Plant community No. 24
This ‘low heath’ is dominated by Coast Daisy-bush (Olearia axillaris) and Coastal Wattle (Acacia longifoliassp. sophorae). It is found on dune sand, on coastal dunes.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Austral Trefoil (Lotus australis)
- Bent Goodenia (Goodenia geniculata)
- Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
- Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum)
- Scarlet Runner (Kennedia prostrata)
- Smooth-Nettle (Parietaria debilis)
Grasses
- Short-Stem Flax-Lily (Dianella brevicaulis)
Shrubs and Mistletoes
- Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)
- Coast Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea)
- Coastal Wattle (Acacia longifolia ssp. sophorae)
- Fleshy Saltbush (Rhagodia crassifolia)
- Leafless Cherry (Exocarpos aphyllus)
- Melaleuca Mistletoe (Amyema melaleucae) [on Black Tea Tree (Melaleuca lanceolata)]
- Narrow-Leaf Bush-Pea (Pultenaea tenuifolia)
- Seaberry Saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana ssp. candolleana)
- Umbrella Bush (Acacia ligulata)
Trees and Mistletoes
- Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelii) [on River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and SA Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon)]
- Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
- Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis)
- Fleshy Mistletoe (Amyema miraculosa) [on Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) and Boobialla (Myoporum insulare)]
See also
Butterfly nectar plants of the Adelaide region
Plants information
Butterflies of this plant community
Australian Admiral
Vanessa itea
A common butterfly; caterpillars eat leaves from the nettle family and have adapted to the foreign stinging nettle.
Australian Painted Lady
Vanessa kershawi
Common in Adelaide gardens, particularly during spring as they migrate in from northern areas.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Wood White
Delias aganippe
This is a rare butterfly in the Adelaide area, the caterpillars feed on mistletoe (only Amyema spp.) and quandong.
