The Australian Plants Society (Victoria) is dedicated to promoting, growing and the conservation of Australian native plants, in gardens, community areas and their original environments.
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From the APS Vic Facebook page
Sword sedges (Gahnia species) may cut you if you are not careful but they make dramatic garden plants and many butterflies depend on them for caterpillar food!Over a quarter of Australia's butterflies use native grasses as their host-plants. More than 27 species of butterfly use ‘Saw-Sedges’ and ‘Swordgrasses’ (Gahnia species) – named after their hacksaw-edged leaves – which can easily cut through skin! [These cuts are similar to a really bad paper-cut – so caution is recommended when handling them]![]()
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Saw-Sedges and Swordgrasses not only defend themselves from being grazed by Kangaroos and Wallabies with their finely-serrated leaves – they also resist bushfires by retaining high levels of moisture in their leaves – particularly at their base. Because of this Gahnia are some of the first plants to recover after bushfires. Butterfly caterpillars that are able to eat these tough leaves will bury themselves down into the hearts of these tough, fire-resistent, plants to shelter and eventually pupate – so will also have a good chance of surviving bushfires!![]()
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Many areas of native Swordgrass and Saw-Sedge have been cleared. Can you help bring them back? They make essential additions to habitat corridors, parklands, regeneration projects – even gardens – when planted away from paths. There are many species of Gahnia found all over Australia – so it’s important to source local species from your region when planting.![]()
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The 'Red-Fruit Saw-Sedge' (Gahnia sieberiana) is found down much of the eastern coast and much of Tasmania, and along the south coast to Adelaide. It is the host-plant to at least 11 species of butterfly – and is available from native plant nurseries in these areas. More about Red-Fruit Saw-Sedge here: anpsa.org.au/plant_profiles/gahnia-sieberiana![]()
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[Distribution maps are in the Comments]
The Australian Plants Society Keilor Plains group is assisting this honours student with research into Ptilotus macrocephalus on the western plains- but she also needs volunteers to assist.An Honours researcher at La Trobe University is looking for a couple extra helpers for upcoming fieldwork. ![]()
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Susan will primarily need people to help with flagging plants (i.e. assigning each one a number), measuring plants and counting numbers of flower stems. Own transport (though we may be able to arrange carpooling between helpers) and a good level of fitness is required, along with long pants/gaiters, sturdy shoes and sun protection. ![]()
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The study is investigating the population trajectory of Ptilotus macrocephalus (Featherheads) given the loss and fragmentation of important habitat across the Victorian Volcanic Plains. Plant measurements are to be used as a proxy for plant age, and with the size class distribution data should be able to make some deductions about which populations are recruiting new seedlings (and what factors influence their ability to recruit).![]()
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See the poster below for contact details and dates.
Bargain sale of indigenous plants at Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-op (VINC) before summer.It’s that time of year: our hiko stock needs to go in the ground and we are offering them at a good price. ![]()
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$25 per full tray or 65c per plant. ![]()
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We have a range of grass and sedge species. Our feature plant today is Microlaena stipoides (Weeping Grass) which can be used as a lawn. ![]()
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#nativegrasses #microlaena #indigenousplants #mowless #fertiliseless #waterless
Interesting article from Emma Cutting about Introduced Honey Bees vs Native Bees. 🐝
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