Plants of the Hay plains

Our plant communities

Riverine Forest - (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)

River Red Gum Forests naturally dominate the low-lying floodplains of predominantly clay soils adjacent to rivers and creeks which are subject to regular flooding. At the time of European settlement these floodplains were mostly grassy open forest lands dominated by large, widely spaced River Red Gums. There was little diversity of understorey trees but a diverse groundlayer of grasses, reeds and sedges.

Pine Woodland - (Callitris species)

This vegetation community is dominated by either White Cypress (C. glaucophylla) or Murray Pine (C. gracilis ssp. murrayensis) and occurs on sandhill soils and sandy red-brown earths, often associated with prior streams. In its undisturbed state this vegetation community is capable of supporting a rich diversity of species of trees, shrubs - groundcovers and climbers. There is very little current regeneration of Callitris woodlands in the southern Riverina. These remaining areas need to be managed to encourage regeneration if they are not to be lost.

Grey Box Woodland - (Eucalyptus microcarpa)

Grey Box Woodlands generally occur on red-brown earths on higher sites not subject to frequent flooding. The natural structure prior to European settlement varied from shrubby woodland to open grassy woodland. Grey Box occurs naturally with a wide range of other tree and shrub species of
varying densities. Grey Box now generally only exists as scattered remnants or isolated paddock trees in need of regeneration, understorey replacement and active management.

Black Box Woodland - (Eucalyptus largiflorens)

Black Box Woodlands occur on clay soils on low-lying sites subject to infrequent flooding and as ribbon stands along creeks or in or around swamps. Black Box can exist with either a grassy shrubby understorey depending on flooding frequency and site. There are still significant (though much reduced) areas of Black Box in the Southern Riverina. The major issues affecting its survival are changed water regimes and grazing management.

Boree Woodland - (Acacia pendula)

Boree Woodlands occur on clay soils and transitional red-brown earths. The structure varies from shrubby (often Saltbush species) to open grassy woodland with a diversity of native trees, shrubs and grasses. Boree is much reduced from its pre-European range, though it can regenerate readily with appropriate grazing management.

Saltbaush Shrubland - (Atriplex species)

Saltbush Shrublands generally occurred as a diverse vegetation community on open, clay soil plains. Species composition and structure varies according to soil type. Native grasses are sparse but groundlayer plants including Pigface are plentiful. Saltbush shrublands were far more extensive at the time of European settlement than currently exists. Much of the Saltbush country has been converted to grassland or degraded shrubland due to past grazing management.

Native Grasslands

Native grasslands were a natural component of most of our local vegetation communities. They are naturally variable in structure and diverse in species composition, depending on season. Many of the extensive grasslands that exist today have been derived from the loss and changes to woodlands and shrublands due to past grazing management or clearing.

Text: Martin Driver - Environmental Consultant
Images: Bunty Driver