Buddlejaceae, Cactaceae & Caesalpiniaceae

DICOTYLEDONS

BUDDLEJACEAE - Buddleia Family

A small family of shrubs from tropical regions, two naturalised in Western Australia. Buddleias were popular plants in older gardens, as they have strongly-scented, colourful flowers that attract butterflies. Several species may persist around old settlements and Buddleja dysophylla (white flowers) and B. madagascariensis (yellow flowers) are both naturalised in Kings Park. Both are native to Madagascar.

Buddleja madagascariensis , GK

CACTACEAE - Cactus Family

Fleshy or woody perennials, usually leafless, with succulent green prickly stems modified into cylindrical segments or flattened lobes that regenerate readily if detached. Most of the 1000 to 2000 species are native to arid tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Americas. One naturalised in Western Australia.Opuntia stricta (common prickly pear) DP PP. Originally cultivated for its edible fruit, this cactus has become naturalised in many parts of the state. It grows to several metres high and wide. The pale yellow flowers up to 7cm across are produced in spring and early summer, followed by reddish, fleshy fruit up to 4x8cm. A declared plant north of 26° latitude. Significant populations occur in the west Pilbara, the Dampier Archipelago and in riverine thickets along the Chapman River at Geraldton. Recently, an Opuntia infestation has been recorded near Esperance.

Opuntia stricta , APB

CAESALPINIACEAE - Cassia Family

A large family of some 2500 species of trees, shrubs and herbs, closely related to the peas. The leaves are usually pinnate and the fruit is a pod. They are widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions, less common in temperate areas. The family includes many plants introduced for ornamental and economic reasons, such as poinciana, carob and tamarind. In Western Australia there are 47 native species and at least seven naturalised ones. Caesalpinia gilliesii (bird of paradise) is a large, ornamental shrub, with feathery, fern-like foliage. The flowers are borne terminally, with the yellow petals widespread, and the long red stamens curving up and out. A garden escape, occasional on wasteland and roadsides around Daveyhurst in the Goldfields. Native to South America.
Cassiafistula (golden shower). When in flower, this small tree is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the world. Originally from India and Sri Lanka, it is now widespread in the tropics. Soon after the first rains, it produces numerous hanging clusters of sweet-scented, golden flowers, followed by long, dark, tube-like pods, once the source of the laxative cascara. It has escaped on Koolan Island, and in the King Leopold Range, and has the potential to do so elsewhere.

Caesalpinia gilliesii, PH

Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust) is a deciduous tree that can reach 30m under favourable conditions but often less. It has very large, rigid, branched spines, bipinnate foliage, insignificant green flowers and long (45cm) brown pods. Originally from the eastern USA, it is planted as a shade tree and lopped in some countries as drought-relief fodder. It reproduces by seed and root suckers and has the potential to become more widespread in Western Australia. Parkinsonia aculeata (parkinsonia, Jerusalem thorn) DP is a large, spiny shrub or small tree, that has pinnate leaves with up to 100 pairs of small (1.5-4cm) leaflets and spikes of yellow flowers in the leaf axils. Branches are green, drooping, slender and somewhat zigzag. Introduced for shade and ornamental purposes, it was often planted around wells and watering points. However, it has become a serious weed, especially along rivers, in the pastoral areas in the Pilbara and Kimberley, forming dense, impenetrable thickets. The pods float, and are dispersed by floods. Native to warm temperate and tropical America.

Parkinsonia aculeata , JD

Senna (many species formerly included in Cassia) is a large genus that includes many native species. Several others have been introduced for ornamental purposes. Three are probably naturalised, with many others having the potential to do the same. All have yellow flowers. Consult a specialist text for exact identification. S. alata(candle bush, ringworm shrub) is a large evergreen spreading shrub to 4m tall. The leaves are divided, with 8-12 pairs of large oblong leaflets. It flowers from May to July. Native to South America, introduced as a ornamental. Naturalised in creeklines at Kununurra and Koolan Island, also around Lake Argyle. Declared noxious in Northern Territory. S. occidentalis (coffee senna) is a pantropical weed believed to have originated in tropical America. In Africa the seeds are roasted as a coffee substitute. Widely distributed in the Kimberley and also found near Port Hedland and once recorded from Perth. It is a shrub growing to 2.5m, with pods 9-12cm long and leaves to 17cm with broad, elliptic leaflets. May be toxic to stock.

Senna occidentalis , RR

S. surattensis (Singapore shower) is a small tree with leaves to 25cm long with ovate leaflets, and sprays of showy flowers in the upper leaf axils. It grows in vine thickets and near-coastal areas in the Kimberley and may be native. Alternatively, as it has long been cultivated in tropical Asia as a drug plant - a laxative is extracted from both pods and leaves - and it may have been introduced prior to European settlement. S. tora(Java bean) DP resembles S. occidentalis and is currently being eradicated from Kalumburu. Tamarindus indica (tamarind) is a tall, spreading tree, often planted for shade in tropical regions. It is probably native to Africa, and has become established in the Kimberley at sites where the Macassans camped while searching for trepang. It is naturalised near Broome. The flowers are somewhat orchid-like in appearance, yellowish-brown and carried in terminal racemes. They emit a delicate perfume in the evening. The pods are felted with rusty hairs. The edible fruit pulp is used in Asia to flavour drinks, food and chutney, while the bark is a source of tannin.

Tamarindus indica, RR

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A large family of some 2500 species of trees, shrubs and herbs, closely related to the peas. The leaves are usually pinnate and the fruit is a pod. They are widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions, less common in temperate areas. The family includes many plants introduced for ornamental and economic reasons, such as poinciana, carob and tamarind. In Western Australia there are 47 native species and at least seven naturalised ones. *Caesalpinia gilliesii* (bird of paradise) is a large, ornamental shrub, with feathery, fern-like foliage. The flowers are borne terminally, with the yellow petals widespread, and the long red stamens curving up and out. A garden escape, occasional on wasteland and roadsides around Daveyhurst in the Goldfields. Native to South America. *Cassiafistula* (golden shower). When in flower, this small tree is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the world. Originally from India and Sri Lanka, it is now widespread in the tropics. Soon after the first rains, it produces numerous hanging clusters of sweet-scented, golden flowers, followed by long, dark, tube-like pods, once the source of the laxative cascara. It has escaped on Koolan Island, and in the King Leopold Range, and has the potential to do so elsewhere.	*Caesalpinia gilliesii*, PH
*Gleditsia triacanthos* (honey locust) is a deciduous tree that can reach 30m under favourable conditions but often less. It has very large, rigid, branched spines, bipinnate foliage, insignificant green flowers and long (45cm) brown pods. Originally from the eastern USA, it is planted as a shade tree and lopped in some countries as drought-relief fodder. It reproduces by seed and root suckers and has the potential to become more widespread in Western Australia. *Parkinsonia aculeata* (parkinsonia, Jerusalem thorn) DP is a large, spiny shrub or small tree, that has pinnate leaves with up to 100 pairs of small (1.5-4cm) leaflets and spikes of yellow flowers in the leaf axils. Branches are green, drooping, slender and somewhat zigzag. Introduced for shade and ornamental purposes, it was often planted around wells and watering points. However, it has become a serious weed, especially along rivers, in the pastoral areas in the Pilbara and Kimberley, forming dense, impenetrable thickets. The pods float, and are dispersed by floods. Native to warm temperate and tropical America.	*Parkinsonia aculeata* , JD
*Senna* (many species formerly included in Cassia) is a large genus that includes many native species. Several others have been introduced for ornamental purposes. Three are probably naturalised, with many others having the potential to do the same. All have yellow flowers. Consult a specialist text for exact identification. *S. alata(candle bush, ringworm shrub) is a large evergreen spreading shrub to 4m tall. The leaves are divided, with 8-12 pairs of large oblong leaflets. It flowers from May to July. Native to South America, introduced as a ornamental. Naturalised in creeklines at Kununurra and Koolan Island, also around Lake Argyle. Declared noxious in Northern Territory. S. occidentalis* (coffee senna) is a pantropical weed believed to have originated in tropical America. In Africa the seeds are roasted as a coffee substitute. Widely distributed in the Kimberley and also found near Port Hedland and once recorded from Perth. It is a shrub growing to 2.5m, with pods 9-12cm long and leaves to 17cm with broad, elliptic leaflets. May be toxic to stock.	*Senna* *occidentalis* , RR
*S. surattensis* (Singapore shower) is a small tree with leaves to 25cm long with ovate leaflets, and sprays of showy flowers in the upper leaf axils. It grows in vine thickets and near-coastal areas in the Kimberley and may be native. Alternatively, as it has long been cultivated in tropical Asia as a drug plant - a laxative is extracted from both pods and leaves - and it may have been introduced prior to European settlement. *S. tora(Java bean) DP resembles S. occidentalis* and is currently being eradicated from Kalumburu. *Tamarindus indica* (tamarind) is a tall, spreading tree, often planted for shade in tropical regions. It is probably native to Africa, and has become established in the Kimberley at sites where the Macassans camped while searching for trepang. It is naturalised near Broome. The flowers are somewhat orchid-like in appearance, yellowish-brown and carried in terminal racemes. They emit a delicate perfume in the evening. The pods are felted with rusty hairs. The edible fruit pulp is used in Asia to flavour drinks, food and chutney, while the bark is a source of tannin.	*Tamarindus indica*, RR