DICOTYLEDONS
BUDDLEJACEAE - Buddleia Family
A small family of shrubs from tropical regions, two naturalised in Western Australia. Buddleias were popular plants in older gardens, as they have strongly-scented, colourful flowers that attract butterflies. Several species may persist around old settlements and Buddleja dysophylla (white flowers) and B. madagascariensis (yellow flowers) are both naturalised in Kings Park. Both are native to Madagascar. |
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CACTACEAE - Cactus Family
Fleshy or woody
perennials, usually leafless, with succulent green prickly
stems modified into cylindrical segments or flattened lobes
that regenerate readily if detached. Most of the 1000 to
2000 species are native to arid tropical and sub-tropical
regions of the Americas. One naturalised in Western
Australia.Opuntia
stricta
(common prickly pear) DP
PP.
Originally cultivated for its edible fruit, this cactus has
become naturalised in many parts of the state. It grows to
several metres high and wide. The pale yellow flowers up to
7cm across are produced in spring and early summer, followed
by reddish, fleshy fruit up to 4x8cm. A declared plant north
of 26° latitude. Significant populations occur in the
west Pilbara, the Dampier Archipelago and in riverine
thickets along the Chapman River at Geraldton. Recently, an
Opuntia
infestation has been recorded near Esperance.
Opuntia
stricta
, APB
CAESALPINIACEAE - Cassia Family
A large family of
some 2500 species of trees, shrubs and herbs, closely
related to the peas. The leaves are usually pinnate and the
fruit is a pod. They are widespread in tropical and
sub-tropical regions, less common in temperate areas. The
family includes many plants introduced for ornamental and
economic reasons, such as poinciana, carob and tamarind. In
Western Australia there are 47 native species and at least
seven naturalised ones. Caesalpinia
gilliesii
(bird of paradise) is a large, ornamental shrub, with
feathery, fern-like foliage. The flowers are borne
terminally, with the yellow petals widespread, and the long
red stamens curving up and out. A garden escape, occasional
on wasteland and roadsides around Daveyhurst in the
Goldfields. Native to South America. |
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Gleditsia triacanthos (honey locust) is a deciduous tree that can reach 30m under favourable conditions but often less. It has very large, rigid, branched spines, bipinnate foliage, insignificant green flowers and long (45cm) brown pods. Originally from the eastern USA, it is planted as a shade tree and lopped in some countries as drought-relief fodder. It reproduces by seed and root suckers and has the potential to become more widespread in Western Australia. Parkinsonia aculeata (parkinsonia, Jerusalem thorn) DP is a large, spiny shrub or small tree, that has pinnate leaves with up to 100 pairs of small (1.5-4cm) leaflets and spikes of yellow flowers in the leaf axils. Branches are green, drooping, slender and somewhat zigzag. Introduced for shade and ornamental purposes, it was often planted around wells and watering points. However, it has become a serious weed, especially along rivers, in the pastoral areas in the Pilbara and Kimberley, forming dense, impenetrable thickets. The pods float, and are dispersed by floods. Native to warm temperate and tropical America. |
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Senna (many species formerly included in Cassia) is a large genus that includes many native species. Several others have been introduced for ornamental purposes. Three are probably naturalised, with many others having the potential to do the same. All have yellow flowers. Consult a specialist text for exact identification. S. alata(candle bush, ringworm shrub) is a large evergreen spreading shrub to 4m tall. The leaves are divided, with 8-12 pairs of large oblong leaflets. It flowers from May to July. Native to South America, introduced as a ornamental. Naturalised in creeklines at Kununurra and Koolan Island, also around Lake Argyle. Declared noxious in Northern Territory. S. occidentalis (coffee senna) is a pantropical weed believed to have originated in tropical America. In Africa the seeds are roasted as a coffee substitute. Widely distributed in the Kimberley and also found near Port Hedland and once recorded from Perth. It is a shrub growing to 2.5m, with pods 9-12cm long and leaves to 17cm with broad, elliptic leaflets. May be toxic to stock. |
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S. surattensis (Singapore shower) is a small tree with leaves to 25cm long with ovate leaflets, and sprays of showy flowers in the upper leaf axils. It grows in vine thickets and near-coastal areas in the Kimberley and may be native. Alternatively, as it has long been cultivated in tropical Asia as a drug plant - a laxative is extracted from both pods and leaves - and it may have been introduced prior to European settlement. S. tora(Java bean) DP resembles S. occidentalis and is currently being eradicated from Kalumburu. Tamarindus indica (tamarind) is a tall, spreading tree, often planted for shade in tropical regions. It is probably native to Africa, and has become established in the Kimberley at sites where the Macassans camped while searching for trepang. It is naturalised near Broome. The flowers are somewhat orchid-like in appearance, yellowish-brown and carried in terminal racemes. They emit a delicate perfume in the evening. The pods are felted with rusty hairs. The edible fruit pulp is used in Asia to flavour drinks, food and chutney, while the bark is a source of tannin. |
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