Plants of Karkarook Park
Plants of Karkarook Park
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Most plants listed here can be found in Karkarook Park. The pictures are all generic (source unknown) but over time we hope to replace them with original photographs taken of specific plants within Karkarook Park together with location details etc.
These records will be invaluable for the continuing development and conservation of the Karkarook .
To assist with this project, please contact the secretary
Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle)
Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle)
Plant form: Large shrub to medium size tree
Flowering time: winter to mid spring
Height: 30m Grows From: Seed Treatment: Hot water
Collect seed: November Sow seed: September
Germination time: 4 Weeks Pot on: December
Plant out: May
Acacia dealbata is a large shrub or medium-sized tree to about 30 metres high. It is one of those species which retain the fern-like, bipinnate foliage throughout their lives (in most other species, the bipinnate foliage is replaced by flattened stems called phyllodes). The pinnae (the divisions of the pinnate leaves) are up to 55 mm long and usually bluish-grey in colour. The plant has smooth, greyish green to dark grey bark which becomes fissured with age. The pale to bright yellow flower clusters are globular in shape and are produced terminally or in the leaf axils in late winter to mid-spring.
A.dealbata is well known in cultivation both in Australia and overseas (where is is known as 'mimosa"). It is a hardy plant suitable for a wide range of climates and soils, provided they are reasonably well drained. It is probably too large for average-sized gardens but is ideal for parks and larger properties and for use as windbreaks. However, it should not be grown outside of its natural range because of its potential to naturalise and become weedy.
Acacia implexa (Lightwood Wattle)
Acacia implexa (Lightwood Wattle)
Plant form: Small to medium tree Flowering time: Summer
Height: 5-8meters Width: 2-3 meters
Grows From: Seed
Treatment: Hot water Collect seed: April
Collect cuttings: Sow seed: July to August
Germination time: 3 weeks Pot on: December
Plant out: May
Adaptable to moist or dry soil of all types. Tolerates moderately salty winds. Grows in full or part shade. Lightwood is graceful, reliable, long-lived wattle with attractive bark. Its narrow form makes it a good screen plant and its suckering roots are useful for stabilising steep banks. It flowers in summer, and sometimes again in autumn.
Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle)
Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle)
Plant form: Small to medium tree
Flowering time: September to November
Height: 6-10 meters Width: 6-10 meters
Grows From: Seed Treatment: Hot water
Collect seed: December Sow seed: July to August
Germination time: 3 weeks Pot on: November
Plant out: May
Prefers dry soil, all soil types and full or part sun. Tolerates moderate to high salt winds. Easily grown, this tree is relatively short-lived around 15 years. It provides good insect habitat and is useful for out-competing weeds. Few plants will survive under its canopy. The Kulin people used the wood for making weapons; the bark provides twine and medicine; and the gum was a source of food, drink and an adhesive when mixed with ash. Be sure to allow plenty of room for this tree.
Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood Wattle)
Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood Wattle)
Plant form: Large shrub to medium size tree
Flowering time: July to October Height: 5-10 Meters
Width: 4-6 Meters Grows From: Seed
Treatment: Hot water Collect seed: January
Collect cuttings: No Sow seed: July to August
Germination time: 3 Weeks Pot on:
Plant out:
Prefers deep moist soil but is adaptable. Tolerates some dryness once established, but not salty winds. Grows in full sun to part shade. Blackwoods are long-lived, stately, dense trees providing good screening and shade. It tends to sucker if its roots are damaged, which makes it useful for stabilising embankments. Timber from large trees is used for furniture-making. Kulin uses include fibres for fishing lines, bark for rheumatic pain and wood for spear throwers and shields. Size is governed by soil and nutrients; in rainforest Blackwoods grow to be large trees.
Acaena novea-zelandiae (Bidgee Widgee)
Acaena novea-zelandiae (Bidgee Widgee)
Plant form: Groundcover Flowering time: October to January
Height: Prostrate Width: 1-4 Meters
Grows From: Seed Treatment: None
Collect seed: January Collect cuttings: No
Sow seed: Germination time: 3 Weeks
Pot on: Plant out:
Adaptable, this plant tolerates all soils, moist or dry conditions and salt winds. Grows in full sun and partial to complete shade. Spreading by stolons, this is a useful soil-binding plant on slopes. It can spread widely and over-run other plants. The burrs can be annoying if this is planted where people and pets will brush against it. Early settlers used the leaves as a tea substitute.
Allocasuarina littoralis (Black sheoak)
Allocasuarina littoralis (Black sheoak)
Plant form: Small to medium tree
Flowering time: March to June Height: 4-8 meters
Width: 2-5 Meters Grows From: Seed
Treatment: None Collect seed:
Collect cuttings: No Sow seed: February
Germination time: 2-3 Weeks Pot on: 8 Weeks
Plant out:
Requires well drained soils of all local types, in full sun or partial shade. Contrary to the literal translation of littoral (coastal), the local providence shows a low tolerance of salt winds, although the same specie does grow in salty conditions in NSW. The upright, almost conical form of this evergreen tree makes it a possible substitute for European conifers. The male trees become covered in tinny, orange flower in autumn to winter. It can spread by suckering if roots are damaged. This is a good size tree for planting under wires in nature strips as well as a handsome park specimen. The Kulin people made implements from the wood.
Allocasuarina verticulata (Drooping sheoak)
Allocasuarina verticulata (Drooping sheoak)
Plant form: Small to medium tree
Flowering time: March to December Height: 4-11 meters
Width: 3-6 Meters Grows From: Seed
Treatment: None Collect seed:
Collect cuttings: No Sow seed: March
Germination time: 1-2 Weeks Pot on: 8 Weeks
Plant out:
Requires well drained soils. Tolerates salt winds. Grows in full sun and all local soils. This is a beautiful and easily cultivated tree, although it occasionally has establishment problems when mycorrhizal fungi associated with the roots are not present in the soil. It can be spread by suckering if roots are damaged. When mature, a carpet of leaves is created under its canopy, suppressing all vegetation, making this plant useful for weed control. The golden effect of the dense, male flowers is an attractive feature, as is the sound of the wind through the fine branchlets. Kulin people used the wood to make boomerangs and other implements. It was a dominant part of the regional landscape but was cut down by early settlers for firewood. This is a good shade tree, especially in coastal situations.
Banksia marginata (Silver Banksia)
Banksia marginata (Silver Banksia)
Plant form: Medium to large shrub
Flowering time: September to April
Height: 1-5 meters Width: 1-3Meters
Grows From: Seed Treatment: None
Collect seed: Collect cuttings: No
Sow seed: March Germination time: 3-4 Weeks
Pot on: 12 Weeks Plant out:
Prefers good drainage, but tolerates soils that are wet in winter and dry in summer. Tolerates moderately salty winds. Grows in full sun or partial shade. Silver Banksia is not only beautiful but is a valuable nectar source for wild life and an excellent screening plant. Pruning encourages attractive, woolly, brown, new growth. The Kulin people made sweet drinks from the flowers and used the dry cones as strainers. Avoid high phosphate fertilisers with this plant.
Bursaria spinosa (Sweet Bursaria)
Bursaria spinosa (Sweet Bursaria)
Plant form: Small to medium tree
Flowering time: December and January
Height: 4-6 Meters Width: 2-4 Meters
Grows From: Seed Treatment: Fresh Seed
Collect seed: January-March Collect cuttings:
Sow seed: January - March Germination time:
Pot on: Plant out:
Tolerates dry soil, moderately salty winds, full or part sun and all soil types. This plant is long lived and easily grown. This valuable habitat plant attracts mane insects and spiders to its showy flowers which in turn attracts birds that use the spiders’ webs for nest building. B. spinosa offers bird protection with its spiny branches. This plant has potential as a street tree under wires; it can be pruned to form a single trunk. It can be grown as a hedge as it responds well to regular pruning or shearing. South Australian aboriginal people use the wood for boomerangs and the leaves contain a natural sun screen.
Correa reflexa (common correa)
Correa reflexa (common correa)
Plant form: Shrub Flowering time: March to September
Height: 30cm-2m Width: 1-2m
Growth: moderately fast growing
Grows From: Cuttings Treatment: Cut pow
Collect seed: Collect cuttings: March
Sow seed: Germination time:
Pot on: Plant out:
Grows in well-drained soils of all local varieties. Tolerates dry conditions and moderately salty winds. Grows in full sun or partial to almost complete shade.
Common correa is a useful plant for many situations including dry, shady positions. Flowers vary from green to red and are an important winter nectar source for honeyeaters. There are many forms of this shrub around Victoria and at least a couple of local varieties occur.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Red river gum)
Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Red river gum)
Plant form: Large Tree Flowering time: November to March
Height: 12-50 meters Width: 15-20 Meters
Grows From: Seed Treatment: None
Collect seed: February Collect cuttings:
Sow seed: Germination time: 2 Weeks
Pot on: 8 Weeks Plant out:
Favours damper, heavier soils with deep subsoils. Tolerates very dry periods and inundation once established, and moderately salty winds. This is an open, spreading tree with graceful drooping leaves, excellent for planting in parklands but too large for the small suburban garden. It is a valuable honey source and has durable timber. There is a common perception the Red Gums drop limbs, but the local form does not exhibit this tendency. It was an important Kulin tree for implements, and making canoes. The gum was used for treating diarrhoea and burns. A once widespread eucalypt of the grassy woodland, mature specimens still form a significant part of the landscape in Springvale, Keysborough and Bangholme. The Corroboree Tree at St Kilda Junction is reputedly over 400 years old.
Eucalyptus pryoriana (Gippsland Manna Gum)
Eucalyptus pryoriana (Gippsland Manna Gum)
Plant form: Large Tree Flowering time: March to May
Height: 8-16 meters Width: 5-12 Meters
Grows From: Seed Treatment: None
Collect seed: February to March Collect cuttings:
Sow seed: Germination time: 2 Weeks
Pot on: 8 Weeks Plant out:
Tolerates all local soils, moist or dry, and slightly salty winds. This is an attractive, medium-sized tree suitable for large coastal gardens. It can shed limbs when older. Coast Manna-gum is also a good windbreak and shelter tree, providing honey and fuel. The Kulin people ate the manna secreted by insects as a sweet treat.
Eucalyptus radiata (Narrow Leaf Peppermint Gum)
Eucalyptus radiata (Narrow Leaf Peppermint Gum)
Plant form: Large Tree Flowering time: October to January
Height: 10-15 meters Width: 6-10 Meters
Grows From: Seed Treatment: None
Collect seed: January Collect cuttings:
Sow seed: Germination time: 2 Weeks
Pot on: 8 Weeks Plant out:
Requires well-drained soils in non-saline conditions. This is a beautiful, spreading, shade tree with fibrous bark. It is sensitive to some soil conditions found in altered soils, perhaps pH, compaction or nutrients, which stunt growth and turn leaves yellow. Oil is distilled from its strongly-scented leaves.
Goodenia ovate (Hop Goodenia)
Goodenia ovate (Hop Goodenia)
Plant form: Small shrub Flowering time: August to February
Height: 1-2 meters Width: 1-3 Meters
Grows From: Cuttings Treatment:
Collect seed: Collect cuttings: June - September
Sow seed: Germination time:
Pot on: 5 Weeks Plant out:
Favours damp soils but tolerates dryness as well as waterlogging. Grows quickly in full sun or partial to complete shade, withstanding moderately salty winds. This colourful, fast growing plants sometimes needs pruning of old growth. It is sometimes short-lived. Useful as a revegetation species, it regenerates from seed around parent plants. A prostrate form also exists which is much more coast hardy. Specimens have been found in the spray zone at Mt Eliza beach.
Indigofera Australis (Indigofera)
Indigofera Australis (Indigofera)
Plant form: Small shrub Flowering time: September to December
Height: 1-2 meters Width: 1-2 Meters
Grows From: Seed Treatment: None
Collect seed: February Collect cuttings:
Sow seed: February Germination time: 4 weeks
Pot on: 12 Weeks Plant out:
Adaptable to any well-drained soil. Tolerates moderately salty winds and lime. Grows in full sun or partial to complete shade. Very attractive in flower, this is a useful shrub for understory planting. Pruning is important to maintain bushiness and remove dead wood. This plant can be short-lived. The Kulin people used the crushed roots to poison fish. They also obtained blue dye from the flower.
Isolepis nodosa (Nobby Club-Rush)
Isolepis nodosa (Nobby Club-Rush)
Plant form: Grasses and Tussocks
Flowering time: All year Height: 50cm – 1.5 meters
Width: 60cm - 2 Meters Grows From: Seed
Treatment: Bog method Collect seed: January-February
Collect cuttings: Sow seed: June
Germination time: 5 weeks Pot on:
Plant out:
Favours moist soil, though tolerates dry periods. Grows in full sun or partial shade, in all local soils, but does not tolerate salt winds. This is an interesting contrast plant and is useful for binding sandy soils and for mass planting. It can be rejuvenated by pruning close to the ground. (Previously known as Isolepis nodosa)
Leptospermum continentale (Prickly Tea-tree)
Leptospermum continentale (Prickly Tea-tree)
Plant form: Medium to Large Shrub
Flowering time: October to March Height: 1-4 meters
Width: 1-2 Meters Grows From: Seed
Treatment: None Collect seed: November
Collect cuttings: Sow seed:
Germination time: 3 weeks Pot on: Plant out:
Adaptable to most soil types. Tolerates moisture, but not salt winds. Grows in full sun or partial shade. Prickly Tea-tree is hardy. With attractive leaves and flowers it makes an ideal garden specimen and could be used as a screening plant. It has narrow prickly leaves and is sometimes subject to borer attack. Flowers are held on the plant for several months and attract butterflies and Jewel Beetles. Early settlers used the leaves as a tea, and the Kulin people used the stems to make spears.
Lomandra longifolia (Spiny-Headed Mat-Rush)
Lomandra longifolia (Spiny-Headed Mat-Rush)
Plant form: Grasses and Tussocks
Flowering time: September to December
Height: 90cm-1.2meters Width: 1-1.2 Meters
Grows From: Seed (fresh) Treatment: None
Collect seed: December-January Collect cuttings:
Sow seed: February Germination time: 8 weeks
Pot on: Plant out:
Grows in wet to dry soil, withstanding moderate salt winds. Easy to cultivate and grows in full or part sun and all soil types. This is a graceful tussock useful for both garden and revegetation. It responds well to pruning of fire and recruits well from seed. It can dry out in extreme dry conditions but comes back after pruning. Useful for weaving mats, baskets and fish traps, this plant was an important Kulin resource. The Wurundjeri name for the plant is Karawun. The seed provides food for birds and insects. It can often be found growing around the base of Coast Manna Gums. Beware of the plant being sold from non-indigenous nurseries, as it is often the larger-growing New South Wales species L.hystrix.
Melaleuca ericifolia (Swampy Paper Bark)
Melaleuca ericifolia (Swampy Paper Bark)
Plant form: Small to medium tree
Flowering time: October and November Height: 2-9meters
Width: 3 Meters Grows From: Seed
Treatment: None Collect seed:
Collect cuttings: Sow seed:
Germination time: 3 weeks Pot on: 8 weeks
Plant out:
Requires moist to wet soil. Tolerates dryness once established and moderately salty winds. Grows in full sun or partial shade. A very adaptable plant, it may sucker and become invasive; this can be somewhat controlled by planting in a drier situation. Responds well to pruning and shearing. Excellent for hedging. Aboriginal people used the bark to wrap babies. The wood was used for spears, clubs and digging sticks, and nectar was used to make sweet drinks.
Melaleuca Squarossa (Scented Paperbark)
Melaleuca Squarossa (Scented Paperbark)
Plant form: Medium to large shrub
Flowering time: Sept to Feb Height: 2-5 meters
Width: 1-2 Meters Grows From: Seed
Treatment: None Collect seed:
Collect cuttings: Sow seed:
Germination time: 3 weeks Pot on:
Plant out:
Requires moist to wet soils of all local types. Tolerates moderately salty winds and seasonal inundation. Grows in full sun to partial shade. This is an attractive, dense shrub with unusual foliage and fragrant flowers. Responds well to pruning and is suitable for hedging.
Patersonia occidentalis (Long Purple - flag)
Patersonia occidentalis (Long Purple - flag)
Plant form: Grasses and Tussocks
Flowering time: Sept to Jan Height: 20-40cm
Width: 30-60cm Grows From: Seed and Division
Treatment: None Collect seed:
Collect cuttings: Sow seed: June-July
Germination time: Pot on: Plant out:
Tolerates inundation during winter and some dryness during summer. Grows in full sun or partial shade. Prefers lighter soils. This plant, with its spectacular flower display, is suitable for bog gardens or pond edges, but tolerates drier positions where it responds to the occasional extra watering. Not always long-lived in cultivation, it can be rejuvenated by burning dead thatch.
Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass)
Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass)
Plant form: Grasses and Tussocks
Flowering time: Sept to Feb Height: 40cm, stems 70-90cm
Width: 75cm Grows From: Seed
Treatment: age > 2yrs Collect seed: January - February
Collect cuttings: Sow seed: July
Germination time: 12 weeks Pot on: Plant out:
This plant is adaptable to moist soils that do not retain wet. Tolerates moderate salt winds. Grows in full sun or partial shade. A very attractive, summer-growing grass, used either to feature in a garden or in mass planting. Regenerates well after fire or pruning. The volcanic soil of South Melbourne supports this grass, giving the name Emerald Hill. Direct seeding using collected thatch is useful in revegetation. Gippsland Aboriginal people used the stem and leaves as string to make nets. Prune in summer to early autumn.
Viminaria juncea (Golden spray)
Viminaria juncea (Golden spray)
Plant form: Medium to Large Shrubs
Flowering time: Oct to Feb Height: 2.5 – 5 meters
Width: 2 meters Grows From: Seed
Treatment: Hot water Collect seed: December
Collect cuttings: Sow seed: January
Germination time: 3 weeks Pot on: 8 weeks
Plant out:
Adaptable to all local, poorly-drained soils. Tolerates moderately salty winds. Grows in full sun or partial shade. This is a short-lived shrub that is most attractive in flower but becomes untidy after a few years. The flowers are sweetly fragrant. Its open weeping habit makes it a useful pool feature. Prune to remove old growth.
Viola hederacea (native violet)
Viola hederacea (native violet)
Plant form: Groundcover and Wildflower
Flowering time: All year Height: Prostrate – 15cm
Width: 1-2 meters Grows From:
Treatment: Collect seed:
Collect cuttings: Sow seed:
Germination time: Pot on: Plant out:
Requires moist to wet soils. Tolerates moderately salty winds. Grows in full or partial to complete shade. Native Violet provides complete cover and adds colour among other plants or under trees. If kept moist, this plant is suitable for a hanging basket and mass planting. It has been used effectively in the forecourt of the Melbourne Museum.
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