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HClNC Vegetation Classification & mapping Project: Volume 1: Vegetation Classification Technical Report
in more than 25% of sites in this community were Senecio madagascariensis (Fireweed, 38%)
and Hypochaeris radicata (Catsear, 29%). This community occurs within the study area on a
range of substrates in the Central and Lower Hunter Valley in the Cessnock area.
MU 69 — Forest Red Gum / Broad-leaved Apple grassy woodland on serpentinite at Nowendoc
Open forests characterised by a canopy dominated by Eucalyptus tereticornis in association
with Angophora floribunda and a small tree layer often including Acacia maidenii and
Leptospermum brevipes. The understorey is typically shrubby and may contain a diverse
variety of species, commonly including Bursaria spinosa, Jacksonia scoparia, Lissanthe strigosa,
Pomaderris vellea, Acacia serpentinicola and Leucopogon neoanglicus. The ground layer is
characteristically grassy and dominated by Themeda australis along with Panicum effusum
and Cymbopogon refractus. The ground layer commonly also includes various graminoids,
including Gahnia aspera, and herbs, including Plectranthus graveolens and Viola betonicifolia.
No naturalised species were recorded at more than 25% of sites within this community.
Within the study area this community is confined to foothills of the Northern Escarpment
in the Nowendoc area at mid elevations on serpentinite.
MU 70 — Eucalyptus serpentinicola / Allocasuarina ophiolitica / Spinifex grass low mallee
woodland on serpentinite of the Lower North Coast
Low woodlands with a canopy characterised by almost exclusive dominance of the rare
mallee eucalypt Eucalyptus serpentinicola and a small tree layer dominated by the rare
casuarina Allocasuarina ophiolitica and Leptospermum brevipes. The understorey is typically
shrubby and characteristically includes Xanthorrhoea glauca along with Lissanthe strigosa,
the rare Grevillea granulifera, Hibbertia riparia and Acacia serpentinicola. The ground layer
is commonly grassy and characterised by Triodia scariosa along with Poa sieberiana and
Entolasia stricta, and various rushes and sedges, in particular, Lepidosperma laterale and
Lomandra filiformis. No naturalised species were recorded in more than 25% of sites in this
community.
Within the study area, this community is restricted to serpentinite outcrops on the ranges
and foothills of the Lower North Coast and Northern Tablelands Escarpment at mid
elevations. This community is of particular conservation value as three of the plant species
which characterise the community (Eucalyptus serpentinicola, Allocasuarina ophiolitica and
Grevillea granulifera) are considered to be rare or threatened and are not recorded in any
other community within the study area.
MU 71 — Spotted Gum / Red Ironbark / Narrow-leaved Ironbark shrub / grass open forest
Open forests with a canopy dominated by Corymbia maculata and Eucalyptus fibrosa, and
commonly including E. crebra and E. moluccana. An open shrub layer is generally present
and typically includes Bursaria spinosa, Daviesia ulicifolia, Leucopogon juniperinus and Acacia
parvipinnula, along with scrambling climbers, such as Eustrephus latifolius and Hardenbergia
violacea. The ground layer is characteristically grassy and dominated by Themeda australis,
Aristida vagans and Entolasia stricta, along with scattered herbs and ground ferns, including
Cheilanthes sieberi, Lomandra confertifolia and Brunoniella australis. The only naturalised
species occurring in greater than 25% of sites in this community was Lantana camara
(Lantana, 33%).
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