The Grange Flora Families Introduction

Heathland Plant Families

Descriptions of these families and examples of plants found in The Grange are found later in this section.

Differences in Wet Heathland and Dry Heathland families Heaths can be described as wet or dry according to the water content of soils. Wet heathlands are dominated by the families Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, and Restionaceae and occur in soils that are seasonally waterlogged. In contrast dry heathland shrubs like those found in the families Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae and Proteaceae thrive in well-drained soils.

Distribution of Heathlands

The soils are often sandy and low in nutrients because of leaching. True heathlands are found in small patches in most temperate areas and often form a mosaic with dry sclerophyll forest. In some areas the heath species can be the understorey in communities dominated by tall shrubs (Banksia), low scattered trees (Allocasuarina) or tall dense trees (Eucalyptus).

Heathland Areas in Australia

The Grange Flora Families Family Myrtaceae

Family Myrtaceae (Mer-tay-see-ay)

(Photo: Ilma Dunn) The Swamp Gum, Eucaluptus ovata, with Cup-shaped White Flowers and Woody Fruit		Silky Tea-Tree Leptospernum myrsinoides
The Swamp Gum tolerates wet winters and dry summers, and flowers in autumn and early winter. Its leaves are dotted with oil-glands and almost round when a sapling, but lengthen to 15cm when a mature tree.		The Heath or Silky Tea tree, Leptospermum myrsinoides is an example of Myrtaceae in The Grange. It is a shrub that grows to 2.5m, and in Spring produces white to pale pink flowers, with cup shaped bases.

The Grange Flora Families Family Proteaceae

Family Proteaceae (Pro-tea-ay-see-ay)

The Proteaceae family is most abundant in heathlands and woodlands. It contains trees and shrubs, some of which have spectacular flowers, some with bright colours. In Australia, well-known members of this family include Banksia, Hakea and Grevillea. All of which belong to the same sub-family. The Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) is prominent shrub found at The Grange. Its barrel shaped yellow flowers are seen from mid spring to early autumn, and grow up to 10cm long. Its adult leaves are slightly inverted on the tips, and are silver underneath. Banksia flowers attract wattlebirds. The Yellow Hakea (Hakea nodosa) is a shrub with narrow leaves to 4cm long. It produces tiny yellow flowers in autumn and winter. These turn into a woody oval fruit, which is covered in small wart-like bumps

(Photo: Ilma Dunn) Silver Banksia Banksia marginata Yellow Hakea Hakea nodosa

The Grange Flora Families Family Liliaceae

Family Liliaceae (Lil-ee-ay-see-ay)

The lily family is common in the understorey of heath communities. In The Grange, their delicate flowers colour the springtime.

(Photo: Ilma Dunn) Black-Anther Flax Lily Dianella revoluta		(Photo: Ilma Dunn) The Chocolate Lily Arthropodium strictum
The Black-Anther or Spreading Flax Lily (Dianella revoluta) is prominent along the walking tracks on the northern side of The Grange. It has long dark green leaves, up to 70cm. Its deep blue flowers, rise on stalks rise above the foliage, for most of the year, except June and July.		The Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum) has delicate mauve flowers, on long thin branched stems. It flowers from October to December, and has a delicious chocolate perfume.

The Grange Flora Families Family Orchidaceae

Family Orchidaceae (Or-kid-ay-see-ay)

The Diuris genera is commonly known as the Donkey Orchids or Double tails. The Grange is home to the Leopard and Tiger Orchids, both of which have spectacular flowers.

The Tiger Orchid Diuris sulphurea		The Leopard Orchid Diuris pardina
The Tiger Orchid (Diuris sulphurea) has yellow flowers with brown markings, and long "fang-like" petals protruding to the front.		The Leopard Orchid (Diuris pardina) is yellow with large brown spots. It flowers in spring. Insects generally pollinate these orchids. Insects are attracted to their sweet nectar. As insects climb in to the flower they move pollen to the stigma, to help the plant make seeds.

Maroon Hood Pterostylis pedunculata An orchid genus that is well represented in The Grange, is Pterostylis. They are commonly known as Greenhoods because usually they have green hood-shaped petals at the top of the flower. However, this hood petal can sometimes be red or brown. The Maroonhood, as the name suggests has a hood shaded a rusty maroon colour. It has single flower on its stems in winter and spring.   The Prawn Orchid Pterostylis pedaglossa The Nodding Greenhood Pterostylis nutans   The Prawn Orchid (Pterostylis pedaglossa) is a rare plant that is usually hidden and hard to see. It has long thin ends on its sepals, which resemble the antennae on prawns. The Nodding Greenhood (Pterostylis nutans) is possibly the best known of this genus. It is widespread across Australia, and flowers in winter and spring.

The Grange is home to Thelymitra, a genus of beautiful flowers. They are known as Sun Orchids because their flowers open wider in the sunshine.

They have tubers which divide, and over time may increase to form small patches of Sun Orchids. Sun orchids come in many colours from pink, yellow, red and purple. The Thelymitra species in The Grange are mostly blue. The Grange is home to the Sun Orchid Thelymitra holmisii, which has beautiful blue flower spikes.

Sun Orchid Thelymitra holmisii

Sun Orchid with Hover Fly

As the pictures suggest they attract insects, such as the hover fly, which may help to pollinate the flower.

Hyacinth Orchid Dipodium punctatum

There are three other genera represented in The Grange. These are the Pink Fingers Orchid, the Hyacinth Orchid, and The Wax lip. The Hyacinth Orchid usually has pink spotted flowers. It is an interesting plant, in that it has no leaves. It obtains all its food from rotting organic matter with the help of special fungus in the ground. An organism that feeds on dead matter is known as a saprophyte. The Pink Fingers Orchid, Caladenia carnea var. carnea is a delicate with 4 front petals which look like pink fingers. It flowers from August to September. The Large Wax Lip Orchid usually has purple flowers, about 4.5 cm across. They flower briefly, emitting a sweet smell. This attracts native bees, which help pollinate the flowers.

Pink Fingers Orchid Caladenia carnea var. carnea

Large Wax Lip Orchid Glossodia major

The Grange Flora Families Family Restionaceae

Family Restionaceae (Rest-ee-on-ay-see-ay)

The Common Scale Rush, Lepryrodia muelleri, is found in damp places. It grows to 60cm high, and has no leaves on the stems, rather little sheaths.

The coarse twine rush, Leptocarpus brownii, is found in wet areas, east in The Grange. It grows to 1m high, and male flowers are reddish brown, and females golden brown.

The Grange Flora Families Family Casuarinaceae

Family Casuarinaceae (Caz-you-ree-nay-see-ay)

The Grange is home to the Swamp Sheoke, Allocasurina paludosa, a dwarf tree, which grows in the wetter areas of the reserve. It has brown male flowers from autumn to spring.

Dwarf Sheoke Nut Allocasurina paradoxa

The Dwarf Sheoke (Allocasurina paradoxa) also grows in The Grange, but it prefers the drier areas in the west of the reserve. It has male flowers that are rusty-brown, in September to November. This tree is only found in Victoria.

The Grange Flora Families Family Epacridaceae

Family Epacridaceae (Ep-acrid-ay-see-ay)

Common Heath Epacris impressa

The Victorian Floral Emblem, the Common Heath, Epacris impressa is found in The Grange. It is a heathy shrub with impressive spikes of white or pink flowers. The Grange is home to the Honey Pots, a sparse shrub that grows to 1m. The flowers are a clear green, and are full of nectar, hence the name. The Bunurong people would have enjoyed the sweet nectar in these flowers. Honey Pots produces flowers from May to October.

(Photo: Ilma Dunn)

Honey Pots
Acrotriche serrulata

The Grange Flora Families Family Fabaceae

Family Fabaceae (Fab-ay-see-ay)

The Common Aotus Aotus ericoides is a shrub found at The Grange, which grows to 1.5m. Its flowers are yellow with red markings, and appear from August to December.

Common Aotus Aotus ericoides

(Photo: Ilma Dunn) Common Flat Pea Platylobium obtusangulum

The Grange is home to the Common Flat Pea, Platylobium obtusangulum. It is a small bush that grows to 1m high. The leaves are shaped like arrowheads and the tips are sharp. The flowers are yellow and red, and occur in spring and early summer.

The Grange Flora Families Family Mimosaceae

Family Mimosaceae (Mim-oe-say-see-ay)

Mimosaceae is an important plant family in Australia. The genus Acacia, the Wattles, is well known in our natural landscape. Wattles species range in heights from low shrubs, to tall trees. Their flowers are usually yellow balls or rod-shaped. Acacias vary in their leaf shapes, and this often helps to tell them apart. The Grange is home to many species of wattles.

Blackwood Wattle Acacia melanoxylon

The Blackwood Wattle (Acacia melanoxylon) is one of the longest-lived wattles, growing into a large tree, up to 15m. It has cream flowers from July to October. It produces hard coated seeds which often need fire to germinate. This was an important tree for the Bunurong people.

The Heath Wattle (Acacia brownii) is a shrubby tree which grows to 2m. It has stiff thin leaves that are common to other heathland plants. It produces golden, ball-like flowers from winter to early summer.

Heath Wattle Acacia brownii

Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii

The Grange is also home to the Black Wattle, A. mearnsii. This is a tree which grows to 10m high, and its leaves are feathery and dark green. It produces light yellow ball-shaped flowers with strong perfume, from spring to early summer. This was an important tree for the Bunurong people, for tool making, medicine and food.

The Spike Wattle is a small tree which grows to 5m high. This wattle produces yellow rod-shaped flower spikes, in winter and spring. Its flat spikey leaves are characteristic of plants found in the heathland environment.

Spike Wattle Acacia oxycedrus

Hedge Wattle Acacia paradoxa

The Hedge Wattle is a thick shrub with sharp thorns. Birds like to nest among the spikes, as it keeps them safe from predators. It produces yellow ball-shaped flowers from August to November. The Hedge Wattle leaves have crinkled edges.