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.

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.

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— The Coolabah, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The coolabah and the grey box are two common tropical trees which closely resemble each other in bark, foliage and other characters, but which differ widely in their soil requirements and in their timbers. Both are numbered among the most valuable trees of the Kimberley district because of the strength and durability of their exceedingly hard timbers and their resistance to the ravages of the termite.

Trees Of Western Australia - The Grey Box, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

In the grey box the rough bark extends to the ultimate branches, unlike that of the coolabah where the smaller branches are usually smooth. The grey box is the common tree of the basalt areas to the north of the King Leopold Range, but unlike the coolabah it is not found along the streams but is more typical of the stony hills and undulating country. Its occurrence is so closely connected there with basalt and andesite, that this particular soil type can at once be mapped by reference to the grey box trees.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia: The Thorn Apples (Datura Species), C A. Gardner, H W. Bennetts

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Many garden enthusiasts are familiar with a shrub or small tree known as the "Angel's Trumpet" or "Trumpet-flowered Brugmansia." Some nurserymen call it "Brugsmania." There is another garden favourite which does not appear to possess a common name but is an annual or perennial plant from one to four feet in height, of summer growth and carrying erect violet or white trumpet-shaped flowers succeeded by large bristly or prickly pods. Both these are species of Datura. Another species is native to Western Australia while four more are introduced noxious weeds.

Trees Of Western Australia— Lemon-Flowered Gum, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The Lemon-flowered Gum is one of the lesser-known trees of the Eastern Goldfields. Originally discovered by Richard Helms, botanist to the Elder Exploration Expedition, 60 miles to the south of Victoria Spring, in 1892, it was not rediscovered until specimens were collected by Henry Dean, consulting engineer for the Trans-Australian Railway, near Zanthus in 1909. In that year it received from Maiden, Government Botanist of New South Wales, the name which commemorates Bernard H. Woodward, then Director of the Museum and Art Gallery in Perth.

Trees Of Western Australia— White Mallee, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

This species is usually found in mallee form, growing from 10 to 18 feet tall, but may at times possess a single stem, and is thus a small tree. Both mallee and tree forms have characteristically a broad 'base or stock, so that frequently in the mallee forms the individual stems arise well above the soil level from a large domelike base. As a tree the stem may be as much as 18 inches in diameter. The species is characterised in the field by its white or pink bark which is covered throughout externally with a white smooth talc-like powder. …

Trees Of Western Australia— Coral-Flowered Gum, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Among the more decorative small trees available for planting in the Eastern Agricultural Areas, there are few more suitable that Eucalyptus torquata. This tree, known also as the "Christmas Tree" of the Coolgardie and Dundas districts usually blooms during December, and its handsome drooping coral-pink blossoms make it a conspicuous object in the woodlands at that season of the year. It was first discovered by L. C. Webster near Coolgardie in 1901, on a stretch of stony dioritic country 25 miles in length and about a quarter of a mile in breadth. It is found at least as far south …

Trees Of Western Australia - Swamp Or Flat Topped Yate, Brown Mallet And Four-Winged Mallee, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The two trees described here under may be readily distinguished when growing as they differ considerably in their barks and general appearance and grow under different conditions, but in common with some other trees of the Southwest each has the mallee form, and the mallee forms are very difficult to distinguish.

The Wedge-Leaved Rattlepod, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

During the last two years, work has been in progress near Fitzroy Crossing (West Kimberley) upon an investigation to determine the cause of Kimber- Iey Horse Disease, commonly known as "Walkabout Disease." The investigations are still in progress, and the findings when completed, will be published elsewhere, but the discovery that Crotalaria retusa L. is a cause—and probably the major cause —of this disease is of considerable importance. Because of this it is considered advisable to assist pastoralists to recognise the plant and by providing information on its habit, occurrence and distribution, to enable them to take steps to minimise …

Trees Of Western Australia - Gimlets And Pear Fruited Mallee, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Next to the salmon gum, the gimlet tree is perhaps the best-known of the trees of the Eastern Agricultural Districts and the Eastern Goldfields. A thin reddish brown bark, and a fluted or spirally-twisted trunk (especially in the young trees), distinguish at a- glance the gimlet trees or fluted gums from all other Eucalyptus trees. This bark has a thin outer layer which when removed reveals a sappy pale green, inner bark, and sometimes this inner green bark is exposed when the trees shed their reddish-brown outer bark towards the end of summer.

Trees Of Western Australia - Salmon Gum And Scarlet Pear Gum, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The name salmonophloia, meaning salmon-barked, was given to this tree in 1878 by Ferdinand Mueller, the famous Australian botanist. The title of "Salmon- Barked Gum-Tree" had already been bestowed upon this tree by the early settlers, a name which apparently referred to the colour of the bark in fracture when it resembles the colour of cooked salmon flesh. The external colouration varies from a brownish pink at the end of summer to almost white in winter, usually with greyish-purple patches.

Dahlias - Lifting And Storing The Tubers, F Jackson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Now that the flowering season for dahlias has finished, arrangements must be made for lifting and storing the tubers. Many losses occur each year during the dormant period and most of these are due either to carelessness or lack of knowledge. While the storage provided for dahlias during the winter months may be thoroughly satisfactory, tubers are often lost because of the treatments received by the plants during the growing period.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia: Isotropis, C A. Gardner, H W. Bennetts

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

The genus Isotropis is restricted to Australia. Of the total of nine species six are recorded in Western Australia, two of them being known as "Lamb poisons" while the remainder have no common names. Three are known to be toxic to stock, but concerning the remaining three we have no definite information.

* Poison Plants of Western Australia is an ongoing series of articles. "Toxic Plants of the Genus Isotropis" is the subtitle and primary focus of this article.

Trees Of Western Australia - Tuart And Illyarrie, C A. Gardner

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Early settlers of the Swan River Colony soon learnt to value the timber of a tree which the aborigines called "Tooart." It ranked with that of the jarrah in local importance and, because of its toughness, was used for keelsons, stern posts, bridge supports, shafts and wheelright's work—in short for all purposes where great strength, solidity and durability were needed.