Oct., 

 1912 



1 Sutton, Notes on the Sandringham Flora. 



drier ground, but on lower levels, where the water content of the 

 soil is greater, plants such as Viminaria denudatn, the Melaleucas, 

 Sprengelia, Epacris obtusifolia, Lycopodium laterale, Selaginella, 

 Xyris, Cyperaceous and Juncaceous plants, appear to a much 

 greater degree than in the west. Groves of Eucalyptus 

 viminalis are much more often met with, and definite associ- 

 ations are more obvious. The most striking of these are made up 

 of EitcalypUts viminalis, bracken, and a limited number of the 

 plants most characteristic of the formation, growing in a more 

 open fashion ; or the gum associated only with bracken and 

 Ricinocarpus, or bracken and Lepiospcrmnm scopariiim. 



A very definite association exists just off the Heatherton-road, 

 composed of four strata, or stories, Melaleuca squan'osa being 

 dominant and constituting the facies (the primar5^ superior 

 laj'er. first distinguished). Epacris oUusifolia coming next in 

 importance and height, but only recognized when at closer 

 quarters, followed by bracken, with the floor occupied by 

 Selaginella. Among this select company are occasional plants 

 of Si)rengelia, Leptospermum scopariiim. Acacia oxycedrus. and 

 Hihhertia fasciciilata. Near this association is an example of 

 invasion by the neighbouring vegetation of a piece of cleared 

 and once cultivated ground. The plant association at present 

 existing is still very open, and it would be most interesting 

 to watch its future progress. Other groupings, though less 

 strikinc;:, may be seen near the spring reserve at Clayton, 

 where Leptospermum myrsinoides preponderates, Ricinocarpus 

 pinif alius is secondary, and occasional plants of Acacia 

 oxycedrus and Casuarina distyla catch the eye. Presentlv. 

 at a lower elevation, Melaleuca squarrosa is dominant. 

 Lepidospcrma longitudinale and S]5rengelia coming next in 

 frequency, and Acacia verlicillata and Persoonia juniperina 

 occasionally. Near the Cheltenham water reserve Lepfosperinum 

 myrsinoides again prevails in one place, with a plentiful admix- 

 ture of Styphelia virgafa and Epacris impressa, the subordinate 

 plants being stunted Banksias, Ricinocarpus, Asters, &c. Earlier 

 or later in the season the " aspect " varies, more particularly with 

 regard to the secondary plants of the associations. Damj-). 

 flat places which seem to be monopolized by Lepidosperma at 

 one time, are later seen to be associated with Limnanthemuni 

 and Brachycom-e cardiocarpa or Craspedia, &c. Generallv 

 speaking, growth in this damper locality is taller than nearer 

 the sea, Ricinocarpus, for cxamj>le, attaining- a height of about 

 10 feet on the Turtle-road. Towards the eastern boundary 

 better opportunities are afforded for studying what Clements 

 terms "ecotones " or tension lines between adjoini:ii? ftrmations. 

 associations, and zones of })lants. These are the lines where 

 competition is going on not only i)etween individuals, but also 



