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CHaPTeR 4 Results
MU 23 — Silvertop Stringybark / Messmate / Sydney Blue Gum moist shrub / grass open forest of
ranges of the Lower North Coast
Tall open forests similar in structure and composition to MU 22 although with Eucalyptus
laevopinea and E. obliqua the most common canopy species, and E. saligna and E. campanulata
less-frequent canopy dominants and occurring at higher altitudes. The understorey is
characterised by an open shrub layer dominated by mesophyllous and sclerophyllous
shrubs, including Acacia melanoxylon, Coprosma quadrifida and Senecio linearifolius, and treeferns
(Cyathea australis). The ground layer is dominated by tussock grasses, mainly Poa
sieberiana, and graminoids including Lomandra longifolia. No weed species were recorded
in more than 25% of sites within this community.
Inside the study area this community occurs on the foothills and ranges of the Lower
North Coast (including Barrington area) at higher elevations on a range of substrates. The
only records in this study of the rare orchid species Chiloglottis platyptera occur within this
community and hence it may have particular regional conservation significance.
MU 24 — Tallowwood / Small-fruited Grey Gum / Kangaroo Grass foothills dry grassy open forest
Tall, dry open forests with a canopy dominated by Eucalyptus microcorys, E. propinqua and
E. carnea, and a sparse small tree layer dominated by Allocasuarina torulosa. The ground
layer is dominated by grasses and graminoid species including Themeda australis, Imperata
cylindrica, Dianella caerulea and Lomandra longifolia. The only naturalised species recorded at
more than 25% of sites within the community was Lantana camara, which occurred at 54%
of sites indicating that this community may be relatively highly susceptible to invasion by
Lantana.
Within the study area this community occurs on the coastal ranges and foothills of the
Lower North Coast at mid to lower elevations and on a range of lower fertility substrates.
MU 25 — Tallowwood / Spotted Gum / Grey Gum grass / herb open forest
Open forests similar in composition to MU 24, however, with Corymbia maculata as a
common canopy species and Large-fruited Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata) replacing the
Small-fruited Grey Gum (E. propinqua) alongside E. microcorys. The shrub layer is more
developed and includes a greater proportion of mesic shrubs, including Hibbertia scandens,
Polyscias sambucifolia and Breynia oblongifolia, and climbers such as Clematis glycinoides
and Kennedia rubicunda. The ground layer is dominated by grasses, including Oplismenus
imbecillis and Poa sieberiana, and sparse forbs such as Pratia purpurascens. Lantana camara
(Lantana, 63%) was the only naturalised species occurring in more than 25% of sites.
Within the present study area this community occurs on near coastal low ranges on the
Lower North Coast at lower elevations than MU 24 and on a range of lower fertility
substrates.
MU 26 — Small-fruited Grey Gum / Turpentine / Tallowwood moist open forest of the Lower North
Coast foothills
Open forests with a relatively diverse canopy dominated by Eucalyptus propinqua,
E. microcorys, E. siderophloia, Syncarpia glomulifera and Corymbia intermedia, with a sparse
small tree layer dominated by Allocasuarina torulosa. The understorey is dominated by a
mix of mesophyllous and sclerophyllous shrubs including Notelaea longifolia and Maytenus