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The increasing population growth of South-East Queensland has resulted in rapid urbanisation of the western corridor, which includes portions of Brisbane and Ipswich.

One of the oldest cities in Queensland, Ipswich has a history dating back to the first European settlement of the Moreton Bay District. Convicts mined coal and sandstone, which was transported by river to the infant settlement of Brisbane. Clearing of land for grazing and agriculture also contributed to loss of native vegetation.

The discovery of a previously unrecorded Notelaea (Native Olive) in remnant bushland at Dinmore, and eastern suburb of Ipswich, is all the more remarkable given that the site, bordering a major highway, is surrounded by a wasteland of abandoned open-cut coal mines and clay pits. First collected by Ipswich resident, Ron Liebram, the Notelaea was among specimens submitted to the Queensland Herbarium for identification, where it was noted that it differed from species known to occur in the area. A subsequent request for more material resulted in Ron and myself monitoring two plants growing among sandstone boulders for flowers and fruit.

Open eucalypt forest present on the site was typical of a widespread community occurring on shallow infertile soils associated with the Ipswich coal measures.

Not long after the discovery of the Notelaea, open-cut coalmining operations encroached on the surrounding area and buried the plants under a huge mound of over burden. Subsequent searches of adjacent bushland failed to reveal any more of the Notelaea species. At that time the plant was presumed extinct.

A number of years later, during a field trip to ascertain the extent of infiltration by Eucalyptus torelliana (Cadagi) into local bushland, a single specimen of the Notelaea was found adjacent to the fenceline of the Cunningham Highway. Further investigation of a strip of roadside vegetation directly opposite revealed another eight plants.

Notelaea lloydii (named after Lloyd Bird), listed as a vulnerable species, was also present. Other plants of interest nearby included Marsdenia coronata (vulnerable), Parsonsia sp. (K.A. Williams), Tephrosia juncea and recently described Eucalyptus dura.

Total population of the undescribed Notelaea species comprises approximately 16 individuals from three sites within the Dinmore-Bundamba area. Chances of discovering additional plants in the Ipswich district are remote. Open-cut mining of coal and clay continues to fragment remaining bushland.

The growth habit of the Notelaea is variable, depending on frequency of fires and habitat disturbance. One or two metres would appear to be the average height. Regeneration after damage from fire, drought or disturbance is aided by the presence of a large lignotuber. A number of plants are multi-stemmed or form clumps. This may be attributed to previous damage.

New to science and not yet formally described, this Native Olive is one of the rarest plants in Queensland. Survival in the long term depends on protection and management of the few known populations. Initiation of a program to propagate additional plants from seed or cuttings by Ipswich City Council and TAFE nurseries would also be worthy of consideration.

A member of the Oleaceae family, which includes the economically important Olive and ornamental Jasmines, the native species may in the future provide material for genetic manipulation.

A name at last!

See Article 43 - Cooneana Olive - Notelana ipsviciensis (Webmaster, 080304)