Life Sciences Commons^™

Wildflowers Of The Geraldton District, E M. Bennett

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE wildflowers of Western Australia which have aroused such interest throughout the world are found largely in the south western corner of the State.

Within this area, and indeed in the drier areas also, certain districts are richer than others.

One example of this concentration of wildflowers occurs to the north and east of Geraldton.

Wildflowers Of The Stirling Range, Alexander S. George

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

TWO hundred miles south-east of Perth, the Stirling Range rises abruptly from the surrounding plain. About forty miles long, it is a line of semi-isolated hills, rather than a continuous block.

There are many intriguing plants of diverse colour and form. Well over 400 species are known from the Range. A number of these are found no-where else, and some are restricted to one mountain.

Why Botanical Names Are Necessary, Robert Dunlop Royce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

BOTANISTS engaged in naming plants are ofen asked "Why can't you speak English?"

The answer becomes quite clear as the inquirers learn more and more about plants and find people calling the same plant by quite different names.

Poison Plant Problems, T E H Aplin

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A POISON plant may be defined as a plant which, when eaten by humans or animals, exerts harmful effects or causes death by virtue of its toxic substances.

Supplementary List Of Disease Recorded On Various Hosts In Western Australia, G C. Macnish

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THIS supplement contains the diseases recorded on all hosts during the period July 1, 1961 and June 30, 1963 inclusive.

A few disease records omitted from previous census have been incorporated. A list of previous publications in this series is appended. Also appended is a list of common names of host plants to facilitate reference.

Skeleton Weed, G R W Meadly

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

SKELETON WEED—Australia's worst weed of cereal crops—was found for the first time in Western Australia last month.

The outbreak was reported to the Department of Agriculture by a Ballidu farmer who found an unknown weed on his property and suspected that it could be skeleton weed.

An immediate inspection was made and skeleton weed was found over about quarter of an acre in one paddock.

Diseases Recorded On Native Plants, Weeds, Field And Fibre Crops In Western Australia, G C. Macnish

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

This list is divided into three sections, the first dealing with native plants, the second with weeds (except grasses) and third with field and fibre crops.

Polythene For Fruit Growers, Frank Melville

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ALMOST everybody has some contact with that versatile plastic polythene—or polyethylene as the Americans prefer to call it.

It may be as a wrapper for a shirt purchased at the city store, as a vegetable pack in the supermarket, as a protection for new concrete or in a multitude of other uses in industry, commerce and the home.

Farm Flora Sancturies, Robert Dunlop Royce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

NOW that several species of native plants have become totally extinct and many more are becoming rare almost to the point of extinction, interest in the scientific and aesthetic potential of the West Australian flora is awakening.

Collecting Plant Specimens. 2. Specimens For Disease Identification, G C. Macnish

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

PLANT SPECIMENS submitted to the Department of Agriculture for disease identification are referred to officers of the Plant Pathology Branch, and in most cases a rapid diagnosis can be made.

Collecting Plant Specimens. 1. Specimens For Identification, Robert Dunlop Royce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

PLANT NAMES and the naming of plant specimens are of fundamental importance in many branches of science, including agriculture.

To the farmer, too, accuracy in naming poisonous plants and weeds, as well as fodder and pasture species, can save much trouble and expense, and may be responsible for avoiding heavy stock losses.

Government Botanist Retires, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

MR CHARLES AUSTIN GARDNER, West Australian Government Botanist since 1927, retired from active service with the Department of Agriculture on July 5, 1960.

Studies In The Mulga Pastoral Zone. 2. Some Aspects Of The Value Of The Mulga Scrub, D G. Wilcox

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE mulga pastoral zone is so named since most of its area is dominated by Mulga (Acacia aneura).

The mulga is found associated with shrubs and grasses in almost all plant habitats. In its various forms it can associate with spinifex (Triodia basedowi), Wandarrie Grasses (Danthonia, Eragostis and Eriachne spp.) and with low shrubs on flood plains, hills and breakaways. It may even attempt to become established in salty communities, though this is never completely successful.

The scene the area offers from its low hills is one of a succession of low undulations, occasionally scarred by creeks or breakaways and …

Trees Of Western Australia. 63. Yellow Tingle (E. Guifoylei, Maiden). 64. Weeping Gum (E. Sepulcralis, F. Muell.). 65. Kingsmill's Mallee (E. Kingsmillii Maiden Et Blakely). 66. Hopetoun Mallee (E. Leptocalyx, W.F. Blakely). 67. Capped Mallee (E. Pileata, W.F. Blakely). 68. Eucalyptus Carnabyi (Blakely And Steedman). 69. Tallerack (E. Tretragona (R.Br.) F. Muell.). 70. Eucalyptus Micranthera (F. Muell. Ex. Benth.), Charles Austin Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE yellow tingle is one of the large forest trees of the lower South-West, and although it possesses many good qualities, its limited range renders it of less importance than its associates—the jarrah and karri.