Brushtail PossumTrichosurus vulpecula

This species has a bushy tail (henceits name) that has adapted tograsping branches. Its forefeet havesharp claws for climbing. It has athick woolly coat that ranges in colour patterns including silver-grey,brown, black, red or cream, and haslarge pointed ears. It is nocturnal andfeeds on a wide range of leaves andprobably invertebrates. It also spendsa good deal of time foraging on theforest floor.

ChuditchDasyurus geoffroii

This is a medium-sized strongpredator also known as the westernquoll or the western native cat. It hasa white spotted brown coat and along tail. This particular species is confined to the south-west of WesternAustralia. It is a solitary, nocturnalpredator which is mostly terrestrial,although it does climb trees. It has adiet of small vertebrates, carrion,arthropods, and freshwater crayfish,among other things. The head andbody are about 33cm long, with atail of another 280mm. They canweigh up to 2kg, with males beingslightly heavier.

Western Brush WallabyMacropus irma

This species is only found in thesouth-west of Western Australia. Itsmain threat is predation by theintroduced red fox but is believed tohave a fairly widespread stablepopulation as a result of fox controlprogrammes. It has a grey colourwith distinctive white colouringaround the face, arms and legs andhas black “gloves”. It mainly feeds ongrass.

Southwestern PygmyPossum

Cercartetus concinnus

This is a tiny marsupial withcinnamon coloured fur and purewhite underparts. It has large, ovalears, large eyes, and long whiskers.The tail is long and prehensile, andis covered with fine scales. Adultsare 5.7-7.2cm long with a tail of7.7-8.7cm. Adults weigh 8-21gm.The female has a well developedfront opening pouch. Its tongue isunusually large & it feeds on nectarand pollen, especially frommelaleuca & eucalyptus. It may playa role in flora pollination. It alsoeats insects. This tiny mammal easilyfalls prey to introduced carnivoressuch as red foxes and cats.

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

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

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

They are…….

• Darling Range Jarrah/Marri Forest Region Kalamunda - Balingup

• Karri Forests Region Balingup - Northcliffe

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

You are currently in the

Darling Range Jarrah/Marri Forest Region

by wollombi Babs & Bert Wells/DPaw Cape-to-Cape Catchments Group by Miss.chelle.13

PERTH

Fremantle

Mandurah

Bunbury

Busselton

BridgetownNannup

Manjimup

Collie

Pemberton

Northcliffe

Walpole Denmark

Albany

North Bannister

Dwellingup

Kalamunda

Balingup

FLORA & FAUNA

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Red-tailed Black CockatooCalyptorhynchus banksii

This species is usually found in theeucalyptus woodlands and nearwater courses. In the more northerlyparts of the Track they are commonlyseen in large flocks. They are seedeaters and cavity nesters, and assuch depend on trees with fairlylarge diameters. Populations arethreatened by deforestation andother habitat alterations.

Bronzewing PigeonPhaps calcoptera

This is a large, bulky pigeon with a small head. Its advertising callis an extraordinary mournful whooorepeated at regular intervals and forlong periods. They are groundfeeders but capable of very fastflight. They tend to browse quietlyuntil disturbed, their earthy brown/grey blending into the earth and leaflitter. When an intruder approachestoo close it takes off with anexplosive burst of sudden wingclapping.

Wedge-tailed EagleAquila audax

This is the largest bird of prey in Australia. It has long, fairly broadwings, fully feathered legs and anunmistakable diamond- shaped tail.It can easily be identified at a glanceas a "Wedgie" even by the non-expert. It is often seen “floating” onhigh air currents and although quiteterritorial it will travel severalkilometres in search of food.

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

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

Marri or Red Gum Height: up to 60mCorymbia calophylla Flowers: Feb-April

The marri is very common and the tallest of the tree species along theDarling Range. The bark is generally rough and segmented, and is oftencharacterised by streaks of dark red gum. The flowers are cream andappear in big clusters. The nuts, known as honkey nuts, are 3-4cm across.

by JJ Harrison

Western MagpieCracticus tibicen (dorsalis)

This bird is common in the south-westof Western Australia. Mainly black,the adult male has a white back andthe female has a scalloped black/brown mantle and back with feathersedged in white. With a wide variety ofcomplex calls it is one of Australia'smost highly regarded songbirds. It isomnivorous, eating invertebrates suchas spiders, earthworms, millipedes,snails & scorpions as well as a widevariety of insects, grain, fruit andsmall animals.

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Wandoo or White Gum Height: up to 30mEucalyptus wandoo Flowers: April-May

Wandoo trees can appear huge and majestic but also stunted and contorted.Termites often attack the tree’s softer woody core causing large limbs to shed.This provides many hollow nesting opportunities. On the ground the logsbecome very hard, termite resistant animal habitats. Vegetation beneath thesetrees is often sparse due to chemicals leached into the soil from its dead leaflitter. The bark has many appearances, smooth and often patchy with thecolours from grey-white (old) to cream (new). The old rough bark sheds eachyear revealing smooth new surfaces. The flowers are creamy-white and nutsare only 4mm across. In the colonial era the timber was prized for its strengthand durability.

Spreading Snottygobble Height: up to 8mPersoonia elliptica Flowers: Oct-Feb

Despite its odd shapes the spreading snottygobble can sometimes grow to areasonable height. It is easy to recognise with its bright green foliage whichstands out amongst the duller greens, browns and greys of our bushlands. Itis thought that when the small fleshy fruit falls to the ground animals such asemus, kangaroos and wallabies swallow it. The seed is eventually depositedin their droppings and subsequent germination occurs, ensuring a widedistribution of the species. This is probably the reason why snottygobbletrees are often found without other snottygobbles close by. It is generallythought that its seeds need to pass through the gut of an animal to enablethem to germinate.

Forest Sheoak Height: up to 20mAllocasuarina fraseriana Flowers: March-Dec

These trees usually have a drooping appearance with needle-like branchletswhich are not leaves. If you examine the nodes along the branchlets througha magnifying glass you will see miniature brown teeth-like scales. Thesescales are the leaves. With trunks to a diameter of up to 60cm or far largerforest sheoaks have a robust appearance. The bark has shades of grey andbrown with a reddish tinge. It is a very common species growing mainly ingravel soils throughout the jarrah forests. These trees are male or female, not both.

Bull Banksia Height: up to 10mBanksia grandis Flowers: Sept-Jan

There are several species of banksia growing throughout the Darling Rangebut this is the most common. It grows much more slowly under a heavycanopy than in the open. Its rounded and woody cones are typical of manyother banksia tree species. The hundreds of small flowers in each cylindricalflower head are an excellent food source providing nectar for insects, birds and small possums. Its seeds are enjoyed by black cockatoos and red-capped parrots. Unfortunately it succumbs easily and quickly to dieback disease.

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Blue LeschenaultiaLechenaultia biloba

Height: 0.15-1.0 metresFlowers: July-December

A spreading weak and woodystemmed shrub, with distinctive largecorolla winged blue flowers. It growsmainly in gravel based soils on hills,outcrops and flat ground.

(no common name)Bossiaea pulchella

Height: 0.4-1.5 metresFlowers: August-September

A many branched shrub, with yellowand brown/red flowers. It growsmainly on gravel based soils. Whenin flower it displays a wonderfulpresentation over a large area.

One-sided BottlebrushCalothamnus quadrifidus

Height: 0.9-2.0 metresFlowers: July-December

Strictly speaking this is not abottlebrush. It is an erect, compact orspreading shrub with red flowers andthin leaves. It grows on a widevariety of soils and habitats.

Couch HoneypotBanksia dallanneyi

Height: up to 30cmFlowers: June-October

This is a prostrate shrub. It displaysyellow-brown/cream and sometimesred/pink flowers. It enjoys sandyand gravelly soils. Ants love toharvest the nectar.

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

Cowslip OrchidCaladenia flava

Height: 10-25cmFlowers: July-December

A tuberous, perennial orchid withyellow to white flowers often with redmarkings. It grows in a variety ofsoils & habitats including laterite,sand, open areas, forests, graniteoutcrops & sandplains. A member ofthe spider orchid genus of orchids.

Lemon-scented DarwiniaDarwinia citriodora

Height: 0.2-2.0 metresFlowers: June-December

So named due to its citrus aromawhen the leaves are crushed. It is anerect to prostrate shrub with yellow togreen/red flowers. It grows onlaterite or granite soils especiallyaround rocky outcrops in the hills.

Common Donkey OrchidDiuris brumalis

Height: 20-50cmFlowers: July-August

This is a very common tuberous,perennial orchid with yellow andbrown flowers that appear to havelarge “ears”. It grows in gravellyloam, laterite soils.

False BoroniaPhyllanthus calycinus

Height: 0.2-1.2 metresFlowers: July-January

This shrub has separate male andfemale plants. Female flowers aretwice the size of the male flowers. It is an erect shrub with white-cream/pink flowers. Often seen on sandysoils it grows equally well on loamy soils.

Granite FeatherflowerVerticordia plumosa

Height: 0.2-1.5 metresFlowers: August-January

Particularly located around the edgesof granite outcrops this shrub haspink-blue-purple-red-white flowers.Sometimes spectacular masses offlowers are on show at one time.

Balga, Grasstree, BlackboyXanthorrhoea preissii

Height: up to 5 metresFlowers: July-December

This is a perennial grasstree with aflower spike of 1.5-2.5 metres inlength with white-cream flowers. It isversatile, growing in grey to blacksands, grey-brown loam, browngravelly sandy clay and laterite soils.It grows very slowly.

Fuchsia GrevilleaGrevillea bipinnatifida

Height: 0.2-1.0 metresFlowers: March-January

This is a spreading shrub withdivided leaves and has spectacularorange-red flowers. It grows ingranite soils, sand, loamy clay,laterite soils, rocky outcrops, hills andsometimes near winter-wet flats.

Yellow ButtercupHibbertia hypericoides

Height: 0.2-1.0 metresFlowers: April-December

This plant is a prolific erect, twiggy,spreading shrub with bright yellowflowers. It grows in a variety ofhabitats.

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Drumsticks or GrasstreeKingia australis

Height: 1.0-8.0 metresFlowers: November-March

A perennial grasstree which at firstglance looks similar to the Blackboy(Balga), but is from a completelydifferent botanic family. It has up to100 yellow-green to brown-greenflower heads on drumsticks. Found insand, sandy loam and clayey loam,it grows very slowly.

Orange StarsHibbertia stellaris

Height: 0.15-1.5 metresFlowers: August-December

An erect or prostrate, slender orbushy shrub with bright showyorange/yellow flowers. It grows insandy soils, clay, swampy areas andwinter-wet depressions.

Parrot BushBanksia sessilis

Height: up to 5 metresFlowers: April-November

This is a prolific prickly shrub or treethat produces masses of seed. It isvery important to the honey industryas it has a long flowering period.Provides food and protection for awide range of animals, birds andinsects. With cream-yellow flowers itgrows widely in sandy, granite orgravelly soils.

Prickly MosesAcacia pulchella

Height: 0.15-1.0 metresFlowers: July-December

A very spiky and mostly erect andwoody shrub, it has masses of thetypical yellow spherical wattleflowers. It grows in a wide variety of locations.

Purple FlagPatersonia occidentalis

Height: up to 1.0 metreFlowers: August-December

This is a rhizomatous, tuftedperennial plant with flower pursesthat produce delicate purple flowersat regular intervals. In particular itenjoys winter-wet areas, dunes, andgranite outcrops.

Red & Green Kangaroo PawAnigozanthos manglesii

Height: 0.2-1.1 metresFlowers: August-November

This plant is the Western Australianfloral emblem. It is a rhizomatous,perennial plant with highly unusualand spectacular green and redflowers. It grows mainly on white,yellow or grey sand and sandy loam.

White MyrtleHypocalymma angustifolium

Height: up to 1.5 metresFlowers: July-November

This is an erect, woody multi-stemmed shrub with white-creamflowers. Sometimes the flower budsappear to be pink. They are prolific,strong growers found in a widevariety of soils. They thrive in damp or hillside locations.

White Spider OrchidCaladenia longicauda

Height: 35-60cmFlowers: September-November

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

ZamiaMacrozamia riedlei

Height: up to 3 metresFlowers: February-April

This is one of the oldest flora specieson Earth. It has separate male andfemale plants. Sometimes this Cycadbuilds up a heavy plump base notusually recognised as a trunk. It haslong, glossy, pointed, openly keeled,narrow leaves.

Prickly HakeaHakea amplexicaulis

Height: 1.0-3.0 metresFlowers: August-October

The leaves on this species wraparound the stem. It is an erect,woody, straggly, slender shrub withvery prickly leaves and intricatewhite, cream-pink flowers. It thrivesin clay, loam and gravelly soils.

Wavy-leaved HakeaHakea undulata

Height: 1.0-2.0 metresFlowers: July-October

This is an erect, quite strong shrubwith white flowers. Its leaves arewavy with sharp points. It grows in awide variety of locations.

Sea Urchin HakeaHakea petiolaris

Height: up to 3.0 metresFlowers: July-August

This erect shrub or small tree has avery curious pink and cream flowerresembling a sea urchin. Inparticular it enjoys the surrounds ofgranite outcrops.

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Pincushion ConeflowerIsopogon dubius

Height: 0.3-1.5 metresFlowers: July-October

This is a compact, bushy and woodyshrub with sharp narrow leaves andhas impressive pink/red spreadingflowers. It is found in sandy, sandyloam, clayey and gravelly soils.

Bracken FernPteridium esculentum

Height: 0.5-2.0 metresFlowers: no flower

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

Basket FlowerAdenanthos obovatus

Height: 0.3-1.5 metresFlowers: May-December

This is an erect shrub with veryinteresting red and orange flowers. Itis found in sandy, gravelly and loamyareas. Sand dunes, swamps,winter-wet depressions and hillsidesare favoured areas.

Scented BanjinePimelea suaveolens

Height: 0.2-1.5 metresFlowers: July-October

This erect, spindly shrub hasspectacular drooping, yellow-greenflowers which seem to be too heavyfor the plant. It grows in sand,sandy clay and gravelly soils.Undulating plains, flats, ridges androadsides are favoured.

Prickly Bitter PeaDaviesia decurrens

Height: up to 1 metreFlowers: June-September

This very sharply needled plant is anerect, small branched shrub withorange, red or pink flowers. It thrivesin loam over clay and gravel.Well-drained slopes, adjacent tocreeks are sometimes favoured.

Pin CushionsBorya sphaerocephala

Height: 2-20cmFlowers: July-October

This is a tufted, perennial plant thatdries up in summer and comes backto life after the first rains. It is oftencalled resurrection plant. It has small white flowers and mainly grows on shallow soils on top ofgranite outcrops.

Many-flowered Fringed LilyThysanotus multiflorus

Height: 10-50cmFlowers: August-January

This perennial species grows in large tufts. It has very attractivepurple flowers that have a tendencyto open mid morning after somedirect sunlight and close earlyafternoon when it has had enoughsun exposure.

Silky Blue OrchidCyanicula sericea

Height: 15-40cmFlowers: August-October

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

Lesser BottlebrushCallistemon phoeniceus

Height: up to 6 metresFlowers: October-December

This species is one of only two truebottlebrush species (Callistemon)growing in Western Australia, theother being the Albany bottlebrush. It is a tall shrub or small tree with spectacular bright crimsonflowers and is often found alongwatercourses.

Bridal SundewDrosera macrantha

Height: 0.2-1.5 metresFlowers: July-November

This is an erect climber, often with a very long stem climbing to morethan 1.5 metres. It is a perennialplant usually with pretty whiteflowers. It enjoys sandy soils, loamand gravel. Like most sundews it is a carnivorous plant with sticky leaveswhich catch insects.

Bookleaf PeaDaviesia cordata

Height: 0.5-2.0 metresFlowers: July-January

This unusual and very attractive,erect, slender shrub has a tendencyto enclose its new flower buds with itsleaves. It grows in gravelly andgranite soils, along undulating plains,hillsides and ridges.

AlbizaParaserianthes lophantha

Height: up to 10 metresFlowers: July-August

This tall graceful tree-like plantbelongs to the same family aswattles. Common in some coastalareas it enjoys growing alongsidemany rivers in the Darling Scarp. It has cream coloured bottlebrushshaped flowers.

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Bobtail LizardTiliqua rugosa

This species has a heavilyarmoured body and can befound with various colours,ranging from dark brown tocream. Its length varies from260-310mm but it is a veryheavy-bodied lizard for itslength. It has a triangular headand a bright blue tongue which it will display with a hiss whenthreatened. Its short, stumpy tailcontains fat reserves, which itlives on during winterhibernation. It can inflict a nasty bite.

Ornate Crevice LizardCtenophorus ornatus

This species is a member of adiverse genus that can bedistinguished from other lizardsby its greatly flattened body. Ithas a length of around 95mm,and a distinctly banded tail. It iscommon on granite outcrops,where it shelters under slabs andboulders, especially inundisturbed areas. When out inthe open, often basking on warmrocks, it displays a head-bobbingcharacteristic.

Barking GeckoUnderwoodisaurus milii

Thick-tailed geckos arereddish-brown with bands ofwhite and yellow spots and apaler underbelly. It usually grows to 120–140mm in length.Their tail, which is sometimes lost when attacked, is black with several pale bands. Whenthreatened, it will arch theirbacks and "bark". They arenocturnal, and shelterunderneath rocks or in burrows during the day. They feed on invertebrates.

Common South-westCtenotus

Ctenotus labillardieri

Sometimes called red-leggedctenotus, this little species variesin colour and pattern, but isgenerally from olive-brown todark brown. It has a narrowwhite stripe from above the eyeto the tip of its tail. Itsdistribution is widespreadthroughout much of thesouth-west of Western Australia.It is usually found around andunder rocks and rocky outcropsin heathlands and eucalyptforests. It often hides underdecaying logs and bark.

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

GFDL Tnarg 12345 Photo: Jordan Vos

FROGS INSECTS FUNGI SPIDERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit our shop online at bibbulmuntrack.org.au

Thank you…

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

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

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

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

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

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