Knocklofty Reserve – Flora M-O

Melaleuca pallida (old name Callistemon pallidus), common name "Yellow bottlebrush", is a medium shrub growing up to 2.5 to 5m high by 2 to 3m wide. The lemon/yellow bottle brush flowers adorn the shrubs from spring to summer. Only occasionally found on the Knocklofty reserve, this species has been planted to good effect along the Main Trail near the track across to Janets Pond and other revegetation locations. It grows in most moist soils and is frost hardy but drought tender. For good shape in gardens, prune behind spent flowers to prevent the plants from forming seed capsules and encourage new bushy growth.

Microseris lanceolata, common name "Yam Daisy", is a perennial herb with a fleshy edible rootstock that grows 10 to 4cm high by 5 to 30cm wide with a rosette of 6 to 15cm long leaves. The single, bright yellow flower appears in winter, spring or summer and is followed by a fluffy 'daisy' seed head. It has been found growing near the Summit Loop Track on Knocklofty Reserve and possibly also grows in other places on the Reserve.

Olearia ramulosa, common name "Twiggy daisybush", grows on the western side of the Mt Stuart Track at the top of the steps up from the Mt Stuart carpark. This species grows as a small to medium, open shrub, 0.5 to 2m high by 1 to 2m wide with rounded, rolled edges on the tiny narrow green leaves. The white to blue, daisy flowers appear in spring through to summer. It grows best in well drained soils with full sun. In home gardens it should be pruned after flowering for shape and is often short lived.

Olearia viscosa, common name "Viscid daisybush", is a large, sticky leafed, woody shrub that grows 2 to 3m high by 1 to 2m wide with white to mauve, daisy flowers in summer. The species prefers moist, well drained, mulched soils in part to full sun. It is mainly found in the damper areas of the Knocklofty Reserve, such as the southern slopes of the summit below and along the Southern Trail. In the home garden it should be pruned after flowering to promote more flowers and a bushy habit.

Ozothamnus obcordatus, common name "Yellow everlasting", is an erect, small shrub growing 0.5 to 1.5m high by 0.5 to 1m wide with green, heart shaped alternate leaves and clusters of yellow/brown tubular flowers on the tips of the stems in spring. This species grows throughout the Knocklofty Reserve, especially in the sandy heath south east of the Forest Road carpark and the eastern slopes of the summit above the Sandy Spit Track. In the home garden it should be regularly hard pruned to maintain a bushy, leafy habit.