Plant community No. 26
This ‘low shrubland’ is dominated by Umbrella Bush (Acacia ligulata), Wreath Wattle (Acacia acinacea), and Mallee Pomaderris (Pomaderris paniculosa). It is found on brown sandy to clayey soils (often calcareous) on coastal cliffs.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Austral Trefoil (Lotus australis)
- Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum)
- Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
- Grassy Bindweed (Convolvulus remotus)
- Lagoon Saltbush (Atriplex suberecta)
- Scarlet Runner (Kennedia prostrata)
Grasses
- Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
Sedges
- Limestone Saw-Sedge (Gahnia deusta)
Shrubs and Mistletoes
- Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)
- Coastal Wattle (Acacia longifolia ssp. sophorae)
- Leafless Cherry (Exocarpos aphyllus)
- Marsh Saltbush (Atriplex paludosa ssp. cordata)
- Melaleuca Mistletoe (Amyema melaleucae) [on Black Tea Tree (Melaleuca lanceolata)]
- Narrow-Leaf Bush-Pea (Pultenaea tenuifolia)
- Rock Wattle (Acacia rupicola)
- Spiny Saltbush (Rhagodia spinescens)
- Stiff Westringia (Westringia rigida)
- Umbrella Bush (Acacia ligulata)
- Wallowa (Acacia calamifolia)
Trees and Mistletoes
- Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelli) [on Mallee Box (Eucalyptus porosa)]
- Fleshy Mistletoe (Amyema miraculosa) [on Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) and Boobialla (Myoporum insulare)]
- Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
- Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis)
- Tea-Tree Mistletoe (Amyema melaleucae)
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.
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.
Donnysa sedge-skipper
Hesperilla donnysa
A common butterfly along the South Mt Lofty Range where it is found along valleys and in wetland areas.
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.
Rayed Blue
Candalides heathi heathi
Now a rare butterfly, more often seen in foothills woodland habitat. The caterpillars have adapted to introduce ribwort.
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.
Wood White
Delias aganippe
This is a rare butterfly in the Adelaide area, the caterpillars feed on mistletoe (only Amyema spp.) and quandong.
Wattle Blue
Theclinesthes miskini miskini
Usually seen congregating on the tops of hills. Caterpillars eat the leaves of Acacia (wattles).
