Fast growing medium-sized tree with dark bark, feathery foliage & masses of yellow flower clusters in late winter to early spring. Suits most well-drained sites but dislikes saline or waterlogged soils. Short-lived, averaging 10 to 15 years. Considered to be a good pioneering plant, regenerating poor soils as it builds nitrogen. Also noted as a good suppresser of understorey growth, making it a good fire retarding tree.

Quick growing upright tree with hard brown fissured bark & attractive foliage, producing masses of creamy white flowers in winter. Grows in both wet & dry locations on well drained soils. Blackwood is an excellent tree to plant for shade and shelter. Short lived if conditions are harsh. Can be subject to mistletoe, fungi & borer infestation. Considered to be slight to moderately saline tolerate.

Small to medium spreading tree with beautiful drooping foliage. The dry sandy coastal soils being its natural or preferred habitat, salt spray tolerant. Individual male & female plants, with the male tree developing yellow-brown pollen spikes giving the tree an attractive hue. The female tree forms barrel shaped woody cones. An excellent shade tree once established & highly drought tolerant. Shed foliage forms a weed smothering soft carpet.

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Typically a medium shrub growing to about 2 metres in height with a similar width, suited to moist well drained soils in sunny to part shade positions, but can withstand some winter water logging. It's numerous yellow or golden green flowers are rich in nectar & attract birds & insects. Drought resistant once established & noted as an effective screening plant that tolerates some pruning that will promote new growth & denser foliage. A very hardy & long-lived species.

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Sweet Bursaria grows to a shrub or small tree with those closer to the coast growing taller with fewer and sometimes no spines. Leaves are small; shiny and dark-green. Flowering with dense clusters of fragrant white flowers, going on to form attractive bronze coloured seed pods. Sweet Bursaria is a favourite with birds & butterflies. It makes an excellent garden tree if given an appropriate position & the time to establish. Bursaria spinosa var. spinosa differs from Bursaria spinosa var. macrophylla with shorter leaves. Both are long lived.

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An iconic tree that is widely distributed across mainland Australia. The River Red Gum grows mainly along waterways & in & around wetlands areas, preferring deep sandy/alluvial soils. Mature trees host an enormous number & variety of animal and insect species. Long-lived & will need plenty of room spread, usually unsuitable for most garden situations. River Red Gums take a hundred or more years to reach their full size. The River Red Gum in the image opposite is hundreds of years old & predates any European settlement in Australia

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Medium size tree, usually under 15m tall, often stunted & crooked if the growing conditions are harsh. Silver-leafed Stringbark grows in poorly drained sandy sites tolerating moderate water logging. The dense grey-green foliage thins on older trees. Thick soft & fibrous grey-brown bark persists to the upper branches, typical of peppermint gums. Juvenile leaves are a dull grey-green & round or ovate in shape. White/cream flowers attract birds.

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Medium to tall tree with a spreading canopy, preferring well drained light clay & sandy soils. Can be variable within the species with trunk bark becomes dark and rough with age, with its upper branches pale and creamy. Drought tolerant & can be very long-lived. Considered to be one of the best honey trees. The showy flowers are white to cream, attracting honey-eaters & parrots throughout its flowering period. Remnant Yellow Box are now very rare, with only a few trees remaining across the Sandbelt region.

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Spreading or upright tree that is well suited to growing on water-logged sandy soils or light clays. The upper bark sheds in ribbons, leaving branches creamy to grey in colour, while rough bark persists on the trunk. Flowers are creamy white & juvenile leaves are roundish or ovate in shape, longer & thinner as they age. Ovata is one of the Koala's favourite food trees. Swamp Gum can reach 30m, but generally very much shorter in the wetter areas.

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Small to medium tree, can be variable in size & form. Prefers well drained moist soils. Sheds bark to ground level; creating its trademark pale & patterned trunk. Long-lived & hardy. Blooming profusely with beautiful creamy flowers, followed by its large distinctive gum nuts. Leaves are large & leathery. Noted as a good garden & honey tree for the sandbelt region. Remnant snow gums have become very rare across the sandbelt region.
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Attractive spreading tree growing to about 12 metres high. Moderately dense canopy, thinning on older trees, The bark is fibrous & rough persisting to the smaller twigs. Grows best in dry or moist well drained sandy soils & is tolerant of periodic water-logging. Flowers are creamy-yellow in colour. Once widespread across the Elster Creek catchment now mainly restricted to a few reserves in the region.

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Erect, small tree with fine, soft foliage, occurring naturally along water courses & wetlands being very prominent throughout water-logged areas. Very hardy & drought tolerant tree. Pale papery bark & fragrant creamy-yellow bottlebrush-like flowers with dense fine foliage makes for an attractive screening tree that takes well to pruning. Planting in groups improves the aesthetic & habitat value of this Melaleuca tree.

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An erect or spreading prickly shrub growing to 2 or more metres in height, though is generally smaller on the sandbelt. Prefers sandy soils but is adaptable & withstands short periods of water inundation & drought. Attractive cylindrical flowers are a very bright creamy-yellow in colour. Extremely prickly, making it a suitable shelter habitat for small birds. Noted for its showy flowering, being one of the best flowerers in the Wattle family.

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Erect or spreading shrub to 3+ metres with smooth bark; branchlets angled or flattened. Grows in most soil types; in reasonably well drained positions, often on moist sites, in full sun to part shade. When planted in groups Hop Wattle forms an effective screen & windbreak that doesn't grow too tall or turn straggly. Fast growing and tolerant of dry conditions.

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Sender reasonably fast gowning shrub, often open & spreading in form. Flowering in winter with sweetly perfumed pale yellow flowers. Its leaves are long & narrow. Prefers well drained soils & is suited to full sun to partial shaded positions. Selective tip pruning encourages a more vigorous leaf growth & a denser shrub. Noted as being salt tolerant. The Latin word suaveolens means sweet smelling.

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Open erect shrub with slender branches. Prefers dry to moist well drained soils, tolerating some water-logging. Flowers are attractive & profuse among the whorls of prickly phyllodes [modified leaves]. Its open form allows plenty of light through to smaller plants below or around its margins. Takes well to periodic light pruning. Good small bird habitat.

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Open sprawling shrub prefers well drained, moist & sandy soils or light clays in full sun to shaded positions. Adapted to drier soils & is drought resistant. Female plants have small dark-red flowers & develop small seed cones, while males produces brown flowers on the end of the branchlets. Long-lived shrub with attractive soft foliage that is sufficiently open to allow for the establishment of smaller plants beneath it.

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An attractive erect & rigid small plant with sculptured grass-like foliage, usually leafless in its mature form. Found across the sandbelt region on the sandy soils, but will adapt to a range of soils types from coastal to inland areas. Very hardy species, well suited to rockeries & bush-gardens especially in lighter soils. Looks v/good planted in group. While it has small insignificant flowers, it is worthwhile plant for its foliage alone.

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A variable species, typically a medium shrub to about 2 metres high on the sandbelt. Forms a dense shrub & flourishes in full sun to semi-shade. Prefers dry soil types & does not tolerate phosphorus soils. The upper surface of the leaf is a dull green & the under surface silvery, giving the plant its common name. Flowering is from early spring to autumn. A very hardy & long-lived species.

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Known for its showy display of yellow & red pea flowers & fine decorative foliage. Spectacular when in full flower, especially when grown in an open sunny position. Requires well drained soils on dry or well drained moist sites, with full sun to partial shade. Often difficult to establish requiring protection from disturbance & regular watering over its first summer. Once established B.cinerea is a very hardy shrub that responds well to occasional light pruning. Protect the root zone from disturbances.

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Fast growing & upright, medium to tall shrub, preferring wetter & heavier soil types. Dark green narrow leaves that grow to about 50mm in length, with crowded heads of small whitish flowers. Long lived & drought tolerant & takes well to pruning.

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Attractive graceful fast growing aromatic shrub with small narrow leaves on slender branches. Numerous small seeds with a fluffy appearance are produced in late spring. C. arcuata has a very delicious spicy aroma. Removing the old flowerheads will promote flowering & a more dense shrub. Needs well-drained soils and will benefit from supplementary watering during establishment.

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A very variable species with attractive yellow flowers cluster at the ends of the stems. Flowers mainly during late-spring to summer, but it is not unusual to see flowers at other times of the year. Needs a well drained sunny position & is suitable for growing in containers.

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Common Correa
Correa reflexa var. reflexa

Flowers: May to September.

H 0.5-2m x W 1-2m.

Fast growing dense shrub, mostly grown from cuttings & care needs to be taken when planting due to the delicate root system. Suited to dry or well drained moist soils. Grows in sunny open positions to shaded areas. Flowers can vary from red to green. Correa is a good choice for planting near paths & driveways, with its soft foliage, that takes very readily to pruning.  Usually grows to less than its 2m height, making it a excellent understorey plant to establish near trees or larger shrubs. The young plants should be protected & kept moist with supplementary watering until established.

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An attractive hardy shrub which grows well in most soils with dense clusters of showy yellow flowers with red markings & narrow leaves. This shrub likes well drained soils in full sun to semi shaded areas. Has a very long flowering duration.

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A beautiful shrub worthy of cultivation usually growing to a metre or more in height. Branches are stiff & have small leaves that are pointed. Flowers are tubular shaped and red to white or pink in colour, and are sometimes densely packed in clusters at the end of the stems or spaced along the stems. Well drained position in semi shade or full sun is preferred. Can be hard to establish so protect from disturbance, although a tough little plant once established. Keep moist throughout the first summer. Pruning overcomes its natural straggly habit. The pink form of E. impressa is the floral emblem of Victoria.

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Tolerates most soil types, including clay & sandy soils. Soft leaves & masses of yellow flowers make it an effective hiding & feeding place for small nectar seeking birds. Following flowering, it produces woody seed capsules. Regular light pruning helps to maintain a regular shape & produce denser foliage. Yellow Hakea tolerates dry positions & is not long-lived.

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Large shrub 3+ metres, usually less on the dry well drained soils on the sandbelt. Adaptable to most soils & situations. Very pointy leaves. Large woody seed capsules are retained on the bush Useful protection for small nectar seeking birds. Short-lived less than 15 years.

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An attractive plant with showy flowers with papery petals. Flowers retain colour once dried & can be used in long-lasting floral displays. Excellent for borders & rockeries. Prefers to grow in sunny to part shade positions & will tolerate most well drained soils. Can be short-lived, extra water in summer and winter pruning can extend its life span. Keep moist until established.

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Small erect shrub with attractive foliage that produces profuse yellow flowers. Prefers well drained sandy soils in full sun to part shady positions. Long-lived but can be a little difficult to establish, so keep protect from disturbance, & moist during establishment.

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Fast growing hardy plant that grows in full sun to shady positions. Bright yellow flowers persist most of the year with attractive serrated leaves along its trailing stems. Very drought resistant, as well as tolerating wetter areas. Very effective for quick in-fill planting, coping well with foot traffic & pruning. Ideal for large pots & hanging baskets. Requires room to spread to its full 3 metre diameter. Can be contained by pruning.

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Slender upright shrub of the Pea family. Likes well drained moist sandy soils in a sunny to semi-shady position. Flowers with spectacular show of mauve to purple flowers. Attractive blue-green foliage through the winter months. Adaptable to most soil types. Reasonably drought tolerant once established. Can be short lived if the planting position is too dry or waterlogged. Supplementary summer watering improves the vigor and density of flowers & more luxuriant foliage. After flowering the shrub produces shiny bright-green pods. Noted as taking well to some light pruning.

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A large shrub to 3+ metres on the sandbelt taller elsewhere. Prefers an open position in moist soil tolerating dry sites. Flowers in an attractive mass of small white flowers. Has soft foliage & attractive seed capsules. Quick growing, long lived & hardy. Can grow & flower well in shady areas flowering best in open sunny areas. Can be pruned to keep neat. Considered an invasive plant in some areas.

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Fast growing hardy plant that grows in full sun to shady positions. Does well on poorly drained soils & is adaptable to most soil types & moisture conditions. Prickly leaves with attractive white flowers flowering over a long period. Position away from paths and areas where people will come into contact with its pungent leaves.

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Wooly Tea-tree makes a attractive garden plant usually reaching 2 or more metres. Grows in moist to wetter soils; preferring full sun or partial shade; withstanding dry periods. Flowers are followed by woody seed capsules which remain unopened until they drop from the plant or the plant dies. Regular pruning makes a denser shrub.

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Attractive twiggy small-leafed shrub with pure white to pink flowers. Grows well in moist to dry heathland soils. Full sun to semi shade but flowering best on the drier sandy sites in full sun positions. Makes a good hedge plant, pruning can be beneficial.

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Small erect shrub with dark-green pointy leaves, producing masses of attractive tiny white flowers. Prefers well drained soils in full sun to partial shade. Hard to purchase from local nurseries, but would make an ideal addition to any bushland garden or rockery. Takes well to light pruning to bring on new growth.

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Usually an erect shrub or small tree with dark green ovate leaves arranged in pairs opposite each other along slender branches. During spring & summer it displays scented creamy white bottlebrush flowers. Adaptable to most soils & conditions as it is often found in dry forests & in swamps or along watercourses. Tolerant of dry conditions once established. Noted as taking well to pruning.

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Small to medium open, sometimes sprawling shrub with tiny aromatic leaves and masses of white (more common) or mauve flowers. Long flowering period from from spring to late autumn or winter. Prefers well drained soils, even primary dune areas. Takes well to pruning after the flowers fade, stopping the plant from becoming straggly & can prolong the flowering. Propagates readily from cuttings. Good understorey plant.

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Straggly, understorey shrub with wiry scrambling stems. Very showy when in flower, although not often cultivated. Regarded as a hardy species for moist shady sites but requires good drainage. Attractive large flat seed pods after flowering. Drought resistant.

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Wiry stemmed trailing shrub with very attractive yellow & red pea-flowers & distinctive triangular shaped leaves. Prefers drier light soils, sunny or semi-shade positions. Mixes well with other shrubs & grasses, trailing & growing through without dominating. Long lived & drought resistant.

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Very attractive small slender twiggy shrub, with narrow, leaves & yellow and red tinged flowers in tight groups at end of stems. Requires moist well drained soils. Sunny to semi-shaded areas suite the best. Keep moist and protected until established.

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An attractive shrub that flowers in a mass of white flowers. Male and female flowers are on the same bush. Found across the sandbelt on sandy soils. Rarely grown because of difficulties in propagation.

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Lush leafy plant found in the sandy soils of the heathlands & woodlands. Attractive round white composite flowers on long stems. Naturally grows where the vegetation has been disturbed. Found in full sun or shady positions, really excels in moist shady areas in early springtime.

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Although not commonly cultivated, X.minor can make an excellent garden plant. Very hardy, slow growing & long lived. Requiring well drained soils in full sun to dappled shade. Flowers are produced on tall spear-like shaft/s with masses of small creamy-yellow nectar rich flowers. Some sources estimate that flowering can be achieved in four years after planting, but it may take longer. X. minor can makes an excellent container plant. Flowers profusely after fires.

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A twining scrambler that tends to grow-up through nearby shrubs, but not vigorous enough to smother its host. Will form a small tangled ground cover if isolated. Flowers are attractive yellow to green & bell shaped. Its fruit is oblong & noted as being edible when ripe. When soft enough to eat they fall from their stems. Apple-berry likes well-drained light soils, growing in semi-shade, often in more open positions. Requires moist soil around the root zone. Could make a excellent hanging basket plant.

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A spectacular delicate twining creeper with stems 1–2m long, leafless or sparsely leaved. Usually found in the more shaded areas on well drained soils. Lovely blue/purple flowers in spring. Usually goes unnoticed until in flower. Difficult to cultivate.

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Vigorous & very showy climber with masses of cream starry flowers. Suits well drained moist to dry soils, also found growing in sandy coastal habitats. Male and female flowers develop on different plants. The female plants develops attractive white feathery plumes persisting to summer. Consider planting next to mature Blackwood or Lightwood for a natural trellis. Can be successfully trained up trellised fences for screening. Reasonably long lived if treated well. Drought resistant, & responds well to supplementary watering in dry positions. Soft foliage & easy to control by pruning.

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Small delicate scrambler or climber with mauve to pale-blue flowers mainly spring through to early summer. Will grow up through neighbouring shrubs; but will not dominate. Pick a moist sheltered position & flowering can be prolonged to summer. Attractive trifoliate leaves of different sizes to 40mm long. Usually goes unnoticed till flowering. Will add a welcome dimension to any native garden setting.

Attractive small to medium lily with mauve to purple flowers. Suited to moist well drained soils. Grows in full sun to part shade. Flowers produce a pleasing sweet chocolate scent. Usually completely dies back over summer & re-appears in late winter/springtime from underground tubers. Occasional watering will produce a more lush plant & a longer flowering time. Needs protecting from snails & slugs.

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Widespread in grasslands and woodland. Plant in well drained sunny positions. The mauve flowers are about 25 mm diameter. Fringe lilies are not often seen in cultivation despite their obvious beauty. Suited to growing in a container. Each flower last for one day, but new flowers continue to be produced through spring.

A very delicate little climber or scrambling lily, its twisting leafless stem winds around vegetation, or in the absence of suitable vegetation, trails along the ground. Produces very pretty fringed purple/mauve flowers at the end of its branches. Prefers well drained sandy to medium loamy soils. Needs protection from disturbances.

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A tufting plant with strappy foliage. Pale blue flowers appearing among the strappy leaves, these are followed by bright-blue berries. Prefers full sun to part shade and can cope in a range of soil types, provided the soils are well drained. Long lived and tolerant to frost & drought and can cope with coastal conditions. An attractive versatile plant well worth using in gardens, rockeries or beside pathways.

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Generally a trouble-free clumping lilly, spreads by rhizomes, but easy to contain. Reasonably fast growing & very drought tolerant once established. Grows in full sun to shade & suitable for most well drained soils. Makes a lovely understorey plant. Flowers are an attractive star shape; blue with black and yellow centres, appearing in spring, summer & autumn. Followed by fleshy shiny purple berries. Removing the dried-out flower stems improves the appearance. Very hardy & long lived. Looks good planted in groups. Suitable for rockeries. Long lived.

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Pale or Smooth Flax-lily forms a loose tuft with long strap-like leaves. Produces clusters of small pale blue star-shaped flowers on tall stems that may reach a metre high. Followed by blue/purple berries. Suitable for moist well drained soils in full sun to shaded positions. Like most Dianella species they can be divided once the clump is large. Responds well to extra watering in summer. Drought tolerant once established. Its cousin D. tasmanica is noted as being salt tolerant.

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Tufted lilly with very attractive purple flowers on long stems. Prefers lighter soils in moist to wetter areas. Will grow in full sun to shady positions. Fairly tolerant of long dry conditions. Do not let dry out completely. Flowers are short lived, daily, but are produced in abundance. Suitable for pond surrounds and damper areas. Delicate root system so be extra careful when planting, keep moist till established. Usually available at local indigenous nurseries.

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Tufted, grass-like plant with long narrow leaves & attractive pink flowers on long stems. Prefers well drained soils in sunny or semi shade positions. Hardy once established. "Trigger-plant" has a unique pollinating method, each flower has a cocked flower column which is triggered by insect visitors. The trigger remains cocked until an insect probes the flower and then springs upwards and deposits pollen on the insect. Good plant for adding colour to a rockery or mixing in with grasses to make a grassy- heathland setting.

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Wallaby-grasses adds great charm to any bushland garden or rockery; with many species found across the sandbelt. Good at adapting to their immediate conditions & will form small tuffs to medium size tussocks if conditions are ideal. Most prefers well drained soils in full sun to part shade. Most species flower in spring through to summer & some in autumn. Seed heads are usually white & some are fluffy at maturity; producing many seeds. They will self sow fairly readily if the mulch isn't too deep. Drought tolerant but thrive on extra watering. Cutting back after summer, tidies the tussock & promotes new growth.

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The Spear grasses are a very common component in sandy heathlands, in low open forests & along the immediate coastline of south eastern Melbourne. Foliage grows from 10 to 30 cm high with flower stems reaching from 0.5 to 1.5 metres depending on the species. Most species flower in spring to early summer. Flowerheads vary between the species, most have attractive feathery plumes. As the name suggests they produce sharp pointed seeds. Cutting back the tussock after the summer peak is recommended. Position full sun to semi shade & plant in groups for a natural effect. Austrostipa mollis & A. pubinodis should be available through local Indigenous nurseries.

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The Flora of Melbourne shows four species of Dichelachne indigenous to the Melbourne region. With possibly two occurring in the Elster Creek region, D. crinita has been recorded in bushland remnants in St Kilda, Sandringham, Clayton & Glen Huntly. Both species only differ slightly from one another in appearance, both locals would be suitable for most gardens.

Soft lush grass suited to well drained moist soils, thriving in the shaded areas often used to lawn deep shaded areas. Tufting or matting, its size can be variable depending on the local conditions; takes very well to regular mowing. Deep-rooted, hardy & drought tolerant. Self sows & spreads readily to other suitable areas. There are two different forms of Weeping Grass across the sandbelt that vary in height. The seeds often catch in socks & other clothing which can be annoying. Weeping Grass can be very invasive, overgrowning smaller plants, & can be very hard to control in a garden situation

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Fast growing attractive large tussock grass with slender grey-green or blue-green leaves. Accepting most conditions, preferring moist areas. Prefers full sun for maximum development of the flower heads. Reasonably long-lived at around 15 years & drought tolerant once established. Trimming the tussock back to 150 mm once a year in early summer stimulates growth and removes excess flammable material. Trimming & then dividing a large tussock in spring is possible. Planting in groups a metre apart will give pleasing results.

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Grows in full sun to part shade on sandy to clay soils & needs little water once established. Leaves develop an orange to red or purple tinge in winter and turn green in spring & summer. The attractive foliage and seed heads make Kangaroo grass ideal as an ornamental in rockeries and native gardens. Like most tussock grasses planting in spaced clumps will give good landscaping values. Kangaroo Grass is long lived.

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Fast growing coastal grass; a very hardy medium to large symmetrical tussock. Will grow in full sun or part shade, in wet or dry conditions & in well drained soils. Cutting back in autumn will keep it looking neat & fresh. Can be a little prickly on bare legs. Tolerates salt spray making it an ideal plant for the immediate coast area.

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Scrambling Coral Fern reaches its full height by being supported by other vegetation; or by forming a tangled thicket. Growing in shaded permently waterlogged soils, along drainage-lines or in cool sheltered gullies in or around heathlands eucalypt forests & woodland. Scrambling Coral Fern is hardy & can tolerate salt laden winds in coastal environs. Will not tolerate its root zone completely drying out. Rare in cultivation & is almost extinct across the Sandbelt.

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Coarse erect fern with stiff fronds. Fronds are coiled when they first emerge, become harder & darker as they unfurl. Requires well drained soils to flourish, Bracken will form dense patches spreading by underground rhizomes. Considered a troublesome weed & a fire hazard in some rural areas. The fire hazard can be reduced by removing dead fronds and stems. With or without its problems, Bracken is an integral part of the Australian landscape and flourished throughout the sandbelt region, & is still present in most bushland reserves foreshore areas & along some raillines & creeks.

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A ground-cover plant with soft ferny leaves. Likes full sun to semi-shade & well drained soils, but adapts to wetter areas. Fairly fast growing. May need some watering to remain lush throughout summer. The globular flowerheads dry to a reddish brown & are retained for several months on the plant. Dried seedheads are easily broken into a multitude of small burrs when touched, sticking to socks & pet fur. Keep away from foot-trafficked areas. Recommended not to grow if you have cats or dogs as the burrs can be a nuisance.

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Small attractive scrambler that likes sunny areas. Twines its way through and up grass stems & other small plants, flowering in splashes of pink along its twining path. Mix with established grasses like wallaby grasses. Flowers vary from pale pink to deep pink, with attractive soft green leaves. Can be lush & vigorous if it finds a moist sunny position. Self seeds well.

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Dense carpeting ground-cover tolerating most soils types; sunny to shady positions. Can be a lawn substitute for light use areas, & takes well to mowing. The kidney-shaped leaves are about three centimetres across. The flowers are small and inconspicuous. Excellent for rockeries or in between stepping-stone pathways. A hardy & adaptable plant that thrives in moist semi-shade areas.

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Attractive trailing ground cover with bright red flowers on stringy runners up to or over 1 metre plus long. Prefers a open sunny position or dappled shade in moist well drained soils, will do well in drier areas if watered & not left to dry-out. Noted as an excellent plant for growing in rockeries on embankments & in hanging baskets. Light pruning can be beneficial. Can be short lived, but Running Postman is a delight to have around.

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This is our local violet which has small odorless white & purple flowers on stems to 10cm high. Thrives & flowers in shady areas & needs moist soils, or even wet areas can be suitable. Fast growing & spreads quickley if conditions are favorable. Likely to need watering throughout summer if in a hot dry position. Suitable for rockeries or baskets. Easily divided to plant in other parts of your garden. Good for pond edges or in water-gardens & most other moist or shaded areas.

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Large green upright reed, with the flowers/seed heads on the tip of the reed. It is a favourite of water birds for nesting material. Provides protection for fish and birds. Once established it can dominate most other water plants & cover large areas of the water body. Can grow in water 1m to 2m deep. Found in fresh water dams & wetlands.

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A erect much-branched bushy grey shrub growing to 2 metres. The small silvery aromatic leaves are crowded by tiny yellow flowers during Autumn. Naturally grows in & around coastal habitates. Tolerant of strong winds, salt, & poor soils. Can be pruned & formed into a hedge. Sometimes noted as being used as a herb by early white settlers.