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| Orchard Butterfly Plant Profile |
| Article by Lois Hughes, December, 2002. | |
Zieria smithii (Sandfly Zieria) host plant of the Orchard Swallowtail.
Zieria smithii in the family Rutaceae, is a native host of the Orchard Swallowtail. It is a medium sized shrub which occurs naturally in partly shaded areas where adequate moisture is available. Its preferred habitat is moist woodland, where it occurs as an understorey plant. The distinguishing features are its leaves, which are compounded with three leaflets, the central leaflet being longest, the oil glands on the leaves and of course the distinctive smell when its leaves are crushed. This smell gives rise to its common name Sandfly Zieria, which some claim has a biting midge repellentt property. Lanolin Bush, another common name, may relate to the oil within the glands on its leaves. The leaves are shiny above and dull beneath. Numerous small flowers are borne in groups arising from each leaf axil. These can be pale pink or white and appear from late winter to spring, followed by oval brown fruits which contain the seed.
Zieria is an interesting shrub to include in any butterfly garden.
My thanks to Lorna Johnston for her help in compiling the above.
This article by Lois Hughes in Newsletter Issue 27, December 2002.
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 | | Zieria smithii (Sandfly Zieria) Photo: Robert Whyte |
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