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Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs of Eastern Queensland Oil and Gas Fields Second Edition Second Edition 2012 Text © Santos Ltd Santos Centre 60 Flinders Street Adelaide South Australia 5000 Photographs © Craig Eddie unless otherwise acknowledged Text by: Craig Eddie (BOOBOOK Ecological Consulting Roma QLD) Coordination by: Tony Rutter and Steve Tunstill, Santos Ltd Photographs by: Craig Eddie (BOOBOOK Ecological Consulting) unless otherwise acknowledged Designed by: Kristen Roberts, Santos Graphic Design Mapping by: Wayne Aspinall, Santos Spatial Informations Systems Printed by: Finsbury Green Printing Front Cover: Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree; 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 Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs of Eastern Queensland Oil and Gas Fields Second Edition Contents 1.INTRODUCTION 1 2. USER GUIDE 3 Size and form 3 Scientific names 3 Habitat 3 Common habitats of the Eastern Queensland oil and gas fields 4 How to identify a plant 6 Eastern Queensland oil and gas fields 7 3. THREATENED HABITATS 12 Natural Grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the northern Fitzroy Basin 14 Brigalow woodland 16 Semi-evergreen vine thicket 18 Artesian springs 20 Coolibah-black box woodland 22 Weeping myall woodland 24 4. RARE AND THREATENED PLANTS 26 Cracow Wattle; Acacia calantha Thomby Range Wattle; Acacia wardellii32 Sandstone Prickle-Bush; Apatophyllum teretifolium34 30 Ooline; Cadellia pentastylis36 Shiny-leaved ironbark; Eucalyptus virens38 Raspwort; Gonocarpus urceolatus40 Large-flowered Beard-heath; Leucopogon grandiflorus42 Carnarvon Fan Palm; Livistona nitida44 Curly Zamia; Macrozamia fearnsidei46 Grove’s Paperbark; Melaleuca groveana48 Swamp Tea-tree; Melaleuca irbyana50 Cliff Bluebell; Wahlenbergia islensis 52 5. COMMON TREES 54 Mulga; Acacia aneura54 Miles Mulga; Acacia aprepta56 Bendee; Acacia catenulata58 Ironwood; Acacia excelsa60 Brigalow; Acacia harpophylla62 Slender-flowered Wattle; Acacia longispicata64 Womal; Acacia maranoensis66 Bowyakka; Acacia microsperma68 Yarran; Acacia omalophylla70 Nelia; Acacia oswaldii72 Myall; Acacia pendula74 Doolan; Acacia salicina76 Lancewood; Acacia shirleyi78 Currawong; Acacia sparsiflora80 River Cooba; Acacia stenophylla82 Boonaree; Alectryon oleifolius84 Thready-bark She-oak; Allocasuarina inophloia86 Bull Oak; Allocasuarina luehmannii88 Forest She-oak; Allocasuarina torulosa90 Red Ash; Alphitonia excelsa92 Bitter Bark; Alstonia constricta94 Rough-barked Apple; Angophora floribunda96 Smooth-barked Apple; Angophora leiocarpa98 Eastern Dead Finish; Archidendropsis basaltica100 Whitewood; Atalaya hemiglauca102 Broad-leaved Bottle Tree; Brachychiton australis104 Kurrajong; Brachychiton populneus106 Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree; Brachychiton rupestris108 Prickly Pine; Bursaria incana110 Black Cypress Pine; Callitris endlicheri112 White Cypress Pine; Callitris glaucophylla114 Wild Orange; Capparis canescens Narrow-leaf Bumble Tree; Capparis loranthifolia118 Bumble Tree; Capparis mitchellii 120 116 Leichhardt Bean; Cassia brewsteri 122 Belah; Casuarina cristata124 River She-oak; Casuarina cunninghamiana126 Limebush; Citrus glauca128 Spotted and Lemon-scented Gum; Corymbia citriodora 130 Clarkson’s Bloodwood; Corymbia clarksoniana 132 Dallachy’s Gum; Corymbia dallachyana134 Red Bloodwood; Corymbia erythrophloia136 Carbeen; Corymbia tessellaris138 Brown Bloodwood; Corymbia trachyphloia Large-fruited Yellow Jacket; Corymbia watsoniana142 Bat’s Wing Coral Tree; Erythrina vespertilio144 Baker’s Mallee; Eucalyptus bakeri146 River Red Gum; Eucalyptus camaldulensis148 Dawson Gum; Eucalyptus cambageana150 Baradine Red Gum; Eucalyptus chloroclada152 140 Coolibah; Eucalyptus coolabah154 Narrow-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus crebra156 Gum-topped Ironbark; Eucalyptus decorticans158 Queensland Peppermint; Eucalyptus exserta160 Dusky-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus fibrosa nubila162 Grey Gum; Eucalyptus major164 Silver-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus melanophloia166 Gum-topped Box; Eucalyptus microcarpa168 Mountain Coolibah; Eucalyptus orgadophila170 Poplar Box; Eucalyptus populnea172 Narrow-leaved White Mahogany; Eucalyptus tenuipes Queensland Blue Gum; Eucalyptus tereticornis176 Mountain Yapunyah; Eucalyptus thozetiana178 Native Cherry; Exocarpos cupressiformis180 Sandpaper Fig; Ficus opposita182 Crows Ash; Flindersia australis184 Scrub Leopardwood; Flindersia dissosperma186 Leopardwood; Flindersia maculosa 174 188 Wilga; Geijera parviflora190 Beefwood; Grevillea striata192 Corkwood Oak; Hakea lorea194 Weeping Tea-tree; Leptospermum lamellatum196 Budgeroo; Lysicarpus angustifolius198 Red Bauhinia; Lysiphyllum carronii200 Black Tea-tree; Melaleuca bracteata202 Bush House Paperbark; Melaleuca tamariscina204 Western Tea-tree; Melaleuca trichostachya206 Weeping Bottlebrush; Melaleuca viminalis 208 White Cedar; Melia azedarach210 Emu Apple; Owenia acidula 212 Quinine Tree; Petalostigma pubescens214 Cattle Bush; Pittosporum angustifolium216 Myrtle Tree; Psydrax oleifolius218 Sandalwood; Santalum lanceolatum220 Yellow Wood; Terminalia oblongata Vine Tree; Ventilago viminalis224 Woody Pear; Xylomelum cunninghamianum226 6. COMMON SHRUBS 222 228 Bancroft’s Wattle; Acacia bancroftiorum228 Flat-stemmed Wattle; Acacia complanata230 Crowded-leaf Wattle; Acacia conferta 232 Deane’s Wattle; Acacia deanei234 Pretty Wattle; Acacia decora236 Mimosa Bush; Acacia farnesiana238 Rush-leaf Wattle; Acacia juncifolia240 Early Flowering Black Wattle; Acacia leiocalyx242 Zig Zag Wattle; Acacia macradenia244 Queensland Silver Wattle; Acacia podalyriifolia246 Glory Wattle; Acacia spectabilis248 Gundabluey; Acacia victoriae250 Broom Bush; Apophyllum anomalum252 Hair Plant; Astrotricha cordata254 Coffee Bush; Breynia oblongifolia256 White Fringe Myrtle; Calytrix tetragona258 Wait-A-While; Capparis lasiantha260 Currant Bush; Carissa ovata262 Cough Bush; Cassinia laevis264 Lolly Bush; Clerodendrum floribundum266 Silver Croton; Croton insularis268 Sticky Hopbush; Dodonaea viscosa 270 Ellangowan Poison Bush; Eremophila deserti272 Emu Bush; Eremophila longifolia274 Spotted Fuchsia Bush; Eremophila maculata276 False Sandalwood; Eremophila mitchellii278 Sturt’s Desert Rose; Gossypium sturtianum Red Spider Flower; Grevillea longistyla282 Dysentery Bush; Grewia latifolia284 Flame Hakea; Hakea purpurea286 Purple Bush-pea; Hovea longipes288 280 Dogwood; Jacksonia scoparia290 Zamia; Macrozamia moorei292 Yellow-berry Bush; Maytenus cunninghamii294 Prickly-leaf Paperbark; Melaleuca nodosa296 Boobialla; Myoporum montanum298 Heath Everlasting; Ozothamnus diotophyllus300 Butterfly Bush; Petalostylis labicheoides302 Wallaby Apple; Pittosporum spinescens304 Butter Bush; Senna artemisioides306 Spring-pod Cassia; Senna circinnata308 Bean Bush; Senna pleurocarpa310 Forest Grass Tree; Xanthorrhoea johnsonii312 7. FURTHER READING 314 8.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 316 9. INDEX OF PLANTS BY COMMON NAME 317 10.INDEX OF PLANTS BY SCIENTIFIC NAME 321 ¡¡ 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 (refer to Eastern Queensland oil and gas fields map on page 2). 1.0 INTRODUCTION 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”. The first steps in realising these aims are becoming familiar with the names 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 142 of the most common trees and shrubs found in the oil and gas fields of Eastern Queensland. In addition, profiles have been included for threatened habitats (section 3) and a selection of rare and threatened plants (section 4). By doing so, the profile of significant species and ecosystems will be raised, helping to minimise potential negative impacts. 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 Eastern Queensland oil and gas fields 2 Size and form Based 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. 2.0 user guide The common plants described in this Field Guide (sections 5 and 6) have been classified according to: (a) size and form, (b) scientific name, and (c) habitat. Scientific names Within 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 time of printing. Some 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’. Habitat Descriptions 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 Common habitats of Eastern Queensland oil & gas fields HABITAT DESCRIPTION Eucalypt woodland on basalt hills and ranges Common species include mountain coolibah, narrow-leaved ironbark and red bloodwood Eucalypt woodland on Often dominated by ironbarks, sandstone hills/ranges bloodwoods, stringybarks, 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 on lowlands Usually dominated by poplar box and/ or silver-leaved ironbark. Cypress pine White cypress pine forms thickets on woodland/ open forest the vast sand plains occurring throughout much of the coverage area 4 Riparian woodland Riparian vegetation means the plants occurring on the banks and channels of watercourses, which typically include river red gum, Queensland blue gum, roughbarked apple, river she-oak, black tea-tree, western tea-tree, weeping bottlebrush, doolan and river cooba. Floodplain woodland/ open woodland Coolibah, poplar box, river red gum and 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. HABITAT KEY Mitchell grass/blue grass grassland Rolling clay plains are sometimes 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 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/open forest Stands of brigalow occur on clay plains and hill slopes and were extensive prior to broad-scale clearing. Brigalow may occur on its own or with other trees, for example, belah, poplar box, Dawson gum and mountain yapunyah Mulga woodland/open forest Stands of mulga occur on loamy red earths and hard ridges in the southern parts of the coverage area. Associated trees include poplar box and silver-leaved ironbark. Woodland/open forest of Acacia on residual ridges Hard rocky ridges are often dominated by bendee, lancewood or bowyakka. Semi-evergreen vine thicket Semi-evergreen vine thicket is also 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. 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 (section 5 or 6). 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. 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). 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 maps on page 2 and 8). Denison This area lies primarily between Emerald and Rolleston and has parts within both the Brigalow Belt North and Brigalow Belt South biogeographic regions. 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. Denison landscape 7 Eastern Queensland tenements 8 Fairview/Arcadia Fairview and Arcadia comprise the gas fields centred around Injune and the Arcadia Valley. 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 semievergreen vine thicket (softwood or bottle tree scrub). The area is drained by the Dawson River and numerous smaller watercourses including Moolayember, Arcadia, Hutton and Baffle Creeks. Fairview/Arcadia landscape Roma This is a large area covering interests in the vicinity of Roma and Surat. 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. Major watercourses include Bungil Creek and the Condamine-Balonne River. Roma landscape 9 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. Moonie landscape 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. Scotia landscape 10 Six threatened ecological communities are listed as endangered within Eastern Queensland gas and oil fields (refer to the threatened habitats location map on page 13), including: 3.0 THREATENED HABITATS 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. > natural grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the northern Fitzroy Basin > brigalow woodland > semi-evergreen vine thicket (softwood scrubs/dry rainforest) > coolibah - black box woodlands of the Darling Riverine Plains and the Brigalow Belt South bioregions > weeping myall woodlands > artesian springs and their associated ecosystems. Listing of these ecological communities has been on the basis that they face a very high risk of extinction in the near future. These communities cannot be cleared without approval from the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC). 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 Department of Environment and Resource Management. 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.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/biodiversity/regional_ecosystems/index.php 11 Threatened Habitats Location Map North 12 Threatened Habitats Location Map south 13 Natural grasslands of the Queensland Central Highlands and the northern Fitzroy Basin DESCRIPTION Native tussock grasslands occurring between Collinsville and the Carnarvon Range, primarily in the Brigalow Belt North bioregion. COMPONENT SPECIES Grasses include Queensland bluegrass (Dichanthium 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). LANDFORMS Alluvial plains, and undulating or rolling clay plains. REASON FOR LISTING Less 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. THREATS Invasion 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 FLORA Toadflax (Thesium australe), Austral cornflower (Rhaponticum australe), king blue grass (Dichanthium queenslandicum), Belyando cobblers pegs (Trioncinia retroflexa). THREATENED FAUNA Rough collared-frog (Cyclorana verrucosa), Retro slider (Lerista allanae). Bluegrass grassland in the Denison gas field OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUES Habitat for grassland fauna including birds (quails, raptors), mammals (marsupialmice, native rodents), reptiles, frogs and numerous invertebrates. Soil cracks are used for shelter by many ground dwelling animals. GAS/OIL FIELD Confined to the northern part of the coverage area (Denison), mainly in the vicinity of Rolleston. COMPONENT REGIONAL ECOSYSTEMS 11.3.21, 11.4.4, 11.4.11, 11.8.11, 11.9.3, 11.9.12, 11.11.17 15 Brigalow woodland DESCRIPTION Woodland 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. LANDFORMS Alluvial plains, undulating or rolling clay plains and hill slopes; sometimes occurs on flats with gilgais or melonholes. REASON FOR LISTING Less than 10% of the original extent of brigalow woodlands remains intact due to extensive clearing for cropping and improved pasture development. THREATS Invasion by weeds and exotic pasture species; degradation by fire. THREATENED FLORA Red-soil woolly wrinklewort (Rutidosis lanata), Blake’s spikerush (Eleocharis blakeana), Belson’s panic grass (Homopholis belsonii). THREATENED FAUNA Painted 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), pale imperial hairstreak butterfly (Jalmenus eubulus), Dunmall’s snake (Furina dumalli), rough collared-frog (Cyclorana verrucosa). 16 OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUES Brigalow 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 FIELD All COMPONENT REGIONAL ECOSYSTEMS 6.4.2, 11.3.1, 11.4.3, 11.4.7, 11.4.8, 11.4.9, 11.4.10, 11.5.16 , 11.9.1, 11.9.5, 11.9.6, 11.11.14, 11.12.21. Brigalow woodland in the Arcadia gas field 17 Semi-evergreen vine thicket DESCRIPTION Semi-evergreen vine thickets (dry rainforest/softwood scrub) of the Brigalow Belt (north and south) and Nandewar Bioregions. COMPONENT SPECIES Canopy 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), yellow lemon (Planchonella pubescens), crows 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). LANDFORMS Undulating or rolling clay plains and hill slopes, including rocky hill sides and scree; rarely on alluvial plains. REASON FOR LISTING There has been a massive reduction in the extent of vine thickets due to extensive clearing for cropping and improved pasture development. THREATS Invasion by weeds and exotic pasture species; inappropriate grazing; degradation of remnants by fire; fragmentation. THREATENED FLORA Rainforest cassia (Senna acclinis), ooline (Cadellia pentastylis). THREATENED FAUNA Common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus), black-breasted button-quail (Turnix melanogaster). 18 OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUES Vine 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Roma, Scotia. COMPONENT REGIONAL ECOSYSTEMS 11.3.11, 11.4.1, 11.5.15, 11.8.3, 11.8.6, 11.8.13, 11.9.4, 11.9.8, 11.11.18. Semi-evergreen vine thicket in the Arcadia gas field 19 Artesian springs DESCRIPTION The community of native species dependent on natural discharge of groundwater from the Great Artesian Basin (also described as mound springs, soaks and boggomosses). COMPONENT SPECIES Highly variable but can include sedges (Cyperus gymnocaulos, C. laevigatus), common reed (Phragmites australis), couch grass (Cynodon dactylon), bulrushes (Typha domingensis) and sometimes ferns. LANDFORMS Alluvial plains or associated with sandstone gorges. REASON FOR LISTING Excessive 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. THREATS Continued extraction of artesian ground water; excavation; invasion by weeds; inappropriate grazing; fouling and trampling by feral pests; inundation by water impoundments. THREATENED FLORA Salt pipewort (Eriocaulon carsonii), hairy-joint grass (Arthraxon hispidus), swamp fern (Thelypteris confluens), spring milfoil (Myriophyllum artesium). THREATENED FAUNA Boggomoss snail (Adclarkia dawsonensis). 20 OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUES Springs 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 FIELD Denison, Fairview, Scotia. COMPONENT REGIONAL ECOSYSTEMS 11.3.22, 11.10.14. Boggomoss spring in the Scotia gas field 21 Coolibah-black box woodland DESCRIPTION Coolibah – black box woodlands of the Darling Riverine Plains and the Brigalow Belt South bioregions. COMPONENT SPECIES The canopy is dominated by coolibah (Eucalyptus coolabah) and/or black box (E. largiflorens) with associated trees including belah (Casuarina cristata), poplar box (E. populnea), river red gum (E. camaldulensis), red bauhinia (Lysiphyllum carronii), whitewood (Atalaya hemiglauca), yarran (Acacia melvillei), brigalow (A. harpophylla), myall (A. pendula), river cooba (A. stenophylla) and boonaree (Alectryon oleifolius). Shrubs include false sandalwood (Eremophila mitchellii), wilga (Geijera parviflora), spotted fuchsia-bush (Eremophila maculata), leafless ballart (Exocarpos aphyllus), Ellangowan poison bush (Eremophila deserti) and lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta). The ground layer is dominated by native perennial grasses, sedges and herbs. Common herbs include New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides), caltrop (Tribulus micrococcus), pigweed (Portulaca oleracea), nardoo (Marsilea spp.) and chenopods, particularly roly-polies and saltbushes. LANDFORMS Alluvial plains and banks of major watercourses. REASON FOR LISTING Less than 30% of the original extent of coolibah-black box woodlands remains intact due to extensive clearing for cropping and improved pasture development. Many patches that remain are in a degraded state. THREATS Invasion by weeds and exotic pasture species; changed water regimes; clearing. THREATENED FLORA Blake’s spike-rush (Eleocharis blakeana) THREATENED FAUNA Rough collared-frog (Cyclorana verrucosa), little pied bat (Chalinolobus picatus), black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), squatter pigeon (Geophaps scripta scripta), Australian painted snipe (Rostratula australis), grey snake (Hemiaspis damelii), ornamental snake (Denisonia maculata). 22 OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUES Coolibah woodlands contain important habitat features for fauna including logs, leaf litter, shrubby understorey, grassy ground layer, hollow trees and loose bark. Soil cracks provide shelter for marsupial mice and reptiles. Declining woodland birds are often present including hooded robin (Melanodryas cucullata), brown treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus) and grey-crowned babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis). Frogs, turtles, water birds, freshwater invertebrates and water plants may occur in wetlands that are frequently associated with this habitat. GAS/OIL FIELDS Arcadia, Roma, Moonie, Denison. COMPONENT REGIONAL ECOSYSTEMS 11.3.3, 11.3.15, 11.3.16, 11.3.28, 11.3.37 and elements of 11.3.27 Coolibah woodland in the Roma gas field 23 Weeping myall woodland DESCRIPTION Weeping myall woodlands. COMPONENT SPECIES The canopy is dominated by myall (Acacia pendula) with associated trees including poplar box (Eucalyptus populnea), coolibah (E. coolabah), brigalow (A. harpophylla), belah (Casuarina cristata), red bauhinia (Lysiphyllum carronii), limebush (Citrus glauca), whitewood (Atalaya hemiglauca), emu apple (Owenia acidula) and boonaree (Alectryon oleifolius). A shrubby midlayer is usually absent but may include false sandalwood (Eremophila mitchellii) and wilga (Geijera parviflora). Grasses include Queensland bluegrass (Dichanthium sericeum), curly Mitchell grass (Astrebla lappacea), Flinders grasses (Iseilema spp.), wild oats (Themeda avenacea), kangaroo grass (T. triandra) and native millet (Panicum decompositum). Herbage includes fox-tails (Ptilotus spp.), saltbushes, flannel weeds (Sida spp.) and members of the pea (Fabaceae) and daisy (Asteraceae) families. LANDFORMS Alluvial plains, and undulating or rolling clay plains. REASON FOR LISTING Less than about 30% of the original extent of Weeping Myall Woodlands remains intact due to extensive clearing. They occur on productive soils which are extensively cultivated and cropped. THREATS Weed invasion, particularly by exotic pasture species; continued clearing for cropping and improved pasture; inappropriate grazing management; changed fire ecology; drought effects. THREATENED FLORA Belson’s panic grass (Homopholis belsonii), winged nightshade (Solanum stenopterum). THREATENED FAUNA Little pied bat (Chalinolobus picatus), painted honeyeater (Grantiella picta), rough collared-frog (Cyclorana verrucosa), grey snake (Hemiaspis damelii). 24 OTHER ECOLOGICAL VALUES Habitat for open woodland fauna including birds, mammals (marsupial-mice, macropods, possums, bats), reptiles, frogs and numerous invertebrates. GAS/OIL FIELDS Roma, Denison, Fairview. COMPONENT REGIONAL ECOSYSTEMS: No RE equivalent but may be a component of 11.3.2 or 11.3.28. Weeping myall woodland in the Roma gas field 25 4.0 RARE AND THREATENED PLANTS Governments have enacted legislation to protect rare species of plants. The Commonwealth legislation is the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) and the Queensland legislation is the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (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. Categories of relevance to species in this publication are endangered (EPBC and NCA), vulnerable (EPBC and NCA) and near threatened (NCA only). Endangered species under the EPBC and NCA are those that face a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future, as determined in accordance with the prescribed criteria. Under the EPBC 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 the relevant state and federal legislation. Under the NCA near threatened 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, large-flowered beard-heath Leucopogon grandiflorus, Grove’s paperbark Melaleuca groveana and sandstone prickle bush Apatophyllum teretifolium. There are over 20 scheduled threatened species occurring in the Eastern Queensland oil and gas fields (Table 1). Twelve of the most distinctive threatened plants are described and illustrated in this section. 26 27 (Eastern Queensland) Bioregion Map Table 1. 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; LC = least concern; NT = near threatened; PE = presumed extinct; V = vulnerable. Scientific Name Common name NCA Acacia calantha Cracow wattle NT Fairview Acacia gittinsii Gittin’s wattle NT Denison, Arcadia Acacia spania western rosewood NT Fairview Acacia wardellii Thomby Range wattle V V Roma Amphibromus whitei a grass PE EX Roma Apatophyllum teretifolium sandstone prickle bush 28 EPBC NT Oil/Gas Field Fairview, Arcadia Bertya opponens a bertya LC V Fairview, Arcadia Cadellia pentastylis ooline V V Fairview, Roma, Scotia Commersonia argentea a shrub V Arcadia Cymbonotus maidenii Darling daisy E Dichanthium queenslandicum king bluegrass V Eleocharis blakeana Blake’s spike-rush NT Eriocaulon carsonii salt pipewort E E Fairview Eucalyptus virens shiny-leaved ironbark V V Arcadia Roma V Denison Moonie, Roma Gonocarpus urceolatus a raspwort V Fairview Homoranthus decasetus red mouse-bush NT Arcadia Leucopogon grandiflorus large-flowered beardheath NT Fairview, Arcadia, Scotia Livistona nitida Carnarvon fan palm NT Scotia Macrozamia fearnsidei curly zamia LC V Fairview, Arcadia Melaleuca groveana Grove’s paperbark NT Arcadia, Denison Melaleuca irbyana swamp tea-tree E Fairview Sannantha brachypoda a myrtle-bush NT Denison, Fairview Senna acclinis rainforest cassia NT Arcadia Solanum papaverifolium a potato bush E Roma Swainsona murrayana slender darling-pea V Thelypteris confluens swamp fern V Scotia Wahlenbergia islensis cliff bluebell NT Fairview, Arcadia Zornia pallida a pea NT Roma V Roma Other scheduled rare and threatened species found in areas immediately adjoining Santos leases include Acacia islana Isla Gorge wattle (NCA: V), Acacia argentina (NCA: V), Acacia tenuinervis scrub wattle (NCA: NT), Arthraxon hispidus hairy-joint grass (NCA:V), Actinotus paddisonii clustered flannel flower (NCA: NT), Calocephalus sonderi pale beauty-heads (NCA: NT), Calytrix islensis (NCA: V), Cryptandra ciliata (NCA: NT), Cyperus clarus (NCA: V), Dichanthium setosum (NCA: NT; EPBC: V), Digitaria porrecta finger panic grass (NCA: NT), Eucalyptus curtisii Plunkett mallee (NCA: NT), Homopholis belsonii Belson’s panic (NCA: E; EPBC: V), Myriophyllum artesium artesian milfoil (NCA: E), Notelea pungens (NCA: R), Pseudanthus pauciflorus (NCA: NT), Rhaponticum australe austral cornflower (NCA: V; EPBC: V), Rutidosis crispata (NCA: V), R. glandulosa (NCA: NT), R. lanata red-soil woolly wrinklewort (NCA: E), Solanum stenopterum winged nightshade (NCA: V), Thesium australe toadflax (NCA: V; EPBC: V) and Trioncinia retroflexa Belyando cobblers pegs (NCA: E). With further field investigation these species may be found within Santos interest areas. 29 Cracow Wattle Acacia calantha HABITAT: Grows among stony and sandy soils on sandstone ridges, often close to scarp edges; occurs in woodlands with brown bloodwood, budgeroo, inland white mahogany, narrow-leaved white mahogany, smooth-barked apple, ironbarks, thready-bark she-oak, white and black cypress pine, other wattles and spinifex. DESCRIPTION: Rounded shrub to 3m high with upright branches and foliage Bark: smooth, brown Leaves: greyish-green foliage, green when young, 30 – 150mm long x c.1mm wide, slightly sticky Flowers: bright yellow balls on short stalks 3 – 4mm long Fruit: narrow, raised over the seeds, 50 – 60mm long x 5 – 6mm wide Flowering Period: August NOTES: Patchily distributed in the Fairview Gas Field in the vicinity of Baffle Creek and the Dawson River. Often forms dense groves. Other populations occur between Cracow and Taroom, the Isla Gorge area and in the Coominglah Range near Monto. LEGISLATIVE STATUS: Near threatened (Nature Conservation Act 1992). OIL/GAS FIELDS: Fairview. 30 Acacia calantha Flowering branches Habitat Bark Flower 31 Thomby Range Wattle Acacia wardellii OTHER COMMON NAMES Wardell’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: March – 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 FIELD Roma. 32 Acacia wardellii (photo: Bindy Warby) Foliage Fruit (photo: Len Hubbard) Bark Flowers 33 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 NOTES Widely 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 large-flowered beard-heath and shiny-leaved ironbark. LEGISLATIVE STATUS Near threatened (Nature Conservation Act 1992). GAS/OIL FIELD Arcadia, Fairview. 34 Apatophyllum teretifolium Fruit with seed Leaves Unripe fruit 35 Ooline Cadellia pentastylis OTHER COMMON NAMES Beechwood, 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 FIELD Roma, Arcadia, Denison, Scotia. 36 Cadellia pentastylis Flowering branches Leaves and fruit Bark Flowers 37 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 FIELD Arcadia. 38 Eucalyptus virens Leaves Buds Fruit Bark Flowers 39 Raspwort Gonocarpus urceolatus OTHER COMMON NAMES: Rock raspwort HABITAT: Occurs on crests of sandstone or lateritic ridges among shallow soils in association with Queensland peppermint, brown bloodwood, dusky-leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved ironbark, lancewood, currawong, white cypress pine and thready-bark she-oak. DESCRIPTION: Erect or creeping herb to 40cm high Leaves: Green, sometimes reddish, slightly paler on the underside, in opposite pairs, without or on very short stalks <1mm long, oval, 10 – 15mm long x 5 – 8mm wide, with serrated edges, hairy both sides, non-aromatic Flowers: Inconspicuous, reddish, < 1mm diameter Fruit: Silver-grey, pitcher-shaped, to 2mm long x 1mm diameter Flowering Period: typically September – May and sporadic after rain NOTES: This species is found on the edges of woodlands and in disturbed environments such as road sides, gravel pits and soil stock piles. This is an ephemeral herb that can grow in dense mats after extended wet periods. There may be no trace of the plant at the same sites during dry periods. Also occurs in Yuleba, Condamine, Miles, Chinchilla, Glenmorgan, Westmar and Millmerran areas of southern Queensland. LEGISLATIVE STATUS: Vulnerable (Nature Conservation Act 1992). OIL/GAS FIELDS: Fairview. 40 Gonocarpus urceolatus Flowers Habitat Plants forming mat Leaves 41 Large-flowered Beard-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 NOTES Widespread 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 Near threatened (Nature Conservation Act 1992). GAS/OIL FIELD Arcadia, Scotia, Fairview. 42 Leucopogon grandiflorus Fruit Plant Flowers 43 Carnarvon Fan Palm Livistona nitida OTHER COMMON NAMES Dawson 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 Near threatened (Nature Conservation Act 1992). GAS/OIL FIELD Scotia. 44 Livistona nitida Fruit Bark Flowers and leaves 45 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 NOTES Curly 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 (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). GAS/OIL FIELD Arcadia, Fairview. 46 Macrozamia fearnsidei Male cone Leaves Fruit Female cone 47 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 NOTES This species is known from several populations that are confined to the Carnarvon Range. Flowering events vary in timing and intensity. CONSERVATION STATUS Near threatened (Nature Conservation Act 1992). GAS/OIL FIELD Arcadia. 48 Melaleuca groveana Fruit Bark Flowers 49 Swamp Tea-tree Melaleuca irbyana OTHER COMMON NAMES Swamp Paperbark, Weeping Paperbark. HABITAT Occurs on sandstone plateau tops with reddish-brown loamy clay soils; occurs in pure stands as small clumps or in dense groves covering several hectares; often adjoined by dusky-leaved ironbark, narrow-leaved ironbark or belah woodland. DESCRIPTION Slender tree, to 8m high. Bark: White, brown or grey, papery Leaves: Very small, 2-3mm long x 1-2mm wide, with smooth margin and pointed tip, without stalk, aromatic Flowers: Cream, in short spikes to 10-25mm long, honey smell Fruit: Round, hard, grey capsules, each c. 4mm diameter, without stalks, in small clusters Flowering Period: November – February and sporadic after rain NOTES Confined to sandstone ranges north and northeast of Injune. Patches in the Fairview gas field are outliers, separated from other populations in southeast Queensland by over 400 kilometres. Few intact remnants remain with most cleared for agriculture. CONSERVATION STATUS Endangered (Nature Conservation Act 1992). GAS/OIL FIELD Fairview. 50 Melaleuca irbyana Fruit Regrowth plants Leaves Bark Flowers 51 Cliff Bluebell Wahlenbergia islensis HABITAT Among crevices on vertical or near vertical rock faces of sandstone cliffs, gorges and large boulders within woodlands dominated by ironbarks, spotted gum, inland white mahogany, budgeroo, thready-bark she-oak, white and black cypress pine, tea-trees, smooth-barked apple, brown bloodwood, large-fruited yellow jacket, swamp mahogany Lophostemon suaveolens, turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera and Gympie messmate Eucalyptus cloeziana. Occasionally on boulders within sunny positions among semievergreen vine thicket. DESCRIPTION Wispy or tangled multi-stemmed herb to 40cm long with tough, fleshy tap root. Leaves: Fine, green, 20 – 55mm long x <1 – 1mm wide, without stalks Flowers: Pale blue to mauve, bell-shaped, c. 6-7mm diameter, 5 petals, on stalks 10-50mm long Fruit: Hemispherical, to 1.5 – 3.5mm long x 1.5 – 3mm wide Flowering Period: Flowers have been observed between September – May and sporadically throughout the year after rain NOTES Occurs throughout the Central Queensland Sandstone Belt, particularly the Carnarvon, Expedition, Chesterton and Bigge Ranges, and the Isla Gorge and Precipice National Parks. CONSERVATION STATUS Near threatened (Nature Conservation Act 1992). GAS/OIL FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 52 Wahlenbergia islensis Habitat Flower 53 5.0 COMMON TREES Mulga Acacia aneura HABITAT Confined 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 NOTES Seeds 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. 54 Acacia aneura Fruit Bark Flowers and foliage 55 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 FIELD Moonie, Roma. 56 Acacia aprepta Fruit Bark Flowers 57 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 FIELD Moonie, Roma, Denison. 58 Acacia catenulata Fruit Bark Flowers 59 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 FIELD All. 60 Acacia excelsa Fruit Branches with flowers Bark Flowers 61 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 pale imperial hairstreak butterfly (Jalmenus eubulus) eat the leaves. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 62 Acacia harpophylla Fruit Bark Flowers 63 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, smoothbarked 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia, Roma. 64 Acacia longispicata Plant in full flower Fruit Bark Flowers 65 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 FIELD Roma. 66 Acacia maranoensis Grove of young plants Fruit Bark Flowers 67 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 FIELD Moonie, Roma. 68 Acacia microsperma Tree top Bark Flowers (photo: Len Hubbard) 69 Yarran Acacia omalophylla OTHER COMMON NAMES Spearwood 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. DESCRIPTION Tree to 8m tall. Bark: Grey or dark brown, hard and fissured; smooth upper limbs; yellowish or orangebrown 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 FIELD All. 70 Acacia omalophylla Grove of young trees Bark Flowers 71 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 FIELD All. 72 Acacia oswaldii Fruit Bark Flowers 73 Myall Acacia pendula OTHER COMMON NAMES Weeping 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: February – May but intensity and timing is variable between years NOTES Useful 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 trees of their foliage. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 74 Acacia pendula Fruit Bark Flowers 75 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 FIELD All. 76 Acacia salicina Fruit and seed Bark Flowers 77 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 NOTES Occurs 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Roma. 78 Acacia shirleyi Fruit (photo: Russell Cumming) Bark Flowers 79 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 FIELD Roma, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia, Denison. 80 Acacia sparsiflora Branches with flowers Bark Flowers 81 River Cooba Acacia stenophylla OTHER COMMON NAMES Belalie, 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 FIELD All. 82 Acacia stenophylla Branches with flowers Fruit Bark Flowers 83 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 NOTES Wood 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 FIELD All. 84 Alectryon oleifolius Fruit Bark Flowers 85 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. DESCRIPTION Tree 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 NOTES Patchily distributed throughout the coverage area. Wood is used for turning. Trees laden with red flowers are particularly attractive. Seeds are eaten by glossy blackcockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami). Previously known as Casuarina inophloia. GAS/OIL FIELD Moonie, Scotia, Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 86 Allocasuarina inophloia Leaves Fruit Bark Male flowers 87 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 – March 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 FIELD All. 88 Allocasuarina luehmannii Male flowers Fruit Bark Female flower 89 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, smoothbarked 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 FIELD Scotia, Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 90 Allocasuarina torulosa Male flowers Fruit Bark Female flower 91 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 FIELD All. 92 Alphitonia excelsa Branches Fruit Bark Flowers 93 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 FIELD All. 94 Alstonia constricta Unripe fruit Dry fruit Bark Flowers 95 Rough-barked Apple Angophora floribunda OTHER COMMON NAMES Apple 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 FIELD All. 96 Angophora floribunda Fruit Bark Flowers 97 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 NOTES In 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 FIELD All. 98 Angophora leiocarpa Tree with shed bark Fruit Bark Flowers 99 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 FIELD Denison. 100 Archidendropsis basaltica Fruit Grove of young trees Bark Flower and leaves (photo: Steven Pearson) 101 Whitewood Atalaya hemiglauca HABITAT Distributed 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 NOTES Timber 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 FIELD All. 102 Atalaya hemiglauca Leaves and fruit Bark Flowers 103 Broad-leaved Bottle Tree Brachychiton australis OTHER COMMON NAMES Sand 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia, Roma. 104 Brachychiton australis Leaves Fruit Bark Flowers 105 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 FIELD All. 106 Brachychiton populneus Fruit with seeds Leaves Bark Flowers 107 Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree Brachychiton rupestris OTHER COMMON NAMES Queensland bottle tree. HABITAT Occurs 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 NOTES Flowers 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 FIELD All. 108 Brachychiton rupestris Juvenile leaves Fruit with seed Bark Flowers 109 Prickly Pine Bursaria incana OTHER COMMON NAMES Mock 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 FIELD All. 110 Bursaria incana Leaves Fruit Bark Flowers 111 Black Cypress Pine Callitris endlicheri OTHER COMMON NAMES Red 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 FIELD Scotia, Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 112 Callitris endlicheri Grove of young plants Fruit Bark Fertile branches 113 White Cypress Pine Callitris glaucophylla OTHER COMMON NAMES Cypress 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 rustybrown flush. The seeds are eaten by sulphur-crested and Major Mitchell cockatoos (Lophochroa leadbeateri). The name Callitris columellaris used to be applied to this species. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 114 Callitris glaucophylla Young tree Fruit Bark Fertile branches 115 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, narrowleaved 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 NOTES Wild 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview. 116 Capparis canescens Fruit (photo: Russell Cumming) Buds Juvenile Leaves Bark Flower 117 Narrow-leaf Bumble Tree Capparis loranthifolia OTHER COMMON NAMES Narrow-leaf bumble, bumble tree, wild orange, narrow-leaf 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 FIELD All. 118 Capparis loranthifolia Smooth fruit Wrinkled fruit Bark Flower 119 Bumble Tree Capparis mitchellii OTHER COMMON NAMES Native 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, yellow and edible when ripe, and contains numerous flat brown 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 FIELD All. 120 Capparis mitchellii Inside fruit Fruit Bark Flowers 121 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, lemonscented 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 NOTES A common plant along roadsides north of Rolleston. The flowers are attractive and it is planted as an ornamental. GAS/OIL FIELD Denison. 122 Cassia brewsteri Flowering branches Bark Flowers 123 Belah Casuarina cristata OTHER COMMON NAMES Black oak, scrub she-oak. HABITAT Occurs 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: Summer – winter NOTES Timber 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 (Calyptorhynchus lathami) 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 FIELD All. 124 Casuarina cristata Male flowers Fruit Bark Female flowers 125 River She-oak Casuarina cunninghamiana OTHER COMMON NAMES River oak, creek oak. HABITAT Widespread but confined to watercourse channels and banks on various substrates including sand, loam, gravel and clay; commonly occurs with river red gum, roughbarked 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 FIELD All. 126 Casuarina cunninghamiana Male flowers Fruit Bark Female flowers 127 Limebush Citrus glauca OTHER COMMON NAMES Desert lime, wild lime. HABITAT Occurs 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 FIELD All 128 Citrus glauca Grove of young trees Fruit Bark Flowers 129 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. DESCRIPTION Tree 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia. 130 Corymbia citriodora Buds Bark (lemon-scented gum) Fruit Bark (spotted gum) Flowers 131 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 – April 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 FIELD All. 132 Corymbia clarksoniana Fruit Bark Flowers 133 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 FIELD Denison. 134 Corymbia dallachyana Leaves Fruit Bark Flowers (photo: Russell Cumming) 135 Red Bloodwood Corymbia erythrophloia OTHER COMMON NAMES Gum-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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Roma, Scotia. 136 Corymbia erythrophloia Fruit Bark Flowers 137 Carbeen Corymbia tessellaris OTHER COMMON NAMES Moreton Bay ash. HABITAT Distributed 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 FIELD All. 138 Corymbia tessellaris Leaves and buds Fruit Trunk Flowers 139 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 FIELD All. 140 Corymbia trachyphloia Buds Fruit Bark Flowers 141 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 NOTES Occurs 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia. 142 Corymbia watsoniana Buds Fruit Bark Flower 143 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 144 Erythrina vespertilio Tree in flower Seeds Leaves Bark Flowers 145 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 NOTES Occurs 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 FIELD All. 146 Eucalyptus bakeri Fruit Buds Bark on upper trunk Bark on lower trunk Flowers 147 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. DESCRIPTION Tree 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 flyingfoxes. Hollows provide nest sites and homes for birds, possums, gliders and bats. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 148 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Buds Fruit Bark Flowers 149 Dawson Gum Eucalyptus cambageana OTHER COMMON NAMES Blackbutt, Dawson River blackbutt, Coowarra box. HABITAT Restricted 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 FIELD Denison, Scotia. 150 Eucalyptus cambageana Fruit Bark Flowers and buds 151 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 FIELD All. 152 Eucalyptus chloroclada Fruit Bark Flowers and buds 153 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 FIELD All. 154 Eucalyptus coolabah Upper branches Fruit Bark Flowers 155 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. DESCRIPTION Tree 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 FIELD All. 156 Eucalyptus crebra Tree top branches Fruit Bark Flowers and buds 157 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia. 158 Eucalyptus decorticans Smooth outer branches Fruit Bark Flowers and buds 159 Queensland Peppermint Eucalyptus exserta OTHER COMMON NAMES Bendo, mountain box, yellow messmate. HABITAT Occurs 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 – March NOTES Occurs patchily throughout the coverage area. It is a favourite food tree of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). GAS/OIL FIELD All. 160 Eucalyptus exserta Bark on outer branches Buds Bark on lower trunk Fruit Flowers 161 Dusky-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus fibrosa nubila OTHER COMMON NAMES Blue-leaved ironbark, broad-leaved ironbark, mountain broadleaf ironbark. HABITAT Occurs 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. DESCRIPTION Tree 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: April – 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia, Roma. 162 Eucalyptus fibrosa nubila Fruit Buds Juvenile leaves Bark Flowers 163 Grey Gum Eucalyptus major OTHER COMMON NAMES Mountain grey gum. HABITAT Favours rocky ridges and gorges among sandstone ranges; associated with smoothbarked 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 NOTES Patchily 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia. 164 Eucalyptus major Buds Fruit Bark Flowers 165 Silver-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus melanophloia OTHER COMMON NAMES Broad-leaf ironbark. HABITAT Occurs 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 – March 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 FIELD All. 166 Eucalyptus melanophloia Juvenile leaves Fruit and buds Bark Flowers 167 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 Two other species of gum-topped box occur in the coverage area. Eucalyptus moluccana and E.woollsiana occur in northern and eastern parts, while E.microcarpa is confined to the west. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 168 Eucalyptus microcarpa Bark on upper trunk Fruit Bark on lower trunk Flowers and buds 169 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 FIELD All. 170 Eucalyptus orgadophila Fruit Bark Flowers and buds 171 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, silverleaved 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 greenishyellow, 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 NOTES Old 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 FIELD All. 172 Eucalyptus populnea Leaves Fruit Bark Flowers 173 Narrow-leaved White Mahogany Eucalyptus tenuipes OTHER COMMON NAMES Narrow-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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia. 174 Eucalyptus tenuipes Leaves Fruit Bark Flowers 175 Queensland Blue Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis OTHER COMMON NAMES Forest 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia, Roma. 176 Eucalyptus tereticornis Buds Fruit Bark Flowers 177 Mountain Yapunyah Eucalyptus thozetiana OTHER COMMON NAMES Lapunyah, napunyah, yapunyah, Thozet’s box, Thozet’s ironbark. HABITAT Plains 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 FIELD All. 178 Eucalyptus thozetiana Buds Fruit Bark Flowers 179 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 FIELD All. 180 Exocarpos cupressiformis Fruit (photo: Russell Cumming) Bark Flowers 181 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia. 182 Ficus opposita Fruit Bark Leaves 183 Crows Ash Flindersia australis OTHER COMMON NAMES Queensland 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 FIELD Roma, Scotia, Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 184 Flindersia australis Leaves Fruit Bark Flowers 185 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, silverleaved 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 FIELD Denison. 186 Flindersia dissosperma Leaves Fruit (photo: Russell Cumming) Bark Flowers (photo: Russell Cumming) 187 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 boatshaped 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 FIELD Roma, Moonie. 188 Flindersia maculosa Fruit Bark Flowers 189 Wilga Geijera parviflora OTHER COMMON NAMES Tree 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 NOTES Timber 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 FIELD All. 190 Geijera parviflora Leaves and flowers Fruit Bark Flowers 191 Beefwood Grevillea striata OTHER COMMON NAMES Beef 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, honey smell 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. Flowers attract native bees and wasps. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 192 Grevillea striata Fruit Bark Flowers 193 Corkwood Oak Hakea lorea OTHER COMMON NAMES Bootlace 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, silverleaved 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, new shoots rusty-brown 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 FIELD All. 194 Hakea lorea Leaves and flowers Fruit Bark Flowers (photo: Bindy Warby) 195 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 sheoak, 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia. 196 Leptospermum lamellatum Fruit Bark Flower 197 Budgeroo Lysicarpus angustifolius OTHER COMMON NAMES Mountain 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 therefore 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia. 198 Lysicarpus angustifolius Unripe fruit Branches with flowers Dry fruit Bark Flowers 199 Red Bauhinia Lysiphyllum carronii OTHER COMMON NAMES Bauhinia, 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 NOTES Deciduous 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 FIELD Roma, Scotia, Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 200 Lysiphyllum carronii Leaves Fruit Bark Flowers 201 Black Tea-tree Melaleuca bracteata OTHER COMMON NAMES River 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 FIELD Denison. 202 Melaleuca bracteata Fruit Bark Flowers 203 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. Similar to swamp paperbark (Melaleuca irbyana) exept the leaves of the M. tamarascina are much smaller. The bark is used for art and craft. GAS/OIL FIELD Denison. 204 Melaleuca tamariscina Fruit Bark Leaves 205 Western Tea-tree Melaleuca trichostachya OTHER COMMON NAMES Tea-tree, river tea-tree, river paperbark, flax-leaf paperbark. HABITAT Occurs 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 NOTES An 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 FIELD All. 206 Melaleuca trichostachya Branches with flowers Fruit Bark Flowers 207 White Cedar Melia azedarach OTHER COMMON NAMES Cape 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 208 Melia azedarach Ripe fruit Leaves Dried fruit Bark Flowers 209 Emu Apple Owenia acidula OTHER COMMON NAMES Gruie, 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 FIELD All. 210 Owenia acidula Grove of saplings Fruit Bark Flower 211 Weeping Bottlebrush Melaleuca 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, roughbarked 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia. 212 Melaleuca viminalis Branches with flowers Fruit Trunk Flowers 213 Quinine Tree Petalostigma pubescens OTHER COMMON NAMES Quinine 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 FIELD All. 214 Petalostigma pubescens Fruit Bark Flowers 215 Cattle Bush Pittosporum angustifolium OTHER COMMON NAMES Meemeei, 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. Ants live inside the branches. Readily browsed by cattle. Leaves have medicinal properties. Formerly known as Pittosporum phylliraeoides. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 216 Pittosporum angustifolium Open fruit Ripe fruit Bark Flowers 217 Myrtle Tree Psydrax oleifolius OTHER COMMON NAMES Wild 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. Ants live inside the branches. Readily browsed by livestock and regarded as a useful fodder plant. Previously known as Canthium oleifolium. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 218 Psydrax oleifolius Fruit Bark Flowers 219 Sandalwood Santalum lanceolatum OTHER COMMON NAMES Commercial 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 FIELD All. 220 Santalum lanceolatum Fruit Bark Flowers 221 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 FIELD Denison. 222 Terminalia oblongata Leaves Bark Flowers 223 Vine Tree Ventilago viminalis OTHER COMMON NAMES Supplejack, 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 FIELD All. 224 Ventilago viminalis Fruit Bark Flowers 225 Woody Pear Xylomelum cunninghamianum OTHER COMMON NAMES Native 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. DESCRIPTION Tree 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 FIELD Roma, Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia. 226 Xylomelum cunninghamianum Fruit Open fruit Juvenile leaves Bark Flowers 227 6. 0 COMMON SHRUBS 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia. 228 Acacia bancroftiorum Foliage Fruit Bark Flowers 229 Flat-stemmed Wattle Acacia complanata OTHER COMMON NAMES Donkey’s ears. HABITAT On 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, fragrant Fruit: Flat pods, bulging over seeds, 100 – 150mm long x 7 – 10mm wide Flowering Period: typically December – March and sporadic after substantial rain NOTES Restricted 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia. 230 Acacia complanata Foliage and stem Fruit (photo: Glenn Leiper) Bark Flowers 231 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, narrowleaved 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: Typically autumn-winter and sporadic after substantial rain NOTES Usually one of the first wattles to flower each year. Used in floral arrangements and cultivated as an ornamental plant. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 232 Acacia conferta Fruit Bark Flowers 233 Deane’s Wattle Acacia deanei OTHER COMMON NAMES Green 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 FIELD All. 234 Acacia deanei (photo: Bindy Warby) Fruit Bark Flowers and leaves 235 Pretty Wattle Acacia decora OTHER COMMON NAMES Golden 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 FIELD All. 236 Acacia decora Plant in full flower Fruit Bark Flowers 237 Mimosa Bush Acacia farnesiana OTHER COMMON NAMES Sweet 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 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 FIELD All. 238 Acacia farnesiana Leaves Branches with flowers Fruit Flowers 239 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 NOTES The upright foliage makes this a very distinctive and attractive plant. GAS/OIL FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Roma, Scotia. 240 Acacia juncifolia Fruit Bark Flowers 241 Early Flowering Black Wattle Acacia leiocalyx OTHER COMMON NAMES Early 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 NOTES One 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 FIELD All. 242 Acacia leiocalyx Adult plant Fruit Bark Flowers 243 Zig Zag Wattle Acacia macradenia OTHER COMMON NAMES Cut 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, smoothbarked 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia, Roma. 244 Acacia macradenia Fruit and foliage Bark Flowers 245 Queensland Silver Wattle Acacia podalyriifolia OTHER COMMON NAMES Mount 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia. 246 Acacia podalyriifolia Fruit Bark Flowers 247 Glory Wattle Acacia spectabilis OTHER COMMON NAMES Kogan 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 FIELD Moonie, Roma. 248 Acacia spectabilis Plant in full flower Fruit Bark Flowers 249 Gundabluey Acacia victoriae OTHER COMMON NAMES Prickly 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. DESCRIPTION Shrub 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 FIELD Roma. 250 Acacia victoriae Fruit Bark Flowers 251 Broom Bush Apophyllum anomalum OTHER COMMON NAMES Warrior 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 FIELD All. 252 Apophyllum anomalum Fruit Bark Flowers 253 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, smoothbarked 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 dark purple star-shaped, 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia. 254 Astrotricha cordata Flower Fruit Flower mass Bark Young plant 255 Coffee Bush Breynia oblongifolia OTHER COMMON NAMES Native 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 large grass yellow butterfly (Eurema hecabe). Grown as an ornamental garden plant. GAS/OIL FIELD Roma, Scotia, Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 256 Breynia oblongifolia Fruit Bark Branches with fruit 257 White Fringe Myrtle Calytrix tetragona OTHER COMMON NAMES White star flower, white calytrix,common fringe myrtle. HABITAT Occurs 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 FIELD Roma, Denison, Fairview, Scotia. 258 Calytrix tetragona Fruit Bark Flowers 259 Wait-A-While Capparis lasiantha OTHER COMMON NAMES Split 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 FIELD All. 260 Capparis lasiantha Growing plant Leaves Fruit Flowers 261 Currant Bush Carissa ovata OTHER COMMON NAMES Native 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. DESCRIPTION Dense, 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 FIELD All. 262 Carissa ovata Fruit Leaves Flower 263 Cough Bush Cassinia laevis OTHER COMMON NAMES Wild 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 FIELD All. 264 Cassinia laevis Branches Bark Flowers 265 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, arranged in opposite pairs, 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Scotia, Roma. 266 Clerodendrum floribundum Leaves Fruit Bark Flower 267 Silver Croton Croton insularis OTHER COMMON NAMES Queensland 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 FIELD Roma, Scotia, Arcadia, Fairview, Denison. 268 Croton insularis Leaves Fruit Bark Flowers 269 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 FIELD All. 270 Dodonaea viscosa Leaves Fruit Bark Flowers 271 Ellangowan Poison Bush Eremophila deserti OTHER COMMON NAMES Turkey 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 NOTES Occasionally 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 FIELD All. 272 Eremophila deserti Fruit Bark Flowers 273 Emu Bush Eremophila longifolia OTHER COMMON NAMES Berrigan, 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 FIELD All. 274 Eremophila longifolia Fruit Bark Flowers 275 Spotted Fuchsia Bush Eremophila maculata OTHER COMMON NAMES Spotted 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. DESCRIPTION Low, 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 NOTES Spotted 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Roma, Scotia. 276 Eremophila maculata Fruit Typical flower Flower colour variation 277 False Sandalwood Eremophila mitchellii OTHER COMMON NAMES Budda, 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 FIELD All. 278 Eremophila mitchellii Fruit Bark Flowers 279 Sturt’s Desert Rose Gossypium sturtianum OTHER COMMON NAMES Sturt’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 This species was formerly scheduled as rare under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Populations within the Brigalow Belt are of regional conservation significance due to their limited extent and patchiness. GAS/OIL FIELD Fairview. 280 Gossypium sturtianum Bark on branch Unopened flower Fruit Leaves Bark on trunk Flowers (photo: Jenny Milson) 281 Red Spider Flower Grevillea longistyla OTHER COMMON NAMES Long-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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia. 282 Grevillea longistyla Fruit Bark Flowers 283 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Scotia, Roma. 284 Grewia latifolia Fruit Leaves Flower 285 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview. 286 Hakea purpurea Fruit Leaves Flowers 287 Purple Bush-pea Hovea longipes OTHER COMMON NAMES Brush 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Roma, Scotia. 288 Hovea longipes Fruit Bark Flowers 289 Dogwood Jacksonia scoparia OTHER COMMON NAMES Native 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, threadybark 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 FIELD All. 290 Jacksonia scoparia Flowers on branches Fruit Bark Flowers 291 Zamia Macrozamia moorei OTHER COMMON NAMES Zamia palm, cycad. HABITAT Occurs 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview. 292 Macrozamia moorei Fruit Leaves Male cone Bark Female cone (photo: Robert Ashdown) 293 Yellow-berry Bush Maytenus cunninghamii OTHER COMMON NAMES Narrow-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 NOTES Found throughout the district but generally occurs as widely scattered plants or in small groves. The foliage is browsed by livestock. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 294 Maytenus cunninghamii Fruit Bark Flowers 295 Prickly-leaf Paperbark Melaleuca nodosa OTHER COMMON NAMES Yellow paperbark. HABITAT Patchy 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 FIELD Arcadia, Fairview, Denison, Roma. 296 Melaleuca nodosa Fruit Bark Flowers 297 Boobialla Myoporum montanum OTHER COMMON NAMES Waterbush, 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 NOTES The 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 FIELD All. 298 Myoporum montanum Fruit Bark Flower 299 Heath Everlasting Ozothamnus diotophyllus OTHER COMMON NAMES Yellow 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 FIELD Moonie, Roma. 300 Ozothamnus diotophyllus Leaves Flowers 301 Butterfly Bush Petalostylis labicheoides OTHER COMMON NAMES Slender 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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Roma. 302 Petalostylis labicheoides Fruit Bark Flower 303 Wallaby Apple Pittosporum spinescens OTHER COMMON NAMES Large-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 FIELD Denison, Arcadia, Fairview, Roma, Scotia. 304 Pittosporum spinescens Fruit Leaves Flowers 305 Butter Bush Senna artemisioides OTHER COMMON NAMES Silver 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 FIELD All. 306 Senna artemisioides (photo: Bindy Warby) Fruit Bark Flower 307 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 FIELD Roma. 308 Senna circinnata Fruit Bark Flower 309 Bean Bush Senna pleurocarpa OTHER COMMON NAMES Fire bush, smooth cassia, native senna, striped-pod cassia. HABITAT Occurs 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 FIELD Moonie, Roma, Fairview. 310 Senna pleurocarpa Fruit Bark Flowers 311 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. DESCRIPTION Trunk 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 NOTES The flowers are attractive to honeyeaters, butterflies, flies, native bees and beetles. GAS/OIL FIELD All. 312 Xanthorhhoea johnsonii Flower spike Seed capsules Flowers 313 7.0 FURTHER READING 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. (2011) Plants of Western New South Wales. Third edition. 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. Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D. and Rathie, K. (2008) Mangroves to Mountains. A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River branch of the SGAP, Brisbane. Lester, N. (2010) 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. QDNR, 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. 314 Pedley, L. (1987) Acacias in Queensland. QDPI, Brisbane. 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 Weed Society of Queensland Inc. (2011) Weeds of Southern Queensland. Third edition. Weed Society of Queensland Inc., Brisbane. Department of Natural Resources. (2002) Weed Pocket Guide. South-east Queensland. QDNR, Brisbane. Parsons, W.T. and Cuthbertson, E.G. (2001) Noxious Weeds of Australia. Second edition. Inkata Press, Melbourne. Regional Ecosystems Sattler, P. and Williams, R. (eds.). (1999) The Conservation Status of Queensland’s Bioregional Ecosystems. EPA, Brisbane. 315 8. 0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 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. 316 9. 0 INDEX OF PLANTS BY COMMON NAME Baker’s Mallee; Eucalyptus bakeri146 Bancrofts’ Wattle; Acacia bancroftiorum228 Baradine Red Gum; Eucalyptus chloroclada152 Bats’ Wing Coral Tree; Erythrina vespertilio144 Bean Bush; Senna pleurocarpa310 Beefwood; Grevillea striata 192 Belah; Casuarina cristata 124 Bendee; Acacia catenulata Bitter Bark; Alstonia constricta 58 94 Black Cypress Pine; Callitris endlicheri 112 Black Tea-tree; Melaleuca bracteata 202 Boobialla; Myoporum montanum 298 Boonaree; Alectryon oleifolius 84 Bowyakka; Acacia microsperma 68 Brigalow; Acacia harpophylla 62 Broad-leaved Bottle Tree; Brachychiton australis 104 Broom Bush; Apophyllum anomalum 252 Brown Bloodwood; Corymbia trachyphloia 140 Budgeroo; Lysicarpus angustifolius 198 Bull Oak; Allocasuarina luehmannii 88 Bumble Tree; Capparis mitchellii 120 Bush House Paperbark; Melaleuca tamariscina 204 Butter Bush; Senna artemisioides 306 Butterfly Bush; Petalostylis labicheoides 302 Carbeen; Corymbia tessellaris 138 Carnarvon Fan Palm; Livistona nitida 44 Cattle Bush; Pittosporum angustifolium 216 Clarkson’s Bloodwood; Corymbia clarksoniana 132 Cliff Bluebell; Wahlenbergia islensis Coffee Bush; Breynia oblongifolia 52 256 Coolibah; Eucalyptus coolabah 154 Corkwood Oak; Hakea lorea 194 Cough Bush; Cassinia laevis 264 Cracow Wattle; Acacia calantha 30 Crowded-leaf Wattle; Acacia conferta 232 Crows Ash; Flindersia australis 184 317 Curly Zamia; Macrozamia fearnsidei Currant Bush; Carissa ovata Currawong; Acacia sparsiflora Dallachy’s Gum; Corymbia dallachyana 80 134 Dawson Gum; Eucalyptus cambageana 150 Deane’s Wattle; Acacia deanei 234 Dogwood; Jacksonia scoparia 290 Doolan; Acacia salicina 76 Dusky-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus fibrosa nubila 162 Dysentery Bush; Grewia latifolia 284 Early Flowering Black Wattle; Acacia leiocalyx 242 Eastern Dead Finish; Archidendropsis basaltica 100 Ellangowan Poison Bush; Eremophila deserti 272 Emu Apple; Owenia acidula 212 Emu Bush; Eremophila longifolia 274 False Sandalwood; Eremophila mitchellii 278 Flame Hakea; Hakea purpurea 286 Flat-stemmed Wattle; Acacia complanata 230 Forest Grass Tree; Xanthorhhoea johnsonii 312 Forest She-oak; Allocasuarina torulosa 90 Glory Wattle; Acacia spectabilis 248 Grey Gum; Eucalyptus major 164 Grove’s Paperbark; Melaleuca groveana 48 Gum-topped Box; Eucalyptus microcarpa 168 Gum-topped Ironbark; Eucalyptus decorticans 158 Gundabluey; Acacia victoriae 250 Hair Plant; Astrotricha cordata 254 Heath Everlasting; Ozothamnus diotophyllus 300 Ironwood; Acacia excelsa Kurrajong; Brachychiton populneus 318 46 262 60 106 Lancewood; Acacia shirleyi 78 Large-flowered Beard-heath; Leucopogon grandiflorus 42 Large-fruited Yellow Jacket; Corymbia watsoniana 142 Leichhardt Bean; Cassia brewsteri 122 Leopardwood; Flindersia maculosa 188 Lime Bush; Citrus glauca 128 Lolly Bush; Clerodendrum floribundum Miles Mulga; Acacia aprepta 266 56 Mimosa Bush; Acacia farnesiana 238 Mountain Coolibah; Eucalyptus orgadophila 170 Mountain Yapunyah; Eucalyptus thozetiana 178 Mulga; Acacia aneura Myall; Acacia pendula 54 74 Myrtle Tree; Psydrax oleifolius 218 Narrow-leaf Bumble Tree; Capparis loranthifolia 118 Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree; Brachychiton rupestris 108 Narrow-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus crebra 156 Narrow-leaved White Mahogany; Eucalyptus tenuipes 174 Native Cherry; Exocarpos cupressiformis 180 Nelia; Acacia oswaldii Ooline; Cadellia pentastylis 72 36 Poplar Box; Eucalyptus populnea 172 Pretty Wattle; Acacia decora 236 Prickly Pine; Bursaria incana 110 Prickly-leaf Paperbark; Melaleuca nodosa 296 Purple Bush-pea; Hovea longipes 288 Queensland Blue Gum; Eucalyptus tereticornis 176 Queensland Peppermint; Eucalyptus exserta 160 Queensland Silver Wattle; Acacia podalyriifolia 246 Quinine Tree; Petalostigma pubescens 214 Raspwort; Gonocarpus urceolatus 40 Red Ash; Alphitonia excelsa 92 Red Bauhinia; Lysiphyllum carronii 200 Red Bloodwood; Corymbia erythrophloia 136 Red Spider Flower; Grevillea longistyla 282 River Cooba; Acacia stenophylla 82 River Red Gum; Eucalyptus camaldulensis 148 River She-oak; Casuarina cunninghamiana 126 Rough-barked Apple; Angophora floribunda 96 Rush-leaf Wattle; Acacia juncifolia 240 Sandalwood; Santalum lanceolatum 220 Sandpaper Fig; Ficus opposita 182 319 Sandstone Prickle-bush; Apatophyllum teretifolium Scrub Leopardwood; Flindersia dissosperma Shiny-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus virens 38 Silver Croton; Croton insularis 268 Silver-leaved Ironbark; Eucalyptus melanophloia 166 Slender-flowered Wattle; Acacia longispicata Smooth-barked Apple; Angophora leiocarpa Spotted and Lemon-scented Gum; Corymbia citriodora 64 98 130 Spotted Fuchsia Bush; Eremophila maculata 276 Spring-pod Cassia; Senna circinnata 308 Sticky Hopbush; Dodonaea viscosa 270 Sturts’ Desert Rose; Gossypium sturtianum 280 Swamp Tea-tree; Melaleuca irbyana 50 Thomby Range Wattle; Acacia wardellii 32 Thready-bark She-oak; Allocasuarina inophloia Vine Tree; Ventilago viminalis 86 224 Wait-A-While; Capparis lasiantha 260 Wallaby Apple; Pittosporum spinescens 304 Weeping Bottlebrush; Melaleuca viminalis 208 Weeping Tea-tree; Leptospermum lamellatum 196 Western Tea-tree; Melaleuca trichostachya 206 White Cedar; Melia azedarach 210 White Cypress Pine; Callitris glaucophylla 114 White Fringe Myrtle; Calytrix tetragona 258 Whitewood; Atalaya hemiglauca 102 Wild Orange; Capparis canescens 116 Wilga; Geijera parviflora 190 Womal; Acacia maranoensis Woody Pear; Xylomelum cunninghamianum Yarran; Acacia omalophylla 66 226 70 Yellow Wood; Terminalia oblongata 222 Yellow-berry Bush; Maytenus cunninghamii 294 Zamia; Macrozamia moorei 292 Zig Zag Wattle; Acacia macradenia 244 320 34 186 54 56 Acacia bancroftiorum; Bancrofts’ Wattle Acacia calantha; Cracow Wattle Acacia catenulata; Bendee Acacia complanata; Flat-stemmed Wattle 228 30 58 230 Acacia conferta; Crowded-leaf Wattle 232 Acacia deanei; Deanes’ Wattle 234 Acacia decora; Pretty Wattle 236 Acacia excelsa; Ironwood Acacia farnesiana; Mimosa Bush Acacia harpophylla; Brigalow 60 238 62 Acacia juncifolia; Rush-leaf Wattle 240 Acacia leiocalyx; Early Flowering Black Wattle 242 Acacia longispicata; Slender-flowered Wattle Acacia macradenia; Zig Zag Wattle 64 244 Acacia maranoensis; Womal 66 Acacia microsperma; Bowyakka 68 Acacia omalophylla; Yarran 70 Acacia oswaldii; Nelia 72 Acacia pendula; Myall Acacia podalyriifolia; Queensland Silver Wattle 74 246 Acacia salicina; Doolan 76 Acacia shirleyi; Lancewood 78 Acacia sparsiflora; Currawong Acacia spectabilis; Glory Wattle Acacia stenophylla; River Cooba Acacia victoriae; Gundabluey 10.0 INDEX OF PLANTS BY SCIENTIFIC NAME Acacia aneura; Mulga Acacia aprepta; Miles Mulga 80 248 82 250 Acacia wardellii; Thomby Range Wattle 32 Alectryon oleifolius; Boonaree 84 Allocasuarina inophloia; Thready-bark She-oak 86 Allocasuarina luehmannii; Bull Oak 88 Allocasuarina torulosa; Forest She-oak 90 Alphitonia excelsa; Red Ash 92 Alstonia constricta; Bitter Bark 94 321 Angophora floribunda; Rough-barked Apple 96 Angophora leiocarpa; Smooth-barked Apple 98 Apatophyllum teretifolium; Sandstone Prickle-bush 252 Archidendropsis basaltica; Eastern Dead Finish 100 Astrotricha cordata; Hair Plant 254 Atalaya hemiglauca; Whitewood 102 Brachychiton australis; Broad-leaved Bottle Tree 104 Brachychiton populneus; Kurrajong 106 Brachychiton rupestris; Narrow-leaved Bottle Tree 108 Breynia oblongifolia; Coffee Bush 256 Bursaria incana; Prickly Pine 110 Cadellia pentastylis; Ooline 322 34 Apophyllum anomalum; Broom Bush 36 Callitris endlicheri; Black Cypress Pine 112 Callitris glaucophylla; White Cypress Pine 114 Calytrix tetragona; White Fringe Myrtle 258 Capparis canescens; Wild Orange 116 Capparis lasiantha; Wait-A-While 260 Capparis loranthifolia; Narrow-leaf Bumble Tree 118 Capparis mitchellii; Bumble Tree 120 Carissa ovata; Currant Bush 262 Cassia brewsteri; Leichhardt Bean 122 Cassinia laevis; Cough Bush 264 Casuarina cristata; Belah 124 Casuarina cunninghamiana; River She-oak 126 Citrus glauca; Lime Bush 128 Clerodendrum floribundum; Lolly Bush 266 Corymbia citriodora; Spotted and Lemon-scented Gum 130 Corymbia clarksoniana; Clarkson’s Bloodwood 132 Corymbia dallachyana; Dallachy’s Gum 134 Corymbia erythrophloia; Red Bloodwood 136 Corymbia tessellaris; Carbeen 138 Corymbia trachyphloia; Brown Bloodwood 140 Corymbia watsoniana; Large-fruited Yellow Jacket 142 Croton insularis; Silver Croton 268 Dodonaea viscosa; Sticky Hopbush 270 Eremophila deserti; Ellangowan Poison Bush 272 Eremophila longifolia; Emu Bush 274 Eremophila maculata; Spotted Fuchsia Bush 276 Eremophila mitchellii; False Sandalwood 278 Erythrina vespertilio; Bat’s Wing Coral Tree 144 Eucalyptus bakeri; Baker’s Mallee 146 Eucalyptus camaldulensis; River Red Gum 148 Eucalyptus cambageana; Dawson Gum 150 Eucalyptus chloroclada; Baradine Red Gum 152 Eucalyptus coolabah; Coolibah 154 Eucalyptus crebra; Narrow-leaved Ironbark 156 Eucalyptus decorticans; Gum-topped Ironbark 158 Eucalyptus exserta; Queensland Peppermint 160 Eucalyptus fibrosa nubila; Dusky-leaved Ironbark 162 Eucalyptus major; Grey Gum 164 Eucalyptus melanophloia; Silver-leaved Ironbark 166 Eucalyptus microcarpa; Gum-topped Box 168 Eucalyptus orgadophila; Mountain Coolibah 170 Eucalyptus populnea; Poplar Box 172 Eucalyptus tenuipes; Narrow-leaved White Mahogany 174 Eucalyptus tereticornis; Queensland Blue Gum 176 Eucalyptus thozetiana; Mountain Yapunyah 178 Eucalyptus virens; Shiny-leaved Ironbark 38 Exocarpos cupressiformis; Native Cherry 180 Ficus opposita; Sandpaper Fig 182 Flindersia australis; Crows Ash 184 Flindersia dissosperma; Scrub Leopardwood 186 Flindersia maculosa; Leopardwood 188 Geijera parviflora; Wilga 190 Gonocarpus urceolatus; Raspwort 40 Gossypium sturtianum; Sturt’s Desert Rose 280 Grevillea longistyla; Red Spider Flower 282 Grevillea striata; Beefwood 192 Grewia latifolia; Dysentery Bush 284 Hakea lorea; Corkwood Oak 194 Hakea purpurea; Flame Hakea 286 323 Hovea longipes; Purple Bush-pea 288 Jacksonia scoparia; Dogwood 290 Leptospermum lamellatum; Weeping Tea-tree 196 Leucopogon grandiflorus; Large-flowered Beard-heath Livistona nitida; Carnarvon Fan Palm 44 Lysicarpus angustifolius; Budgeroo 198 Lysiphyllum carronii; Red Bauhinia 200 Macrozamia fearnsidei; Curly Zamia 46 Macrozamia moorei; Zamia 292 Maytenus cunninghamii; Yellow-berry Bush 294 Melaleuca bracteata; Black Tea-tree 202 Melaleuca groveana; Grove’s Paperbark Melaleuca irbyana; Swamp Tea-tree 48 50 Melaleuca nodosa; Prickly-leaf Paperbark 296 Melaleuca tamariscina; Bush House Paperbark 204 Melaleuca trichostachya; Western Tea-tree 206 Melaleuca viminalis; Weeping Bottlebrush 208 Melia azedarach; White Cedar 210 Myoporum montanum; Boobialla 298 Owenia acidula; Emu Apple 212 Ozothamnus diotophyllus; Heath Everlasting 300 Petalostigma pubescens; Quinine Tree 214 Petalostylis labicheoides; Butterfly Bush 302 Pittosporum angustifolium; Cattle Bush 216 Pittosporum spinescens; Wallaby Apple 304 Psydrax oleifolius; Myrtle Tree 218 Santalum lanceolatum; Sandalwood 220 Senna artemisioides; Butter Bush 306 Senna circinnata; Spring-pod Cassia 308 Senna pleurocarpa; Bean Bush 310 Terminalia oblongata; Yellow Wood 222 Ventilago viminalis; Vine Tree 224 Xanthorrhoea johnsonii; Forest Grass Tree 312 Xylomelum cunninghamianum; Woody Pear 226 Wahlenbergia islensis; Cliff Bluebell 324 42 52 about the author 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. www.boobook.biz 325 326 NOTES 327 NOTES 328
