Free Download - HCCREMS

Warm temperate rainforests
63
CHaPTeR 4 Results
MU 3 — Lilly Pilly / Sandpaper Fig marginal warm temperate rainforest of the Central Coast and
Lower Hunter Valley
Open forests to closed forests with an overstorey characterised by Acmena smithii and
Ficus coronata, and commonly including Backhousia myrtifolia, Melicope micrococca, Melaleuca
styphelioides, Diospyros australis and Cryptocarya microneura. Eucalyptus saligna and Syncarpia
glomulifera are often present as emergents. Various smaller trees and shrubs are commonly
present in the mid storey, including Glochidion ferdinandi, Acacia implexa, Hibiscus heterophyllus
and Hymenosporum flavum. A diverse range of vines is also typically present in the mid and
overstorey, including Geitonoplesium cymosum, Stephania japonica, Smilax australis, Parsonsia
straminea, Morinda jasminoides, Dioscorea transversa, Cayratia clematidea, Sarcopetalum
harveyanum, Cissus antarctica and Pandorea pandorana. The ground layer is typically a mix
of graminoids, including Hypolepis muelleri, Lomandra longifolia, Dianella caerulea and Carex
appressa; ferns including Adiantum aethiopicum, Doodia aspera and Adiantum hispidulum;
grasses, including Oplismenus aemulus, O. imbecillis and Entolasia marginata; and sparse
forbs, such as Pseuderanthemum variabile, Commelina cyanea and Plectranthus parviflorus. No
naturalised species were recorded at more than 25% of sites in this community.
Within the study area, this community occurs in sheltered sites on sandstone coastal ranges
of the Central Coast.
MU 4 — Sassafras / Prickly Ash warm temperate rainforest
Closed forests with a diverse canopy characterised by Doryphora sassafras and Orites
excelsus, and commonly including Acmena smithii, Schizomeria ovata, Pennantia cunninghamii,
Caldcluvia paniculosa, Ceratopetalum apetalum, Sloanea woollsii, Heritiera actinophylla,
Daphnandra species A, Cryptocarya foveolata and Polyosma cunninghamii. Eucalyptus saligna
may occasionally be present as an emergent tree. A mid storey of smaller trees and shrubs
is typically present and may include Tasmannia insipida, Cryptocarya meissneriana, Diospyros
australis and the tree fern Cyathea australis. A diverse range of climbers is also commonly
present in the mid and overstorey, including Ripogonum discolor, Pandorea pandorana,
Palmeria scandens, Morinda jasminoides, Cissus hypoglauca, C. antarctica, Parsonsia straminea
and Marsdenia rostrate, along with a range of epiphytes such as Dendrobium pugioniforme,
Sarcochilus falcatus and Pyrrosia rupestris. The ground layer is typically ferny with common
ground ferns including Microsorum scandens, Lastreopsis decomposita, Arthropteris tenella,
Pteris umbrosa, Diplazium australe and Blechnum cartilagineum. Sparse forbs, such as
Drymophila moorei, and graminoids including Lomandra spicata and Gymnostachys anceps
are also commonly present in the ground layer. No naturalised species were recorded at
more than 25% of sites in this community.
Within the study area, this community occurs on ranges and foothills of the Lower North
Coast, including Barrington area, at mid to high elevations.
MU 5 — Socketwood / Lilly Pilly dry subtropical rainforest in Towarri National Park and Cedar
Brush Nature Reserve
Closed forests characterised by a canopy strongly dominated by Daphnandra species A
and Acmena smithii, with other common canopy species including Dendrocnide excelsa,
Alectryon subcinereus, Melicope micrococca and Cryptocarya microneura. Eucalyptus saligna