Plant community No. 4
This ‘woodland’ is dominated by River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and South Australian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) with a sub-storey of Silky Tea-tree (Leptospermum lanigerum), Totem Poles (Melaleuca decussata), and River Bottlebrush (Callistemon sieberi). It is found on alluvial soils on watercourses.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Austral Trefoil (Lotus australis)
- Common Verbena (Verbena officinalis)
- Lagoon Saltbush (Atriplex suberecta)
- Scarlet Runner (Kennedia prostrata)
Grasses
- Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
Sedges
- Fen Sedge (Carex gaudichaudiana)
Shrubs and Mistletoes
- Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)
- Fleshy Mistletoe (Amyema miraculosa) [on Myoporum spp.]
- Hop Goodenia (Goodenia ovata)
- Nitre Goosefoot (Chenopodium nitrariaceum)
- Pop Saltbush (Atriplex holocarpa)
- Twiggy Bush-Pea (Pultenaea largiflorens)
- Water-Bush (Myoporum montanum)
Trees and Mistletoes
- Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelli) [on Eucalyptus spp.]
- Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
- Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis)
- Fleshy Mistletoe (Amyema miraculosa) [on Quandong (Santalum acuminatum)]
- Willow Wattle (Acacia salicina)
- Wire-leaf Mistletoe (Amyema preissii) [on Blackwood (Eucalyptus melanoxylon)]
- Wirilda (Acacia retinodes var. retinodes)
See also
Butterfly nectar plants of the Adelaide region
Plants information
Butterflies of this plant community
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.
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.
Wattle Blue
Theclinesthes miskini miskini
Usually seen congregating on the tops of hills. Caterpillars eat the leaves of Acacia (wattles).
White-banded Grass-dart
Taractrocera papyria
Now rare and most likely to be seen along grassy creek lines; 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.
