Free Download - HCCREMS

115
CHaPTeR 4 Results
officinale (Dandelion, 26%), Sonchus oleraceus (Common Sowthistle, 47%), Stellaria media
(Common Chickweed, 32%), Bidens pilosa (Cobbler’s Pegs, 74%), Hypochaeris radicata
(Catsear, 47%) and Cynoglossum australe var. australe (32%).
Within the study area, this community is restricted to basalt substrates on the foothills of
the Liverpool Range in the Upper Hunter Valley at mid to high elevations.
MU 149 — Silvertop Stringybark / Tussock Grass grassy open forest of the northern Upper Hunter
Open forests to woodlands with a canopy dominated by Eucalyptus laevopinea, and often
including Angophora floribunda. A sparse shrub layer is often present and commonly
includes Bursaria spinosa, Melicytus dentatus and Cassinia quinquefaria. The ground layer
is characterised by tussock grasses, with common grass species including Poa sieberiana,
Echinopogon ovatus, Aristida ramosa and Bothriochloa macra. A diverse range of forbs is also
a common in the ground layer and includes Acaena novae-zelandiae, Geranium solanderi,
Asperula conferta, Plantago debilis, Chamaesyce species A, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Galium migrans
and Rumex brownii. Commonly recorded naturalised species in this community include
Trifolium repens (White Clover, 53%), Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar, 50%), Cirsium vulgare
(Spear Thistle, 90%), Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion, 28%), Hypochaeris radicata (Catsear,
75%) and Medicago lupulina (Black Medic, 33%).
Within the study area, this community occurs mainly on basalts on ranges and foothills of
the Upper Hunter Valley at mid to high elevations. MU 149 may have particular regional
conservation significance due to the (occasional) presence of the rare tree Eucalyptus elliptica
which is not recorded in this study in sites outside of this community.
MU 150 — Rough-barked Apple / Tree Violet grass / forb open forest on sheltered sites of the
Liverpool Range
Open forests to woodlands dominated by Angophora floribunda, often in association with
Eucalyptus laevopinea. A sparse shrub layer may be present and includes Melicytus dentatus,
Solanum nigrum and Pittosporum undulatum, as well as various climbers including Clematis
glycinoides and Eustrephus latifolius. The ground layer is typically a mix of grasses, forbs
and ferns. The main grass species are Microlaena stipoides and Echinopogon ovatus. Common
forbs include Dichondra repens, Hydrocotyle laxiflora, Urtica incisa and Geranium solanderi,
and ferns include Adiantum aethiopicum and A. atroviride. Commonly recorded naturalised
species in this community include Trifolium repens (White Clover, 48%), Conyza sumatrensis
(Tall Fleabane, 30%), Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle, 91%), Verbena bonariensis (Purpletop,
39%), Solanum pseudocapsicum (Madeira Winter Cherry, 43%), Phytolacca octandra (Inkweed,
26%), Polycarpon tetraphyllum (Four-leaved Allseed, 26%), Stellaria media (Common
Chickweed, 39%), Bidens pilosa (Cobbler’s Pegs, 43%), Hypochaeris radicata (Catsear, 43%)
and Solanum nigrum (Black-berry Nightshade, 52%).
This community occurs within the study area on the Liverpool Range and foothills at mid
to high elevations on lower slope sites and mainly on basalts. MU 150 may have particular
regional conservation significance due to the (occasional) presence of the rare tree Eucalyptus
oresbia which is not recorded in this study in sites outside of this community.