July in the Towamba Valley

Common name

Silver Wattle

Scientific name

Acacia dealbata

Family

Fabaceae (sub-family Mimosoideae)

Relatives

Other wattles, mimosa, leucaena, mesquite

Habitat

High elevation forests

Local example

Coolangubra eg Waratah Gully

Notes

A small to medium-sized tree with bluish bipinnate leaves.

Common name

Golden Wattle

Scientific name

Acacia longifolia

Family

Fabaceae (sub-family Mimosoideae)

Relatives

Other wattles, mimosa, leucaena, mesquite

Habitat

Open forest on the coast and the escarpment

Local example

Coolangubra eg Mataganah Fire Trail

Notes

Intergrades with Coast Wattle (A. sophorae) on coast, which has broader leaves. Possibly introduced in central and western Victoria, where it is spreading rapidly. Reputed to have edible seeds.

Common name

Scrub She-oak

Scientific name

Allocasuarina paludosa

Family

Casuarinaceae

Relatives

Other casuarinas, including Black She-oak and River Oak

Habitat

Seepage or poorly drained areas

Local example

Coolangubra (Myanba Creek valley)

Notes

Forms an uncommon 'Hinterland Heath' community about 0.5-2 metres high, in the Myanba Creek catchment, in strange isolated patches on slopes surrounded by forest. Male and female flowers may be on the same or separate plants. Female flowers are pictured.

Common name

Common Heath

Scientific name

Epacris impressa

Family

Epacridaceae

Relatives

Other heaths

Habitat

Forest and heath, coast to escarpment

Local example

Coolangubra eg Myanba Creek valley

Notes

Flower colour ranges from bright red to pink to white, as at Myanba Creek. Victoria's floral emblem.

Common name

Fieldia

Scientific name

Fieldia australis

Family

Gesneriaceae

Relatives

African Violet, Gloxinia, Cape Primrose

Habitat

Warm and cool temperate rainforests, wet gullies on the ranges

Local example

Coolangubra: Myanba Creek on Dicksonia tree ferns

Notes

An attractive epiphyte or climber, endemic to Australia.