Diversity Of Flora In Tasmanian Park

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30762, 28 May 1965, Page 6

Diversity Of Flora In Tasmanian Park

New Zealand has many national parks where the native acene is preserved from man’s ravaging. Many other countries are becoming more aware of the need to preserve some of their heritage and national parks can be found in many regions. Others are being widely and constantly proclaimed.

A recent visit to Tasmania, the so-called “Isle of Mountains” or “Apple Island,” with its comparatively large areas of virtually unexplored mountainous country, led the author to make a short trip into an area which could well be described as Australia’s most outstanding National Park, the Lake St. ClairCradle Mountain National Park. Only the extreme unpredictability of the weather can detract from its appeal. Although there is a number of reasonably' well designed tracks, the general impression is one of untamed ruggedness and contrast, with scores of lakes encircled by mountains, forests and plains. The flora is intensely varied, ranging from massive eucalypts to the open button grass plains and moorland and sub-alpine growth of the mountain tops. Even the layman cannot fail to recognise the existence of the diverse range of botanical subjects inhabiting the region. Some of the trees and shrubs and other plants to be seen are included in the following description. The eucalypts are a link with Australia and the Stringy Baric or Messmate, Eucalyptus obliqua, with its exceptionally thick bark and habit of bearing its buds about 15 months or more in advance of flowering, is to be found growing in the lower regions. It is much valued for its hardwood, and, on the rural scene, highly regarded for fence post production. Eucalyptus gigantea, the white-top stringy bark, is of sub-alpine habit and may be found at altitudes of 1000 to 3000 feet. Also to be found is the Cider gum, E. Gunnii, a medium sized tree with orange to olive green bark, which frequents the wetter areas: E. Coccifera, the mountain peppermint, and the white, or Mauna, gum, E. Viminalis. An interesting feature, as in New Zealand, is the encroachment of the Beech forests on the Eucalypts, Nothofagus cunninghamii, to give it its correct name (commonly known as Myrtle) provides sufficient shade to prevent the establishment of young Eucalypts, with the result, that, as the Beeches spread amongst the “gums,” no regrowth occurs to replace the original trees when they die. Another beech, N. Gunnii, is the only deciduous Tasmanian tree to be found. It is often called "Tanglefoot” because it normally grows as a straggly shrub on the mountains or about “tree line," but in enclosed valleys at a high altitude it may attain considerable height. Leather wood, Eucryphla billardieri, is held in high esteem by local apiarists who may shift their hives hundreds of miles to enable their bees to gather the nectar of its blossoms, which appear between January and

March. The honey is sold as “Leather Wood Honey” and, although it is greatly cherished by some, it has a distinctive flavour for winch, generally, on has to cultivate a taste. Numerous Acacias may be found, although Tasmania cannot boast the range which occurs on the mainland. They include the blackwood, A. melanoxylon which again has a timber prized as fencepost and furniture material, it is claimed that a blackwood post will outlast any other kind by many years and evidence of this many frequently be seen. A. delbata is the silver wattle, an outstandingly graceful and attractive tree even when not in flower; and A. verniciflua, the varnish acacia. Called the native lilac, Prostanthera lasianthos, which is also sometimes referred to as the Christmas tree, is common in the mountainous areas but perhaps most gardeners will be more conversant with what is known here as the Australian Mint Bush, P. rotundifolia. Its strong, pleasantly minty odour Is immediately noticeable in the bush, especially after heavy rain. Pines! to be seen include the Pencil Pine (Anthrotaxis cupressoides), the King William (“Billie”) Pine (A. Selagancides), the Celery Top pine (Phyilicladus rhomboidalis) and the Chestnut Pine (Microcachrys tetrangona). Tea trees (heptospermum spp.) abound and a Hakea acicularis (native pear or needle bush), Pittosporum and various species of grass tree (Richea) are common. Of interest, too, are the various kinds of berry-bear-

ing plants such as Dianella tasmanica, the Rush Berry, which bears pendant blue berries: the Coprosmas, including C. repens which is known in New Zealand by its Maori name, Taupata; pineapple, snow or Badger grass, Astelia alpina, and others. Attractive flowering plants catch the eye in various places; one of the best is the white-flowered mountain lily, MiUigania longifolia; others are the native violet, Viola Cunnlnghami: the lemon scented Boranias, Montain Rocket, Belledena montana; Blandfordia or Christmas Bells, Blandfordia marginata, and the Rover Rose of Tasmania, Bourera rubiodes with its almost perpetual flowering habit.

Spagnum moss may be found growing in the swampy places and an unusual range of plants known as Bolster, or Cushion, plants, may be found on the mountain tops. Their habit of growth is mound like and as they grow larger, some attaining more than two feet in diameter, they tend to form a continuous chain of firm cushions which are almost undistingquishable from each other when not in flower. The species include Pteryqopappus lawrencii, Donatia novae zeaiandiae and Dacrophyllum minimum. It is hoped that the writer has managed to convey at least something of the extent of the flora of this central Tasmanian region, though the listings are by no means exhaustive. Many people visit Australia yet few include an area which can provide so much of interest within a small area.