Cardinia Shire Vegetation Communities

CARDINIA SHIRE VEGETATION 

COMMUNITIES 

Prepared for 

Cardinia Shire Council 

by 

Rik Brown – Botanical Consultant 

January 2005 

RIK BROWN 

BOTANICAL CONSULTANT 

113 Badger Weir Road, Healesville Vic. 3777 

ph: (03) 5962 4332 

rikbrown@bigpond.com

OVERVIEW 

CONTENTS 

CARDINIA SHIRE VEGETATION COMMUNITIES 

Rik Brown – Botanical Consultant (03) 5962 4332 

Cardinia Shire Vegetation Communities 

Page 

1. MYRTLE BEECH COOL TEMPERATE RAINFOREST............................................................ 1 

2. MOUNTAIN ASH WET FOREST...................................................................................... 3 

3. MOUNTAIN GREY GUM DAMP FOREST........................................................................... 5 

4. MANNA GUM RIPARIAN FOREST ................................................................................... 8 

5. MESSMATE SHRUBBY FOOTHILL FOREST..................................................................... 10 

6. SILVERTOP ASH LOWLAND FOREST ............................................................................ 13 

7. MESSMATE LOWLAND FOREST ................................................................................... 15 

8. WHITE STRINGYBARK LOWLAND FOREST .................................................................... 18 

9. NARROW-LEAF PEPPERMINT GRASSY FOREST............................................................. 22 

10. LONG-LEAF BOX GRASSY FOREST .............................................................................. 25 

11. GREEN SCENTBARK GRASSY FOREST......................................................................... 27 

12. MANNA GUM GRASSY FOREST ................................................................................... 29 

13. YELLOW BOX VALLEY GRASSY FOREST....................................................................... 31 

14. SWAMP GUM SHRUBBY GULLY FOREST ...................................................................... 33 

15. SILVER-LEAF STRINGYBARK DAMP HEATHY WOODLAND................................................ 35 

16. COAST MANNA GUM DAMP SANDS HERB-RICH WOODLAND........................................... 38 

17. WHITE SALLEE GRASSY WOODLAND .......................................................................... 40 

18. MANNA GUM FLOODPLAIN RIPARIAN WOODLAND ......................................................... 41 

19. SWAMP GUM SWAMPY RIPARIAN WOODLAND.............................................................. 43 

20. SWAMP GUM SWAMPY WOODLAND ............................................................................ 46 

21. SWAMP PAPERBARK SWAMP SCRUB........................................................................... 48 

22. SWAMP PAPERBARK ESTUARINE SWAMP SCRUB.......................................................... 51 

23. SCENTED PAPERBARK WET HEATHLAND/RIPARIAN SCRUB ........................................... 52 

24. SWEET BURSARIA SCRUB.......................................................................................... 55 

25. KANGAROO GRASS PLAINS GRASSLAND...................................................................... 56 

26. KANGAROO GRASS ROCKY OUTCROP HERBLAND......................................................... 57 

27. WETLAND FORMATION .............................................................................................. 60 

28. PRICKLY SPEAR-GRASS ESTUARINE FLATS GRASSLAND................................................ 62 

29. GLASSWORT COASTAL SALTMARSH............................................................................ 63 

30. COAST SALTBUSH BERM GRASSY SHRUBLAND ............................................................ 64 

31. WHITE MANGROVE SHRUBLAND................................................................................. 65 

INFORMATION SOURCES ..................................................................... 66 

ASSOCIATION OF MAPPED ECOLOGICAL VEGETATION 

CLASSES WITH CARDINIA SHIRE VEGETATION COMMUNITIES ..... 67

OVERVIEW 



This report presents an outline of vegetation communities occurring within the Shire 

of Cardinia. Plant species lists have been derived from a range of studies previously 

undertaken in the area (refer “Information Sources”), supplemented with field 

surveys intended to more clearly define previously undescribed or poorly known 

vegetation types. Major character species for each vegetation community are 

indicated in bold. 

Vegetation community names are intended to be compatible with Ecological 

Vegetation Class (EVC) terminology in the broader context, while still identifying 

characteristics particular to the Shire of Cardinia (main characteristic plant included 

in name). Several Lowland Forest and Grassy Forest/Woodland vegetation types 

particularly occur in the area which are useful to differentiate as separate 

communities based on the occurrence of characteristic eucalypts (usually because 

of their restricted distribution). 

The vegetation community information should provide a guide for the identification 

of remnant vegetation types within the municipality. It should also assist in species 

selection for revegetation activities when used in conjunction with vegetation 

distribution maps. Note that the accuracy of vegetation mapping varies across the 

municipality and site-specific variations in species composition occur in most areas. 

The on-ground occurrence of remnant vegetation should therefore be utilised as a 

primary source of information wherever possible to most accurately determine 

vegetation types and species composition. 

Brief notes are provided on the structure and distribution of vegetation communities. 

They include information on distribution in accordance with landform and the 

location of remnants within the Shire of Cardinia. Conservation significance ratings 

are indicated for the most closely associated EVC’s and the relevant bioregions in 

which they occur (Gippsland Plain and/or Highlands Southern Fall).




Vegetation Community Structural dominants 

1 Myrtle Beech Cool Temperate Rainforest Nothofagus cunninghamii, Atherosperma 

moschatum 

2 Mountain Ash Wet Forest Eucalyptus regnans 

3 Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest Eucalyptus cypellocarpa, E. obliqua 

4 Manna Gum Riparian Forest Eucalyptus viminalis 

5 Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest Eucalyptus obliqua, E. baxteri, E. radiata 

6 Silvertop Ash Lowland Forest Eucalyptus sieberi, E. obliqua, E. radiata 

7 Messmate Lowland Forest Eucalyptus obliqua, E. radiata 

8 White Stringybark Lowland Forest Eucalyptus globoidea, E. obliqua, E. radiata 

9 Narrow-leaf Peppermint Grassy Forest Eucalyptus radiata, E. obliqua 

10 Long-leaf Box Grassy Forest Eucalyptus goniocalyx, E. dives, E. obliqua 

11 Green Scentbark Grassy Forest Eucalyptus fulgens, E. radiata 

12 Manna Gum Grassy Forest Eucalyptus viminalis, E. radiata 

13 Yellow Box Valley Grassy Forest Eucalyptus melliodora, E. rubida, E. radiata 

14 Swamp Gum Shrubby Gully Forest Eucalyptus ovata 

15 Silver-leaf Stringybark Damp Heathy Eucalyptus cephalocarpa, E. obliqua, E. 

Woodland 

radiata 

16 Coast Manna Gum Damp Sands Herb-rich Eucalyptus viminalis ssp. pryoriana 

Woodland 

17 White Sallee Grassy Woodland Eucalyptus pauciflora, E. radiata 

18 Manna Gum Floodplain Riparian Woodland Eucalyptus viminalis, E. ovata 

19 Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland Eucalyptus ovata 

20 Swamp Gum Swampy Woodland Eucalyptus ovata 

21 Swamp Paperbark Swamp Scrub Melaleuca ericifolia 

22 Swamp Paperbark Estuarine Swamp Scrub Melaleuca ericifolia 

23 Scented Paperbark Wet Heathland/Riparian Melaleuca squarrosa 

Scrub 

24 Sweet Bursaria Scrub Bursaria spinosa 

25 Kangaroo Grass Plains Grassland Themeda triandra, Austrodanthonia laevis 

26 Kangaroo Grass Rocky Outcrop Herbland Themeda triandra 

27 Wetland Formation Eleocharis sphacelata, Phragmites australis, 

Typha orientalis, Persicaria spp. 

28 Prickly Spear-grass Estuarine Flats 

Austrostipa stipoides 

Grassland 

29 Glasswort Coastal Saltmarsh Sclerostegia arbuscula, Sarcocornia 

quinqueflora 

30 Coast Saltbush Berm Grassy Shrubland Atriplex cinerea 

31 White Mangrove Shrubland Avicennia marina

1. Myrtle Beech Cool Temperate Rainforest 


Structure: closed canopy of lower trees up to 20m tall dominated by Myrtle 

Beech and/or Southern Sassafras, usually with emergent 

Mountain Ash 

understorey dominated by ferns (including epiphytes), shadetolerant 

herbs and mosses 

Distribution: very restricted distribution in sheltered gullies along streams in 

mountain areas (above 200m altitude) 

remnants confined to the Blue Range around the Bunyip River 

headwaters 

transitional with Mountain Ash Wet Forest 

Conservation status: Cool Temperate Rainforest “vulnerable” in Highlands Southern 

Fall Bioregion (EVC 31) 

Species Common name 

Overstorey trees: 

Eucalyptus obliqua Messmate 

Eucalyptus regnans Mountain Ash 

Lower trees: 

Acacia dealbata Silver Wattle 

Acacia melanoxylon Blackwood 

Acacia obliquinervia Mountain Hickory Wattle 

Atherosperma moschatum Southern Sassafras 

Correa lawrenceana Mountain Correa 

Hedycarya angustifolia Austral Mulberry 

Nothofagus cunninghamii Myrtle Beech 

Olearia argophylla Musk Daisy-bush 

Pomaderris aspera Hazel Pomaderris 

Prostanthera lasianthos Victorian Christmas-bush 

Shrub layer: 

Acacia verticillata Prickly Moses 

Cassinia aculeata Common Cassinia 

Coprosma quadrifida Prickly Currant-bush 

Cyathea australis Rough Tree-fern 

Dicksonia antarctica Soft Tree-fern 

Olearia lirata Snow Daisy-bush 

Phebalium bilobum Notched Phebalium 

Polyscias sambucifolia Elderberry Panax 

Todea barbara Austral King-fern 

Zieria arborescens Stinkwood 

Ground layer (


Epiphytes: 

Asplenium bulbiferum Mother Spleenwort 

Crepidomanes venosum Veined Bristle-fern 

Fieldia australis Fieldia 

Grammitis billardierei Common Finger-fern 

Hymenophyllum australe Austral Filmy-fern 

Hymenophyllum flabellatum Shiny Filmy-fern 

Microsorum pustulatum Kangaroo Fern 

Rumohra adiantiformis Leathery Shield-fern 

Tmesipteris parva Small Fork-fern 


Rik Brown – Botanical Consultant (03) 5962 4332 Page 2

2. Mountain Ash Wet Forest 


Structure: open forest up to 40m tall dominated by Mountain Ash 

understorey includes a range of broad-leaved lower trees and 

shrubs, along with the widespread occurrence of tree-ferns, 

ground layer ferns, shade-tolerant herbs and climbers 

Distribution: widespread occurrence on sheltered, south-facing slopes in 

mountain areas (above 200m altitude) 

remnants occur in the Black Snake, Blue and Dandenong 

Ranges 

Conservation status: Wet Forest “of least concern” in Highlands Southern Fall 

Bioregion (EVC 30) 




Eucalyptus regnans Mountain Ash 

Lower trees: 




Bedfordia arborescens Blanket-leaf 

Correa lawrenceana Mountain Correa 



Pittosporum bicolor Banyalla 



Shrub layer: 


Cassinia trinerva Three-nerved Cassinia 




Goodenia ovata Hop Goodenia 

Lepidosperma elatius Tall Sword-sedge 

Leptospermum continentale Prickly Tea-tree 


Olearia phlogopappa Dusty Daisy-bush 

Ozothamnus ferrugineus Tree Everlasting 

Phebalium bilobum Notched Phebalium 

Pimelea axiflora Bootlace Bush 



Zieria arborescens Stinkwood 

Ground layer (


Histiopteris incisa Bat’s-wing Fern 

Hydrocotyle geraniifolia Forest Pennywort 

Hydrocotyle hirta Hairy Pennywort 

Microlaena stipoides Weeping Grass 

Oxalis exilis Shady Wood-sorrel 

Platylobium formosum Handsome Flat-pea 

Poa ensiformis Sword Tussock-grass 

Polystichum proliferum Mother Shield-fern 

Pteridium esculentum Austral Bracken 

Sambucus gaudichaudiana White Elderberry 

Senecio minimus Shrubby Fireweed 

Sigesbeckia orientalis Indian Weed 

Solanum prinophyllum Forest Nightshade 

Stellaria flaccida Forest Starwort 

Tetrarrhena juncea Forest Wire-grass 

Urtica incisa Scrub Nettle 

Viola hederacea Ivy-leaf Violet 

Creepers/climbers: 

Billardiera longiflora Purple Apple-berry 

Clematis aristata Mountain Clematis 

Pandorea pandorana Wonga Vine 

Parsonsia brownii Twining Silkpod 

Rubus parvifolius Small-leaf Bramble 

Epiphytes: 

Asplenium bulbiferum Mother Spleenwort 

Crepidomanes venosum Veined Bristle-fern 

Grammitis billardierei Common Finger-fern 

Microsorum pustulatum Kangaroo Fern 

Rumohra adiantiformis Leathery Shield-fern 



3. Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest 


Structure: open forest up to 40m tall dominated by Mountain Grey Gum 

and Messmate 

understorey includes broad-leaved lower trees and shrubs, 

along with a range of smaller shrubs, ferns, herbs and grasses 

favouring moister forest conditions (typically includes Rough 

Tree-fern & Forest Wire-grass) 

Distribution: widespread occurrence in mountain areas, extending to 

sheltered slopes of lower hills (above 100m altitude) 

remnants occur in the Black Snake, Blue and Dandenong 

Ranges, with restricted occurrence on adjoining foothills to the 

south (north of Princes Highway) 

Conservation status: Damp Forest “of least concern” in the Highlands Southern Fall 

Bioregion and “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion 

(EVC 29) 



Eucalyptus baxteri Brown Stringybark 

Eucalyptus cypellocarpa Mountain Grey Gum 


Eucalyptus radiata Narrow-leaf Peppermint 

Lower trees: 




Exocarpos cupressiformis Cherry Ballart 



Pittosporum bicolor Banyalla 



Shrub layer: 

Acacia genistifolia Spreading Wattle 

Acacia mucronata Narrow-leaf Wattle 

Acacia stricta Hop Wattle 


Bursaria spinosa Sweet Bursaria 


Coprosma hirtella Rough Coprosma 



Gahnia sieberiana Red-fruit Saw-sedge 


Goodia lotifolia Golden-tip 

Hakea decurrens Bushy Needlewood 

Kunzea ericoides Burgan 

Lepidosperma laterale var. majus Variable Sword-sedge 



Lomatia fraseri Tree Lomatia 




Pimelea flava Yellow Rice-flower 


Pultenaea gunnii Golden Bush-pea 

Pultenaea scabra Rough Bush-pea 



Spyridium parvifolium Dusty Miller 

Zieria arborescens Stinkwoodd 

Ground layer (


Pratia pedunculata Matted Pratia 


Pterostylis alpina Mountain Greenhood 

Pterostylis pedunculata Maroonhood 

Sambucus gaudichaudiana White Elderberry 

Schoenus apogon Common Bog-sedge 


Sigesbeckia orientalis Indian Weed 

Stackhousia monogyna Creamy Stackhousia 


Stellaria pungens Prickly Starwort 


Tetratheca ciliata Pink-bells 

Thelymitra media Tall Sun-orchid 

Veronica calycina Hairy Speedwell 

Veronica plebeia Trailing Speedwell 


Wahlenbergia gracilis Sprawling Bluebell 

Wahlenbergia stricta Tall Bluebell 

Xanthosia dissecta Cut-leaf Xanthosia 


Billardiera scandens Common Apple-berry 


Comesperma volubile Love Creeper 

Glycine clandestina Twining Glycine 






4. Manna Gum Riparian Forest 


Structure: open forest up to 40m tall dominated by Manna Gum 

understorey dominated by a range of lower trees and shrubs, 

along with herbs, sedges, ferns and semi-aquatic plants 

favouring moister conditions 

Distribution: widespread occurrence along major waterways through 

mountain and foothill areas 

restricted to along upstream sections of major creeks through 

the ranges (including Cockatoo, Stoney, Diamond, Ararat & 

Back Creeks) 

Conservation status: Riparian Forest “of least concern” in the Highlands Southern 

Fall Bioregion and “vulnerable” in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion 

(EVC 18) 



Eucalyptus ovata Swamp Gum 


Eucalyptus viminalis Manna Gum 

Lower trees: 


Acacia mearnsii Black Wattle 



Gynatrix pulchella Hemp Bush 

Lomatia myricoides River Lomatia 

Melaleuca ericifolia Swamp Paperbark 



Rapanea howittiana Muttonwood 

Shrub layer: 













Leptospermum scoparium Manuka 






Ground layer (


Austrodanthonia penicillata Slender Wallaby-grass 

Blechnum cartilagineum Gristle Fern 

Blechnum minus Soft Water-fern 

Blechnum nudum Fishbone Water-fern 

Calochlaena dubia Common Ground-fern 

Carex appressa Tall Sedge 

Carex fascicularis Tassel Sedge 

Centella cordifolia Centella 

Cyperus lucidus Leafy Flat-sedge 

Dianella tasmanica Tasman Flax-lily 

Dichondra repens Kidney-weed 

Echinopogon ovatus Common Hedgehog-grass 

Gahnia radula Thatch Saw-sedge 

Geranium potentilloides Soft Cranesbill 

Gonocarpus humilis Shade Raspwort 

Gonocarpus tetragynus Common Raspwort 

Goodenia lanata Trailing Goodenia 

Gratiola peruviana Austral Brooklime 

Hydrocotyle geraniifolia Forest Pennywort 


Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking Pennywort 

Isolepis inundata Swamp Club-sedge 

Juncus pallidus Pale Rush 

Juncus procerus Tall Rush 

Lagenophora stipitata Common Bottle-daisy 

Lobelia alata Angled Lobelia 

Lomandra filiformis Wattle Mat-rush 

Lomandra longifolia Spiny-headed Mat-rush 



Oxalis perennans Yellow Wood-sorrel 


Poa labillardierei Common Tussock-grass 

Poa tenera Slender Tussock-grass 




Pterostylis pedunculata Maroonhood 

Ranunculus glabrifolius Shining Buttercup 

Senecio glomeratus Annual Fireweed 

Senecio linearifolius Fireweed Groundsel 













Aquatics: 

Alisma plantago-aquatica Water Plantain 

Persicaria decipiens Slender Knotweed 

Persicaria praetermissa Spotted Knotweed 

Triglochin procerum Water-ribbons 



5. Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest 


Structure: open forest up to 40m tall dominated by Messmate, usually in 

conjunction with Brown Stringybark and/or Narrow-leaf 

Peppermint 

understorey includes a range of narrow-leaved and prickly 

shrubs, with ground layer vegetation dominated by patches of 

grasses, sedges and ferns 

Distribution: widespread occurrence on sheltered slopes in mountain areas 

(100-500m altitude), mainly towards the west 

remnants occur on slopes in the Black Snake and Dandenong 

Ranges 

transitional with Lowland Forest vegetation communities in the 

east 

Conservation status: Shrubby Foothill Forest “of least concern” in the Highlands 

Southern Fall Bioregion (EVC 45) 






Lower trees: 







Shrub layer: 



Acacia myrtifolia Myrtle Wattle 


Acacia verniciflua Varnish Wattle 


Asterolasia asteriscophora Lemon Star-bush 

Banksia marginata Silver Banksia 

Banksia spinulosa Hairpin Banksia 




Correa reflexa Common Correa 









Olearia phlogopappa Dusty Daisy-bush 

Olearia rugosa Wrinkled Daisy-bush 





Pultenaea hispidula Rusty Bush-pea 

Pultenaea mollis Soft Bush-pea 





Ground layer (



Pterostylis melagramma Tall Greenhood 

Senecio hispidulus Rough Fireweed 



Solanum prinophyllum Forest Nightshade 


Stylidium graminifolium Grass Trigger-plant 



Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass 


Thelymitra pauciflora Slender Sun-orchid 





Xanthorrhoea minor Small Grass-tree 







Epiphytes: 

Cassytha glabella Slender Dodder-laurel 



6. Silvertop Ash Lowland Forest 


Structure: open forest up to 30m tall dominated by Silvertop Ash, usually 

in conjunction with Messmate and/or Narrow-leaf Peppermint 

understorey includes scattered narrow-leaved and heathy 

shrubs, along with a diverse range of grasses, sedges and herbs 

Distribution: restricted occurrence on sheltered slopes in foothill areas 

towards the north-east (100-300m altitude) 

remnants occur on slopes in the Black Snake and Blue Ranges 

Conservation status: Lowland Forest “of least concern” in the Highlands Southern 


(EVC 16) 



Eucalyptus dives Broad-leaf Peppermint 



Eucalyptus sieberi Silvertop Ash 

Lower trees: 





Shrub layer: 


Acacia oxycedrus Spike Wattle 










Hakea ulicina Furze Hakea 











Ground layer (


Deyeuxia quadriseta Reed Bent-grass 

Dianella caerulea Paroo Lily 


Drosera peltata Tall Sundew 

Epacris impressa Common Heath 


Geranium solanderi Austral Cranesbill 




Helichrysum scorpioides Button Everlasting 

Hovea linearis Common Hovea 


Joycea pallida Silvertop Wallaby-grass 


Lepidosperma filiforme Common Rapier-sedge 

Lepidosperma laterale var. laterale Variable Sword-sedge 



Lomatia ilicifolia Holly Lomatia 

Pimelea humilis Common Rice-flower 


Poa sieberiana Grey Tussock-grass 

Poranthera microphylla Small Poranthera 



Senecio quadridentatus Cotton Fireweed 








Hardenbergia violacea Purple Coral-pea 

Epiphytes: 

Amyema pendula Drooping Mistletoe 

Cassytha pubescens Downy Dodder-laurel 



7. Messmate Lowland Forest 


Structure: open forest up to 30m tall dominated by Messmate and Narrowleaf 

Peppermint 



Distribution: scattered occurrence on sheltered slopes in lower foothills 

(below 200m altitude) 

remnants are scattered on hills through central areas (mainly 

south of the Dandenong Range), with a disjunct occurrence in 

the south-east (around Heath Hill) 



(EVC 16) 







Lower trees: 




Shrub layer: 






Acacia suaveolens Sweet Wattle 






Daviesia latifolia Hop Bitter-pea 

Daviesia leptophylla Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea 

Dillwynia cinerascens Grey Parrot-pea 

Dillwynia glaberrima Smooth Parrot-pea 


Goodia lotifolia Golden-tip 


Hakea nodosa Yellow Hakea 








Persoonia juniperina Prickly Geebung 








Ground layer (







Epiphytes: 





8. White Stringybark Lowland Forest 


Structure: open forest up to 30m tall dominated by White Stringybark, 

usually in conjunction with Messmate and/or Narrow-leaf 

Peppermint 



(often supporting a diversity of terrestrial orchids) 

Distribution: scattered occurrence on sheltered slopes in lower foothills 

towards the east (below 200m altitude) 

remnants are scattered on hills in eastern areas (mainly east of 

Maryknoll) 



(EVC 16) 

White Stringybark dominated Lowland Forest is a variant of this 

vegetation type of specific conservation significance within 

Cardinia Shire (reaching western limit of distribution) 



Eucalyptus cephalocarpa Silver-leaf Stringybark 


Eucalyptus globoidea White Stringybark 



Lower trees: 




Allocasuarina littoralis Black Sheoke 


Shrub layer: 


Acacia leprosa Cinnamon Wattle 










Cassinia longifolia Shiny Cassinia 






Dillwynia sericea Showy Parrot-pea 

Exocarpos strictus Pale-fruit Ballart 




Indigofera australis Austral Indigo 






Monotoca scoparia Prickly Broom-heath 

Olearia asterotricha Rough Daisy-bush 


Olearia myrsinoides Silky Daisy-bush 







Ground layer (


Galium propinquum Maori Bedstraw 

Gastrodia sesamoides Cinnamon Bells 


Gompholobium huegelii Common Wedge-pea 






Hypericum gramineum Small St John’s Wort 

Hypoxis hygrometrica Golden Weather-glass 

Imperata cylindrica Blady Grass 

Isopogon ceratophyllus Horny Cone-bush 


Kennedia prostrata Running Postman 




Lindsaea linearis Screw Fern 

Lobelia simplicicaulis Narrow Lobelia 





Opercularia varia Variable Stinkweed 


Patersonia occidentalis Long Purple-flag 


Pimelea linifolia Slender Rice-flower 


Platylobium obtusangulum Common Flat-pea 


Poa morrisii Soft Tussock-grass 



Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Jersey Cudweed 



Pterostylis nutans Nodding Greenhood 





Sphaerolobium vimineum Leafless Globe-pea 






Thelymitra ixioides Spotted Sun-orchid 



Thysanotus patersonii Twining Fringe-lily 

Thysanotus tuberosus Common Fringe-lily 

Tricoryne elatior Yellow Rush-lily 




Wahlenbergia gracilenta Annual Bluebell 


Wahlenbergia multicaulis Many-stemmed Bluebell 















Epiphytes: 



Cassytha melantha Coarse Dodder-laurel 

Muellerina eucalyptoides Creeping Mistletoe 



9. Narrow-leaf Peppermint Grassy Forest 


Structure: open forest or woodland up to 20m tall dominated by Narrowleaf 

Peppermint 

understorey includes scattered shrubs and ground layer 

dominated by grasses (also supporting a range of ground layer 

herbs and lilies) 

Distribution: scattered occurrence on ridgelines and exposed slopes of lower 

hills through central and southern areas (below 200m altitude) 

remnants scattered on exposed lower slopes of the Dandenong 

Range and on hills through southern areas (particularly around 

Lang Lang) – the most widespread form of Grassy Forest or 

Grassy Woodland in Cardinia Shire 

Conservation status: Grassy Forest “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion 

and “vulnerable” in the Highlands Southern Fall Bioregion (EVC 

128) 

Grassy Woodland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 

Bioregion and “depleted” in the Highlands Southern Fall 






Lower trees: 






Shrub layer: 


Allocasuarina paludosa Scrub Sheoke 











Solanum aviculare Kangaroo Apple 

Ground layer (


Caesia calliantha Blue Grass-lily 

Caesia parviflora Pale Grass-lily 

Carex breviculmis Short-stem Sedge 

Centella cordifolia Centella 

Chamaescilla corymbosa Blue Stars 


Dianella longifolia Pale Flax-lily 

Dianella revoluta Black-anther Flax-lily 

Dichelachne micrantha Short-hair Plume-grass 



Drosera whittakeri Scented Sundew 

Empodisma minus Spreading Rope-rush 







Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flower 


Hypoxis glabella Tiny Stars 



Kennedia prostrata Running Postman 

Lagenophora gracilis Slender Bottle-daisy 





















Thelionema caespitosum Tufted Lily 
















Epiphytes: 




10. Long-leaf Box Grassy Forest 


Structure: open forest or woodland up to 20m tall dominated by Long-leaf 

Box, usually in conjunction with Broad-leaf Peppermint and/or 

Messmate 


dominated by grasses and sedges (also supporting a range of 

ground layer herbs and lilies) 

Distribution: restricted occurrence on exposed slopes of lower hills through 

western areas (below 200m altitude) 

remnants scattered on moist lower slopes of the Dandenong 

Range 



128) 



Bioregion 




Eucalyptus goniocalyx Long-leaf Box 



Lower trees: 





Shrub layer: 

Acacia acinacea Gold-dust Wattle 


Acacia paradoxa Hedge Wattle 

Acacia pycnantha Golden Wattle 
















Ground layer (


Bossiaea prostrata Creeping Bossiaea 

Bulbine bulbosa Bulbine Lily 

Burchardia umbellata Milkmaids 


Dampiera stricta Blue Dampiera 


Dianella caerulea Paroo Lily 



Dichelachne crinita Long-hair Plume-grass 



Dipodium roseum Rosy Hyacinth-orchid 

Diuris pardina Leopard Orchid 


Drosera whittakeri Scented Sundew 




Gompholobium huegelii Common Wedge-pea 




Hibbertia riparia Erect Guinea-flower 


















Tetraria capillaris Hair Sedge 










Epiphytes: 

Amyema miquelii Box Mistletoe 





11. Green Scentbark Grassy Forest 


Structure: open forest or woodland up to 20m tall dominated by Green 

Scentbark and Narrow-leaf Peppermint 


dominated by grasses and sedges (also supporting a range of 

ground layer herbs and lilies) 

Distribution: restricted occurrence on exposed slopes of lower hills through 

eastern areas (below 100m altitude) 

degraded remnants occur on moist lower hill slopes between 

Pakenham and Bunyip 



128) 




this variant of Grassy Forest is of particular significance 

because of the occurrence of Green Scentbark (“rare” 

conservation status in Victoria) 




Eucalyptus fulgens Green Scentbark 



Lower trees: 



Shrub layer: 







Olearia ramulosa Twiggy Daisy-bush 

Ground layer (










12. Manna Gum Grassy Forest 


Structure: open forest or woodland up to 20m tall dominated by Manna 

Gum and Narrow-leaf Peppermint 




Distribution: very restricted occurrence on exposed slopes and ridgelines of 

lower hills (below 100m altitude) 

only known degraded remnant on minor ridgeline east of 

Pakenham (Dore Road) 

similar vegetation also occurs to a limited extent on lower 

slopes of the Dandenong Range west of Cardinia Shire (within 

Lysterfield Park & Churchill National Park) 



128) 




this variant of Grassy Forest is of particular significance 

because of the unusual occurrence of Manna Gum on hills 

(vegetation community now virtually extinct within Cardinia 

Shire but never likely to have been widespread) 






Lower trees: 




Shrub layer: 







Ground layer (





Epiphytes: 




13. Yellow Box Valley Grassy Forest 


Structure: open forest up to 30m tall dominated by Yellow Box, 

Candlebark and Narrow-leaf Peppermint 

understorey includes scattered lower trees (particularly Cherry 

Ballart & Black Sheoke) and shrubs, with ground layer 



Distribution: restricted occurrence on exposed slopes and ridgelines of lower 

hills in west (below 200m altitude) 

degraded remnants on lower slopes of Dandenong Range 

(particularly around Guys Hill) 

this vegetation type is more widespread in areas north-west of 

Cardinia Shire 

Conservation status: Valley Grassy Forest “vulnerable” in the Highlands Southern 

Fall and Gippsland Plain Bioregions (EVC 47) 

this vegetation community is of particular significance in 

Cardinia Shire because of its limited distribution 



Eucalyptus melliodora Yellow Box 



Eucalyptus rubida Candlebark 

Lower trees: 






Shrub layer: 


Acacia pycnantha Golden Wattle 







Ground layer (

















Senecio tenuiflorus Slender Fireweed 



Veronica gracilis Slender Speedwell 





Hardenbergia violacea Ivy-leaf Violet 



14. Swamp Gum Shrubby Gully Forest 


Structure: open forest or woodland up to 20m tall dominated by Swamp 

Gum 

understorey includes patches of lower trees and shrubs 

(particularly Sweet Bursaria), with ground layer dominated by 

grasses and sedges 

Distribution: restricted occurrence in gullies and on sheltered lower mountain 

slopes in the west (below 200m) 

remnants occur in gullies and on sheltered lower slopes on the 

southern side of the Dandenong Range (particularly around 

Beaconsfield Upper) 

Conservation status: Shrubby Gully Forest “vulnerable” in Highlands Southern Fall 






Lower trees: 




Shrub layer: 











Ground layer (













15. Silver-leaf Stringybark Damp Heathy Woodland 


Structure: open forest or woodland up to 15m tall dominated by Silver-leaf 

Stringybark, often in conjunction with Messmate and/or Narrowleaf 

Peppermint 

understorey includes scattered lower trees and heathy shrubs, 

usually with a diverse ground layer supporting a range of 

grasses, sedges, herbs, lilies and terrestrial orchids 

Distribution: widespread occurrence in a band extending along the base of 

foothills adjacent to mountain ranges (below 100m altitude) 

scattered remnants occur in low-lying areas along the southern 

side of the Dandenong, Black Snake and Blue Ranges 

Conservation status: Damp Heathy Woodland “vulnerable” in the Gippsland Plain 



Heathy Woodland “of least concern” in the Gippsland Plain and 

Highlands Southern Fall Bioregions (EVC 48) 







Lower trees: 






Melaleuca squarrosa Scented Paperbark 

Shrub layer: 






Acacia suaveolens Sweet Wattle 











Dillwynia sericea Showy Parrot-pea 





Hakea teretifolia Dagger Hakea 





Leptospermum myrsinoides Heath Tea-tree 








Pultenaea glabra Swamp Bush-pea 




Ground layer (


Juncus bufonius Toad Rush 





Lepyrodia muelleri Common Scale-rush 

Leucopogon australis Spike Beard-heath 

Leucopogon ericoides Pink Beard-heath 






Microtis unifolia Common Onion-orchid 



Patersonia fragilis Short Purple-flag 



Pimelea linifolia Slender Rice-flower 



Platysace heterophylla Slender Platysace 






Pultenaea sericea Chaffy Bush-pea 


Schoenus lepidosperma Slender Bog-sedge 

Senecio biserratus Jagged Fireweed 





Selaginella uliginosa Swamp Selaginella 


Tetraria capillaris Hair Sedge 



Thelymitra ixioides Spotted Sun-orchid 



Thelymitra rubra Salmon Sun-orchid 









Epiphytes: 







16. Coast Manna Gum Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland 

Structure: open woodland or forest up to 20m tall dominated by Coast 

Manna Gum and Narrow-leaf Peppermint 

understorey includes scattered lower trees and heathy shrubs, 

usually with a diverse ground layer supporting a range of 

grasses, sedges, herbs, lilies and terrestrial orchids 

Distribution: restricted occurrence on low sandy hills in the south-west (below 

40m altitude) 

remnants occur on low hills around Lang Lang 

Conservation status: Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland “vulnerable” in the Gippsland 

Plain Bioregion (EVC 3) 

Heathy Wooodland “of least concern” in the Gippsland Plain 







Eucalyptus viminalis ssp. pryoriana Coast Manna Gum 

Lower trees: 





Shrub layer: 


Aotus ericoides Common Aotus 









Leucopogon australis Spike Beard-heath 





Ricinocarpos pinifolius Wedding Bush 

Ground layer (




Hibbertia acicularis Prickly Guinea-flower 

Hibbertia fasciculata Bundled Guinea-flower 


Hydrocotyle laxiflora Stinking Pennywort 

Isolepis nodosa Knobby Club-sedge 


Lepidosperma concavum Sandhill Sword-sedge 

Leucopogon virgatus Common Beard-heath 









Pterostylis concinna Trim Greenhood 



Ranunculus sessiliflorus Annual Buttercup 











Clematis microphylla Small-leaf Clematis 

Epiphytes: 




17. White Sallee Grassy Woodland 


Structure: open woodland up to 15m tall dominated by White Sallee and 

Narrow-leaf Peppermint 

understorey includes scattered lower trees and prickly shrubs, 

with ground layer dominated by grasses and sedges 

Distribution: very restricted distribution, with disjunct occurrences scattered 

on low hills around Westernport Bay (below 40m altitude) 

potentially previously occurred on hills south of Lang Lang – 

White Sallee has previously been recorded immediately south 

of the South Gippsland Highway/Bass Highway intersection 

(beyond the municipality) 

Conservation status: Grassy Woodland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 


any remnants of this vegetation community are of particular 

conservation significance (probably extinct within Cardinia 

Shire) 



Eucalyptus pauciflora White Sallee 


Lower trees: 



Shrub layer: 



Ground layer (

18. Manna Gum Floodplain Riparian Woodland 


Structure: open woodland or forest up to 40m tall dominated by Manna 

Gum, usually in conjunction with Swamp Gum 

understorey includes relatively dense patches of lower trees and 

shrubs (characteristically including Muttonwood, Tree Violet & 

Swamp Paperbark), with ground layer supporting a range of 

sedges, grasses and semi-aquatic plants typical of floodplain 

areas (including Common Reed) 

Distribution: extends in a band along major waterways through floodplain 

areas 

remnants restricted to along upper floodplain sections of 

Cardinia Creek (upstream of Beaconsfield) 

this vegetation type is more widespread in areas west of 

Cardinia Shire (Dandenong Creek floodplain) 

transitional with Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland in 

low-lying areas 

Conservation status: Floodplain Riparian Woodland “endangered” in the Gippsland 

Plain Bioregion (EVC 56) 





Lower trees: 








Shrub layer: 








Hymenanthera dentata Tree Violet 








Ground layer (



Dianella tasmanica Tasman Flax-lily 






Glyceria australis Australian Sweet-grass 




Imperata cylindrica Blady Grass 


Juncus amabilis Hollow Rush 




Lycopus australis Australian Gipsywort 








Ranunculus inundatus River Buttercup 


Schoenus tesquorum Soft Bog-sedge 











Calystegia sepium Large Bindweed 




Epiphytes: 

Amyema pendulum Drooping Mistletoe 


Aquatics: 

Eleocharis acuta Common Spike-sedge 



Persicaria subsessilis Hairy Knotweed 

Phragmites australis Common Reed 




19. Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland 


Structure: open woodland or forest up to 20m tall dominated by Swamp 

Gum 

understorey includes a moderately dense shrub layer (usually 

including Swamp Paperbark, Scented Paperbark and/or Woolly 

Tea-tree), with ground layer dominated by sedges, ferns and 

semi-aquatic plants 

Distribution: widespread occurrence along waterways through foothills and 

floodplain areas 

remnants extend in swampy areas along creeks through the 

foothills and are scattered on floodplains adjacent to waterways 

and drainage lines through most southern areas (including Lang 

Lang River, Bunyip River, Yallock Creek & Deep Creek, 

downstream sections of Cardinia, Toomuc, Ararat & Cannibal 

Creeks and along constructed drainage channels through the 

Kooweerup Swamp) 

transitional with Swamp Gum Swampy Woodland and Swamp 

Paperbark Swamp Scrub in floodplain areas and Silver-leaf 

Stringybark Damp Heathy Woodland in foothills 

Conservation status: Swampy Riparian Woodland “endangered” in the Gippsland 

Plain Bioregion and “depleted” in the Highlands Southern Fall 


Swampy Riparian Complex “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 

and Highlands Southern Fall Bioregions (EVC 126) 




Lower trees: 










Shrub layer: 














Leptospermum lanigerum Woolly Tea-tree 








Solanum laciniatum Large Kangaroo Apple 

Viminaria juncea Golden Spray 

Ground layer (




Gleichenia microphylla Scrambling Coral-fern 



Epiphytes: 




Aquatics: 


Isolepis fluitans Floating Club-sedge 

Lemna disperma Common Duckweed 


Persicaria hydropiper Water-pepper 






20. Swamp Gum Swampy Woodland 


Structure: open woodland up to 20m tall dominated by Swamp Gum 

generally a sparse shrub layer (although sometimes including 

patches of Swamp Paperbark and Common Reed in moister 

locations), with ground layer dominated by sedges and grasses 

Distribution: scattered occurrence on higher sections of floodplains 

degraded remnants are scattered across southern floodplain 

areas 

transitional with Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland and 

Swamp Paperbark Swamp Scrub adjacent to waterways and 

drainage lines 

Conservation status: Swampy Woodland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 


Plains Swampy Woodland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 


Swamp Scrub/Plains Grassy Forest Mosaic “endangered” in the 

Gippsland Plain Bioregion (EVC 639) 




Lower trees: 






Shrub layer: 









Ground layer (







Senecio tenuiflorus Slender Fireweed 


Villarsia reniformis Running Marsh-flower 



Aquatics: 


Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife 






21. Swamp Paperbark Swamp Scrub 


Structure: open or closed scrub up to 10m tall dominated by Swamp 

Paperbark 

understorey includes scattered lower shrubs and is otherwise 

dominated by ferns, sedges and semi-aquatic plants 

Distribution: widespread occurrence in swampy areas adjacent to waterways 

(below 100m altitude) 

remnants occur along creeks in lower foothills and are scattered 

over the southern floodplains (formerly widespread across 

Kooweerup Swamp) 

often forms an understorey component of Swamp Gum 

Swampy Riparian Woodland 

Conservation status: Swamp Scrub “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain and 


Swampy Riparian Complex “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 

and Highlands Southern Fall Bioregions (EVC 126) 

Swamp Scrub/Plains Grassy Forest Mosaic “endangered” in the 



Lower trees: 





Shrub layer: 

















Viminaria juncea Golden Spray 

Ground layer (


Cyperus lucidus Leafy Flat-sedge 





Euchiton involucratus Star Cudweed 






Hydrocotyle tripartita Slender Pennywort 

Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides Shining Pennywort 

Hypolepis rugosula Ruddy Ground-fern 


Juncus gregiflorus Green Rush 



Lepidosperma longitudinale Pithy Sword-sedge 

Lepyrodia muelleri Common Scale-rush 



Lycopus australis Australian Gipsywort 








Ranunculus amphitricus Small River Buttercup 

Ranunculus glabrifolius Shining Buttercup 


Ranunculus sessiliflorus Annual Buttercup 

Schoenus brevifolius Zig-zag Bog-sedge 











Epiphytes: 



Aquatics: 


Callitriche muelleri Round Water-starwort 

Crassula helmsii Swamp Crassula 



Lemna disperma Common Duckweed 

Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife 








Typha orientalis Cumbungi 



22. Swamp Paperbark Estuarine Swamp Scrub 


Structure: open or closed scrub up to 10m tall dominated by Swamp 

Paperbark 


dominated by sedges and saltmarsh plants 

Distribution: restricted occurrence adjacent to upper estuary sections of 

major waterways 

remnants occur towards the Bunyip River mouth (around South 

Gippsland Highway) 

Conservation status: Estuarine Swamp Scrub “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 


Estuarine Wetland/Estuarine Swamp Scrub Mosaic “of least 

concern” in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion (EVC 935) 


Lower trees: 



Shrub layer: 

Atriplex cinerea Coast Saltbush 

Rhagodia candolleana Seaberry Saltbush 

Ground layer (

23. Scented Paperbark Wet Heathland/Riparian Scrub 


Structure: open or closed scrub up to 8m tall dominated by Scented 

Paperbark (often with Manuka and/or Woolly Tea-tree), 

sometimes with scattered emergent trees 


dominated by ferns, sedges and semi-aquatic plants 

Distribution: restricted occurrence along creeks and in swampy areas 

adjacent to waterways in foothills and also in boggy areas 

through sandy hills 

remnants are scattered along small creeks in the Dandenong, 

Black Snake and Blue Ranges, with isolated occurrences in the 

south-west (around Lang Lang) 

transitional with Silver-leaf Stringybark Damp Heathy Woodland 

and Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian Woodland 

Conservation status: Wet Heathland “depleted” in the Highlands Southern Fall and 

Gippsland Plain Bioregions (EVC 8) 

Clay Heathland/Wet Heathland/Riparian Scrub Mosaic 

“depleted” in the Highlands Southern Fall and Gippsland Plain 

Bioregions (EVC 159) 

Riparian Thicket “vulnerable” in the Highlands Southern Fall 


Riparian Scrub “vulnerable” in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion 

(EVC 191) 





Lower trees: 





Shrub layer: 








Epacris obtusifolia Blunt-leaf Heath 











Pultenaea glabra Swamp Bush-pea 



Sprengelia incarnata Pink Swamp-heath 






Ground layer (


Utricularia dichotoma Purple Bladderwort 

Villarsia exaltata Erect Marsh-flower 



Xyris operculata Tall Yellow-eye 




Gleichenia dicarpa Pouched Coral-fern 

Gleichenia microphylla Scrambling Coral-fern 


Epiphytes: 



Aquatics: 







24. Sweet Bursaria Scrub 


Structure: open scrub up to 5m tall dominated by Sweet Bursaria and 

other prickly shrubs, with scattered emergent trees 

ground layer dominated by grasses, with scattered herbs, lilies 

and terrestrial orchids 

Distribution: very restricted occurrence on exposed slopes and ridgelines of 

lower foothills towards the east (below 100m altitude) 

isolated remnants occur on lower slopes of the Black Snake 

Range and around Cannibal Hill 

transitional with Narrow-leaf Peppermint Grassy Forest 

Conservation status: Blackthorn Scrub “rare” in the Highlands Southern Falls 



Lower trees: 



Shrub layer: 




Ground layer (

25. Kangaroo Grass Plains Grassland 


Structure: grassland dominated by Kangaroo Grass and/or Smooth 

Wallaby-grass, with a few scattered shrubs 

ground layer includes sedges, rushes and herbs favouring 

moister locations 

Distribution: scattered occurrence on higher sections of floodplains adjacent 

to swamps in southern areas 

only known remnants on the floodplain south of Pakenham 

(Pakenham airstrip) 

similar vegetation has also been identified in the Clyde- 

Tooradin area immediately west of Cardinia Shire (South 

Gippsland rail reserve) 

Conservation status: South Gippsland Plains Grassland “endangered” in the 


Plains Grassy Woodland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 


South Gippsland Plains Grassland and Central Gippsland Plains 

Grassland are communities listed for protection under the 

Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee 


Shrub layer: 

Cassinia arcuata Drooping Cassinia 




Ground layer (

26. Kangaroo Grass Rocky Outcrop Herbland 


Structure: herbland or grassland dominated by Kangaroo Grass, Wallabygrasses, 

Tussock-grasses and/or a range of ground layer herbs 

and lilies (characteristically including Green Rock-fern), with 

scattered trees and shrubs 

Distribution: very restricted occurrence around exposed rocky outcrops in the 

lower foothills (100-200m altitude) 

only known remnants around rocky outcrops near the summit of 

Cannibal Hill (Mount Cannibal Reserve) 

Conservation status: Rocky Outcrop Shrubland/Rocky Outcrop Herbland Mosaic 

“rare” in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion and “of least concern” in 

the Highlands Southern Fall Bioregion (EVC 73) 





Eucalyptus cypellocarpa Mountain Grey Gum 

Eucalyptus globoidea White Stringybark 

Eucalyptus goniocalyx Long-leaf Box 

Lower trees: 



Shrub layer: 











Ground layer (


Chrysocephalum apiculatum Common Everlasting 

Chrysocephalum semipapposum Clustered Everlasting 

Craspedia glauca Common Billy-buttons 

Crassula sieberiana Sieber Crassula 

Cymbonotus preissianus Austral Bear’s-ears 

Cynoglossum suaveolens Sweet Hound’s-tongue 




Dipodium roseum Rosy Hyacinth-orchid 

Drosera peltata ssp. auriculata Tall Sundew 

Drosera peltata ssp. peltata Pale Sundew 



Eragrostis brownii Common Love-grass 

Euchiton involucratus Star Cudweed 







Hydrocotyle callicarpa Small Pennywort 





Lobelia rhombifolia Tufted Lobelia 




Microtis unifolia Common Onion-orchid 


Ophioglossum lusitanicum Austral Adder’s-tongue 



Pelargonium australe Austral Stork’s-bill 












Solenogyne dominii Smooth Solenogyne 

Stellaria pungens Prickly Starwort 




Thysanotus patersonii Twining Fringe-lily 




Wahlenbergia gracilenta Annual Bluebell 



Wurmbea dioica Early Nancy 








Epiphytes: 




27. Wetland Formation 


Structure: includes a range of permanent and seasonal freshwater wetland 

vegetation types dominated by reeds, sedges, rushes and semiaquatic 

herbs (particularly Phragmites, Typha, Eleocharis, 

Juncus & Persicaria spp.) 

Distribution: scattered occurrence across floodplain areas and adjacent to 

waterways through the ranges 

remnants mainly restricted to a few billabongs along waterways 

and scattered seasonal wetlands on floodplains, with more 

extensive occurrence in constructed waterbodies (former 

widespread occurrence through Kooweerup Swamp) 

Conservation status: Wetland Formation “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain and 


Plains Grassy Wetland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 


Sedge Wetland “vulnerable” in the Gippsland Plain and 


Floodplain Wetland Complex “endangered” in the Gippsland 

Plain and Highlands Southern Fall Bioregions (EVC 172) 

Reed Swamp “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion 

(EVC 300) 

Billabong Wetland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 


Aquatic Herbland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain and 


Floodplain Reedbed “extinct” in the Gippsland Plain Bioregion 

(EVC 863) 

Aquatic Herbland/Swamp Scrub Mosaic “endangered” in the 



Ground layer (



Myriophyllum simulans Amphibious Water-milfoil 

Myriophyllum verrucosum Red Water-milfoil 

Neopaxia australasica White Purslane 




Potamogeton ochreatus Blunt Pondweed 


Spirodela punctata Thin Duckweed 


Typha orientalis Cumbungi 

Utricularia australis Yellow Bladderwort 

Villarsia reniformis Running Marsh-flower 

Wolffia australiana Tiny Duckweed 




28. Prickly Spear-grass Estuarine Flats Grassland 


Structure: grassland dominated by Prickly Spear-grass, with scattered 

emergent shrubs 

ground layer includes scattered saltmarsh herbs 

Distribution: restricted occurrence on flats adjacent to major waterway 

outlets around Westernport Bay 

remnants confined to flats near the mouth of Cardinia Creek 

(around South Gippsland Highway) 

Conservation status: Estuarine Flats Grassland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 



Shrub layer: 


Gahnia filum Chaffy Saw-sedge 

Juncus kraussii Sea Rush 


Ground layer (

29. Glasswort Coastal Saltmarsh 


Structure: open shrubland or herbland dominated by Beaded Glasswort, 

with scattered low shrubs 

ground layer includes scattered saltmarsh herbs, sedges and 

rushes 

Distribution: relatively widespread occurrence around Westernport Bay 

margins and tidal flats adjacent to estuaries 

remnants confined to a narrow band adjacent to Westernport 

Bay and adjacent to the Cardinia Creek outlet 

Conservation status: Coastal Saltmarsh “of least concern” in the Gippsland Plain 



Shrub layer: 


Atriplex paludosa Marsh Saltbush 

Gahnia filum Chaffy Saw-sedge 

Juncus kraussii Sea Rush 


Sclerostegia arbuscula Shrubby Glasswort 

Ground layer (

30. Coast Saltbush Berm Grassy Shrubland 


Structure: low open shrubland dominated by Coast Saltbush 

ground layer dominated by coastal grasses, with scattered 

saltmarsh herbs 

Distribution: restricted occurrence on low sand ridges around the eastern 

shores of Westernport Bay 

remnants confined to a narrow band behind Lang Lang Beach 

(south of Lang Lang River outlet) 

Conservation status: Berm Grassy Shrubland “endangered” in the Gippsland Plain 



Shrub layer: 




Ground layer (

31. White Mangrove Shrubland 


Structure: open shrubland up to 2m tall dominated by White Mangrove 

(over bare muddy coastal shores) 

Distribution: relatively widespread occurrence on tidal flats around 

Westernport Bay and along lower sections of estuaries 

remnants occur around the Cardinia Creek, Bunyip River and 

Lang Lang River outlets 

Glasswort Coastal Saltmarsh usually occurs on inland side 

Conservation status: Mangrove Shrubland “of least concern” in the Gippsland Plains 


of conservation significance in the broader context, approaching 

the most southerly occurrence of mangrove vegetation globally 


Shrub layer: 

Avicennia marina White Mangrove 


INFORMATION SOURCES 


Bedggood, S.E. (2002) Roche property, O’Neil Rd, Beaconsfield – Flora assessment. Report 

prepared for B. & D. Roche. Ecology Australia P/L, Fairfield, Victoria. 

Brown, R. (2002) Environment Assessment Report - Vegetation of the Mountain Road 

Recreation Reserve, Cockatoo. Report prepared for the Shire of Cardinia. Rik Brown – 

Botanical Consultant, Healesville, Victoria. 

Brown, R. (2002) Environment Assessment Report - Vegetation of the Emerald Quarry 

Reserve, Emerald. Report prepared for the Shire of Cardinia. Rik Brown – Botanical 

Consultant, Healesville, Victoria. 

Brown, R. (2002) Environment Assessment Report – Vegetation of land between Joffre 

Parade and Amphlett Avenue, Cockatoo. Report prepared for the Shire of Cardinia. Rik 

Brown – Botanical Consultant, Healesville, Victoria. 

Brown, R. (2004) Vegetation of the Maryknoll Reserves. Report prepared for the Maryknoll 

Progress Association. Rik Brown – Botanical Consultant, Healesville, Victoria. 

Carr, G.W. (1992) Hillview quarry site, Officer – summary of botanical findings. Report 

prepared for the Quarry Impact Committee. Ecological Horticulture P/L, Clifton Hill, 

Victoria. 

Carr, G.W. and Schulz, M. (1993) The Flora and Fauna of Gumbuya Park, Tynong, and its 

significance. Report prepared for Standard Roads P/L. Ecological Horticulture P/L, Clifton 

Hill, Victoria. 

Cook, D. & Yugovic, J. (2003) Clyde-Tooradin grassland rediscovered. The Victorian 

Naturalist. 120: 140-146. 

Costello, C, Timewell, C. and Organ, A. (2003 draft) Flora and fauna assessment of the 

proposed Pakenham Bypass, Victoria. Report prepared for VicRoads. Biosis Research 

P/L. 

DSE (2004) Ecological Vegetation Class Bioregion Benchmarks – Gippsland Plain & Central 

Victorian Uplands. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria 

www.dse.vic.gov.au/nrence.nsf 

McMahon, A.R.G., Belcher, C. and Desilva, G. (1992) Proposed Readymix Quarry, Tynong 

North, Victoria. Environment Effects Statement: Flora and Fauna. Report prepared for 

Kinhill P/L. Ecological Horticulture P/L, Clifton Hill, Victoria. 

McMahon, A.R.G., Lorimer, G., Peake, P., Saxon, M.J. and Thomas, V (1991) The Flora and 

Fauna of the Pakenham clay quarry site, Pakenham, Victoria. Report prepared for 

Stewart Somers Planning and Landscape Consultant. Ecological Horticulture P/L, Clifton 

Hill, Victoria. 

NRE (2002) BioMap Series – Ecological Vegetation Classes pre 1750. Western Port (T7921), 

Ringwood (T7922), Warragul (T8021) and Healesville (T8022) map sheets (1:100,000 

scale). Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Victoria. 

Oates, A. and Taranto, M. (2001) Vegetation mapping of the Port Phillip and Westernport 

Region. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Natural 

Resources and Environment, Victoria. 

Opie, A.M., Gullan, P.K., van Berkel, S.C. and van Rees, H. (1984) Sites of Botanical 

Significance in the Westernport Region. Environmental Studies Program Report no. 328, 

Department of Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria. 

Paget, A.N. (1997) Botanical survey of Gembrook Park, Gembrook, Victoria. Report prepared 

for the Cardinia Shire Council. Ausbotany P/L. 

Paget, A.N. (1999) Botanical survey of Beaconsfield Flora & Fauna Reserve, Beaconsfield, 

Victoria. Report prepared for the Cardinia Shire Council. Ausbotany P/L. 

Tonkinson, D, McNabb, E., Sutter, G., Clemann, N. and Downe, J. (2003) Flora and Fauna 

survey of Cannibal Creek Reserve. A report to Land Victoria by Arthur Rylah Institute for 

Environmental Research. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria. 

Tonkinson, D. (1996) Flora survey of Mount Cannibal Flora and Fauna Reserve, Garfield 

North. Report prepared for the Shire of Cardinia. Greening Australia Victoria. 



ASSOCIATION OF MAPPED ECOLOGICAL VEGETATION CLASSES WITH 


Ecological Vegetation Class Vegetation Communities 

Berm Grassy Shrubland (EVC 311) Coast Saltbush Berm Grassy Shrubland 

(Community 30) 

Blackthorn Scrub (EVC 27) Sweet Bursaria Scrub (Community 24) 

Clay Heathland/Wet Heathland/Riparian 

Scrub Mosaic (EVC 159) 

Scented Paperbark Wet 

Heathland/Riparian Scrub (Community 

23) 

Coastal Saltmarsh (EVC 9) Glasswort Coastal Saltmarsh 


Cool Temperate Rainforest (EVC 31) Myrtle Beech Cool Temperate Rainforest 

(Community 1) 

Damp Forest (EVC 29) Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest 

(Community 3) 

Damp Heathy Woodland (EVC 793) Silver-leaf Stringybark Damp Heathy 

Woodland (Community 15) 

Damp Sands Herb-rich Woodland (EVC 3) Coast Manna Gum Damp Sands Herbrich 


Estuarine Flats Grassland (EVC 914) Prickly Spear-grass Estuarine Flats 

Grassland (Community 28) 

Estuarine Swamp Scrub (EVC 53) Swamp Paperbark Estuarine Swamp 

Scrub (Community 22) 

Estuarine Wetland/Estuarine Swamp Scrub Swamp Paperbark Estuarine Swamp 

Mosaic (EVC 935) 

Scrub (Community 22) 

Grassy Dry Forest (EVC 22) Long-leaf Box Grassy Forest 


Grassy Forest (EVC 128) Narrow-leaf Peppermint Grassy Forest 

(Community 9) 

Long-leaf Box Grassy Forest 


Green Scentbark Grassy Forest 


Manna Gum Grassy Forest (Community 

12) 

Grassy Woodland (EVC 175) Narrow-leaf Peppermint Grassy Forest 

(Community 9) 

Coast Manna Gum Damp Sands Herbrich 


White Sallee Grassy Woodland 


Gully Woodland (EVC 902) Manna Gum Riparian Forest 

(Community 4) 

Heathy Woodland (EVC 48) Silver-leaf Stringybark Damp Heathy 


Coast Manna Gum Damp Sands Herbrich 


Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23) Messmate Lowland Forest (Community 

7) 

White Stringybark Lowland Forest 

(Community 8) 

Lowland Forest (EVC 16) Silvertop Ash Lowland Forest 

(Community 6) 

Messmate Lowland Forest (Community 

7) 

White Stringybark Lowland Forest 

(Community 8) 



Ecological Vegetation Class Vegetation Communities 

Mangrove Shrubland (EVC 140) White Mangrove Shrubland (Community 

31) 

Plains Grassland (EVC 132) Kangaroo Grass Plains Grassland 


Plains Grassy Woodland (EVC 55) Kangaroo Grass Plains Grassland 


Plains Swampy Woodland (EVC 651) Swamp Gum Swampy Woodland 


Riparian Forest (EVC 18) Manna Gum Riparian Forest 

(Community 4) 

Riparian Scrub (EVC 191) Scented Paperbark Wet 


23) 

Riparian Scrub Complex (EVC 17) Swamp Gum Shrubby Gully Forest 


Scented Paperbark Wet 


23) 

Riparian Thicket (EVC 59) Scented Paperbark Wet 


Riverina Plains Grassy Woodland/Plains 

Grassland Mosaic (EVC 693) 

Rik Brown – Botanical Consultant (03) 5962 4332 Page 68 

23) 

Narrow-leaf Peppermint Grassy Forest 

(Community 9) 

Kangaroo Grass Plains Grassland 


Rocky Outcrop Shrubland/Rocky Outcrop Kangaroo Grass Rocky Outcrop 

Herbland Mosaic (EVC 73) 

Herbland (Community 26) 

Shrubby Foothill Forest (EVC 45) Messmate Shrubby Foothill Forest 

(Community 5) 

Shrubby Gully Forest (EVC 938) Swamp Gum Shrubby Gully Forest 


Swamp Scrub (EVC 53) Swamp Paperbark Swamp Scrub 

Swamp Scrub/Plains Grassy Forest Mosaic 

(EVC 639) 


Swamp Paperbark Swamp Scrub 


Swamp Gum Swampy Woodland 


Swampy Riparian Complex (EVC 126) Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian 


Swamp Paperbark Swamp Scrub 


Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83) Swamp Gum Swampy Riparian 


Manna Gum Floodplain Riparian 


Swampy Woodland (EVC 937) Swamp Gum Swampy Woodland 


Valley Grassy Forest (EVC 47) Yellow Box Valley Grassy Forest 


Wet Forest (EVC 30) Mountain Ash Wet Forest (Community 2) 

Wet Heathland (EVC 8) Scented Paperbark Wet 


23) 

Wetland Formation (EVC 74) Wetland Formation (Community 27)

Cardinia Shire Vegetation Communities - Cardinia Shire Council

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Cardinia Shire Vegetation Communities - Cardinia Shire Council

Trasformi i suoi PDF in rivista online e aumenti il suo fatturato!

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