Species: Correa reflexa most common in Baw Baw

(Baw Baw Shire indigenous plants booklet pp16-17).)

Description

Correas are frequently found in the bush in Baw Baw Shire as well as planted in reserves and gardens. They can be small to large shrubs and some even as big as a small tree. The leaves of Correas sit opposite each other on the stem and the flowers are trumpet or bell shaped with four petals, and stamens in the centre.

The most common Correa would probably be the Correa reflexa.

Correas are excellent bird attractors and Eastern Spinebills with their long-curved beaks are adapted to probe their tubular flowers for their nectar.

Although Powelltown is just out of the Baw Baw Shire it is very close to the boundary of the Shire. Powelltown has the honour of having a Correa named after it. Correa reflexa var. lobata, commonly known as Powelltown Correa, is a variety of Correa reflexa endemic to Victoria. It grows to two metres tall with leaves up to 4 cm long and 2.5 cm wide. The tubular flowers are yellow green with protruding stamens and appear from March to October.

The Powelltown Correa is listed as “Rare in Victoria” on the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s Advisory List of Rare or Threatened Plants in Victoria.

Correas are available in most nurseries and are valuable for attracting native birds to your garden. C. alba and C. glabra varieties are often thought to be the hardiest and able to withstand heavy frost and severe droughts.