Family:
Polyganaceae
Duma florulenta
Lignum
(syn. M. cunninghamii)
Other Names: Tangled Lignum
Name Origin:
florulenta — from Latin floris, flower and ulentus, abundant, with abundant flowers.
Regional Subspecies:
Occurrence:
Regional:
Noted in drier areas to the west, including Urangeline and Urana-Rand-Corowa, in depressions and along creeklines.
Australia:
Mainland.
Habitat:
Seasonally flooded low-lying areas of grey clay soils, such as swamps and river flats. Often associated with River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis).
Habit:
Intricate, entangled, rounded hairless perennial shrub 1-3 m high and wide. Grey-green stems, often ending in spines.
Site Preference:
Tolerates most frost, dry periods and seasonal inundation.
Flowering:
Whitish-yellowish, mainly Aug-Mar. Small.
Seed Collection:
Early Jan to late Apr.
Propagation:
From seed, or cuttings of firm young growth. Untreated seeds germinate in 1-2 weeks.
Regeneration:
Regenerates relatively quickly following flooding or wet years.
VALUES:
Shade & Shelter:
Provides stock shelter where it occurs naturally.
Wildlife:
Highly valuable habitat. Favoured breeding ground for wildfowl. Rich in pollen and nectar.
Ornamental:
Not ornamental.
Other:
Often in dense stands that restrict access. Stock do not readily graze Lignum except when other feed scarce. Can be controlled in cultivation by burning or other means, but usually regenerates fairly quickly.