Plant community No. 17
This ‘low woodland and shrubland’ is dominated by Pink Gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) and South Australian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) with a sub-storey of Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata). Shrubs and ground layers typically include Halosarcia, Sclerostegia, Marsh Saltbush (Atriplex paludosa), and Sarcocornia species. It is found on brown, solonised soil, on foot slopes.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Bent Goodenia (Goodenia geniculata)
- Button Everlasting (Helichrysum scorpioides)
- Climbing Saltbush (Einadia nutans ssp. nutans)
- Clustered Eversasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum)
- Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
- Native Lilac (Hardenbergia violacea)
- Native Sorrel (Oxalis perennans)
- Scarlet Runner (Kennedia prostrata)
Grasses
- Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrica)
- Common Tussock-Grass (Poa labillardieri var. labillardieri)
- Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
- Weeping Rice-Grass (Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides)
Sedges
- Black Grass Saw-Sedge (Gahnia lanigera)
Shrubs and Mistletoes
- Austral Trefoil (Lotus australis)
- Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)
- Bristly Bush-Pea (Pultenaea acerosa)
- Coastal Wattle (Acacia longifolia ssp. sophorae)
- Melaleuca Mistletoe (Amyema melaleucae) [on Black Tea Tree (Melaleuca lanceolata)]
- Narrow-Leaf Bush-Pea (Pultenaea tenuifolia)
- Pale Fanflower (Scaevola albida)
- Rock Wattle (Acacia rupicola)
- Showy Parrot-Pea (Dillwynia sericea)
- Twiggy Bush-Pea (Pultenaea largiflorens)
- Umbrella Bush (Acacia ligulata)
Trees and Mistletoes
- Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelii) [on Pink Gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) and SA Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon)]
- Drooping Mistletoe (Amyema pendula ssp. pendula) [on Eucalyptus and Acacia spp.]
- Fleshy Mistletoe (Amyema miraculosa) [on Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) and Bitter Quandong (Santalum murrayanum)]
- Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
- Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis)
- Wire-Leaf Mistletoe (Amyema preissii) [on Acacia spp.]
See also
Butterfly nectar plants of the Adelaide region
Plants information
Butterflies of this plant community
Australian Painted Lady
Vanessa kershawi
Common in Adelaide gardens, particularly during spring as they migrate in from northern areas.
Black and White
Sedge-skipper
Antipoda atralba
Occurs along coastal cliff-tops south of Adelaide and in pristine heathland in the hills.
Broad-margined Azure
Ogyris olane
Males fly around the tops of the mistletoe host-trees or gather on hilltops. Females fly around the mistletoe.
Chequered Copper
Lucia limbaria
Rare, occasionally seen in undisturbed fringe urban areas, or in meadow areas and reserves. Caterpillars eat native sorrel.
Common Brown
Heteronympha merope
A very common butterfly found in most areas retaining some native vegetation that includes grasses.
Common Grass-blue
Zizena labradus
Often very common, seen flitting low in open grassy areas. Caterpillars feed on herbaceous pea plants and have adapted to clover.
Fringed Heath-blue
Neolucia agricola agricola
Found in woodland and heath areas during spring. Caterpillars eat small, native bush-peas.
Genoveva Azure
Ogyris genoveva
The iridescent blue upper side is only seen when flying. Caterpillars feed on yellow mistletoe (Amyema spp.).
Long-tailed Pea-blue
Lampidies boeticus
Often common around its host plants of small pea flowering herbs, shrubs and vines. Caterpillars eat the flowers and pods.
Marbled Xenica
Geitoneura klugii
This butterfly flies in spring and summer, found in most areas retaining some native vegetation that includes grasses.
Meadow Argus
Junonia villida calybe
A common butterfly found in meadows, open reserves or vacant blocks. Caterpillars eat native and introduced herbaceous plants and weeds.
Saltbush Blue
Theclinesthes serpentata
Common around saltbushes on which its caterpillars feed.
Satin Azure
Ogyris amaryllis meridionalis
The bright metallic blue upper side is usually only seen when flying. Caterpillars feed on mistletoe (only Amyema spp).
Southern Grass-dart
Oxybadistes walkeri
Reasonably common; especially the eastern side of the city, its caterpillars feed on native and introduced grasses.
Tailed Emperor
Polyura sempronius
Not common. This butterfly is a recent (1973) immigrant from the eastern states. Caterpillars feed on eastern states trees such as Kurrajong.
Two-spotted Line-blue
Nacaduba biocellata biocellata
Common in fringe urban areas on the plains; rare in the hills. Has a very small caterpillar that eats Acacia (wattle) buds.
Wattle Blue
Theclinesthes miskini miskini
Usually seen congregating on the tops of hills. Caterpillars eat the leaves of Acacia (wattles).
White-banded Grass-dart
Taractrocera papyria
Now rare and most likely to be seen along grassy creek lines; its caterpillars feed on native and introduced grasses.
Wood White
Delias aganippe
This is a rare butterfly in the Adelaide area, the caterpillars feed on mistletoe (only Amyema spp.) and quandong.
