Plant community No. 28
This ‘low shrubland’ is dominated by Mallee Box (Eucalyptus porosa) with a sub-storey of Pale Turpentine Bush (Beyeria lechenaultii), Common Fringe-myrtle (Calytrix tetragona), Coastal Umbrella-bush (Acacia cupularis), Sea Box (Alyxia buxifolia), and Quandong (Santalum acuminatum). It is found on brown sandy to clayey soils (often calcareous) on coastal cliffs.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Climbing Saltbush (Einadia nutans ssp. nutans)
- Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
- Lagoon Saltbush (Atriplex suberecta)
- Native Sorrel (Oxalis perennans)
Grasses
- Common Tussock-Grass (Poa labillardieri var. labillardieri)
- Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
- Short-Stem Flax-Lily (Dianella brevicaulis)
Sedges
- Black Grass Saw-Sedge (Gahnia lanigera)
Shrubs and Mistletoess
- Austral Trefoil (Lotus australis)
- Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)
- Coastal Wattle (Acacia longifolia ssp. sophorae)
- Fleshy Mistletoe (Amyema miraculosa) [on Boobialla (Myoporum insulare)]
- Seaberry Saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana ssp. candolleana)
- Umbrella Bush (Acacia ligulata)
Trees and Mistletoess
- Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelli) [on Mallee Box (Eucalyptus porosa)]
- Fleshy Mistletoe (Amyema miraculosa) [on Quandong (Santalum acuminatum)]
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.
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.
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).
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.
