Attractive in flower, hardy in the wild and in the garden, and attractive to nectar- feeding birds, the correas are an under-rated group of native plants.
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Today’s photo was taken a week ago at Devil’s Kitchen, where the Woady Yaloak River flows through the old town of Piggoreet.
There are just a few correa plants there, nibbled down by livestock and rabbits, surviving only because of their steep rocky habitat.
They were initially thought to be rock correas because of the rocky slopes, but closer inspection revealed that they were the common correa.
This species grows in small numbers in many parts of local bushland. There is a particularly handsome red form in the Enfield forest.
Those around Daylesford are yellow-green, without red. Eastern spinebills and New Holland honeyeaters were seen at Devil’s Kitchen.
Slits in the base of the long flower-tubes indicated that the New Holland honeyeaters had learnt a “short-cut” to the nectar.
The spinebill, with its longer bill, has no need to do this.
The rock correa is uncommon and little-known in the Ballarat region, being recorded in just a few places.
Other interesting plants at Devil’s Kitchen include river bottlebrush, sticky hop-bush, inland pigface and fuzzy New Holland daisy. Some of these do not occur any closer to Ballarat. Tree violets are common too.
Wildflowers
This weekend, June 25 and 26, sees the introduction of a display of winter-flowering native plants, provided by the local branch of the Australian Plants Society.
It will be held in the Robert Clark Centre at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens. In past years the group has provided an attractive and informative display in October.
This year there will be a surprising range of completely different native plants that can brighten our local gardens in winter.
Many varieties of correas will be among them, as well as heaths, grevilleas, hakeas, some early wattles and more.
The entry fee of $5 includes a hot drink. Closing time on both days is 3.30pm. Native plants and pre-loved nature books will be for sale. For more information phone 5341 5567.
WOOD DUCKS
Only 15 wood ducks could be found at Lake Wendouree at the weekend.
There were 114 at the end of February. Many have obviously moved away, possibly to find territories for nesting. The current swan total is 162, up 50 since February.
Roger Thomas can be contacted by writing to The Courier at PO Box 21, Ballarat, 3353, or rthomas@vic.australis.com.au.
