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HClNC Vegetation Classification & mapping Project: Volume 1: Vegetation Classification Technical Report
MU 85 — Monkey Gum / Eucalyptus blaxlandii shrubby open forest on basalt of western Blue
Mountains
Open forests characterised by an overstorey dominated by Eucalyptus cypellocarpa and
E. blaxlandii, with a sparse small tree layer often including Acacia melanoxlon. Various
other eucalypt species may be present in the canopy at lower frequencies, in particular,
E. macrorhyncha and E. dives. The understorey is characteristically shrubby and often
dominated by Bursaria spinosa along with other shrubs, including Melichrus urceolatus,
Indigofera australis, Persoonia linearis and Lomatia silaifolia, and climbers, including Clematis
glycinoides and Hardenbergia violacea. The ground layer is characterised by relatively sparse
grasses, predominately Microlaena stipoides and Echinopogon ovatus, and a diverse range
of herbs and ground ferns, including Geranium solanderi, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Lomandra
longifolia, Stellaria pungens, Veronica plebeia, Asplenium flabellifolium and Poranthera
microphylla. Naturalised species recorded in more than 25% of sites in this community
include Hypericum perforatum (St Johns Wort, 50%), Trifolium arvense (Haresfoot Clover,
30%) and Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion, 30%).
Within the study area, this community occurs on ranges of the western Blue Mountains
and Wollemi NP at higher elevations, mainly on basalt. This community includes the only
records of the rare shrub Derwentia blakelyi in this study and, hence, may have particular
regional conservation significance, although this species is considered widespread
elsewhere.
MU 86 — Ribbon Gum / Parramatta Wattle shrubby open forest of western Blue Mountains
Open forests characterised by a canopy strongly dominated by Eucalyptus viminalis
in association with Angophora floribunda. The canopy may also include other eucalypt
species, in particular, E. cypellocarpa and E. bicostata. A small tree layer dominated by Acacia
parramattensis and including Brachychiton populneus is often present. The understorey is
characteristically shrubby and commonly includes Bursaria spinosa, Rubus parvifolius and
Solanum prinophyllum, along with the climber Clematis aristata. The ground layer consists
of mixed grasses, primarily Echinopogon ovatus; forbs including Urtica incisa, Ranunculus
lappaceus, Senecio hispidulus and Galium propinquum; and ground ferns, mainly Pteridium
esculentum. Naturalised species commonly recorded in this community included Trifolium
repens (White Clover, 50%) and Conyza canadensis var. canadensis (Canadian Fleabane,
50%).
This community occurs within the study area on ranges of the western Blue Mountains
and Wollemi NP at mid elevations, mainly on basalt.
MU 87 — New England Blackbutt shrubby open forest on the escarpment
Open forests characterised by a canopy strongly dominated by Eucalyptus campanulate,
in association with E. cameronii, with a range of other eucalypts occurring less frequently.
The understorey is typically shrubby and characteristically includes Persoonia linearis and
Leucopogon lanceolatus as well as other shrubs, including Persoonia media and Indigofera
australis, with scrambling climbers such as Hardenbergia violacea, Hibbertia scandens
and Billardiera scandens also common. The ground layer is characteristically dominated
by grasses, mainly Poa sieberiana, and graminoids including Lomandra longifolia and
Dianella caerulea, with the fern Pteridium esculentum common in the more open areas.
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