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MU 159 — White Box grassy woodland
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CHaPTeR 4 Results
Open woodlands to woodlands characterised by an open canopy dominated by Eucalyptus
albens, with E. moluccana occurring occasionally. A shrub layer is rarely present although
a number of low shrubs are commonly present, including Sclerolaena muricata and Sida
trichopoda. The ground layer is characteristically grassy and dominated by species including
Cynodon dactylon, Bothriochloa macra, Elymus scaber and Austrostipa bigeniculata. Scattered or
localised forbs are also commonly present in the ground layer, including Oxalis perennans,
Boerhavia dominii, Chamaesyce drummondii, Hibiscus trionum and Einadia nutans. A number of
naturalised species were recorded in more than 25% of sites in this community, including
Medicago minima (Woolly Burr Medic, 50%), Polygonum aviculare (Wireweed, 33%), Salvia
verbenaca (Wild Sage, 42%), Silybum marianum (Variegated Thistle, 67%), Medicago laciniata
(Cut-leaved Medic, 42%), Sonchus oleraceus (Common Sowthistle, 33%), Tribulus terrestris
(Catshead, 33%), Medicago orbicularis (Button Medic, 58%) and Medicago polymorpha (Burr
Medic, 33%).
Within the study area, this community occurs on basalt on the Merriwa plateau and lower
slopes of the Liverpool Range. MU 159 is of particular regional conservation significance
as it relates to the Endangered Ecological Community ‘White Box Yellow Box Blakely’s
Red Gum Woodland’ (DECC 2009).
MU 160 — Yellow Box grassy woodland
Woodlands with a canopy dominated by Eucalyptus melliodora, often in association with
Angophora floribunda. A sparse mid storey of Brachychiton populneus is often also present.
A sparse shrub layer may also be present, often only as scattered shrubs, and commonly
includes Solanum cinereum, Pimelea curviflora, S. nigrum, Atriplex semibaccata, Acacia decora
and Eremophila debilis. The ground layer is typically dominated by grasses, with common
species including Austrostipa scabra, Bothriochloa decipiens, A. verticillata, A. aristiglumis,
Chloris ventricosa, Austrodanthonia racemosa and Panicum effusum. A diverse range of forbs
is typically also present in the ground layer, including Einadia trigonos, Sida corrugata,
Calotis lappulacea, Boerhavia dominii, Oxalis perennans, Vittadinia cervicularis and Brunoniella
australis. The ground ferns Cheilanthes sieberi and C. distans, and graminoids such as
Carex inversa may also be included in the ground layer. Numerous naturalised species,
mostly herbaceous, were recorded in more than 25% of sites in this community, including
Medicago minima (Woolly Burr Medic, 100%), Lolium rigidum (Wimmera Ryegrass, 70%),
Salvia verbenaca (Wild Sage, 90%), Avena fatua (Wild Oats, 60%), Trifolium repens (White
Clover, 40%), Silybum marianum (Variegated Thistle, 40%), Rapistrum rugosum (Turnip
Weed, 70%), Cirsium vulgare (Spear Thistle, 60%), Malva parviflora (Small-flowered Mallow,
30%), Chondrilla juncea (Skeleton Weed, 60%), Carthamus lanatus (Saffron Thistle, 90%),
Amaranthus retroflexus (Redroot Amaranth, 50%), Bromus catharticus (Praire Grass, 50%),
Echium plantagineum (Patterson’s Curse, 30%), Centaurea melitensis (Maltese Cockspur, 70%),
Sisymbrium irio (London Rocket, 80%), Arenaria leptoclados (Lesser Thyme-leaved Sandwort,
50%), Sisymbrium orientale (Indian Hedge Mustard, 30%), Marrubium vulgare (Horehound,
60%), Trifolium campestre (Hop Clover, 50%), Trifolium arvense (Haresfoot Clover, 40%),
Conyza bonariensis (Flaxleaf Fleabane, 70%), Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion, 50%), Opuntia
stricta var. stricta (Common Prickly Pear, 70%), Erodium cicutarium (Common Crowfoot,
30%), Trifolium glomeratum (Clustered Clover, 60%), Tribulus terrestris (Catshead, 70%),
Hypochaeris radicata (Catsear, 40%), Medicago orbicularis (Button Medic, 70%), Hirschfeldia