants;
branches grey and smooth
Leaves: Glossy, dark green above, paler green below, 30 – 120mm long x 20 – 80mm wide,
on long stalk 20 – 70mm long, yellowish midvein raised and prominent on underside;
young leaves bluntly toothed, oval-shaped with pointed tip; aromatic when crushed
Flowers: Cream, star-shaped with 5 petals, on long slender tube 25 – 40mm long, in
clusters at ends of branches
Fruit: Glossy, green berry to 10mm diameter, with 4 segments, turning black when ripe,
surrounded by bright red, fleshy, star-shaped lobes
Flowering Period: Peak in spring but also flowers in summer and autumn
NOTES Flowers are visited by insects, particularly butterflies and ants. Timber is used for
wood turning. Suckers readily following disturbance. Plants with abundant ripe fruit are
very attractive.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Scotia, Roma.
256
6.21 Silver Croton Croton insularis
OTHER COMMON NAMESQueensland cascarilla bark.
HABITAT Occurs in northern half of coverage area on hills and slopes of ridges with loamy and
stony soils; most commonly in brigalow communities or softwood scrub.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub usually to 3 – 4m high or sometimes a small tree up to 8m tall.
Bark: Smooth, light grey; branches hairy and silvery
Leaves: Green above, silvery below, becoming red, yellowish or orange before falling,
30 – 80mm long x 15 – 30mm wide, on stalk to 15mm long; arranged alternately, covered
in tiny pale dots, aromatic, often wavy
Flowers: Creamy-yellow, approximately 5mm diameter, in clusters at ends of branches
Fruit: Scaly, green, 3-lobed pumpkin-shaped capsule, about 6mm diameter, explodes
to release seeds
Flowering Period: August – December
NOTES Aroma of injured bark resembles that of West Indian Cascarilla Tonic, hence the alternative
common name. Harvested historically to make fabric dye. Narrow-leaf croton (Croton
phebalioides) is a similar species often found growing in association with silver croton.
Narrow-leaf croton can be distinguished by its longer and narrower hairless leaves.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Scotia, Fairview, Denison.
258
6.22 Sticky Hopbush Dodonaea viscosa
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on flats, undulating hills and ridges with sandy,
loamy or clay soils; often associated with poplar box, white cypress pine, bendee, silver-
leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved ironbark and brigalow.
DESCRIPTION Spindly shrub or small tree to 4m high
Bark: Grey, hard and grooved; branchlets reddish-brown
Leaves: Sticky, dark green, paler below, glossy, 20 – 50mm long x 5 – 10mm wide,
prominent midvein, with short point at tip, stalk about one third of leaf length, aromatic
Flowers: Inconspicuous, reddish, about 5mm long
Fruit: Greenish to bright red, papery, 3 winged capsule, 10 – 15mm diameter, containing
black seeds
Flowering Period: Winter – spring
NOTES Some specimens are very showy when in full fruit and various forms of this species are
available in cultivation. Leaf shape and size is highly variable. Can form dense groves and
become a woody weed.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
260
6.23 Ellangowan Poison Bush Eremophila deserti
OTHER COMMON NAMESTurkey bush, dogwood, poison bush, carrot bush, pencil bush.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on flats and undulating terrain, often on swampy
ground, with loam or clay soils; also on rocky ridge slopes; occurs with poplar box, myall,
false sandalwood, wilga, bowyakka, yarran, white cypress pine, boonaree, coolibah, black
box (Eucalyptus largiflorens), Dawson gum and mountain yapunyah.
DESCRIPTION Rounded, multi-stemmed shrub to 4m high.
Bark: Grey, rough at base and smooth on branches
Leaves: Flat, thick, dull green, 20 – 55mm long x 3 – 6mm wide, narrowest at the base,
on stalk to 3mm long, veins inconspicuous
Flowers: Cream, bell-shaped, 5 petals, 8mm long, on stalk to 5 – 10mm long
Fruit: Glossy berry, green turning yellow when ripe, egg-shaped, 7 – 8mm long x
4 – 6mm wide
Flowering Period: May – October
NOTESOccasionally forms impenetrable thickets. Although not normally eaten, the leaves are
capable of poisoning livestock. Fruit is a favourite food of emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae).
Previously known as Myoporum deserti.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
262
6.24 Emu Bush Eremophila longifolia
OTHER COMMON NAMESBerrigan, dogwood, weeping emu-bush, long-leaved emu bush, native plum tree,
juniper tree.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on flats and undulating terrain with a range of
substrates including clay, gravel, sand or loamy red earth; often growing with poplar box,
myall, mulga, silver-leaved ironbark and white cypress pine.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub or small tree to 6m high.
Bark: Dark brown, deeply fissured into squarish blocks on older plants
Leaves: Long and thin, drooping, green, 50 – 150mm long x 4 – 7mm wide, hairy when young
Flowers: Bell-shaped with tube 20 – 30mm long, colour variable from various shades of
pink, red or orange, spotted inside
Fruit: Round or egg-shaped berry, glossy, green, turning blackish-purple when ripe,
5 – 11mm long x 6 – 8mm wide
Flowering Period: Peak in late winter/spring but may flower at any time of the year after rain
NOTES Forms small groves or occurs as isolated plants, particularly along roadsides. The leaves
are browsed by livestock. Honeyeaters visit the flowers and the fruit is eaten by emus
(Dromaius novaehollandiae). Several forms of this plant have been cultivated and
hybridised with other Eremophila species. It is a fast growing species that is drought
tolerant. Used for bush medicine in some parts of arid Australia.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
264
6.25 Spotted Fuchsia Bush Eremophila maculata
OTHER COMMON NAMESSpotted emubush, emubush, poison fuchsia.
HABITAT Occurs on undulating clay plains or alluvial floodplains often with coolibah, black box
(Eucalyptus largiflorens), belah, brigalow, leopardwood, scrub leopardwood, boonaree
and myall; often in Mitchell grass country.
DESCRIPTIONLow, multi-stemmed shrub, rounded or almost prostrate, to 1.5m high.
Bark: Light grey, smooth or warty; branchlets covered in minute hairs
Leaves: Dark or light green, tapered at both ends with pointed tip, glossy, 10 – 30mm
long x 2 – 9mm wide, aromatic, on very short stalk
Flowers: Pale or pinkish-orange, red or occasionally yellow, with red spots inside the
flower tube; the amount and density of spots is variable and they are absent from yellow
flowers; flower tube to 30mm long x 12mm wide, on S-shaped stalk to 15mm long
Fruit: Glossy, fleshy berry, green turning brown when dry, round or oblong, to 15mm
wide x 13mm high, on stem 10 – 15mm long, with curly dry stalk at end
Flowering Period: Peak in spring but some flowers are often present year round
NOTESSpotted fuchsia bush has a patchy distribution and is generally uncommon in the
coverage area. Plants with pale orange flowers are most common, while those with dark
red or yellow flowers are comparatively rare in the coverage area. Plants with different
flower colours may grow side by side. It is a very popular and hardy ornamental garden
plant. Parts of the plant contain high levels of cyanide.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Roma, Scotia.
266
6.26 False Sandalwood Eremophila mitchellii
OTHER COMMON NAMESBudda, bastard sandalwood, sandalbox.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area on alluvial flats, undulating hills and ridge slopes
with sandy, loamy or clay soils; commonly associated with poplar box, Dawson gum,
myall, wilga, brigalow, belah and mulga.
DESCRIPTION Shrub or small tree to 8m high.
Bark: Hard, dark grey or almost black, fissured into rectangular segments; grey and flaky
on the branches
Leaves: Smooth, glossy, dark green, short and narrow, 25 – 45mm long x 3 – 5mm wide,
aromatic when crushed, sticky when young; tapering both ends; on stalk <3mm long;
bright green flush when young
Flowers: Bell-shaped, cream or sometimes pale pink, to 10mm wide and to 15mm long,
on stalk to 7mm long, 5 unequal lobes, hairy on petals and inside flower tube, sweetly
perfumed
Fruit: Egg-shaped, 4 – 7mm long, hairy
Flowering Period: Mainly winter and spring but flowering can occur at any time after rain
NOTES Unrelated to commercial sandalwood; however, the timber has a similar rose-like
perfume. Wood is used for turning and it is extensively cut for fence posts. The foliage is
browsed by livestock during extreme dry periods. It can form very dense groves and has
become a serious woody weed in some areas.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
268
6.27 Red Spider Flower Grevillea longistyla
OTHER COMMON NAMESLong-styled grevillea.
HABITAT Occurs patchily in the northern half of the coverage area on crests and slopes of rocky
ridges; often associated with ironbarks, stringybarks, white and black cypress pine,
budgeroo, mountain grey gum, thready-bark she-oak and Bancroft’s wattle.
DESCRIPTION Bushy, multi-stemmed shrub, 3 – 4m high x 2 – 3m wide; outer branches rusty-brown and
slightly hairy towards the ends.
Leaves: Fine, dark green above, silvery-grey below, edges curled under, usually divided
into 3 – 5 narrow lobes, 150 – 200mm long x 5mm wide; midrib green, raised and
prominent on the underside
Flowers: Pale to deep red or orangey-red, waxy, in cylindrical cluster, 30 – 80mm long
Fruit: Woody capsule, green turning black, covered in short white hairs, 15mm long
x 10mm wide
Flowering Period: Peak between August – December but sporadically at other times
NOTES Very showy when in full flower and well established as an ornamental garden plant.
Blossoms are attractive to nectar-feeding birds, butterflies and ants.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia.
270
6.28 Dysentery Bush Grewia latifolia
OTHER COMMON NAMES Dog’s balls.
HABITAT Occurs in the northern half of coverage area in a variety of eucalypt woodlands and
cypress pine forests on sandy or loamy soils.
DESCRIPTION Rounded, multi-stemmed shrub to 2m high.
Bark: Smooth, light brown or grey; smaller stems brown and covered in short, fine hairs
Leaves: Green above, much paler below, 40 – 100mm long x 20 – 60mm wide, on stalk
to 15mm long, veins prominent on underside, serrated along the margins, arranged
alternately, covered in short pale hairs on both sides
Flowers: Cream, with 4 – 5 petals, on short stalk
Fruit: Slightly flattened, fused woody capsules with 4 compartments, hairy, green turning
brown when dry
Flowering Period: October – December
NOTES The fruit is claimed to have medicinal properties.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Scotia, Roma.
272
6.29 Flame Hakea Hakea purpurea
HABITAT Open woodland and shrubland with sandy, gravelly or loamy soil or on bare rock;
associated species include white cypress pine, narrow-leaved ironbark, dusky-leaved
ironbark, smooth-barked apple, bull oak, lancewood and budgeroo.
DESCRIPTION Untidy, rounded or erect shrub to 1.8m high.
Bark: Grey, rough at base, smooth on branches
Leaves: Thin, green, cylindrical, forked or divided into 3 segments each with sharp
pointed tip; 20 – 100mm long
Flowers: Brilliant red to pale red and cream, in spikes to 30 – 40mm long
Fruit: Grey, woody, 30 – 40mm long; tear-shaped, with short upturned beak, wrinkled
on the outside
Flowering Period: July – September
NOTES This shrub has a very patchy distribution and can be easily overlooked until it is in flower.
The flower colour is variable across its range and provides an attractive display when in
full bloom. It regenerates readily from rootstock following disturbance.
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview
274
6.30 Purple Bush-pea Hovea longipes
OTHER COMMON NAMESBrush hovea.
HABITAT Occurs on hills and ridges with loamy or gravelly soils; associated with white cypress
pine, narrow-leaved ironbark, silver-leaved ironbark and smooth-barked apple.
DESCRIPTION Rounded, multi-stemmed shrub to 3m high.
Bark: Rough grey or dark brown on older plants; branchlets brown or grey with short
silvery or rusty-brown hairs
Leaves: Glossy, dark green above, silvery and hairy below, 15 – 50mm long x 7 – 20mm
wide, short point at tip, arranged alternately, on short stalk to 3mm long, midvein raised
on underside
Flowers: Purple, later fading to mauve or white, to 5mm diameter, in masses near ends of
branches, mildly perfumed
Fruit: Green pod turning brown when ripe, shiny, flattened, hairless, 10mm wide, almost
heart-shaped, with short stalk
Flowering Period: July – November
NOTES One of the more common and widespread of the nine species of Hovea occurring in the
coverage area. It forms thickets in disturbed areas. Dense groves provide an attractive
wildflower display during good seasons.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Roma, Scotia.
276
6.31 Dogwood Jacksonia scoparia
OTHER COMMON NAMESNative broom, broombush.
HABITAT Sandy or loamy soils on ridges, hills or in undulating terrain; often associated with white
cypress pine, smooth-barked apple, bull oak, narrow-leaved ironbark, thready-bark
she-oak and budgeroo.
DESCRIPTION Shrub or slender tree to 3m high; branches erect or arching and pendulous.
Bark: Dark grey and furrowed; orangey-brown underneath
Leaves: Branchlets look like foliage and are silvery or bluish-grey, angular and hairy;
true leaves are usually papery and scale-like
Flowers: Bright golden-yellow, to 9mm diameter, in masses near ends of branches, fragrant
Fruit: Pale brown, flat, hairy pods, 6 – 12mm long x 3mm wide
Flowering Period: Spring – summer
NOTES A highly attractive plant when in full flower. Older plants frequently have boring
insect larvae which are extracted and eaten by yellow-tailed black cockatoos
(Calyptorhynchus funereus).
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
278
6.32 Zamia Macrozamia moorei
OTHER COMMON NAMESZamia palm, cycad.
HABITATOccurs in northern parts of the coverage area, particularly in the Carnarvon and
Expedition Ranges on undulating terrain, hill slopes and within gorges; associated with
narrow-leaved ironbark, red bloodwood, spotted gum and mountain coolibah.
DESCRIPTION Palm-like cycad, usually 2 – 6m high, with a crown of long, spreading leaves; thick trunk,
200 – 500mm diameter, straight or sometimes arching.
Bark: Trunk with thick, rough, dark grey to black bark
Leaves: Leaves to 3m long, dark green, glossy, leaflets ending in sharp point
Fruit: Male cones are cylindrical, slender, straight or curved and up to 450mm long; the
female cone is cylindrical, 400 – 900mm long x 200mm diameter; female cones contain
oblong, bright red seeds, 40 – 60mm long x 25 – 35mm wide
NOTES The nuts are extremely toxic to humans; however, fresh seeds are consumed by feral pigs and
older seeds are eaten by native rodents. Livestock suffer from rickets if leaves are eaten.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview.
280
6.33 Yellow-berry Bush Maytenus cunninghamii
OTHER COMMON NAMESNarrow-leaf maytenus.
HABITAT Occurs in woodlands on sandy, loamy or light clay soils; often associated with poplar box,
narrow-leaved ironbark, silver-leaved ironbark, spotted gum and white cypress pine.
DESCRIPTION Most frequently seen as small, spindly shrub but capable of growing into a rounded tree
to about 6m high.
Bark: Grey, corky and furrowed on old plants, rough on younger plants; branches smooth
and grey; branchlets yellowish to reddish-brown
Leaves: Narrow, light green, ending in sharp point, 10 – 70mm long x 2 – 5mm wide,
arranged alternately, on short stalk to 2mm long
Flowers: Clusters of inconspicuous yellowish or pale green flowers, about 5mm diameter,
star-shaped, with 5 petals, on short stalks 4 – 5mm long
Fruit: Glossy green capsule, turning yellow when ripe, egg-shaped with point at tip,
splitting when dry into two thin, wing-like sections containing a single seed
Flowering Period: October – November
NOTESFound throughout the district but generally occurs as widely scattered plants or in small
groves. The foliage is browsed by livestock.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
282
6.34 Prickly-leaf Paperbark Melaleuca nodosa
OTHER COMMON NAMESYellow paperbark.
HABITATPatchy distribution predominantly in the northern half of the coverage area; occurs on
plains, depressions and ridge crests with loamy or stony substrate, sometimes overlying
clay; forms dense impenetrable thickets or associates with bull oak, budgeroo, ironbarks
and other paperbarks and tea-trees (Melaleuca spp).
DESCRIPTION Rounded, bushy shrub usually about 1.5 – 2m high.
Bark: Smooth, shiny grey bark when young, becoming papery with age
Leaves: Fine, green, needle-like foliage, almost cylindrical, 15 – 40mm long x 1 – 3mm
wide, on short stalks about 1mm long, ending in a fine, sharp point
Flowers: Masses of lemon yellow balls, to 10mm diameter
Fruit: Rounded clusters of grey capsules, 9 – 10mm high x 8 – 9mm wide
Flowering Period: September – October
NOTES Forms dense groves which are very attractive when the plants are in full flower.
Broom Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca uncinata) is a similar species which sometimes occurs
with prickly-leaf paperbark; however, it has curved, rigid leaf tips and grows taller
(to about 4m high).
GAS/OIL FIELDFairview, Denison, Roma.
284
6.35 Boobialla Myoporum montanum
OTHER COMMON NAMESWaterbush, western boobialla, arsenic bush.
HABITAT Boobialla occurs throughout the coverage area on hill slopes, rocky ridges, margins of
swamps and watercourses, and other moist areas such as around troughs, dams, bore
drains and water tanks.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub or small tree to at least 6m high.
Bark: Rough, dark brown and fissured into small rectangular pieces; branches smooth
Leaves: Shiny, bright green, tapered towards the tip and base, 30 – 110mm long x
5 – 35mm wide; sparse oil dots visible when held to light
Flowers: Cream, bell-shaped, 5 petals, 3 – 8mm long, in clusters or singly along
branches, mildly perfumed
Fruit: Globular, glossy, fleshy berry, purplish when ripe, to 8mm diameter
Flowering Period: Mainly winter and spring but can flower at any time of year
NOTESThe leaves contain toxins but concentrations vary and some plants can be browsed by
stock. Boobialla suckers readily and it is common in disturbed areas. The fruit is eaten
by many native birds.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
286
6.36 Heath Everlasting Ozothamnus diotophyllus
OTHER COMMON NAMESYellow rice-flower.
HABITAT Occurs patchily in central and southern parts of the coverage area on plains and gently
undulating terrain with sandy and loamy soils; often associated with white cypress pine,
silver-leaved ironbark, bull oak and poplar box.
DESCRIPTION A slender, wiry, shrub, to 1.5m tall, with woolly branches; aromatic.
Leaves: Scale-like, 2 – 6mm long and to 1mm wide at the base, stalkless
Flowers: Bright golden-yellow flower heads, each to 2 – 4mm diameter, in clusters at
ends of the branches
Flowering Period: August – September
NOTES This plant is often inconspicuous until it is in flower when it provides an attractive display,
particularly along roadsides between Alton and Moonie. It is an attractive ornamental
plant sometimes available in nurseries. Previously known as Helichrysum diotophyllum.
GAS/OIL FIELDMoonie, Roma.
288
6.37 Butterfly Bush Petalostylis labicheoides
OTHER COMMON NAMESSlender petalostylis.
HABITAT Occurs on flats, levees and ridges with stony, sandy or gravelly soils where it is often
associated with bendee, mulga, silver-leaved ironbark or poplar box.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub to 3m high, often with upright branches when young.
Bark: Smooth, light brown or grey; branchlets hairy
Leaves: Green or sometimes greyish-green, paler on the underside, usually with 5 pairs of
leaflets, each with a pointed tip
Flowers: Bright yellow, 5 petals with red butterfly-like marking on the uppermost lobe,
20 – 35mm diameter
Fruit: Flattened, woody, brown pod to 30mm long x 7mm wide
Flowering Period: Peak in late winter to spring but flowers sporadically after rain
NOTES Patchily distributed throughout most of the coverage area and favours disturbed areas
such as roadsides, gravel pits and clearings around gas wells. Used in mine site
revegetation. It is an attractive ornamental plant. The leaves and seeds contain alkaloids
which reputedly have medicinal properties.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Roma.
290
6.38 Wallaby Apple Pittosporum spinescens
OTHER COMMON NAMESLarge-fruited orange thorn, orange thorn.
HABITAT Found throughout the northern half of the coverage area in eucalypt woodlands,
brigalow communities and in vine thickets, with loamy or clay soils on undulating terrain
and slopes of ridges.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub or small tree to 8m high; branches have numerous sharp, woody spines,
10 – 15mm long.
Bark: Light grey and smooth
Leaves: Bright green, 8 – 13mm long x 4 – 7mm wide, broadest at the ends, in small
whorled clusters of 2 – 6, slightly aromatic, tip blunt or with short point
Flowers: Inconspicuous, 7mm diameter, greenish-cream or greenish-yellow, 5 petals,
on stalk about 13mm long
Fruit: Pale yellowish-green, fleshy, round and covered in short hairs, 15 – 25mm
diameter, containing numerous seeds, situated at the base of a spine
Flowering Period: Spring – summer but also observed flowering in winter
NOTES The fruit is eaten by black-striped wallaby (Macropus dorsalis) and swamp wallabies
(Wallabia bicolor), and the foliage is browsed by livestock. Formerly known as Citriobatus
spinescens.
GAS/OIL FIELDDenison, Fairview, Roma, Scotia.
292
6.39 Butter Bush Senna artemisioides
OTHER COMMON NAMESSilver cassia, desert cassia, cassia, wallaby bush.
HABITAT Occurs throughout the coverage area in a wide variety of habitat types including
eucalypt, brigalow, bendee and mulga woodlands; favours sandy, loamy, gravelly or light
clay substrates.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub to 2m tall.
Bark: Grey and rough at base with smooth smaller branches
Leaves: Highly variable in form ranging from silvery-grey or green fern-like leaves with
several pairs of leaflets to thin and wiry with only a single pairs of leaflets
Flowers: Bright yellow, 5 petals, 15 – 20mm diameter
Fruit: Flattened shiny pod, with pointed tip, brown when dry, to 80mm long x 6 – 10 mm
wide, containing many black, hard, shiny seeds
Flowering Period: Peak between August – November but at any time of year after rain
NOTES Capable of forming dense thickets and regarded as a serious woody weed in some parts.
Timber is used for wood turning. Flowers are attractive to ants. Several subspecies occur
in the coverage area with S. artemisioides zygophylla being common in the north on clay
plains and hills, while S. artemisioides artemisioides is dominant in the south and favours
red sand, loam or earth. Several forms of this plant are available in horticulture.
Previously in the genus Cassia.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
294
6.40 Spring-pod Cassia Senna circinnata
HABITAT Flats, gently undulating plains and low rises with loamy to heavy clay soil, often in open
woodlands of poplar box, or scattered among bluegrass or Mitchell grass downs.
DESCRIPTION Rounded shrub with squat trunk and upright branches, to 4m high.
Bark: Rough and dark grey on lower trunk with smooth, hairy small branches
Leaves: Small clusters of green, cylindrical, needle-like leaves, hairy when young,
15 – 60mm long x 1mm wide
Flowers: Yellow, 5 petals, about 20mm diameter
Fruit: Brown, woody, flattened pod, curved or coiled 2 – 3 times, 60 – 120mm long x
10 – 15mm wide, containing black, shiny, seeds that are more or less heart-shaped with
a short point on their tip, each 6 – 8mm long x 5 – 6mm wide
Flowering Period: Peak between August – October but can flower at any time of the year
after rain
NOTES Often seen along roadsides and stock routes as scattered plants or in small groves. It is
browsed by livestock during drought, especially when young. Plants in full flower are very
attractive. Previously known as Cassia circinnata and Senna artemisioides subsp. circinnata.
GAS/OIL FIELDRoma, Fairview.
296
6.41 Bean Bush Senna pleurocarpa
OTHER COMMON NAMESFire bush, smooth cassia, native senna, striped-pod cassia.
HABITATOccurs throughout the coverage area on gently undulating plains and ridges with loamy,
sandy, gravelly or rocky substrates often in association with bendee, mulga, narrow-
leaved ironbark, silver-leaved ironbark, poplar box and Queensland peppermint.
DESCRIPTION Erect, spindly shrub to 4m high; entirely hairless.
Bark: Smooth and dark brown on old plants; smooth and grey, orangey-brown or green
on younger plants
Leaves: Green to greyish-green with yellowish-green stems, 70 – 150mm long,
with 5 – 9 pairs of leaflets
Flowers: Yellow, 5 petals, to 30mm diameter, in clusters at ends of branches
Fruit: Flat, brown, woody pod, 40 – 55mm long x 10 – 16mm wide, with a raised
longitudinal midrib along the middle of each side
Flowering Period: August – December and sporadically after rain
NOTES Suckers readily, particularly following fire, and forms small groves in disturbed areas
such as roadsides, pipelines and around gas wells. Fast growing but presumed to be
short lived. Crushed leaves and stems have a distinctive odour. Previously known as
Cassia pleurocarpa.
GAS/OIL FIELDMoonie, Roma, Fairview.
298
6.42 Forest Grass Tree Xanthorrhoea johnsonii
HABITAT Occurs patchily throughout the coverage area on plains, hill slopes and crests of ridges with
sandy or loamy soils; associated with many species including white cypress pine, smooth-
barked apple, ironbarks, thready-bark she-oak, budgeroo, woody pear and spinifex.
DESCRIPTIONTrunk to 4m high.
Bark: Black and rough
Leaves: Large head of blue-green, narrow, grass-like leaves
Flowers: Flower stem to 35mm diameter, spike to 3m long and containing numerous
tightly packed, cream flowers
Fruit: Brown, woody capsules, along old flower spike
Flowering Period: Peak in spring but flowering can occur after rain or fire
NOTESThe flowers are attractive to honeyeaters, butterflies, flies, native bees and beetles.
GAS/OIL FIELDAll
300
General Identification Guides
Anderson, E. (2003) Plants of Central Queensland. QDPI, Brisbane.
Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. and Leigh, J.H. (1992) Plants of
Western New South Wales. Inkata Press, Sydney.
Hando, R. and V. (1997) Going Bush with Chinchilla Nats. Second Edition. Chinchilla Field
Naturalists’ Club, Chinchilla.
Hando, V. (undated) Wildlfowers of Southeast Inland Queensland. Hando, V., Chinchilla.
Lester, N. (2000) Woodlands to Weeds. Tara Shire and west to the Thomby Range. Lester,
N., Glenmorgan.
Milson, J. (1995) Plant Identification in the Arid Zone. QDPI, Brisbane.
Pearson, S. and Pearson, A. (no date) Plants of Central Queensland. SGAP, NSW.
Stanley, T.D. and Ross, E.M. (1983 – 1989) Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volumes
1-3. QDPI, Brisbane.
Williams, K.A.W. (1979 – 1999) Native Plants of Queensland. Volumes 1 – 4. Williams,
K.A.W. and CopyRight Publishing, Brisbane.
Plant Uses
Blake, S.T. and Roff, C. (1988) Honey Flora of Queensland. DPI, Brisbane.
Cribb, A.B. and Cribb, J.W. (1989) Useful Wild Plants in Australia. Collins, Sydney.
Fairbairn, E. (1999) Australian Timbers. Volume 2. Western Queensland trees and their
timbers. DNR, Brisbane. 117pp.
Grevilleas and Relatives
Wrigley, J.W. and Fagg, M. (1989). Banksias, Waratahs and Grevilleas. Collins, Sydney.
Holliday, I. (2005) Hakeas. A Field and Garden Guide. Reed New Holland, Sydney.
Wattles
Lithgow, G. (1997) 60 Wattles of the Chinchilla and Murilla Shires. Lithgow, G.,
Chinchilla. Pedley, L. (1987) Acacias in Queensland. QDPI, Brisbane.
302
7.0
FURT
HER
REA
DIN
G
Grasses and other Pasture Species
Henry, D.R., Hall, T.J., Jordan, D.J., Milson, J.A., Schefe, C.M. and Silcock, R.G. (1995)
Pasture Plants of Southern Inland Queensland. QDPI, Brisbane.
Eucalypts and Relatives
Brooker, M.I.H. and Kleinig, D.A. (2004). Field Guide to Eucalypts: Volume 3 Northern
Australia. Second Edition. Bloomings Books, Sydney.
Wrigley, J.W. and Fagg,m. (1993) Bottlebrushes, Paperbarks and Tea Trees. Angus and
Robertson, Sydney.
Holliday, I. (2004) Melaleucas. A Field and Garden Guide. Reed New Holland, Sydney.
Dry Rainforest/Vine Thicket Species
Nicholson, N. and H. (2004) Rainforest Plants. VI. Terania Rainforest Publishing, The
Channon, NSW.
Harden, G.J., McDonald, W.J.F. and Williams, J.B. (2006) Rainforest Trees and Shrubs: A
Field Guide to their Identification. Gwen Harden Publishing, Nambucca Heads.
Botanical Terms
Clarke, I. and Lee, H. (2003) Name That Flower. Second Edition. Melbourne University
Press, Melbourne.
Weeds
Dight, G.A., Huggins, J.A., Lucy, M.J. and Zerner, G.R. (2003) Weeds of Southern
Queensland. NRM/DPI, Brisbane.
Department of Natural Resources. (2002) Weed Pocket Guide. South-east Queensland.
DNR, Brisbane.
Parsons, W.T. and Cuthbertson, E.G. (1992) Noxious Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press,
Melbourne.
Regional Ecosystems
Sattler, P. and Williams, R. (eds.). (1999) The Conservation Status of Queensland’s
Bioregional Ecosystems. Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane.
303
Environmental consultant Graeme Bartrim provided initial support for this project. Bindy
Warby, Robert Ashdown, Steve Pearson, Len Hubbard, Glenn Leiper, Jenny Milson and
Russell Cumming kindly provided images. Bruce Cosh, Megan Thomas, Bill McDonald,
Richard Johnson and Emma Hicks (Santos) commented on the text.
Craig Eddie (BOOBOOK) wishes to thank Tony Rutter and Steve Tunstill for project
management, and Jon Warby for field assistance and ongoing support. Bruce and Jane
Cosh ‘Oakwells’, Lex and Janelle Mesner ‘Teelba’ and Jon and Bindy Warby ‘Wagganba’
kindly allowed access to their properties and gave invaluable help. Robert Ashdown
(EPA/QPWS) gave helpful technical advice.
304
8.0
AC
KNO
WLE
DG
MEN
TS
Baker’s Mallee; Eucalyptus bakeri 138
Bancrofts’ Wattle; Acacia bancroftiorum 218
Baradine Red Gum; Eucalyptus chloroclada 144
Bats’ Wing Coral Tree; Erythrina vespertilio 136
Bean Bush; Senna pleurocarpa 298
Beefwood; Grevillea striata 184
Belah; Casuarina cristata 116
Bendee; Acacia catenulata 48
Bitter Bark; Alstonia constricta 84
Black Cypress Pine; Callitris endlicheri 104
Black Tea-tree; Melaleuca bracteata 194
Boobialla; Myoporum montanum 286
Boonaree; Alectryon oleifolius 74
Bowyakka; Acacia microsperma 58
Brigalow; Acacia harpophylla 52
Broad-leaved Bottle Tree; Brachychiton australis 94
Broom Bush; Apophyllum anomalum 242
Brown Bloodwood; Corymbia trachyphloia 132
Budgeroo; Lysicarpus angustifolius 190
Bull Oak; Allocasuarina luehmannii 78
Bumble Tree; Capparis mitchellii 112
Bush House Paperbark; Melaleuca tamariscina 196
Butter Bush; Senna artemisioides 294
Butterfly Bush; Petalostylis labicheoides 290
Carbeen; Corymbia tessellaris 130
Carnarvon Fan Palm; Livistona nitida 38
Cattle Bush; Pittosporum angustifolium 206
Clarkson's Bloodwood; Corymbia clarksoniana 124
Coffee Bush; Breynia oblongifolia 246
Coolibah; Eucalyptus coolabah 146
Corkwood Oak; Hakea lorea 186
Cough Bush; Cassinia laevis 254
Crowded-leaf Wattle; Acacia conferta 222
Crows Ash; Flindersia australis 176
Curly Zamia; Macrozamia fearnsidei 40
305
9.0
IND
EX O
F PL
AN
TS B
YC
OM
MO
N N
AM
E
Currant Bush; Carissa ovata 250
Currawong; Acacia sparsiflora 70
Dallachy’s Gum; Corymbia dallachyana 126
Dawson Gum; Eucalyptus cambageana 142
Deane's Wattle; Acacia deanei 224
Dogwood; Jacksonia scoparia 278
Doolan; Acacia salicina 66
Dusky-leaved ironbark; Eucalyptus fibrosa nubila 154
Dysentery Bush; Grewia latifolia 272
Early Flowering Black Wattle; Acacia leiocalyx 232
Eastern Dead Finish; Archidendropsis basaltica 90
Ellangowan Poison Bush; Eremophila deserti 262
Emu Apple; Owenia acidula 202
Emu Bush; Eremophila longifolia 264
False Sandalwood; Eremophila mitchellii 268
Flame Hakea; Hakea purpurea 274
Flat-stemmed Wattle; Acacia complanata 220
Forest Grass Tree; Xanthorhhoea johnsonii 300
Forest She-oak; Allocasuarina torulosa 80
Glory Wattle; Acacia spectabilis 238
Grey Gum; Eucalyptus major 156
Grove’s Paperbark; Melaleuca groveana 42
Gum-topped Box; Eucalyptus microcarpa 160
Gum-topped Ironbark; Eucalyptus decorticans 150
Gundabluey; Acacia victoriae 240
Hair Plant; Astrotricha cordata 244
Heath Everlasting; Ozothamnus diotophyllus 288
Ironwood; Acacia excelsa 50
Kurrajong; Brachychiton populneus 96
Lancewood; Acacia shirleyi 68
Large-fruited Yellow Jacket; Corymbia watsoniana 134
Leichhardt Bean; Cassia brewsteri 114
Leopardwood; Flindersia maculosa 180
Lime Bush; Citrus glauca 120
Lolly Bush; Clerodendrum floribundum 256
306
Miles Mulga; Acacia aprepta 46
Mimosa Bush; Acacia farnesiana 228
Mountain Coolibah; Eucalyptus orgadophila 162
Mountain Yapunyah; Eucalyptus thozetiana 170
Mulga; Acacia aneura 44
Myall; Acacia pendula 64
Myrtle Tree; Psydrax oleifolius 208
Narrow-leaf Bumble Tree; Capparis loranthifolia 110
Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree; Brachychiton rupestris 98
Narrow-leaved ironbark; Eucalyptus crebra 148
Narrow-leaved White Mahogany; Eucalyptus tenuipes 166
Native Cherry; Exocarpos cupressiformis 172
Nelia; Acacia oswaldii 62
Ooline; Cadellia pentastylis 30
Poplar Box; Eucalyptus populnea 164
Pretty Wattle; Acacia decora 226
Prickly Pine; Bursaria incana 100
Prickly-leaf Paperbark; Melaleuca nodosa 284
Purple Bush-pea; Hovea longipes 276
Queensland Blue Gum; Eucalyptus tereticornis 168
Queensland Peppermint; Eucalyptus exserta 152
Queensland Silver Wattle; Acacia podalyriifolia 236
Quinine Tree; Petalostigma pubescens 204
Red Ash; Alphitonia excelsa 82
Red Bauhinia; Lysiphyllum carronii 192
Red Bloodwood; Corymbia erythrophloia 128
Red Spider Flower; Grevillea longistyla 270
River Cooba; Acacia stenophylla 72
River Red Gum; Eucalyptus camaldulensis 140
River She-oak; Casuarina cunninghamiana 118
Rough-barked Apple; Angophora floribunda 86
Rush-leaf Wattle; Acacia juncifolia 230
Sandalwood; Santalum lanceolatum 210
Sandpaper Fig; Ficus opposita 174
Sandstone Prickle-bush; Apatophyllum teretifolium 28
307
Scrub Leopardwood; Flindersia dissosperma 178
Shiny-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus virens 32
Silver Croton; Croton insularis 258
Silver-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus melanophloia 158
Slender-flowered Wattle; Acacia longispicata 54
Smooth-barked Apple; Angophora leiocarpa 88
Spotted and Lemon-scented Gum; Corymbia citriodora 122
Spotted Fuchsia Bush; Eremophila maculata 266
Spring-pod Cassia; Senna circinnata 296
Sticky Hopbush; Dodonaea viscosa 260
Sturts’ Desert Rose; Gossypium sturtianum 34
Thomby Range Wattle; Acacia wardellii 26
Thready-bark She-oak; Allocasuarina inophloia 76
Vine Tree; Ventilago viminalis 214
Wait-A-While; Capparis lasiantha 252
Wallaby Apple; Pittosporum spinescens 292
Weeping Bottlebrush; Callistemon viminalis 102
Weeping Tea-tree; Leptospermum lamellatum 188
Western Tea-tree; Melaleuca trichostachya 198
White Cedar; Melia azedarach 200
White Cypress Pine; Callitris glaucophylla 106
White Fringe Myrtle; Calytrix tetragona 248
Whitewood; Atalaya hemiglauca 92
Whorl-leaved Heath; Leucopogon grandiflorus 36
Wild Orange; Capparis canescens 108
Wilga; Geijera parviflora 182
Womal; Acacia maranoensis 56
Woody Pear; Xylomelum cunninghamianum 216
Yarran; Acacia omalophylla 60
Yellow Wood; Terminalia oblongata 212
Yellow-berry Bush; Maytenus cunninghamii 282
Zamia; Macrozamia moorei 280
Zig Zag Wattle; Acacia macradenia 234
308
Acacia aneura; Mulga 44
Acacia aprepta; Miles Mulga 46
Acacia bancroftiorum; Bancrofts’ Wattle 218
Acacia catenulata; Bendee 48
Acacia complanata; Flat-stemmed Wattle 220
Acacia conferta; Crowded-leaf Wattle 222
Acacia deanei; Deanes’ Wattle 224
Acacia decora; Pretty Wattle 226
Acacia excelsa; Ironwood 50
Acacia farnesiana; Mimosa Bush 228
Acacia harpophylla; Brigalow 52
Acacia juncifolia; Rush-leaf Wattle 230
Acacia leiocalyx; Early Flowering Black Wattle 232
Acacia longispicata; Slender-flowered Wattle 54
Acacia macradenia; Zig Zag Wattle 234
Acacia maranoensis; Womal 56
Acacia microsperma; Bowyakka 58
Acacia omalophylla; Yarran 60
Acacia oswaldii; Nelia 62
Acacia pendula; Myall 64
Acacia podalyriifolia; Queensland Silver Wattle 236
Acacia salicina; Doolan 66
Acacia shirleyi; Lancewood 68
Acacia sparsiflora; Currawong 70
Acacia spectabilis; Glory Wattle 238
Acacia stenophylla; River Cooba 72
Acacia victoriae; Gundabluey 240
Acacia wardellii; Thomby Range Wattle 26
Alectryon oleifolius; Boonaree 74
Allocasuarina inophloia; Thready-bark She-oak 76
Allocasuarina luehmannii; Bull Oak 78
Allocasuarina torulosa; Forest She-oak 80
Alphitonia excelsa; Red Ash 82
Alstonia constricta; Bitter Bark 84
309
10.0
IND
EX O
F PL
AN
TS B
Y
SCIE
NTI
FIC
NA
ME
Angophora floribunda; Rough-barked Apple 86
Angophora leiocarpa; Smooth-barked Apple 88
Apatophyllum teretifolium; Sandstone Prickle-bush 28
Apophyllum anomalum; Broom Bush 242
Archidendropsis basaltica; Eastern Dead Finish 90
Astrotricha cordata; Hair Plant 244
Atalaya hemiglauca; Whitewood 92
Brachychiton australis; Broad-leaved Bottle Tree 94
Brachychiton populneus; Kurrajong 96
Brachychiton rupestris; Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree 98
Breynia oblongifolia; Coffee Bush 246
Bursaria incana; Prickly Pine 100
Cadellia pentastylis; Ooline 30
Callistemon viminalis; Weeping Bottlebrush 102
Callitris endlicheri; Black Cypress Pine 104
Callitris glaucophylla; White Cypress Pine 106
Calytrix tetragona; White Fringe Myrtle 248
Capparis canescens; Wild Orange 108
Capparis lasiantha; Wait-A-While 252
Capparis loranthifolia; Narrow-leaf Bumble Tree 110
Capparis mitchellii; Bumble Tree 112
Carissa ovata; Currant Bush 250
Cassia brewsteri; Leichhardt Bean 114
Cassinia laevis; Cough Bush 254
Casuarina cristata; Belah 116
Casuarina cunninghamiana; River She-oak 118
Citrus glarca; Lime Bush 120
Clerodendrum floribundum; Lolly Bush 256
Corymbia citriodora; Spotted and Lemon-scented Gum 122
Corymbia clarksoniana; Clarkson's Bloodwood 124
Corymbia dallachyana; Dallachy’s Gum 126
Corymbia erythrophloia; Red Bloodwood 128
Corymbia tessellaris; Carbeen 130
Corymbia trachyphloia; Brown Bloodwood 132
Corymbia watsoniana; Large-fruited Yellow Jacket 134
310
Croton insularis; Silver Croton 258
Dodonaea viscosa; Sticky Hopbush 260
Eremophila deserti; Ellangowan Poison Bush 262
Eremophila longifolia; Emu Bush 264
Eremophila maculata; Spotted Fuchsia Bush 266
Eremophila mitchellii; False Sandalwood 268
Erythrina vespertilio; Bat's Wing Coral Tree 136
Eucalyptus bakeri; Baker’s Mallee 138
Eucalyptus camaldulensis; River Red Gum 140
Eucalyptus cambageana; Dawson Gum 142
Eucalyptus chloroclada; Baradine Red Gum 144
Eucalyptus coolabah; Coolibah 146
Eucalyptus crebra; Narrow-leaved Ironbark 148
Eucalyptus decorticans; Gum-topped Ironbark 150
Eucalyptus exserta; Queensland Peppermint 152
Eucalyptus fibrosa nubila; Dusky-leaved Ironbark 154
Eucalyptus major; Grey Gum 156
Eucalyptus melanophloia; Silver-leaved Ironbark 158
Eucalyptus microcarpa; Gum-topped Box 160
Eucalyptus orgadophila; Mountain Coolibah 162
Eucalyptus populnea; Poplar Box 164
Eucalyptus tenuipes; Narrow-leaved White Mahogany 166
Eucalyptus tereticornis; Queensland Blue Gum 168
Eucalyptus thozetiana; Mountain Yapunyah 170
Eucalyptus virens; Shiny-leaved Ironbark 32
Exocarpos cupressiformis; Native Cherry 172
Ficus opposita; Sandpaper Fig 174
Flindersia australis; Crows’ Ash 176
Flindersia dissosperma; Scrub Leopardwood 178
Flindersia maculosa; Leopardwood 180
Geijera parviflora; Wilga 182
Gossypium sturtianum; Sturts Desert Rose 34
Grevillea longistyla; Red Spider Flower 270
Grevillea striata; Beefwood 184
Grewia latifolia; Dysentery Bush 272
311
Hakea lorea; Corkwood Oak 186
Hakea purpurea; Flame Hakea 274
Hovea longipes; Purple Bush-pea 276
Jacksonia scoparia; Dogwood 278
Leptospermum lamellatum; Weeping Tea-tree 188
Leucopogon grandiflorus; Whorl-leaved Heath 36
Livistona nitida; Carnarvon Fan Palm 38
Lysicarpus angustifolius; Budgeroo 190
Lysiphyllum carronii; Red Bauhinia 192
Macrozamia fearnsidei; Curly Zamia 40
Macrozamia moorei; Zamia 280
Maytenus cunninghamii; Yellow-berry Bush 282
Melaleuca bracteata; Black Tea-tree 194
Melaleuca groveana; Grove’s Paperbark 42
Melaleuca nodosa; Prickly-leaf Paperbark 284
Melaleuca tamariscina; Bush House Paperbark 196
Melaleuca trichostachya; Western Tea-tree 198
Melia azedarach; White Cedar 200
Myoporum montanum; Boobialla 286
Owenia acidula; Emu Apple 202
Ozothamnus diotophyllus; Heath Everlasting 288
Petalostigma pubescens; Quinine Tree 204
Petalostylis labicheoides; Butterfly Bush 290
Pittosporum angustifolium; Cattle Bush 206
Pittosporum spinescens; Wallaby Apple 292
Psydrax oleifolius; Myrtle Tree 208
Santalum lanceolatum; Sandalwood 210
Senna artemisioides; Butter Bush 294
Senna circinnata; Spring-pod Cassia 296
Senna pleurocarpa; Bean Bush 298
Terminalia oblongata; Yellow Wood 212
Ventilago viminalis; Vine Tree 214
Xanthorrhoea johnsonii; Forest Grass Tree 300
Xylomelum cunninghamianum; Woody Pear 216
312
--
313
Craig Eddie has lived and worked in southwest Queensland
since 1995 where his passion for native wildlife and plants
is now focused. His local knowledge of fauna, flora,
vegetation and landscape management is highly regarded
both within the scientific and local community.
Craig has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Natural Systems
and Wildlife) awarded by the University of Queensland
and has worked for the Queensland Museum and the
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, contributing to
numerous scientific publications and discovering new
species of flora and fauna.
In 2000 Craig branched out and, with his wife,
established BOOBOOK to provide ecological
consulting services and advice within southern and
central Queensland. BOOBOOK conduct fauna and flora
surveys and impact assessments in Eastern Queensland.
about the author
315
Printed on recycled paper
This publication was printed on 9lives 80 paper which is made with process-chlorine-free, 80%
recycled post-consumer waste fibre and 20% total-chlorine-free fibre. The paper is certified by the
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial,
and economically viable management of the world’s forests.
The report was printed by Finsbury Green Printing, which is one of a small number of printers in
Australia certified by the FSC standards to continue the chain of custody when printing on FSC-
certified paper. Both the paper and printing processes are accredited to the ISO 140001
Environmental Management Standard.