volume 20 no.5 march 2013 newsletter of the australian ...apstas.org.au/docs/eucryphia/eucryphia...

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ISSN 1324-3888 PRINT POST APPROVAL No. PP 764326/100008

$2.20

Newsletter of the Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc.

Eucryphia Volume 20 No.5 March 2013

Hibbertia basaltica

©Photo by Dick Burns

PRINTER: THE XEROX SHOP,

118 BATHURST STREET HOBART TASMANIA 7000

Dick Burns OAM See page 24

Photo by Bruce Champion

The rare and threatened Utricularia australis recently found in Cataract Gorge. See story on page 13. © Photograph is by Miguel de Salas, Tasmanian Herbarium, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

1 2

3

Tall White Gums Reserve

1. Enjoying the view in front of the home of Annette & John.

2. The first revegetation. 3. John and his possum guard

4

Gustav Weindorfer’s Grave

4. Gerald Weindorfer placing a candle on the grave.

All photos by Dick Burns.

32 Eucryphia March 2013

President Jill Clark 6327 2899

Vice President Dick Burns 6437 2474 Past President Mark Geeves, 6297 1411

Secretary Mary Slattery 6423 5697 Treasurer Alan Clark 6267 1590 Membership Officer Frances Taylor 6229 9443 Eucryphia Editor Noel Kerrison 6224 6930 Public Officer Noel Kerrison 6224 6930 Publications Officer David Boyer 6293 1113

N/letter Despatch Gemma O’Callaghan 6227 9084 Study Group Liaison Marion Simmons 6330 1370 Australian Plants Liaison Dick Burns 6437 2474 ANPSA Delegate Riitta Boevink 6428 6909 Auditor TBA

Postal Address

PO Box 3035, ULVERSTONE MDC 7315

REGIONAL OFFICERS

GROUP OFFICERS

Hobart Group

President Sib Corbett 6239 1275 V/President Christine Corbett 6239 1904 Secretary Amanda Walker 0438316095 Treasurer Jenny Boyer 6293 1113

Committee Members

David Boyer 6293 1113

Kay Geeves 62971131

Postal address:

GPO Box 1353K, Hobart 7001

Council Delegates

David Boyer 6293 1113

Bruce Champion 6224 1004

Contact Officer

Philip Sumner (AH)6267 4384 Eucryphia Liaison

Anne McKenzie (AH) 6267 4384

Meeting place/time

Lecture Theatre 1, Life Sciences Building,

University Sandy Bay Campus/7.30 pm

Second Wednesday of the month.

Northern Group

President Janet Hallam 6327 2655

V/President Julie Nermut 6331 6106

Secretary Sharon Percy 63966107

Treasurer Roy Skabo 6334 6787

Council Delegates

Julie Nermut 6331 6106

Vacant

Eucryphia Liaison

Louise Skabo 6334 6787

Postal address/Email:

16 Denis Drive, Riverside 7250

[email protected]

Meeting place /time

Max Fry Hall, Gorge Rd, Trevallyn/7.30 p.m.,

Third Tuesday of the month.

North West Group

President John Tabor 6428 6512

V/President Dick Burns 6437 2474

Secretary Sheryn Johnson 6428 2898

Treasurer John Boevink 6428 6909

Council Delegates Riita Boevink 6428 6909

Richard Morriss 6432 2043

Eucryphia Liaison

Council Delegates Postal address

PO Box 3035 Ulverstone MDC 7315

Meeting place/time

Mersey Regional Library, Devonport/7.30 p.m. Third Tuesday of the month.

Kingborough Group

President Frances Taylor 6229 9443

V/President Carmen Walker 6229 6566

Secretary Vacant

Treasurer Pat Kerrison 6224 6930

Council Delegates

Pat Kerrison 6224 6930

Frances Taylor 6229 9443

Eucryphia Liaison

Council Delegates

Postal address

c/- Secretary, PO Box 281 Kingston. 7051

Meeting place/time

Centacare (formerly Red Cross) Rooms Balmoral Rd, Kingston Beach/2.00 p.m. First Wednesday of the month.

APSTas Directory


Contents

New Members ......................................... 2

Membership subs. & renewals .............. 2

Editorial .................................................... 3

Queensland Conference ........................ 4

From the President ................................. 5

AGM Notice & Agenda ........................ 6

White Gum Forest Restoration ............ 8

Congratulations to ‘Our Glad’ .............. 9

Websites ................................................... 9

DB’s Rave Plant for 2012 .................... 10

What is the AFF? .................................. 11

Mount Rumney verges ......................... 12

Advertising rates ................................... 12

Rare find in Cataract Gorge ................ 13

APSTInc website .................................. 14

A day to remember ............................... 15

Calender for 2013 ................................. 16

Dates to remember ............................... 17

News from the Study Groups ............ 19

Application for membership ............... 22

Our Objectives ...................................... 23

Want to help make a difference? ........ 23

Richard Alfred (Dick) Burns OAM ... 24

Group Annual Reports

Northern Group ............................... 25

North West group ............................. 26

News from the Groups

Hobart Group ................................... 28

Northern Group ............................... 29

Kingborough Group ........................ 29

Group Programmes

Hobart Group ................................... 30

Kingborough Group ........................ 31

North West Group ........................... 31

Northern Group ............................... 31

APSTas Directory ................................. 32

EUCRYPHIA

ISSN 1324-3888

Published quarterly in

March, June, September and December by the Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc.

ABN 64 482 394 473.

(formerly The Society for Growing Australian

Plants, Tasmanian Region, Inc.)

Society postal address:

PO Box 3035, Ulverstone MDC Tas 7315

Editor: Noel Kerrison,

67 Salamanca Square,

Battery Point, Tas 7004

Ph: (03) 6224 6930.

e-mail: [email protected]

Contributions and letters to the editor are welcome. If possible they should be typed using one side of the paper only or, preferably, forwarded by email to the editor. Most word-processor formats are acceptable.

If handwritten, please print botanical names and the names of people.

Original text may be reprinted, unless otherwise indicated, provided an acknowledgment of the source is given. Permission to reprint non-original material and all drawings and photos must be obtained from the copyright holder. Views and opinions expressed in articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily the views and/or opinions of the Society.

Distribution

Please refer any problems with receipt or distribution to:

The Newsletter Distribution Officer,

PO Box 3035, Ulverstone MDC Tas 7315

Front Cover:

The cover photo of Hibbertia basaltica was taken by Dick Burns. See the article by

Dick on this plant on page 10.8

Next issue in June 2013 Deadline is 29 May 2013


New Member: The Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc. extends a warm welcome to this new member.

Irmgard Rosenfeldt, 75/177 Penquite Road, NORWOOD 7250 63433936.

Membership Renewals

Your subscription expiry date is shown on the mailing envelope and automatic reminders will be enclosed near expiry date. Please return the reminder with your payment to facilitate the work and record-keeping of the Treasurer and the Membership Officer. If payment has already been received this is reflected in the expiry date on your mailing envelope and you do not need to send any remittance until you next receive a reminder. An application form is included on page 22 for use in introducing new members to the Society. Please note the requirement to unambiguously identify yourself and the subscription type if payment is made directly into our bank account. Failure to do so can cause substantial difficulty for the Treasurer and Membership Officer.

Membership Subscriptions

*Concession subscription rates are available to holders of a Pensioner Health Concession Card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs or of a Student ID Card. **Paid by Banker's Draft in $Australian. ***Subscription payments may also be made directly into the Society’s account at a Westpac bank or by Electronic Funds Transfer.

Please identify payment with your surname. Account details:

Name: Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc.; BSB:037015, Account number: 194644.

****It is a decision of Council, after consulting a forum of members at the State Get-together in November 2007, that the subscription to Australian Plants entitles a member to receive only those issues that are published during the members subscription period. Purchase of back copies may be arranged by contacting your Group secretary.

Regular (individual) including Organisations $40.00

*Concession membership $37.00

Each additional adult included in Household Membership (Regular or Concession)

$9.00

Each additional child included in Household Membership (Regular or Concession)

$1.00

**Overseas Member or Overseas Organisation

$55.00

****Subscription for Australian Plants $14.00


NORTH WEST GROUP Mary Slattery See Group newsletter for programme details.

19 March—GENERAL MEETING—Unusual wooden products. BYO. Leader: J. Tabor. 21 March—PROPAGATION—10.00 a.m. Arboretum. Contact: John Tabor, 6428 6512. 23 March—APST INC AGM and COUNCIL MEETING—Max Fry Memorial Hall,

Trevallyn. See details on page 6. 7 April—PLANTS SALE—at Arboretum, 10.00 a.m.-3.00 p.m. 21 May—GENERAL MEETING

23 May—PROPAGATION—10.00 a.m. Arboretum. Contact: John Tabor, 6428 6512. Meetings are held at the Mersey Regional Library from February to November on the third

Tuesday of the month. Doors open at 7.00 p.m., meeting starts at 7.30 p.m.8

NORTHERN GROUP Janet Hallam

See Group newsletter for further details of the programme. 2 March, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 19 March, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING— Speaker: Dr. Tanya Bailey,

Restoration Ecologist will speak on regeneration and re-vegetation trials with native plants in the Midlands.

6 April, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 16 April, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—TBA

4 May, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 21 May, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING— Club night. 1 June, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 18 June, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Speaker: Helen Statham,

subject TBA.

6 July, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 16 July, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING— Club night. 2 November, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 19 November, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING— activity TGA. 7 December, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month (except December and January) at the Max Fry Hall, Gorge Road, Trevallyn at the usual time of 7.30 p.m.8

KINGBOROUGH GROUP Carmen Walker

3 April, Wednesday 2 00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Centacare Rooms, Balmoral Rd, Kingston followed by Group Discussion 'Problems and Successes' in your Garden

2 May Wednesday 2 00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Centacare Rooms, Balmoral Road, Kingston followed by Guest Speaker Joyce Batchelor - with a photographic presentation on interesting Tasmanian environments.

6 June Wednesday 2 00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Centacare Rooms, Balmoral Road, Kingston followed by Guest Speaker Erica Shankley - 'Tasman Island'

4 July Wednesday 2 00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Centacare Rooms, Balmoral Road, Kingston followed by Guest Speaker from The Understorey Network.

Meetings are held in the Centacare Rooms at the end of Balmoral Road, Kingston Beach on the first Wednesday of the month (except January) at 2.00 p.m. Visitors are welcome.8


Group Programmes

Walk Grades: A–mostly driving, short walks; B–more walking, easy paths; C–long walk, uneven ground.

Leaders have the right to deny participation if health/fitness is incompatible with the grading of the walk.

HOBART GROUP M King, S and K Corbett, K Geeves 13 March, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.—ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING—Followed by a

general meeting. Bruce Champion will present a short talk entitled ‘Rocky Cape Rambles’ based on his walk in the Rocky Cape National Park.

16 March, Saturday—PLANT SALE—9.00 a.m-1.00 p.m. Kingston Primary School at sand box shelter.

29 March-1 April, Friday-Monday—EASTER TRIP TO CRADLE MOUNTAIN—Bookings for 4 self-contained cabins have been made at Discovery Holiday Park – each holds 4 people comfortably – and one small cabin at Waldheim. The programme of walks not finally decided and is subject to weather and wishes and abilities of those who come. Some innovative and different things intended. A communal dinner will be organized for Saturday night. Contact Corbetts, ph. 6239 1275.

6 April, Saturday, 1.30 p.m.—PROPAGATION—Kingston Primary School; entry off Church and Freeman Streets via Sherburd Street carpark on the western end of the school. How and when to pot-up and pot-on seedlings and cuttings.

10 April, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—‘Cats and Wildlife’ Meg Lorang, Cat Management Project Officer for the Kingborough Council, will talk about her work in the municipality. Flower of the month: Anne McKenzie.

28 April, Sunday—WALK—Tarn Shelf, Mt Field NP. Grade B. Traditional homage to the turning of the fagus. Still one of the great day walks in the state, amongst beautiful alpine glacial scenery. Return route from Lake Newdegate will depend on the day. Contact: Corbetts, 6239 1275.

4 May, Saturday, 1.30 p.m.—PROPAGATION—Kingston Primary School. Propagating Tasmanian rainforest and sub alpine species.

8 May, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Sib and Keith Corbett will delight us again with more wonderful photos and stories of their bushwalking adventures in our wonderful State of Tasmania. Flower of the month: Christine Howells.

26 May, Sunday—WALK—Hartz Mountains. Grade B. The Prionotes should still be flowering on the road up. We will go via Lake Esperance and Ladies Tarn to Hartz Peak, with the probable return via Arthur Tarn. Contact: Corbetts, 6239 1275.

1 June, Saturday, 1.30 p.m.—PROPAGATION—Kingston Primary School. Selecting species, pots and soil mixes; and re-potting container plants.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. in Lecture Theatre 1, Life Sciences Building, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay. All welcome.8

Venue for Hobart

Group Meetings

Lecture Theatre 1 in the Life Sciences Building on the

Sandy Bay campus of the University of Tasmania,

Building 34 .

Enter off College Road (left turn just past the Herbarium entrance). Parking in College


Editorial

Fire Most people living in Tasmania (and no doubt our members in particular) appreciate the proximity of the bushland to the cities and towns, to the CBD and to residential areas. It probably represents the major part of the appeal of the place. In fact many elect to actually live within the bushland, or very close to it, also within comfortable commuting distance of their workplace and facilities and able to enjoy the pleasures of the bush or a large garden, while earning a living and/or taking advantage of ‘civilised’ amenities!

I was often envy of interstate business colleagues when I pointed out that I lived on six acres of bushland within 15 minutes travel of the GPO and my office. Something that only the most wealthy could enjoy in a mainland capital, if indeed such opportunities still exist.

However, such the advantages and pleasure that accompany living in such proximity to the bush often come at a price—the anxiety of the ever-present threat of bushfire during summer and the risk of property or personal loss that goes with it.

There have been a number of major fire events in the last few decades, perhaps the most severe being in 1967 when, in addition to substantial property and bushland damage, there were many lives lost.

This summer threatened to be a repeat of 1967 in many respects. While there were many instances of extensive and tragic property losses in a number of wide-spread areas, with better preparation, communications, experience and expertise there was, as far as I recall, only one life lost. It seems that the lessons of previous years, both here and on the mainland, were well learnt. And volunteers were terrific in the their application both at the fire front and wherever needed behind the scenes.

As reported by Sib Corbett in the Hobart Group news on page 28 our members did not escape unscathed.

Kris Schaffer’s cabin at Murdunna was destroyed in the fire that raged through the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas with such devastating effect in the town of Dunalley.

The Molesworth-Collinsvale fire completely destroyed the large acreage of native bush and garden at Joy and Bob Coghlan’s property. The fire must have come perilously close to destroying their house as the radiant heat shattered windows and melted the pots of their plants at the house. They had to vacate the house, and could not return until power was restored.

Our sympathy is extended to Kris, Joy and Bob in their loss and for the trauma they must have experienced. AGM Some Groups have already held their AGM, and in those cases it is interesting to see the same members accepting office again. It really would be good if some new faces appeared.

The AGM of the Council and of some Groups are still to come. If you haven't already done so, perhaps you could consider offering to take office.

Most Council members don’t spend more than a couple of years in office (mandatory for the President) and don’t find it too burdensome but participating in the decision making can be quite rewarding. Most members enjoy the opportunity of regularly meeting the representatives from the other areas and ‘comparing notes’. Transport is usually shared where possible and petrol costs are reimbursed.8


Are you going to the

Queensland

Conference?

Melva Truchanas

Since 1990, when the ANPSA (then ASGAP) Conference and Seminar (generally referred to as the ‘Conference’) was so succes s fu l l y a r ranged by Tasmania, I have been attending such Conferences every second year, travelling around to each Australian state in the company of wonderful ly knowledgeable amateur and profess ional botanists.

It is a rare pleasure to experience the friendship and exchange of experiences and knowledge given with such great generosity.

Queensland this year will be the host, with the theme ‘Diversity is our Nature’. The Conference will be held on the Sunshine Coast at Alexandra Park Conference Centre, near Alexandra Headland, from 10-16 August. Three pre-conference tours are offered from 4-9 August, and two post conference from 17-22. There is a full programme with three days of knowledgeable lectures on wide-ranging topics and two field trips during the week. Some bus trips are offered during each weekend.

The convener is well-respected Australian Landscape Architect, Lawrence Smith, who has contributed widely to ANPSA in the past.

Costs are reasonable. *Registration for the Conference week detailed above is $300, fully provided accommodation at the Centre $100 per night ($800) and 6 day pre-conference tours $800. At present air fares Hobart-Sunshine Coast (direct) are $300 one way. With Conference and a pre-conference tour, I am budgeting for $3,000 in all.

Further information is available at www.sgapqld.org.au, and registration forms (downloadable), costs and all details can be accessed from that site.

Maybe I will see you there!

[* The registration fee quoted is the ‘Early Bird’ fee available to members registering before 30 April. After that date registration increases to $340.00.]

The Alexandra Conference Centre is situated very close to the beach, on a hill surrounded by bushland. A variety of accommodation is available at the Centre and all seminars, workshops and main meals will be held at this venue.


Kingborough Group Fran Taylor

In December we combined our general meeting with our Christmas lunch. Our original plan was to go to Dru Point, Margate but with the threat of inclement weather Norma Ali offered her house and garden. We had 16 members attend. Our meeting was followed by a delicious lunch contributed to by our members. In between showers we were able to enjoy Norma's garden.

For our February meeting we had planned an excursion to the Kingston Wetlands but again we were thwarted by the weather. This time it was the heat with the temperature reaching the mid 30s. But as usual there was plenty to discuss on the display table. Thank you to the members who contributed. 8

Don’t like driving at night?

Prefer a daytime meeting?

Why not try the Kingborough Group?

2.00 p.m. 1st Wednesday of the month

All welcome

Northern Group Louise Skabo

Following a really enjoyable Christmas function in late November which included our annual keenly contested photographic display of ‘Plants, People and Places’, our Group adjourned meetings until February 2013. However, Excursions continued. Roy Skabo did a reconnoitre of Lake Augusta on the Central Highlands and was truly impressed with the array of native plants, many in flower. Roy led a dozen members on 19 January across the Liawenee Plateau with wonderful views across to the Walls of Jerusalem. We saw scores of plants with several rare ones including Ranunculus collicola—the Lake Augusta buttercup --endemic and only found here. Another endemic plant found mainly around Lake Augusta was Planacarpa nitida and spotted in a semi dry tarn was the simple-leaf buttercup, Ranunculus setaceus. Sand dunes on the Highlands? These lunettes, in Australia found only in Tasmania, were golden when the sun shone and harboured lovely plants like Oreomyrrhis argentea. Despite a

cool, rainy and blustery day, all agreed it was a fabulous outing. 2 February saw 13 people visit the mainly native urban gardens of fellow members Jill Clark, Margaret Killen and Trevor Yaxley. Some new members were able to see different approaches to landscape designs for smaller gardens and were impressed with the colour and variety of the native plants. 14 species were collected and later propagated at North’s nursery after a sociable lunch. Our Group will hold an Autumn Plant Sale on 20 April at Max Fry Hall, Trevallyn. Lastly, our 19 February AGM was most successful with a dozen volunteers to fill the wide ranging tasks of our active society.



Hobart Group Sib Corbett

Keith Corbett provided a report of our activities right up to December 2012, and this report recapitulates a little of what happened during that period and brings us up to date for 2013. We have been in recess since December, with a bountiful summer flowering somewhat marred by the constant bushfire threat. Joy and Bob Coghlan left their Molesworth property as it was threatened by fire, returning to find their whole acreage blackened, right up to the pot plants at the house. Mercifully, the house was saved. Kris Schaffer also lost a cabin in the fires which devastated large parts of the Tasman Peninsula. The drought which makes these bushfires so dangerous continues in the south, with plant deaths on rock plates and N-facing slopes as bad as we have ever seen, and plenty of losses in gardens as well.

In November 2012 the Hobart Group presented a display on Tasmania’s endemic flora at the Margate Heritage Centre, featuring a selection of the Talbot de Malahide Flora plates, supported by cut flowers and display boards with Keith’s spectacular flower pictures from the wilderness. Christine Howells, Betty Hansson and Sib Corbett mounted the display and were kept busy during November tending the vases and providing fresh specimens.

The launch of the new edition of Tasmania’s Natural Flora has already been reported, and sales are going very well, thanks particularly to Christine’s efforts in distribution. Our series of wildflower cards is also proving popular in a very competitive market place and sales have already covered our costs.

At our first meeting for 2013 members were entertained by David Reynolds, with a pictorial account of a recent trip to the Kimberly Region. At this meeting members were reminded that our AGM is in March, at which we will need to elect a new president, secretary and committee members.

Our first walk for 2013 was to Lake Belton in the Mt. Field National Park and found many of us a bit older than we used to be, and suffering in the heat; but we were rewarded by a wonderful display of subalpine plants and glacial scenery on the western slopes of Mt. Mawson.8


From the President

Jill Clark, President

Another year has flown by and I am now at the end of my two-year term as Regional President. I have learnt a lot, but there is still a great deal more to learn especially about the rules and regulations governing our Society. I know that some Group members find this aspect of belonging to APST frustrating and consider things like ‘Constitutions’ unnecessary, and when things are going smoothly this may seem to be the case. However in a national organisation as large as APS, there have to be guidelines, and legal requirements have to be followed. Some members argue that we are about plants not meetings, and so we are, but should any group or member of a group make a mistake you can be certain that there will be someone just waiting to profit from this mistake.

By the time you receive this edition of Eucryphia we will be well into 2013. What a summer we have had with high temperatures, constant wind and very little rain, which has resulted in the devastating bushfires that ravaged Dunalley and other areas of Tasmania. It seems that Mother Nature is paying us back for our treatment of the planet, and from what I read it will only get worse.

The Christmas break has been rather busier than usual for me as I have been involved in organising the resealing of the floor at the hall where Northern Group holds its monthly meetings. This meant emptying the Group’s library cupboard in order to move it and also moving many chairs and tables. On the positive side, it also meant the library received a much needed ‘spring clean’! It is not patronised nearly as frequently these days as the answers to almost everything can be found on the internet. Speaking of which, ‘apstas.org.au’ will soon reveal the new Regional website, the establishment of which has been a mammoth task undertaken by Bruce Champion. Every item of information has been checked and rechecked before being placed in the appropriate section, and as a result many anomalies have come to light and I have been asked questions most of which I was unable to answer. Hence the previous remark about there still being much to learn! An updating of Council Manuals is one outcome, so any Council Member or Group Officer who has a Handbook should bring/send it to the AGM in March.

Although the subject was covered in the last issue of Eucryphia, I cannot write this without mentioning how much I personally and all members of Northern Group will miss John Simmons, with his quiet sense of humour, cheeky grin and wealth of knowledge in so many fields. Together with Marion he achieved so much in his lifetime, probably the most recent being the John Simmons Shade House, which is full to overflowing—roll on the Autumn Sale!

I will finish by repeating what is always said at this time of year, i.e. please consider taking on a Council position this year, the Council desperately needs new people with new ideas, we are none of us getting any younger!


Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Society

will be held on

23 March 2013 at 11.00 a.m.

at the Max Fry Memorial Hall, Gorge Road, Trevallyn.

Agenda

1. Welcome

2. Attendance and apologies

3. Confirmation of minutes of previous 2012 AGM

4. Business arising from the minutes

5. President’s report

6. Financial report

7. Grant amount

8. Election of council officers

a. President

b. Vice President\

c. Treasurer

d. Secretary

e. Public Officer

f. Membership Officer

9. Appointments

a. Eucryphia Editor

b. Newsletter Dispatch Officer

c. Study Group Liaison Officer

d. Publications Officer

e. Nomenclature Officer

f. Auditor

g. Conservation Officer

h. Website Liaison Officer

i. ANPSA Delegate

j. ANPSA Delegate

k. APJ Liaison Officer

l. Convenor of Grants Committee

10. Motions on Notice a. That clause 39 (ii) of the Constitution be amended by deleting the word ‘newsletter’ and inserting the words ‘journal, Eucryphia’.

11. General Business (if any).

12. Next AGM

29 March 2014 hosted by North West Group. Venue to be advised.

13. Closure.


ongoing operations and a reserve to cover future requirements. The sale was augmented by the opportunity to sell additional plants at the Kentish Garden Club September show.

We also assisted member Mary-Anne Stagg with her successful Open Garden providing another opportunity to sell our plants.

Plant propagation under the leadership of Riitta Boevink had a successful year and has produced a large range of high quality plants resulting in the good plant sales.

Dick Burns assisted by Riitta Boevink and John Tabor ran propagation sessions in Arbor Week in May for the Spreyton and Nixon Street Primary Schools at the Eugenana Arboretum.

We again assisted with a working bee to plant shrubs in the Tasmania section of the Arboretum.

The North West Group hosted the State Members Get-together in early November in Wynyard with varied activities ranging from garden visits at Oldina and Sisters Beach and nature walks in the Rocky Cape National Park. These walks were of different lengths and took place from the Sisters Beach and Rocky Cape ends of the Park and participants were rewarded with a magnificent display of many types of coastal wildflowers. Everyone was welcomed with soup and sandwiches on Friday night and dinner at the RSL Club in Wynyard on the Saturday night with 36 members attending. A great weekend with many messages received thanking us for an enjoyable weekend.

Our Christmas Dinner was held at the home of Sandra and Rob Simmons at West Kentish. A great night and an enjoyable walk around the extensive garden. Thank you Sandra and Rob for your hospitality.

A big thank you to all members who have contributed to our activities during the year and to our hard-working office bearers, Secretary Shaks Johnson, Mary Slattery for Newsletter Production and Treasurer John Boevink.

On behalf of APST North West Group I would like to congratulate Dick Burns on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to botany and as an author and conservationist. Dick has worked tirelessly for the Australian Plant Society for many years and the honour is well deserved.8

Nurseries Redbreast


North West Group John Tabor, Group President

Another year has passed and while our active member numbers are still not great, we have had a very successful year.

We have continued to have interesting monthly meetings throughout the year with good guest speakers on a variety of topics from Warrawee Reserve, Invasive Species to Kelp Fertilisers. In addition some of our own members have given very interesting presentations. Of continuing interest at these meetings has also been our flower table and the plant-of-the-month presentations. Our thanks to Clive Bott and his committee for arranging the speakers and to Clive for continuing to look after the book library.

A number of garden visits were held including the gardens of Anne and Ben Ketelaar, Annette and John Thompson, Sam and Elaine Biggins (Katandra Gardens) and to Shaks Johnson’s Forth Valley Nursery who hosted our informal July meeting. We also visited Rubicon Sanctuary in association with the Northern Group.

Our Autumn Plant Sale was again a great success and continues to provide funds for

Our group’s photo competition was held at the 2012 end-of-year dinner. There were three categories—plants, places and people—that attracted many entries with the photographs of high quality.

Field Trips and Garden visits

Throughout the year several field trips and/or visits were organised. These included: A final visit to the Whish-Wilson garden at Batman Bridge; A visit to the Rubicon Sanctuary and Hawley Nature Reserve; A search for Thismia rodwayii in the Meander valley; A plant search on the Pitts’ land at Greens Beach; and A visit to the Habitat Nursery, Blackwood.

Publicity

As well as the excellent monthly articles written by Karen Johnson and published in The Examiner’s gardening columns, and the continued success of our Group website, we added another initiative by enabling and encouraging members to have shirts or fleece-tops embroidered with the APST Inc. badge. Heritage Forest Garden

The plants in the Tasmanian Garden in the Heritage Forest area near the Caswell Street entrance are really starting to mature now and in spring there was a fine floral display. During the year over 100 new plants were planted by Habitat Nursery under contract to the Launceston City Council. Many well-attended working bees were held during the year.

Conservation

While our group has not undertaken projects in its own name, the Northern Group is proud that many community groups undertaking such work are often co-ordinated by our members, the latest being the formation of the Friends of Punchbowl Reserve, instigated by Roy Skabo. Other groups concerned with conservation of native flora and coordinated by our members are: Friends of the Tamar Wetlands, Friends of Machens Reserve and Friends of Trevallyn Reserve. There are possibly others in the Tamar Valley also. Collectively the work they do is vitally important.

Thanks

Thank you to all office-bearers and members for your support in my role as President this past year, but particularly to Sharon Percy for her unwavering energy and positivity and Trevor Yaxley for the expert and professional way he reported and presented Group finances for many years. (For a fuller version of this report with acknowledgements see the Group Website www.apstasnorth.org) 8


Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 9-5

( June, August 9-4 ) Closed July

240 Jones Road, Liffey, Tas 7301 Phone 6397 3400 / 0408 973400

www. habitatplants.com.au

A wide range of trees, shrubs (including

rainforest species), groundcovers, grasses,

wildflowers, ferns and aquatics.

TASMANIAN NATIVE PLANTS

Plants for screens, shelter, wildlife habitat,

re-vegetation, riverbanks, wetlands or just

pure pleasure. Catalogue available please

send six 50c stamps.

Max Fry Hall

Getting to the AGM at

Max Fry Hall

Coming from Hobart:

Turn west into Paterson Street; Paterson becomes Bridge Street and passes under the West Tamar Highway; Turn right across the low level bridge into Trevallyn Road; Turn left into Gorge Road and Max Fry Hall is on the right just before Gorge Road curves to the left.

Arrows on the map below show the route. The same route can be used by North West members.


WHITE GUM (Eucalyptus viminalis) FOREST RESTORATION

AT GUNNS PLAINS Dick Burns

In 2009, retired Canberra residents John Thompson and Annette Vojinov were searching back-roads of northern Tasmania for a property. With the name ‘Gunn’ regularly in the headlines, their curiosity brought Annette and John along the South Riana Road to check out Gunns Plains. In a subsequent article in the newsletter of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (issue 25), they wrote that ‘our first view of the picturesque valley from the lookout … took our breath away’. (Of the three access roads into Gunns Plains, the approach from Riana is the most scenic, and the one I always try to use). Gunns Plains was going to be their retirement locality!

In December 2008, Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) had purchased land on the eastern slopes of the valley to conserve wet Eucalyptus viminalis forest, an endangered community. The property included a house, an old orchard and much weed-infested pasture, as well as the wet forest. TLC organised a conservation covenant for the forest and some of the degraded land, then advertised ‘Tall White Gums Reserve’ for sale. John and Annette agreed to buy it in February 2010, after negotiating boundaries for the covenanted sections, etc. The covenant covers about 14 ha, 10 ha of which is forest with the remainder requiring recovery.

The couple’s knowledge of Tasmanian plants was not great, so they quickly joined our Society and the North West Group, moving to Gunns Plains in April 2010. By November 2012, Annette and John were well enough established to invite us to have a look at their achievements.

That Sunday was a typical north-west spring day and as I drove in from Penguin, through Riana across the rolling green hills and past John and Annette’s lookout, I thought (once more) how privileged we are to live in the North West. Tall White Gums Reserve, perched above Gunns Plains, provides just as spectacular a view, looking across the Leven River flowing through the wide flats of the valley and to Dial Range and Loyetea Peak.

John first led us through the Eucalyptus viminalis forest, much of it regrown from earlier woodcutting. While the understorey does not have a great variety, it is a beautiful forest with the tall straight trunks of E. viminalis, the occasional E. obliqua and blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon.

We then strolled down to the degraded parts of the reserve. Some large stretches had been covered by blackberry, others by blue periwinkle, Vinca major. John had found that metsulfuron methyl (sold commercially as ‘Brush off’) was an effective weedicide for the blackberry, but the Vinca required some observation and experimentation: John’s scientific and project management background has been valuable. As most of us have found, Vinca regards one spray of glyphosate as a fertiliser. But John had discovered that two sprayings within six weeks significantly reduced regrowth. The Vinca growing in shaded areas required only one spraying to achieve a greater than ninety five percent result. Organosilicone penetrant was included in the spray-mixes.

A grove of pussy willow received its marching orders via notches around the trunks filled with glyphosate. In one of the wet gullies, Italian lily, Arum italicum, is thriving. John intends to deal with this thick-rooted pest before flowering season, using multiple-strength metsulfuron methyl with penetrant.

Annette and John started early in establishing young Eucalyptus viminalis in suitable spots: all propagated plants have local provenance. John found that tall hoops of chicken-wire did not stop possum browsing. The photo (see inside back cover) shows his clever

(Continued on page 9)


HOLIDAY HOUSE TO LET

Comfortable, secluded, quiet, 3 to 4 bedroom house on

waterfront,

4 acre bush block at North Binalong Bay.

Available for holiday periods and other times.

Great area for native plants and animals. Direct access to two safe

beaches.

(No large groups. No pets.)

Phone 63346787 or 0419399041

Northern Group Janet Hallam, Group President

During 2012 Northern Group activities were both diverse and well supported. It was gratifying that towards the end of the year when there were many working bees and other activities scheduled, there was an enthusiastic response from members.

As at December 31st our Group had 55 members. From the previous year’s membership, 4 did not renew their subscriptions, but there were 5 new members. Nursery and Plant Sales

Gross takings from our 2012 plant sales totalled $2559. On propagation days our nursery was always a hive of activity with propagators, pot and punnet washers, weeders, labellers, re-potters, sorters and rationalisers all of whom were capably led by Sharon Percy. Trying to second-guess what the public want to buy at our sales is difficult but in 2012 a concerted effort was made to broaden the range of species grown.

Two further highlights from the nursery’s year were the donation of 80 plants to Brooks High School to replace plants stolen from its newly landscaped gardens – an excellent public-relations exercise and, in September, on the first day of spring, the naming of the nursery’s shade-house in honour of John Simmons. Programme

The 2012 meeting night programme has been varied and interesting, with a mix of speakers and club nights where members provide or participate in an educational activity.

Speakers and topics covered were: Sequencing of the Eucalypt genome–Dr. Rebecca Jones; Phil Collier and Robyn Garnett: The Rubicon Sanctuary: experimental work in species management; Helen and Mick Statham: Travelling Coopers Creek in a tinnie; Phil Reader: Weeds in Agriculture: any lessons for bushland?; Les Hodge: Native plants for verges and corridors; Mark Wapstra: Mapping Thismia rodwayii; Roy Skabo: Target species of fungi.




Richard Alfred (Dick} Burns OAM Bruce Champion

Our wonderful contributor, Life Member Dick Burns, North West Group representative on Council, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Medal of Australia in this year’s Australia Day Honours for services to botany, as an author and conservationist. Our Society believes this honour is richly deserved.

When Dick moved to Tasmania in 1970 to teach Mathematics and Science in North West Tasmanian High schools, he immediately became involved in bushwalking with the North West Walking Club. After serving in many positions including Secretary, Conservation Officer and President, he was made a life member of that organisation in 1981. During his many bush walks, he honed his botanical skills and learned to recognise our special Tasmanian flora. Dick also joined the Society for Growing Australian Plants (now the Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc) as a foundation member of the North West Group of the Tasmanian region. He has served in many positions in our Society, including President and Secretary of the North West Group, Vice President, Secretary and Nomenclature Officer of APST Inc. and was made a Life Member in 1989. Dick has also held the positions of Secretary and Newsletter Editor for our Australia-wide organisation Australian Native Plants Society, Australia and was awarded the ANPSA Australian Plants Award in 2005.

While bushwalking throughout Tasmania, Dick found species of plants that he wanted to identify and at times sought help from the Tasmanian Herbarium. This led to him collecting plant specimens for the Herbarium and other institutions such as the Washington Botanic Gardens. He collected for the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) for over ten years and helped to set up the Tasmanian plants section in the Gardens in Canberra. He was made an honorary member of the Friends of the Gardens in recognition of his work. Dick has also collected and propagated many plants for the Tasmanian Arboretum where he is Curator of the Tasmanian Section.

Dick wrote three identikit books that were published by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, Significant Flora of Cradle Mountain, Day Walk Areas, 2001, A Guide to the Flora of Freycinet National Park, 2004 and The Diverse Flora of Lake St Clair Day Walk Areas, 2006. He recently wrote Pathfinders in Tasmanian Botany, an honour roll of people connected through naming Tasmanian plants, 2012 published by the Tasmanian Arboretum Inc. His latest publication, the identikit booklet Exploring the Flora of Cradle Mountain Day Walk Areas, 2012, he published himself.

Dick has been a member of Friends of Cradle Valley (formerly the Cradle Mountain Advisory Group) since its inception and was Secretary from 1999 to 2005. He was a representative on the Steering Committee for implementing the Cradle Mountain Infrastructure Strategy and has also been an active member of, and plant advisor to, Penguin Coastcare.

He has led many eminent botanists around various parts of Tasmania especially Cradle Mountain and been the botanical guide on coach tours in Tasmania and across Australia from Sydney to Western Australia for several years.

Congratulations Dick and best wishes for many more years enjoying Tasmanian plants!


solution: a flexible top that overhangs the hoop. This year’s growth can be seen above the mesh. Each guard costs an estimated $8, making reuse essential.

This year, they were successful in gaining an Australian Government grant to assist with revegetation over a six-year period.

An area around their house was excluded from the covenant, allowing John and Annette to establish a flower garden that includes non-indigenous plants. The house, although only nineteen years old, required extensive work to make it comfortable.

For our Canberra escapees, retirement has not meant feet-up, watching TV. The size of the property is large as has been the amount of work dealing with the various problems. Their achievements in their two years at Gunns Plains have been incredible.8

WHITE GUM RESTORATION PROJECT (Continued from page 8)

Websites

ANPSAust Inc. Hobart Group

www.asgap.org.au www.apstashobart.org.au

North West Group Northern Group

www.apstasnorthwest.org.au www.apstasnorth.org

Congratulations to ‘Our Glad’

Congratulations to our much-loved veteran member Gladys Dodson who was recently honoured by appointment as Honorary Life Vice-President of the National Council of Women, Australia.

Affectionately referred to as Glad by her friends, she is well known to members for her knowledge of our flora and as a valued contributor as an office-bearer in a number of roles at Group and State level.

But Glad has also been a long-time participant in organisations active in protecting and furthering the status of women in the community and in the university environment. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her contribution in that sphere.

Friends were quite concerned recently when she had a bad fall and, among other things, fractured a knee-cap. However, it is pleasing to know that she has now returned home, after treatment, and hopefully is well on the way to a full recovery.


DB’S Rave Plant for 2012

Hibbertia basaltica

(and a few comments about growing ferns)

Dick Burns

This attractive rare species was described in 2005 by Alex Buchanan of the Tasmanian Herbarium and Richard Schahinger of the Biodiversity Conservation Branch, DPIWE; I did a previous rave about it in issue no. 190 of Australian Plants , March 2007, pp 6-7.

Botanist Andrew North first spotted this Hibbertia in February 1999; it superficially resembles Hibbertia procumbens but bears its flowers on long peduncles and the stamens are arranged differently. Other Tasmanian species of Hibbertia can be placed in two groups: some have their stamens distributed around the carpels at the centre of the flower, and the other grouping has all stamens on one side of the carpels. The new species has one stamen isolated on one side of the carpels with the rest clustered opposite. Before preparing the formal description, Alex and Richard did a thorough search of the local area and only found the Hibbertia on basalt soils around Pontville, Brighton and Bridgewater.

When I was down in Hobart for one of the Flower Spectaculars, Alex took me out to one of the spots where H. basaltica grows, a bare grassy knob with a new housing development nearby. Plants were in full flower. Alex allowed me to take some cutting material (the species is now protected under the Threatened Species Protection Act). I left a few pieces with Bruce Champion who passed them on to Les Payne and I brought the rest back to the North West. Les succeeded with one strike and Margaret Kinsey managed two. Les has now propagated on from his first success so last year I purchased three from him to add to the other two, for the Tasmanian Arboretum.

Such a pretty plant with its special habitat needs special presentation. I chose a sunny spot alongside the road passing through the Tasmanian Section, at the beginning of the path to the Tiger Wall. The old clay soil was removed, member Clive Bott donated some weathered and rounded basalt rocks and the resultant rockery was filled with rich basalt soil. Before the heat of summer, a mulch of dolerite chips was spread around the five happy plants; dolerite has a similar chemistry to basalt.

All five specimens flowered this year and all have extended new stems out through the mesh guards. The rabbits and pademelons are not eating the new growth – nor are they interested in other Hibbertia species at the Arboretum; but I will leave the guards for a year or so because the crazy native hens run over everything.

It will be interesting to see how this Hibbertia copes with the climate at Eugenana, it being moister than that of Hobart. I have a specimen in ordinary potting mix at Penguin and it is doing well, but I think at the Arboretum, special treatment is well-deserved. If the planting becomes established, we will put up an interpretation panel.

Some comments on ferns at the Tasmanian Arboretum

Three specimens of the rare fern Hypolepis distans were donated a few years ago and I planted them at the entrance to the rainforest. One died but the other two are very happy indeed, spreading by layering and sending out long underground rhizomes. It is a most attractive plant, with dense growth of soft, light green fronds: I won’t mind if it becomes the groundcover throughout the rainforest bed.

The first fern I tried in the rainforest was of course the soft treefern, Dicksonia antarctica. I bought five seedlings and over the next three years they all failed. But in the meantime, the species had been self-seeding in other less appropriate parts of the Arboretum. I have removed these, rested them in the nursery then used the self-seeded



Our Objectives

[Extracted from the Constitution]

1. To encourage the cultivation and study of Australian plants. 2. To encourage the establishment of gardens in all types of soil and climate for the preservation of the flora of Australia. 3. To support efforts to strengthen the laws and regulations of all bodies given authority by legislation of the Commonwealth and States of Australia for the conservation of Australian flora. 4. To encourage obedience to and the enforcement of laws and regulations with regard to the preservation of the flora. 5. To publish any information that may further the aims and objects of the Society. 6. To cooperate with other societies, associations or bodies with similar or substantially similar aims and objects. 7. To purchase, take, lease, exchange, hire or otherwise any real or personal

property necessary or suitable for the purpose of the Society. 8. To do all such things as are incidental to or conducive, necessary or convenient to the rights and privileges of the Society or to the attainment of the above objects. 9. To promote the knowledge, appreciation and preservation of Australian plants, both in their natural settings and in cultivation, with special emphasis on species indigenous to Tasmania. 10. To promote recognition of the Society as a resource group for educationalists and the government.

Want to help make a difference?

How about getting rid of some weeds?

One of the ways that members contribute to fostering natives in the community is through assisting other organisations of similar inclinations in their work.

One such activity that has been going for over a decade is the band of members, led by Jean Taylor and John Hamilton, that has joined with the ‘Friends of Coningham Nature Reserve’ in the eradication of weeds from the Reserve.

They meet on the third Tuesday of each month and, while spending the morning weeding in the bush, enjoy good company and the animals and birds in that beautiful reserve.

They could do with some additions to their ranks as with the inevitable march of time the capacity for this work declines.

So if you are inclined to give it a go, you can get further information from Jean by contacting her by email at [email protected] or phone on 6287 4870.

The ‘Friends’ also have a website at friendsofconinghamra.blogspot.com


APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

New Members only

Send to The Treasurer, Australian Plants Society Tasmania, Inc. PO Box 3035, Ulverstone MDC Tasmania 7315

Name(s) _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

(For Household membership include names of all members nominating)

Address _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Postcode. ___________ Phone __________________ Fax: __________________

E-mail: ______________________________________________________________

Subscription Rates

*Concession subscription rates are offered to holders of a Pensioner Health Concession Card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs or of a Student ID Card. Please check the appropriate box below if you are eligible for the concession. I have a Pensioners’ Concession Card from Centrelink 0 DVA 0 A Student ID Card 0 **Paid by Banker’s Draft in Australian dollars. ***Subscription covers all issues of AP published in subscription period. ****Subscription payments may be made directly into the Society’s account at a Westpac bank or by Electronic Funds Transfer if convenient. Please identify the payment with your surname. Account details are:

Name: Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc. BSB: 037015 Account number: 194644

Please complete the items below:

I agree to abide by the rules of the Society and the Liability Clause on page 30 and enclose

$............................Subscription fee.

Signature…………………………………………………… ..................... Date …...…/...../…..

August 2012

Subscription Period 1 year Amount paid

Regular (Individual) including Organisations

$40.00

*Concession membership (Please checkappropriate box below)

$37.00

Each additional adult included in Household Membership (Regular or

Concession) $9.00

Each additional child included in Household Membership (Regular/

Concession) $1.00


$55.00

***Australian Plants $14.00

****Total amount tendered


plants to fill the gaps left by the dead seedlings. In all, the Tasmanian Section now has eleven very healthy soft treeferns. The wet winter and early spring has led to germination of many other fern seedlings: I intend leaving them and see what they do in the drier summer. The only fern I actively remove from beds is Bracken, Pteridium esculentum. There is plenty of this species growing in the bushland of the Arboretum!8

DB’s RAVE PLANT (Continued from page 10)

What is

The Australian Flora

Foundation?

The Australian Flora Foundation, now over 30 years old, was launched at a meeting at Sydney University in August 1981. It came about largely on the initiative of members of ASGAP (now ANPSA) who provided a seeding grant of one thousand dollars at the launch.

The Foundation was established to foster research into the biology and conservation of Australian plants.

Traditionally the favoured plants for most scientific research are agricultural species and it is a sad fact that more is known about introduced species than Australia's native species.

Research projects are funded from donations and government grants and distributed by the foundation to approved research projects, a student prize for research awarded annually to encourage young scientists to study Australian plants, seminars and research reports and other documents that are published.

Submissions for funding are invited from researchers each year. Projects are assessed on likelihood of success, originality, importance and need and on scientific rigour.

All donated money is used to fund the research projects with all administration and committee work carried out by volunteers.

Two projects recently approved by the Foundation that will commence in 2013 are:

A grant of $11,550 to PhD candidate, Mr G Huang at University of Western Sydney to study ‘Climate change impacts on genetically differentiated Telopea speciosissima (NSW Waratah) coastal and upland populations’; and

A grant of $11,550 to PhD candidate, Mr Edward Tsen at University of Melbourne for ‘A spatial genetic study of historic gene flow and demographics

of a rare tree Ryparosa kurrangii’.

The information for this article has been taken from the Foundation’s Newsletter and its website.

Further information and details regarding donations and all requests for grant applications can be found on the website at www.aff.org.au and a copy of the newsletter can be provided to any interested member.8


Advertising Rates in Eucryphia

Up to a quarter page $10.00; half page $20.00; full page $40.00 A discount of 10% is available to financial members

and a 5% discount is offered for four consecutive insertions of the same

advertisement paid in advance. Fees are payable to:

The Treasurer, Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc. PO Box 305, ULVERSTONE MDC Tas 7315

Mount Rumney verges

Phil Watson [Originally published in the Mt Rumney Landcare Group newsletter this carticle is reprinted here

with minor amendments wiyh permission of the author]

Viewed carefully, the roadside long paddocks around Tasmania can be seen as woodland refuges for many of our feathered and furry friends and to display a striking range of wildflowers and orchids.

Although our Mt Rumney region’s roadsides are typical of the state-wide road reserves, they differ somewhat in that long lengths of roadside reserves are vegetated with local native grasses, groundcovers, shrubs and trees. Some of the later flowering summer wildflowers under the towering blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and white peppermint (E. pulchella) canopies, include the yellow leek lily (Bulbine glauca), the appealing tiger orchid (Diuris sulphurea), the yellow billy buttons and scaly buttons (Craspedia glauca and Leptorhynchus squamatus), the delightful blue bells (Wahlenbergia stricta), the blue daisy and white-flowered hill daisy (Brachyscome spathulata and B. aculeata), the shrubby bushes adorned with daisy-like flowers, viscid daisy bush (Olearia viscosa) and the yellow everlastingbush (Ozothamnus obcordatus) to name just a few.

Of course there are also growing numbers of environmental weeds that have been introduced for their colourful flowers (such as agapanthus and mainland wattles) as well as few small patches of listed weeds of significance which represent the hidden weed threats on nearby landholdings; gorse, spanish heath, serrated tussock and canary broom to be seen among the natives

Additionally concealed amongst the roadside wallaby grasses (Danthonia sp.), tussock grasses (Poa sp.) and spear grasses (Stipa sp.) are a selection of threatened plant species that survive the challenges of their roadside existence to complete their annual cycle of growth, flowering and seeding. For example a delicate little mauve daisy blue pale vanilla lily and chocolate lilies (Arthropodium millefolium and A. strictum).

One early December Sunday morning a roadside slashing sign appeared on Cambridge Road signalling the intention that the annual slashing of Cambridge roadside was imminent. Slashing is mainly aimed at reducing fire threats, limiting fretting of the road edges and producing a neat and tidy appearance.

These signs also heralded that very soon slashing along the first 300 meters on the left hand side of Mt Rumney Road. would eventuate. Having daily observed the leisurely growth of 16 stick-like, cryptic roadside gems there was a genuine urgency to brief the contractor. Appealingly within a month’s time it was anticipated that they would burst forth into a large spectacular cluster of tall rosy pink flower spikes. Limited time was




stored, stratification techniques and planting information are dealt with in detail and illustration. Article included on Eucalypts being the tallest and most productive trees on earth. Links to interesting articles on the subject and descriptions of a series of tall trees is given.

Hibiscus & Related Genera Study Group Newsletter No 26—July 2012 (12 pages)

Featured species is Hibiscus meraukensis with some of its history and its wide distribution. Re-evaluation of H. tronium in Australia. There are three indigenous species in this complex and the different locations of each are detailed with several long articles dealing with the species and its hybrids. Hibiscus & Related Genera Study Group Newsletter No. 27 - November 2012 (20 pages)

Featured is Hibiscus sturtii with its eight varieties which occur in the dry inland parts of the continent. Botanical descriptions are included with a request for information on the plants growing in local areas. Report included on spring meeting at Gympie with the highlight of the day being a talk by Dr. Harrison about his plant breeding programme and release of three new hybrids. H. sturtii is very widespread with many varieties and many flower colours from white to maroon. Report on Field trip to South-east Queensland in October and November 2012 by leader D. Hocking for purpose of seed collecting. Waratah Study Group Newsletter No 4—December 2012 (10 pages)

Check lists on both Waratahs and Flannel flowers were included as well as a report on progress of the Waratahs and varieties that the leader is growing. It was thought by some growers that the Gibraltar Range form of Teleopea speciossisima may need some soil from the base of mature plants to introduce beneficial microorganisms to ensure successful growing; also included was the result of a request for tips on pruning of hybrid Waratahs.

Flannel Flowers: there was a special interest in Actinotus schwartzii from the Macdonnell Ranges in Northern Territory which is part of a national recovery programme.

Members' letters: Last year was considered a bad one for Waratah growers as dry conditions in late winter resulted in production of fewer, deformed and very small flowers. There were several detailed articles on methods of growing flannel flowers and it was mentioned that cuttings are not easy to propagate.

Also a note that ‘Thrive, High K best general fertiliser’ was no longer being sold in commercial quantities.8

NEWS FROM THE STUDY GROUPS (Continued from page 19)

Interested in Joining a Study Group?

[The following comments are derived from the ANPSA newsletter for December 2012.]

Study groups are a good way to learn more about a specific genus or group of plants. It doesn’t require any specific knowledge to join, the idea is to learn from your membership. However, if you do have the skills necessary to lead a group, then study group coordinator Geoff Lay would be pleased to hear from you. At present there are 20 study groups which are active and they are listed on the ANPSAInc website. The Australian food plants and the indigenous orchids study groups are in recess because leaders have retired and no replacement has yet been found. Some study groups are extremely active whereas others struggle with the leader often being the only contributor as well as the collator of the newsletter.

A full list of active study groups is customarily printed in the September issue of Eucryphia each year with details of costs and contact information. The annual fees for Study Groups are quite reasonable and they represent a great way of extending your knowledge. New members are always welcome.8


Rare find in Cataract Gorge in February

Roy and Louise Skabo

A Sydney schoolboy’s keen and educated eye has made a discovery which has excited the Tasmanian botanical community.

Boaz Ng’s interest in carnivorous plants led him to examine a small pond near the First Basin during a family walk in Cataract Gorge. He noticed some yellow flowers poking above the surface of the water and identified them as flowers of Utricularia australis, the yellow fairy’s apron or yellow bladderwort. Boaz posted his observation on an internet forum devoted to carnivorous plants and the item was brought to the attention of botanists at the Tasmanian Herbarium. Boaz was unaware of the significance of his sighting; this species having never before been seen flowering in Tasmania and rarely in other parts of Australia!

The Herbarium asked me (Roy), as a local field botanist, to check out the sighting to confirm that it was indeed the Utricularia australis and not a similar non-native which also has yellow flowers. After confirmation Mark Wapstra came to collect a specimen and photograph the flower.

Utricularia australis is listed on the Tasmanian Threatened Species list as ‘rare’. It is related to several common purple species which flower in wet areas all over Tasmania. All the species have small bladders attached to their roots or stems. The bladders trap tiny invertebrates which are used as food by the plants. However, U. australis, unlike the other species which grow in wet mud, spends its life completely under water except when it flowers, and then the flowers are thrust above the surface.

Next time you pass a freshwater pond or pool check it out for yellow flowers on a stem which is attached to a mass of what looks like green, feathery algae below the surface. If you look closely, you will also see the small transparent bladders attached to the fronds. The bladders are up to about 2mm across.

[See inside front cover for photo]8

available to save this iconic population of rosy hyacinth orchids Dipodium roseum before they suffered from decapitation like many others in this location over the last few years.

A chat with the tractor driver found he was very keen to avoid them. He indicated that over the years, he had a vivid memory as well as a diary note about their existence indicating that he never slashed them if they were clearly visible. From now on he undertook to closely look out for these brown, stick–like flower spikes. Given that they are commonly in full flower from late December to late February his earlier-than-normal slashing program would have decimated the population.

For the record these hyacinth orchids are leafless saprophytes (obtains food from decaying organic matter) relying on underground fungi to post nutrients and moisture to their fleshy deeply foraging roots (rhizomes). This ensures that they survive in the dry barren roadside location under moisture-sapping sheoaks. They boldly display showy spotted pink flowers on a tall spike (up to 30 cm) with a striped labellum (lip) which with the aid of female bee pheromone scent, attracts male native bees for pollination services.

Interestingly they disperse some of the smallest diameter seeds in the plant kingdom which must form a close bond with the underground fungi to ensure seedlings survive.

For the numerous racing cyclists who are attracted to Mt Rumney, hopefully being greeted with this cheery colourful hyacinth orchid display, should provide momentary relief from the thought of another 4 km of tortuous training cycling to the summit.8

MOUNT RUMNEY VERGES (Continued from page 12)


APST Inc. Website

Bruce Champion, Website Liaison Officer

Last year Council decided to initiate a State website specifically to be prepared for the 2018 ANPSA Conference and Seminar that is to be held in Hobart and I was allocated the task of seeking costs from several companies in Hobart. The offer selected was from 42° South Productions, and I have been working with Rex Bunn from the company to implement the website.

Items covered by the website will include:

Flora:

Thirty iconic Tasmanian endemic species have been selected to feature. A brief description and the photograph of the species from Tasmania’s Natural Flora will be complemented by photos of the species in situ in the wild, or as a good garden specimen, plus other pictures that show off the species.

Members:

This section will have general information about our Society, complemented by pictures of Group activities. A Membership Application Form in pdf format will be included for downloading.

Groups:

Details of each group— meeting and propagation times and locations— will be provided with Google maps showing locations.

Grant:

Under this heading details of the Annual Grant will be given and when available a grant application form may be downloaded as a .pdf document. Events:

This section will contain information about the 2018 Conference/Seminar, Plant Sale Days, Garden Open Days and special people information.

Locations:

This will have information about gardens that feature Tasmanian plants, Nurseries that are allied with the Society that specialise in Tasmanian plants, and locations such as Reserves and National Parks in the North, North West and the South where ‘special’ Tasmanian plants may be found. Calendar:

The calendar is being set up to have meetings, outings, plant sales, Open days and special events dates, times and places available for website viewers.

Publication

Lists major publications produced by the Society and others that specifically cover Tasmanian Plants such as the Identikits, Tasmania’s Natural Flora etc. A photograph of the front cover of each publication and a short description will be featured.

Contact:

Contact information for the Society, including the Groups, will be provided.

I am intending to launch the website [www.apstas.org.au] about the end of February. We are seeking feedback, positive or negative (but hopefully constructive!) and any additional information especially pictures of places, iconic flora in situ, activities etc. that may enhance the website.

Please contact Bruce Champion by email, brchamp@ozemail, with comments or offers of material.8


News from the Study Groups

Marion Simmons

Acacia Study Group Newsletter No 118—September 2012 (10 pages)

Report on excellent Acacia Group Field Trip to Northern Tablelands NSW, an area rich in Acacias, with about 14 persons participating.

A change to the Seed Bank Curator; the bank is now housed in Canberra. Many thanks given to Esther for all her dedication and effort given to its running and maintenance. Members’ letters were interesting as always. One member reported that all seed in a packet labelled 1983 germinated. Two other reports mentioned that part-red flowers are known to have occurred on both A. nyssophylla and A. tetragonophylla. Article on Acacias in Costa Rica prompted several letters. Comments on widespread A. terminalis also provided information that this species is primarily bird-pollinated whereas most Acacias are insect-pollinated. It is suspected by taxonomists that with so many slightly different forms being found this group may be in the process of speciation. Acacia Study Group Newsletter No. 119—December 2012 (10 pages)

Members’ letters dealt with a variety of subjects including fire blight beetles, varying seed treatment and results. Detailed descriptions and photos of not so well-known A. alcockii and A. graneosa were included. An interesting article on A. podalyriifolia seed roasted and used as a flavouring agent, particularly in icecream. Listing of nine species of group Valchellia occurring in Australia all endemic to tropical parts. They are generally shrubs or trees with bipinnate leaves, inflorescence on simple or very short racemes and with spiny stipules, at least when young. Dryandra Study Group Newsletter No 63—July 2012 (12 pages)

Two reports of trips to the Cheyne Beach coastline in Western Australia with some of the plants that occur in this fascinating area together with a note on new garden beds and the plants at Banksia Farm. Members' letters detailing their experiences and difficulties in establishing young native plants among mature shrubs in the garden. It appears that this occurs in nature as well and may well result from soil conditions. Another of 'Looking back' series by Margaret Pieroni describing trips in the bush in search of Dryandras in the 1980's. Epacris Study Group Newsletter No 34—Spring 2012 (12 pages)

'News and Notes' featured Epacris in gardens, in a botanical art display and with a detailed report from talks given at July meeting of Maroondah Group. Good forms of different E. impressa were detailed as well as an interesting list of other Epacris species which can be grown in gardens. Notes on propagation, cultivation and maintenance were included. Research being undertaken on E. impressa with several questions being asked and information requested regarding this species. The impressive E. impressa ‘Cranbourne Bells’ was the feature plant in this issue. Eremophila Study Group Newsletter No. 104—October 2012 (9 pages)

Members’ notes are a feature of this newsletter dealing with topics relating to the use of common names. It has been suggested that a list giving just one common name be put together by Study Group members. The present situation is very confusing with many plants being given several different names each. Report from Sydney Region group that they have come to the conclusion that Eremophilas are more resilient than previously expected as a large range of species have survived very trying conditions over a number of years. Eucalyptus Study Group Newsletter No. 56—October 2012 (20 pages)

Growing Eucalypts from seed with close-up photos of the types of Eucalypt seed being


http://www.apstas.org.au/

mailto:[email protected]


Leslie Vale Nursery For a large range of Australian native plants.

Tasmanian Plants Australian Plants Trees, Shrubs, Ground Covers Rainforest Plants, Grasses. Plants for wet areas, dry areas, windy areas, coastal planting Plant selection and planting advice

OPEN Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 9-30am to 5-00p.m. Saturday Salamanca Market Sunday Kingston Market (coles carpark)

contact

mark watson Ph: 62396081 Mob: 0408 574119 645 Leslie Road Leslie Vale Tasmania 7054


A DAY TO REMEMBER

At Cradle Mountain with three Weindorfers

Dick Burns

Everyone knows of Gustav Weindorfer and his importance in establishing Cradle Mountain as a reserve and as a tourist destination.

Possibly less well-known is that in his first years in Australia, he became a field botanist of note with the Victorian Field Naturalists’ Club, giving lectures and writing papers for the club’s Victorian Naturalist. In his few years in Melbourne he fell in love with Kate Cowle and discovered a new species of plant, named in his honour Pultenaea weindorferi. (I took my photograph of it at Karwarra Gardens, near Melbourne.)

Kate and Gustav of course married and settled in Tasmania (Their honeymoon night, another ‘of course’, was spent in Penguin!) The Weindorfers never had children, so it is probably time to explain the article’s title. Gustav had two sisters, Rosa and Edith, and two elder brothers, Richard and Lothar.

Lothar died in 1916, the same year as Kate and both of Gustav’s parents. Richard died in 1918. But Lothar had become a father and it was his grandson, Gerald with his two sons Edwin and Thomas, who came to Tasmania in late January 2013. The Weindorfers had been to Melbourne to watch some of the Australian Open Tennis tournament. Before coming to Tasmania, they had been put in touch with the Weindorfer Memorial Service Committee, the group established in 1975 to organise the annual New Year’s Day Service at Gustav’s grave; so several of the committee came to Cradle Mountain on 25 January to meet the three Austrians, show them around and let them see what is done at the service. They had climbed ‘The Mountain’ the day before.

When I walked into the lobby of their hotel in the Cradle village, it was obvious who the Weindorfers were: three men as tall as you see Gustav to be in his photos. We were soon in cars heading for the day hut at Waldheim for morning tea. The intention had been to spend most of our time with them around the grave and the chalet, but rain kept us in the day hut. A shortened service was run there, then Gerald spoke of how important the day was to him and his sons.

It is a tradition of Carinthia, their part of Austria, to honour the dead by burning candles at the person’s grave: this is an important part of the New Year’s Day service. Gerald, Edwin and Thomas had brought three specially constructed candles to light at Gustav’s grave. When the rain ceased and patches of blue sky appeared, we went to the grave for this special act by Gustav’ family. (We also introduced them to leeches.)

After a pause, the party headed back to the Information Centre gallery to view the old silent film A Weekend at Cradle Mountain that features Gustav, and look at the collection of old photos and artefacts gathered by the Parks and Wildlife Service and the Committee to commemorate the centenary of the opening of Waldheim Chalet. Gerald, Edwin and Thomas then set out on their return journey to Austria. It had been a privilege to meet some of ‘Dorfer’s’ family and let them know something of his

importance to Tasmania.8 Thomas, Gerald and Edwin Weindorfer

© Photo by Dick Burns


Calendar for 2013

This Calendar of Society events is compiled from the best available information supplied by Groups and Council but is subject to change.

When organising events, particularly events involving all members or likely to interest members of more than one group, members are requested to consult the Calendar

before finalising arrangements to avoid clashes that may limit opportunities to participate.

Month Date Day Group Activity

Mar 2 Sat H/N Prop

6 Wed K AGM

13 Wed H AGM

16 Sat H Plant Sale

19 Tue N/NW GM

21 Thu NW Prop

23 Sat Society AGM & COUNCIL

29-1 Fr-Mo H Easter Weekend

Apr 3 Wed K GM

6 Sat H/N Prop

7 Sat NW Plant Sale

10 Wed H GM

16 Tue N/NW GM

20 Sat N Plant Sale

28 Sun H Walk

May 1 Wed K GM

4 Sat H Prop

8 Wed H GM

21 Tue N/NW GM

26 Sun H Walk

Jun 1 Sat Prop

5 Wed K GM

12 Wed H GM

18 Tue N/NW GM

29 Sat Society Council

Jul 3 Wed K GM

6 Sat H Prop

10 Wed H GM

16 Tue NGM/NW GM

Legend: H: Hobart Group; K: Kingborough Group; N: Northern Group;

NW: North West Group;

Prop: Propagation; GM: General Meeting; AGM: Annual General Meeting.


Month Date Day Group Activity

Aug 3 Sat H Prop

7 Wed K GM

14 Wed H GM

20 Tue N/NW GM

Sep 4 Wed K GM

7 Sat H Prop

11 Wed H GM

17 Tue N/NW GM


Oct 2 Wed K GM

5 Sat H Prop

9 Wed H GM

15 Tue N/NW GM

Nov 2 Sat H Prop

6 Wed K GM

13 Wed H GM

19 Tue N/NW GM


Dec 4 Wed K GM

7 Sat H Prop

11 Wed H GM

17 Tue N/NW GM

Dates to Remember

Annual General Meeting Saturday, 23 March 2013

Council Meeting Saturday, 23 March 2013

Council Meeting Saturday, 29 June, 2013

Council Meeting Saturday, 28 September 2013

Council Meeting Saturday, 30 November, 2013

Hobart Group AGM Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Next Eucryphia deadline Wednesday, 29 May 2013


Leslie Vale Nursery For a large range of Australian native plants.

Tasmanian Plants Australian Plants Trees, Shrubs, Ground Covers Rainforest Plants, Grasses. Plants for wet areas, dry areas, windy areas, coastal planting Plant selection and planting advice

OPEN Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 9-30am to 5-00p.m. Saturday Salamanca Market Sunday Kingston Market (coles carpark)

contact

mark watson Ph: 62396081 Mob: 0408 574119 645 Leslie Road Leslie Vale Tasmania 7054


A DAY TO REMEMBER

At Cradle Mountain with three Weindorfers

Dick Burns

Everyone knows of Gustav Weindorfer and his importance in establishing Cradle Mountain as a reserve and as a tourist destination.

Possibly less well-known is that in his first years in Australia, he became a field botanist of note with the Victorian Field Naturalists’ Club, giving lectures and writing papers for the club’s Victorian Naturalist. In his few years in Melbourne he fell in love with Kate Cowle and discovered a new species of plant, named in his honour Pultenaea weindorferi. (I took my photograph of it at Karwarra Gardens, near Melbourne.)

Kate and Gustav of course married and settled in Tasmania (Their honeymoon night, another ‘of course’, was spent in Penguin!) The Weindorfers never had children, so it is probably time to explain the article’s title. Gustav had two sisters, Rosa and Edith, and two elder brothers, Richard and Lothar.

Lothar died in 1916, the same year as Kate and both of Gustav’s parents. Richard died in 1918. But Lothar had become a father and it was his grandson, Gerald with his two sons Edwin and Thomas, who came to Tasmania in late January 2013. The Weindorfers had been to Melbourne to watch some of the Australian Open Tennis tournament. Before coming to Tasmania, they had been put in touch with the Weindorfer Memorial Service Committee, the group established in 1975 to organise the annual New Year’s Day Service at Gustav’s grave; so several of the committee came to Cradle Mountain on 25 January to meet the three Austrians, show them around and let them see what is done at the service. They had climbed ‘The Mountain’ the day before.

When I walked into the lobby of their hotel in the Cradle village, it was obvious who the Weindorfers were: three men as tall as you see Gustav to be in his photos. We were soon in cars heading for the day hut at Waldheim for morning tea. The intention had been to spend most of our time with them around the grave and the chalet, but rain kept us in the day hut. A shortened service was run there, then Gerald spoke of how important the day was to him and his sons.

It is a tradition of Carinthia, their part of Austria, to honour the dead by burning candles at the person’s grave: this is an important part of the New Year’s Day service. Gerald, Edwin and Thomas had brought three specially constructed candles to light at Gustav’s grave. When the rain ceased and patches of blue sky appeared, we went to the grave for this special act by Gustav’ family. (We also introduced them to leeches.)

After a pause, the party headed back to the Information Centre gallery to view the old silent film A Weekend at Cradle Mountain that features Gustav, and look at the collection of old photos and artefacts gathered by the Parks and Wildlife Service and the Committee to commemorate the centenary of the opening of Waldheim Chalet. Gerald, Edwin and Thomas then set out on their return journey to Austria. It had been a privilege to meet some of ‘Dorfer’s’ family and let them know something of his

importance to Tasmania.8 Thomas, Gerald and Edwin Weindorfer



APST Inc. Website

Bruce Champion, Website Liaison Officer

Last year Council decided to initiate a State website specifically to be prepared for the 2018 ANPSA Conference and Seminar that is to be held in Hobart and I was allocated the task of seeking costs from several companies in Hobart. The offer selected was from 42° South Productions, and I have been working with Rex Bunn from the company to implement the website.

Items covered by the website will include:

Flora:

Thirty iconic Tasmanian endemic species have been selected to feature. A brief description and the photograph of the species from Tasmania’s Natural Flora will be complemented by photos of the species in situ in the wild, or as a good garden specimen, plus other pictures that show off the species.

Members:

This section will have general information about our Society, complemented by pictures of Group activities. A Membership Application Form in pdf format will be included for downloading.

Groups:

Details of each group— meeting and propagation times and locations— will be provided with Google maps showing locations.

Grant:

Under this heading details of the Annual Grant will be given and when available a grant application form may be downloaded as a .pdf document. Events:

This section will contain information about the 2018 Conference/Seminar, Plant Sale Days, Garden Open Days and special people information.

Locations:

This will have information about gardens that feature Tasmanian plants, Nurseries that are allied with the Society that specialise in Tasmanian plants, and locations such as Reserves and National Parks in the North, North West and the South where ‘special’ Tasmanian plants may be found. Calendar:

The calendar is being set up to have meetings, outings, plant sales, Open days and special events dates, times and places available for website viewers.

Publication

Lists major publications produced by the Society and others that specifically cover Tasmanian Plants such as the Identikits, Tasmania’s Natural Flora etc. A photograph of the front cover of each publication and a short description will be featured.

Contact:

Contact information for the Society, including the Groups, will be provided.

I am intending to launch the website [www.apstas.org.au] about the end of February. We are seeking feedback, positive or negative (but hopefully constructive!) and any additional information especially pictures of places, iconic flora in situ, activities etc. that may enhance the website.

Please contact Bruce Champion by email, brchamp@ozemail, with comments or offers of material.8


News from the Study Groups

Marion Simmons

Acacia Study Group Newsletter No 118—September 2012 (10 pages)

Report on excellent Acacia Group Field Trip to Northern Tablelands NSW, an area rich in Acacias, with about 14 persons participating.

A change to the Seed Bank Curator; the bank is now housed in Canberra. Many thanks given to Esther for all her dedication and effort given to its running and maintenance. Members’ letters were interesting as always. One member reported that all seed in a packet labelled 1983 germinated. Two other reports mentioned that part-red flowers are known to have occurred on both A. nyssophylla and A. tetragonophylla. Article on Acacias in Costa Rica prompted several letters. Comments on widespread A. terminalis also provided information that this species is primarily bird-pollinated whereas most Acacias are insect-pollinated. It is suspected by taxonomists that with so many slightly different forms being found this group may be in the process of speciation. Acacia Study Group Newsletter No. 119—December 2012 (10 pages)

Members’ letters dealt with a variety of subjects including fire blight beetles, varying seed treatment and results. Detailed descriptions and photos of not so well-known A. alcockii and A. graneosa were included. An interesting article on A. podalyriifolia seed roasted and used as a flavouring agent, particularly in icecream. Listing of nine species of group Valchellia occurring in Australia all endemic to tropical parts. They are generally shrubs or trees with bipinnate leaves, inflorescence on simple or very short racemes and with spiny stipules, at least when young. Dryandra Study Group Newsletter No 63—July 2012 (12 pages)

Two reports of trips to the Cheyne Beach coastline in Western Australia with some of the plants that occur in this fascinating area together with a note on new garden beds and the plants at Banksia Farm. Members' letters detailing their experiences and difficulties in establishing young native plants among mature shrubs in the garden. It appears that this occurs in nature as well and may well result from soil conditions. Another of 'Looking back' series by Margaret Pieroni describing trips in the bush in search of Dryandras in the 1980's. Epacris Study Group Newsletter No 34—Spring 2012 (12 pages)

'News and Notes' featured Epacris in gardens, in a botanical art display and with a detailed report from talks given at July meeting of Maroondah Group. Good forms of different E. impressa were detailed as well as an interesting list of other Epacris species which can be grown in gardens. Notes on propagation, cultivation and maintenance were included. Research being undertaken on E. impressa with several questions being asked and information requested regarding this species. The impressive E. impressa ‘Cranbourne Bells’ was the feature plant in this issue. Eremophila Study Group Newsletter No. 104—October 2012 (9 pages)

Members’ notes are a feature of this newsletter dealing with topics relating to the use of common names. It has been suggested that a list giving just one common name be put together by Study Group members. The present situation is very confusing with many plants being given several different names each. Report from Sydney Region group that they have come to the conclusion that Eremophilas are more resilient than previously expected as a large range of species have survived very trying conditions over a number of years. Eucalyptus Study Group Newsletter No. 56—October 2012 (20 pages)

Growing Eucalypts from seed with close-up photos of the types of Eucalypt seed being


http://www.apstas.org.au/

mailto:[email protected]


stored, stratification techniques and planting information are dealt with in detail and illustration. Article included on Eucalypts being the tallest and most productive trees on earth. Links to interesting articles on the subject and descriptions of a series of tall trees is given.

Hibiscus & Related Genera Study Group Newsletter No 26—July 2012 (12 pages)

Featured species is Hibiscus meraukensis with some of its history and its wide distribution. Re-evaluation of H. tronium in Australia. There are three indigenous species in this complex and the different locations of each are detailed with several long articles dealing with the species and its hybrids. Hibiscus & Related Genera Study Group Newsletter No. 27 - November 2012 (20 pages)

Featured is Hibiscus sturtii with its eight varieties which occur in the dry inland parts of the continent. Botanical descriptions are included with a request for information on the plants growing in local areas. Report included on spring meeting at Gympie with the highlight of the day being a talk by Dr. Harrison about his plant breeding programme and release of three new hybrids. H. sturtii is very widespread with many varieties and many flower colours from white to maroon. Report on Field trip to South-east Queensland in October and November 2012 by leader D. Hocking for purpose of seed collecting. Waratah Study Group Newsletter No 4—December 2012 (10 pages)

Check lists on both Waratahs and Flannel flowers were included as well as a report on progress of the Waratahs and varieties that the leader is growing. It was thought by some growers that the Gibraltar Range form of Teleopea speciossisima may need some soil from the base of mature plants to introduce beneficial microorganisms to ensure successful growing; also included was the result of a request for tips on pruning of hybrid Waratahs.

Flannel Flowers: there was a special interest in Actinotus schwartzii from the Macdonnell Ranges in Northern Territory which is part of a national recovery programme.

Members' letters: Last year was considered a bad one for Waratah growers as dry conditions in late winter resulted in production of fewer, deformed and very small flowers. There were several detailed articles on methods of growing flannel flowers and it was mentioned that cuttings are not easy to propagate.

Also a note that ‘Thrive, High K best general fertiliser’ was no longer being sold in commercial quantities.8

NEWS FROM THE STUDY GROUPS (Continued from page 19)

Interested in Joining a Study Group?

[The following comments are derived from the ANPSA newsletter for December 2012.]

Study groups are a good way to learn more about a specific genus or group of plants. It doesn’t require any specific knowledge to join, the idea is to learn from your membership. However, if you do have the skills necessary to lead a group, then study group coordinator Geoff Lay would be pleased to hear from you. At present there are 20 study groups which are active and they are listed on the ANPSAInc website. The Australian food plants and the indigenous orchids study groups are in recess because leaders have retired and no replacement has yet been found. Some study groups are extremely active whereas others struggle with the leader often being the only contributor as well as the collator of the newsletter.

A full list of active study groups is customarily printed in the September issue of Eucryphia each year with details of costs and contact information. The annual fees for Study Groups are quite reasonable and they represent a great way of extending your knowledge. New members are always welcome.8


Rare find in Cataract Gorge in February

Roy and Louise Skabo

A Sydney schoolboy’s keen and educated eye has made a discovery which has excited the Tasmanian botanical community.

Boaz Ng’s interest in carnivorous plants led him to examine a small pond near the First Basin during a family walk in Cataract Gorge. He noticed some yellow flowers poking above the surface of the water and identified them as flowers of Utricularia australis, the yellow fairy’s apron or yellow bladderwort. Boaz posted his observation on an internet forum devoted to carnivorous plants and the item was brought to the attention of botanists at the Tasmanian Herbarium. Boaz was unaware of the significance of his sighting; this species having never before been seen flowering in Tasmania and rarely in other parts of Australia!

The Herbarium asked me (Roy), as a local field botanist, to check out the sighting to confirm that it was indeed the Utricularia australis and not a similar non-native which also has yellow flowers. After confirmation Mark Wapstra came to collect a specimen and photograph the flower.

Utricularia australis is listed on the Tasmanian Threatened Species list as ‘rare’. It is related to several common purple species which flower in wet areas all over Tasmania. All the species have small bladders attached to their roots or stems. The bladders trap tiny invertebrates which are used as food by the plants. However, U. australis, unlike the other species which grow in wet mud, spends its life completely under water except when it flowers, and then the flowers are thrust above the surface.

Next time you pass a freshwater pond or pool check it out for yellow flowers on a stem which is attached to a mass of what looks like green, feathery algae below the surface. If you look closely, you will also see the small transparent bladders attached to the fronds. The bladders are up to about 2mm across.

[See inside front cover for photo]8

available to save this iconic population of rosy hyacinth orchids Dipodium roseum before they suffered from decapitation like many others in this location over the last few years.

A chat with the tractor driver found he was very keen to avoid them. He indicated that over the years, he had a vivid memory as well as a diary note about their existence indicating that he never slashed them if they were clearly visible. From now on he undertook to closely look out for these brown, stick–like flower spikes. Given that they are commonly in full flower from late December to late February his earlier-than-normal slashing program would have decimated the population.

For the record these hyacinth orchids are leafless saprophytes (obtains food from decaying organic matter) relying on underground fungi to post nutrients and moisture to their fleshy deeply foraging roots (rhizomes). This ensures that they survive in the dry barren roadside location under moisture-sapping sheoaks. They boldly display showy spotted pink flowers on a tall spike (up to 30 cm) with a striped labellum (lip) which with the aid of female bee pheromone scent, attracts male native bees for pollination services.

Interestingly they disperse some of the smallest diameter seeds in the plant kingdom which must form a close bond with the underground fungi to ensure seedlings survive.

For the numerous racing cyclists who are attracted to Mt Rumney, hopefully being greeted with this cheery colourful hyacinth orchid display, should provide momentary relief from the thought of another 4 km of tortuous training cycling to the summit.8

MOUNT RUMNEY VERGES (Continued from page 12)


Advertising Rates in Eucryphia

Up to a quarter page $10.00; half page $20.00; full page $40.00 A discount of 10% is available to financial members

and a 5% discount is offered for four consecutive insertions of the same

advertisement paid in advance. Fees are payable to:

The Treasurer, Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc. PO Box 305, ULVERSTONE MDC Tas 7315

Mount Rumney verges

Phil Watson [Originally published in the Mt Rumney Landcare Group newsletter this carticle is reprinted here

with minor amendments wiyh permission of the author]

Viewed carefully, the roadside long paddocks around Tasmania can be seen as woodland refuges for many of our feathered and furry friends and to display a striking range of wildflowers and orchids.

Although our Mt Rumney region’s roadsides are typical of the state-wide road reserves, they differ somewhat in that long lengths of roadside reserves are vegetated with local native grasses, groundcovers, shrubs and trees. Some of the later flowering summer wildflowers under the towering blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and white peppermint (E. pulchella) canopies, include the yellow leek lily (Bulbine glauca), the appealing tiger orchid (Diuris sulphurea), the yellow billy buttons and scaly buttons (Craspedia glauca and Leptorhynchus squamatus), the delightful blue bells (Wahlenbergia stricta), the blue daisy and white-flowered hill daisy (Brachyscome spathulata and B. aculeata), the shrubby bushes adorned with daisy-like flowers, viscid daisy bush (Olearia viscosa) and the yellow everlastingbush (Ozothamnus obcordatus) to name just a few.

Of course there are also growing numbers of environmental weeds that have been introduced for their colourful flowers (such as agapanthus and mainland wattles) as well as few small patches of listed weeds of significance which represent the hidden weed threats on nearby landholdings; gorse, spanish heath, serrated tussock and canary broom to be seen among the natives

Additionally concealed amongst the roadside wallaby grasses (Danthonia sp.), tussock grasses (Poa sp.) and spear grasses (Stipa sp.) are a selection of threatened plant species that survive the challenges of their roadside existence to complete their annual cycle of growth, flowering and seeding. For example a delicate little mauve daisy blue pale vanilla lily and chocolate lilies (Arthropodium millefolium and A. strictum).

One early December Sunday morning a roadside slashing sign appeared on Cambridge Road signalling the intention that the annual slashing of Cambridge roadside was imminent. Slashing is mainly aimed at reducing fire threats, limiting fretting of the road edges and producing a neat and tidy appearance.

These signs also heralded that very soon slashing along the first 300 meters on the left hand side of Mt Rumney Road. would eventuate. Having daily observed the leisurely growth of 16 stick-like, cryptic roadside gems there was a genuine urgency to brief the contractor. Appealingly within a month’s time it was anticipated that they would burst forth into a large spectacular cluster of tall rosy pink flower spikes. Limited time was




APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

New Members only

Send to The Treasurer, Australian Plants Society Tasmania, Inc. PO Box 3035, Ulverstone MDC Tasmania 7315

Name(s) _____________________________________________________________

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Subscription Rates

*Concession subscription rates are offered to holders of a Pensioner Health Concession Card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs or of a Student ID Card. Please check the appropriate box below if you are eligible for the concession. I have a Pensioners’ Concession Card from Centrelink 0 DVA 0 A Student ID Card 0 **Paid by Banker’s Draft in Australian dollars. ***Subscription covers all issues of AP published in subscription period. ****Subscription payments may be made directly into the Society’s account at a Westpac bank or by Electronic Funds Transfer if convenient. Please identify the payment with your surname. Account details are:

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plants to fill the gaps left by the dead seedlings. In all, the Tasmanian Section now has eleven very healthy soft treeferns. The wet winter and early spring has led to germination of many other fern seedlings: I intend leaving them and see what they do in the drier summer. The only fern I actively remove from beds is Bracken, Pteridium esculentum. There is plenty of this species growing in the bushland of the Arboretum!8

DB’s RAVE PLANT (Continued from page 10)

What is

The Australian Flora

Foundation?

The Australian Flora Foundation, now over 30 years old, was launched at a meeting at Sydney University in August 1981. It came about largely on the initiative of members of ASGAP (now ANPSA) who provided a seeding grant of one thousand dollars at the launch.

The Foundation was established to foster research into the biology and conservation of Australian plants.

Traditionally the favoured plants for most scientific research are agricultural species and it is a sad fact that more is known about introduced species than Australia's native species.

Research projects are funded from donations and government grants and distributed by the foundation to approved research projects, a student prize for research awarded annually to encourage young scientists to study Australian plants, seminars and research reports and other documents that are published.

Submissions for funding are invited from researchers each year. Projects are assessed on likelihood of success, originality, importance and need and on scientific rigour.

All donated money is used to fund the research projects with all administration and committee work carried out by volunteers.

Two projects recently approved by the Foundation that will commence in 2013 are:

A grant of $11,550 to PhD candidate, Mr G Huang at University of Western Sydney to study ‘Climate change impacts on genetically differentiated Telopea speciosissima (NSW Waratah) coastal and upland populations’; and

A grant of $11,550 to PhD candidate, Mr Edward Tsen at University of Melbourne for ‘A spatial genetic study of historic gene flow and demographics

of a rare tree Ryparosa kurrangii’.

The information for this article has been taken from the Foundation’s Newsletter and its website.

Further information and details regarding donations and all requests for grant applications can be found on the website at www.aff.org.au and a copy of the newsletter can be provided to any interested member.8


DB’S Rave Plant for 2012

Hibbertia basaltica

(and a few comments about growing ferns)

Dick Burns

This attractive rare species was described in 2005 by Alex Buchanan of the Tasmanian Herbarium and Richard Schahinger of the Biodiversity Conservation Branch, DPIWE; I did a previous rave about it in issue no. 190 of Australian Plants , March 2007, pp 6-7.

Botanist Andrew North first spotted this Hibbertia in February 1999; it superficially resembles Hibbertia procumbens but bears its flowers on long peduncles and the stamens are arranged differently. Other Tasmanian species of Hibbertia can be placed in two groups: some have their stamens distributed around the carpels at the centre of the flower, and the other grouping has all stamens on one side of the carpels. The new species has one stamen isolated on one side of the carpels with the rest clustered opposite. Before preparing the formal description, Alex and Richard did a thorough search of the local area and only found the Hibbertia on basalt soils around Pontville, Brighton and Bridgewater.

When I was down in Hobart for one of the Flower Spectaculars, Alex took me out to one of the spots where H. basaltica grows, a bare grassy knob with a new housing development nearby. Plants were in full flower. Alex allowed me to take some cutting material (the species is now protected under the Threatened Species Protection Act). I left a few pieces with Bruce Champion who passed them on to Les Payne and I brought the rest back to the North West. Les succeeded with one strike and Margaret Kinsey managed two. Les has now propagated on from his first success so last year I purchased three from him to add to the other two, for the Tasmanian Arboretum.

Such a pretty plant with its special habitat needs special presentation. I chose a sunny spot alongside the road passing through the Tasmanian Section, at the beginning of the path to the Tiger Wall. The old clay soil was removed, member Clive Bott donated some weathered and rounded basalt rocks and the resultant rockery was filled with rich basalt soil. Before the heat of summer, a mulch of dolerite chips was spread around the five happy plants; dolerite has a similar chemistry to basalt.

All five specimens flowered this year and all have extended new stems out through the mesh guards. The rabbits and pademelons are not eating the new growth – nor are they interested in other Hibbertia species at the Arboretum; but I will leave the guards for a year or so because the crazy native hens run over everything.

It will be interesting to see how this Hibbertia copes with the climate at Eugenana, it being moister than that of Hobart. I have a specimen in ordinary potting mix at Penguin and it is doing well, but I think at the Arboretum, special treatment is well-deserved. If the planting becomes established, we will put up an interpretation panel.

Some comments on ferns at the Tasmanian Arboretum

Three specimens of the rare fern Hypolepis distans were donated a few years ago and I planted them at the entrance to the rainforest. One died but the other two are very happy indeed, spreading by layering and sending out long underground rhizomes. It is a most attractive plant, with dense growth of soft, light green fronds: I won’t mind if it becomes the groundcover throughout the rainforest bed.

The first fern I tried in the rainforest was of course the soft treefern, Dicksonia antarctica. I bought five seedlings and over the next three years they all failed. But in the meantime, the species had been self-seeding in other less appropriate parts of the Arboretum. I have removed these, rested them in the nursery then used the self-seeded



Our Objectives

[Extracted from the Constitution]

1. To encourage the cultivation and study of Australian plants. 2. To encourage the establishment of gardens in all types of soil and climate for the preservation of the flora of Australia. 3. To support efforts to strengthen the laws and regulations of all bodies given authority by legislation of the Commonwealth and States of Australia for the conservation of Australian flora. 4. To encourage obedience to and the enforcement of laws and regulations with regard to the preservation of the flora. 5. To publish any information that may further the aims and objects of the Society. 6. To cooperate with other societies, associations or bodies with similar or substantially similar aims and objects. 7. To purchase, take, lease, exchange, hire or otherwise any real or personal

property necessary or suitable for the purpose of the Society. 8. To do all such things as are incidental to or conducive, necessary or convenient to the rights and privileges of the Society or to the attainment of the above objects. 9. To promote the knowledge, appreciation and preservation of Australian plants, both in their natural settings and in cultivation, with special emphasis on species indigenous to Tasmania. 10. To promote recognition of the Society as a resource group for educationalists and the government.

Want to help make a difference?

How about getting rid of some weeds?

One of the ways that members contribute to fostering natives in the community is through assisting other organisations of similar inclinations in their work.

One such activity that has been going for over a decade is the band of members, led by Jean Taylor and John Hamilton, that has joined with the ‘Friends of Coningham Nature Reserve’ in the eradication of weeds from the Reserve.

They meet on the third Tuesday of each month and, while spending the morning weeding in the bush, enjoy good company and the animals and birds in that beautiful reserve.

They could do with some additions to their ranks as with the inevitable march of time the capacity for this work declines.

So if you are inclined to give it a go, you can get further information from Jean by contacting her by email at [email protected] or phone on 6287 4870.

The ‘Friends’ also have a website at friendsofconinghamra.blogspot.com


Richard Alfred (Dick} Burns OAM Bruce Champion

Our wonderful contributor, Life Member Dick Burns, North West Group representative on Council, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Medal of Australia in this year’s Australia Day Honours for services to botany, as an author and conservationist. Our Society believes this honour is richly deserved.

When Dick moved to Tasmania in 1970 to teach Mathematics and Science in North West Tasmanian High schools, he immediately became involved in bushwalking with the North West Walking Club. After serving in many positions including Secretary, Conservation Officer and President, he was made a life member of that organisation in 1981. During his many bush walks, he honed his botanical skills and learned to recognise our special Tasmanian flora. Dick also joined the Society for Growing Australian Plants (now the Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc) as a foundation member of the North West Group of the Tasmanian region. He has served in many positions in our Society, including President and Secretary of the North West Group, Vice President, Secretary and Nomenclature Officer of APST Inc. and was made a Life Member in 1989. Dick has also held the positions of Secretary and Newsletter Editor for our Australia-wide organisation Australian Native Plants Society, Australia and was awarded the ANPSA Australian Plants Award in 2005.

While bushwalking throughout Tasmania, Dick found species of plants that he wanted to identify and at times sought help from the Tasmanian Herbarium. This led to him collecting plant specimens for the Herbarium and other institutions such as the Washington Botanic Gardens. He collected for the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) for over ten years and helped to set up the Tasmanian plants section in the Gardens in Canberra. He was made an honorary member of the Friends of the Gardens in recognition of his work. Dick has also collected and propagated many plants for the Tasmanian Arboretum where he is Curator of the Tasmanian Section.

Dick wrote three identikit books that were published by the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, Significant Flora of Cradle Mountain, Day Walk Areas, 2001, A Guide to the Flora of Freycinet National Park, 2004 and The Diverse Flora of Lake St Clair Day Walk Areas, 2006. He recently wrote Pathfinders in Tasmanian Botany, an honour roll of people connected through naming Tasmanian plants, 2012 published by the Tasmanian Arboretum Inc. His latest publication, the identikit booklet Exploring the Flora of Cradle Mountain Day Walk Areas, 2012, he published himself.

Dick has been a member of Friends of Cradle Valley (formerly the Cradle Mountain Advisory Group) since its inception and was Secretary from 1999 to 2005. He was a representative on the Steering Committee for implementing the Cradle Mountain Infrastructure Strategy and has also been an active member of, and plant advisor to, Penguin Coastcare.

He has led many eminent botanists around various parts of Tasmania especially Cradle Mountain and been the botanical guide on coach tours in Tasmania and across Australia from Sydney to Western Australia for several years.

Congratulations Dick and best wishes for many more years enjoying Tasmanian plants!


solution: a flexible top that overhangs the hoop. This year’s growth can be seen above the mesh. Each guard costs an estimated $8, making reuse essential.

This year, they were successful in gaining an Australian Government grant to assist with revegetation over a six-year period.

An area around their house was excluded from the covenant, allowing John and Annette to establish a flower garden that includes non-indigenous plants. The house, although only nineteen years old, required extensive work to make it comfortable.

For our Canberra escapees, retirement has not meant feet-up, watching TV. The size of the property is large as has been the amount of work dealing with the various problems. Their achievements in their two years at Gunns Plains have been incredible.8

WHITE GUM RESTORATION PROJECT (Continued from page 8)

Websites

ANPSAust Inc. Hobart Group

www.asgap.org.au www.apstashobart.org.au

North West Group Northern Group

www.apstasnorthwest.org.au www.apstasnorth.org

Congratulations to ‘Our Glad’

Congratulations to our much-loved veteran member Gladys Dodson who was recently honoured by appointment as Honorary Life Vice-President of the National Council of Women, Australia.

Affectionately referred to as Glad by her friends, she is well known to members for her knowledge of our flora and as a valued contributor as an office-bearer in a number of roles at Group and State level.

But Glad has also been a long-time participant in organisations active in protecting and furthering the status of women in the community and in the university environment. This award is a well-deserved recognition of her contribution in that sphere.

Friends were quite concerned recently when she had a bad fall and, among other things, fractured a knee-cap. However, it is pleasing to know that she has now returned home, after treatment, and hopefully is well on the way to a full recovery.


WHITE GUM (Eucalyptus viminalis) FOREST RESTORATION

AT GUNNS PLAINS Dick Burns

In 2009, retired Canberra residents John Thompson and Annette Vojinov were searching back-roads of northern Tasmania for a property. With the name ‘Gunn’ regularly in the headlines, their curiosity brought Annette and John along the South Riana Road to check out Gunns Plains. In a subsequent article in the newsletter of the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (issue 25), they wrote that ‘our first view of the picturesque valley from the lookout … took our breath away’. (Of the three access roads into Gunns Plains, the approach from Riana is the most scenic, and the one I always try to use). Gunns Plains was going to be their retirement locality!

In December 2008, Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC) had purchased land on the eastern slopes of the valley to conserve wet Eucalyptus viminalis forest, an endangered community. The property included a house, an old orchard and much weed-infested pasture, as well as the wet forest. TLC organised a conservation covenant for the forest and some of the degraded land, then advertised ‘Tall White Gums Reserve’ for sale. John and Annette agreed to buy it in February 2010, after negotiating boundaries for the covenanted sections, etc. The covenant covers about 14 ha, 10 ha of which is forest with the remainder requiring recovery.

The couple’s knowledge of Tasmanian plants was not great, so they quickly joined our Society and the North West Group, moving to Gunns Plains in April 2010. By November 2012, Annette and John were well enough established to invite us to have a look at their achievements.

That Sunday was a typical north-west spring day and as I drove in from Penguin, through Riana across the rolling green hills and past John and Annette’s lookout, I thought (once more) how privileged we are to live in the North West. Tall White Gums Reserve, perched above Gunns Plains, provides just as spectacular a view, looking across the Leven River flowing through the wide flats of the valley and to Dial Range and Loyetea Peak.

John first led us through the Eucalyptus viminalis forest, much of it regrown from earlier woodcutting. While the understorey does not have a great variety, it is a beautiful forest with the tall straight trunks of E. viminalis, the occasional E. obliqua and blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon.

We then strolled down to the degraded parts of the reserve. Some large stretches had been covered by blackberry, others by blue periwinkle, Vinca major. John had found that metsulfuron methyl (sold commercially as ‘Brush off’) was an effective weedicide for the blackberry, but the Vinca required some observation and experimentation: John’s scientific and project management background has been valuable. As most of us have found, Vinca regards one spray of glyphosate as a fertiliser. But John had discovered that two sprayings within six weeks significantly reduced regrowth. The Vinca growing in shaded areas required only one spraying to achieve a greater than ninety five percent result. Organosilicone penetrant was included in the spray-mixes.

A grove of pussy willow received its marching orders via notches around the trunks filled with glyphosate. In one of the wet gullies, Italian lily, Arum italicum, is thriving. John intends to deal with this thick-rooted pest before flowering season, using multiple-strength metsulfuron methyl with penetrant.

Annette and John started early in establishing young Eucalyptus viminalis in suitable spots: all propagated plants have local provenance. John found that tall hoops of chicken-wire did not stop possum browsing. The photo (see inside back cover) shows his clever



HOLIDAY HOUSE TO LET

Comfortable, secluded, quiet, 3 to 4 bedroom house on

waterfront,

4 acre bush block at North Binalong Bay.

Available for holiday periods and other times.

Great area for native plants and animals. Direct access to two safe

beaches.

(No large groups. No pets.)

Phone 63346787 or 0419399041

Northern Group Janet Hallam, Group President

During 2012 Northern Group activities were both diverse and well supported. It was gratifying that towards the end of the year when there were many working bees and other activities scheduled, there was an enthusiastic response from members.

As at December 31st our Group had 55 members. From the previous year’s membership, 4 did not renew their subscriptions, but there were 5 new members. Nursery and Plant Sales

Gross takings from our 2012 plant sales totalled $2559. On propagation days our nursery was always a hive of activity with propagators, pot and punnet washers, weeders, labellers, re-potters, sorters and rationalisers all of whom were capably led by Sharon Percy. Trying to second-guess what the public want to buy at our sales is difficult but in 2012 a concerted effort was made to broaden the range of species grown.

Two further highlights from the nursery’s year were the donation of 80 plants to Brooks High School to replace plants stolen from its newly landscaped gardens – an excellent public-relations exercise and, in September, on the first day of spring, the naming of the nursery’s shade-house in honour of John Simmons. Programme

The 2012 meeting night programme has been varied and interesting, with a mix of speakers and club nights where members provide or participate in an educational activity.

Speakers and topics covered were: Sequencing of the Eucalypt genome–Dr. Rebecca Jones; Phil Collier and Robyn Garnett: The Rubicon Sanctuary: experimental work in species management; Helen and Mick Statham: Travelling Coopers Creek in a tinnie; Phil Reader: Weeds in Agriculture: any lessons for bushland?; Les Hodge: Native plants for verges and corridors; Mark Wapstra: Mapping Thismia rodwayii; Roy Skabo: Target species of fungi.




North West Group John Tabor, Group President

Another year has passed and while our active member numbers are still not great, we have had a very successful year.

We have continued to have interesting monthly meetings throughout the year with good guest speakers on a variety of topics from Warrawee Reserve, Invasive Species to Kelp Fertilisers. In addition some of our own members have given very interesting presentations. Of continuing interest at these meetings has also been our flower table and the plant-of-the-month presentations. Our thanks to Clive Bott and his committee for arranging the speakers and to Clive for continuing to look after the book library.

A number of garden visits were held including the gardens of Anne and Ben Ketelaar, Annette and John Thompson, Sam and Elaine Biggins (Katandra Gardens) and to Shaks Johnson’s Forth Valley Nursery who hosted our informal July meeting. We also visited Rubicon Sanctuary in association with the Northern Group.

Our Autumn Plant Sale was again a great success and continues to provide funds for

Our group’s photo competition was held at the 2012 end-of-year dinner. There were three categories—plants, places and people—that attracted many entries with the photographs of high quality.

Field Trips and Garden visits

Throughout the year several field trips and/or visits were organised. These included: A final visit to the Whish-Wilson garden at Batman Bridge; A visit to the Rubicon Sanctuary and Hawley Nature Reserve; A search for Thismia rodwayii in the Meander valley; A plant search on the Pitts’ land at Greens Beach; and A visit to the Habitat Nursery, Blackwood.

Publicity

As well as the excellent monthly articles written by Karen Johnson and published in The Examiner’s gardening columns, and the continued success of our Group website, we added another initiative by enabling and encouraging members to have shirts or fleece-tops embroidered with the APST Inc. badge. Heritage Forest Garden

The plants in the Tasmanian Garden in the Heritage Forest area near the Caswell Street entrance are really starting to mature now and in spring there was a fine floral display. During the year over 100 new plants were planted by Habitat Nursery under contract to the Launceston City Council. Many well-attended working bees were held during the year.

Conservation

While our group has not undertaken projects in its own name, the Northern Group is proud that many community groups undertaking such work are often co-ordinated by our members, the latest being the formation of the Friends of Punchbowl Reserve, instigated by Roy Skabo. Other groups concerned with conservation of native flora and coordinated by our members are: Friends of the Tamar Wetlands, Friends of Machens Reserve and Friends of Trevallyn Reserve. There are possibly others in the Tamar Valley also. Collectively the work they do is vitally important.

Thanks

Thank you to all office-bearers and members for your support in my role as President this past year, but particularly to Sharon Percy for her unwavering energy and positivity and Trevor Yaxley for the expert and professional way he reported and presented Group finances for many years. (For a fuller version of this report with acknowledgements see the Group Website www.apstasnorth.org) 8


Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 9-5

( June, August 9-4 ) Closed July

240 Jones Road, Liffey, Tas 7301 Phone 6397 3400 / 0408 973400

www. habitatplants.com.au

A wide range of trees, shrubs (including

rainforest species), groundcovers, grasses,

wildflowers, ferns and aquatics.

TASMANIAN NATIVE PLANTS

Plants for screens, shelter, wildlife habitat,

re-vegetation, riverbanks, wetlands or just

pure pleasure. Catalogue available please

send six 50c stamps.

Max Fry Hall

Getting to the AGM at

Max Fry Hall

Coming from Hobart:

Turn west into Paterson Street; Paterson becomes Bridge Street and passes under the West Tamar Highway; Turn right across the low level bridge into Trevallyn Road; Turn left into Gorge Road and Max Fry Hall is on the right just before Gorge Road curves to the left.

Arrows on the map below show the route. The same route can be used by North West members.


Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Society

will be held on

23 March 2013 at 11.00 a.m.

at the Max Fry Memorial Hall, Gorge Road, Trevallyn.

Agenda

1. Welcome

2. Attendance and apologies

3. Confirmation of minutes of previous 2012 AGM

4. Business arising from the minutes

5. President’s report

6. Financial report

7. Grant amount

8. Election of council officers

a. President

b. Vice President\

c. Treasurer

d. Secretary

e. Public Officer

f. Membership Officer

9. Appointments

a. Eucryphia Editor

b. Newsletter Dispatch Officer

c. Study Group Liaison Officer

d. Publications Officer

e. Nomenclature Officer

f. Auditor

g. Conservation Officer

h. Website Liaison Officer

i. ANPSA Delegate

j. ANPSA Delegate

k. APJ Liaison Officer

l. Convenor of Grants Committee

10. Motions on Notice a. That clause 39 (ii) of the Constitution be amended by deleting the word ‘newsletter’ and inserting the words ‘journal, Eucryphia’.

11. General Business (if any).

12. Next AGM

29 March 2014 hosted by North West Group. Venue to be advised.

13. Closure.


ongoing operations and a reserve to cover future requirements. The sale was augmented by the opportunity to sell additional plants at the Kentish Garden Club September show.

We also assisted member Mary-Anne Stagg with her successful Open Garden providing another opportunity to sell our plants.

Plant propagation under the leadership of Riitta Boevink had a successful year and has produced a large range of high quality plants resulting in the good plant sales.

Dick Burns assisted by Riitta Boevink and John Tabor ran propagation sessions in Arbor Week in May for the Spreyton and Nixon Street Primary Schools at the Eugenana Arboretum.

We again assisted with a working bee to plant shrubs in the Tasmania section of the Arboretum.

The North West Group hosted the State Members Get-together in early November in Wynyard with varied activities ranging from garden visits at Oldina and Sisters Beach and nature walks in the Rocky Cape National Park. These walks were of different lengths and took place from the Sisters Beach and Rocky Cape ends of the Park and participants were rewarded with a magnificent display of many types of coastal wildflowers. Everyone was welcomed with soup and sandwiches on Friday night and dinner at the RSL Club in Wynyard on the Saturday night with 36 members attending. A great weekend with many messages received thanking us for an enjoyable weekend.

Our Christmas Dinner was held at the home of Sandra and Rob Simmons at West Kentish. A great night and an enjoyable walk around the extensive garden. Thank you Sandra and Rob for your hospitality.

A big thank you to all members who have contributed to our activities during the year and to our hard-working office bearers, Secretary Shaks Johnson, Mary Slattery for Newsletter Production and Treasurer John Boevink.

On behalf of APST North West Group I would like to congratulate Dick Burns on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to botany and as an author and conservationist. Dick has worked tirelessly for the Australian Plant Society for many years and the honour is well deserved.8

Nurseries Redbreast



Hobart Group Sib Corbett

Keith Corbett provided a report of our activities right up to December 2012, and this report recapitulates a little of what happened during that period and brings us up to date for 2013. We have been in recess since December, with a bountiful summer flowering somewhat marred by the constant bushfire threat. Joy and Bob Coghlan left their Molesworth property as it was threatened by fire, returning to find their whole acreage blackened, right up to the pot plants at the house. Mercifully, the house was saved. Kris Schaffer also lost a cabin in the fires which devastated large parts of the Tasman Peninsula. The drought which makes these bushfires so dangerous continues in the south, with plant deaths on rock plates and N-facing slopes as bad as we have ever seen, and plenty of losses in gardens as well.

In November 2012 the Hobart Group presented a display on Tasmania’s endemic flora at the Margate Heritage Centre, featuring a selection of the Talbot de Malahide Flora plates, supported by cut flowers and display boards with Keith’s spectacular flower pictures from the wilderness. Christine Howells, Betty Hansson and Sib Corbett mounted the display and were kept busy during November tending the vases and providing fresh specimens.

The launch of the new edition of Tasmania’s Natural Flora has already been reported, and sales are going very well, thanks particularly to Christine’s efforts in distribution. Our series of wildflower cards is also proving popular in a very competitive market place and sales have already covered our costs.

At our first meeting for 2013 members were entertained by David Reynolds, with a pictorial account of a recent trip to the Kimberly Region. At this meeting members were reminded that our AGM is in March, at which we will need to elect a new president, secretary and committee members.

Our first walk for 2013 was to Lake Belton in the Mt. Field National Park and found many of us a bit older than we used to be, and suffering in the heat; but we were rewarded by a wonderful display of subalpine plants and glacial scenery on the western slopes of Mt. Mawson.8


From the President

Jill Clark, President

Another year has flown by and I am now at the end of my two-year term as Regional President. I have learnt a lot, but there is still a great deal more to learn especially about the rules and regulations governing our Society. I know that some Group members find this aspect of belonging to APST frustrating and consider things like ‘Constitutions’ unnecessary, and when things are going smoothly this may seem to be the case. However in a national organisation as large as APS, there have to be guidelines, and legal requirements have to be followed. Some members argue that we are about plants not meetings, and so we are, but should any group or member of a group make a mistake you can be certain that there will be someone just waiting to profit from this mistake.

By the time you receive this edition of Eucryphia we will be well into 2013. What a summer we have had with high temperatures, constant wind and very little rain, which has resulted in the devastating bushfires that ravaged Dunalley and other areas of Tasmania. It seems that Mother Nature is paying us back for our treatment of the planet, and from what I read it will only get worse.

The Christmas break has been rather busier than usual for me as I have been involved in organising the resealing of the floor at the hall where Northern Group holds its monthly meetings. This meant emptying the Group’s library cupboard in order to move it and also moving many chairs and tables. On the positive side, it also meant the library received a much needed ‘spring clean’! It is not patronised nearly as frequently these days as the answers to almost everything can be found on the internet. Speaking of which, ‘apstas.org.au’ will soon reveal the new Regional website, the establishment of which has been a mammoth task undertaken by Bruce Champion. Every item of information has been checked and rechecked before being placed in the appropriate section, and as a result many anomalies have come to light and I have been asked questions most of which I was unable to answer. Hence the previous remark about there still being much to learn! An updating of Council Manuals is one outcome, so any Council Member or Group Officer who has a Handbook should bring/send it to the AGM in March.

Although the subject was covered in the last issue of Eucryphia, I cannot write this without mentioning how much I personally and all members of Northern Group will miss John Simmons, with his quiet sense of humour, cheeky grin and wealth of knowledge in so many fields. Together with Marion he achieved so much in his lifetime, probably the most recent being the John Simmons Shade House, which is full to overflowing—roll on the Autumn Sale!

I will finish by repeating what is always said at this time of year, i.e. please consider taking on a Council position this year, the Council desperately needs new people with new ideas, we are none of us getting any younger!


Are you going to the

Queensland

Conference?

Melva Truchanas

Since 1990, when the ANPSA (then ASGAP) Conference and Seminar (generally referred to as the ‘Conference’) was so succes s fu l l y a r ranged by Tasmania, I have been attending such Conferences every second year, travelling around to each Australian state in the company of wonderful ly knowledgeable amateur and profess ional botanists.

It is a rare pleasure to experience the friendship and exchange of experiences and knowledge given with such great generosity.

Queensland this year will be the host, with the theme ‘Diversity is our Nature’. The Conference will be held on the Sunshine Coast at Alexandra Park Conference Centre, near Alexandra Headland, from 10-16 August. Three pre-conference tours are offered from 4-9 August, and two post conference from 17-22. There is a full programme with three days of knowledgeable lectures on wide-ranging topics and two field trips during the week. Some bus trips are offered during each weekend.

The convener is well-respected Australian Landscape Architect, Lawrence Smith, who has contributed widely to ANPSA in the past.

Costs are reasonable. *Registration for the Conference week detailed above is $300, fully provided accommodation at the Centre $100 per night ($800) and 6 day pre-conference tours $800. At present air fares Hobart-Sunshine Coast (direct) are $300 one way. With Conference and a pre-conference tour, I am budgeting for $3,000 in all.

Further information is available at www.sgapqld.org.au, and registration forms (downloadable), costs and all details can be accessed from that site.

Maybe I will see you there!

[* The registration fee quoted is the ‘Early Bird’ fee available to members registering before 30 April. After that date registration increases to $340.00.]

The Alexandra Conference Centre is situated very close to the beach, on a hill surrounded by bushland. A variety of accommodation is available at the Centre and all seminars, workshops and main meals will be held at this venue.


Kingborough Group Fran Taylor

In December we combined our general meeting with our Christmas lunch. Our original plan was to go to Dru Point, Margate but with the threat of inclement weather Norma Ali offered her house and garden. We had 16 members attend. Our meeting was followed by a delicious lunch contributed to by our members. In between showers we were able to enjoy Norma's garden.

For our February meeting we had planned an excursion to the Kingston Wetlands but again we were thwarted by the weather. This time it was the heat with the temperature reaching the mid 30s. But as usual there was plenty to discuss on the display table. Thank you to the members who contributed. 8

Don’t like driving at night?

Prefer a daytime meeting?

Why not try the Kingborough Group?

2.00 p.m. 1st Wednesday of the month

All welcome

Northern Group Louise Skabo

Following a really enjoyable Christmas function in late November which included our annual keenly contested photographic display of ‘Plants, People and Places’, our Group adjourned meetings until February 2013. However, Excursions continued. Roy Skabo did a reconnoitre of Lake Augusta on the Central Highlands and was truly impressed with the array of native plants, many in flower. Roy led a dozen members on 19 January across the Liawenee Plateau with wonderful views across to the Walls of Jerusalem. We saw scores of plants with several rare ones including Ranunculus collicola—the Lake Augusta buttercup --endemic and only found here. Another endemic plant found mainly around Lake Augusta was Planacarpa nitida and spotted in a semi dry tarn was the simple-leaf buttercup, Ranunculus setaceus. Sand dunes on the Highlands? These lunettes, in Australia found only in Tasmania, were golden when the sun shone and harboured lovely plants like Oreomyrrhis argentea. Despite a

cool, rainy and blustery day, all agreed it was a fabulous outing. 2 February saw 13 people visit the mainly native urban gardens of fellow members Jill Clark, Margaret Killen and Trevor Yaxley. Some new members were able to see different approaches to landscape designs for smaller gardens and were impressed with the colour and variety of the native plants. 14 species were collected and later propagated at North’s nursery after a sociable lunch. Our Group will hold an Autumn Plant Sale on 20 April at Max Fry Hall, Trevallyn. Lastly, our 19 February AGM was most successful with a dozen volunteers to fill the wide ranging tasks of our active society.


Group Programmes

Walk Grades: A–mostly driving, short walks; B–more walking, easy paths; C–long walk, uneven ground.

Leaders have the right to deny participation if health/fitness is incompatible with the grading of the walk.

HOBART GROUP M King, S and K Corbett, K Geeves 13 March, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.—ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING—Followed by a

general meeting. Bruce Champion will present a short talk entitled ‘Rocky Cape Rambles’ based on his walk in the Rocky Cape National Park.

16 March, Saturday—PLANT SALE—9.00 a.m-1.00 p.m. Kingston Primary School at sand box shelter.

29 March-1 April, Friday-Monday—EASTER TRIP TO CRADLE MOUNTAIN—Bookings for 4 self-contained cabins have been made at Discovery Holiday Park – each holds 4 people comfortably – and one small cabin at Waldheim. The programme of walks not finally decided and is subject to weather and wishes and abilities of those who come. Some innovative and different things intended. A communal dinner will be organized for Saturday night. Contact Corbetts, ph. 6239 1275.

6 April, Saturday, 1.30 p.m.—PROPAGATION—Kingston Primary School; entry off Church and Freeman Streets via Sherburd Street carpark on the western end of the school. How and when to pot-up and pot-on seedlings and cuttings.

10 April, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—‘Cats and Wildlife’ Meg Lorang, Cat Management Project Officer for the Kingborough Council, will talk about her work in the municipality. Flower of the month: Anne McKenzie.

28 April, Sunday—WALK—Tarn Shelf, Mt Field NP. Grade B. Traditional homage to the turning of the fagus. Still one of the great day walks in the state, amongst beautiful alpine glacial scenery. Return route from Lake Newdegate will depend on the day. Contact: Corbetts, 6239 1275.

4 May, Saturday, 1.30 p.m.—PROPAGATION—Kingston Primary School. Propagating Tasmanian rainforest and sub alpine species.

8 May, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Sib and Keith Corbett will delight us again with more wonderful photos and stories of their bushwalking adventures in our wonderful State of Tasmania. Flower of the month: Christine Howells.

26 May, Sunday—WALK—Hartz Mountains. Grade B. The Prionotes should still be flowering on the road up. We will go via Lake Esperance and Ladies Tarn to Hartz Peak, with the probable return via Arthur Tarn. Contact: Corbetts, 6239 1275.

1 June, Saturday, 1.30 p.m.—PROPAGATION—Kingston Primary School. Selecting species, pots and soil mixes; and re-potting container plants.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. in Lecture Theatre 1, Life Sciences Building, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay. All welcome.8

Venue for Hobart

Group Meetings

Lecture Theatre 1 in the Life Sciences Building on the

Sandy Bay campus of the University of Tasmania,

Building 34 .

Enter off College Road (left turn just past the Herbarium entrance). Parking in College


Editorial

Fire Most people living in Tasmania (and no doubt our members in particular) appreciate the proximity of the bushland to the cities and towns, to the CBD and to residential areas. It probably represents the major part of the appeal of the place. In fact many elect to actually live within the bushland, or very close to it, also within comfortable commuting distance of their workplace and facilities and able to enjoy the pleasures of the bush or a large garden, while earning a living and/or taking advantage of ‘civilised’ amenities!

I was often envy of interstate business colleagues when I pointed out that I lived on six acres of bushland within 15 minutes travel of the GPO and my office. Something that only the most wealthy could enjoy in a mainland capital, if indeed such opportunities still exist.

However, such the advantages and pleasure that accompany living in such proximity to the bush often come at a price—the anxiety of the ever-present threat of bushfire during summer and the risk of property or personal loss that goes with it.

There have been a number of major fire events in the last few decades, perhaps the most severe being in 1967 when, in addition to substantial property and bushland damage, there were many lives lost.

This summer threatened to be a repeat of 1967 in many respects. While there were many instances of extensive and tragic property losses in a number of wide-spread areas, with better preparation, communications, experience and expertise there was, as far as I recall, only one life lost. It seems that the lessons of previous years, both here and on the mainland, were well learnt. And volunteers were terrific in the their application both at the fire front and wherever needed behind the scenes.

As reported by Sib Corbett in the Hobart Group news on page 28 our members did not escape unscathed.

Kris Schaffer’s cabin at Murdunna was destroyed in the fire that raged through the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas with such devastating effect in the town of Dunalley.

The Molesworth-Collinsvale fire completely destroyed the large acreage of native bush and garden at Joy and Bob Coghlan’s property. The fire must have come perilously close to destroying their house as the radiant heat shattered windows and melted the pots of their plants at the house. They had to vacate the house, and could not return until power was restored.

Our sympathy is extended to Kris, Joy and Bob in their loss and for the trauma they must have experienced. AGM Some Groups have already held their AGM, and in those cases it is interesting to see the same members accepting office again. It really would be good if some new faces appeared.

The AGM of the Council and of some Groups are still to come. If you haven't already done so, perhaps you could consider offering to take office.

Most Council members don’t spend more than a couple of years in office (mandatory for the President) and don’t find it too burdensome but participating in the decision making can be quite rewarding. Most members enjoy the opportunity of regularly meeting the representatives from the other areas and ‘comparing notes’. Transport is usually shared where possible and petrol costs are reimbursed.8


New Member: The Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc. extends a warm welcome to this new member.

Irmgard Rosenfeldt, 75/177 Penquite Road, NORWOOD 7250 63433936.

Membership Renewals

Your subscription expiry date is shown on the mailing envelope and automatic reminders will be enclosed near expiry date. Please return the reminder with your payment to facilitate the work and record-keeping of the Treasurer and the Membership Officer. If payment has already been received this is reflected in the expiry date on your mailing envelope and you do not need to send any remittance until you next receive a reminder. An application form is included on page 22 for use in introducing new members to the Society. Please note the requirement to unambiguously identify yourself and the subscription type if payment is made directly into our bank account. Failure to do so can cause substantial difficulty for the Treasurer and Membership Officer.

Membership Subscriptions

*Concession subscription rates are available to holders of a Pensioner Health Concession Card issued by Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs or of a Student ID Card. **Paid by Banker's Draft in $Australian. ***Subscription payments may also be made directly into the Society’s account at a Westpac bank or by Electronic Funds Transfer.

Please identify payment with your surname. Account details:

Name: Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc.; BSB:037015, Account number: 194644.

****It is a decision of Council, after consulting a forum of members at the State Get-together in November 2007, that the subscription to Australian Plants entitles a member to receive only those issues that are published during the members subscription period. Purchase of back copies may be arranged by contacting your Group secretary.

Regular (individual) including Organisations $40.00

*Concession membership $37.00

Each additional adult included in Household Membership (Regular or Concession)

$9.00

Each additional child included in Household Membership (Regular or Concession)

$1.00


$55.00

****Subscription for Australian Plants $14.00


NORTH WEST GROUP Mary Slattery See Group newsletter for programme details.

19 March—GENERAL MEETING—Unusual wooden products. BYO. Leader: J. Tabor. 21 March—PROPAGATION—10.00 a.m. Arboretum. Contact: John Tabor, 6428 6512. 23 March—APST INC AGM and COUNCIL MEETING—Max Fry Memorial Hall,

Trevallyn. See details on page 6. 7 April—PLANTS SALE—at Arboretum, 10.00 a.m.-3.00 p.m. 21 May—GENERAL MEETING

23 May—PROPAGATION—10.00 a.m. Arboretum. Contact: John Tabor, 6428 6512. Meetings are held at the Mersey Regional Library from February to November on the third

Tuesday of the month. Doors open at 7.00 p.m., meeting starts at 7.30 p.m.8

NORTHERN GROUP Janet Hallam

See Group newsletter for further details of the programme. 2 March, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 19 March, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING— Speaker: Dr. Tanya Bailey,

Restoration Ecologist will speak on regeneration and re-vegetation trials with native plants in the Midlands.

6 April, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 16 April, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—TBA

4 May, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 21 May, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING— Club night. 1 June, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 18 June, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Speaker: Helen Statham,

subject TBA.

6 July, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 16 July, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING— Club night. 2 November, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. 19 November, Tuesday, 7.00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING— activity TGA. 7 December, Saturday—PROPAGATION—Group Nursery at ‘Grassy Banks’. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month (except December and January) at the Max Fry Hall, Gorge Road, Trevallyn at the usual time of 7.30 p.m.8

KINGBOROUGH GROUP Carmen Walker

3 April, Wednesday 2 00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Centacare Rooms, Balmoral Rd, Kingston followed by Group Discussion 'Problems and Successes' in your Garden

2 May Wednesday 2 00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Centacare Rooms, Balmoral Road, Kingston followed by Guest Speaker Joyce Batchelor - with a photographic presentation on interesting Tasmanian environments.

6 June Wednesday 2 00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Centacare Rooms, Balmoral Road, Kingston followed by Guest Speaker Erica Shankley - 'Tasman Island'

4 July Wednesday 2 00 p.m.—GENERAL MEETING—Centacare Rooms, Balmoral Road, Kingston followed by Guest Speaker from The Understorey Network.

Meetings are held in the Centacare Rooms at the end of Balmoral Road, Kingston Beach on the first Wednesday of the month (except January) at 2.00 p.m. Visitors are welcome.8






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Heritage Forest Garden, Launceston

Photo © Janet Hallam

Gunns Plains from the lookout on approach to White Gum Reserve


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volume 20 no.5 march 2013 newsletter of the australian ...apstas.org.au/docs/eucryphia/eucryphia...

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