Plant community No. 8
This ‘woodland’ is dominated by South Australian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) with a sub-storey of Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa). It is found on heavy, red-brown clay on foot slopes.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Bent Goodenia (Goodenia geniculata)
- Climbing Saltbush (Einadia nutans ssp. nutans)
- Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum)
- Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
- Native Lilac (Hardenbergia violacea)
- Native Sorrel (Oxalis perennans)
- Scarlet Runner (Kennedia prostrata)
- Tall Scurf-Pea (Cullen australasicum)
- Variable Glycine (Glycine tabacina)
Grasses
- Common Tussock-Grass (Poa labillardieri var. labillardieri)
- Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
- Thick-Stem Tussock-Grass (Poa crassicaudex)
- Weeping Rice-Grass (Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides)
Sedges
- Stiff Flat-Sedge (Cyperus vaginatus)
Shrubs and Mistletoes
- Austral Trefoil (Lotus australis)
- Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)
- Fleshy Mistletoe (Amyema miraculosa) [on Sticky Boobialla (Myoporum viscosum)]
- Narrow-Leaf Bush-Pea (Pultenaea tenuifolia)
- Pale Fanflower (Scaevola albida)
- Twiggy Bush-Pea (Pultenaea largiflorens)
- Rock Wattle (Acacia rupicola)
Trees and Mistletoes
- Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelli) [on Eucalyptus spp.]
- Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
- Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis)
- Wire-Leaf Mistletoe (Amyema preissii)
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.
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.
Chequered swallowtail
Papilio demoleus
A migratory butterfly that is common and widespread in the north, but now only an occasional visitor to Adelaide.
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.
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.
