Plains Grassland

Plains Grassland once covered one third of Victoria, bounded by Melbourne to the east, Hamilton to the west, Beaufort to the north and Colac to the south.

Now less than 5% of these grasslands remain. They are listed as critically endangered under the Federal Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999)

Plains Grasslands have very few (often no) trees or shrubs. The vegetation is dominated by grasses such as Kangaroo Grass, Wallaby Grass and Spear Grass.

A huge variety of wildflowers can be found in amongst the native grasses; Lemon Beauty Heads, Common Everlasting, Pink Bindweed and Tufted Blue-bells are amongst the most common.

Riparian Woodland

The riparian zone is the area from the banks of a river or stream to the extent of where the river can flood. Riparian Woodland is found where there are river flood plains such as Caroline Chisolm Reserve in Keilor.

Scattered River Red Gums and Blackwood tower over the shrub layer of Tree Violets and Sweet Bursar. Dense swards of Tussock Grass and many forbs and herbs, including such species as Golden Billy-buttons, Pale Sundew form the groundcover.

Escarpment Shrubland

This shrub land occurs on rocky escarpments in steep valleys or gorges. Brimbank escarpments often have exposed basalt boulders and shallow soils.

The over storey consists of trees such as Lightwood, Drooping Sheoak and Sweet Bursaria, with the lower growing Fragrant Saltbush and Tree Violet interspersed below.

The amount of tree and shrub cover, and composition will differ with the amount of exposed rock on the escarpment, the depth of the soil, the orientation (north or south facing), and wind conditions.