DEEP CREEK: NATIVE FLORA
Tufted Grass Tree South Australian Blue Gum
Xanthorrhoea semiplana ssp. Semiplana
The Tufted grass tree has long leaves up to 2 meters
in length and 1cm in width. It’s an evergreen bushy
looking plant that can produce a circumference of up
to 4 meters in the right environment. This species of
‘yucca’ can be found on kangaroo island, throughout
the south east and the Adelaide hills region.
Its flower stem can grow up to 5 meters in length,
reaching high up through the middle of the grass
tree. Flowering occurs in periods and can be brought
on by bushfires.
A significant plant in local Aboriginal culture, its long
flower stem can be used for fishing poles and spear
shafts. The resin from the tufted grass tree is a
valuable glue used for a range of adhesive properties
from spear making to Yidaki (digeridoos).
(http://woodgroupsa.org.au/wSAknowledge/grasses.pdf)
JESSE CASTLEY
Eucalyptus leucoxyln ssp. leucoxylon
Tree that grows to 25-meter-tall with a smooth
patchy bark which flakes grey to yellowish brown.
Found throughout Southern Australia, NSW and
goldfield areas of Victoria.
Flower colours can range from yellow to red. The
nectar it produces is a favourite of bees and birds. It
produces a straight trunk with large foliage.
The blue gum gets its name from its juvenile foliage
which produces a light blue hue.
Aboriginal peoples use the leaves of the blue gum for
its healing properties
(http://anpsa.org.au/APOL9/mar98-2.html)
Kangaroo Thorn
Acacia paradoxa
A large shrub which can grow up to 2-4 meters in
diameter and height. It produces ribbed shaped
branches which can droop downwards. It produces
thick foliage and sharp spines.
It flowers bright yellow round flowers, between
August and November. With its fruit looking like
brown pods 4-7cm in length. Its spread widely
across South Australia and Kangaroo island. The
Kangaroo Thorn is a great source of food for birds.
Used by early ‘settlers’ as a hedging plant, as its
large size and thorny spikes provided a great
barrier.
(https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/ac
acia_paradoxa.htm)

Golden Wattle
Acacia pycnantha
The golden wattle is a tree that grows up to 8 meters
tall and is native to southern Australia. The golden
flowers appear in winter and spring and are followed
by long seed pods. It produces flattened leaves. Birds
like the honey eater help to cross pollinate the trees
as they come for their nectar.
The gum (pictured below) of the Golden Wattle has
been used for food by Indigenous Australians. In
1988 is was adopted as the national floral emblem
for Australia.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia_pycnantha)
DEEP CREEK: NATIVE FLORA
Horned Orchid
Orthocer strictum
The Horned orchid has a flowering stem of 30-80cm
tall. This stem produce up to 9 flowers, varying
colours between black-brown to purple- yellow. It
produces 2-5 grass like leaves. It occurs in south
Australia, Tasmania and NSW. Flowering occur
between November and January.
(https://www.retiredaussies.com/ColinsHome%20Page/Orchid
s/Orthoceras/Orthoceras%20strictum%20%20Horned%20Orchi
d%20Anglesea.htm)
JESSE CASTLEY
Coast Tussock-grass
Poa poiformis
The Coast tussock grass is a thick tufted perennial
grass with blue/green leaves. It can grow up to 1
meter tall and produces 30cm long thin leaves. It
occurs close to shorelines, dunes and cliffs in
Southern Australia.
(https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Poa+poiformis)