VOLUME 2: Vegetation Community Profiles - Coffs Harbour City ...

CH_WSF09NORTHERN ESCARPMENT BLACKBUTT - APPLE WET FERNY FOREST CH_WSF09SCIENTIFIC NAME Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) –Smooth-barkedApple (Angophora costata) – Rose Myrtle (Archirhodomyrtus beckleri)ferny forest of escarpment and hinterland metasedimentary hillsSTATEWIDE CLASS North Coast Wet Sclerophyll Forest (Keith 2006)PLANT COMMUNITY TYPE Turpentine – Blackbutt – Forest Oakshrubby open forest of the escarpment ranges of the mid north coast,NSW North Coast Bioregion (NSW1500-924)DescriptionA medium to tall open forest typically dominated by Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) in the canopy. A numberother canopy species may be present and at times locally abundant. These commonly include Smooth-barkedApple (Angophora costata) and Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera). Less common species include Tallowwood(E. microcorys), Red Mahogany (E. resinifera subsp. hemilampra) and White Mahogany (E. acmenoides). There isa mid layer of predominantly Forest Oak (Allocasuarina torulosa) and Rose Myrtle (Archirhodomyrtus beckleri).The ground layer is moist with a mix of grasses and ferns. The main species are Soft Bracken (Calochlaenadubia), Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia), Blue Flax-lily (Dianella caerulea), Bracken Fern (Pteridiumesculentum), Creeping Beard Grass (Oplismenus imbecillis) and Gristle Fern (Blechnum cartilagineum).This community is widespread throughout the study area except for the Bongil Bongil/ Bonville area whereit is replaced by CH_WSF08 (Southern Foothills Blackbutt - Turpentine - Tallowwood Wet Ferny Forest). Thedistribution ranges from Wild Cattle Creek State Forest in the west to the coastal foothills in the east (from Sawtellthrough to Sandy Beach). More isolated occurrences further north include around Station Creek (in YuraygirNational Park) and at Red Ridge along the Coast Range. Most common below about 500m elevation.Page 128Vegetation Mapping of the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area