August, 1938 The Queensland Naturalist 
109> 
part of the undergrowth, sometimes with Chrysopogon 
sylvaticus present. Dense patches of Lantana camara 
(lantana) occur in places. Exocarpus cupressiformis 
(wild cherry), a small tree parasitic on roots of other 
trees, is occasional. 
In depressions and on the lower ground generally,, 
either near the coast or inland, we find three distinct 
trends. Where water lies for any length of time swamps 
of some kind or other are to be found. In a few places 
just behind the coastal dunes, where a break in the latter 
has allowed some influx of sea-water during gales or high 
tides, communities of the maritime rush, J uncus mari- 
tinius var. australiensis, are to be found. Beyond the 
influence of salt water, the J uncus is replaced by sedges 
of somewhat similar appearance. Cladium junceum and 
Schoenus brevifolius form such communities, those of the 
former frequently bordering on those of the rush. In yet 
another case, a community of the flat-stemmed, flat-leaved, 
Lepidosperma exaltatum occupies an area of about an 
acre. 
Where there is more or less permanent water, the 
reed, Phrag mites communis , tends to dominate the situa- 
tion. More often tea-tree ( Melaleuca viridiflora) is pre- 
sent. This tree dominates three rather distinct com- 
munities, or in other words, occupies a large area with 
varied drainage conditions, and with corresponding varia- 
tions in the ground vegetation. In its extreme develop- 
ment the trees are stout, straight, and tall, and very close 
together. 
With Phragmites are commonly associated many other 
plants, including Lepironia articulata, Chorizandra cym- 
baria, Cladium tereti folium,, C. rubiginosum, Cyperus has - 
pan, Fuirena glomerata, Philyclrum lanuginosum, and 
Tltricnlaria spp. The four first-mentioned plants are 
more or less rush-like, and together with Phragmites, pro- 
duce creeping rhizomes. Phragmites, Lepironia (both 
these attaining 6 feet in height), and Qhorizandra, fre- 
quently tend to produce pure communities of their own. 
Where free water does not lie for any length of time, 
there is to be found a community of quite a different 
aspect (fig. 3). Occasionally other small trees occur in the 
forest, such as Ficus stephanocarpa (sand-paper fig), 
while the liana, Lyonsia reticulata (monkey-rope), is also 
to be found. At the edge, Casuarina glauca (swamp she- 
oak) occurs, and is sometimes abundant. Between the 
trees is a fairly close growth of the bungwall fern 
( Blechnum \ serrulatum), with scattered large clumps of 
the tall sedge, Cyperus lucidus var. sanguinolentus, plants 
