ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

This publication would not have been possible without thecontribution of photographic materials from Steffan Holmes

(NSW DPI), Greg Steenbeeke (Orkology), Francesca Andreoni(NSW DECC) and Harry Rose (NSW DPI), so a big thankyou to all

of you. Thanks also to Francesca Andreoni and StephanieMcCaffery (NSW DECC) for their hard work editing the document.

This document was developed and written by staff from Namoi CMA.

DISCLAIMER:

The information presented in this document has been compiled from bothprimary and secondary research carried out or commissioned by Namoi

CMA staff and is comprised of general statements. No reliance on theinformation given in this document should be made without seeking theadvice of an expert professional, scientist or technician. Namoi CMA will notbe made liable for any consequences arising directly or indirectly from usingthis publication and any information or material contained in it.

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Table of ContentsIntroduction

What is a wetland? 3

Why are wetlands important? 3

Why are wetlands at risk? 4

What can you do to help? 5

How can Namoi CMA help? 7

Namoi CMA Catchment Area 7

Wetland plants of the Namoi Catchment 8

References 38

Glossary 39

Index 40

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IntroductionThe wetlands of the Namoi Catchment are unique, and in need of our help tosurvive. This book is designed to introduce you to some of the more commonplants that are found in and around wetlands. We hope this can inspire you tolook more closely at these special and vulnerable ecosystems, and how youmight best manage any wetlands in your care.

What is a wetland?A wetlands is an area that is inundated, or flooded, some or all of the time. Theplants and animals that live in any wetland will either be partly or whollydependant on water for some part of their life cycles. Moreover, wetland dryingcycles are equally important to wetland health as periods of time when wetlandsare wet.Floodplains, swamps, billabongs, waterholes on river channels, farm dams,lakes, reservoirs, lagoons and wet pasture are just some examples of the richvariety of wetlands found within the Namoi Catchment.Wetlands that appear and disappear over short time periods are called‘ephemeral’; those that last longer are referred to as ‘permanent’.

Why are wetlands important?Wetlands are vital feeding and breeding areas for a variety of native wildlife.Many plants – such as those featured in this book – rely on wetlands to survive.Wetlands are known to mitigate the effects of extreme weather and regulatesurface and groundwater quality. Wetlands provide valuable grazing andcropping opportunities for farmers. Culturally, wetlands are of great importanceto Aboriginal communities. The information stored in wetlands can help usunderstand natural and human induced environmental change.Drought cycles are natural phenomena in the Australian climate and over timewetlands flora and fauna have evolved various ways of coping with theunpredictability of Australia’s wet and dry cycles. Wetlands have a particularly important role during drought cycles. At such timeswetlands act as important ‘refuges’ in the landscape for fauna and moistureloving flora.

Many species have adapted to survive drought. Molluscs and crustaceans forexample survive drought by producing desiccation resistant eggs, or adultsburying themselves in the mud where they become encased in a desiccationresistant cocoon.Fish, frogs and freshwater turtle species are also able to survive drying periodsin wetlands, either by spending periods buried in protective cocoons underground or as desiccation resistant eggs.The most easily recognised wildlife values of wetlands are the waterbirds. Linksbetween healthy unmodified rivers, streams and wetlands, and healthywaterbird populations are now well understood. Without major breedingevents in wetlands during flood years, many waterbirds are unable to sustaintheir population levels and local extinctions result.

Why are wetlands at risk?Most threats to wetlands in the Namoi Catchment are either the direct result ofhuman interference or occur as a consequence of human activity. The types of threats to wetlands in the Namoi Catchment include:• Clearing, drainage and landfilling• Agriculture including cropping and grazing• Water removal and regulation (groundwater and surface water)• Salinisation, that is the increasing saltiness of wetland water and/or soil• Soil erosion• Sedimentation• Animal pests, for example European Carp• Invasive/noxious plant species, for example Willows or Lippia• Mining and extractive industries• Legal and illegal fishing• Removal of dead wood from floodplain or riparian areas• Discontinuity (the isolation of wetlands from river channels, and barriers that

prevent the movement of fauna through the wetland system)• Poor water quality• Inappropriate management Solving many of these issues requires a co-ordinated approach involving manydifferent government and community groups. Solutions also need to addressthese problems at a local and catchment scale.

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What can you do to help?As landholders or community members there are many things that you can doto help protect wetlands.

Planning:Planning is essential if the full potential of a wetland is to be realised. Amanagement plan will provide the opportunity to identify your aims, issues andmanagement actions.Plans should identify the range of wildlife using the area and connectivity at alandscape scale. At the individual property level, planning should allow forbuffer zones around the wetland that will minimise outside disturbances andaddress issues such as fencing, grazing regimes, weed control, tree planting andimpacts of other activities.In most areas of management, a passive approach, allowing natural processesto ‘manage’ the wetlands, is usually preferable to intervention. Careful priorinvestigation of the potential consequences of active management is essential.

Restore natural fluctuation in water levels:Australian wetlands rely upon the fluctuations in water level as much as thewetting effect. Constant or longer periods of inundation do not necessarily leadto an improvement in wetland values and sometimes can do more damage thangood. A natural regime of water level fluctuations should be the primaryconsideration in management.

Reduce turbidity and sedimentation:Sedimentation of a wetland reduces its volume; the silt can suffocate plants andanimals, and reduce light penetration. Sediments also carry nutrients andpossible chemicals with toxic properties into wetlands. Clearing vegetation andallowing stock unrestricted access to wetland areas is a significant source ofexcess sediment.Maintenance of ground level plant cover and diversity surrounding a wetland isthe most significant method of reducing sedimentation and turbidity. The stocking rates or cropping regimes in surrounding paddocks may need tobe adjusted with reducing turbidity and sedimentation in mind. Generallyspeaking this may mean that less stock can be grazed on surrounding paddocks,and cropping areas will need to be worked in ways that will reduce soil erosion.

Reduce salinisation:Salinisation of a wetland is generally part of a much wider salinisation problemoccurring due to changes in catchment hydrology. Salty run off can be managedby the revegetation of groundwater recharge areas however this is a longerterm solution. In the meantime, protection of the wetland can only be achievedby diverting salinised flows which also has implications, and also ensuring thata well vegetated buffer zone occurs around the wetland.

Minimise grazing and trampling:Many wetlands offer a degree of richness in plant abundance, growth rate anddiversity which make them valuable fattening pastures. Overgrazing isdamaging to wetlands and some wetland types will tolerate no grazing at all.Livestock can damage wetlands by grazing all plant species too much, orparticular plant species to the benefit of others, compacting soils via trampling,pugging soils when wet therefore changing where water collects or remains indryer periods, adding nutrients through manure and bringing in weed seedsfrom other places. These processes contribute significantly to sedimentation ofthe wetland.On the other hand, well managed grazing can maintain open areas in wetlandsthat may be preferred by particular species and provide a degree of disturbanceto plant communities which provides the opportunity for an increase in diversity. In general, fencing of the wetland is the main management action required sothat grazing can be managed in the wetland context. Grazing regimes can thenbe set to maximise ground cover, with livestock removed completely when thewetland is wet to prevent nitrification and pugging and to allow wetland plantsto grow, flower and seed uninterrupted.

Control feral animals and weeds:Feral animals and weeds require a particular degree of careful managementaround wetlands as the use of poisons and toxins in a wetland context can havecatastrophic results. Reducing the levels of disturbance to wetland areas canreduce the numbers and types of weeds that grow in a wetlands as canpreventing their spread by reducing or managing livestock access to wetlands. Any use of chemical controls near wetlands should be avoided if possible infavour of mechanical removal of weeds; however some particular chemicals aredesigned with wetland and riparian areas in mind. Careful use of thesechemicals in accordance with directions on the label can have good results.

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Feral animal control is also complex as it is often the values of a wetland thatthe manager is promoting for wildlife habitat purposes that attracts feralanimals such as rabbits, foxes and pigs. A feral animal control plan will need tobe developed that takes into account off-target animal sensitivity to particularcontrol agents and a holistic and integrated approach to feral animalmanagement. Namoi Catchment Management Authority, Rural Land ProtectionBoards and Department of Primary Industries officers can all help with this issue.

How can Namoi CMA help?More than 90% of all NSW waterways run through farmland (NSWDepartment of Primary Industries 2008). As farmers and landholders there ismuch that can be done at a local level to protect wetlands.Namoi CMA has the expertise to advise and help you protect wetlands on yourland. Through the Namoi Catchment Action Plan (CAP), Namoi CMA outlines a seriesof Management Targets relating to wetland ecosystems and the flora and faunathat live within them. Namoi CMA supports land managers to protect wetlands through activities suchas fencing to remove stock form wetland areas, revegetation and riparianrestoration activities, controlling invasive pest and weed species and controllingsalinity and other forms of land and water degradation.You may also be able to seek funds to assist with managing your wetland forconservation via a range of funding programs as they become available. Visitthe Namoi CMA website, or call to find out more.

Map of Namoi Catchment

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W ALCHA

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PILLIGA

QUIRINDI

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GUNNEDAH

NARRABRI

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TAMBAR SPRINGS

Keepi t Dam

Goran Lake

Chaffey Dam

Spl it Rock Dam

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Mo ok i R

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Manilla River

Macdonald R

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Namoi CM A Bounda ry

Cree ksRivers

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Description:

River cooba is a small tree, growing to 13m. It can grow straight up or canspread out as it grows. The bark of river cooba is dark grey-brown with deepcracks. The angular branches of the cooba droop and are sometimes coveredwith short, soft hairs.River coobas have leaves called ‘phyllodes’. Phyllodes are actually stems thatbehave like leaves. Phyllodes are flat, thick and narrow with straight sides. Theyare curved and covered in long soft hairs giving them a silky feel. Phyllodesgrow to be 40cm long and up to 1cm wide with a distinct vein in the middle.River cooba flowers during summer and early autumn and produces globeshaped pale yellow wattle flowers 6-9mm in diameter. Flowers are carried onstalks 0.6 – 1cm long. Seed pods are 10-20cm long and 1cm wide, leathery,rather thick and tightly packed (Cunningham et al 1992).

Distribution:

Found across the Namoi Catchment near rivers, creeks and swampy areas.

Habit:

River cooba is found in areas withheavy clay soils. When many rivercooba grow together they formdense stands known as ‘ribbonstands’ due to the long and narrowshape they form in the landscape.

Contribution to Wetland Function:

River cooba provide habitat forterrestrial fauna. The shade theyprovide is needed to maintain watertemperatures suitable for aquaticfauna and flora. Debris from coobacontributes to aquatic habitat valueand nutrient cycles within thewetland.

Acacia Stenophylla River Cooba, River Myall, Belalie, Eumong, Gurley

A Stenophylla ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

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Casuarina Cunninghamiana River She Oak

Description:

River she oak is a medium sized tree that can grow to 15m or more in height.River she oak has very slender branches (5mm in diameter) while joints on thebranches give them an angular appearance. . The leaves of river she oak are tinyand consist of 8mm-1cm small pointed scales. The scales overlap and form asheath at the joints of the branchlets.The male and female flowers of river she oak are found on different trees (i.e.dioecious). Male flowers are small and occur in dense spikes, female flowersform a compact head. Fruits are shaped like a small cone, about 8mm indiameter. River she oak can flower at any time of the year (Cunningham et al1992).

Distribution:

Found across the Namoi Catchment on the banks of permanent freshwaterstreams.

Habit:

River she oak is more common inhigher rainfall areas. As seedlings arevery palatable to stock, river she oakrarely grows in grazed areas. Where itdoes establish, river she oak will growquickly (Greig D, 1996).

Contribution to Wetland Function:

River she oaks attract birds andprovide food and habitat forterrestrial fauna. River she oak is animportant food source for thethreatened Glossy Black Cockatoo.River she oaks also protect streambanks against erosion. Fallen needlescan provide good groundcover (GreigD, 1992). River she oaks alsocontribute to maintenance of watertemperatures and wetland nutrientcycles.

C.cunninghamiana ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

Eucalyptus CamaldulensisRiver red gum

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Description:

River red gum is a tall tree that grows to 30m or more. Its smooth creamy whitebark with brown and pinkish red patches is very distinctive (Greig D, 1996). The leaves of the river red gum are long and taper from stem to tip, growingup to 30cm long and 2.5cm wide. Leaves are a dull, uniform green or grey-green and form dense crowns.River red gum flowers in summer. Flowers are small and creamy white, inclusters of 5-10. Fruits are hemispherical, 7-8mm wide with sharply triangularvalves (Cunningham et al 1992).Distribution:

Found across the Namoi Catchment nearby large permanent water bodies,notably at Curlewis Swamp and Lake Goran.Habit:

River red gum is a fast growing and drought resistant species. It is mostcommon on grey heavy clay soils along river banks and on floodplains. River redgum commonly forms ribbon stands but can form wider stands on regularlyflooded floodplains. Mass stands of seedlings can occur after floods but thesegenerally thin out over time (Cunningham et al 1992).

Contribution to Wetland Function:

River red gum is an important sourceof food and shelter for many speciesof native birds and wildlife. River redgum can develop hollows as theyage. Hollows provide vital nesting,roosting and sanctuary for manyspecies.

Cultural value:

River red gum inner bark is boiled tomake a powerfully antiseptic rubbingmedicine for sores (DECC 2008). Theheartwood can be boiled and thewater drunk to treat diarrhoea, theseeds are edible as damper and thebark can be used to make canoes.

E. camaldulensis ©2007 Steffan Holmes, DPI.

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Eucalyptus CoolabahCoolibah, Coolabah

Description:

Coolibah trees grow to 20m high. They have fibrous and flaky grey bark withwhitish patches on the trunk and higher branches. Outer branches are smoothwhite or grey and have bark that sheds in short ribbons (Cunningham et al1992). As with river red gums, coolibah leaves are long and tapered from stemto tip. Coolibah leaves grow up to 17cm long and 2cm wide. Leaves aregenerally a dull, uniform green but can sometimes appear bluish (PlantNET2008).Coolibah flowers in summer and has clusters of 3-5 whitish flowers. Fruits areoval to top shaped, 3-4mm in diameter with 3-4 triangular valves (Cunninghamet al 1992).

Distribution:

Found in the western areas of the Namoi Catchment only.

Habit:

Coolibah either stands on its own, or is found mixed with black box, river redgum or yapunyah. It also occurs amongst lignum shrub lands on regularly

flooded alluvial clay depressions inthe Brigalow Belt South and DarlingRiverine Plains Bioregions. The treecan be short and gnarled whenfloods are irregular (Cunningham etal 1992).

Contribution to Wetland Function:

Coolibah provides pollen and foodfor terrestrial fauna including birds(Cunningham et al 2008). Oldercoolibahs can form hollows andprovide important nesting androosting sites for birds, bats and treedwelling marsupials. Coolibahprovide shade while their deep rootshelp to stabilise soil on river banksand keep water tables from rising.

E. coolibah ©2007 Steffan Holmes, DPI.

Myoporum MontanumWestern boobialla

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Description:

Western boobialla is a rounded shrub or small tree with finely fissured bark.Western boobialla has narrow leaves growing alternatively on the branch.Leaves are 3-10cm long, 5mm-1cm wide with a pointed tip and are a brightlight green (PlantNET 2008). Western boobialla flowers in late winter or early summer. Flowers are small andwhite with purple dots. Purplish berries appear after the flowers (Greig D,1996).

Distribution:

Occurs across the Namoi Catchment (Field Survey).

Habit:

Western boobialla is common along creek banks and river flats as well asamongst bimble box, cypress pine and acacia woodlands (mulga) in drier areas.Western boobialla usually occur as scattered plants but can sometimes formdense colonies. Western Boobialla is very drought resistant.

Contribution to Wetland Function:

Western boobialla attracts birds(Greig D, 1996) and flowers probablyprovide an important food source. Itsshape, being dense and rounded,offers refuge to small birds and smallterrestrial fauna. Western boobiallacontributes to soil stability andfloodplain/wetland nutrient cycles.

Cultural value:

Western boobialla was soaked inboiling water for several minutes,cooled and then used to scrub thehead to treat general ailments.

M.montanum ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

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Atriplex semibaccataCreeping saltbush, Berry saltbush

Description:

Creeping saltbush is a perennial shrub that grows along the ground with longslender brittle stems. The leaves are diamond shaped reaching 3cm long. Leavesare greenish above and white below. Leaves are greenish on top with a whiteunderside (Cunningham et al 1992), and may have a wavy or toothed edge. Creeping saltbush flowers in summer. Flowers are small and found either inclusters or by themselves in the leaf axis. The red fruits are 4-6mm long and alsodiamond shaped.

Distribution:

Found across the Namoi Catchment. Common on roadsides and near inlandriver channels

Habit:

Creeping saltbush is found on numerous soil types, but is more common onloams, clay loams and clays, and within many vegetation communities. Itsometimes grows in large dense mats. Creeping saltbush will colonise scalds andbare areas and can tolerate relatively high levels of soils salinity.

Contribution to wetland function:

Saltbush such as this is unique toAustralia and is very important forhealthy wetland function. They haveexcellent soil-binding abilities, areresistant to both soil salinity and saltsprays, are drought, frost and fireresistant and are an important foodplant for terrestrial fauna. They canoften be the last to disappear from adegrading landscape and the first toreturn when degradation cyclesbegin to reverse (Greig D, 1996).

A.semibaccata ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

Einadia nutans subsp. NutansClimbing saltbush

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Description:

Climbing saltbush is an herbaceous perennial shrub with weak trailing orclimbing stems. Leaves are spear-head shaped with a lobe on each side of theleaf base. Climbing saltbush flowers throughout the year, but mostly in summerand autumn (Cunningham et al 1992). Flowers are tiny spine-like spikes. Thered or orange berries are egg-shaped and 2-3mm in diameter.

Distribution:

Found across the Namoi Catchment on floodplains of the Darling Riverine Plainsand Brigalow Belt South Bioregions (Field Survey).

Habit:

Climbing saltbush is found on a wide range of soil types and in most vegetationcommunities. It can often be seen as a green creeper on fences, growing overfallen branches or climbing other trees and shrubs.

Contribution to wetland function:

Climbing saltbush attracts birds, and is both salt tolerant and drought resistant– thus providing important refuge. The berries are an important food source forbirds in inland areas (Greig D, 1996).

E.nutans ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

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Muehlenbeckia florulentaLignum

Description:

Lignum is a hairless perennial shrub that grows up to 2.5m high. It has manyslender tangled branches and stems that often end in a spine. Leaves are rareon most plants and particularly so on older branches. The leave shape is longand narrow (1.5-8cm long, 2mm-1cm wide) and usually flat.Lignum flowers throughout most of the year. Flowers are small, yellowish andarranged either in whorl-like clusters along the branches or as single flowers.The fruits are nut-like, smooth, brown and 3.5-4mm long.

Distribution:

Found across the Namoi Catchment in seasonally flooded low-lying areas andslow-flowing ephemeral creeks and rivers.

Habit:

Lignum can occur in dense and almost impenetrable stands that exclude allother plant species.

Contribution to Wetland Function:

The tangled and spiny nature of lignum makes it excellent small bird habitat.Lignum swamps are favoured breeding grounds for water birds because of theprotection provided by the plant. It is also thought to be vital in controlling thetemperature of water in ephemeral wetlands, binding soil and preventing

erosion under floodconditions andcontributing to thenutrient cycle ofwetlands.

Cultural value:

Young tender lignumshoots were eaten andthe fresh flexiblebranches used in toolmaking.

M.florulenta ©2007 Steffan Holmes, DPI.

Lomandra longifoliaSpiny-headed mat rush

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Description:

Spiny-headed mat rush is a tough, tussocky perennial, rush-like plant with flatleaves that grow to about 80cm long (Henry et al 1995). It grows all year roundand flowers in early spring to mid-summer. There are male plants and femaleplants but it is not possible to tell the difference easily, especially from adistance. The flowers are creamy with purplish centres and borne in clustersalong a spike about half the length of the leaves.

Distribution:

Spiny-headed mat rush is found across the Namoi Catchment in a variety ofhabitats including sandy soils on the margin of shallow drainage channels.

Habit:

Spiny-headed mat rush can grow in most soils including waterlogged areas. It isfrost hardy and not known to be grazed.

Contribution to Wetland Function:

Spiny-headed mat rush attracts birdsand provides soil stability, food andshelter for wildlife. It also providesfood for several species of skipperbutterfly.

Cultural value:

Lomandra longifolia leaves were usedto make baskets, nets and net-bags.Flowers and fruits were also eaten.

L.longifolia ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

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Ranunculus speciesButtercup

Species recorded in the Namoi include Ranunculus inundatus (River buttercup),Ranunculus lappaceus (Common buttercup), Ranunculus pumilio (Fernybuttercup) and Ranunculus undosus (Swamp buttercup).

Description:

Buttercups are a large and widespread group of some 400 species of which 35are found in all Australian states. Ranunculus species are forbs except for onewoody climber. The flowers have 4-5 petals which may be inconspicuous orlarge and shiny-yellow. Distribution:

River buttercups are found at the eastern edge of the Namoi Catchment in wetmud or water around ponds and streams. The common buttercup and fernybuttercup are found across the Namoi Catchment in inland riverine forests orintermittently moist sites. The swamp buttercup is found east of Gunnedah andaround Quipolly dam in intermittently wet sites.Habit:

River buttercups are less common and found in damp situations often in largemats. The common buttercup is found mainly on clay soils in black box or riverred communities, occurring widely in very wet years. Ferny buttercup occurs onclay soils in low-lying flood plain situations in black box woodlands or somegrassland communities. It is also abundant in wet years after flooding recedes.The swamp buttercup occurs on the margins of swamps in wet or drying mudand can form dense or patchy stands at these sites (Cunningham et al 1992).

Contribution towetland function:

Buttercups bind the soilin wet or intermittentlywet areas. They alsocontribute to the wetlandnutrient cycle and mayprovide important foodresources for someterrestrial fauna species.

Ranunculus ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

Rumex species Dock

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Species in the Namoi include: Rumex brownii – Swamp dock, Rumex crispus –Curled dock, Rumex crystallinus – Shiny dock, Rumex tenax – Shiny dock.

Description:These are a group of perennial herbaceous plants. Some docks are purelyaquatic or terrestrial, whilst others are amphibious. Distribution:

Swamp dock is found in the Wee Waa and Walgett areas in inland riverineforests. Curled dock (R. crispus) seed has been found in Lake Goran and WarrahCreek. Shiny dock (R. crystallinus) is found in temporarily flooded areas in thewestern areas of the catchment, whilst Shiny dock (R. tenax) is widespreadacross the catchment (Field Survey).Habit:

Swamp dock occurs on most soil types and in numerous vegetationcommunities. It is a common plant which is usually seen as scattered individualsrather than in dense stands. Curled dock is a vigorous plant which can competestrongly with native or more desirable species in depressions, damp areas andstream banks. Shiny dock (R. crystallinus) occurs in numerous vegetation communities and indamp or low-lying situations generally.It can occur in large numbers infavourable situations. Shiny dock (R. tenax) prefers damp orlow-lying situations primarily with claysoils. It usually occurs as scatteredplants but can be common inpreviously inundated areas.Contribution to wetland function:

Curled dock is an introduced plant inAustralia and should not be considereda sign of wetland health. Curled dockis considered to have a detrimentalimpact on wetland function as it is anexotic weed that can out-competemore useful or desirable species.The other dock species contribute tosoil stability and erosion control inwetlands. The flower, fruit and seedmay provide food for terrestrial oraquatic fauna. Rumex ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

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Persicaria deciphensSlender knotweed

Description:

Slender knotweed is a perennial plant that grows either along the ground orupright with stems up to 60cm long. The leaves are 10-15cm long often with adark blotch on the surface. Slender knotweed flowers in summer. The flowersare small, pink or reddish, and grow in clusters at the end of the (flowering)stem.

Distribution:

Slender knotweed occurs in the Manilla, Nundle and Warrah Creek areas indamp situations particularly amongst the common reed – bush groundselreedlands and forblands of inland river systems.

Habit:

Slender knotweed can occur in fairly dense populations in favourable situationsand can sometimes impede the water flow in small drainage channels.

Contribution to Wetland Function:

Slender knotweed is useful in providing soil stability and preventing soil erosionby slowing down water flows. It provides habitat, particularly when growing indense populations. The fruit, flowers and seeds of the plant are considered alikely food resource for native wildlife.

P.decipiens ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

Ludwegia peploidesWater primrose

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Description:

The water primrose is an amphibious prostrate perennial herb with creeping orfloating stems which can grow up to 4m in length. The leaves are alternate andup to 6cm long and 3cm wide. The flowers have 5 petals and are yellow,primrose-like and produced throughout the summer.

Distribution:

Water primrose is found east of Manilla, south of Narrabri and near Wee Waaon the margins of lakes and creek banks and in floodplain swamps.

Habit:

The floating stems of water primrose can cause dense obstructions inwaterways potentially obstructing water flow in some situations. Creepingstems can form equally dense mats on the banks of wetlands. Pure stands ofwater primrose can occur over large areas.

Contribution to wetland function:

The seeds of the water primrose are a source of food for water birds. Densemats of this plant, both on land and in water, provide important habitat andprotection for both terrestrial and aquatic fauna. The plant is thought to havean important soil binding role as well (Cunningham et al 1992, Saintly andJacobs 1994).

L.peploides ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

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Bolboscheonus fluviatilis Marsh club-rush

Description:

The marsh club-rush is a native perennial sedge-like plant with rhizomes whichoften bear hard oval-shaped tubers. The stems are about 1m or more in heightand conspicuously triangular in cross section. The leaves are grass-like, oftenabout 50cm long and 7-11mm wide. The marsh club-rush flowers in summerand autumn. The flowers are umbrella shaped with 6-9 branches and dull red-brown spikes clustered at the end of the flowerhead branches. The fruits of thisplant are three angled nuts with bristles of variable length.

Distribution:

The marsh club-rush is found west of Manilla and at Quipolly Dam in both openand floodplain swamps.

Habit:

The marsh club-rush grows in shallow water in small colonies or as isolatedindividual plants. It may become a weed in poorly drained agricultural landswithin high rainfall areas.

Contribution to wetland function:

The marsh club-rush provides shelter for wildlife and is favoured as nestingmaterial by swans. It is a useful species for stabilising banks as it prefers to growin the shallow water at the stream’s edge.

B.fluviatilis ©2008 Harry Rose, DPI

Carex appressa Tall sedge

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Description:

Tall sedge is a tufted sedge that forms clumps up to 60cm across and 1m tall.Stems are sharply triangular, hard, solid and rough on the edges toward the top.Leaves are 3-6mm wide and grass like with rough margins and grow mainlyfrom the base of the plant. The flowerhead is a brownish spike. Flowers arebrownish spikelets about 5mm long. The fruit is a nut contained inside aflattened, oval hairless sack.

Distribution:

Tall sedge is found at Warrah Creek, Quipolly Dam and in wetlands across theNamoi Catchment. It is widespread in damp areas or areas with shallowephemeral water.

Habit:

Tall sedge occurs on coarse-textured alluvial soils on the margins and in the bedsof ephemeral creeks. It is also found on heavy clay soils of river banks and inshallow water around the margins of swamps on river floodplains. Tall sedgegrows mostly in summer although it will remain green all year if adequatemoisture is available. It can be verycommon along the banks of streamsand the margins of swamps – attimes growing so densely that itmakes access to the water’s edgedifficult

Contribution to wetland function:

Tall sedge helps to stabilise the banksand beds of wetland areas. Itprovides important habitat for manyspecies of birds, frogs and otheranimals, particularly when growing indense stands.

C.appressa ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

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Eleocharis speciesSpike rushes

There are several species of Spike-rush found in New South Wales. Eleocharisacuta – common spike-rush, Eleocharis pallens – pale spike-rush, Eleocharispusilla, and Eleocharis sphacelate – tall spike-rush, all occur in the NamoiCatchment.Description:

All spike-rushes are perennial sedges with a thick root base. The stems arecylindrical or somewhat flattened, more or less erect and thickened at the base.The leaves are reduced to very fine sheathes at the base of the stem. The flowerhead is a single cylindrical spike found at the end of each stem. The fruit lookslike a small nut with or without several slender bristles underneath. Distribution:

Common spike–rush: known to occur SW of Gunnedah, SW of and in the Walchaand Bendemeer areas in or alongside perennial wetlands including channels.Pale spike-rush: found in the Walgett, Wee Waa, Tambar Springs, and Mullaleyareas and NW of Baradine in inland floodplain swamps and shrublands.Eleocharis pusilla: occurs across the Namoi Catchment in moist places.Tall spike-rush: found east from Narrabri in still freshwater at least 5cm deep.

Habit:

Depending on conditions, spike rushescan be common and widespread orinfrequent and isolated. All spike-rushes die back to their rhizomeswhen conditions are dry and growvery quickly in response to a flood orrainfall.Contribution to wetland function:

Spike-rushes help stabilise the banksand beds of waterway areas. Theyprovide habitat for birds, frogs andother animals particularly whengrowing in dense stands. Some spikerushes are very effective at filteringnutrients and sediments and are oftenplanted in wastewater treatmentwetlands for this purpose (MCMA2008).

Eleocharis ©2008 Steffan Holmes, DPI

Cyperus speciesFlat sedges

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Nine different species of flat sedges were found in the Namoi Catchment duringfield surveys. These are: Cyperus bifax – downs nutgrass; Cyperus concinnus– flat sedge; Cyperus conicus:; Cyperus difformis - dirty dora; Cyperus exaltatus– giant sedge; Cyperus gymnocaulos – spiny sedge; Cyperus iria; Cyperussquarrosus; Cyperus vaginatus – stiff flat-sedge

Description:

Cyperus bifax – downs nutgrass: A hairless perennial sedge with slendercreeping rhizomes which produce oval tubers at their tips. Stems are usually upto 80cm tall and 3-4mm wide and are a triangular shape. Leaves are few. Downs nutgrass is found across the entire Namoi Catchment on heavy clay soilfloodplains.Cyperus concinnus – flat sedge: a graceful perennial sedge with a short woodyrhizome. Stems are erect, slender, rigid, and grow to be 15-50cm high and 2mmwide. Stems are striped below the flowerhead. Flat sedge is found seasonallyin wet sites. Cyperus conicus - a tufted, greyish perennial sedge with short thickunderground stems. Leaves are rough and 3-5mm wide. Flowerheads aresimple or compound with 4-10 branches to 8cm long, comprising numerousspikelets 2.5-3mm long and about 0.8 mm wide, pale brown tinged yellow orred-brown. Fruit is a triangular black nut, about 1.8mm long and 0.8mm indiameter (DECC threatened species profile). Cyperus conicus is found in thePilliga Scrub area NE of Narrabri on the banks and margins of streams andwaterholes and is a threatened plant in NSW.Cyperus difformis - Dirty dora: a hairless green annual sedge with reddishfibrous roots. The stems are smooth, solitary or tufted and up to 50cm high andsharply triangular in the upper part. Leaves are few, grass-like, and drooping.dirty dora is found across the Namoi Catchment in seasonally wet opensituations.Cyperus exaltatus – giant sedge: a stout tufted perennial sedge with shortwoody rhizomes. The stems are triangular, smooth and up to 2m high. Theleaves are flat 3-10mm wide and rough along the margins. Giant sedge iswidespread across the Namoi Catchment in shallow water and on the banks ofstreams and lagoons.Cyperus iria – a hairless annual sedge with smooth, tufted or solitary, triangularstems that are 10-60cm high. Leaves are narrow, grass-like and often drooping. Cyperus iria is found west of Pilliga in ephemerally wet, open situations.

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Cyperus gymnocaulos – spiny sedge: a densely tufted perennial sedge withstout woody short creeping rhizomes. Stems are mainly cylindrical but are oftentriangular near the top and are distinctly grooved lengthways. Spiny sedge isfound NW of Baradine and north of Wee Waa on the banks of streams, lakesand artesian bores.Cyperus squarrosus – this bearded flat sedge is a dwarf annual sedge with finefibrous roots and a strong odour of fenugreek when dry. Stems are 2-20cmhigh, single or tufted, smooth, acutely triangular and compact and sometimesrelatively stout. Bearded flat sedge is found in the NE parts of the catchment inephemerally wet locations.Cyperus vaginatus – stiff flat-sedge: a tussock-forming perennial with short,thick rhizomes. Stems are circular in cross section, rigid, smooth and up to 1mhigh. Leaves are reduced to sheathes except in juvenile plants. Stiff flat-sedgeis found in Warrah Creek and Quipolly Dam along creek lines.Habit:

Sedges are generally found in open, sunny positions associated with riparian orwetland areas. Most sedges prefer the edges of water bodies where the soil isconstantly moist but not flooded. Many will tolerate shallow water and briefperiods of flooding (Murrumbidgee CMA 2008).Contribution to wetland function:

Sedges aid in stabilising banks and beds of streams and wetlands. They areimportant refuge for birds, frogs and other animals particularly when growing

in dense stands. Some sedges arevery effective at filtering nutrientsand sediments from water(Murrumbidgee CMA 2008).Conservation status:

Grazing, disturbance, logging,clearing and changes to floodingpatterns have conspired over timeand as a consequence Cyperusconicus is now an endangeredspecies. Further loss of the speciescan only be averted by controllingthese activities.

Cyperus ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

Juncus speciesRushes

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Juncus aridicola – tussock rush; Juncus articulatus – jointed rush; Juncuscontinus; Juncus flavidus; Juncus ochrocoleus; Juncus planifolius; Juncus radula– hoary rush; Juncus subsecundus; Juncus usitatus – common rush.

Description:

Eight species of rush are known to occur in the Namoi Catchment. All rushesare perennial tussocky rhizomatous plants. Their maximum heights vary from60cm-2m depending on the species. Telling the difference between rushspecies can be difficult and an experienced botanist may be required for apositive identification.Juncus aridicola – tussock rush: this species has stems that are 60cm-1m highand covered with a whitish bloom. Leaf sheaths are pale or medium brown.Flowers are pale, well spaced along the branches of a loose panicle. Tussockrush is found across the Namoi Catchment in permanently or periodicallyflooded areas.Juncus articulatus – jointed rush: an introduced perennial rush 15-50cm highwith stiff slender stems arising from a rhizome. Leaves are mostly on the stems.Flowers are dark coloured and borne in globular clusters that form a looseflowerhead. Found SW of Walcha in damp locations.Juncus continus – this species of rush is only found in the Narrabri area in inlandfloodplain swamps.Juncus flavidus: stems of this species are 35cm-1.20m high and yellowish greenwith stripes. Leaf sheaths are dark. Flowers are pale when young and laterbright yellow in clusters on panicle branches. It is found across the entire NamoiCatchment in inland floodplain swamps associated with seasonally and brieflywet conditions.Juncus ochrocoleus: this rush is a rhizomatous perennial. The stems grow to85cm long and 3mm in diameter. They are hard, yellow-green in colour withbetween 20 and 52 stripes. Flowers are numerous but occur by themselves.Found west to Pilliga in river coobah swamp on floodplains of the DarlingRiverine plains and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions.Juncus planifolius: occurring as a tuft or as a short vertical rhizome, Juncusplanifolius can be either an annual or perennial. Stems grow to 60cm long and1-2mm in diameter. Leaves are present at the base of the stalk. Flowers grow inclusters of up to 30, as many as 20 clusters are found on one stalk. Found inthe Pilliga Scrub area.

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Juncus radula – hoary rush: This species has stems 20-60cm tall with the upperparts slightly roughened. Leaf sheaths are pale and flowers are also pale andusually evenly spaced along a loose panicle. Hoary rush is found western partsof the Namoi Catchment in seasonally damp situations. Juncus subsecundus - this rush is a slender, shortly rhizomatous perennial withstems 25-70cm long. It is found across the Namoi Catchment in dryish habitats.Juncus usitatus – common rush: The stems of the common rush are usually 1-2mm in diameter. True leaf blades are absent but some stems might be present.Flowers are not clustered. It is found across the Namoi Catchment on streambanks and in moist places.

Habit:

All rushes are found in habitats that are either always moist or seasonally wet.Rushes can form impenetrable thickets and make access to the water difficult.

Contribution to wetland function:

Like sedges, rushes aid in stabilising banks and beds of streams and wetlands.They are an important refuge for birds, frogs and other animals particularlywhen growing in dense stands. Jointed rush is an introduced species and can out-compete native species andobstruct water flow, therefore is thought to be detrimental to wetland function

(Murrumbidgee CMA 2008).

Juncus ©2008 Steffan Holmes, DPI

Phragmites australis Common reed

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Description:

The common reed is a native perennial that can grow up to 4m high. As withrushes, the common reed has an extensive rhizome system. The stems are rigid,many-noded and up to 15cm in diameter. The leaves are alternate and up to70cm long. The flower heads are a drooping feathery panicle up to 40cm long.

Distribution:

This species is widespread in the Namoi Catchment in stationary or slow-moving waterbodies, margins of creeks, streams, channels and drains, swampsand areas with high water or seasonal flooding.

Habit:

The common reed can tolerate slightly brackish water. Its spread is mostly viarhizomes however it also produces fertile seeds. This species can occasionally bea weed in constructed waterways as it can grow very densely and obstructwaterflow.

Contribution to wetland function:

The common reed provides habitatand protection for terrestrial faunaand prevents erosion by improvingsoil stability. It is used to treatwastewater because of its ability toclean nutrient blooms and sedimentsfrom run-off (Saintly and Jacobs1994).

P.australis ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

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Typha speciesCumbungi

Two species of cumbungi have been found in the Namoi Catchment, Typhadomingensis – narrow-leaved cumbungi and Typha orientalis – broad-leavedcumbungi.

Description:

Both these species are erect native perennials up to 4m tall with extensiverhizome systems. The leaves are flat or slightly rounded, sometimes spongy. Theflowers are a distinctive dense spike of male flowers above a similarly densespike of female flowers.

Distribution:

Both these species are found across the Namoi Catchment in swamps, on themargins of lakes and streams and in irrigation channels and drains.

Habit:

Both species grow in fresh or brackish water. One spike may produce up to200,000 seeds many of which can germinate. These species can sometimes be

a major weed in irrigation channelsand drains.

Contribution to wetland functions:

In hot inland areas, cumbungiprobably contributes to a reduction inthe amount of water lost toevaporation. They are an importantfood and shelter resource forterrestrial wildlife and help to stabilisebanks and reduce erosion.

Typha ©2008 Greg Steenbeeke, Orkology

Potamogeton speciesPondweed

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Potamogeton crispus – curly pondweed and Potamogeton tricarinatus – floatingpondweed are both found in the Namoi Catchment.

Description:

Curly pondweed is an annual or perennial aquatic plant. It has flattened stemsthat are up to 3m long. Leaves grow to 10cm in length have wavy margins andoccur in an alternate pattern except when directly before a flower. The floweris a spike on or just above the water surface.Floating pondweed is a native perennial aquatic plant with both submerged andfloating leaves. The waxy coating on the leaves provides buoyancy to the plant.The leaf size and shape are highly variable even between plants at the samelocations. Submerged leaves are thin and translucent, 20cm long and up to 1cmwide and wrap around the stem of the plant. Flowers occur above the surfacefrom October to May.Distribution:

Curly pondweed is found in Goran Lake and the Boggabri area in slowly flowingfreshwater. Floating pondweed is found across the entire Namoi Catchment inslowly flowing waters of rivers and creeks up to 3m deep.Habit:

Curly pondweed grows rapidly when water temperatures reach 150C. Naturaldieback usually occurs soon after maximum growth therefore the species in notpersistent and any obstruction of water flow in irrigation systems is usually shortterm. Floating pondweed can grow at depths between a few centimetres andseveral meters. Contribution towetland function:

Both these speciesprovide food for waterfowl and habitat for fishspecies. They also trapnutrients and impurities,contributing to improvedwater quality andpotentially reducing blue-green algal blooms.

Potamogeton ©2008 Steffan Holmes, DPI

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Marsilea speciesNardoo

Marsilea augustifolia – Thin leaf nardoo, Marsilea costulifera and Marsileadrummondii – Common nardoo are all found in the Namoi Catchment.Description: Nardoo is a widespread perennial, rhizomatous native fern, it has frondsthat are clover-like with four leaflets up to 10cm in diameter. The leaflets are hairlessto sparsely hairy and are borne at the end of a hairless or sparsely hairy stalk risingfrom rhizomes (Cunningham et al 1992). Thin leaf nardoo has a band of brown andlighter green in the middle of the frond while Common Nardoo fronds can be wavyand covered in hairs.Nardoo usually grows in shallow water with the leaflets floating on the water surface.It also survives well in damp soil. As soil dries out the leaves shrivel and sporocarps(capsule containing the spores, the fruiting bodies) become detached and drop to thesoil layer. When new flooding occurs the sporocarps open and release spores whichdevelop into new plants. The sporocarps are borne on stalks that arise from the baseof the fronds.Distribution: Marsilea costulifera is widely distributed in moist sites in the Wee Waaarea. Marsilea drummondii occurs in seasonally inundated land, lakes or depressionsWest of Boggabri, NE of Tamworth, SW of Quirindi and at Curlewis Swamp.Habit: Nardoo grows in stationary and slow moving water such as the margins ofgilgais, waterholes, claypans, swamps, rivers, roadside table drains and depressions inmost communities (Cunningham et al 1992). They have a floating attached habitwith roots attached in a soil or mud layer with the leaves floating above the water.Contribution to wetland function: Provides habitat for frogs, fish, birds andbeneficial invertebrates. Is an attractive part of a wetland and contributes to wetlandfunction by removing nutrients from the water, reducing evaporation and providing

some water temperatureregulation.Cultural value:Traditionally the sporocarpswere ground up for flourand mixed with water toform a damper or porridge.It was also used intraditional medicine (DECC2008).

M.drummondii ©2008 Steffan Holmes, DPI

Nymphoides crenata Wavy marshwort

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Description:

A floating perennial aquatic forb with long branched stolons which lie justbeneath the water. It flowers in spring-summer and occasionally into autumn.The leaves have long stalks which float and are bright green, waxy, roundedand deeply notched at the base, reaching 5-13cm long with rounded teeth atthe margins. The flowers are delicate, yellow, about 3cm across with five“petals”. Flowers often open only in the mornings and are windblown and tornby afternoon. The margins and centreline of each “petal” is fringed and held onstalks up to 8cm long, clustered in groups of up to twenty which are erect andthen later droop downwards to carry the developing fruits underwater. Thefruits (seeds) are a short beaked capsule (Cunningham et al 1992). Wavymarshwort is cultivated in garden pools as an ornamental.Distribution:

Wavy marshwort is found North West of Baradine in slowly flowing water increeks, rivers, lagoons and channels in water 1.5m deep, usually on mudsubstrate.Habit:

Wavy marshwort grows densely in dams and channels and often thendiminishes after a few years. It can persist for some time in mud and where soilis drying out. It has a floating attached habit with its roots in a soil/mud layerwith the leaves floating above the water. Will often appear in areas that havebeen temporarily flooded near permanent streams

Contribution towetland function:

Provides habitat forfrogs, fish, birds andbeneficial invertebrates.Is an attractive part of awetland and contributesto wetland function byremoving nutrients fromthe water, reducingevaporation andproviding some watertemperature regulation.

N.crenata ©2008 M. Fagg, ANBG

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Myriophyllum speciesMilfoils

There are five milfoil species found in the Namoi Catchment. These areMyriophyllum crispatum – water milfoil, Mryiophyllum papillosum - commonwater milfoil, Myriophyllum simulans, Myrophyllum striatum – striped watermilfoil, Myriophyllum verrucosum – red water milfoil.

Description:

Milfoils are perennial aquatic forbs.

Myriophyllum crispatum – water milfoil: found in eastern areas of thecatchment in still water or on mud. It can grow when fully submerged in wateror fully out of the water (emergent) with at least the upper parts bearingscattered, small, white hairs. Stems are usually 3-5mm in diameter and rootingoccurs at the nodes in fully emergent plants.

Mryiophyllum papillosum – common water milfoil: found in western areas ofthe catchment in shallow water or on mud. It has trailing stems to almost 2mlong with erect stems to almost 20cm tall. Roots extend from the nodes.Leaves are arranged in whorls, pinnate in shape, linear and cylindrical, withinconspicuous flowers in the leaf axils (Sainty and Jacobs 1994).

Myriophyllum simulans - found in the western areas of the catchment in stillwater or on mud. It is aquatic or fully emergent with stems 1-2mm in diameterwith roots at the nodes. The emergent leaves are in whorls of usually 3-4 or areirregularly arranged, are linear to round and tapering, 5-15mm long and up to2mm wide, they can be entire or divided into narrow segments.

Myrophyllum striatum – striped water milfoil: found in Wee Waa and Pilligaareas in damp situations on banks of creeks and around water holes. The leavesare fully emergent, held above the water, and the prostrate parts of the plantroot freely at the nodes. Leaves are alternate in arrangement, mostly 5-8mmlong or occasionally the lower leaves are weakly pinnately lobed and up to15mm long.

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Myriophyllum verrucosum – red water milfoil: found in western areas of thecatchment in anything from deep water to exposed mud. Red water milfoil is aperennial native, mostly submerged with stems to almost 4m long and up to2mm in diameter. Leaves are usually in whorls of three or four. The submergedleaves are pinnate while emergent leaves are waxy blue to reddish-pink/purple.

Habit:

Milfoils are described as species that root in the substrate or can be free floating.Most of the leaves on the plant are divided or with incised margins. These waterplants have their submerged leaves finely divided and the emergent leavesoften entire. Some species grow upright emerging above the water’s surface.Some grow fully submerged and others form dense carpets along wetlandedges.

Myrophyllum striatum is a creeping matted plant that roots freely at the nodes.

Myriophyllum verrucosum: red water milfoil occurs in still and slow movingfresh and brackish water in swamps, ground tanks and rivers, most commonlyfound in waters to 2m deep but occasionally water 4m deep or deeper. It alsosurvives well in drying mud and fast flowing streams. Can form a dense mat ofplants and be a pest in dams where it taints the water with a fishy smell(Cunningham et al 1992).

Contribution to wetland function:

Red water milfoil is a food source for waterbirds. Milfoils provide food, shelterand breeding habitat for fish. It is an attractive part of a wetland whichcontributes to function aswell as appearance. Italso filters pollutants andoxygenates dam water.

Myriophyllum ©2008 Steffan Holmes, DPI

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Azolla speciesDuck weed

Azolla filiculoides – pacific or red azolla and Azolla pinnata – ferny azolla bothoccur in the Namoi Catchment. Description:

Pacific or red azolla is a common native floating fern 1–2.5cm in diameter. Olderplants in full sun are reddish and plants in the shade are greenish. Pacific or redazolla has simple very fine roots up to 5cm long that hang freely in the waterfrom the underside of the stem. Pacific or red azolla is irregularly branched andrandom in shape. Ferny azolla in fully grown plants has roots that are branched with small, fineside branches or rootlets. Ferny azolla is triangular in outline and regularlybranched rather like a small pine tree. Both species have a symbiotic relationship with blue-green alga and provide theplant with nitrogen. In natural waterbodies or garden ponds both species areattractive and decorative and float horizontally on the water surface. They arevery nitrogen rich and can be used as mulch.Distribution:

Both species thrive in stationary and slow moving water, especially if nutrientlevels are sufficient. Pacific azolla is found south of Baradine in stationary andslow moving waterbodies such as inland floodplain swamps. Ferny azolla, foundacross the Namoi Catchment and at Quipolly Dam, favours still or slowlymoving water.Habit:

Both species are free floating and can cause blockages when banked up bystrong winds. Bothspecies form free floatingcarpets on still water. Contribution towetland function:

Increased growth ofeither species canindicate nutrient enrichedconditions. Azolla speciesare a good food sourcefor both stock and birds.It is a natural part ofwetland systems.

Azolla ©2008 Steffan Holmes, DPI

Salix speciesWillow

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Description:

Salix babylonica – weeping willow. This tree was introduced from China viaEurope. It is a spreading deciduous tree to 12m tall, with outer pendulousbranches up to 6m long. Leaves are alternate on penultimate branches and areup to 12cm long. The flower is a catkin or compact spike about 4cm long.Flowers in Australia are mostly female and reproduction is by pieces of stemtaking root (Sainty and Jacobs 1994). It is deciduous in winter and flowersappear almost simultaneously with leaves in spring.

Distribution:

Along creek and river banks, channel and drainage banks. Also found aroundfarm dams.

Habit:

It has a vigorous root system which can obstruct waterflows and cause break upof structures. Tree limbs are brittle and frequently break, fall, and clog upwaterways. Shallow surface roots prevent the growth of other plants.

Contribution to wetland function:

The weeping willow was originallyintroduced to reduce erosion afternative vegetation was removed but isnow considered an invasive weedwhich obstructs natural water flow.Native plants should be used insteadof this species in wetlands andwaterways.

Salix ©2008 Francesca Andreoni, Namoi CMA

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Phyla canescens Lippia

Description:

Lippia was originally introduced as a low maintenance lawn alternative. Leavesare small and slightly grey-green about 1-2cm long. Flowers are pale purple,with whitish petals and a yellow centre. Flowers grow in tight clusters giving theappearance of a single flower. Lippia is a perennial herb. The branches aregreyish, smooth and bare and spread along the ground (30-90cm long).

Distribution:

Lippia is found east of Gunnedah and at Curlewis Swamp on moist or wet areasparticularly on clay floodplains near rivers. It is also found in gardens and onroadside verges in urban areas.

Habit:

Lippia grows along the edges of wetlands and waterways, river flats andfloodplains. It grows in dense, flat mats that smother other plants found onriver banks, creeks and the edges of wetlands. Lippia can also producechemicals to suppress the growth of other plants. Lippia reproduces easily byfragmentation or from seed. It has a long taproot (2m) that wedges into soiland causes bank breakaway. Its aggressive spreading habit and dominance ofnative plants outweighs its usefulness.

Contribution towetland function:

Lippia is an introducedand invasive weedspecies and can outcompete native speciesand obstruct water flowand is thereforedetrimental to wetlandfunction (MurrumbidgeeCMA 2008).

P.canescens ©2008 Francesca Andreoni, Namoi CMA

References

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Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.E. and Leigh,J.H. (1981) Plants of Western New South Wales. SoilConservation Service of New South Wales, 1992 reprint.

DECC threatened species profiles.www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au. Departmentof Environment and Climate Change, NSW. AccessedNovember 2008.

DECC (2008) Cultural Plant Profiles, Department ofEnvironment and Climate Change, NSW.

Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd, (2008) Results from Field Surveyfor Project No: 125-005: Namoi Wetland Assessment andPrioritisation Project. Available from Namoi CMA on request.

Greig, D. (1996) Flowering Natives for the Home Garden,Harper Collins.

Harden, G.J. (editor) (2000) Flora of New South Wales, Volume1, UNSW Press.

Henry, D.R., Hall, T.J., Jordan, D.J., Milson, J.A., Schefe, C.M.and Silcock R.G. (1995) Pasture Plants of Southern InlandQueensland, Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane, Qld.

MCMA (2008) Wetland Fact Sheets. MurrumbidgeeCatchment Management Authority NSW.http://www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au/index.php?id=799Accessed November 2008.

New South Wales Department of Primary Industries,http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/habitat/rehabilitating/fish-friendly-farms, 27th November 2008.

PlantNET, Flora of NSW, Flora Online, Searches available athttp://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/search/simple.htm

Readers Digest (1993) Complete Book of Australian Birds,Second Edition, Readers Digest, Sydney.

Saintly, G.R., and Jacobs, S.W.L. (1994) Waterplants in Australia,A Field Guide, CSIRO Division of Water Resources, Australia.

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Glossary

Alluvial soil Soil or sediments deposited by water.Alternate Not in pairs.Amphibious Growing both in water and on land.Annual A plant that completes its life cycle in one year. Axis The upper angle between a leaf and a stem (plural: Axils)Dioecious Male and female flowers are on different plants.Emergent Roots are attached but parts of the plant emerge from the

water.Floating Roots of the plant are attached but leaves, or stems float on

the surface.Forb A non-woody plant other than a grass, sedge, or rush etc.Fragmentation Small pieces of the plant break off and begin to grow.Free floating Plants that grow in the water column with no attachment to

the channel, banks or other structure.Frond Leaf.Gilgais Small depressions where rainwater gathers.Grass A plant belonging to the Poaceae family.Herb A plant without a woody stem (also herbaceous).Perennial A plant that needs more than a year to complete its life cycle.Phyllodes A flattened stem that looks and functions like a leaf.Pinnate A leaf which is divided onceProstrate Growing flat on the ground.Rhizomes Plant roots.Rush A plant belonging to the Juncaceae family.Sedge A plant belonging to the Cyperaceae family.Shrub A woody plant less than 8m high with many branches and

stems.Stolon Plants with horizontal stems with new roots at the ends also

known as runnersSubmerged The entire plant grows under water.Tree A woody plant with a distinct trunk, trees normally grow to

be more than 5m.Whorl A ring of leaves on a stem.

Index

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Acacia stenophylla 8Atriplex semibaccata 13Azolla species 35Bolboscheonus fluviatilis 21Carex appressa 22Casuarina cunninghamiana 9Cyperus species. 24Einadia nutans subsp. Nutans 14Eleocharis species 23Eucalyptus camaldulensis 10Eucalyptus coolabah 11Juncus species 26Lomandra longifolia 16Ludwegia peploides 20Marsilea species 31Muehlenbeckia florulenta 15Myriophyllum species 33Myoporum montanum 12Nymphoides crenata 32Persicaria deciphens 19Phragmites australis 28Phyla canescens 37Potamogeton species 30Ranunculus species 17Rumex species 18Salix species 36Typha species 29

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