Laratinga - Flora

Historical Plant Associations

Eucalyptus camaldulensis open woodland dominates the gently sloping alluvial soil below 310.0m contour. River Red Gums and occasional wattles once dominated this area, over a tussocky grassy and herb understorey that included large clumps of Yacca (Xanthorrhoea semiplana).

Eucalyptus leucoxylon- Eucalyptus viminalis association

Rising above the 310.0m contour the soil type becomes Sturt Tillite comprising quartzites and tillites, locally pebbly with interbedding siltstones. Though River Red Gums are still present, the South Australian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) and the Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) dominate.

The smooth barked form of the Manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) is found in the wetter parts of the hills to the west of Mt Barker and grades out below 750mm annual rainfall, while at this rainfall the rough barked Manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis ssp. Cygnetensis) grades in. The township of Mt Barker lies in this transition zone.

Plant Species List

The following is a list of species present at the site prior to construction of the wetland.

* introduced/exotic species