Flowering Native Raspberry, Rubus parvifolius. The species occurs in the drain line further uphill. Plants have been raised from softwood cuttings and have now established well.
Friends of Mt Majura will be hosting a working party on Sunday, 12 December to remove weeds along the drainage ditch close to the Hackett water tank. Come along, give a hand and gift some of your time to the mountain.
When: Sunday 12 December 2021, 9am to 12 noon; give as much time as you like.
Where: Meet at the drainage line close to the water reservoir off Rivett Street and French Street intersection, Hackett; view this map.
What: Hand weeding of seedlings of English Ivy, Honeysuckle and other weeds.
Bring and wear: Sun protection, long sleeves and pants, sturdy shoes or gumboots and gloves if you have them.
Inquiries: secretary@majura.org
You need no experience to attend this event; instructions, tools, hand sanitiser and morning tea will be provided.
The drainage gully in 2004 was overgrown with Ivy, Blackberry, Privet and other weeds.
The Friends of Mt Majura began work at the drainage line in 2004.
Meter by meter we worked our way from the upper parts of the drainage towards the backyards of Hackett removing English Ivy, Japanese Honeysuckle, Blackberry, African Olive, Broad-leaved Privet, Chinese Privet, Firethorn, Cotoneaster and even a Willow along with numerous herbaceous weeds such as Umbrella sedge (Cyperus eragrostis), Paspalum, Broad-leaved Dock, and Cleavers (Sticky Weed, Galium aparine).
As we removed weeds, we planted the following local species along the edge and slopes of the drain ditch:
Tussock Sedge, Carex appressa planted out to replace the introduced and very invasive Umbrella Sedge, Cyperus eragrostis
Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata), Early Wattle (Acacia genistifolia), Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa), Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis), False Sarsparilla (Hardenbergia violacea), Narrow-leaved Hob Bush (Dodonea viscosa subsp. angustissima), Australian Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa subsp. lasiophylla), Rosemary Cassinia (Cassina quinquefaria), Cauliflower Bush (Cassinia longifolia), Native Raspberry (Rubus parvifolius), Long-leaved Matrush (Lomandra longifolia), Native Geranium (Geranium solanderi), and various rushes and sedges along the wet bottom.
Still uncovered parts of the drainage are exposed to weed infestation from nearby gardens and prone to erosion. We hope, the native species will be spreading and suppressing new weed infestations, stabilizing the edges of the gully and providing habitat for local wildlife.
Photographs W. Pix, November 2021, unless stated otherwise.
