Plant Collections
Lower Yarra River Habitat
- Riparian
- Swampy Paperbark Thicket
- Grassy Woodlands
- Wetland Community
- Cliff Escarpment Shrubland
Best Viewed
- Spring
Grow
Rytidosperma geniculatum
Tufted Perennial grass 15cm H
Microseris lanceolata, Yam Daisy
Perennial herb to 40cm with yellow flowers
Correa glabra, Rock Correa
To 3mx3m Shrub with pale green bell flowers
Plant Census
Find out what plants grow at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
Key Plants
Rytidosperma geniculatum
Tufted Perennial grass, c. 15 cm high
Cycnogeton procerum, Water Ribbons
Robust aquatic plant, c. 50 cm high
Correa glabra, Rock Correa
To 3 m × 3 m high shrub with pale green bell flowers
Microseris lanceolata, Yam Daisy
Perennial herb, to 40 cm high, with yellow flowers
Prostanthera lasianthos, Victorian Christmas Bush
Tall shrub or small tree with masses of white flowers
Pelargonium australe, Austral Storks-bill
Perennial herb, to 60 cm tall, with pink flowers
Microlaena stipoides, Weeping Grass
Variable perennial grass with weeping stems
Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum
Large open tree, to 50 metres tall
Poa labillardierei, Common Tussock Grass
Large perennial grass, to 80 cm high
Melaleuca ericifolia, Swamp Paperbark
Small tree with white papery trunk, to 9 m high
Curator Notes
- Cut back cool season grasses,including Rytidosperma geniculatum, every 2–3 years to rejuvenate and to reduce shading out of forbs.
- Microseris lanceolata, a perennial herb, has fleshy tuberous roots which was a staple food of aboriginal people and was almost wiped out in the Melbourne area within 5 years of European settlement.
- Correa glabra is useful as a hedging plant and attracts birds, including the Eastern Spinebill.
History
- 1984 - The Lower Yarra River Habitat collection has existed as a living collection.
- 1998 - Long Island was a major extension identified in the RBG Melbourne masterplan.
- Prior to European settlement the Yarra River and four swamps existed on the site.
- 1897–1900 - The Yarra River was realigned to alleviate seasonal flooding.
- 2000–01 - A valued work contribution was made by the Green Corp team managed by Australian Conservation Volunteers.
- 2000–01 - Funding for the long Island Project was received from Parks Victoria Grants Program.
- 2001 - 70 people attended the Community Planting Day on May 19.
- 2001 - 200 school children attended Arbor Week planting day on May 18.