Plants and Animals
Plants that are associated with wetlands oxygenate and purify the water. They also provide food,
shelter and nesting areas for various species of fauna. Species that live in or near the wetland have
adapted over thousands of years to breed in and survive extreme and contrasting seasons. Some
wetlands can be inundated for months at a time and then dry for many years - these are called
temporal or ephemeral wetlands. Other wetland systems need to receive water more regularly to
continue the various floral and faunal lifecycles.
The plants listed below are examples of some of the vegetation species you might come across when
next visiting an inland wetland.
River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis): this species is found throughout inland Australia. It is found
along permanent watercourses, on seasonal floodplains and in woodlands. In general, River Red Gums
can tolerate frequent flooding events lasting up to 6-8 months, but also require dry phases of similar
time periods. Family: Myrtaceae.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens): this species is found in association with River Red Gums in the
western part of NSW in periodically flooded areas, also in depressions and single species stands. It is
often found higher up on the floodplain and can withstand drier conditions compared to River Red
Gums. In general Black Box trees can tolerate flooding periods of up to approximately 4 months and dry
conditions for 6+ years. Family: Myrtaceae.
Eucalyptus largiflorens
River Cooba (Acacia stenophylla): this species occurs throughout the region wherever river, creeks,
permanent or ephemeral wetlands are found in close association with River Red Gums. It is a straggly
shrub or tree, growing to 10 m high with thin drooping leaves, with pale yellow flowers, flowering in
summer and early autumn. Family: Mimosaceae.
Acacia stenophylla
Tangled Lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta): this leafless shrub grows in slow-moving inland wetlands. It
can withstand periods of inundation for up to approximately 2-3 months and dry periods of up to 5-6
years. Its roots and tangled stems help prevent soil erosion. It grows well in clay soils and is moderately
salt tolerant. It is useful habitat to protect small birds and mammals from predator species such as
foxes, cats and birds of prey. Family: Polygonaceae.
Muehlenbaeckia florulenta
Nitre Goosefoot (Chenopodium nitrariaceum): a greyish shrub that can grow to 2.5 m high, with rigid
and spiny branches. It can withstand inundation for many months along with being drought-tolerant. It
provides good habitat for smaller and more cryptic bird species, as well as small mammals and
marsupials. Family: Chenopodiaceae.
Chenopodium nitrariaceum
Spikerush (Eleocharis spp.): there are various types of Spikerushes but most are found in shallow water
along streams, swamps and depressions and will grow throughout the year if there is enough moisture.
The flowerheads are found at the tips of the stems. Common spikerush (E. acuta) is widespread through
all of Australia. It can grow up to 60 cm high and is often found in permanent and ephemeral shallow
waters. It is good habitat for many aquatic insect larvae and frogs. Family: Cyperaceae.
Eleocharis acuta
Rushes Juncus spp.: there are a number of Juncus species that are found near or in the water or in
seasonally wet places. The leaves are narrow and usually at the base of a number of stems, with small
clusters of flowers near or at the end of the stems.
Juncus usitatus
Flatsedge (Cyperus spp.): there are various types of Flatsedges which are found in similar areas as
Spikerushes. They often make up the majority of plants on the edges of wetlands or in shallow areas.
They provide an important habitat to many animals (aquatic insects, fish, frogs, birds etc.) and are used
for food and shelter both above and below the water. Air pockets in their woody stems assist in keeping
their leaves and stems above the water. One of the most common and distinctive species found is spiky
flatsedge C. gymnocaulos. Family: Cyperaceae.
Cyperus exaltatus
Common Reed (Phragmites australis): is the most common and widespread of aquatic grasses found
across most of Australia. It can form extensive stands up to 3 m tall in either deep permanent waters or
in shallower and more varied depths. The plants have smooth, hairless cane-like stems that grow in
large clumps and are found along banks of streams, rivers and lagoons. It is generally found in
freshwater systems but can tolerate some salinity. Large stands can provide good habitat for many bird
species and insects. Family: Poacea.
Phragmites australis
Cumbungi (Typha sp.): There are two native species in Australia - Typha domingensis, which has narrow
leaves and T. orientalis, which has broader leaves. Both are strap-like and the stem protrudes from the
centre. Near the tip of the stem they have a tan to mid-brown velvety cigar shape flowerhead. T.
domingensis is generally smaller of the two species, growing up to 2m in height. Its leaves are more
yellow-green and flowerheads are slender approx. 5 mm to 2 cm wide. T. orientalis is taller, growing up
to 3 m in height, has blue-green to grey-green leaves and the flowerhead is 1-3 cm wide.
It is a vigorous growing plant occurring in either shallow, temporal areas or deep, permanent waters. It
can dominate the vegetation in a wetland and may require management to maintain a diversity of
plants in a wetland. Frequent wetting and drying events can help control the spread of cumbungi in a
wetland. Family Typhaceae.
Typha domingenis
Water Ribbons (Triglochin procera): This robust perennial aquatic species has leaves which are strap like
rather fleshy and thick, often floating flowers are small greenish and numerous on a stork which tapers
into a spike. Usually found in still or slow moving water and depressions. Family Juncaginaceae.
Triglochin procera
Nardoo (Marsilea sp.): These plants are ferns and have leaves like a four-leaf clover. They grow in
seasonally inundated creeks and wetlands, where the leaves float on top of the water. Nardoo is very
drought tolerant, reducing to small groundcovers during dry conditions and grows rapidly when water is
available. Nardoo spores are produced in pea-like pods called sporocarps and these features are
important when trying to identify species. Common nardoo (M. drummondii) is, as the name suggests,
one of the more widespread species. Family: Marsileaceae.
Marsilea drummondii
Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.): a very common and widespread plant in still or slow moving water; it
has feathery leaves above and under water and a spongy stem above the water.
Myriophyllum sp.
Ribbon Weed (Vallisneria sp.) - these plants are found in deeper water and can often form dense
patches - like underwater 'lawns'. It can provide good habitat and food source for aquatic insects, fish,
crustaceans and birds. The leaves are elongated and submerged. Male flowers are microscopic and float
on the water's surface, whilst the female flowers are situated at the top of a long spiral that the plant
releases from the centre of its base. The most common species in inland south-east Australia is V.
australis. Family: Hydrocharitaceae.
Vallisneria australis
Pondweed (Potamogeton sp.) - are some of the more common submerged and floating plants that can
be found in wetlands, creeks and rivers. They provide shelter and food for a variety of animals. The
different species can be moderately tolerant of salinity, with some species able to survive for some time
in brackish water - but they do not flower or set seed. Ducks help to distribute the plants by swallowing
seeds. Although not all seeds survive digestion, those that do are more likely to germinate than
untreated seeds. P. sulcatus is mainly found within the Murray-Darling system. It has both elliptical
floating leaves and broader elongated submerged leaves. It is thought that due to increases in salinity
levels within the Murray-Darling system this plant is possibly in decline. Family: Potamogetonaceae.
Potamogeton sulcata
Knotweeds (Persicaria sp.) - are upright or sprawling herbaceous plants. They can grow in ephemeral
wetland areas, as well as along rivers and creeks. Pale Knotweed (P. lapathifolium) is usually an annual
that can grow up to 2 m high. It has pink flowers that form a spike at the end of the stems. The leaves
are elongated and taper at the ends and often have a purple spot mark in the centre (similar to P.
decipiens). It may colonise disturbed areas prolifically, especially in drought times. It is found in all
States except WA. Family: Polygonaceae.
Persicaria lapathifolium
Water Primrose (Ludwigia peploides subsp. montevidensis) - is a common aquatic plant. It can grow in
permanent or ephemeral waters and is often situated on the edge of the water body. After flooding, it
can form floating mats and reduce in size to small groundcovers in drier conditions. It has green glossy
leaves, can form long tendril-like stems that are able to float. Showy yellow flowers are often seen on
plants in shallower areas or where water levels are receding. Family: Onagraceae.
Carpet of L. peploides subsp. montevidensis
Information on the plants listed above was sourced from Cunningham et al. (1992) and Romanowski
(1998).
Wetland Plant Reference Books:
For more information on wetland plants see the following books:
Cunningham, G.M., Mulham, W.E., Milthorpe, P.L. and Leigh, J. H. (1992). Plants of Western New South
Wales. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Roberts J. and Marston F. (2011). Water regime for wetland and floodplain plants: a source book for the
Murray-Darling Basin. National Water Commission, Canberra.
Romanowski, N. (1998). Aquatic and Wetland Plants: A Field Guide for Non-Tropical Australia. UNSW
Press, Sydney.
Sainty, G.R. and Jacobs S.W.L. (1981). Waterplants of New South Wales. Water Resources Commission,
NSW.
Sainty, G.R. and Jacobs S.W.L. (2003). Waterplants in Australia: A Field Guide (4th ed). Sainty and
Associates, Sydney.