Australian Plants Society Maroondah Inc

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Ringwood East, VIC
Australian Plants Society Maroondah Inc

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APS Maroondah is a not for profit, incorporated commuinity organisation for those with an interest in growing and conserving Australian native flora

24/10/2026

Have you ever wondered who would win in a fight between a lion and a crocadile? The jury is still out on that one. But I can tell you, in a fight between a Pandorea pandorana and a gum tree, the gum is the very sad and sorry loser!

23/10/2026

Tonights presentation is ‘Wattles’ with Daniel Murphy
Dan will discuss his latest research on wattles (Acacia) at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, including studies on their biogeography and classification.
He will highlight recent findings and unexpected discoveries emerging from molecular research and explore the remarkable diversity of the genus, as showcased in the recently published guidebook "Wattles of Victoria and Tasmania", which he co-authored. The
presentation will also examine the evolutionary processes and ecological factors that have contributed to the extraordinary diversification and success of Acacia species across Australia.

The meeting will be held at the Ringwood East Elderly Citizens Hall, 2-8 Laurence Grove, Ringwood East.
Parking is available behind the hall, accessed via Knaith Road (Melway map 50 B8). Entry is via the front door or side door, from 7.00 pm. The meeting starts at 7-30pm.
Visitors welcome
Copies of this book will be available from Sue and Bill at the meeting and could be signed by Dan on the night.

16/10/2026

On our recent walk through the George Pentland Gardens in Frankston, we came across a large old Acacia glaucoptera (or Winged Wattle) in full flower. This species is from Western Australia but it grows happy here in Melbourne in a nice open position in well drained soils. It is a low growing, spreading shrub, generally less than a metre high, with blue grey leaves.

Most readers would probably know that most wattles don't have true leaves - they have phyllodes. Their true leaves are the pinnate structures that first emerge with young seedlings and in most cases eventually get replaced by more typical "leaf-like" leaves, connected to the branch by a stalk or petiole. Acacia glaucoptera's leaves (phyllodes) lack the petiole and are connected along their full length, directly to the branch, looking like a wing. Where one leaf ends, the next one starts and it is at this point when in flower, each individual cluster of flowers emerges.

I have been growing an interesting smaller, more compact form of Acacia glaucoptera for may years that has the most delightful orange and plum coloured new season growth. My plants came as cutting grown specimens from the nursery at the Melton Botanic Gardens. This though is where it gets interesting. Upon researching for this brief article I discovered there is a species of Acacia that is very similar to Acacia glaucoptera but goes by the name of Acacia bifaria. It seems the differences are down to things like flower count in the individual flower head and tufts of minute hairs in the leaf axils! I wonder if my plants are possibly Acacia bifaria? Perhaps I can ask Dr Dan Murphy when he presents to us at our October meeting on "Wattles of Victoria and Tasmania"!

08/10/2026

Traveling through the south western corner of WA about this time last year, it was hard not to notice the diversity & colour of the pea family - so many genera, so many species. One genus in particular that stood out was the spiky, sometimes barbed wire like plants of the various Daviesia sp.
Not all members of the genus are as nasty as the ones in the west & here in Victoria, even locally, we have some well mannered species such as D leptophylla & D latifolia. Victoria also has its own "nasties" such as D brevifolia & D ulicifolia.
But not all WA species are out to kill & this one, flowering now in my Montrose garden, is one - Daviesia cordata or the heart leaf Daviesia.

26/09/2026

Some beautiful wildflowers , appropriately along Wildflower Drive in Bendigo, today. Not too keen on the all interstate team Grand Final so it was a trip to see the wildflowers & a remarkable display at the Bendigo APS Wildflower Show.

25/09/2026

Tonight was our big raffle night. We had a presentation on all the plants that would be raffled on the night. 15 plants or hanging baskets were raffled.
This was not a fundraiser, but just for the enjoyment of members of our group. It was the chance to take home a carefully selected plant that you may not have seen or had in your garden.
Thanks to the Committee who sourced these plants and to those who bought tickets. Not bad for a dollar ticket.

14/09/2026

We acknowledge this from 'Bees and Blossum'
Encouragement to plant Australian Native Plants for Pollinators

01/09/2026

The first day of spring is 'National Wattle Day'. ( Acacias). Some of these photos are Victorian local wattles and some may be from other states growing in gardens.
They are gorgeous to look at.
Although the national floral emblem of Australia is a particular species, named the 'golden wattle' (Acacia pycnantha), any acacia can celebrate the day.
Already the usual uneducated are referring to wattles as hay fever producers and this of course is not true. (if unsure have a test to see if this is your problem or is it the Rye and Barley grasses that flower at the same time). Every year I think the wattles are 'the best I've ever seen', but really, they are wonderful every year.
Even if you have a small suburban block, you can still find a wattle that will suit your space. Visit your local nursery to find which might work for you in your garden.
The taller varieties are looking stunning along the country highways especially the Western Highway, Calder and Hume. A recent trip to Yarrawonga had soooo many wattles blooming. How lovely. What a way to brighten up your long trips.
Photos Alison R

28/08/2026

Our meeting tonight has a presentation on Mt Arapiles from member Peter Rogers.
Mt Arapiles is located 34 kms west of Horsham and is a favourite place for Peter. As a young boy he spent time there with his parents when they were visiting relatives in the area.

When his parents moved back to the Horsham area in the mid-70’s, he and Alison were able to spend more time there getting to know the flora and fauna a little better.
In his talk, Peter will provide a little history but mainly focus on illustrating plants and animals found there.

The meeting will be held at the Ringwood East Elderly Citizens Hall, 2-8 Laurence Grove, Ringwood East.
Parking is available behind the hall, accessed via Knaith Road (Melway map 50 B8). Entry is via the front door or side door, from 7.00 pm. The meeting starts at 7-30pm.
Visitors welcome

26/08/2026

The Dr Ken Leversha Reserve in Montrose, one of our eastern suburbs bushland reserves, was almost completely burnt out in March 2025 by a deliberately lit fire.

Interested to monitor the recovery of the bushland, I walked through the reserve a couple of months after the fire, noting the earliest signs of recovery, such as epicormic growth breaking through the bark of the scorched Eucalypts and fiddleheads of new Bracken Fern fronds erupting from the earth surface. Soon after, the reserve was closed off to the general public for fear of falling trees. Rainfall for the first 6 months after the fire was poor so I don't anticipate I missed much early regeneration.

Until this week, approximately 18 months after the fire, I had not been back. The regrowth, particularly at ground story and on the damper eastern slopes, has been phenominal. Much of the eastern slope of the reserve is now an impenetrable thicket of regenerating Gahnia radula and Eucalyptus seedlings. On the drier upper slopes and ridge, regenerating Hardenbergia violacea and Kennedia prostrata are flowering for the first time since the fire. Interestingly, without any low shrubbery yet, the Hardenbergia has taken on the same habit as the Kennedia, as a ground cover, although one plant was noted climbing to the top of the newly constructed boundary fence with the Boral Quarry land.

Address

Address: Ringwood East Senior Citizens Club 2-8 Laurence Grove
Ringwood East, VIC
3135

Website

https://australianplantssoc.wixsite.com/maroondah

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