Spotted Gums make great urban trees

The Spotted Gum, Corymbia maculata, is one eucalypt that is easy to identify. And yes, it is a eucalypt despite the ‘corymbia’ part of its scientific name – corymbia and angophora are now considered as sub-genera of the eucalypt group. Korymbus is Greek for bunches of flowers or fruit and maculatus is Latin for spotted.

Spotted Gums in Princes Way Drouin

The Spotted Gum is endemic to south-east Australia, from south-east Qld to southern NSW. There is a disjunct population near Orbost in Victoria.

Spotted Gums are frequently used for urban plantings. They are attractive, grow straight, easy to establish and they tolerate poor urban conditions and have few lower branches to obstruct views.

When Spotted Gums replace their bark each season, they do it in patches, giving rise to the recognisable spots that can vary from green to tan to grey over time. Spotted Gums often flower profusely, attracting nectar-seeking birds, insects and mammals. Their broad, dense canopies provide shade and shelter and add beauty.

Musk and Rainbow Lorikeets love Drouin's Spotted Gums

Once credited with being ‘limb-droppers’, Spotted Gum varieties are now bred to minimize this characteristic.

C.maculata can grow large. Old Blotchy, ‘the world’s largest Spotted Gum’ at Termeil in NSW is 59m tall, has a trunk girth of 10·7m and is estimated to be over 400 years old.

As urban planners look toward planting more resilient trees to help mitigate the effects of a warming world, they could do a lot worse than choose the beautiful and rewarding Spotted Gum.

Some introduced avian ‘pests’

The Friends of Drouin’s Trees is in the middle of its autumn bird surveys for 2024. This might be the time to investigate the history and habits of some of our introduced bird species we call ‘ferals’.

In the mid nineteenth century in Australia and New Zealand acclimatisation societies were established to introduce exotic animals and plants. The much-vaunted Ferdinand von Meuller, Victoria’s first government botanist, was alone responsible for ‘distributing’ thousands of introduced plants and seeds! In its short life of just 11 years from 1861 to 1872, the Victorian Acclimatisation Society played a devastating role in this state’s ecology.

SPARROW

The very cosmopolitan House Sparrow was introduced to Victoria in the late 1860s. This little bird thrives wherever there is human habitation – farms, granaries, school yards, town squares, etc. It is a very sociable and gregarious species. The House Sparrow competes with native birds for food and nesting sites. Many references suggest the sparrow is host to a large number of parasites and diseases.

STARLING

The scientific name Sturnus vulgaris is very appropriate for this boisterous and aggressive introduced bird. Starlings are native to northern Europe where they are a migratory species. Here, they seem to have lost the need to migrate and might perform some seasonal local movements only. Their preference for cavities in buildings and trees for their nesting sites is perhaps their worst feature. Starlings quickly drive away native birds that are hollow-dependent for their breeding regimes. They were introduced in the vain hope of keeping pest insects under control. English starlings were introduced in the eastern states from 1863 onwards.

MYNA

Mynas and starlings are related – they belong to the Sturnidae family. The Common Myna was introduced to Melbourne in circa 1860 to help control caterpillars in market gardens. They were only partly successful and soon spread to other areas as well as being ‘shipped’ to north Queensland to control pests in sugar cane. Mynas seldom occupy places with dense vegetation, preferring open areas of parklands, streets, back yards, etc. In 2000, the Common Myna was listed among 100 of the world’s worst invasive species by the World Conservation Union. A nation-wide survey in Australia in 2005 placed the myna at number one pest – ahead of the Cane Toad, rabbit, feral cat, etc. Like starlings, mynas aggressively defend their territories and nesting sites, driving off native birds.

DOVE

The Spotted Dove was introduced in Melbourne in the 1860’s principally for aesthetic reasons. Their native range is the Indian sub-continent and south-east Asia. Some references suggest the Spotted Dove is not a pest to the degree of others in this list. It is believed to have displaced the native Peaceful Dove in some districts but now itself is considered to be ‘under pressure’ from the native Crested Pigeon which seems to be expanding its range. When they drink they only need to place their bill in water. They sort of inhale the water, using their bill like a straw. Other birds need to lift their heads after they take a drink so they can swallow water, but not doves and pigeons.

BLACKBIRD

Pioneers to Victoria found the birdsong of the native species unfamiliar and alien. Wealthy early settlers regarded blackbirds to be a worthy addition to their European-style gardens, principally for their song. The bird quickly spread throughout the state. Even today it is pretty much the most abundant bird in Melbourne and although mainly found in urban areas it is not unusual to see blackbirds in native bushland settings these days. The Common Blackbird is thought to be the principal vector for the spread of the invasive species Sweet Pittosporum.

GOLDFINCH

The European Goldfinch is a small bird in the finch family that is native to Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia. In Victoria it was introduced in several locations in the late nineteenth century. Apparently, many of these introductions failed, but now the bird is well established, particularly in ‘wasteland’ areas on urban edges. Overseas, the bird is often called the Thistle Bird because of its preference for the seeds of the thistle plant. Goldfinches like to line their nests with mosses, lichens and plant down from thistles.

Leafy streets mean higher house prices

In 2022, Architecture and Design Australia reported that, “Australian homes are among the largest in the world” and that the trend is for them to become bigger! Our units are the largest in the world too.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that house block sizes have been diminishing since 2012. Seldom is there room for a canopy tree in the back or front yard. Yet garden or street trees can do more than just provide shade, lower energy costs and provide health benefits for the residents. Research shows that they can improve a home’s value by tens of thousands of dollars.

A study by the independent advisory body Infrastructure Victoria concluded that property prices for equivalent homes were inversely proportional to their distance from some parkland. Infrastructure Victoria found that this relationship was strongest in regional areas and could produce a difference in house price by as much as $86,000. Interestingly, they found that the effect of a property being near a shopping district has a positive effect on house prices in the country and a negative effect in the city.

The Age, as recently as a few weeks ago, reported that the Victorian Planning Authority has proposed changing the state’s housing code for new suburban estates to encourage developers to include a “deep soil zone” of at least 2.5 square metres for a canopy tree on new properties of less than 300 square metres. Just this last weekend, an article in The Age suggested that Victoria can no longer call itself the ‘Garden State’.

As long ago as 2017, AECOM, a multinational infrastructure consulting firm produced a report Green Infrastructure – a vital step to brilliant Australian cities, in which they state that in the Sydney suburb of Annandale, the average increase in the value of land resulting from a 10% increase in tree canopy was $332 …. per square metre!

A report in the digital property portal, Domain, concludes “… home buyers were prepared to pay a significant premium to live in a leafy street and that premium was up to 3 per cent.”

Lendi, a prominent Australian online home loan platform: “Not only has it been proven that natural surroundings can lead to positive health benefits, but it has also been linked to reduced crime rates, increased property prices, and a welcome drop in temperatures for warmer suburbs.”

Putting your house on the market? Plant a tree!

Drouin’s favourite eucalypt

The voting for Drouin’s favourite eucalypt has concluded and the winner is … trumpet fanfare …

The Old Swimming Hole Giant in Lampard Rd, a magnificent Strzelecki Gum that measures 4.5m in trunk girth, about 30m tall and a canopy spread of 20m. This tree is estimated to be around 170 years old.

Many shires consider their trees as shire assets and apply a formula to their trees to determine a monetary value. Conservatively applying this formula to the Old Swimming Hole Giant gives a value of around $300,000!

The Strzelecki Gum, Eucalyptus strzeleckii, named after the early Gippsland explorer Paul Strzelecki, is a straight growing tree with bark variously described as mottled cream, yellow, white, pink, brown and even green. It can appear to be any or all of those colours at various times of the season.

The best strzeleckis tend to be found growing in fertile soils in places where their roots will get some occassional inundation. Their mature  leaves often have wavy edges and contain numerous oils glands – visible when held up to the light. Young leaves on new growth will often have a waxy appearance – the tree is sometimes called a Wax Tip.

At the bottom end of Lampard Rd, Ezra Cook, an early settler, selected 100 acres in 1878. This old giant would have been part of the landscape and quite a sizeable tree even then. On Ezra Cook’s land there was a fresh water pool fed by a spring and surrounded by beautiful bush with tree ferns. In about 1910 a formal swimming pool was constructed around the pool with steps going down. Many locals frequented the pool and it became well known as the ‘Swimming Hole’ of Drouin.

Due to its very limited distribution of small patches within West and South Gippsland, Eucalyptus strzeleckii is a species classified as "vulnerable" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and as "threatened" under the Victorian Government Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.

Impressive, valuable and certainly worth protecting. A deserved winner.

 

 

  

Let's bust some myths about eucalypts in urban areas

‘Myth’ – a widely held but false belief or idea.

Myth 1 – “Eucalypts are too big for urban areas”

This myth probably originated some years ago when there was increased interest in planting eucalypts in parks, reserves and back yards but little attention was paid to species selection. Yes, of course, SOME eucalypts are too big for back yards and some public spaces. So are some pines and some oaks and some ….

Nearly one half of all 800-odd eucalypt species however are mallees or shrubs that grow no more than 10 metres – some only 2 or 3 metres.

(Image of mallee eucalypts in a garden)

And, it matters where you plant them. You wouldn’t or shouldn’t plant a Mountain Grey Gum within 20 metres of your house. Equally, you wouldn’t or shouldn’t build your house within 20 metres of a mature Mountain Grey Gum. That just does not make any sense at all.

There are plenty of open spaces in most urban areas where the majesty of a mature Mountain Grey Gum can be safely appreciated.

Myth 2 – “Eucalypts are prone to dropping their branches”

A few are, most are not. A large, fast-growing tree of any species will sometimes shed a branch, especially if the branch is heavily laden or disproportionally long.

Climatic conditions – heavy rain, humidity, drought, high winds – can cause ANY tree to shed its branches. Disease can be a reason for a tree to drop a limb. A healthy tree is far less likely to shed its branches.

Eucalypts that are known for dropping branches unexpectedly include; Sugar Gums, some Red Gums, Manna Gums and Yellow Box.

Other species that have a reputation for shedding their limbs include; oak, Liquidamber, pear, pine and ash.

Most trees in Australia are eucalypts, so most sudden limb drop in Australia is going to be from a eucalypt. The term ‘widow-maker’ was derived in the days of early settlers clearing their land – land covered in eucalypts and not much else. Records from other countries suggest that ‘widow-making’ took place during early settlement as well – but the trees were not eucalypts.

Myth 3 – “Eucalypts with borers, termites or mistletoe should be removed”

Many century-old eucalypts can be host to all three and the tree will continue to survive for another century or two. Borers, termites and mistletoe should be viewed as part of the biodiversity of the tree. Termites for example, eat the dead heartwood of the tree and have little impact on the living sapwood and cambium layers. In this way, they create hollows within the tree which are vital for much of our native wildlife.

(Image of large, stand-alone eucalypt biodiversity hotspot)

Mistletoe presents little problem to any healthy tree, eucalypt or otherwise. Mistletoe may impact a tree which is already under additional stress from other causes; dieback, drought, root zone disturbance, etc.

Myth 4 – “Eucalypt roots are invasive”

Not really. They are opportunistic like the roots of ANY tree and will seek sources of air, water and nutrient, just like any plant does for its survival. Eucalypts generally have shallow root systems. Even some of the tallest, biggest gums may have the bulk of their roots not much more than 50cm below the surface. Finer roots might go deeper in the search of water.

Before worrying about eucalypt roots invading your garden, keep an eye out for; Camphor Laural, fig species, willows, Illawarra Flame Tree, casuarinas, Jacaranda and Plane Trees. All are much more of a worry for root invasion than any eucalypts.

Eucalypts encapsulate so much about Australia. They serve so many functions and there is a eucalypt for every home garden, street or park situation. Eucalypts are our urban evergreen canopy.

(Here’s a link to a series of videos on how to select, grow and maintain suitableeucalypts in the home garden by Eucalypt Australia and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria)

 

 

Eucalypts in urban spaces

Eucalypts play a vital role in all Australia’s rural ecosystems and have done so for millennia. It is now recognised that their role in urban situations is becoming vital too.

Main South Rd Drouin

There are some issues with this. Conflicts of emotions and opinions arise when trying to reconcile a large, old, majestic, historic tree in an urban location with water-seeking roots, dropping limbs, ‘messy’ bark and ‘annoying’ wildlife.

Australia is a large country and has one of the lowest population densities in the world. We also have a very high urbanisation rate of more than 80%. The evidence is very clear that our urban areas are in dire need of more vegetation to provide a connection with nature, lower the urban heat island effect, clean the air, lower the water table, improve our health, provide habitat – and much more.

While exotic species are capable of doing some of this, it is the eucalypts that are best. Eucalypts are adapted to our climate and our soils – they have been here for thousands of years.

‘Gum’ trees play a significant role in the human psyche of most Australians. During World War 1, families would send gum leaves in their letters to those at the front. Nurses wore gum leaves pinned to their capes and it is said that returning soldiers could smell the eucalyptus before land was sighted.

Eucalypts retain their leaves throughout the year: they provide year-round shade and year-round air-cleaning.

In urban zones, wildlife often rely completely on the presence of eucalypts. They provide food, shelter, refuge, breeding sites, habitat for invertebrates (food for other animals), mistletoe, fungi and micro-organisms in the root zones.

In urban areas, old eucs particularly are especially valuable. And yet, as a eucalypt ages, it is often more readily targeted for removal – it has become ‘dangerous’, or, “It isn’t beautiful anymore, we’ll remove it and replace it with something more attractive for our development”. A well-trained arborist knows that old eucs, even dead ones, are as valuable for biodiversity as younger trees are. Also, good arborists appreciate the threshold of acceptable risk and that removal is not always the best answer.

Equally valuable

Maybe the answer lies in the development of ‘designer eucalypts’ – for another day.

Don’t forget to vote for your favourite Drouin eucalypt: Settlement Giant in Settlement Rd, Grandfather Tree in Civic Park, Railway Giant in Albert Rd, Old Swimming Hole Giant in Lampard Rd or the Ficifolia corridor in Princes Way. Just send your vote to drouinsfavouritetree@gmail.com Winner will be announced on National Eucalypt Day at Alex Goudie Park, 23^rd March, 10am.

 

 

 

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Strzelecki Gum

In 1992, Eucalyptus strzeleckii was identified and named in honour of Paul Strzelecki, an early explorer of Gippsland. Strzelecki Gums are endemic to a small part of West and South Gippsland where they tend to grow in deep fertile soils.

Because of its limited distribution, Eucalyptus strzeleckii is listed as Vulnerable under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and as Critically Endangered in the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. In both acts, the major threats to this tree include its limited geographic distribution, fragmentation, grazing and trampling by stock, habitat loss, roadworks and loss of genetic diversity.

Strzelecki Gums generally grow straight and tall - the best specimens seem to grow where their root zones get some periodic inundation. Their trunks can have rough bark to varying heights after which it is smooth and shreds in ribbons revealing grey, white, red, green and brown mottling.

The leaves of the Strzelecki Gum are generally oval to lance shaped and often have wavy edges. New leaves have a grey-blue appearance giving the tips a waxy look. Crushed leaves have a strong eucalyptus smell because of the concentration of oil glands.

McNeilly Park in Jackson Dr Drouin is a great place to see both mature and young Strzelecki Gums. The ‘McNeilly Giant’ in the south west corner, although damaged in a recent wind storm, still dominates the skyline. 

On the east bank of the back lake, a natural-recruitment patch of young strzeleckii is standing tall and straight.

You can vote for Drouin’s favourite tree by emailing drouinsfavouritetree@gmail.com The winning tree will be announced on National Eucalypt Day, Saturday 23^rd March, Alex Goudie Reserve, 10am. Come and meet some of Drouin’s dedicated tree huggers – walks and talks, door prizes, plantings, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Messmate

In 1788, French botanist L'Héritier de Brutelle named a rough-barked tree from Tasmania as Eucalyptus obliqua, the first eucalypt to be named. Messmate, or Messmate Stringybark is a common Gippsland tree.

Messmate grows best in cool, mountain habitats. In ideal conditions, the tree is tall and straight with a coarse fibrous bark extending to the smallest branches.

The species ‘obliqua’ refers to the leaf bases being of unequal length or one side being wider or more round than the other and is a helpful identifier.

Drouin’s most recognised Messmate is the Grandfather Tree in Civic Park. This old, gnarled tree has dominated the locality for probably 200 to 300 years. It contains numerous hollows taken advantage of by some of our urban wildlife.

You can vote for the Grandfather Tree as your favourite Drouin tree by emailing drouinsfavouritetree@gmail.com The winning tree will be announced on National Eucalypt Day at 10am in Alex Goudie Park in Drouin.

 

Mountain Grey Gum

The Mountain Grey Gum, Eucalyptus cypellocarpa, is a classic ‘Gippsland euc’. It usually grows tall and straight to a height of 40+ metres.

Map credit: vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au

The smooth trunks of grey shredding bark are typical but perhaps the best identifying features are the long, lance-shaped leaves and flattened stalks holding the buds/flowers/fruit.

Some of the streets and parks of Drouin are graced with this magnificent tree and the many hollows that some have are a haven for much of our urban wildlife.

This giant in Hearn Park is a classic Mountain Grey Gum

You can vote for Drouin’s favourite eucalypt by email: drouinsfavouritetree@gmail.com The five candidates are (click the links for further information) …

Tree 1 - The Settlement Giant (Mountain Grey Gum) on the corner of Settlement Rd and Springwater Dr.

Tree 2 – The Grandfather Tree (Messmate Stringybark) above the playground in Civic Park.

Tree 3 – The Railway Giant (Mountain Grey Gum) on the corner of Albert Rd and Francis Ave.

Tree 4 – The Old Swimming Hole Giant (Strzelecki Gum) in Lampard Rd opposite the hockey field.

Tree 5 – The Ficifolia corridor in Princes Way between Albert Rd and Main Neerim Rd.

 

National Eucalypt Day

National Eucalypt Day is held annually on March 23rd. The date is the birth date of Bjarne Klaus Dahl, the benefactor of Eucalypt Australia, a charitable trust that supports the conservation of, and research into eucalypts. 

The theme this year is “Celebrating our urban champions”. 

The Friends of Drouin’s Trees is conducting a vote for Drouin’s favourite eucalypt. Drouin is blessed with so many wonderful eucalypts, it was decided to suggest five of the best.

 

You can vote 1-5 or just nominate your favourite by emailing drouinsfavouritetree@gmail.com 

Tree 1 - The Settlement Giant on the corner of Settlement Rd and Springwater Dr. The Settlement Giant is a huge Mountain Grey Gum with a girth of 12.5m and is listed in Australia’s National Register of Big Trees. Historically there was an abattoir in the vicinity and it is remembered that the animals would often shelter in the shade of the tree. The Settlement Giant pre-dates European settlement and is estimated to be 200+ years old. 

Tree 2 – The Grandfather Tree in Civic Park. The Grandfather Tree is a very old Messmate Stringybark full hollows for wildlife. It is located above the playground in Civic Park, clearly visible as you walk on that section of the Two Towns Trail. Recently storm damaged but still standing! 

 Tree 3 – The Railway Giant on the corner of Albert Rd and Francis Ave. Another Mountain Grey Gum, the Railway Giant is beside the railway line in Francis Ave. One wonders at how many train travelers have mused in awe as they approach or depart Drouin station. The tree dominates the view to the south from Albert Rd. 

Tree 4 – The Old Swimming Hole Giant in Lampard Rd This sentinel giant is a Strzelecki Gum, a rare and threatened species that is endemic to parts of West and South Gippsland. The FoDT does a regular working bee in this vicinity and we always pay tribute to this magnificent tree. 

Tree 5 – The Ficifolia Corridor in Princes Way between Albert Rd and Main Neerim Rd. How stunning have these been recently? Corymbia is a sub-genus of Eucalyptus. Ficifolias are a very popular urban tree and now cultivated world-wide. The species is endemic to a small patch of south-west Western 

Australia. 

 A reminder – you can vote 1–5 for your favourite Drouin euc at drouinsfavouritetree@gmail.com 

 On National Eucalypt Day, 23rd March, The Friends of Drouin’s Trees will announce the winner at a small event at Alex Goudie Park, 10 am. Please come along and help us celebrate Drouin’s wonderful urban eucalypts – walks and talks, plantings, ‘door prizes’, etc.

Dealing with stormwater

Stormwater is an asset often regarded as a nuisance. As recent events around the country point out, stormwater in sudden large amounts is a considerable problem in some localities.

Stormwater is defined as rain water that falls to the ground. When rain hits our impervious rooftops, footpaths, road surfaces, car parks, etc. it is normally channeled away through a drainage system that often ends up in our natural waterways.  Any sediments and pollutants picked up on the way will end up in our creeks, streams and wetlands.

By passing directly through drains, the stormwater hasn’t soaked into the soil where it would recharge local groundwater sources and contribute to maintaining a healthy soil biota; the micro-organisms, animals and plants that exist in the soil.

Lost down the drain

Retarding basins are often constructed to help minimize the risk of flooding during heavy rain periods. A retarding basin may simply be a low area of land that for most of the time is just covered in grass or it may be a properly constructed wetland that contains some water 100% of the time and is a biodiversity hotspot.

Froggy Hollow retarding basin Civic Park Drouin

Individually, we can help mitigate the effects of large stormwater run-off events by ensuring our own properties are as permeable as we can make them: plant more plants to soak up the water, replace concrete patios and footpaths with flagstones or a more permeable material (gravel, mulch, permeable concrete or asphalt, etc.), swap lawn for native plants, incorporate trenches into a sloping garden design, construct a ‘rain’ garden, etc.

A few enlightened local governments are exploring various engineering strategies to better deal with stormwater runoff. Street trees in high pedestrian areas are planted with a surround of permeable material that allows stormwater to soak into the root zone but is safe for pedestrians to negotiate. Roadside gutters are constructed with ‘breaks’ to allow the water to soak into the root zones of the trees on the roadside. Rain gardens are built between the footpath and the road – much more efficient at absorbing water than grass ‘nature strips’.

Permeable street tree treatment Moe

Roof gardens, ‘green’ parking lots, increased tree canopy are further examples of green infrastructure that are practical ways of efficiently dealing with increased stormwater run-off that will come with predicted heavier and more frequent rain events. By relying on plants, soil, and natural systems to manage rainfall runoff, green infrastructure tackles urban stormwater issues and boosts climate resilience.

 

 

 

Mt Baw Baw in summer

The Baw Baw Plateau is a special place on our doorstep. The 80 km² plateau is separate from the rest of Victoria’s high country and juts south-east toward the Latrobe Valley. The environment consists of montane forest, rainforest gullies, snow gum woodlands and grassy high plains.

Much of the plateau is contained within the Baw Baw National Park.  The park was gazetted in 1979 but the history of the area goes back much further. Aboriginal presence is thought to be principally in summer for gathering the Bogong Moth, a food prized for its high fat content. The earliest ‘white’ evidence is a map submitted to Governor Latrobe by Charles Tyers in 1844.  Baron von Mueller first visited the area in 1860. 

Mts Whitelaw, St Phillack, St Gwinear, Baw Baw, Tyers, Kernot and Erica are all situated on the plateau. Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort is an unincorporated area under direct administration by Alpine Resorts Victoria of the Victorian State Government. At an elevation of 1567m, Mt Baw Baw is not within the top 50 highest peaks of Victoria.

The climate of the Baw Baw Plateau is sub-alpine. Soils are shallow granites, average rainfall is about 1900mm and snow can cover the ground from July to September. Mt Baw Baw is one of the wettest places on mainland Australia.

The ‘Friends’ spent a few hours at the Baw Baw Village and summit recently and took home some great memories. (Click on images for a larger view or open in a new tab/window)

Alpine Daisy-bush is a woody, low shrub that is found in swampy tracts in the alpine regions. Although not listed as threatened in Victoria, its distribution is thinly spread but it can be locally abundant.

Alpine Trachymene is an endangered (F&FGA Victoria) ground-hugging herb found in damp regions above the snowline. It is also found in the high country areas of Tasmania and NSW.

The Australian Pipit is a widely distributed grassland bird. It can be found from the coast to the alps. Most of the lowland pipits are sedentary but the alpine ones are probably altitudinal migrants.

Flame Robins breed in the summer in the higher country. During winter, they mostly descend to the ‘warmer’ lower zones. On Baw Baw, Flame Robins often live up to their scientific name petroica which means rock-dweller – they are regularly seen on top of mossy rocks.

Macleay’s Swallowtail is the most southern of the graphium butterflies, even reaching parts of Tasmania. Mostly they fly high, but on Mt Baw Baw in early summer, they can be found feeding on lower vegetation. They offer a bit of a challenge to the photographer as they dart quickly between flowers and feed with quivering wings. 

The Mauve Leek-orchid is quite common in scattered locations on exposed slopes of the plateau. It flowers mostly throughout early summer. The species can have small variations between different populations.

There are six species of small, brown Xenica butterflies found in the higher country – and sometimes lower down. The Silver Xenica is a widespread and variable species mainly found between elevations of 700 to 1500 metres.

The amazing Trigger Plant gets its name from its unique means of pollination. When an insect lands on the flower in search of some nectar, a club-shaped ‘trigger’ with a pollen packet on the end, springs explosively up from under the petals and strikes the insect. The pollen deposited on the insect is used to help pollinate the next flower it visits. A white form of Trigger Plant is far less common.

The snowfields of the Baw Baw Plateau are a popular winter playground for skiing enthusiasts. In summer they are an amateur naturalist’s delight.