Booyong Flora Reserve is a 13 hectare sub tropical jungle remnant of the Big Scrub. Far less than one percent of the original Big Scrub now remains. This remnant is situated 18 kilometres north east of Lismore in New South Wales, Australia.
The red-brown soil is derived from a basaltic flow from the nearby Mount Warning and later volcanic flows from the Nightcap Range.[1] Average annual rainfall at Lismore is 1340 mm.[2]
90 species of rainforest trees have been recorded in this small area.[3]
Significant rainforest tree species include White Booyong, Small-leaved Fig, Olivers Sassafras, Black Bean, Grey Walnut, Blush Walnut, Koda, Red Cedar, White Beech, Pepperberry and Hard Quandong. Rainforest myrtles at Booyong reserve are well represented. The most striking are the large Francis Water Gums. One of which has a 4 metre wide girth.[4]
A sealed road divides the reserve, with a grassy area in the western corner, surrounded by rainforest. Another grassy area to the north by the railway line also abuts onto the rainforest. After the success of regeneration of areas around Victoria Park Nature Reserve, it is hoped these grassy areas at Booyong will also be regenerated back to their original vegetation.
A colony of Grey-headed Flying Fox lives in this reserve.[5] The spectacular Richmond Birdwing butterfly may be seen here,[6] as its food plant grows in this rainforest.