DICOTYLEDONS
 

MOLLUGINACEAE

A family of some 100 species of occasionally succulent herbs and shrubs, often included in Aizoaceae. It is found mainly in tropical and sub-tropical regions, especially in Africa. In Western Australia there are 10 native and one naturalised species. Galenia pubescensis a grey, hairy, prostrate perennial, with small ovate leaves and inconspicuous flowers that are pink inside, flowering in summer. This species is widely cultivated and is naturalised in highly disturbed sites, road verges, tips, vacant lots and occasionally on beach seepages between Geraldton and Albany. Native to South Africa. Glinus oppositifolius (opposite-leaved carpet weed) is a prostrate annual herb, with stems radiating from the base of the plant. It is native to the Kimberley and Pilbara and has naturalised near Perth. Flowers in summer.


Galenia pubescens, PH

MORACEAE - Fig Family

A family of about 1000 species of mainly large trees and shrubs that produce copious latex. Flowers arranged in dense, highly reduced, fleshy heads. In Western Australia there are 13 native and two naturalised species. Ficus carica (edible fig), familiar as a cultivated fruit tree, has spread to river banks and creek lines around Perth, and also persists at old settlement sites throughout the south-west. Easily recognised by its large, lobed, hand-shaped leaves and fleshy green or purple pear-shaped fruits that appear in early summer. Believed to be native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Ficus benjamina, that has narrow dark green leaves and small spherical fruit, has invaded cliffs in a few areas around the lower Swan River in Perth.


Ficus carica , GK

MYRTACEAE - Myrtle Family

A variety of Western Australian native species of this large, typically Australian family have become established in bushland outside their normal ranges afterescaping from ornamental, rehabilitation, amenity or 'enrichment' plantings. Consult standard texts for identification. Those recorded at present include;Agonis flexuosa (peppermint); Calothamnusquadrifidus and C. validus (one-sided bottlebrush);Chamelaucium uncinatum (Geraldton wax); Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river gum); E. conferruminata (Bald Island marlock); Melaleucalanceolata (moonah, Rottnest tea-tree); M. pentagona; M. nesophila; and Verticordia monadelpha (woolly featherflower). Of these, Agonis and Chamelaucium are highly invasive and should not be planted near bushland outside their normal ranges.  


Eucalyptus camaldulensis seedlings in a cereal crop, PH

Various Callistemon spp. are also naturalising in creeks near Perth. Other eastern Australian eucalypts, E. botryoides (bangalay), E. citriodora (lemon scented gum), E. cladocalyx (sugar gum), E. globulus (blue gum), E. maculata(spotted gum), E. muelleriana(yellow stringybark), E. polyanthemos (red box) and E. saligna(Sydney blue gum) have escaped from plantings in southern Western Australia. Of these, spotted gum has become a serious weed, invading Banksia woodland in Kings Park and killing the understorey. Sugar gum is invading bushland at Esperance. Leptospermum laevigatum (Victorian tea-tree) was introduced as a garden plant and is now a major bushland weed. It is a large shrub or small tree to 5m, with white flowers and small, opposite, oblong-lanceolate leaves. It is spreading rapidly along road verges between Jurien Bay and Albany and invading coastal heath and woodlands on sandy and lateritic soils.


Leptospermum laevigatum , RR
  

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