Download Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli)

Warriewood Wetlands and Irrawong
Reserve,
part
of
Mullet
Creek
Catchment
Map of Mullet Creek Catchment (Yellow = Catchment,
Blue = Creekline)
Pittwater Council has recently received
funding through the NSW Environment
Trust’s Environment Restoration and
Rehabilitation Program to restore the
Warriewood Wetlands and Irrawong
Reserve.
Mullet Creek runs through the Warriewood
Ingleside Escarpment Reserve, Irrawong
Reserve and Warriewood Wetlands to
Narrabeen Lake.
The Warriewood Wetlands and Irrawong
Reserve are a unique example of a large
urban Wetland situated in a growing
suburban area. It is the largest remaining
sandplain wetland in the northern Sydney
region, comprising 26 hectares of
freshwater and brackish wetlands.
It supports a wide diversity of plant
communities including the Endangered
Ecological
Communities;
Sydney
Freshwater wetlands, Swamp Sclerophyll
Forest and Swamp Oak Forest. These
plant communities support a wide diversity
of fauna species with records of over 100
bird species including internationally
significant migratory birds and threatened
fauna utilising the wetland habitat.
The project aims to restore native wetland
vegetation, protect the biodiversity of the
significant plant communities and to
maximise the wetland’s natural functions
through a staged control program for the
area’s woody weeds.
Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli)
Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli) is a
significant woody weed within the Mullet
Creek Catchment.
Erythrina crista-galli is a shrub or small tree
which grows to approximately 6 metres
high. It has small prickles on the trunk and
branches. Its leaves are oval in shape, 3-6
cm long and 2-5 cm wide. In summer and
spring it produces long shoots of scarlet red
pea flowers which attract many bird
species.
Erythrina crista-galli is easily dispersed by
seed and suckering. Branches left on the
ground can re-grow into new plants. This
species invades natural areas such as
creeklines and wetlands.
Erythrina crista-galli is a deciduous tree
and requires treatment in the growing
season. It can be drilled or frilled in-situ and
poisoned as felled trees and branches will
re-shoot if in contact with the ground.
Other Woody Weeds targeted in this
restoration project include:
•
•
•
•
Ligustrum spp.
Senna pendula var. glabrata
Cinnamomum camphora
Olea europaea subsp. africana
Attention!!!
Council will be carrying out activities over
the next three years to restore and protect
these wetlands. Activities will focus on
weed control, protection of habitats/wildlife
corridors and support of community
bushcare groups.
Noxious weed inspections of properties
adjoining the wetlands and within the Mullet
Creek catchment will be carried out to
identify and target weeds that may be
causing problems in the wetland reserves.
It’s a great time to get involved!!!
If you would like to get a head-start
eradicating weeds on your property that
could spread into the wetland areas,
Pittwater Council can help you with advice
and information.
Wetland Restoration
Warriewood Wetlands
and Irrawong Reserve
Are you a good neighbour?
9 Protect native vegetation on your
property
9 Plant natives local to your property
and help maintain a diverse plant
community
9 Compost garden and lawn clippings,
don’t dump in bushland.
If you don’t want it on your property,
the community doesn’t want it on
public land;
9 Identify, control and remove weeds
on your property;
9 Restrict pets (dogs and cats) from
entering bushland. Keep cats
indoors to protect our wildlife
To find out more, please contact
Council’s Natural Resources Officer on
9970 1367 or Council’s Bushcare Officer
on 9970 1363.
Environment and Rehabilitation
Program