Learn about our top 8 precious bushland plant communities

As we continue to celebrate National Biodiversity Month throughout September, we turn our attention to our beautiful local bushland.

If you have been out and about recently you will have seen many of our plants bursting into flower. The flowering coincides perfectly with the breeding season of many of our native birds and animals.

The flowers provide much needed food for our wildlife by way of nectar and fruit, as well as the many insects they attract. They also create millions of seeds that they deposit for future generations of plants.

The Northern Beaches comprises a staggering 48 different vegetation communities, 13 of which are listed as Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs). Here’s eight of our favourites below:

Littoral Rainforest – an endangered plant community, with now only an estimated 1-4% of it left nationwide. It is characterised by a range of lush green rainforest trees including native Cabbage Palm (Livistona australis) seen in our local area in shaded south-facing moist gullies.  These gullies are favoured roosting and nesting sites for the threatened Powerful and Barking Owls. One of the best examples of Littoral Rainforest can be seen along the Bilgola bends with small occurrences also scattered across the Barrenjoey Peninsula. Pittwater Spotted Gum Forest – an endangered plant community, remnants of which can be found on the Barrenjoey Peninsula, Bayview and Church Point. Some of the best intact examples can be seen on Scotland Island and in Angophora Reserve in Avalon. It is characterised by the very tall growing canopy of Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata). Sydney Freshwater Wetlands – occurs in wetland communities such as Nareen Parade at North Narrabeen, within Deep Creek Reserve (south) and on North Head in the National Park. It is also classified as endangered. It is characterised by reeds, sedges and aquatic plants. Freshwater Wetlands on Coastal Floodplains – occurs only in wetland and swamps associated with periodic or semi-permanent inundation by freshwater, although there may be minor saline influence in some wetlands and therefore very rare. The best examples can be seen within the iconic Warriewood Wetlands and along the bends of Wakehurst Parkway at Middle Creek. They are classified as endangered and are dominated by herbaceous plants with very few woody species. Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest – found in conjunction with wetlands, creeks on both marine and freshwater foreshores. Good examples of this vegetation type can be seen around the fringes of Narrabeen and Dee Why Lagoons. Classified as endangered and dominated by the Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca). Swamp Sclerophyll Forest – occurs only in wetland communities as above and characterised by the beautiful winter-flowering Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta). One of the largest remaining stands in Sydney and can be seen in Warriewood Wetlands with patches also occurring around Narrabeen Lagoon at South Creek and on the edge of Dee Why Lagoon. The tree was heavily used by colonial settlers due to its strength. Duffys Forest – very rare and fragmented. Located largely on ridgetops and dominated by trees including Bloodwoods, Smooth-barked Apple and Silver Top Ash. The shrub layer can sometimes include the beautiful-flowering and critically endangered Caley’s Grevillea (Grevillea caleyi). The most well-known examples of this vegetation type can be observed at Terrey Hills Oval, the intersection of Forestway and Mona Vale Road, and of course, in the suburb of Duffys Forest. Themeda Grasslands – predominantly found on our beautiful sea cliffs and headlands, the beautiful native three-awned grass is commonly known as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis). This name is a little misleading as the grass is not favoured by macropods. Examples of relatively intact Themeda grasslands can be seen on Long Reef Headland as well as North Narrabeen and Mona Vale Headlands.

For more information about creating your own Backyard Habitat. Feel free to share any wildlife sightings at [email protected]