Plant Descriptions – Dennstaedtia davallioides – Diplocyclos palmatus

Dennstaedtia davallioides

Classification

Division: Pteridophyta

Subdivision: Filicophytina

Class: Filicopsida

Order: Filicales

Family: Athyriaceae

Genus: Is named in honour of August Wilhelm Dennstaedt; 1776-1826, who was a German physician, botanist and a remarkable taxonomist.

Specie: Is named in Honour of Edmund Davall; 1763-1798, who was a Swiss botanist and Eîdos/Oides, which is Ancient Greek for alike or similar to. It refers to ferns which have fronds that resemble the Davallia genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Lacey Ground Fern.

Distribution:

Dennstaedtia davallioides is found in several disjunct populations south from the Bunya Mountains National Park in southern Queensland to Cooks Gully in south eastern Victoria. It is also found in found near Healesville, Beech Forest to the southern tip of The Great Ottway National Park in southern Victoria. In northern Queensland it is found in an isolate population on Magnetic Island and near Ayr. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

It is found further west at the Caves near Naracoorte in south eastern South Australia.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dennstaedtia+davallioides#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dennstaedtia davallioides grows in dense shade, light shade and dappled sun light. It grows in moisture retentive soils in protected positions within montane rainforests, littoral rainforests, moist open Eucalyptus forests, riparian forests, gallery forests and riparian rainforests. It is mainly found along rills, creeks, streams where it can form impenetrable thickets in the undergrowth. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1050 meters ASL.

The temperature ranges from 2 degrees in August to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 600mm to 1700mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dennstaedtia davallioides prefers friable sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt and black basalt, metamorphic rocks, fatty sandstone, shale and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:1000mm to 1500mm by 850mm to 1250mm.

Characteristics:

Dennstaedtia davallioides has a long, thin, creeping rhizome that measures 3mm to 5mm in diameter. The blue-green rhizome is covered in short, red-brown hirsute. The rhizomes do not form a trunk.

Dennstaedtia davallioides’s erect fronds grow in flushes throughout the year and decurve near the apexes. The large tripinate or 4 pinnate fronds measure 900mm to 1500mm in height by 800mm to 1250mm in width. The mature, stout stipes are deep brown and covered in reddish-brown hairs at the base and turning blue-green at the base of the rachises. The juvenile stipes are similar but covered in white linear scales or white wax. The rachises have a distinct longitudinal concave groove on the upper surface and are sparsely covered in white hairs. The ultimate segments are asymmetric with narrow lobes.

The juvenile fronds are delicately blue-green, and have a definite waxy appearance.

The fertile fronds are similar to the sterile fronds. The sporangia are borne at the apexes of a lobe or in the fork between the apex lobes on the final segment. The indusium is very thin with a lobed or entire margin. The indusium dehisce, peeling away from the apex. The sori measure 0.5mm to1mm in diameter and. The spore is golden-brown to yellow-fawn.

Wildlife:

Dennstaedtia davallioides’s wildlife is unknown to the author however our plants both in Nana Glen were consistently defoliated every year by an unknown Hawk Moth larvae.

Cultivation:

Dennstaedtia davallioides is a very hardy fern for large courtyards, around swimming pools or in the garden where moist lighter conditions prevail. Dennstaedtia davallioides is an excellent fern for around swimming pools where it can grow to its full potential in an area giving a pleasing tropical look for most of the year. I say most of the year because every year the ferns will be defoliated. I would cut them back to just above ground level and give them a good watering with our recommended organic fertilizer. The ferns would be back to their former glory within a couple of weeks.

It breaks up hard fences and walls giving a pleasant vertical look. Some cleaning of spent fronds on an annual bases maybe necessary and moisture is required to keep them looking at their best. They are not drought tolerant so the occasional lapse in watering will see the fronds die and the new fronds reduced in size. If they do happen to look dead after a long holiday or during a drought prune all the fronds off to a few centimetres of the rhizome and give them a good soaking. I follow this procedure with my plants after they are defoliated every year in early summer. Cut all the foliage or remaining foliage back to just above the rhizome. Apply a generous watering then after two days give them a double strength of our recommended fertilizer and within two weeks the new fronds will totally rejuvenate the floor of the forest.

Propagation:

The spores of Dennstaedtia davallioides can be removed easily from the fronds as the fertile fronds begin to brown off. Cut and place a frond in a paper bag for a week or so in a cool shady place.

Step 1. Select spore from the fern fronds. Wait until the fern is just starting to release its spore. Rinse the fronds under clean running water and dry. This is to wash off any other spores from rogue ferns that may have settled onto the fronds. (There is nothing worse than having common brake or common soft bracken contaminating a prized tree fern or epiphytic fern.)
Step 2. Place the dry fronds in a clean brown paper bag and keep them in a cool dark place like the linen closet for about a week to ten days before you are ready to sow the spore. The exception to this rule applies to ferns, which produce green spores. These must be sown immediately that they are released. Todea Barbara is a good example of a fern, which produces green spore.
Step 3. Take a large ice cream container, a small ice cream container and a clean clear plastic bag large enough to seal the large ice cream container and three or four milk bottle tops.
Step 4. Punch or drill 6 to 10 5mm holes in the bottom of the small ice cream container.
Step 5. Wash both containers, tops and plastic bag so that they are very clean and sterile.
Step 6. Use a clean fine seed raising mi. We used 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} fine sand, 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} peat and 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} perlite and 10{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} vermiculite. We used crushed basalt, crusher dust and peat in a 50:50 ratio for epiphytes. Moisten the mix enough that water does not run out when the mix is squeezed between the fingers.
Step 7. Place the moisten mix (Enough to half fill the small ice cream container) in the microwave oven with a large glass of water for 7 or 8 minutes, until the water is boiling. Allow them to cool in the oven. You will need the water later so do not tip it out.
Step 8. Take the brown paper bag out of the linen closet. Shake the bag and remove the fronds. You should have a yellow, brown, black or rarely greenish brown or ochre powder or very fine, small round pin head size spore depending on the specie involved.
Step 9. Remove the mixture from the oven once it has cooled and place it in the small ice cream container and level.
Step 10. Sprinkle the spore sparsely over the mixture in the small ice cream container.
Step 11. Place the milk bottle tops in the large ice cream container with the flat surface facing down. Place the small ice cream container in the large ice cream container so that it is sitting on the milk bottle tops.
Step 12. Remove the water from the microwave and pour it into the larger ice cream container so there is 25mm to 30mm of water in the bottom.
Step 13. Place the ice cream containers in the plastic bag and seal. Step 14. Place the contents and bag in a warm shady place preferably 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 70{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade depending on the specie. Shade houses and some window sills are ideal.
Step 14. The surface should turn green within a week to two weeks. The prothallus will then develop. From the prtohalus the first true fronds will appear. Wait until the ferns are 20mm to 35mm in height before you attempt to transplant them. Once they are ready open the bag up slightly and allow the air to flow around the little ferns. Every 3 to 5 days open the bag a little further so the ferns get use to their new environment. Allow them a week to two weeks to harden off before you transplant them following the removal of the plastic bag. Carefully prick them out into 50mm standard squat tubes as you would any seedling.

Do not try to transplant them as single plants as they are still a little delicate.

Once the smaller ones again reach 50mm to 70mm you may wish to divide the stronger and hardier individual plants into smaller clumps in 100mm squat pots.
Step 16. We fertilized with seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis until established. Fertilize every two months for one year even when in the ground.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl and all aboriginal nations throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and future for the pleasures we have gained.

Deparia petersenii

Classification

Division: Pteridophyta

Subdivision: Filicophytina

Class: Filicopsida

Order: Filicales

Family: Athyriaceae

Genus: From Deparos which is Ancient Greek for a goblet or beaker. It refers to indusium cover, which surround the spores on most species of ferns and fern allies.

Specie: Is named in honour of Petersen but which Petersen cannot be substantiated.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Japanese Lace Fern.

Distribution:

Deparia petersenii is found in several widely disjunct populations south from Lake Barrine to Palmerston Forest Reserve in far north Queensland to Tarralgon in south eastern Victoria. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing except for a few isolated populations including Liverpool Range, Carnarvon Gorge and Lord Howell Island.

This species in native to south eastern China, Indonesia to Taiwan, Japan to Australia and New Zealand, Polynesia, It is considered an invasive species in Madeira, the Azores, south eastern USA, the Hawaiian Islands, southeastern Brazil and Réunion.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Deparia+petersenii#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Deparia petersenii prefers dense shade, light shade and dappled light areas. It grows in moisture retentive soils in montane rainforests, littoral rainforests, moist open Eucalyptus forests, riparian forests, gallery forests and riverine rainforests. It is mainly found along creeks, streams and rills where it can form impenetrable thickets in the undergrowth. The altitude ranges from 50 meters ASL to 800 meters ASL.

The temperature ranges from minus 2 degrees in August to 32 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 600mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Deparia petersenii prefers friable sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, fatty sandstone, shale or laterites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:200mm to 600mm by 850mm to 1250mm.

Characteristics:

Deparia petersenii has a short, thin, creeping rhizome that measures 4mm to 5mm in diameter. The deep brown almost black rhizome is covered in long, linear, pale brown to fawn scales. The scales measure 9mm to 13mm in length by 0.8mm to 1.2mm in width near the base. The rhizomes do not form a trunk.

Deparia petersenii’s erect fronds grow in flushes or signally. The large fronds measure 300mm to 750mm in height. The rhizomes short, creeping and measure 4mm to 5.5mm diameter. The rhizomes are covered in thin pale brown scales.

The single, lanceolate to narrow triangular bipinnatisectus laminas measure 300mm to 800mm in length by 180mm to 500mm in width for the longest base pinnae. The longest pinnae are about half way along the rachis. The stout stipes and rachises are deep brown to deep brown-black, glossy and are sparsely covered in brown scales. They measure 280mm to 400mm in length. There are 20 to 25 pairs of pinnae. The oblong to narrow lanceolate pinnae measure 50mm to 80mm in length. The oblong-lanceolate pinnules, bases are truncate and sessile while the apexes are obtuse. The longest pair measure 12mm to 20mm in length by 4mm to 8mm in width. The discolourous laminas are pale grass-green and dull on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are slightly paler in colour. The midribs are rounded prominent on the lower lamina and are covered in pastel brown to fawn triangular scales. The lamina has 5 to 8 pairs of lateral veins.

The linear to oblong sori have pascal green, chartaceous indusium. The indusium dehisce, peeling away from the midvein side. The sori measure 2mm to 3.5mm in length. The spore is pale brown.

Wildlife:

Deparia petersenii’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Deparia petersenii is a very hardy fern for courtyards, around swimming pools or in the garden where moist lighter conditions prevail. Deparia petersenii is an excellent fern for around swimming pools where it can grow to its full potential in a small area. It breaks up hard fences and walls giving a pleasant vertical look. Some cleaning of spent fronds on a twice annual bases maybe necessary and moisture is required to keep them looking at their best. They are not drought tolerant so the occasional lapse in watering will see the fronds die and the new fronds reduce in size. If they do happen to look dead after a long holiday or during a drought prune all the fronds off to a few centimetres of the rhizome and give them a good soaking. Apply a double strength dose of our recommended fertilizer two days later and within two weeks they will reshoot but it could be the following round of new fronds that will see the size return.

Propagation:

Spores: All ferns that are declared rare, vulnerable or endangered are protected by Federal and State Laws and must not be removed from the wild unless you are a land developer, mining company or main Roads department etc. This includes bulbs, roots, leaves and flowers. No part of any plant can be removed from Federal, State or Local Government land without the prior permission of the authority and this includes the spore.

Step 2. Place the dry fronds in a clean brown paper bag and keep them in a cool dark place like the linen closet for about a week to ten days before you are ready to sow the spore. The exception to this rule applies to ferns, which produce green spores. These must be sown immediately that they are released. Todea Barbara is a good example of a fern, which produces green spore.

Step 3. Take a large ice cream container, a small ice cream container and a clean clear plastic bag large enough to seal the large ice cream container and three or four milk bottle tops.

Step 4. Punch or drill 6 to 10 5mm holes in the bottom of the small ice cream container.

Step 5. Wash both containers, tops and plastic bag so that they are very clean and sterile.

Step 6. Use a clean fine seed raising mi. We used 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} fine sand, 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} peat and 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} perlite and 10{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} vermiculite. We used crushed basalt, crusher dust and peat in a 50:50 ratio for epiphytes. Moisten the mix enough that water does not run out when the mix is squeezed between the fingers.

Step 7. Place the moisten mix (Enough to half fill the small ice cream container) in the microwave oven with a large glass of water for 7 or 8 minutes, until the water is boiling. Allow them to cool in the oven. You will need the water later so do not tip it out.

Step 8. Take the brown paper bag out of the linen closet. Shake the bag and remove the fronds. You should have a yellow, brown, black or rarely greenish brown or ochre powder or very fine, small round pin head size spore depending on the specie involved.

Step 9. Remove the mixture from the oven once it has cooled and place it in the small ice cream container and level.

Step 10. Sprinkle the spore sparsely over the mixture in the small ice cream container.

Step 11. Place the milk bottle tops in the large ice cream container with the flat surface facing down. Place the small ice cream container in the large ice cream container so that it is sitting on the milk bottle tops.

Step 12. Remove the water from the microwave and pour it into the larger ice cream container so there is 25mm to 30mm of water in the bottom.

Step 13. Place the ice cream containers in the plastic bag and seal.

Step 14. Place the contents and bag in a warm shady place preferably 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 70{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade depending on the specie. Shade houses and some window sills are ideal.

Step 15. The surface should turn green within a week to two weeks. The prothallus will then develop. From the prthalus the first true fronds will appear. Wait until the ferns are 20mm to 35mm in height before you attempt to transplant them. Once they are ready open the bag up slightly and allow the air to flow around the little ferns. Every 3 to 5 days open the bag a little further so the ferns get use to their new environment. Allow them a week to two weeks to harden off before you transplant them following the removal of the plastic bag. Carefully prick them out into 50mm standard squat tubes as you would any seedling.

Do not try to transplant them as single plants as they are still a little delicate still.

Once the smaller ones again reach 50mm to 70mm you may wish to divide the stronger and hardier individual plants into smaller clumps in 100mm squat pots.

Step 16. We fertilized with seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis until established. Fertilize every two months for one year even when in the ground.

Fertilize using Seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September or March to maintain health and vitality.

Further Comments from Readers:

Deplanchea tetraphylla

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Lamiales

Family: Bignoniaceae

Genus: Is named in honour of Emile De Planche; 1824-1874, who was French physician and botanists.

Specie: From Téttares, which is Ancient Greek or Téssares, which is Latin for four and Phullon/Phýllon, which is Ancient Greek for a leaf. It refers to the leaves, which are often in whirls of four.

Sub specie: Deplanchea tetraphylla var. novoguineensis from Nova, which is Latin for new, Guinee, which is Latinised for New Guinee and Ensis/Ana, which is Latin for to originate from. It refers to plant, which were originally discovered in New Guinee.

Sub specie: Deplanchea tetraphylla var. tetraphylla from Téttares, which is Ancient Greek or Téssares, which is Latin for four and Phullon/Phýllon, which is Ancient Greek for a leaf. It refers to the leaves, which are often in whirls of four.

Common Name: Wallaby Wireless Tree or Golden Bouquet tree.

Distribution:

Deplanchea tetraphylla is found south from the tip of Cape York Peninsular and the Islands to the north down to Townseville in far northern Queensland. It is found on and east The Great Dividing Range.

It is also found in New Guinee and surrounding Islands.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Deplanchea+tetraphylla#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Deplanchea tetraphylla prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows in warm moist tropical rainforests, dry tropical rainforests, in transitional zones with moist Eucalypt forests and monsoonal vine thickets all with thick under growths. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 600 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 8 degrees in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1250mm to 3600mm average per annum. Orographic precipitation is very high in many of these areas and could equate to a doubling of the real rainfall received especially at the higher elevations.

Soil Requirements:

Deplanchea tetraphylla prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, granite, sandstone and laterites and better quality accumulated sands and alluvial deposits. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 7.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 10m to 20m by 5m to 8m

Characteristics:

Measurements taken from a single tree.

Deplanchea tetraphylla is a fast growing small tree or large shrub. The stems and branchlets are green and sparsely to moderately covered in soft, fawn tomentose hairs with the leaf scars of fallen leaves. The older branches and trunks are grey-brown, flaky and somewhat covered in course longitudinal tessellations.

The alternate, obovate, glabgrous leaves of Deplanchea tetraphylla are in somewhat of a whirl of 3 or 4 usually 4 from the same node and measure 100mm to 300mm in length by 80mm to 150mm in width. The bases are narrowly rounded, while the apexes are obtuse. The discolourous laminas are grass green, glabrous and semi glossy on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler. The laminas are strongly undulating, while the margins are entire. The mid vein and lateral veins are strongly prominent on the lower laminas and are clearly visible being pale yellowish-green on the upper laminas. The glabrous petioles measure 16mm to 30mm in length.

The inflorescences of Deplanchea tetraphylla are compound racemes. The grass-green to yellowish-green pedicels are glabrous and measure 100mm to 250mm in length.

The pale yellowish-green, cupular calyxes measure 9mm to 12mm in length, while the 4 obtuse lobes measure 6mm to 8mm in length. The bright yellow corolla tube measures 18mm to 24mm in length. The 2 lower lobes have obtuse apexes and measure 15mm to 18mm in length, while the 2 lateral lobes have obtuse apexes and measure 14mm to 16mm in length and the standard petal lobe is partially divided, has acute apexes and measure 15mm to 18mm in length by a similar width.

The 4 bright yellow filaments, 2 long and 2 short are erect, free and measure 55mm to 65mm in length, while the shorter two are 5mm shorter in length. The linear, terete, brown basifixed, bilobed anthers measure 4.5mm to 5.5mm in length by 0.8mm to 1mm in diameter.

The bright yellow, bilobed pistil measure 55mm to 65mm in length. The flowers appear from June to July.

Deplanchea tetraphylla’s fruits are long, linear to narrow oblong follicles. The glabrous, green follicles turn deep brown on ripening. The pods measure 90mm to 140mm in length by 20mm to 38mm in diameter.

The transparent winged seeds are fragile and easily broken and measure 13mm to 18mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Deplanchea tetraphylla’s wildlife alludes to the common name of the tree in far northern Queensland of the “Wallaby Wireless Tree.” Wallabies are fond of eating the fallen flowers of this species and once the flowers begin to fall, the news of the feast spreads quickly throughout the local wallaby populations, who then assemble beneath the trees to join in on the banquet.

It also attracts many birds, amongst them are the rainbow lorikeet, Trichoglossus moluccanus and the scaly breasted lorikeet, Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus.

Cultivation:

Deplanchea tetraphylla is a magnificent small tree suitable for all gardens.

With house blocks becoming smaller and smaller home owners are often deterred or frightened to use trees. Despite often having difficulties in providing privacy this is one tree that can fill that corner to offer privacy.

On larger blocks it can be spaced at 6 meter centers to offer a good screen and bird protection coridoors. The flowers are full of nectar so attract all kinds of birds from larger raucus honeyeaters like the noisy friar bird, Philemon corniculatus first thing in the morning followed by a calamity of sky larking lorikeets including the Rainbow Lorikeet, Trichoglossus moluccanus and the Scaly Breasted Lorikeet, Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus when in flower.

The trees are probably only suitable for frost free areas but can be grown on a wide variety of soils.

Propagation:

Seeds: Deplanchea tetraphylla seeds do not require treatment prior to sowing. Sow seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix, with 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} perlite. Water and place the trays in a warm position with 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Alternately place one or two seeds directly into the 50mm tubes

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. If the plants are to be used for ground covers nip the tips out prior to sowing.

Further Comments from Readers:

Derris involuta

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Tribe: Millettieae

Genus: From Dérrhis, which is Ancient Greek for a tough leather like skin. It refers to structures usually the leaves, which are thick and leathery.

Specie: From Involūcrum, which is Latin for a wrapper or to wrap around. It refers to leaf or flower margins, which to curl in a full circle towards the upper side of the leaf. The reference here is unclear.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Derris involuta is found in several disjunct populations south from the southern section of the Jardine River National Park on Cape York Peninsular in far northern Queensland to Maryborough in central coastal Queensland. From Maryborough it is found continuously south to north of Wingham in central coastal New South Wales. It is mainly found on and east The Great Dividing Range to the Bunya Mountains ihttps://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Derris+involuta#tab_mapView

n the west.

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Derris involuta prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows in warm moist tropical rainforests, dry tropical rainforests, moist Eucalypt forests adjacent to rainforests and monsoonal vine thickets. The altitude ranges from 50 meters ASL to 1200 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in August to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1250mm to 3200mm average per annum. Orographic precipitation is very high in many of these areas and could equate to a doubling of the real rainfall received.

Soil Requirements:

Derris involuta prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite, sandstone and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 5.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 15m to 35m by 6m to 10m

Characteristics:

Derris involuta is a fast growing liana. The slightly furrowed, stems and branchlets are deep green and covered in soft, brown or fawn scales and brown puberulent or hirsute hairs with the leaf scars of fallen leaves.

The alternate leaves of Derris involuta are odd pinnate and measure 100mm to 150mm in length by 10mm to 20mm in width. The 9 to 13 leaflets are usually oblong-ovate or at times elliptical measure 25mm to 70mm in length by 15mm to 35mm in width.

The slightly asymmetrical leaf bases are rounded while the apexes are obtuse, obtuse with a small mucronate tip or emarginate. The discolourous laminas are deep green, glabrous and dull on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler and sparsely covered in pale brown hirsute or puberulent hairs. The laminas are flat, slightly recurved upwards or slightly decurve downwards from the midvein to the margins. The lamina margins are entire. The mid vein and lateral veins are prominent on the lower laminas and are clearly visible from the upper laminas. The petioles, rachis and petiolules are covered in pale brown to rusty brown hirsute hairs. The petioles measure 30mm to 50mm in length while the rachises measure 50mm to 80mm in length and the petiolules measure 2mm to 3mm in length.

The inflorescences of Derris involuta are small racemes of 18 to 56 flowers born in the leaf axils. The grass-green to deep grass-green rachises and pedicels are glabrous to densely covered in rusty brown pulverulent hairs. The rachis measures 100mm to 250mm in length while the pedicels measure 4.5mm to 6mm in length.

The individual flowers are typical legume and measure 10mm to 12mm in length. The pascal green asymmetrical calyxes measure 4mm to 6mm in length including the minute dimorphic lobes.

The united, broad ovate standard petals have an acute apex. The standards are white and pale purple externally and deeper in colour internally and are pale green near the base. The standards measure 13mm to 16mm in height by 6.5mm to 8mm in width. The pale purple to mid purple, oblong wing petals run parallel to the keel. The wing petals measure 13mm to 16mm in length by 4mm to 7mm in height. The pale purple keels measure 11mm to 13mm in length by 3mm to 6mm in height.

9 of the 10 white filaments are united to form a greater than semicircular staminal tube which is open on one side. The filaments are united for 9mm to 10mm of their length and are free for 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The free stamen measures 12mm to 13mm in length. The oblong anthers measure 0.5mm in length.

The white pistil measures 11mm to 12mm in length. The flowers appear from September to November.

Derris involuta’s fruits are long, flat elliptical pods. The glabrous, green pods turn grey-brown on ripening. The upper suture has a 2mm long, longitudinal wing along each rim. The pods measure 30mm to 70mm in length by 10mm to 12mm in width by 3.5mm to 4mm in thickness. The 1 to 4 flattened, reniform seeds are pale brown and have a 2mm wing along the suture.

Wildlife:

Derris involuta’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Derris involuta is a beautiful large creeper for pergolas, trellises, archways, fences or other strong structures in warm temperate frost free gardens. They are also ideal for placing in an established rainforest garden.

With house blocks becoming smaller and smaller home owners are often deterred or frightened to use creepers. Despite often having difficulties in providing privacy; creepers with their vertical growth and dense foliage are usually overlooked as the solution to the problem. Derris involuta can overcome the problem quickly and easily.

Provided there is a structure handy creepers are the answer for that vertical screen. Two posts with strong stainless steel horizontal wires firmly secured at either end will suffice beautifully.

Derris involuta are easy to care for and will tolerate a range of conditions and soil types, but do best when grown in a sunny or partly sunny position in moist well-drained soil. A little extra moisture and native organic fertilizing regime will ensure a bountiful harvest of flowers year after year.

They can be pruned regularly to contain their growth and encourage foliage production in either a vertical or horizontal direction.

If they are placed around a pool, courtyards or other confined spaces they will make the area look more informal and natural. Against walls they will help soften them. Keep them at least 2 meters back from the pool so the flowers do not become a problem by dropping into the pool.

Derris involuta also make very good ground covers in an area where they cannot attach themselves to a structure or other plants. The plants need a large area so give them 25 to 30 square meters. I like to plant 3 plants at about 1 meter centers to give a quick cover. This also has the advantage if one plant dies it does not leave a large barren site which needs to be replanted.

Propagation:

Seeds: Derris involuta seeds require scarification prior to sowing.

The abrasion method has proven very successful for us. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did if there are large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable plastic container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Sow freshly treated seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Alternately place one or two seeds directly into the 50mm tubes

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. If the plants are to be used for ground covers nip the tips out prior to sowing.

Further Comments from Readers:

Derris trifoliata

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Tribe: Millettieae

Genus: From Dérrhis, which is Ancient Greek for a tough leather like skin. It refers to structures usually the leaves, which are thick and leathery.

Specie: From Treîs/Tría, which are Ancient Greek or Tri, which is Latin for three and Folium which is Latin for a foliage. It refers plants, which have three palmate leaflets.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Three Leaf Derris or Northern Derris.

Distribution:

Derris trifoliata is found east from Melville and Bathurst Islands to Kakadu National Park in the north west of the Northern Territory and east to the coastal islands in Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Straight Islands in far north east Queensland. It is found south from Cape York Peninsular to west of Mackay in central coastal Queensland. It also occurs in Malesia and the Pacific islands.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Derris+trifoliata#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Derris trifoliata prefer full sun to dappled shade. It is found growing in monsoon forest, vine thickets and beach forest close to the coast and along estuaries. The altitude ranges from 1 meter ASL to 15 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in August to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1250mm to 3200mm average per annum. Orographic precipitation is very high in many of these areas and could equate to a doubling of the real rainfall received.

Soil Requirements:

Derris trifoliata prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite, sandstone and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 15m to 30m by 6m to 10m

Characteristics:

Derris trifoliata is a fast growing large creeper. The deep grey and black main stem has been recorded at 40mm in diameter. It is deeply scabrous and densely covered in farinaceous and papillate lumps. The slightly furrowed, stems and branchlets are deep green and glabrous. The stems when crushed and the blaze have a strong smell reminiscent of green beans.

The alternate leaves of Derris trifoliata are odd pinnate and measure 60mm to 150mm in length by 40mm to 100mm in width. The 3 to 7 leaflets usually 3 are ovate to elliptical and measure 35mm to 70mm in length by 16mm to 32mm in width. The base pair of leaflets are shorter and often wider than the apex lateral leaflets and terminal leaflet.

The symmetrical leaf bases are rounded while the apexes are acute. The discolourous laminas are deep green to sea-green, glabrous and semi glossy on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are slightly paler to much paler and dull. The undulating laminas recurve upwards from the midvein to the margins and decurve downwards at the apexes. The lamina margins are entire. The mid vein and lateral veins are slightly prominent on the lower laminas and are clearly visible from the upper laminas. The stipules are broadly triangular and measure 1mm to 2mm in length. The petioles, rachises and petiolules are glabrous. The petioles measure 10mm to 20mm in length while the rachises measure 10mm to 20mm in length and the petiolules measure 6mm to 20mm in length with the terminal petiolule being 2 to 3.3 times the length of the lateral petioles.

The inflorescences of Derris trifoliata are small racemes of 18 to 30 flowers born in the leaf axils. The grass-green to deep grass-green rachises and pedicels are glabrous. The rachis measures 70mm to 100mm in length while the pedicels measure 7mm to 8mm in length.

The individual flowers are typical legume and measure 12mm to 14mm in length. The olive-green tinged maroon calyxes measure 3.5mm to 4mm in length including the 5 broad acute lobes which measure 0.6mm to 1mm in length.

The united, broad ovate standard petals have an acute apex. The standards are lilac, pale purple to pink or rarely white with a pale grey-green base. The standards measure 11mm to 13mm in height by 5mm to 6mm in width. The lilac, pale purple to pink or rarely white, oblong to oblong-elliptical wing petals run parallel to the keel but do not cover them. The wing petals measure 8mm to 10mm in length by 3mm to 4.5mm in height. The lilac, pale purple to pink or rarely white keels measure 10mm to 12mm in length by 4mm to 6mm in height.

The 9 of the 10 white filaments are united to form a greater than semicircular staminal tube which is open on one side. The filaments are united for 9mm to 10mm of their length and are free for 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The free stamen measures 12mm to 13mm in length. The oblong anthers measure 0.5mm in length.

The white pistil measures 11mm to 12mm in length. The flowers appear from September to November.

Derris trifoliata’s fruits are long, flat elliptical pods. The glabrous, green pods turn grey-brown on ripening. The upper suture has a very short longitudinal wing along each rim. The pods measure 35mm to 50mm in length by 22mm to 28mm in width by 1mm to 1.5mm in thickness. The single flattened, reniform seeds are pale brown. The seeds measure 22mm to 26mm in length by 15mm to 18mm in width. The radical measures 2mm to 2.5mm in length.

Wildlife:

Derris trifoliata’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Derris trifoliata is a beautiful large creeper for pergolas, trellises, archways, fences or other strong structures in warm temperate frost free gardens. They are also ideal for placing in an established rainforest garden.

With house blocks becoming smaller and smaller home owners are often deterred or frightened to use creepers. Despite often having difficulties in providing privacy; creepers with their vertical growth and dense foliage are usually overlooked as the solution to the problem. Derris trifoliata can overcome the problem quickly and easily.

Provided there is a structure handy creepers are the answer for that vertical screen. Two posts with strong stainless steel horizontal wires firmly secured at either end will suffice beautifully.

Derris trifoliata are easy to care for and will tolerate a range of conditions and soil types, but do best when grown in a sunny or partly sunny position in moist well-drained soil. A little extra moisture and native organic fertilizing regime will ensure a bountiful harvest of flowers year after year.

They can be pruned regularly to contain their growth and encourage foliage production in either a vertical or horizontal direction.

Derris trifoliata also make very good ground covers in an area where they cannot attach themselves to a structure or other plants. The plants need a large area so give them 25 to 30 square meters. I like to plant 3 plants at about 1 meter centers to give a quick cover. This also has the advantage if one plant dies it does not leave a large barren site which needs to be replanted.

Propagation:

Seeds: Derris trifoliata seeds require scarification prior to sowing. The abrasion method has proven very successful for us. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat.

What we did if there are large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable plastic container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. If the plants are to be used for ground covers nip the tips out prior to sowing.

Further Comments from Readers:

Desmodium brachypodum

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Tribe: Desmodieae

Genus: From Desmodion, which is Ancient Greek for small chains. It refers to the flowers and fruits, which appear like small chains.

Specie: From Brachy, which is Ancient Greek for short and Pous which is Ancient Greek or Pedi, which is Latin for a foot or feet. It refers to leaves which have short petioles.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Three Leaf Derris.

Distribution:

Desmodium brachypodum is widespread species from near Cooktown in far north east Queensland south to Bulumwaal in north eastern Victoria.

It is also found from the Kakadu National Park, the Victoria River, Elsey and the Carpentaria Gulf Rivers districts in the Northern Territory.

It is found from the coast to semi-arid areas well inland like the Idalia National Park and the Blackbraes Resource Reserve which indicates it may be far more widespread than the map indicates.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Desmodium+brachypodium#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Desmodium brachypodum prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows in dry open Eucalyptus forests, open woodlands and grasslands. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1400 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in August to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1250mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Desmodium brachypodum prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite, sandstone and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 5.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 0.6m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Desmodium brachypodum is a fast growing small vine or sub shrub. The stems and branchlets are covered in short white uncinate hairs.

The alternate leaves of Desmodium brachypodum are trifoliate. The ovate to elliptical leaflets measure 15mm to 70mm in length by 7mm to 40mm in width. The terminal leaflets are the longest and widest. The bases are rounded while the apexes are obtuse, obtuse with a fine apiculate tip, broad emarginate or broad acute. The discolourous laminas are grass-green to deep grey-green, glabrous and dull on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler and sparsely covered in short and white, uncinated hairs. The laminas margins are entire or very finely crenate. The midvein is prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from the upper lamina. The petioles and petiolules are glabrous to sparsely covered in white uncinated hairs. The stipules measure 4mm to 8mm in length. The petioles measure 20mm to 55mm in length while the lateral petiolules measure 1mm to 2mm in length and the terminal petiolules measure 8mm to 10mm in length.

The inflorescences of Desmodium brachypodum are born on long narrow terminal racemes with 8 to 60 individual flowers. The rachises measure 150mm to 400mm in length while the pedicels measure 1mm to 2mm in length.

The individual flowers are typical legume and measure 8mm to 10mm in length. The deep green tinged maroon to reddish-maroon calyxes measure 3.5mm to 4mm in length including the 5 broad acute lobes which measure 1.7mm to 2mm in length.

The united, round triangular standard petals are pendulant and semi covers the wings. The standards are mauve, pale purple, pink or red measure 7.5mm to 10mm in length by 5mm to 6mm in height. The pinkish-purple, pink or red, oblong to oblong-elliptical wing petals run parallel to the keel but do not cover them. The wing petals measure 8mm to 9mm in length by 4mm to 4.5mm in height. The pinkish-purple, pink or red, keel petals measure 7.5mm to 8.5mm in length by 3.5mm to 4mm in height.

9 of the 10 white, dimorphic; alternately 1 long and 1 shorter, filaments are united to form a staminal tube which is open on one side. The filaments are united for 4mm to 5mm of their length and are free for 4mm to 5mm in length. The upper free stamen measures 8mm to 9mm in length. The oblong, cream to pale yellow anthers measure 0.5mm in length.

The white pistil measures 7mm to 8mm in length. The flowers appear from February to April.

Desmodium brachypodum fruits are long pods. The pods contain 3 to 8 seeds usually 4 or 5. The pods are strongly constricted between the seeds and measure 20mm to 40mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in diameter. The green pods turn black when ripe and are covered in short white uncinated hairs. The reniform seeds are cream, creamy pastel orange. The seeds measure 2.4mm in length by 1.6 mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Desmodium brachypodum flowers are visited by almost every small butterfly in the district. The seeds are often eaten by an unknown weevil as the fruits ripen gaining access when the fruits are at the immature stage.

The fruit segments are easily broken and are dispersed by adhesion to animals and humans by the short uncinated hairs. The seeds are not released spontaneously from fruit with both methods ensuring wide distribution of the seeds.

Cultivation:

Desmodium brachypodum is a beautiful sub shrub that deserves a place in every small garden where it can be poked into bare patches away from paths as the fruits are rather annoying when collected in large numbers.

They have a tendency to look unkempt and in need of a good pruning especially from a distance if planted in loose widespread clumps. Their appeal comes when they can be incorporated into the garden as isolated plants filling a small niche or mass planted in close associating as to form dense clumps of 3 or 5 plants. They will need pruning to ensure a bushier plant with many terminal shoots. Their upside is the foliage lying rather prostrate while the long racemes make the flowers look more prevalent and larger than they really are by standing well above the ground. This means they are best planted just beyond the shorter border plants or between small shrubs with different foliage. Use plants with deep red or orange flowers to the rear and in the foreground. This will ensure that the whole plant blends into the midground when not in flower and contrasts nicely when in flower. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 200mm to 300mm centers. Light tip pruning may also be advantageous.

Once established they are drought tolerant and tolerant to light frosts. The plants will die back to an underground tuber under severe drought conditions and are best pruned heavily every 2 or 3 years to maintain good vigour and health.

Propagation:

Seeds: Desmodium brachypodum seeds require scarification prior to sowing. The abrasion method has proven very successful for us. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did if there are large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable plastic container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Alternatively the seeds can be placed in a cup of hot water and let stand for 4 or 5 hours.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. If the plants are to be used for ground covers nip the tips out prior to sowing.

Further Comments from Readers:

Desmodium gunnii

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Tribe: Desmodieae

Genus: From Desmodion, which is Ancient Greek for small chains. It refers to the flowers and fruits, which appear like small chains.

Specie: Is named in honour of Ronald Campbell Gunn; 1808-1881, who was a South African born Tasmanian collector of plants and botanist.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Slender Tick Trefoil.

Distribution:

Desmodium gunnii is found south from the Daintree River National Park to the Victoria Volcanic Plain in south western Victoria. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range along the east coast and south of the Range in southern Victoria.

It is also found along the northern and eastern coastal areas in Tasmania.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Desmodium+gunnii#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Desmodium gunnii prefers medium shade, dappled shade to full sunlight. It grows in dry schlerophyll forests open woodlands, adjacent to rainforests and woodlands verging on grasslands. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1050 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in August to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Desmodium gunnii prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite, sandstone and metashales. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 5.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 0.4m by 0.2m to 0.6m

Characteristics:

Desmodium gunnii is a fast growing small creeper. The wiry stems are mid green, glabrous or covered in short, white, appressed, hirsute hairs.

The alternate leaves of Desmodium gunnii are trifoliate. The leaflets are obcordate, ovate to rhomboidal. The lateral leaflets measure 10mm to 17mm in length by 10mm to 17mm in width while the terminal leaflet measures 12mm to 20mm in length by 12mm to 20mm in width. The bases are broadly cuneate, rounded or truncate while the apexes are obtuse, truncate with an emarginate tip or emarginate. The discolourous laminas are deep green, glabrous and dull on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are pale grey-green to glaucous. The midvein is prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from the upper lamina. The laminas margins are entire. The petioles and petiolules are glabrous to sparsely covered in white uncinated hairs. The stipules measure 4mm to 8mm in length. The petiole and petiolules are grass-green to deep green and glabrous or sparsely covered in white appressed hairs. The 2 olive-brown to deep green stipules measure 2mm to 4mm in length. The petioles measure 10mm to 30mm in length while the petiolules measure 0.6mm to 1mm in length.

The inflorescences of Desmodium gunnii are born on long slender racemes with 3 to 5 individual flowers. The rachises and pedicels are mid green and glabrous to sparsely covered in white hirsute hairs. The rachises measure 90mm to 160mm in length while the pedicels measure 1.5mm to 7mm in length.

The individual flowers are very regular, typical legume and measure 10mm to 12mm in length. The green tinged red to pale reddish-brown calyxes are glabrous to moderately covered in white hirsute hairs and measure 3.5mm to 4mm in length not including the lanceolate lobes which measure 0.3mm to 0.4mm in length.

The united, obtuse, erect standard petal is pale pink to lilac with an emarginate apex and measures 6mm to 7mm in height by 10mm to 11mm in width. The pale pink to lilac, oblong to oblong-elliptical wing petals run parallel to the keel and are strongly convex around the keel. The wing petals measure 8mm to 9mm in length by 6mm to 7mm in height. The pink to lilac keel petal measures 7mm to 8mm in length by 3.5mm to 4mm in height.

9 of the 10 creamy fawn, dimorphic; alternately 1 long and 1 shorter, filaments are united to form a staminal tube which is open on one side. The filaments are united for 2mm to 2.5mm of their length and are free for 2mm to 2.5mm in length. The upper free stamen measures 8mm to 9mm in length. The oblong, cream to pale yellow anthers measure 0.5mm in length.

The white pistil measures 7mm to 8mm in length. The flowers appear from February to April.

Desmodium gunnii fruits are long flattened pods. The pods contain 3 to 6 seeds usually 3 or 4.The pods are strongly constricted between the seeds and measure 13mm to 30mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width with of the each article measuring 3.5mm to 5mm in length. The green pods turn black when ripe and are covered in short white uncinated hairs. The calyxes are persistent at the base of the pods. The deep brown to almost black, reniform seeds measure 2.6mm to 3mm in length.

Wildlife:

Desmodium gunnii flowers are visited by almost every small butterfly in the district. The seeds are often eaten by an unknown weevil as the fruits ripen gaining access when the fruits are at the immature stage.

Cultivation:

Desmodium gunnii is a beautiful sub shrub that is ignored because of its size and unspectacular flowers.

It has a tendency to look as though it is always about to start growing but never does. Its appeal comes when it can be incorporated into the garden in mass plantings close paths so that it can be looked at and not being crowded. It responds to pruning to ensure a bushier plant with many terminal shoots. Another upside is the foliage lying rather prostrate while the racemes are held above the foliage. This means it is best planted just beyond the shorter border plants or between small shrubs with different foliage but don’t crowd it. Use plants with deep red or orange flowers to the rear and in the midground. This will ensure that the whole plant blends into the foreground when not in flower and contrasts nicely when in flower. Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 200mm to 300mm centers. Light tip pruning may also be advantageous.

Propagation:

Seeds: Desmodium gunnii seeds require scarification prior to sowing. The abrasion method has proven very successful for us. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did if there are large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable plastic container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Alternatively the seeds can be placed in a cup of hot water and let stand for 4 or 5 hours.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. If the plants are to be used for ground covers nip the tips out prior to sowing.

Further Comments from Readers:

Desmodium heterocarpon

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Tribe: Desmodieae

Genus: From Desmodion, which is Ancient Greek for small chains. It refers to the flowers and fruits, which appear like small chains.

Specie: From Heteros, which is Ancient Greek for other or different Karpós, which is Ancient Greek for a fruit. It refers to where the fruits are distinctly different in shape and size on the same plant.

Sub specie: Desmodium heterocarpon var. heterocarpon. From Heteros, which is Ancient Greek for other or different Karpós, which is Ancient Greek for a fruit. It refers to where the fruits are distinctly different in shape and size on the same plant.

Sub specie: Desmodium heterocarpon var. strigosum. From Strigōsum, which is Latin for lean, lank, thin or meagre. It refers to structures, which have very few organs, which has stiff bristly hairs.

Common Name:

Distribution:

Desmodium heterocarpon var. heterocarpon is found south from the tip of Cape York Peninsular in far north eastern Queensland to Boamee Headland in north eastern New South Wales. Wyndham in the Kymberley to Walcott Inlet on the coast in far north west Western Australia.

Desmodium heterocarpon var. strigosum is found in the Kymberley ranges in far north western Western Australia across the top end to Roper Gulf including many of the off shore Islands in the north east of the Northern Territory.

In the east it is found south from the Torres Straight Islands in far north east Queensland to Bottle Creek in far north eastern coastal New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dendrobium+dolichophyllum#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Desmodium heterocarpon prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows in open moist to dry schlerophyll forests and open woodlands. The altitude ranges from 50 meters ASL to 1000 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to 3000mm average per annum. Orographic precipitation is very high in many of these areas and could equate to a doubling of the real rainfall received.

Soil Requirements:

Desmodium heterocarpon prefers gritty sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, granite sands, metamorphic rocks, sandstone and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1m to 1.8m by 1m to 1.5m

Characteristics:

Desmodium heterocarpon is a fast growing small shrub or sub shrub. The stems and branchlets are glabrous or more often covered in white spreading sericeous hairs.

The alternate trifoliate leaves of Desmodium heterocarpon var. heterocarpon are oblong, elliptical or ovate to orbicular. They measure 13mm to 70mm in length by 8mm to 45mm in width. The terminal leaflets are the longest and widest. The bases are rounded while the apexes are obtuse. The discolourous laminas are grass-green to deep green, glabrous, dull and sparsely covered in white sericeous hairs while the lower laminas are paler and moderately covered in white, sericeous hairs. The laminas slightly recurved upwards from the midvein to the margins. The laminas margins are entire. The mid vein and 4 to 5 pairs of lateral veins are slightly prominent on the lower laminas and are visible from the upper laminas. The petioles and petiolules are glabrous. The linear to narrow lanceolate stipules measure 7mm to 15mm in length. The petioles measure 10mm to 35mm in length while the lateral petiolules measure 1mm to 2mm in length and the terminal petiolules measure 7mm to 10mm in length with the terminal petiolule being about 3 times longer than the lateral petioles.

The alternate trifoliate leaves of Desmodium heterocarpon var. strigosum are oblong, elliptical or ovate to orbicular. The terminal leaflets measure 25mm to 70mm in length by 20mm to 30mm in width while the lateral leaflets measure 20mm to 50mm in length by 10mm to 20mm in width. The bases are rounded while the apexes are obtuse. The discolourous laminas are grass-green to deep green, glabrous, dull and glabrous while the lower laminas are paler and moderately covered in white, sericeous hairs. The laminas slightly recurved upwards from the midvein to the margins. The laminas margins are entire. The mid vein and 5 to 7 pairs of lateral veins are slightly prominent on the lower laminas and are visible from the upper laminas. The caduceous, triangular stipules measure 7mm to 10mm in length. The stipules apexes are filiform to caudate and measure 1mm to 4mm in length. The petioles and petiolules are glabrous. The linear to narrow lanceolate stipules measure 7mm to 15mm in length. The petioles measure 15mm to 40mm in length while the lateral petiolules measure 1mm to 3mm in length and the terminal petiolules measure 7mm to 10mm in length with the terminal petiolule being about 3 times longer than the lateral petioles.

The inflorescences of DDesmodium heterocarpon var. heterocarpon are born on long narrow terminal racemes with 10 to 100 individual flowers. The rachises measure 30mm to 150mm in length while the pedicels measure 2mm to 5mm in length.

The individual flowers are typical legume and measure 4mm to 6mm in length. The green tinged reddish-brown calyxes measure 1.7mm to 2mm in length including the 5 broad acute lobes which measure 0.8mm to 1mm in length.

The united, round triangular standard petals are erect. The standards are white, lilac or blueish-violet with an emarginate apex and measure 4mm to 5mm in length by 2.5mm to 3mm in height. The white, lilac or blueish-violet, oblong to oblong-elliptical wing petals run parallel to the keel but do not cover them. The wing petals measure 4mm to 4.5mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in height. The white, lilac or blueish-violet, keel petals measure 4mm to 4.5mm in length by 1.8mm to 2mm in height.

9 of the 10 white, dimorphic, filaments (Alternately 1 long and 1 shorter) are united to form a staminal tube which is open on one side. The filaments are united for 1.5mm to 2.5mm of their length and are free for 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length. The upper free stamen measures 8mm to 9mm in length. The cream to pale yellow anthers are spherical.

The white pistil measures 3.5mm to 4mm in length. The flowers appear from February to April.

The inflorescences of Desmodium heterocarpon var. strigosum are born on long narrow terminal racemes with 10 to 80 individual flowers. The rachises measure 35mm to 180mm in length while the pedicels measure 2mm to 5mm in length.

The individual flowers are typical legume and measure 6mm to 8mm in length. The deep green tinged reddish-maroon copular calyxes are covered in short white sericeous hairs. The calyxes measure 1mm to 1.4mm in length excluding the 5 broad acute lobes which measure 1 mm to 1.4mm in length.

The united, round triangular standard petals are erect with an emarginate apex and semi cover the wings. The standards are white, lilac or blueish-violet measure 6mm to 8mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in height. The white, lilac or blueish-violet, oblong to oblong-elliptical wing petals run parallel to the keel but do not cover them. The wing petals measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in height. The white, lilac or blueish-violet, keel petals measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in height.

9 of the 10 white filaments dimorphic, (Alternately 1 long and 1 shorter) are united to form a staminal tube which is open on one side. The filaments are united for 3.5mm to 4mm of their length and are free for 3mm to 4mm in length. The upper free stamen measures 7mm to 8mm in length. The cream to pale yellow anthers are orbicular.

The green ovary measures 5mm in length while the white pistil measures 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The flowers appear from February to April.

Desmodium heterocarpon var. heterocarpon fruits are long pods. The pods contain 2 to 8 seeds usually 4 or 5. The pods are strongly constricted between the seeds and measure 10mm to 30mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in diameter. The green pods turn brown when ripe and are densely covered in long golden-brown uncinate hairs. The reniform seeds are cream, creamy fawn. The seeds measure 2mm to 3mm in length by 1.8mm to 2mm in diameter. The radicle measures 0.9mm to 1mm in length.

Desmodium heterocarpon var. strigosum fruits are long pods. The pods contain 2 to 6 seeds usually 4 or 5. The pods are strongly constricted between the seeds and measure 15mm to 20mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in diameter. The green pods turn black when ripe and are densely covered in short white uncinate hairs. The reniform seeds are cream, creamy fawn. The seeds measure 2mm to 3mm in length by 1.8mm to 2mm in diameter. The radicle measures 0.7mm to 0.9mm in length.

Wildlife:

Desmodium heterocarpon flowers are visited by almost every small butterfly in the district. The seeds are often eaten by an unknown weevil as the fruits ripen gaining access when the fruits are at the immature stage.

The fruit segments are easily broken and are dispersed by adhesion to animals and humans by the short uncinate hairs. The seeds are not released spontaneously from fruit with both methods ensuring wide distribution of the seeds.

Cultivation:

Desmodium heterocarpon is a beautiful sub shrub that is ignored because of its size and unspectacular flowers.

Propagation:

Seeds: Desmodium heterocarpon seeds require scarification prior to sowing. The abrasion method has proven very successful for us. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did if there are large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable plastic container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Alternatively the seeds can be placed in a cup of hot water and let stand for 4 or 5 hours.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. If the plants are to be used for ground covers nip the tips out prior to sowing.

Further Comments from Readers:

Desmodium nemorosum

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Tribe: Desmodieae

Genus: From Desmodion, which is Ancient Greek for small chains. It refers to the flowers and fruits, which appear like small chains.

Specie: From Nemorosum, which is Latin for an open woodland or groves. It refers to plants, which prefer to grow in habitats or environments that are beneath open woodlands or tree groves.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Except for a lone population at Narrabri on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range Desmodium nemorosum is found in 2 distinct disjunct populations along the east coast, east of the Great Dividing Range. It is found south from New Castle Bay on Cape York Peninsular in far north eastern Queensland to Agrawal Creek and Sword Creek near Ingham and south from Dawes Range north west of Bundaberg in central coastal Queensland to the Great Lakes in central coastal New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Desmodium+nemorosum#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Desmodium nemorosum prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows high in the mountains in dry open Eucalyptus forests, open woodlands and grasslands. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 750 meters ASL

The temperatures range from 2 degrees in August to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 600mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Desmodium nemorosum prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite, sandstone and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 5.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.6m to 1m by 0.6m to 1m

Characteristics:

Desmodium nemorosum is a fast growing small sub shrub. The stems and branchlets are reddish-brown and densely covered in off white to pale grey appressed hairs.

The alternate leaves of Desmodium nemorosum are trifoliate. The leaflets are ovate to elliptical. The lateral leaflets measure 20mm to 55mm in length by 10mm to 25mm in width while the terminal leaflet measures 28mm to 80mm in length by 14mm to 35mm in width. The petioles and petiolules are moderately to densely covered in white to pale grey appressed hairs. The petiole measures 7mm to 23mm in length while the lateral petiolules measure 1mm to 2mm in length and the terminal petiolule measures 6mm to 12mm in length. The bases are broad cuneate to rounded while the apexes are acute to obtuse. The discolourous laminas are deep green to sea-green, glabrous and dull on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler and densely covered in short off white to pale grey, appressed hairs. The laminas margins are entire and recurve upwards from the mid vein to the margins. The stipules measure 5mm to 13mm in length and are covered in white or pale grey appressed hairs. The midvein is prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from the upper lamina.

The inflorescences of Desmodium nemorosum are born on long dense terminal racemes with 8 to 36 individual flowers. The peduncle and rachises are moderately to densely covered in white or pale grey appressed hairs. The peduncle rachises measure 150mm to 200mm in length while the pedicels measure 3mm to 5mm in length.

The individual flowers are typical legume and measure 5mm to 8mm in length. The grass-green to mid green calyxes measure 2mm to 3mm in length including the minute obtuse lobes. The calyxes are moderately to densely covered in white or pale grey appressed hairs externally and are glabrous internally.

The united, ovate standard petals are pendulant and semi covers the wings. The standards are pale purple, pink with a pale green splash at the base with a deep emarginate apex and measure 5mm to 7mm in height by 8mm to 11mm in width. The purple to pink, rounded triangular wing petals run parallel to the keel but does not cover it. The wing petals measure 7mm to 8mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in height. The purple to pink keel petals are glistening white and pastel yellow along the lower section and recurve upwards near the apexes. They measure 7.5mm to 8.5mm in length by 3.5mm to 4mm in height.

The 9 white dimorphic, alternating 1 long and 1 shorter, filaments are united to form a staminal tube which is open on one side. The 10^th upper stamen is free. The oblong, pastel, yellow anthers measure 0.5mm in length.

The white pistil measures 8mm to 9mm in length and has 6 to 9 digitate stigma at the apex. The ovary is covered in white appressed hairs externally and contains 4 or 5 ovules. The flowers appear from late October to early May.

Desmodium nemorosum fruits are long pods. The pods contain 2 to 5 seeds usually 3 or 4.The pods are strongly constricted between the seeds and measure 10mm to 50mm in length by 3mm to 10mm in width and 3mm to 4.5mm in thickness. The green pods turn reddish –brown before turning deep grey-brown when ripe and are covered in short white uncinated hairs. The articles measure 6mm to 10mm in length. The reniform seeds are deep brown and measure 4mm to 6mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Desmodium nemorosum flowers are visited by almost every small butterfly in the district. The seeds are often eaten by an unknown weevil as the fruits ripen gaining access when the fruits are at the immature stage.

Cultivation:

Desmodium nemorosum is a beautiful sub shrub that looks great in small bushland gardens or small formal garden where it can be poked into bare patches away from paths as the fruits are rather annoying when collected in large numbers.

Mass plantings are the best method to achieve a display and then they will need tip pruning regularly in the early stages to induce a smaller, more vigorous flowering plant. Plant 3 plants in a clump at 200mm to 300mm centers. Plants planted in this method in cultivation will form dense compact rounded shrubs 500mm to 700mm in height by 800mm to 1300mm in diameter.

They have a tendency to look wiry and unkempt and in need of a good pruning if planted in randomly as they straggle over nearby plants. Their appeal comes when they can be incorporated into the garden as dense plants filling small niches or mass planted in close association as to form small dense clumps of 3 or 5 plants. They will need pruning to ensure bushier plants with many terminal shoots. Their upside is the beautiful deep green trifolia leaves. This means they are best planted with shorter border plants, small shrubs or annuals in the fore ground and taller narrow growing plants in the background with vastly different foliage. Use plants that flower in a different season or the small quaint pink and purple flowers will be lost among the strong reds, yellows and oranges.

Once established they are drought tolerant. Collecting the seed is easy as is their propagation.

Propagation:

Seeds: Desmodium nemorosum seeds require scarification prior to sowing. The abrasion method has proven very successful for us. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did if there are large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable plastic container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed. Alternatively seeds can be placed in a calico bag in the vegetable crisper over winter.

Sow freshly treated seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 2mm to 3mm of the mix. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix. Nip the growing tips out and replace them back in the nursery.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height again nip the tips out before planting them out into their permanent position.

Further Comments from Readers:

Desmodium rhytidophyllum

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Tribe: Desmodieae

Genus: From Desmodion, which is Ancient Greek for small chains. It refers to the flowers and fruits, which appear like small chains.

Specie: From Rhutís, which is Ancient Greek for wrinkled and Phullon/Phýllon, which is Ancient Greek for a leaf. It refers to leaves, which are wrinkled.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Desmodium rhytidophyllum is found south from Dinner Ck near Gimbat to Pine Creek in south western Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.

In the east it is found south of Batavia Downs on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to near Bega in coastal southern New South Wales. It is mainly found on the Western Slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Desmodium+rhytidophyllum#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Desmodium rhytidophyllum prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows in dry open schlerophyll forests, open woodlands and woodlands verging on grasslands. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1400 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in August to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Desmodium rhytidophyllum prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite, sandstone and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 5.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.6m to 0.1m by 0.5m to 0.8m

Characteristics:

Desmodium rhytidophyllum is a fast growing small twinning or sub shrub. The stems and branchlets are grass-green and covered in golden to rusty-yellow to hairs.

The alternate leaves of Desmodium rhytidophyllum are trifoliate. The ovate to rhomboid or elliptical lateral leaflets measure 12mm to 55mm in length by 8mm to 30mm in width while the terminal leaflet measure 18mm to 70mm in length by 12mm to 35mm in width. The bases are broad cuneate, rounded or truncate, obtuse while the apexes are round-acute, obtuse, or tapering obtuse. The discolourous laminas are deep grass-green to deep olive-green, glabrous, dull and sparsely covered in long, golden to rusty-yellow, appressed puberulent hairs on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler and covered in long, golden to rusty-yellow, appressed pulverulent hairs. The laminas margins are entire and undulating. The midvein and lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The laminas are strongly convex between the lateral veins and lateral and main veins.

The narrow triangular stipules measure 4mm to 6mm in length while the leaflet stipules are narrow lanceolate to linear and measure 2mm to 3mm in length. The petioles and petiolules are covered in golden to rusty-yellow to hairs. The petioles measure 7mm to 35mm in length while the lateral petiolules measure 1.5mm to 3mm in length and the terminal petiolules measure 8mm to 10mm in length.

The inflorescences of Desmodium rhytidophyllum are born on long terminal racemes with 18 to 30 individual flowers. The rachises measure 80mm to 250mm in length while the pedicels measure 1.5mm to 3mm in length.

The individual flowers are typical legume and measure 5mm to 8mm in length. The pale green calyxes are densely covered in rusty-red hirsute hairs and measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length while the lobes measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length.

The united, orbicular standard petals are erect with a deep emarginate apex and large lemon-yellow blotch at the base. The standards are mauve, pale purple to pink and measure 4.5mm to 5.5mm in height by 5mm to 6.5mm in in width. The purple, pinkish-purple or pink lanceolate to spathulate wing petals run parallel to side of the keel but does not cover it. The wing petals measure 5.5mm to 6.5mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. The purple, pinkish-purple to pink, keel petal measures 5mm to 5.5mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm in height.

9 of the 10 white, dimorphic; alternately 1 long and 1 shorter, filaments are united to form a staminal tube which is open on one side. The filaments are free and measure 6mm to 6.5mm in length. The upper free stamen measures 6mm to 6.5mm in length. The oblong, white anthers measure 0.5mm to 0.6mm in diameter.

The white pistil measures 5.5mm to 7mm in length. The flowers appear throughout the year in favourable seasons.

Desmodium rhytidophyllum fruits are short stout flattened pods. The pods contain 2 to 7 seeds usually 4 or 5. The pods are strongly constricted between the seeds and measure 15mm to 25mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. The green pods turn deep grey to black when ripe and are covered in short white or golden–brown uncinated hairs. The style and calyx are persistent on the pods. The seeds measure 1.6mm in length by 1.8mm in length.

Wildlife:

Desmodium rhytidophyllum is flowers are visited by almost every small butterfly in the district. The seeds are often eaten by an unknown weevil as the fruits ripen gaining access when the fruits are at the immature stage.

Cultivation:

Desmodium rhytidophyllum is a beautiful sub shrub that is ignored because of its size and unspectacular flowers.

Propagation:

Seeds: Desmodium rhytidophyllum seeds require scarification prior to sowing. The abrasion method has proven very successful for us. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did if there are large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable plastic container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. If the plants are to be used for ground covers nip the tips out prior to sowing.

Further Comments from Readers:

Desmodium varians

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Tribe: Desmodieae

Genus: From Desmodion, which is Ancient Greek for small chains. It refers to the flowers and fruits, which appear like small chains.

Specie: From Varius which is Latin for different or variable. It usually refers to leaves, which have great variation in size, shape and/or lustre.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Slender Tick Trefoil.

Distribution:

Desmodium varians is widespread species found south and east of a line from near Ravenshoe to Blackbraes Resources Reserve in the far north eastern half of Queensland through to the eastern half of New South Wales and to Forest Creek and Campbell’s Creek then south to Corrangamite in the eastern half and southern half of Victoria.

It has been recorded from 4 disjunct populations in Tasmania at Dogs Head on Mole Creek, the South Esk River, Mount Morriston and Brighton in the south east and is considered rare in that state.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Desmodium+varians#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Desmodium varians prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in dry open Eucalyptus forests, open woodlands and grasslands. The altitude ranges from near sea level to 1100 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Desmodium varians prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite, sandstone and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.2m to 0.5m by 0.2m to 0.4m

Characteristics:

Desmodium varians is a fast growing small, prostrate creeper or scandent climber over nearby foliage. The olive–green or burgundy-red stems are glabrous to sparsely covered in short and long white uncinate hairs.

The alternate leaves of Desmodium varians are trifoliate. The oblong, orbicular or obcordate leaflets could be all found on the one plant or they are broad linear to narrow lanceolate on the one plant. The lateral leaflets measure 5mm to 35mm in length by 5mm to 20mm in width while the terminal leaflet measures 8mm to 40mm in length by 8mm to 25mm in width. The stipules measure 1mm to 5mm in length. The petioles and petiolules are glabrous to sparsely covered in white or fawn pilose hairs. The petioles measure 6mm to 30mm in length while the lateral petiolules measure 0mm to 1mm in length and the terminal petiolules measure 3mm to 5mm in length. The bases are broad cuneate to rounded while the apexes are obtuse, mucronate, retuse or deeply emarginate. The discolourous laminas are grass-green to sea-green, dull, glabrous to sparsely covered in white to fawn pilose to hirsute hairs on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are slightly paler and covered in short and white or fawn pilose hairs. The laminas margins are entire while the laminas are flat or recurve slightly upwards from the midvein to the margins.

The inflorescences of Desmodium varians are born on long narrow terminal racemes with 4 to 60 individual flowers. The rachises measure 150mm to 250mm in length while the pedicels measure 5mm to 15mm in length.

The individual flowers are typical legume and measure 5mm to 7mm in length. The green to burgundy calyxes measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length while the linear to narrow lanceolate lobes measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length.

The ovate to orbicular standard petal are erect white, mauve, pale purple or pink and measure 5mm to 7mm in height by 7mm to 8mm in width. The white to mid pink, oblong wing petals run parallel to the keel and cover the upper surface while the sides and lower surface are exposed. The wing petals measure 5mm to 7mm in length by 2.5mm to 3mm in height. The white to mid pink keel petals measure 4.5mm to 6mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm in height.

9 of the 10 white, dimorphic, alternately 1 long and 1 shorter, filaments are united to form a staminal tube which is open on one side.

The white pistil measures 7mm to 8mm in length. The flowers appear from February to April.

Desmodium varians fruits are long pods. The pods contain 2 to 6 seeds usually 3 to 5. The pods are strongly constricted between the seeds and measure 7mm to 20mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. The green pods turn black when ripe and are covered in short white uncinated hairs. The style and calyx are persistent on the ripe pods. The articles measure 3mm to 4.5mm in length. The seeds are flattened ovate to slightly reniform. The seeds measure 2.4mm in length by 1.6 mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Desmodium varians flowers are visited by many different small butterflies in the district. The seeds are often eaten by an unknown weevil as the fruits ripen gaining access when the fruits are at the immature stage.

Cultivation:

Desmodium varians is a beautiful sub shrub that is ignored because of its size and unspectacular flowers.

Propagation:

Seeds: Desmodium varians seeds require scarification prior to sowing. The abrasion method has proven very successful for us. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did if there are large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable plastic container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. If the plants are to be used for ground covers nip the tips out prior to sowing.

Further Comments from Readers:

Deyeuxia parviseta

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Unranked: Commelinids

Family: Poaceae

Subfamily: Pooideae

Tribe: Poeae

Genus: Is named in honour of Nicolas Deyeux; 1753-1837, who was a French professor of pharmacy.

Specie: From Paûros, which is Ancient Greek or Parvum, which is Latin for small and Setae, which is Latin for a bristle. It refers to bristles, which are usually at the base of the seeds.

Sub specie: Deyeuxia parviseta var. boormanii. Is named in honour of John Boorman; 1864?-1938, who was an English born Australian who was a herbarium collector for the NSW state Herbarium.

Sub specie: Deyeuxia parviseta var. parviseta. From Paûros, which is Ancient Greek or Parvum, which is Latin for small and Setae, which is Latin for a bristle. It refers to bristles, which are usually at the base of the seeds.

Common Name: Fine Bent Grass.

Distribution:

Deyeuxia parviseta var. boormanii is found in several disjunct scattered populations south from near Ebor in northern New South Wales to Bright in Victoria. It is mainly found on the Great Dividing Range.

Deyeuxia parviseta var. parviseta is found south from the Border Ranges National Park to Eurobodalla in eastern New South Wales.

There is an isolated population west of Gladstone in centralcoastal Queensland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Deyeuxia+parviseta#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Deyeuxia parviseta prefer light dappled shade. It is found growing in moist schlerophyll forests, in and adjacent to temperate rainforests and sub-tropical rainforests. It often grows in steep valleys and on slopes in gallery forests near seepages and drainage lines. The altitude ranges from near sea level to 1000 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 800mm to 1600mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Deyeuxia parviseta prefer soils that have a high sand content to light gritty clays, medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones and granite. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 5.5pH. It does not tolerant water logged soils however the soils are continuously moist. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.6m to 1.2m by 0.4m to 0.7m

Characteristics:

Deyeuxia parviseta grows as an open spreading or loosely tufted grass. Culms are thin mid green to mid blue-green with 6 nodes. Young leading shoots are pale green to cream. Internodes and the nodes are glabrous. Plants have a fibrous root system rooting from the nodes.

Deyeuxia parviseta var. parviseta’s simple linear leaves measure 100mm to 250mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in width. The leaf sheath is cauline and antrorse scabrous to glabrous. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The ligules are eciliate membranes and measure 1mm to 4mm in length. They are scabrous abaxially. The concolourous laminas are mid green to mid blue-green with both laminas being scabrous. The laminas are flat or involute and scabrous while the margins are entire.

Deyeuxia parviseta var. boormanii’s simple linear leaves measure 100mm to 250mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in width. The leaf sheath is cauline and antrorse scabrous to glabrous. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The ligules are eciliate membranes and measure 1mm to 4mm in length. They are scabrous abaxially. The concolourous laminas are mid green to mid blue-green and densely scabrous and covered in white pulverulent hairs on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is moderately scabrous. The laminas are flat or involute and scabrous while the margins are entire.

Inflorescences of Deyeuxia parviseta are born as compound lax panicles. The panicles are narrow oblong to narrow lanceolate. The panicles measure 70mm to 230mm in length with spikelets clustered towards branch tips. The branches are filiform and are 2 to 8 nate.

The slightly, laterally compressed spikelets are pedicilate, lanceolate, and measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length.

The upper and lower glumes are similar. The lower glumes are lanceolate with thin membranous margins and an obtuse apex. It has a single keel and a single nerve. The upper glumes are lanceolate with thin membranous margins and an obtuse apex. It has a single keel and a single nerve. The glumes measure 2.2mm to 2.4mm in length.

The lemmas are lanceolate, equal in length to the glumes or are longer than the glumes. The apexes are truncate while the surfaces are finely to densely scaberulous to glabrous. The lemmas are without keels and with 5 nerves and measure 2.2mm to 2.5mm in length. There is a single sub apical awn that measures 0.6mm to 1mm in length. Lodicules are present near the base.

Deyeuxia parviseta var. parviseta glumes are unequal while the lemmas exceed the glumes and are sparsely to densely scaberulous.

Deyeuxia parviseta var. boormanii glumes are slightly unequal or equal while the lemma is equal to the glumes or barely exceed the glumes and are glabrous to very sparsely scaberulous.

The callus is short, bearded with rather stiff off white 0.3mm to 1.2mm long hirtellous hairs. The palea is slightly shorter than the lemma.

There are 3 anthers on each spikelet.

The fruits of Deyeuxia parviseta are trigonous are ellipsoid seeds. The seeds measure 2mm to 2.3mm in length by 0.6mm to 0.9 in diameter. The green nuts turn pale straw-fawn when ripe.

Wildlife:

Deyeuxia parviseta fruits are eaten by most finches and all aviary birds.

Deyeuxia parviseta is considered a good fodder crop for cattle and sheep and is presently being investigated to incorporate it into feed regime and sowing into natural pastures.

Cultivation:

Deyeuxia parviseta is a beautiful small tussock plant with slender flower stalks and delicately soft and wispy appearance. They will grow to from 0.8 meter to 1 meter in height by 0.4 meters to 0.6 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

This is a very fine plant that is well suited to being planted in confined spaces as a solitary plant where as if they are planted out with large leaves or bulky habit will diminish what they have to offer.

Propagation:

Seeds: Deyeuxia parviseta seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested in autumn and placed in the vegetable crisper over winter. The chill factor means better germination of the seeds, otherwise the germination is erratic and often over several years. Sow chilled seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix once the weather has warmed and all the frosts have passed. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings can be achieved with spacing of 1 meter to 2 meters. When planting for the fruit in an orchard plant the seedlings at 2meter to 3 meters spacing depending upon the size of the parent plant, so easy harvesting and maintenance can take place.

Division: When growing from divisions remove the plant from the soil and just cut it into 3 or 4 equal parts, first down the middle then halve those sections again. Remove unwanted dead leaves and any old small clumps that look weak or dead. Plants can be divided further but ensure each division has a strong shoot and healthy roots attached to the tuff. Replant ensuring the soil is at the same level as before. Water and fertilize. New shoots will appear within two weeks.

Fertilize using Seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then annually in early September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

Deyeuxia reflexa

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Unranked: Commelinids

Family: Poaceae

Subfamily: Pooideae

Tribe: Poeae

Genus: Is named in honour of Nicolas Deyeux; 1753-1837, who was a French professor of pharmacy.

Specie: From Reflexsus, which is Latin for to be bent back or folded backwards. It usually refers to the corolla lobes, which are folded or bent backwards.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Deyeuxia reflexa is restricted mainly to the Dorrigo district from east of Tenterfield south to north west of Gloucester. It is found on the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Deyeuxia+reflexa#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Deyeuxia reflexa prefer full sun to dappled shade. It grows beneath open montane woodlands. Its altitude ranges from 600 meters ASL to 800 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 820mm to 2500mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Deyeuxia reflexa prefers light gritty clays to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, basalts and shales. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 5.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.6m to 1.2m by 0.4m to 0.7m

Characteristics:

Deyeuxia reflexa grows as an open tufted grass. Culms are thin mid green to mid blue-green with 6 nodes. Young leading shoots are pale green to cream. Internodes are covered in pale puberulent hairs while the nodes are glabrous. Plants have a fibrous root system.

Deyeuxia reflexa’s simple linear leaves measure 150mm to 300mm in length by 2mm to 5mm in width. The leaf sheath is cauline and antrorse scabrous, glabrous or covered in white hirtellous hairs. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The ligules are eciliate membranes and measure 2mm to 3mm in length. They are glabrous adaxially and covered in white hirtellous hairs abaxially. The concolourous laminas are mid green to mid blue-green. The midrib on the lower lamina is scabrous. The leaf margins are entire, flat or involute.

Inflorescences of Deyeuxia reflexa are born as a compound panicle. The panicles are narrow oblong to narrow lanceolate and effuse out from the base. The panicles measure 100mm to 200mm in length
with spikelets clustered towards branch tips.

The spikelets usually have 1 fertile floret to 2 infertile floret. The infertile rachilla extension are lanceolate, laterally compressed and measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length.

The upper and lower glumes are similar. The lower glumes are lanceolate with thin membranous margins and have a single keel and nerve. The upper glumes are lanceolate with thicker membrane on the margins and have a single keel and nerve. The glumes measure 2.5mm to 3.5mm in length.

The lemmas extend well beyond the glumes. They are lanceolate, with an acute apex or minutely 2 toothed at apex. The lemmas are very finely but densely scaberulous. The 5 nerves are very faintly visible and have a dorsal awn placed a little below the apex.

The exserted awn is strongly reflexed, distinctly scaberulous and measures 2mm to 2.5mm in length. The callus are barbed with short hairs that measure 0.2mm to 0.8mm in length.

The palea are slightly shorter than the lemma.

There are 3 anthers on each spikelet.

The fruits of Deyeuxia reflexa are trigonous, ellipsoid nuts. The nuts measure 1mm to 1.4mm in length by 0.6mm to 0.9 in diameter. The green nuts turn pale straw-fawn when ripe.

Wildlife:

Deyeuxia reflexa fruits are eaten by most finches.

Deyeuxia parviseta is considered a good fodder crop for cattle and sheep and is presently being investigated to incorporate it into feed regime and sowing into natural pastures.

Cultivation:

Deyeuxia reflexa is a beautiful small tussock plant that deserves a place in every native or exotic garden. They are ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools or the rockery. Deyeuxia reflexa will break up horizontal lines with its strap like leaves and the slender flower stalks delicately soft and wispy. They will grow to from 1 meter to 1.2 meters in height by 0.4 meters to 0.6 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

If they are placed around a pool or sunny courtyard try to plant 3, 4 or 5 in a straight row for a very formal look or use curves for the natural look. In a corner a solitary plant can be planted or used in groups of 3 or 5 to great effect. The choice of prostrate companion plants with bright yellow, red or blue flowers will contrast the blue green strap leaves beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used to provide all year round contrast. Small or procumbent Hibbertia species would look great on the ground and give the Deyeuxia reflexa extra height or make a small area look even larger than it really is. The slender vertical growth habit with procumbent plants with yellow flowers would make small walls look longer without necessarily making them look taller.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 7 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They are drought resistant and can cope with the occasional immersion where periodic down pours may flood the land.

Propagation:

Seeds: Deyeuxia reflexa seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested in autumn and placed in the vegetable crisper over winter. The chill factor means better germination of the seeds, otherwise the germination is erratic and often over several years. Sow chilled seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix once the weather has warmed and all the frosts have passed. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Division:

When growing from divisions remove the plant from the soil and just cut it into 3 or 4 equal parts, first down the middle then halve those sections again. Remove unwanted dead leaves and any old small clumps that look weak or dead. Plants can be divided further but ensure each division has a strong shoot and healthy roots attached to the tuff. Replant ensuring the soil is at the same level as before. Water and fertilize. New shoots will appear within two weeks.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dianella atraxis

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Order: Asparagales

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Subfamily: Hemerocallidaceae

Genus: From Diāna, which is Latin for the virginal goddess of the hunt, moon and protector of small wildlife.

Specie: From Diāna, which is Latin for the virginal goddess of the hunt, moon and protector of small wildlife.

Sub species:

Common Name: Northern Flax or Northern Flax Lily.

Distribution:

Dianella atraxis is restricted to the tip of Cape York Peninsular south to the western side of the Paluma Range National Park in far north Queensland. It is only found on the eastern side of The Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dianella+atraxis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dianella atraxis prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows on flat plains adjacent to rainforests and in lowland montane rainforests. Its altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 800 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 12 degrees in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1500mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dianella atraxis prefers light gravelly clays to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, shales and heavier types of sandstone. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6.5pH. It is not tolerant of water logged however it can handle wet soils and occasional inundations. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1m to 1.5m by 1m to 1.6m

Characteristics:

Dianella atraxis grows as a tufted grass like plant. Stems are thin reddish cream to green and glabrous. Young leading shoots are light green to cream.

Plants have a fibrous root system.

Dianella atraxis’s broad linear leaves measure 350mm to 1000mm in length by 20mm to 40mm in width. The leaf sheathing section of the petiole measures 20mm to 55mm in length. The attenuate petiole becomes conduplicate near the base and measures 190mm to 210mm in length. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are deep green and glabrous. The midrib is prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from the upper lamina. The margins and midrib are finely toothed. The leaf margins are entire, finely toothed or coarsely toothed. The leaf venation is finely longitudinal and parallel to the midvein.

Inflorescences of Dianella atraxis are born as a cyme or helicoid cyme with 7 to 25 flowers on a cymule. The cymes arise from the center of the plants and measure 1 meter to 1.2 meters in height. The deep blue-purple flowers to deep purple-violet flowers measure 14mm to 16mm in diameter. The 3 outer tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The outer tepals measure 6mm to 7mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. There are 5 to 7 distinct veins running the length of the tepal. The 3 inner tepals are elliptical with acute apexes. The inner tepals measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in width at the base. There are 5 to 7 veins running the length of the tepal. The divaricate tepals become strongly reflexed as the flowers mature.

The flattened, white filaments have a 1.4mm diameter yellow swelling at the apex. The 6 filaments are attached to the base and side of the ovary for about two thirds of their length. The white section of the filament measures 1.6mm to 1.8mm in length. The deep yellow to deep yellow-orange, basifixed anthers is long conical and measure 3mm to 4mm in length.

The pale yellow trigonous ovary measures 2mm to 2.2mm in diameter. The white style measures 3mm to 4mm in length. The tepals are persistent at the base of the berries. Dianella atraxis flowers over a long period starting in late September and finishing in late February.

The fruits of Dianella atraxis are globular to orbicular berries. The berries are round to obovate measuring 6mm to 8mm in diameter. The deep grass-green fruits turn bright deep blue to deep purple when ripe. The flesh is white and contains 3 to 6 shiny black seeds. The minutely areolate to minutely colliculate seeds are glabrous and measure 2.6mm to 3.5mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Dianella atraxis fruits are eaten by possums, native rats and are a favourite fruit of Cat Birds, Bower Birds and small Honey Eaters.

It was also a staple part of the Australian Aborigines and first Europeans diet.

Cultivation:

Dianella atraxis is a beautiful small tussock plant that deserves a place in every native or exotic garden. They are ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools, in the orchard or the rockery. Dianella atraxis will break up horizontal lines with its strap like leaves and the slender flower stalks and pretty purple blue flowers. There are a few hybrids and varieties in nurseries to select from, including dwarf forms which grow to 300mm in height through to squat variegated forms with thick leathery leaves.

If it is placed around a pool or sunny courtyard try to plant 3, 4 or 5 in a straight row for a very formal look or use curves for the natural look. In a corner planted in groups of 3 or 5 give a great effect. A simplistic but affective method would be to plant various varieties in the clump with the smaller variegated forms to the front and the taller varieties at the back. The choice of companion plants with bright red or orange flowers will contrast the deep purples beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used provided they are a pale green or lime green for an all year contrast. Small or procumbent Leischenalta formosa would look great on the ground and give the Dianella atraxis extra height or make a small area look even larger than it really is. The slender vertical growth habit with procumbent plants would make small walls look longer without necessarily making them look taller.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting most types of soils but they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 7 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They are drought resistant and can cope with the occasional immersion where periodic down pours may flood the land. They are neat self-cleaning and are easily controlled within a border.

Add to the above, if it is given adequate moisture, plenty of mulch for moisture retention and an even soil temperature, applying native fertilizers on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering over a long period and will yield good quality fruit with maximum size. I have always been amazed that Dianella atraxis is still not being farmed commercially. The berries have a flavour reminiscent of pears with a mild very mild eucalyptus taste and are very sweet. It makes a great addition to a fruit salad because of the blue colour.

It often reaches its full potential in just 3 years and flower from the second year. If plants are required for fruit they should be selected for size, flavour, and a lack of seeds or at least as fewer seeds as possible. Once a good plant has been found propagation should be done by division.

Divide the plants every two or three years to keep them vigorous and healthy. This will ensure maximum production in fruit and attractiveness.

The flowers can be used in fresh floral arrangements.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dianella atraxis seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested as soon as the fruits begin to shrivel. Clean the flesh off the seeds. The abrasion method has proven very successful. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did with Daniella caerulea if there were large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Sow freshly treated seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 2mm of the mix once the weather has warmed and all the frosts have passed. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Fertilize using Seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until established then annually in spring or autumn for healthier more vigorous and better flowering and quality and size fruit.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dianella caerulea

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Order: Asparagales

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Subfamily: Hemerocallidaceae

Genus: From Diāna, which is Latin for the virginal goddess of the hunt, moon and protector of small wildlife.

Specie: From Caerulus, which is Latin for deep blue. It refers to a structure or organ, which is deep blue in colour.

Sub specie: Dianella caerulea subsp. assera.May be from Assero, which is Latin for I plant. It may refer to plants, which produce extravaginal shoots distally.

Sub specie: Dianella caerulea subsp. caerulea. From Caerulus, which is Latin for deep blue. It refers to a structure or organ, which is deep blue in colour.

Sub specie: Dianella caerulea subsp. cinerascens. From Cinereous, which is Latin for ash coloured or ashen. It refers to leaves which are blueish-grey to greyish with or without a coppery tinge.

Sub specie: Dianella caerulea subsp. petasmatodes. From Petaso/Petasites, which is Latin for a wide brimmed hat or to be parachute like and Eîdos/Oides, which is Ancient Greek for alike or similar to. It refers to leaf sheath, which are occluded distally or petals or sepals which have broader and thicker margin.

Sub specie: Dianella caerulea subsp. producto. From Prōductum, which is Latin for to lengthen or elengate. It refers to culms, which are elongated.

Sub specie: Dianella caerulea subsp. protensa. From Prōtensum, which is Latin for to stretch out or reach out. It may refer to the flowers, which reach out away from the culms.

Sub specie: Dianella caerulea subsp. vannata. From áēmi, which is Ancient Greek or later Vannus which is Latin for a fan or winnowing basket. It refers to flowers, which somewhat resemble a winnowing basket compared to other species in the genus or sub species in the species.

Common Name: Paroo Lily or Blue Flax Lily.

The Wiradjuri aboriginal name is Nidbul while the Noongar know it as Mangar, Wergaia know it as Murmbal.

Distribution:

Dianella caerulea is found south from the Torres Straight Islands in far north Queensland to Mornington Peninsular in southern Victoria in several disjunct populations. It is mainly found on the Western Slopes, on and the east of The Great Dividing Range to the coast.

It is also found in Tasmania however it is possibly extinct from the localities of few known records available.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dianella+caerulea#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dianella caerulea prefer full sun to dappled shade. It grows in open woodlands to dry Eucalypt forests, moist Eucalypt forests or adjacent to coastal wallums including littoral rainforests and on the back dunes. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1400 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 600mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dianella caerulea prefers light sandy loams, light gravelly clays to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, basalts or shales. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7.5pH. It tolerates seasonal water logged soils and occasional inundations. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 1m by 0.6m to 1.2m

Characteristics:

Dianella caerulea grows as a tufted grass like plant. Stems are thin reddish cream to green and glabrous. Young leading shoots are light green to cream. Plants have a fibrous root system.

The 7 sub species are dealt with separately below fruits. The following description is a general description of the plant covering all the sub specie. Dianella caerulea is a very variable species with deep green linear leaves measuring 400mm to 1500mm in length by 5mm to 25mm in width. The leaf sheath is conduplicate for about 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of its length. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The leaf lamina is concolourous with a prominent midrib on the lower lamina. The midrib on the lower lamina is glabrous, rough or scabrous. The leaf margins are entire, finely toothed or coarsely toothed.

Inflorescences of Dianella caerulea are born as a cyme or helicoid cyme with 15 to 45 flowers on a cymose. The cymes arise from the center of the plants and measure 0.8 meter to 1 meter in height. The pale blue to deep purple-blue flowers measure 14mm to 16mm in diameter. The 3 outer tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The outer tepals measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. The 3 inner tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The inner tepals measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width at the base. There are 5 to 7 veins running the length of the tepal. The divaricate tepals become strongly reflexed as the flowers mature.

The white filaments have a 1.2mm diameter yellow swelling at the apex. The 6 filaments are attached to the base and side of the ovary for about two thirds of their length. The white section of the filament measures 1.5mm to 1.8mm in length. The pale yellow to deep yellow-orange, basifixed anthers are long conical and measure 3mm to 4mm in length.

The pale dull lime green trigonous ovary measures 2mm to 2.2mm in diameter. The white style measures 3mm to 4mm in length. Dianella caerulea flowers over a long period starting in late September and finishing in late February.

The fruits of Dianella caerulea are berries. They are round to obovate measuring 7mm to 12mm in diameter. The bright pale blue to deep purple fruits are green before ripening. The tepals are persistent at the base of the berries. The flesh is white and contains 3 to 15 shiny black seeds in each fruit.

Sub Specie Differences:

Dianella caerulea Sub specie: assera’s leaf sheath is occluded for more than 2/3 of the leaf’s length. The cross section in the occluded portion is biconvex in cross section. The leaves are not glaucous. The plant is solitary tufted with the true stems measuring up to 1800m in length. The inflorescence is from conical to narrow-cylindrical in outline, continuous or interrupted. The stems are scaly for most of their length. The extravaginal shoots are produced distally. The cymules expanded or contracted, few-flowered. Perianth pale to mid-blue, often with green streaks externally.

Dianella caerulea Sub specie: caerulea’s leaf sheath is occluded for 1/3 to 2/3 of the leaf’s length. The cross section in the occluded portion is “Y” in cross section. The stems are more or less condensed at the base and are sparsely covered in red brown scales. They do not produce extravaginal shoots. The plant is solitary tufted, to 500mm in height. The stems are short, leafy, touching or up to 60 cm apart. Cymules more or less expanded with fewer than 10-flowers. The perianth is mid to deep blue.

Dianella caerulea Sub specie: cinerascens leaf sheath is occluded for more than 2/3 of the leaf’s length. The cross section in the occluded portion is biconvex in cross section. The leaves are strongly glaucous. The true stems measure 100mm in length. The inflorescence’s rachis is narrow-cylindrical in outline. The plant is solitary tufted or gregariously tufted and measures up to 800mm in height. The stems are short and touching or up to 30 cm apart. Cymules contracted with a few flowers. The perianth creamy-green to pale blue.

Dianella caerulea Sub specie: petasmatodes’s leaf sheath is occluded for more than 2/3 of the leaf’s length. The cross section in the occluded portion is biconvex in cross section. The leaves are not glaucous. The plant is solitary tufted with the true stems measuring up to 1800m in length. The inflorescence’s rachis is narrow-cylindrical in outline. The stems are leafy for most of their length with no extravaginal shoots. The leaf sheaths are not covered in papillose or pubescent hairs. The plants are gregarious and form dense mats to 2 meters in diameter and 1.3 meters in height. The mature leaves are not equal in length at the nodes near middle of stem. The stems are elongated, with a few scales below the several sub equal leaves. The cymules many-flowered with the perianth being deep bronze-green to blue-green

Dianella caerulea Sub specie: producta’s leaf sheath is occluded for 1/3 to 2/3 of the leaf’s length. The cross section in the occluded portion is “Y” in cross section. Extravaginal shoots develop distally with age. The plants are tufted, solitary and grow up to 1.3 m high. The stems are conspicuously elongated and covered in rusty red scales for most of their length, touching or up to 100mm apart. The cymules are more or less expanded with 3 to 6 flowers. The perianth are greenish white to bright blue.

Dianella caerulea Sub specie: protensa leaf’s sheath is occluded for more than 2/3 of the leaf’s length. The cross section in the occluded portion is biconvex in cross section. The leaves are not glaucous. The true stems grow to 1.8 m long. The inflorescence is from conical to narrow-cylindrical in outline, continuous or interrupted. The stems are leafy for most of their length with no extravaginal shoots. The leaf sheaths are densely covered in minute puberulent hairs or minute papillate lumps. Aerial shoots adjacent or up to 300mm apart. The tufted plants are solitary and grow up to 500mm in height. The cymules are more or less expanded with 3 to 5 flowers. The perianth are pale blue

Dianella caerulea Sub specie: vannata leaf sheath is occluded for more than 2/3 of the leaf’s length. The cross section in the occluded portion is biconvex in cross section. The leaves are not glaucous. The true stems grow to 1.8 m long. The inflorescence is from conical to narrow-cylindrical in outline, continuous or interrupted. The stems are leafy for most of their length with no extravaginal shoots. The leaf sheaths are densely covered in minute puberulent hairs or minute papillate lumps. Aerial shoots adjacent or up to 1300mm apart. The tufted plants are solitary and grow up to 1300mm in height. The leaves increase in length as they approach the apex of the stems. The cymules are expanded to contracted with many flowers. The perianth are very pale to mid-blue

Wildlife:

Dianella caerulea fruits are eaten by possums, native rats and are a favourite fruit of Cat Birds, Bower Birds and small Honey Eaters like the lewin honeyeater, Meliphaga lewinii.

It was also a staple part of the Australian Aborigines and first Europeans diet.

The leaves are eaten by the larvae of Metura elongatus’s moth.

Cultivation:

Dianella caerulea is a beautiful small tussock plant that deserves a place in every native or exotic garden. They are ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools, in the orchard or the rockery. Dianella will break up horizontal lines with its strap like leaves and the slender flower stalks and pretty purple blue flowers. There are many hybrids and varieties in nurseries to select from, including dwarf forms which grow to 300mm in height through to giants which will grow to over 2 meters in height.

If it is placed around a pool or sunny courtyard try to plant 3, 4 or 5 in a straight row for a very formal look or use curves for the natural look. In a corner the solitary plants can be planted in groups of 3 or 5 to great effect. A simplistic but affective method would be to plant various varieties in the clump with smaller varieties to the front and taller varieties at the back. The choice of companion plants with bright yellow to cream flowers will contrast the deep purples beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used provided they are a pale green or lime green for an all year contrast. Small or procumbent Hibbertia species would look great on the ground and give the Dianella species extra height or make a small area look even larger than it really is. The slender vertical growth habit with procumbent plants with yellow flowers would make small walls look longer without necessarily making them look taller.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 7 degrees and up to 42 degrees. It is drought resistant, frost tolerant and can cope with the occasional immersion where periodic down pours may flood the land.

Add to the above, if it is given adequate moisture, plenty of mulch for moisture retention and an even soil temperature, applying native fertilizers on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering over a long period and will yield good quality fruit with maximum size. I have always been amazed that Dianella caerulea is still not being farmed commercially. The berries have a flavour reminiscent of pears with a mild very mild eucalyptus taste and are very sweet. It makes a great addition to a fruit salad because of the blue colour.

It often reaches its full potential in just 2 years and flower from the second year. If plants are required for fruit they should be selected for size, flavour, and a lack of seeds or at least as fewer seeds as possible. Once a good plant has been found propagation should be done by division.

Fertilize every two months until established. Plants grown for fruit should be fertilized on a twice annual basis in mid-July and again in early November to encourage prolonged flowering and fruiting. We fertilized our plants with the Hoods Blood and Bone, All rock and organic dynamic lifter. (All are certified organic while Hoods B&B is 100{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} blood and bone with a higher percentage of blood)

Divide the plants every two or three years to keep them vigorous and healthy. This will ensure maximum production in fruit and attractiveness.

The flowers can be used in fresh floral arrangements.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dianella caerulea seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested in autumn and placed in the vegetable crisper over winter. The chill factor means better germination of the seeds, otherwise the germination is erratic and often over several years. Sow chilled seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix once the weather has warmed and all the frosts have passed. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dianella congesta

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Order: Asparagales

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Subfamily: Hemerocallidaceae

Genus: From Diāna, which is Latin for the virginal goddess of the hunt, moon and protector of small wildlife.

Specie: From Com/Con, which is Greek/Latin for to come together or with and Genus, which is Latin for a kind or type. It refers to flowers and/or fruits, which are more tightly packed along the spikes than other species in the genus.

Sub species:

Common Name: Beach Flax or Coastal Flax Lily.

Distribution:

Dianella congesta is restricted to the coastal strip from Fraser Island and the Burrum Coast National Park in coastal southern Queensland and to Bawley Point in coastal central New South Wales. There are several isolated populations in far north Queensland including Cairns, Cedar Bay National Park, Wenlock River Swamps and Bamaga all on Cape York Peninsular.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dianella+congesta#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dianella congesta prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It usually grows adjacent to coastal wallums including littoral rainforests, back dunes and frontal dunes. Its altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 30 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 1 degree in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1150mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dianella congesta prefers fine sandy loams, light gravelly clays or peaty sands. The soils are derived from accumulated sands along the coast or decomposed coastal sandstones. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7.5pH. It is not tolerant of water logged however it can handle annually high water tables. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.6m to 1m by 0.6m to 20m.

Characteristics:

Dianella congesta grows as a tufted grass like plant. The stems are thin reddish cream to green and glabrous. Young leading shoots are light green to cream. The plants have a fibrous root system.

Dianella congesta is a very variable species with dark green linear leaves that measure 200mm to 450mm in length by 10mm to 15mm in width. The petiole is conduplicate and completely occluded. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The discolourous laminas are deep green, glabrous and dull to semi glossy on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are much paler to almost glaucous green. The midrib on the lower lamina is glabrous, rough or scabrous. The leaf margins are entire, finely toothed or coarsely toothed.

Inflorescences of Dianella congesta are born as a cyme or helicoid cyme with 2 to 8 flowers on a cymule. The cymes arise from the center of the plants and measure 0.8 meter to 1 meter in height. The pale blue to deep purple-blue flowers measure 17mm to 19mm in diameter. The 3 outer tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The outer tepals measure 7.5mm to 8.5mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in width. The 3 inner tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The inner tepals measure 5mm to 7mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width at the base. There are 5 to 7 veins running the length of the tepal. The divaricate tepals become strongly reflexed as the flowers mature.

The white filaments have a 1mm to 1.5mm diameter yellow swelling at the apex. The 6 filaments are attached to the base and side of the ovary for about two thirds of their length. The white section of the filament measures 1.5mm to 1.8mm in length. The pale yellow-brown to orange-brown, basifixed anthers are long conical and measure 3mm to 4mm in length.

The pale dull lime green trigonous ovary measures 2mm to 2.2mm in diameter. The white style measures 5mm to 6mm in length. Dianella caerulea flowers over a long period starting in late September and finishing in late February.

The fruits of Dianella congesta are berries. The berries are round to obovate and measure 6mm to 12mm in length by 5mm to 10mm in diameter. The grass-green berries turn pale blue to deep purple when ripe. The flesh is white and contains 6 to 14 shiny black seeds in each fruit. The tepals are persistent at the base of the berries. The black glossy seeds are glabrous and measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Dianella congesta fruits are eaten by possums, native rats and are a favourite fruit of Cat Birds, Bower Birds and small Honey Eaters.

It was also a staple part of the Australian Aborigines and first Europeans diet. Note some Dianella species are somewhat toxic so should be consumed in small quantities or avoided all together. This species is not toxic.

Cultivation:

Dianella congesta is a beautiful small tussock plant that deserves a place in every native or exotic garden. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools, in the orchard or the rockery where large areas are needed to be covered. Dianella will break up horizontal lines with its strap like leaves and the slender flower stalks and pretty purple blue flowers. Cultivated plants grow from 300mm to 800mm in height when grown in the open. Dianella congesta are best suited to pure sand to sandy loams. It is slow to establish on clay and will not form the large mats which is a part of its character on sand.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 7 degrees and up to 42 degrees. It is drought resistant and can cope with the occasional immersion where periodic down pours may flood the land. They are neat self-cleaning and are easily controlled within a border even those that grow in large mats.

The berries have a flavour reminiscent of pears with a mild very mild eucalyptus taste and are very sweet but much drier than other specie in this genus.

It often reaches its full potential in just 3 years and flower from the second year.

The flowers can be used in fresh floral arrangements.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dianella congesta seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested in autumn and placed in the vegetable crisper over winter. The chill factor means better germination of the seeds, otherwise the germination is erratic and often over several years. Sow chilled seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix once the weather has warmed and all the frosts have passed. When the seedlings are 25mm to 5 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings can be achieved by planting them at 1 meter to 2 meters.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dianella crinoides

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Order: Asparagales

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Subfamily: Hemerocallidaceae

Genus: From Diāna, which is Latin for the virginal goddess of the hunt, moon and protector of small wildlife.

Specie: From Crīnītum, which is Latin for long hair and Eîdos/Oides, which is Ancient Greek for alike or similar to. It refers to plants, which have a lot of long, silky hairs.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Daniela crinoides is restricted to the coastal strip in several disjunction populations from Molle Islands National Park to the South Cumberland Islands National Park, Byfield National Park to the Narrows, the Keppel Bay National Park and south Fraser Island in coastal Queensland south to Bermagui in coastal central New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dianella+crinoides#tab_mapView

Habitat:

Aspect / Climate:

Dianella crinoides prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It usually grows adjacent to coastal wallums including littoral rainforests, back dunes, frontal dunes, estuaries and adjacent to and sandy mangrove swamps. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 30 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 1 degree in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1150mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dianella crinoides prefers coarse sands, fine sands, peaty sands or light silts to medium silts. The soils are derived from accumulated sands along the coast or alluvial deposits along estuaries. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 7.5pH. It is tolerant of water logged soils and high water tables. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 0.8m by 0.3m to 1m

Characteristics:

Dianella crinoides grows as a tufted grass like plant that measure 200mm in diameter near the base. The stems are thin reddish cream to green and glabrous. Young leading shoots are light green to cream. The plants have a fibrous root system.

Dianella crinoides long, linear leaves measure 400mm to 700mm in length by 6mm to 18mm in width. The leaf sheath is occluded about less than 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of its length. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The concolourous or slightly discolourous laminas are deep grass–green to sea green and glabrous on the upper laminas and similar or slightly paler on the lower laminas. The midrib is strongly keeled on the lower lamina while the 5 to 7 longitudinal parallel veins are very conspicuous. The leaf margins are entire, finely toothed or coarsely toothed.

Inflorescences of Dianella crinoides are born as a cyme or helicoid cyme with 5 to 15 tightly packed flowers on a cymule. The cymes arise from the center of the plants and measure 0.6 meter to 0.9 meter in height. The mid purple-blue to deep purple-blue flowers measure 17mm to 21mm in diameter. The 3 outer tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The outer tepals measure 7.5mm to 9.5mm in length by 3.5mm to 4mm in width. There are 5 to 9 veins running the length of the tepal. The 3 inner tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The inner tepals measure 7mm to 8.5mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in width. There are 3 to 5 veins running the length of the tepal. The divaricate tepals become strongly reflexed as the flowers mature.

The white filaments have a twist near the apex and a 1.3mm to 2mm long deep yellow to yellow-orange swelling at the apex. The 6 filaments are attached to the base and side of the ovary for about two thirds of their length. The white section of the filament measures 1.5mm to 2mm in length. The pale creamy yellow-green to yellow-green, basifixed anthers are long conical and measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length.

The pale dull lime green trigonous ovary measures 1mm to 1.5mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm diameter. The white style measures 2.5mm to 4mm in length. Dianella caerulea flowers over a long period starting in late September and finishing in late February.

The fruits of Dianella crinoides are orbicular berries. The berries measure 6mm to 8mm in length by 6mm to 18mm in diameter. The grass-green berries turn glossy, deep purple when ripe. The flesh is white and contains 6 to 12 glossy black seeds in each fruit. The tepals are persistent at the base of the berries. The seeds are glabrous and measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length by 1.8mm to 2mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Dianella congesta fruits are eaten by possums, native rats and are a favourite fruit of Cat Birds, Bower Birds and small Honey Eaters.

Note some Dianella species are somewhat toxic so should be consumed in small quantities or avoided all together. This species edibility is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Dianella crinoides is a beautiful small tussock plant that deserves a place in every native or exotic garden. It is ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools, in the orchard or the rockery. Dianella crinoides will break up horizontal lines with its strap like leaves and the slender flower stalks and pretty purple blue flowers. This is good compact specie for smaller areas that does not form mats. It grows from 300mm to 600mm in height by 150mm to 250mm in diameter at the base and foliage spread of around 800mm when grown in the open.

Placed around a pool or sunny courtyard 3, 4 or 5 in a straight row for a very formal look or use curves for the natural look. In a corner the solitary plants can be planted in groups of 3 or 5 to great effect. A simplistic but affective method would be to plant various varieties in the clump with smaller varieties to the front and taller varieties at the back. The choice of companion plants with bright yellow to cream flowers will contrast the deep purples beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used provided they are a pale green or lime green for an all year contrast. Small or procumbent Hibbertia species would look great on the ground and give Dianella crinoides extra height or make a small area look even larger than it really is. The slender vertical growth habit with procumbent plants with yellow flowers would make small walls look longer without necessarily making them look taller.

Its versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees and up to 42 degrees. They are drought resistant and can cope with the occasional immersion where periodic down pours may flood the land. It is a neat self-cleaning and are easily controlled within a border even those that grow in large mats.

Add to the above, if they are given adequate moisture, plenty of mulch for moisture retention and an even soil temperature, applying native fertilizers on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering over a long period and will yield good quality fruit with maximum size. I have always been amazed that Dianella caerulea is still not being farmed commercially. The berries have a flavour reminiscent of pears with a mild very mild eucalyptus taste and are very sweet. They make a great addition to a fruit salad because of the blue colour.

In just 3 years it will reach its full potential and flower from the second year. If plants are required for fruit they should be selected for size, flavour, and a lack of seeds or at least as fewer seeds as possible. Once a good plant has been found propagation should be done by division.

Divide the plants every two or three years to keep them vigorous and healthy. This will ensure maximum production in fruit and attractiveness.

The flowers can be used in fresh floral arrangements.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dianella crinoides seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested as soon as the fruits begin to shrivel. Clean the flesh off the seeds. The abrasion method has proven very successful. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did with Dianella caerulea if there were large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dianella longifolia

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Order: Asparagales

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Subfamily: Hemerocallidaceae

Genus: From Diāna, which is Latin for the virginal goddess of the hunt, moon and protector of small wildlife.

Specie: From Longitia/Longus, which is Latin for long in length and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to leaves, which are long and strap like.

Sub specie: Dianella longifolia subsp. aspera. From Asper, which is Ancient Greek for rough. It refers to surfaces, which are rather rougher than other sub species.

Sub specie: Dianella longifolia subsp. fragrans From Fragrantia, which is Latin for fragrant. It refers to the flowers, which have a sweet scent.

Sub specie: Dianella longifolia subsp. grandis. From Grandis which is Latin for large and spectacular. It refers to plants, which are rather larger and more spectacular than the other sub species.

Sub specie: Dianella longifolia subsp. humilis From Humilius, which is Latin for to be humble or the lowest. It refers to plants, which are low growing or do not gain as much attention as the other sub species.

Sub specie: Dianella longifolia subsp. laevis From Laevis, which is Latin for polished smooth and Nodosus, which is Latin for a joint or swelling. It refers to the structures or organs, which are much smoother than the other sub species.

Sub specie: Dianella longifolia subsp. longifolia. From Longitia/Longus, which is Latin for long in length and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to leaves, which are long and strap like.

Sub specie: Dianella longifolia subsp. porracea. From Porrectus, which is Latin for leek green. It refers to leaves, which are a deeper leek green in colour than the other sub species.

Sub specie: Dianella longifolia subsp. rara. From Rarus which is Latin for uncommon. It refers to plants, which are rarer than the other sub species.

Sub specie: Dianella longifolia subsp. stenophylla. From Stenos, which is Ancient Greek for narrow and Phullon/Phýllon, which is Ancient Greek for a leaf. It refers to leaves, which are narrower on this species compared to other sub species in the species.

Common Name: Blueberry Flax Lily or Blue Flax Lily.

Distribution:

Dianella longifolia is widespread from the Kymberley Ranges in north western Western Australia across the top end to Groote Eyelandt in the Northern Territory. In the east it is found west from the coast and south from the Torres Straight Islands to Weipa south to Bourke in north western New South Wales.

It is found in a south westerly direction to Port Augusta and south to Victor Harbour. There is an isolated population near the Serpentine Lakes on the border of South Australia and Western Australia.

It is also found on King Island and the eastern half of Tasmania.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dianella+longifolia#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dianella longifolia prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It grows adjacent on coastal hills to semi-arid areas in open woodlands, open dry schlerophyll forests and along river and creek riparian zones further to the west. Its altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 810 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in August to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 50mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dianella longifolia prefer sandy loams to heavy clays. The soils are derived from most types of parent rocks. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7.5pH. It is not tolerant of water logged however it is often inundated for short periods. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 0.8m by 0.3m to 1m

Characteristics:

Dianella longifolia grows as a tufted grass like plants with a base to around 500mm in diameter. The stems are sub erect, green to glaucous, pale brown to purplish, and glabrous at the base. Young leading shoots are light green to cream.

Dianella longifolia subsp. longifolia have a fleshy to fibrous root system.

Dianella longifolia subsp. stenophylla have a tuberous root system.

Dianella longifolia subsp. longifolia linear leaves measure 600mm to 800mm in length by 4mm to 25mm in width. The leaf blade and sheath are both narrowing to the zone of occlusion. The leaf sheaths are green or purplish and purplish near the base. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The leaf lamina is concolourous with a prominent midrib on the lower lamina. The midrib on the lower lamina is strongly recurved glabrous. The leaf margins are entire, finely toothed or coarsely toothed.

Dianella longifolia subsp. stenophylla linear leaves measure 600mm to 800mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in width. The leaf blade and sheath are both narrowing to the zone of occlusion. The leaf sheaths are grey-green or purplish and red near the base. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The leaf lamina is concolourous with a prominent midrib on the lower lamina. The midrib on the lower lamina is strongly recurved and rough or scabrous. The leaf margins are entire, finely toothed or coarsely toothed.

Inflorescences of Dianella longifolia are born as a cyme or helicoid cyme with 3 to 22 tightly packed flowers on a cymule. The cymes arise from the center of the plants and extend well above the foliage and measure 0.6 meter to 0.9 meter in height. The lilac to mid purple-blue flowers measure 14mm to 21mm in diameter. The 3 outer tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The outer tepals measure 6mm to 10mm in length by 3.5mm to 4mm in width. There are 5 veins running the length of the tepal. The 3 inner tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The inner tepals measure 5.5mm to 9mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in width. There are 3 veins running the length of the tepal. The divaricate tepals become strongly reflexed as the flowers mature.

The creamy yellow filaments twist like a corkscrew and have a 1.3mm to 2.3mm long bright yellow swelling at the apex. The 6 filaments are attached to the base and side of the ovary for about two thirds of their length. The creamy yellow section of the filament measures 1.5mm to 2mm in length not including the twist. The pale creamy yellow-green to deep yellow, basifixed hastate anthers are long conical and measure 2.8mm to 3.3mm in length.

The pale deep grass-green trigonous ovary measures 1mm to 1.5mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm diameter. The white style measures 2.5mm to 4mm in length. Dianella caerulea flowers over a long period starting in late September and finishing in late February.

The fruits of Dianella crinoides are orbicular berries. The berries measure 3mm to 8mm in length by 3mm to 7mm in diameter. The grass-green berries turn glossy, deep purple when ripe. The tepals are persistent at the base of the berries. The flesh is white and contains 6 to 12 glossy black seeds in each fruit. The seeds are glabrous and measure 2.8mm to 3.3mm in length by 1.8mm to 2mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Dianella longifolia fruits are eaten by possums, native rats and are a favourite fruit of Cat Birds, Bower Birds and small Honey Eaters.

Cultivation:

Dianella longifolia is a beautiful medium tussock plant that deserves a place in every native or exotic garden. They are ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools or the large rockery. Dianella longifolia will break up horizontal lines with its strap like leaves and the slender flower stalks and pretty purple blue flowers. In cultivation they will grow from 500mm to 70mm in height by 500mm at the base with a leaf spread of 850mm in diameter.

If they are placed around a pool or sunny courtyard try to plant 3, 4 or 5 in a straight row for a very formal look or use curves for the natural look. In a corner the solitary plants can be planted in groups of 3 or 5 to great effect. A simplistic but affective method would be to plant various varieties in the clump with smaller varieties to the front and taller varieties at the back. The choice of companion plants with bright yellow to cream flowers will contrast the deep purples beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used provided they are a pale green or lime green for an all year contrast. Small or procumbent Hibbertia specie would look great on the ground and give the Dianella extra height or make a small area look even larger than it really is. The slender vertical growth habit with procumbent plants with yellow flowers would make small walls look longer without necessarily making them look taller.

Add to the above, if they are given adequate moisture, plenty of mulch for moisture retention and an even soil temperature, applying native fertilizers on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering over a long period and will yield good quality fruit with maximum size. I have always been amazed that Dianella longifolia is still not being farmed commercially. The berries have a flavour reminiscent of pears with a very mild eucalyptus taste and are very sweet. They make a great addition to a fruit salad especially if non seeding forms can be obtained because of the blue colour.

They often reach their full potential in just 3 years and flower from the second year. If plants are required for fruit they should be selected for size, flavour, and a lack of seeds or at least as fewer seeds as possible. Once a good plant has been found propagation should be done by division.

Divide the plants every two or three years to keep them vigorous and healthy. This will ensure maximum production in fruit and attractiveness.

The flowers can be used in fresh floral arrangements.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dianella longifolia seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested as soon as the fruits begin to shrivel. Clean the flesh off the seeds. The abrasion method has proven very successful. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did with Dianella caerulea if there were large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dianella pavopennacea

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Order: Asparagales

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Subfamily: Hemerocallidaceae

Genus: From Diāna, which is Latin for the virginal goddess of the hunt, moon and protector of small wildlife.

Specie: From pavoninus, which is Latin for a peacock. It refers to flowers, which are bright blue and yellow followed by the deep blue-purple fruits, which are very conspicuous like the feathers of a peacock.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Paroo Lily or Blue Flax Lily.

Distribution:

Dianella pavopennacea is found south from the tip of Cape York Peninsular to near Innisfail with a population further south near Townsville in the far north coast of Queensland. It is found on both side of The Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dianella+pavopennacea#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dianella pavopennacea prefer full sun to dappled shade. It grows in low mountain open woodlands, dry Eucalyptus forests, moist Eucalyptus forests or adjacent to littoral rainforests and montane rainforests. Its altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 475 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 10 degrees in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 950mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dianella pavopennacea prefers sandy loams, light gravelly clays to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed basalts or shales. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 7pH. It is not tolerant of water logged however it can handle wet soils and occasional inundations. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.4mm to 1m by 0.6mm to 1m

Characteristics:

Dianella pavopennacea grows as a tufted rush like plant, often forming dense mats over several square meters. Stems are thin reddish cream to green, sigmoidal and glabrous. Young leading shoots are light green or cream. The plants have a white fibrous root system.

Dianella pavopennacea leaves are clustered along the apex half of the stems. The leaves measure 300mm to 550mm in length by 8mm to 15mm in width. The conduplicate petiole measures 60mm to 80mm in length. The sheath measures 50mm to 60mm in length. The apex is tapering to acute. The concolourous laminas are deep grass-green. The midrib is strongly keeled and glabrous on the lower and clearly visible from the upper lamina. The leaf margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Dianella pavopennacea are born as a cyme or helicoid cyme with 5 to 20 tightly packed flowers on a cymule. The cymes arise from the apexes of the stems and extend well above the foliage and measure 300mm to 400mm in length. The sky blue to mid blue flowers measure 14mm to 17mm in diameter. The 3 outer tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The apexes are covered in white ciliate hairs. The outer tepals measure 5mm to 7.5mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in width. There are 5 to 7 veins running the length of the tepal. The 3 inner tepals are narrow elliptical with acute apexes. The margins are undulating while the apexes are covered in white ciliate hairs. The inner tepals measure 5mm to 7.5mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in width. There are 3 to 4 veins running the length of the tepal. The divaricate tepals become strongly reflexed as the flowers mature.

The white filaments are sigmoidal near the bright yellow swollen apex which measures 0.8mm to 1.2mm in length by 1mm to 1.3mm in diameter. The 6 filaments are attached to the base and side of the ovary for about two thirds of their length. The white section of the filament measures 1.8mm to 2mm in length not including the stigmoidal section. The pale olive-yellow to khaki-green, basifixed anthers are long conical and measure 2.8mm to 3.3mm in length.

The yellow trigonous ovary measures 1mm to 1.2mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm diameter. The white style measures 3mm to 4mm in length. Dianella caerulea flowers over a long period starting in late September and finishing in late February.

The fruits of Dianella pavopennacea are orbicular berries. The berries measure 5mm to 8mm in length by 3mm to 7mm in diameter. The grass-green berries turn glossy, deep purple-blue when ripe. The tepals are persistent at the base of the berries. The flesh is white and contains several large, glossy, black seeds in each fruit. The minutely areolate seeds measure 2.8mm to 3.7mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Dianella pavopennacea fruit is eaten by possums, native rats and is a favourite fruit of Cat Birds, Bower Birds and small Honey Eaters.

Note some Dianella species are somewhat toxic so should be consumed in small quantities or avoided all together. This species edability is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Dianella pavopennacea is a beautiful small tussock plant that deserves a place in every native or exotic garden. They are ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools, in the orchard or the rockery. Dianella will break up horizontal lines with its strap like leaves and the slender flower stalks and pretty sky blue flowers are attractive

The berries have a flavour reminiscent of pears with a very mild eucalyptus taste and are very sweet. The plants would have potential in cultivation if seedless forms can be grown.

They often reach their full potential in just 3 years and flower from the second year.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dianella pavopennacea seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested as soon as the fruits begin to shrivel. Clean the flesh off the seeds. The abrasion method has proven very successful. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did with Dianella caerulea if there were large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Sow the freshly treated seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix once the weather has warmed and all the frosts have passed. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings can be achieved by planting them at 1 meter to 2 meter centers. When planting for the fruit in an orchard plant the seedlings at 2 meter to 3 meter centers depending upon the size of the parent plant, so easy harvesting and maintenance can take place.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dianella revoluta

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Order: Asparagales

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Subfamily: Hemerocallidaceae

Genus: From Diāna, which is Latin for the virginal goddess of the hunt, moon and protector of small wildlife.

Specie: From Revolūtum, which is Latin for to make a full turn. It usually refers to leaves, leaflets, pinnules or at times flower petal margins which roll downwards, towards the underside of the leaf forming more than a complete circle.

Sub specie: Dianella revoluta subsp. revoluta. From Revolūtum, which is Latin for to make a full turn. It usually refers to leaves, leaflets, pinnules or at times flower petal margins which roll downwards, towards the underside of the leaf forming more than a complete circle.

Sub specie: Dianella revoluta subsp. vinosa. From Vīnōsus, which is Latin for wine colour. It refers to plants, usually the flowers or Lichens which have various shades of colours which resemble the various colours of wine.

Common Name: Blueberry Lily or Blueberry Flax Lily.

In the Wergaia Aboriginal language it is known as Murmbal.

Distribution:

Dianella revoluta subsp. revoluta is found south from Cardabia Station Carnarvon to Kalbarri then south east to Cape Arid National Park. It is also found north to around Lake Carnagie. From Cape Arid National Park it is found east along the coast to the border with South Australia.

In South Australia it moves in a north easterly direction to Four Mile Creek north east of Arkaroola and in a line to Sheparton then north north-east to Cracow in southern Queensland. From Cracow it then is found in a line north west to the Carnarvon Gorge to Emerald and back to the coast at Cape Palmerston National Park. There are several isolated populations are found at Paluma National Park and near Buloo in Queensland, Anangu Pitjantjatjara and the unnamed National Park on the eastern side of the Great Victoria Desert in South Australia.

It is found on the Bass Straight Islands and Tasmania especially on the eastern two thirds.

Dianella revoluta subsp. vinosa is restricted to a small area on the Granite belt between Wollomombi Falls and north west to the Emmaville district in north eastern New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dianella+revoluta#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dianella revoluta prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in low mountains in dry Eucalyptus forests, open woodlands, mallee country, in riparian zones in semi-arid zones and drainage lines skirting the Great Victoria Desert. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 750 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 950mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dianella revoluta prefers sandy loams, light gravelly clays to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed basalts and shales. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 7.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged however it can handle wet soils and occasional inundations. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 1m by 0.4m to 1.2m

Characteristics:

Dianella revoluta grows as a tufted rush like solitary plant but can form dense mats over several square meters. Stems are thin reddish cream to green, sigmoidal and glabrous. Young leading shoots are light green or cream. The plants have a white fibrous root system.

Dianella revoluta subsp. revoluta are tufted to mat-forming herbs with clumps to 1.5 meters diameter at the base.

Dianella revoluta subsp. Vinosa are tufted herbs with clumps to 300mm in diameter at the base.

Dianella revoluta subsp. revoluta long linear leaves measure 500mm to 800mm in length by 4mm to 12mm in width. The conduplicate sheaths are occluded on the petioles and measure 60mm to 80mm in length. The apexes are tapering to acute. The discolourous laminas are deep grass-green often glaucous or rarely reddish at base on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are slightly paler. The midrib is prominent rounded-keeled to keeled and glabrous on the lower and clearly visible from the upper lamina being deeply furrowed. The leaf margins are entire, revolute and glabrous. The parallel venation is regular and densely covered in fine off white papillate lumps at times entirely covering the venation.

Dianella revoluta subsp. vinosa long linear leaves measure 500mm to 800mm in length by 4mm to 12mm in width. The conduplicate sheaths are occluded on the petioles and measure 60mm to 80mm in length. The apexes are tapering to acute and become more pallid the closer to the apex they become. The discolourous laminas are glaucous to glaucous-green, usually purplish red towards base on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are more glaucous. The laminas are flat or slightly convex on the upper laminas. The midrib is prominent rounded-keeled to keeled and glabrous on the lower and clearly visible from the upper lamina being furrowed. The leaf margins are covered in irregular fragile cilia like teeth to 1 mm in length. The 18 to 24 parallel veins are usually regular or at times irregularly positioned along the laminas.

The inflorescences ofDianella revoluta are born as a cyme or helicoid cyme with 2 to 9 flowers on a cymule. The cymes arise from the leaf bases and extend well above the foliage and measure 700mm to 1000mm in length. The mid blue to violet flowers measure 13mm to 22mm in diameter. The 3 outer tepals are narrow elliptical to elliptical with acute apexes. The apexes are covered in a tuft of white ciliate hairs. The outer tepals are very sparsely covered in white ciliate hairs near the center line and are strongly decurve backwards. The outer tepals measure 5.5mm to 10mm in length by 1.8mm to 2.5mm in width. There are 5 to 7 veins running the length of the tepal. The 3 inner tepals are narrow elliptical to elliptical with acute apexes. The margins are undulating while the apexes are covered in white ciliate hairs. The inner tepals measure 5.2mm to 9.5mm in length by 2.5mm to 3.5mm in width. There are 5 veins running the length of the tepal. The divaricate tepals become strongly reflexed as the flowers mature.

The white flattened filaments have a bright yellow swollen section near the apex which measures 0.6mm to 2.3mm in length by 0.5mm to 1.6mm in diameter. The 6 filaments are attached to the base and side of the ovary for about two thirds of their length. The basal section of the filament measures 1.6mm to 2mm in length. The olive-brown to deep brown almost black, basifixed anthers are long conical and measure 3.5mm to 4mm in length.

The pale green trigonous ovary measures 1mm to 1.2mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm diameter. The white style measures 5.5mm to 6.5mm in length. Dianella revoluta flowers over a long period; especially from September to late November, however it is normal to see flowers as late as mid-March in favourable seasons.

The fruits of Dianella revoluta are often distorted spherical berries. The berries measure 4mm to 10mm in length by 5mm to 11mm in diameter. The tepals are persistent at the base of the berries. The flesh is white and contains several large, glossy, black seeds in each fruit. The minutely areolate seeds measure 2.8mm to 3.7mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in diameter.

The grass-green berries of Dianella revoluta subsp. revoluta turn glossy, mid blue to deep blue when ripe.

The grass-green berries of Dianella revoluta subsp. vinosa turn glossy, deep purple when ripe.

Wildlife:

Dianella revoluta fruits are eaten by possums, native rats and are relished by Cat Birds, Bower Birds and small Honey Eaters.

It was also a staple part of the Australian Aborigines diet. Note some Dianella species are somewhat toxic so should be consumed in small quantities or avoided all together. This species is not toxic.

Cultivation:

Dianella revoluta is a beautiful small tussock plant that deserves a place in every native or exotic garden. They are ideal in almost every setting near medium ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools, in the orchard or the rockery. Dianella will break up horizontal lines with its strap like leaves and the slender flower stalks and pretty sky blue flowers are attractive. In cultivation growing in the open they will grow from 400mm to 800mm in height by 250mm to 1200mm in diameter near the base. Select Dianella revoluta subsp. vinosa where a smaller compact plant is required.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but they are also drought resistant and can cope with the occasional immersion where periodic down pours may flood the land. They are neat self-cleaning and are easily controlled within a border. The plants are frost hardy to temperatures of at least minus 5 degrees in Nana Glen where they are growing beneath an open tree canopy of mixed Eucalyptus trees.

The berries have a flavour reminiscent of pears with a very mild eucalyptus taste and are very sweet. The plants would have great potential in cultivation if seedless forms can be grown. They often reach their full potential in just 3 years and flower from the second year.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dianella revoluta seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested as soon as the fruits begin to shrivel. Clean the flesh off the seeds. The abrasion method has proven very successful. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. If there were large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Fertilize using Seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until established. Plants grown for fruit should be fertilized on a twice annual basis in mid-July and again in early November to encourage prolonged flowering and fruiting. We fertilized our plants with the Hoods Blood and Bone, All rock and organic dynamic lifter.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dianella tasmanica

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Order: Asparagales

Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae

Subfamily: Hemerocallidaceae

Genus: From Diāna, which is Latin for the virginal goddess of the hunt, moon and protector of small wildlife.

Specie: Is named in honour of Abel Janszoon Tasman; 1603-1659, who circumnavigated the south coast of Tasmania. Plants with the name Tasmanica refers to plants which come from or were originally found in Tasmania.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Tasman Flax Lily.

Distribution:

Dianella tasmanica is found south from Dorrigo to Warmambool with a population on the Grampians in Victoria. It is mainly found on the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

It is also found on the Bass Straight Islands and over most of Tasmania.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dianella+tasmanica#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dianella tasmanica prefer full sun to dappled shade. It grows in sclerophyll forest, open woodlands, dry open Eucalyptus forests, moist Eucalyptus forests or adjacent to warm temperate rainforests. The altitude ranges from 150 meters ASL to 1050 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 5 degrees in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 950mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dianella tasmanica prefer light fatty clays, light gravelly clays and medium clays. The soils are often skeletal soils over the parent rock. The soils are usually derived from partially decomposed to decomposed granites. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged however it can handle continually moist soils and occasional inundations. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.4mm to 0.9m by 0.6mm to 0.8m

Characteristics:

Dianella tasmanica grows as a solitary tufted rush like plant. Stems are reddish cream to green and glabrous. Young leading shoots are pale green or cream. The plants have a white fibrous root system.

Dianella tasmanica leaves are clustered along the stems. The broad linear to narrow oblong leaves measure 500mm to 950mm in length by 14mm to 32mm in width including the conduplicate petioles. The petioles and sheaths measure 180mm to 300mm in length. The apex is tapering to acute. The discolourous laminas are grass-green, deep grass-green to deep olive-green and glabrous on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler to subglaucus. The midrib is strongly keeled with fine teeth on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The leaf margins are entire and covered in a row of fine teeth becoming more apparent close to the apex.

The inflorescences of Dianella tasmanica are born as a cyme or helicoid cyme with 2 to 5 flowers on a cymule. The cymes arise from the base of the leaves and extend to just below the foliage or only exceed the foliage by several centimetres. They measure 700mm to 900mm in length. The pale lavender to violet flowers measure 18mm to 22mm in diameter. The 3 outer tepals are oblong-elliptical with acute apexes. The apexes are mucronate and sparsely covered in white ciliate hairs. The outer tepals measure 8mm to 10mm in length by 5mm to 6mm in width. There are 5 to 7 veins running the length of the tepal. The 3 inner tepals are elliptical with acute apexes. The inner tepals measure 7mm to 9.5mm in length by 4.5mm to 5mm in width. There are 5 veins running the length of the tepal. The divaricate tepals become strongly reflexed as the flowers mature.

The white filaments are sigmoidal near the bright yellow to bright yellow-orange swollen apex which measures 2.3mm to 3mm in length by 1.2mm to 1.6mm in diameter. The white section of the filament measures 2mm to 2.5mm in length not including the sigmoidal section. The pale olive-yellow, khaki or khaki-yellow, basifixed anthers are long conical and measure 2mm to 2.8mm in length.

The grass-green ovate ovary measures 2mm to 2.8mm in length by 2mm to 2.8mm diameter. The white style measures 6mm to 7mm in length. Dianella caerulea flowers from September to early February.

The fruits of Dianella tasmanica are oblong berries. The berries measure 12mm to 25mm in length by 8mm to 17mm in diameter. The grass-green berries turn glossy, deep purple-blue when ripe. The flesh is white and contains several large, glossy, black seeds in each fruit. The minutely areolate seeds measure 2.8mm to 4mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Dianella tasmanica fruit is eaten by possums, native rats and is a favourite fruit of Cat Birds, Bower Birds and small Honey Eaters.

Note some Dianella species are somewhat toxic so should be consumed in small quantities or avoided all together. This species berries are somewhat toxic.

Cultivation:

Dianella tasmanica is a beautiful small tussock plant that deserves a place in every native or exotic garden especially since many new hybrids and varieties are now on the market. The variation varies from green leaves to variegated leaves and leaves with various amounts of red and maroon as well as size and compactness. They are ideal in almost every setting near ponds, at the edge of a rain forest in court yards, around swimming pools, in the orchard or the rockery. Dianella tasmanica will break up horizontal lines with its strap like leaves and the slender flower stalks and pretty sky blue flowers are attractive.

Dianella tasmanica needs little or no work to keep it at its best. Once established minimal water is required as it is drought and frost tolerant. It does prefer some shade but can grow in heavy shade. It would be a great choice for mass planting under large trees in a bush garden. Here mix the various hybrids and cultivars with other forest plants to give an array of colour and foliage for a year round attraction.

The berries have a flavour reminiscent of grapes crossed with pears and are very sweet. The plants have great potential in as an alternative culinary delight. For mass cultivation seedless forms need to be grown while maintaining the larger fruit of this species and the better flavoured forms. Their hardiness coupled with frost tolerances and drought resistance all add up to dollars in the bank for the astute farmer.

Fertilize every two months until established. Plants grown for fruit should be fertilized on a twice annual basis in mid-July and again in early November to encourage prolonged flowering and fruiting. We fertilized our plants with Hoods Blood and Bone, All rock and organic dynamic lifter. (All are certified organic while Hoods B&B is 100{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} blood and bone with a higher percentage of blood)

They often reach their full potential in just 3 years and flower from the second year.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dianella tasmanica seeds require treatment before sowing. Seed should be harvested as soon as the fruits begin to shrivel. Clean the flesh off the seeds. The abrasion method has proven very successful. This involves rubbing the seeds gently between two sheets of very fine sandpaper to reduce the thickness of the seed coat. What we did with Dianella caerulea if there were large numbers of seeds to do is a glue sheet of medium corundum to the inside surfaces of a small disposable container. Place the seeds into the container and shake the container vigorously for several minutes. Check to see if the coating has been partially removed.

Division: If a particular form or varigation is required division is the best way to ensure the traits remain.

When growing for fruit division is the only reliable way to guarantee purity of form. The divisions are made by removing the plants from the soil. Remove the soil and cut the plant into 3 or 4 equal parts, first down the middle then halve those sections again. Remove unwanted dead leaves and any old small clumps that look weak or dead. Plants can be divided further but ensure each division has a strong shoot and healthy roots attached to the stem. Replant ensuring the soil is at the same level as before. Water and fertilize with seaweed. New shoots will appear within two weeks.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dichanthium tenue

Classification

Unranked: Monocot

Unranked: Commelinids

Family: Poaceae

Subfamily: Pooideae

Tribe: Poeae

Genus: From Dikha, which is Ancient Greek for splitting in two and Antha/Anthos, which are Ancient Greek for the male reproductive organs in a flower or the flower. It refers to flowers, which have two barren spikelets.

Specie: From Tanu, which is Ancient Greek or later Tenue, which is Latin for slender and fine. It refers to structures or organs, which are slenderer than other species in the genus.

Sub species:

Common Name: Small Blue Grass.

Distribution:

Dichanthium tenue is found south from Cairns in far north Queensland to Charters Towers then in a south south easterly direction to the upper Hastings River Catchment in central coastal New South Wales. There are 2 isolated populations near Mungkan Kandju National Park on Cape York Peninsular and Normanton in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dichanthium+tenue#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dichanthium tenue prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in open woodlands. The altitude ranges from 15 meters ASL to 300 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 400mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dichanthium tenue prefers better quality sandy loams, light clays or medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, brown basalts, black basalts, shale or metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerant of water logged soils but prefers constant soil moisture to promote active growth. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.6m to 1m by 0.4m to 0.6m

Characteristics:

Dichanthium tenue grows as an erect perennial tufted grass. Culms are thin pale blue-green and glabrous. The culms measure 300mm to 700mm in height with 2 to 4 nodes. The mid culm nodes are sparsely covered in white pubescent to hirtellus hairs. The lateral branches are simple. Plants have a fibrous root system.

Dichanthium tenue leaf sheaths are glabrous while the ligule has a ciliolate membrane which measures 0.5mm to 1mm in length. The linear leaves measure 70mm to 150mm in length by 2mm to 3.5mm in width. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are scabrous, glabrous or covered in dense white pubescent hairs. The midrib is faintly prominent on the lower lamina and is faintly visible from the upper lamina. The leaf margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Dichanthium tenue are subdigitate racemes with ramose branches. The rachises are fragile at the nodes and measure 10mm to 30mm in length while the ramose measure 30mm to 60mm in length. The rachises and ramose are glabrous to sparsely covered in white puberulent hairs.

The spikelets are sessile with 1 fertile to 2 to 4 infertile spikelet in the cluster. The male spikelets are well developed and measure 4mm to 6mm in length.

The dissimilar glumes are firmer than fertile lemma. The lower glumes are oblong, chartaceous or indurate and are without keels. There are 8 to 9 nerves. The upper glabrous glumes are lanceolate with a single keel and 3 nerves.

The upper lemmas are stipe-like. The awn has a twisted column and measures 20mm to 30mm in length. The palea is absent.

The lower lemma’s hyaline is nerveless. The upper lemma hyaline is very slender and short or absent.

There are 3 anthers on each spikelet. The flowers appear from late December to early March.

The fruits of Dichanthium tenue seeds measure 2.5mm in length. The green seeds turn pale straw-fawn when ripe.

Wildlife:

Dichanthium tenue is a valuable grass for kangaroos and wallabies. The seeds are also eaten by various small seeds eating birds.

Cultivation:

Dichanthium tenue is a valuable native grass for cattle, sheep and other grazing animals. It has a rapid growth rate from late spring after the spring rains to late autumn.

This grass is often classified as a weed by gardeners. Despite being fairly easy to control it will break off and reroot at the nodes and grow year after year from seed reserves in the soil.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dichanthium tenue seeds can be scattered over an area of pre-prepared ground and lightly raked over for a perennial mixed lawn.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dichelachne crinita

Classification

Unranked: Monocots

Unranked: Commelinids

Order: Poales

Family: Poaceae

Subfamily: Pooideae

Tribe: Poeae

Genus: From Di/Dis, which are Ancient Greek for two, Khelos, which is Ancient Greek for split and Achne which is Ancient Greek for chaff. It refers to glumes which split into two.

Specie: From Crīnītum, which is Latin for long hair. It refers to plants, which have long, silky hairs.

Sub species:

Common Name: Long Hair Plume Grass.

Distribution:

Dichelachne crinita is found from the Swan River Coastal Plains to new Year Island east of Cape Arid national Park off the south west Western Australian coast.

In the east it is found south from Jericho to Bendigo in Victoria then west to Port Augusta and down to Streaky Bay in southern South Australia. It is found on the Western Plains, Western Slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

It is found on most the Bass Straight Islands and circumnavigates Tasmania mostly at the lower elevations.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dichelachne+crinita#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dichelachne crinita prefer full sun to dappled shade. It grows beneath open Eucalyptus forests, open woodlands, savannah woodlands. Its altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 700 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 820mm to 2500mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dichelachne crinita prefers sand, sandy loams or fatty sands. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.6m to 1.5m by 0.6m to 1m

Characteristics:

Dichelachne crinita grows as an erect or spreading perennial tufted grass. The culms are thin pale blue-green and glabrous. The culms measure 500mm to 1250mm in height. Plants have a fibrous root system.

Dichelachne crinita leaf sheaths are glabrous while the ligule are truncate and measure 4mm to 5mm in length. The ligule has an entire, eciliate membrane which measures 0.8mm to 1mm in length. The linear leaves measure 55mm to 200mm in length by 2mm to 7mm in width. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green, glabrous or densely covered in white pubescent hairs. The midrib is faintly prominent on the lower lamina and is faintly visible from the upper lamina. The leaf margins are entire. The sheath is glabrous or covered in white puberulent hairs.

The inflorescences of Dichelachne crinita are densely packed, oblong or narrow elliptical cylindrical racemes. The racemes measure 60mm to 290mm in length. The rachises and ramose are glabrous to sparsely covered in white puberulent hairs.

The spikelets are pedicilate with a single flower without a rachilla or a single infertile flower with a sort rachilla. The male spikelets measure 5mm to 10mm in length.

The dissimilar glumes are subulate and firmer than fertile lemma. The lower glumes are lanceolate, membranous and measure 5mm to 7mm in length. They are single keeled with a single nerve. The lower glume’s apex is mucronate. The upper glumes are lanceolate, membranous and measure 5.5mm to 9.4mm in length. They are single keeled with a single nerve.

The upper lemmas are subulate and shorter than the glumes and measure 4.5mm to 6.5mm in length. The awn curves as it approaches the apex and is barely twisted. The awn measures 22mm to 33mm in length. The 2 nerved palea is shorter than the lemma.

The lower lemma’s hyaline is nerveless. The upper lemma hyaline is very slender and short or absent.

There are 1 to 3 stamens on each spikelet. The flowers appear from late September to November.

The fruits of Dichelachne crinitaseeds measure 2.8mm to 3.5mm in length. The green seeds turn pale straw-fawn when ripe.

Wildlife:

Dichelachne crinita is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Dichelachne crinita is not considered to be a good fodder crop. Its only potential is when it is in flower and seed when horses and cattle consume the softer flower heads and seeds. It has a rapid growth rate from late spring after the spring rains to early summer.

This grass is often classified as a weed by gardeners, despite being fairly easy to control. It gives good quantities of trash for mulch thus improves soils structure and fertility. It has good potential as a landscaping grass in large areas especially against hard walls and structures that need softening.

In cultivation it looks at its best when grown along narrow borders, medium to large rockeries or as feature plants where it grows from 600mm to 1000mm in height by 300mm to 500mm in diameter. The spectacular long creamy or pale purple-pink plumes in spring offers the landscaper a change in form and colour over a short period.

In cultivation they have can be grown on most types of soil however full sun is essential for best results.

They should be trimmed back immediately after the flower heads start to fade and before the seeds begin to fall. Cut the plants back to approximately 100mm in early summer and mulch. For best results trim them again in late April or early May.

The flowering heads can be used in floral arrangements and dyed for greater affect.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dichelachne crinita seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix in early autumn. Cover them with 2mm of the mix. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings can be achieved with spacing of 0.6 meters to 2 meters depending on the desired effect.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dichelachne micrantha

Classification

Unranked: Monocots

Unranked: Commelinids

Order: Poales

Family: Poaceae

Genus: From Di/Dis, which are Ancient Greek for two, Khelos, which is Ancient Greek for split and Achne which is Ancient Greek for chaff. It refers to glumes which split into two.

Specie: From Mikrós, which is Ancient Greek for small or very small and ántha/ánthos, which are Ancient Greek for the male reproductive organs on a flower or the flower. It refers to flowers, which are smaller than those of other species in the genus.

Sub species:

Common Name: Short Hair Plume Grass.

Distribution:

Dichelachne micrantha is found in Western Australia south from Mundaring, near Perth to Beedelup National Park.

In South Australia it is found south from north of Adelaide to Wilpena and from Birdwood to Kangaroo Island with a disjunct population around Mount Gambier.

In the east it is found south from Eungella National Park in central eastern Queensland to Warmambool in southern Victoria. It is found on the eastern side of the Western Plains, Western Slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast. It is also found on Lord Howell Island and Norfolk Island.

It is also found on the eastern Bass Straight Islands and the eastern half of mainland Tasmania with an isolated population on Mount Bertha in the north west of the state.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dichelachne+micrantha#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dichelachne micrantha prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in dry open forests and dry open woodlands on flat plains which are subject to seasonal flooding or water logging. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1400 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in August to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 250mm to 1200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dichelachne micrantha prefer sandy loams to heavy clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, brown basalts or black basalts, shale or metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 5.5pH. It does tolerate seasonal water logged soils. Non saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.6m to 1.2m by 0.4m to 0.7m

Characteristics:

Dichelachne micrantha grows as a tufted grass with erect culms. The culms measure 300mm to 950mm in height or rarely to120mm in height. The mid-culm internodes are glabrous while the Lateral branches are simple and wiry. The ligules are entire, eciliate membranes that measure 0.3mm to 1.5mm in length. Plants have a fibrous root system.

Dichelachne micrantha’s linear leaves measure 70mm to 230mm in length by 1.5mm to 6mm in width. The leaf sheath is glabrous or covered in white, puberulent hairs. The apex is tapering to narrow acute. The ligule is glabrous or sparsely to moderately covered in white pubescent hairs and has an obtuse or lacerated apex. The concolourous laminas are pale grass-green to pale blue-green and glabrous or sparsely covered in white puberulent hairs. The midrib is rounded and slightly prominent on the on the lower lamina. The leaf margins are entire.

The inflorescences of Dichelachne micranthaare loose panicles or at times compact panicles. The panicles measure 40mm to 220mm in length by 2mm to 3.5mm in width.

The spikelets are pedicilate with a single flower without a rachilla or a single infertile flower with a sort rachilla. The flattened spikelets measure 3mm to 5.5mm in length.

The similar glumes are subulate and firmer than fertile lemma. The lower glumes are lanceolate, membranous and measure 2.5mm to 8mm in length. They are single keeled with a single nerve. The lower glume’s apex is mucronate. The upper glumes are lanceolate, membranous and measure 3mm to 6mm in length. They are single keeled with a single nerve.

The upper lemmas are shorter than the glumes and usually measure 3.4mm to 4mm in length however at times can be much shorter or longer at 2.5mm to 4.7mm in length. The apex is acuminate. The awn curves as it approaches the apex and is twisted. The purple awn measures 6mm to 33mm in length. The 2, nerved palea are shorter than the lemma.

There are 1 or rarely 3 stamens on each spikelet. The flowers appear from late October to January.

The fruits of Dichelachne micrantha seeds measure 2mm to 4.4mm in length. The green seeds turn pale straw-fawn when ripe.

Wildlife:

Dichelachne micrantha is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Dichelachne micrantha is not considered to be a good fodder crop. Its potential is mainly found when it is in flower and seed. At this stage horses and cattle consume the softer flower heads and seeds. The leaves and stems are eaten but probably are mainly used as bulk. It has a rapid growth rate from late spring after the spring rains to autumn. It recovers well from moderate grazing and is best managed as to not allowing it to form culms.

In cultivation it looks at its best when grown along narrow borders, medium to large rockeries or as feature plants where it grows from 400mm to 800mm in height by 200mm to 300mm in diameter. The spectacular long, pale purple-pink plumes in spring offers the landscaper a change in form and colour over a short period.

In cultivation it has be grown on most types of soil however full sun is essential for best results.

The flowering heads can be used in floral arrangements and dyed for greater affect.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dichelachne micrantha seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix in early autumn. Cover them with 2mm of the mix. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Fertilize using Seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until established.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings can be achieved with spacing of 0.6 meters to 2 meters depending on the desired effect.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dichondra repens

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Solanales

Family: Convolvulaceae

Genus: From Di/Dis, which are Ancient Greek for two and Khondros, which is Ancient Greek for a grain. It refers to the two fruitlets appearing similar to two united grains.

Specie: From Repens, which is Latin for creeping. It refers to plants, which have a habit of creeping along the ground’s surface.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Kydney Weed or Yilibili.

Distribution:

Dichondra repens is found south from the Swan River Plains to Nuytsland Nature Reserve.

In the east it is found from west of Ingham in the north south to the Victorian border then from East Gippsland through to Adelaide, Port Augusta and southern Eyre Peninsular in southern South Australian. It is found on the Western Plains, Western Slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

It is found on Flinders Island, King Island and most the larger Bass Straight Islands as well as most of the warmer parts of Tasmania.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dichondra+repens#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dichondra repens prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows in the mountains, on plains, in moist open woodlands, open moist Eucalyptus forests, alluvial flats and areas adjacent to coastal wallums. Its altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1500 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 33 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 260mm to 2800mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dichondra repens prefers light sandy loams, light gravelly clays, medium clays, heavy clays, medium silts to heavy silts. The soils are derived from decomposed fatty sandstones, brown basalts, black basalt, shale, heavier silty alluvial deposits, and medium muddy silts to heavy muddy silts. The soils pH ranges 5pH to 7pH. It does tolerate water logged soils often being submerged for long periods of time during the wet season. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 20mm to 50mm by very large areas with a repent habit

Characteristics:

Dichondra repens grows on soft stoloniferous stems. Stems are thin pale green, white and may have pink markings. They are glabrous. Young leading shoots are light green with white or pale pink base silky hairs. The white roots are produced at the nodes.

The reniform to oblong circular leaves measure 5mm to 25mm in length by 6mm to 28mm in diameter. The base is cordate while the apex is emarginated to obtuse. The concolourous laminas are pale grass green and slightly to moderately covered in white pilose hairs. The colouration is a deeper green when grown in the shade however leaf drop develops if the shade is too strong. The leaf margins are entire. The petioles measure 15mm to 30mm in length.

The inflorescences of Dichondra repens are born singularly from the leaf axils. The flowers are a pale yellow to pale yellow-green. The pedicels measure 10mm to 50mm in length. The calyx lobes are elliptical, measure 3mm to 4mm in length and are densely covered in long white pilose hairs. The corolla is 3mm to 4mm long with 5 spreading oblong, glabrous lobes which measure 4mm to 5mm in length. The creamy green coloured filaments measure 3mm to 4mm in length including the ovate creamy yellow anthers. The two styles measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length. Dichondra repens flowers most of the year with a peak in late spring or following good rains.

The fruits of Dichondra repens are a 2 deeply divided obovate lobed capsules. The capsules are measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 5mm to 7mm across and 2mm to 3mm in width. The styles are persistent on the capsules. The green capsules turn a burgundy red with 5 distinct yellow longitudinal lines before splitting. The capsules are sparsely to densely covered in white pilose hairs. There is 1 seed in each capsule.

Wildlife:

Dichondra repens leaves are eaten by various army worms but infestations never seem to do much damage. It was a staple part of the Australian Aborigines and first Europeans diet who settled in Australia.

The young leaves when harvested and eaten have a mild parsley taste and can easily be substituted for parsley. It is sweeter and softer on the palate. It is also being investigated as a good anti-cancer vegetable similar to broccoli. The leaves can be added to deserts, salads, fruit salad or juiced and mixed with fruits for a pleasant drink.

Cultivation:

This is a beautiful low growing ground cover that can easily be substituted for your existing lawn. It is ideal for medium traffic areas that are continually moist or dry out in dry periods for short times, in semi shade, dappled light or full sun. It is not attacked by lawn grubs or army worms to the extent that exotic lawns are. Dichondra repens is great if mowing is not your style. It is also an ideal addition around paths between paths and around fish ponds and beneath fern fronds as it is not overpowering.

Cultivated plants in ideal conditions in semi shade will reach 100mm in height.

Their versatility doesn’t stop with accepting all types of soils but they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 7 degrees and the odd day at 42 degrees may see some leaf wilt but will again become turgid on dusk or given a drink. They are drought resistant and can cope with the occasional immersion where periodic down pours may flood the land.

Add to the above, if they are given adequate moisture, plenty of mulch for moisture retention and an even soil temperature, applying native fertilizers on a regular basis the plants will respond with a lush glossy deep green coverage that will prevent weed growth. In Nana Glen we used Dichondra beneath Allocasuarina trees and over the septic trenches where it blanketed everything else out. It was only as the Allocasuarina trees laid their thick mulch that Dichondra succumbed close to the trunks.

Another advantage of Dichondra repens is, it can be harvested and added to coleslaws or mixed with tomato salads. They have a sweet mild distinctive taste of their own slightly reminiscent of mild, tender sweet parsley. The seeds have a nutty parsley flavour but are very time consuming to collect. We have even added chopped fresh young leaves to ice cream and stewed fruit for a cold treat on hot days. The young leaves are high in vitamin “C”

To harvest young leaves successfully slash the area with a lawn mower a few days before you intend to use the leaves.

Propagation:

Seeds: Dichondra repens seeds do not require treatment before sowing. Sow fresh seeds directly into a seed raising mix and cover with 5mm of the mix. When the seedlings are 15 to 20 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into standard 50mm tubes using a seed raising mix.

Fertilize using Seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months.

Once the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tube and runners start developing plant them out into their permanent position. Mass plantings can be achieved with spacing every 200mm to 300mm.

Runners: Use runners that already have roots. Dig up a patch rinse under the tap and cut into sections ensuring each runner has some root and place in a bucket of water containing sea weed extract. Dig a small divot plant the runner ensuring that the crown or heart is above the surface. Cover the roots and water in well with the fertilizer mix. Keep moist until new runners appear then the watering can be reduced. The best time to use runners is just after rain or as the wet season approaches. Do not attempt using runners in extreme hot or dry weather conditions or failures will be encountered.

Further Comments from Readers:

Dicksonia antarctica

Classification

Division: Polypodiophyta

Class: Polypodopsida

Order: Cyatheales

Family: Dicksoniaceae

Genus: Is named in Honour of named in honour of James Dickson; 1738-1822, who was a Scottish nurseryman.

Specie: From Antarktikós, which is Ancient Greek, for southern. It refer to plants, which grow in the southern hemisphere especially those that have historical links to fossils from Antarctica.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Australian Hares Foot Fern.

Distribution:

Dicksonia antarctica is found south from Fraser Island in southern coastal Queensland to Mount Gambier in far south eastern South Australia. It is found on and east of the Great dividing Range to the coast.

There is an isolated population further west at Yankalilla and the Adelaide Hills in South Australia and further north at Mount Bellenden Ker in far north eastern Queensland.

It is found throughout Tasmania and the Bass Straight Islands except for the highest peaks.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Dicksonia+antarctica#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Dicksonia antarctica prefersdappled light to full shade. It grows in damp, sheltered moist woodland slopes, moist gullies and temperate rainforests. It is particularly common in transitional zones between temperate rainforests and moist open woodlands. It strongly resents drought or dryness at the roots, and does best in moist soil. It is found from 10 meters ASL to 900 meters ASL.

The temperature ranges from minus 4 degrees in August to 34 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 900mm to 3600mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Dicksonia antarctica prefers soils with high leaf litter content on light clays to heavy clays and laterites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 8pH, due to the high leaf litter decomposing which releases the nutrient for the ferns to grow.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:12 meters to 15 meters by 3.5 meters to 4 meters.

Characteristics:

Dicksonia antarctica The thick trunk is densely covered in the old stipes and long red-brown hairs and often reaches 8 meters to 15 meters in height by 300mm in diameter. The base is covered with coarse, brown, fibrous roots. The trunk is made from the decaying remains of earlier growth of the plant with decomposing leaf matter that falls onto the crown and forms the medium inwhich the roots grow.

The bright green fronds are wide spreading and measure 1.5 meters to 3 meters in length, while the green to yellowish-brown stipe measures 200mm to 300mm in length. The stipe is glabrous except for a dense covering of red-brown hairs near the base which become less so over 50mm t080mm. The discolourous, tripinnate lamina is leathery, deep grass-green and glossy on the upper lamina and paler and less glossy on the lower lamina and measures 2 meters to 3.5 meters in length by 0.7meters to 1.2 meters in width.

The fronds are borne in flushes usually with a fertile then sterile fronds often in alternating layers after matururation at 20 years. The sori measure 1mm in diameter, while the indusium is persistent.

Wildlife:

Dicksonia antarctica is host for a small orchids, epiphytic ferns, lichens and mosses.

Cultivation:

Dicksonia antarctica is a magnificent tree fern for shaded courtyards, enhancing both tropical and temperate rain forest gardens. Cyathea cooperi is excellent for growing near large fish ponds or water features away from the house giving an immediate cooling effect.

I do not recommend Cyathea cooperi as a planting in mass near the house or up wind of the clothes drying area as when they drop spore the can coat the windows clothing and furniture in a very fine layer of spore and spore trash.

It is ideal for rainforest settings and open moist woodland settings especially when you can look down on the scene from above. To gain the best from mass plantings where they are best planted staggered over several years so various heights are found throughout the garden. With a regular fertilizing program these tree ferns will spread to the maximum by the time they have developed a 100mm trunk.

It looks particularly good planted along creek banks, rills and riparian zones on larger properties. This can be achieved by planting them in two roughly parallel meandering lines through a property as though you are walking along the creek bed. Imagine the scene with tall rainforest trees in the back ground with Rhododendron species and Cuttsia viburnum planted a little behind and intermingled with Curculigo capitata and feather palms like Archontophoenix alexandra or Archontophoenix cunninghamiana. Scenes like this are not difficult to create; they just take imagination and snap shots of real scenes from nature.

Propagation:

Most people are put off at the thought of growing ferns from spore. Like all plants that produce their offspring from seed or spore the methods are basically the same. Remember nature has been doing this for millions of years and has been very successful. I have had excellent results growing over 200 different species of Australian ferns so don’t be afraid. Give it a go. Dicksonia antarctica is one of the easiest ferns to grow from spore as are all the ferns found in the Cyatheales order so let your hair down and go for it knowing you are saving the life of ferns found in the wild.