Plant community No. 20
This ‘low woodland’ is dominated by Mallee Box (Eucalyptus porosa), Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata), and Dryland Tea-tree (Melaleuca lanceolata). It is found on brown, saline soil, on foot slopes.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Austral Trefoil (Lotus australis)
- Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum)
- Native Sorrel (Oxalis perennans)
Shrubs and Mistletoes
- Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)
- Coastal Wattle (Acacia longifolia ssp. sophorae)
- Leafless Cherry (Exocarpos aphyllus)
- Melaleuca Mistletoe (Amyema melaleucae) [on Black Tea Tree (Melaleuca lanceolata) and Boobialla (Myoporum insulare)]
- Umbrella Bush (Acacia ligulata)
Trees and Mistletoes
- Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelli) [on Mallee Box (Eucalyptus porosa)]
- Fleshy Mistletoe (Amyema miraculosa) [on Quandong (Santalum acuminatum)]
- Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
- Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis)
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.
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 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.
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.
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).
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).
Wood White
Delias aganippe
This is a rare butterfly in the Adelaide area, the caterpillars feed on mistletoe (only Amyema spp.) and quandong.
