Native plant nursery and wetland
Peter Orchard
Adjunct
This area was begun in 2011 to enhance the biodiversity and appearance of the area. We are
monitoring the return of animals to the area, including the beneficial species that prey on crop pests.
The native plant nursery currently houses approximately 45 plant species collected from the Wagga
Wagga area. The bulk of these were planted in 2012, with additional plantings in autumn and winter
2013. The species selected include:
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Several Acacia species (A. buxifolia, A. cardiophylla, A. cultriformis, A. decora, A.
genistifolia, A. lanigera, A. montana, A. paradoxa, A. pycnantha, A. spectabilis, A. verniciflua,
A. deanei, A. brachybotrya, A. aspera, A. acinacea, A. hakeoides and A. flexifolia)
•
Shrub and herb legumes (Indigofera australis, Senna artemisioides, S. barclayana,
Hardenbergia violacea, Eutaxia microphylla, Dillwynia sericea, D. sieberi, Pultenaea
foliolosa, P. largiflorens, and P. setulosa)
•
Shrubs (Cassinia longifolia, Spyridium parvifolium and Prostanthera denticulata) and native
blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa)
•
Groundcovers (Xerochrysum viscosum, Einadia nutans, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, C.
semipapposum, Wahlenbergia species, Isotoma axillaris, Calotis cuneifolia, C. lappulacea,
and Podolepis jaceoides)
•
The grasses Elymus scaber, Rytidosperma pallidum, R. fulvum, Austrostipa tuckeri, A.
densiflora, Microlaena stipoides, and Poa sieberiana
Despite the dry conditions from March 2012 to April 2013, most of the native plants have
established well and are transforming the appearance of the wetland and native plant area
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Several species (Platylobium formosum, Dichopogon species and Brunonia australis) failed to survive
over summer, and these will be replanted or, if necessary, replaced.
Future additions will include the currawang wattle (Acacia doratoxylon), a selection of larger local
shrubs (Calytrix tetragona, Leptospermum continentale and two subspecies of Dodonaea viscosa), a
wider range of shrub and herb legumes (Goodia medicaginea, Templetonia stenophylla, three species
of Daviesia and two species of Glycine), a selection of understorey species (Vittadinia sp.,
Cheiranthera linearis, Pomax umbellata, Convolvulus erubescens, Phyllanthus hirtellus, Lomandra
multiflora, and Dianella longifolia), two saltbushes (Rhagodia spinescens and Enchylaena tomentose),
two grevilleas (G. alpina and G. floribunda), additional grasses (Themeda triandra and Dichelachne
crinita) and a variant of Wagga’s floral emblem, the silver banksia (Banksia marginata).
Acknowledgement
CSU Green Initiative
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