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Cunninghamia 
Vol. 1 (1): 1981 
Figure 2. Low closed-forest with Backhousia myrtifolia (Community 1) near Mooney Mooney 
Creek. 
Ferns: Blechnum cartilagineum, Culcita dubia, Asplenium spp., Hymenophyllum 
cupressiforme, Doodia aspera. 
Others: Many climbers such as Smilax spp. and Cissus spp., herbs including 
orchids, other monocotyledons. 
Comments: Variation is due to differences in geology, aspect, valley shape and 
size, and proximity to the sea. The Narrabeen Group outcrops support some 
species not found in the Hawkesbury Sandstone gullies further south, e.g. Doryphora 
sassafras. The species composition of the understorey appears to vary according 
to the amount of sunlight received. 
Community 2A OPEN-FOREST with dry understorey on Narrabeen Group. 
Structure: Irees 10-20 m high with a mid-dense to open canopy cover Under¬ 
storey varies from moist to dry (generally drier than Community 2B); mid-dense to 
sparse, mainly with shrubs, herbs and monocotyledons. 
Habitat: Valley sides, diy northern or western aspects or slopes influenced by 
sea breezes. Usually on light clayey soils. 
Distiibution. Along the eastern escarpment of the Park from Warrah in the 
south to Point Clare in the north; eastern sides of Mooney Mooney and Mullet 
Creeks as far north as Calga. 
Main species present: 
Trees: Angophora floribunda and Casuarina torulosa are dominant. Eucalyptus 
paniculata, E. punctata, E. resinifera, Callitris muelleri may be associated in coastal 
areas. 
Shrubs. Dodonaea triquetra, Oxylobium ilicifolium, Persoonia spp., Pultenaea 
spp., Lasiopetalum ferrugineum var. ferrugineum , Dillwynia floribunda, Ceratopetalum 
gunvmferum. 
Monocotyledons: Tliemeda australis, Imperata cylindrica, Cymbopogon refractus, 
Xanthorrhoea arborea, Patersonia spp. 
