Plant community No. 27
This ‘low shrubland’ is dominated by Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) with a sub-storey of Cup Wattle (Acacia cupularis), Pale Turpentine Bush (Beyeria lechenaultii), and Nitre Bush (Nitraria billardierei). It is found on brown sandy to clayey soils (often calcareous) on coastal cliffs.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
Grasses
- Short-Stem Flax-Lily (Dianella brevicaulis)
Sedges
- Black Grass Saw-Sedge (Gahnia lanigera)
Shrubs and Mistletoes
- Melaleuca Mistletoe (Amyema melaleucae) [on Black Tea Tree (Melaleuca lanceolata)]
- Seaberry Saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana ssp. candolleana)
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.
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.
Wood White
Delias aganippe
This is a rare butterfly in the Adelaide area, the caterpillars feed on mistletoe (only Amyema spp.) and quandong.
