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'Plants of Coranderrk'

Coranderrk's indigenous plants & their Wurundjeri uses

THE PLANTS OF CORANDERRK.

VISTORS GUIDE TO THE

PLANTS OF CORANDERRK:

THEIR IDENTIFICATION

AND INDIGENOUS USE.

Coranderrk_PlantBrochURE Cover.jpg

Click to download

the pdf

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Click to view

the brochure

About the project

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The Plants of Coranderrk Project commenced in 2018, funded by a Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning - Biodiversity Connecting to Country  grant. 

 

The aim was to identify and document the remaining indigenous plants at Coranderrk, and research their traditional uses. Completed in August 2020, the work has expanded our understanding of past resources and practices and informs current and future projects such as

the River Restoration Project and Bushfood Garden and Orchard.

 

Most of the survey work undertaken concentrated on 'riparian' (the area flanking and interacting with the waterways) vegetation along the frontages of Birrarung (Yarra River) and Coranderrk Creek, as this is where the majority of our remnant vegetation is located. The vegetation along these waterways is classified as the

Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs):

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  • Riparian Forest - dominated by Wurun, a tree of great significance to Wurundjeri people. Also known as 'Manna Gum' Eucalyptus viminalis

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  • Floodplain Riparian Woodland - dominated by Wurun and Swamp Gum Eucalyptus ovata

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  • Swampy Riparian Woodland/Swampy Riparian Complex - dominated by Wurun and Swamp Gum.

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Many fine old specimens of both these trees remain along the waterways and scattered across the floodplain paddocks, where they are protected inside conservation areas, fenced shelterbelts and wildlife corridors.

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Manna Gum Jan Smith 2020.jpg

Wurundjeri:

'Wurun': Manna Gum Eucalyptus viminalis.

Djeri - Cossid moth larvae (c)Jan Smith

'Djeri': the witchetty grub found in or near Manna Gums.

In November and December 2018, we conducted plant surveys along the waterways with the help of the Friends of Coranderrk.  From these surveys we determined that 39 of the 67 species of plants we expected to find, actually remained. A further 17 plant species not on our original list were also found. Given the property's long history of agricultural and grazing use, the frontages are more diverse than we anticipated. 


As part of the Connecting to Country grant we decided to develop this information as a brochure, Plants of Coranderrk, to showcase a select group of plants that are important to Coranderrk. After much research into usage, history and Wurundjeri names, 36 plants were selected. We are pleased to announce that the brochure was completed in August 2020.

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Our thanks to:

  • Marita Hanigan and Jeff Dickinson, for their efforts researching and compiling the brochure

  • The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and others who provided images.

  • Our funders - DELWP Biodiversity

  • Volunteers who helped with the surveys

  • All those who contributed to knowledge collection.

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