Ellura Sanctuary, Swan Reach, SA, 5354
                      
 
Stat'
Notes
Thumbnails: 734.   86 native species (38 introduced) listed, with 31 natives (18 introduced) from Ellura
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Carrots (Apiales); 5 species, 2 from Ellura - Carrot (Apiaceae); 2 species from Ellura
Grey Hare's Ear
Bupleurum semicompositum


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Thank you Darren Schmitke for identifying and Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

A simple thank you just isn't enough. We didn't even know where to start with this species and Darren spent many evenings investigating it. After we had given up, and Darren almost had, he found it. We were elated and disappointed at the same time. Elated the puzzle was solved, but disappointed that after all that work it turned out to be an introduced species. Here's hoping that by being on this web site it helps others know they can remove it; and Darren's work will be put to good use.
It occurs primarily in disturbed locations on Ellura and may be useful to reduce erosion while natives reclaim their ground. It's heaviest where we've removed heavy investations of onion weed, but doesn't have anywhere near the destructive properties of onion weed. As such, it's weak and natives are stronger. It is classed as "Naturalised" (a term we despise) and an "Environmental Weed" (ie it doesn't impact farmers crops).
The flowers are tiny; and go against the rule of thumb of small flowers being native. They are petalless (petals 0). The apparant petals are actually 5 sepals which start green and turn red with age. The flower has 5 stamen. The 5 bracts (leaf like structures) are toothed and form a cup holding up to about 8 flowers.
The flower heads are on varying length stalks (0 to ~10mm). A flower head can throw 5 stalks with more flower heads; in fact it'll even throw another "branch".
The plant is almost grass like, with the base of each leaf curving round the stem at least at each branch. The branches are hexegon.
The structure tends to create a ceme of flowers (ie one branch is a flower head, the other goes higher until another fork or terminates in a flowerhead).
The flowers are on top of the fruit, which splits in 2 when it dries; and goes a pale lilac colour.
While trying to describe this plant one realises why there are so many botanical terms to describe the huge array of features a plant can exhibit; in a succinct way, unlike this novel

Imaged 11(7B,3Fl,5Fr) in Sep(4:3B), Oct(6:3B,2Fl,4Fr) & Nov(1:1B,1Fl,1Fr)
Bushy, ~150mm tall
Small, Thin
Small, Stocky
Finishing
Patch, green, above
Patch, drying, profile
Structure
Leaf
New Flower Head Forming, with buds
Buds, ~0.5mm wide each
Bud Opening (right)
Flower Head throwing 5 more
Flower Head Stalks, profile
Flower Head throwing a Branch
Flower Open (centre)
Fruits, Flowers Finished
Toothed Bracts
Fruits , ~1mm wide each
Fruits, profile, on stalks
Fruits Splitting in 2
Fruit Dried
Native Carrot
Daucus glochidiatus


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Other Common NamesAustralian Carrot or Austral Carrot

Thank you Kate Sandiford & (Pennywort_Man ) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 18(4B,17Fl,15Fr) in Aug(4:2B,4Fl,2Fr), Sep(11:2B,11Fl,10Fr) & Oct(3:2Fl,3Fr)
🔍Whole
Mature
Seedling
Young
Leaf
Leaves & Seed Pods
🔍Flower & Fruit
Tiny Flower
Seed Pod
Split Seed Pod
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Carrots (Apiales); 5 species, 2 from Ellura - Ivy (Araliaceae); 2 species, none from Ellura
Stinking Pennywort
Hydrocotyle laxiflora


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Thank you (Pennywort_Man ) for confirming the id of this species for us

You smell it before you see it, it's quite pungent.
Imaged 6(3Fl) in Sep(3) & Nov(3Fl)
🔍Male, Flowers
Purple Trachymene
Trachymene cyanopetala


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Thank you (Pennywort_Man ) for confirming the id of this species for us

Named after the colour of the fruit. It has small white flowers, heavily lobed leaves. It can be a small compact plant or a lanky, spreading one. The fruit is quite spiny looking.
Imaged 2(1Fl,1Fr) in Aug(1) & Sep(1:1Fl,1Fr)
🔍Whole, compact
🔍Whole, spreading
🔍Leaf
🔍Flower
🔍Flower & Fruit
🔍Fruit
🔍Fruit
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Carrots (Apiales); 5 species, 2 from Ellura - Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Hand Flower
Cheiranthera alternifolia


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Other Common NameFinger Flower

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Flower
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Asparagus (Asparagales); 11 species, 6 from Ellura
The families under this order surprise us. We think of Asparagus as a soft spreading ground cover; probably because of the garden plant Asparagus-fern.
However, all the Grass-trees, Irongrasses, Lilies & Orchids exist under this order. Generally quite stiff, spikey, tufted plants.
Yet Sedges & Triodia are under Grasses (Poales).
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Asparagus (Asparagales); 11 species, 6 from Ellura - Asparagus (Asparagaceae); 5 species, 2 from Ellura
Blue Squill
Chamaescilla corymbosa var corymbosa


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Other Common NameBlue Stars

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) & Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

There does seem to be some colour variation with the flowers, from pale (almost white) to dark (almost purple). The smaller variations we've seen with our eyes are hard to notice with the camera. They do seem to darken with age as well.
Leaves are between 30-100mm long and 10mm wide. Flowers are 25mm wide.
Imaged 19(1B,1Fr) in May(3), Jun(1), Jul(1), Aug(4), Sep(3:1B) & Oct(7:1Fr)
In bud
Leaf back
Bud going blue
🔍Bud almost opening
Bud opening
Flower opening, above
Flower opening, profile
Flower, darker
🔍Flower, above
Flower, profile
Flower, under
Flower, finishing
🔍Fruiting
Scented Mat-rush
Lomandra effusa


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Other Common NameScented Irongrass

Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us

Funny how some specimens take your interest. We found a small group of these nearly a year ago and have been monitoring them ever since; waiting in anticipation for them to flower so we could identify them.
Strangely one is left alone yet the other 4 or 5 are constantly eaten right down.
The flowers have a lovely aroma, but watch your eyes if you smell them. The leaves are very stiff and sharp, nearly spines. Cream flowers with 3 petals + 3 sepals (looks like 6 petals)
Leaves are long, thin, ribbed all around and a half circle in cross section. Reed like. Heavily toothed (but not easily visible; a magnifying glass helps). They dry on the tip to a 2-pronged fork.
It's hard to imagine why anything would find them palatable. We surmise it can only be kangaroos as no other animal would be able to get to the top leaves without injuring itself; and we've seen kangaroos eating Westringia rigida, so it's not a stretch to see them enjoying these as well.
Imaged 16(1B,2Fl) in Apr(1), May(3:1B,2Fl), Jun(4), Jul(2), Aug(1), Sep(1) & Oct(4)
🔍In flower
Profile
Above
Small, eaten
🔍Large, eaten
Leaf, back (or front?)
Leaf, profile
Leaf, front (or back?)
Leaf, cross section
Leaf, tips
Bud
Male Flower, isometric view
Male Flower, front
Male Flower, profile
🔍Male Flower stalk
Mass of Male Flowers
Mallee Fringe-lily
Thysanotus baueri


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Other Common NameFringed Violet

Similar Species: Twining Fringe-lily (Thysanotus patersonii)
Thank you Ralph Foster & Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

A small single stemmed herb. Leaves are like grass and die off early. While the flowers look as though they have 6 petals, in actual fact they have 3 striped sepals (paler and thinner) and 3 striped petals. The strange petals with tassels (fimbriae - latin for fringes) are lilac in colour. The flowers
ONLY LAST A FEW HOURS!
So we was very popular when we saw a lot of them about 100m from the car and we said "I'll photograph those tomorrow"; because we was tired at the time.
It's quite bizarre when you realise there were 20+ plants all flowering at the same time, just for that one day. Fortunately; another 5 popped up in the same area later and we was able to redeem myself

Imaged 20(2J,15B,14Fl,8Fr) in Jan(1Fl), Feb(1:1B,1Fl,1Fr), Jul(1J), Aug(1J), Sep(1B), Oct(4:4B,2Fl,1Fr), Nov(9:7B,8Fl,5Fr) & Dec(2:2B,2Fl,1Fr)
Seedling
In Bud
Flower Opening
In Flower
In a Tar Bush
In a Wallaby Bush
In a Zygophyllum
Bud
Flower Opening Front
Flower Opening Back
Flower Open
🔍Darker Flower Open
Flower with a Bee
Flower Closing
Flowers Closing
Flowers Closed
Flowers Closed
Flowers Dried
Seeding
Twining Fringe-lily
Thysanotus patersonii


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Similar Species: Mallee Fringe-lily (Thysanotus baueri)
Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

Flowers look very similar to the Mallee Fringe-lily, but as you can see the plant habit is totally different.
As it's common name indicates, it's a climber and wraps itself around other plant stems to gain height (~200mm or so). Also snakes around on the ground flowering.
We weren't able to find any leaves.
Imaged 9(1B,8Fl,1Fr) in Jun(1), Sep(3:1B,3Fl) & Oct(5:5Fl,1Fr)
🔍Large Example in Flower
Stem
Habit
Buds
🔍Bud, Flower & Fruit
Flower, above
Flower, profile
Flower, under
Multiple flowers
Grassy Fringe-lily
Thysanotus tenellus


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Thank you Stephen Fricker for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2Fl in Nov
🔍Flower
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Asparagus (Asparagales); 11 species, 6 from Ellura - Asphodels (Asphodelaceae); 1 species from Ellura
Onion Weed
Asphodelus fistulosus


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Other Common NamesNOT MORE ONION WEED ! Onion-leafed Asphodel or Pink Asphodel

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

#1 Enemy: Loves 250mm/yr rainfall. We have erradicated it. We still see new seedlings in "good" years, but in new locations, so brought in from neighbouring areas by wildlife.
Will decimate an area, regardless of grazing, killing saltbush, zygophylum, etc, as it goes.
Vigorous; will germinate, flower and seed within 3 weeks in spring. ~90% of seed germinates in first year in our area.
Resilient: never leave removed plants on the ground. They will flower & seed (out of the ground)! Hard to poison. Needs good wetting agent.
We're convinced Onion Weeds are Allelopathic; ie exude Allelochemicals to inhibit further germination of it's own seed. We found when we pulled all our large plants from Ellura in one season, they were then replaced the following season with millions of seedlings. Thanks to David Armstrong for letting us know about this phenomenon. We recognised it existed with onion weed, but didn't realise it was a recognised phenomenon; let alone had a name.

We've written a discussion paper on this to help you control your outbreak.
Click here to download (it's about 2.7mb) Updated 11 AM, 06 April 2014
The photo's here are explained in more detail in the discussion paper. You can see Brush Cutting (not on Ellura) only stopped it seeding, but grew over a hot dry summer. The Before & After photo's of our worst 3 acre patch on Ellura, after 12m of hard work. With the experiment of a seedling patch, you can see poisoning had the best results, after 2 months.
Imaged 39 in Jan(2), Feb(3), Apr(4), May(2), Jun(2), Jul(8), Aug(5), Sep(5), Oct(3), Nov(2) & Dec(3)
Whole, Flowering
Flower Buds
🔍Buds & Flowers (Front & Back)
🔍Flower Back
Green Fruit, Seed Pod
🔍Maturing Fruit, Seed Pods
🔍Seed Pod, Full with 6 Seeds
🔍1 Seed Left in Pod, 5 empty
Seed, profile
Seed, above
🔍Removed, Small
🔍Removed, Medium
🔍Removed, Large
🔍Brush Cut
🔍3.5 Months after Brush Cut
🔍Digging up
🔍Before
🔍After
🔍Neighbours Left | Ellura Right
🔍Poisoned|Cut|Hoed Day 1
🔍Poisoned|Cut|Hoed 2m Later
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Asparagus (Asparagales); 11 species, 6 from Ellura - Hemerocallis (Hemerocallidaceae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura
Blue Grass-lily
Caesia calliantha


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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) & Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

While it looks like the flowers have 6 petals, they are 3 petals and 3 sepals.
Imaged 22(3B,5Fl,1Fr) in Sep(6:2Fl), Oct(14:3B,3Fl,1Fr) & Nov(2)
Whole
Leaves
New Bud Stalk
Mature Bud Stem
Buds
Dark Blue Flowers
Light Blue Flower
Flower, Profile
Flower, Front
Flower, Back
Flower, Finished
🔍Fruiting
Black-anther Flax-lily
Dianella revoluta var revoluta


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Other Common NamesBlueberry Lily, Blue Flax-lily or Spreading Flax-lily

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

While it looks like the flowers have 6 petals, they are 3 petals and 3 sepals.
Imaged 31(7B,10Fl,2Fr) in Mar(1), Jun(1), Jul(2), Aug(6:2B), Sep(7:3B,3Fl,1Fr), Oct(10:2B,5Fl,1Fr), Nov(2:1Fl) & Dec(2:1Fl)
Whole
Under Flower
Over Flower
Flower Stem
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Asparagus (Asparagales); 11 species, 6 from Ellura - Hypoxis (Hypoxidaceae); 1 species from Ellura
Tiny Star
Pauridia glabella var glabella


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SynonymHypoxis glabella var glabella

Other Common NameStar Grass

Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us

Flowers ~8mm to ~14mm wide. Leaves ~1mm wide.
While it looks like the flowers have 6 petals, they are 3 petals and 3 sepals.
Notice in the photo, of a patch of 11 flowering plants, the massive size difference between them in one location.

There is a very similar one that is generally larger, Yellow Star (Pauridia vaginata). The differences are difficult to spot in photographs unless they are targetted with a macro lens. P. vaginata has flowers 15-25 mm wide, leaves 1-3.5 mm wide. As you can see, sizes almost meet so can't be used to distinguish in all cases; ie a large Tiny Star is close to the same size as a small Yellow Star.
A more reliable diagnostic (remember, plants can get eaten so a missing bract isn't definitive) are the bract counts. Geoff said "P. vaginata has one bract part way up the stem".
Pauridia glabella has 2 bracts at the base of the flower stem, as shown here.
However, these bracts are not always visible, and so small they are very difficult to photograph.
Imaged 38(1B,37Fl,5Fr) in Apr(1Fl), Jun(5:5Fl,2Fr), Jul(5Fl), Aug(23:1B,22Fl,2Fr), Sep(3:3Fl,1Fr) & Oct(1Fl)
🔍Whole
🔍Profile
🔍Patch of 11
🔍2 Bracts
Leaves, Flower & Fruit
🔍Bud Opening
Flower, Above
Flower, Profile
🔍Large Flower (13mm)
Tiny Flower, ~6.5mm
🔍Tiny Flower, ~6.5mm, profile
🔍3 Flowers
🔍Perspective, Small Hand
Perspective, with Boot Toe
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Asparagus (Asparagales); 11 species, 6 from Ellura - Iris (Iridaceae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura
Thread Iris
Moraea setifolia


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Other Common NamesPaper Glasstulp or Two-leaved Cape Tulip

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) & Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

Invasive throughout the region. Difficult to eradicate due to their thin leaf.
Wombats like the bulbs and plough the soil searching for the them. This is not natural behaviour for them and is very destructive to the soil crust and natural order of things.
Competes with native grasses.
Has a single pale purple flower and two grass-like leaves (often one dries early leaving only one leaf).
While it looks nothing like it many people think it's nut grass. Probably because the bulbs are like nuts and the few leaves are very grass like.
The flower is a dead give away it's not grass.
Kangaroos eat the dried leaves in summer. Possibly because other food is more scarce; or because it's weaker & easier to chew once it's died. It's leaves are incredibly strong & thin. When trying to pull out other weeds if you accidentally grab a Thread Iris leaf as well, you'll have no chance of getting either out.
The green leaf is toxic to stock. Consumption of 1kg of green leaves will kill a cow within 24 hours. Wombats don't seem to be able to digest it very easily, so fill up on it and can starve to death if native grass food sources are not available.
Imaged 19(8Fl,1Fr) in Apr(1), May(2), Jun(3), Sep(5:2Fl) & Oct(8:6Fl,1Fr)
Flowering
Bulbs
Guildford Iris
Romulea rosea var australis
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Other Common NamesGuildford Grass or Onion Grass

NB: It's an iris, not a grass, so the old common name is very misleading
We originally considered we had 3 different varieties of these, but it seems they are all just the one; indicating it's variable nature.
Imaged 6Fl in Sep(4Fl) & Oct(2Fl)
Whole
Whole (ex var communis)
Whole (ex var reflexa)
Flower, above
Flower, above (ex var communis)
Flower, above (ex var reflexa)
Flower, profile
Flower, profile (ex var reflexa)
Flower, under (ex var communis)
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Sunflowers (Asterales); 11 species, 6 from Ellura - Bellflower (Campanulaceae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura
Annual Bluebell
Wahlenbergia gracilenta


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Other Common NameBlue-bell

Thank you Dr Peter Lang for identifying this species for us

We were stumped with this one, both from being white & having a hairy calyx. We couldn't find a match.
Peter said "I'm always pleased when I see forms with hairs on the hypanthium, as it is a good indicator of W. gracilenta (along with its annual habit). However, it is more often than not glabrous. Variably hairy on fruit and calyx, and often white. Always annual."
Imaged 1 in Sep
🔍Whole
🔍Above
🔍Leaves
🔍Hairy Calyx
🔍Bud & Fruiting
🔍Flower
Bluebell
Wahlenbergia sp
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Other Common NameBlue-bell

These are very hard to differentiate between species.
They vary greatly within species, so "keys" overlap.
As such, next spring we will focus on individual specimens; photographing and taking note of more "keys" each time to hopefully identify them down to species level.
Imaged 5(1B,3Fl) in Feb(1), Oct(3:1B,2Fl) & Nov(1Fl)
Type 1, Lower Plant
Type 1, Flower
Type 1, Pod
Type 2, Plant
Type 2, Lower Plant
Type 2, Flower Opening
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Sunflowers (Asterales); 11 species, 6 from Ellura - Goodenia (Goodeniaceae); 8 species, 5 from Ellura
Clasping Goodenia
Goodenia amplexans


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Thank you (InsideRelic) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 3(2Fl) in Sep(2:1Fl) & Nov(1Fl)
🔍Whole
Cup Velleia
Goodenia connata


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SynonymVelleia connata

Other Common NameStout Velleia

Thank you Andrew Thornhill for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2(1Fl) in Sep
🔍Habit
In Flower
Flower
Cut-leaf Goodenia
Goodenia pinnatifida


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Other Common NamesCutleaf Goodenia, Mother Ducks or Scrambled Eggs

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 18(4B,9Fl,3Fr) in Aug(1), Sep(3:1B,1Fl,2Fr), Oct(12:2B,7Fl,1Fr) & Nov(2:1B,1Fl)
Whole
Basal Leaves
Basal Leaves
New Flower & Pod
Flower Opening
🔍Flower Open
Striped Fruit, Profile
Ovoid Fruit, End
Small-flower Goodenia
Goodenia pusilliflora


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Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 13(5Fl,1Fr) in Jul(1), Aug(7:3Fl), Sep(3) & Oct(2:2Fl,1Fr)
Whole
Basal Leaf
Flower, front
Flower, profile
Woolly Goodenia
Goodenia robusta


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Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 7Fl in Sep(2Fl) & Nov(5Fl)
🔍Whole
Sticky Goodenia
Goodenia varia


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Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 10(3Fl) in Jan(1), Mar(1), May(1), Jul(1), Oct(2Fl), Nov(3:1Fl) & Dec(1)
Whole
Leaves
Flower, Bud & Structure
Flower
Flower
Silver Goodenia
Goodenia willisiana


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Other Common NamesMallee Goodenia, Sand Goodenia or Sandhill Goodenia

Similar Species: Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium)
Thank you Matt Campbell & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Would never have guessed this was a Goodenia until we finally saw it flower.
They are perennial (live longer than 2 years) but ours get eaten &/or dry up, leaving only the root stock in the ground over summer. This makes them seem like annuals.
Plants are up to ~60mm in diameter and very variable; from silver to pale green.
The flowers are short lived, but typical Goodenia flowers, yellow with 5 petals. They last about a week (hence missed them last spring, and still don't have many bud photos!) and are small, not at all obvious like Velleia, etc.
But the leaves are so different, we thought it was some sort of Nightshade (Solanaceae).
With our specimens, the pale green leaves are basal (only come from the ground / root) with a fine woolly texture that makes them look silver; which varies with age. There is a bit more wool on the back than the face of the leaves. They also look as though they have thorns on the leaf edges, but in fact they are entire (plain, smooth edged); the woolly hairs tuft up looking like spines. Apprantly they can be toothed.
Leaves start out rolled & linear and then open out; some even become spatulate (like a spoon / spatula)
Our flowering specimens are in a sparse patch of about 20 on the south west side of a mallee tree. We lost our other patch which was in the open and seemed greener (the new camera has GPS, so that'll never happen again)
Imaged 20(2B,3Fl) in Jan(1), Mar(1), Apr(1), Jul(4), Aug(5), Sep(4:1B,1Fl) & Oct(4:1B,2Fl)
Wide Leaves
Spatulate Leaf
Old Stem
Size, flower ~10mm & plant ~60mm wide
Medium Leaves
Narrow Leaves
3 Plants
3 Plants, Darker
Bushy? NO! ~5 Clumped Together
Structure
Sparse Patch
Rolled Leaf Opened Leaf
Woolly Teeth, they don't hurt
Smooth Woolly Edge - Oxymoron
Pointy Woolly Edge - Oxymoron
Bud? Thats our story and sticking to it
Flower & Stem, profile
Flower Petals, profile
Flower, above
🔍Flower, above
Toothed Velleia
Velleia arguta


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SynonymGoodenia arguta

Other Common NamesGrassland Velleia or Spur Velleia

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

A very unusual looking yellow flower, with 5 petals, on the end of long stems.
3 of the petals lay out flat, with 2 curved upwards. The petals have frilled edges.
Imaged 47(5B,40Fl) in Apr(1Fl), Jul(1Fl), Aug(8:1B,3Fl), Sep(20:1B,19Fl), Oct(16:3B,15Fl) & Nov(1Fl)
Profile
Bud & Leaf
🔍Flower, Front
Flower, Back
Flower, Profile
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Sunflowers (Asterales); 11 species, 6 from Ellura - Triggerplant (Stylidiaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Hairy Stylewort
Levenhookia dubia


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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in Oct
🔍Whole
🔍Calyx
🔍Flower
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mustards & Allies (Brassicales); 9 species, 5 from Ellura - Mustard (Brassicaceae or Cruciferae); 8 species, 5 from Ellura
Flax-leaf Alyssum
Alyssum linifolium


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SynonymsAlyssum linifolia or Meniocus linifolius

Thank you Renate and Glenys for identifying this species for us

A very strange plant with brown, circular, flat, disk fruits.
These discs dry to a paper thin shell, then drop the two seeds contained within.
Also has strange tufted short hairs growing from it's leaves & stem.
Imaged 13(1B,2Fl,5Fr) in Jun(1), Jul(4:1Fl,2Fr), Aug(6:1B,1Fl,3Fr) & Sep(2)
Profile
Above
Patch, Dropping Seed
Leaf
Bud, Flower & Fruit - Above
Flower - Profile
Fruit
Fruit Stem
Seed in Pod
Wild Turnip
Brassica tournefortii


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Other Common NamesAfrican Mustard, Asian Mustard, Long fruited Wild Turnip, Mediterranean Turnip, Sahara Mustard or Tournefort's Birdrape

Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Not a major problem at Ellura. Removed when found.
One of the few plants than can grow under Mallee.
Small yellow flower, long green seed pods. Tall, straggly, hairy stems with lobed leaves staying near the ground.
Imaged 8(1Fl) in Jul(2), Aug(3), Sep(2) & Oct(1Fl)
Wards Weed
Carrichtera annua
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Invasive throughout the region. Difficult to eradicate as it's in such hugh numbers. The areas we have weeded have shown a big return of native forbs.
Seedlings are purple before turning luscious green.
Grazed by wombats & roos.
Replaces native grass.
Imaged 21(6J,2B,8Fl,3Fr) in Jan(1), Feb(3J), Mar(2J), Apr(2:1J,1B,1Fl), May(1), Jul(5:4Fl), Aug(5:1B,3Fl,2Fr) & Oct(2:1Fr)
Purple Seedling
Small Flower, ~5mm wide
Dried Seed
Earth Cress
Geococcus pusillus


iNaturalist
LC
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Thank you Helen Vonow (SA Herbarium) for identifying, Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming and Coral Johnston for helping with the id of this species for us

Small prostrate plant ~50mm diameter.
Leaves are heavily lobed, with small tufts of white hair scattered around. The lobes are arranged to appear like alternate leaflets.
Flowers have 4 white petals near the base of the plant.
Imaged 1 in Aug
🔍Whole
🔍Buds, Flower Finished, Hairy Leaf
Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia maritima


iNaturalist
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Thank you Jeanie Shelton for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍
Spreading Cress
Phlegmatospermum eremaeum


iNaturalist
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Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

Small prostrate plant ~20mm diameter.
Basal leaves are spatulate, with newer/upper leaves being heavily lobed, with relatively long thin hairs laying parrallel to the main vein.
Flowers are ~4mm wide, have 4 white petals on short stalks, with generally one flower per stalk, but can have more.
Imaged 2 in Jul
🔍Whole, Habit, Leaf, Bud, Flower & Fruit
🔍Size
🔍Profile
Smooth Mustard
Sisymbrium erysimoides
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Other Common NamesFrench rocket or Mediterranean rocket

Imaged 15(4B,5Fl,2Fr) in Jan(1), Jun(2), Jul(7:4B,5Fl,2Fr), Aug(2), Sep(1) & Oct(2)
Whole
Whole
Small Patch
Large Patch
Leaves
Compressed Leaf
Buds & Flowers
Buds & Flowers
Flower, Above
Flowers, Profile
Flowers & Seed Pods
Narrow Thread-petal
Stenopetalum lineare


iNaturalist
LC
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Thank you Dr Manfred Jusaitis for confirming the id of this species for us

A very difficult plant to spot. Has 4 chocolate brown to dull yellow petals. The flowers are tiny, with the petals only 1mm or so long.
We only found single stemmed, short (up to 200mm) plants. They can branch out and be up to 500mm high.
Imaged 6(1B,1Fl,1Fr) in Aug(1), Sep(4:1B,1Fl,1Fr) & Oct(1)
🔍Habit
🔍Basal Leaf
🔍Buding Stem
🔍Buds & Brown Flower
Brown Flower
Yellow Flower
🔍Seed Pod
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mustards & Allies (Brassicales); 9 species, 5 from Ellura - Mignonette (Resedaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Cut-leaf Mignonette
Reseda luteola
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Other Common NamesDyer's Mignonette, Dyer's Rocket, Dyer's Weed, Mignonette, Weld, Wild Mignonette or Yellow Weed

Forms a large round rosette, then shoots tall seed heads.
Very deep roots which easily break near the rosette to later recover.
Manual removal requires as much root as possible to be removed.
We remove at least 100mm.
Imaged 2 in Apr(1) & Dec(1)
Rosette
In Seed
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Betalains (Caryophyllales); 10 species, 3 from Ellura - Carnation (Caryophyllaceae); 4 species, 2 from Ellura
Mouse-ear Chickweed
Cerastium glomeratum
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A hairy leaved weed. A white flower that has 5 petals which are deeply lobed and can look like 10 petals.
On Ellura it is more prostrate than in the Adelaide Hills.
Imaged 4 in Sep(2), Oct(1) & Nov(1)
Prostrate
Upright
New Flower + Bud
Flower, fully open
Fruit
Hairypink
Petrorhagia dubia


iNaturalist
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Other Common NamesVelvet Pink or Wild Pink

Thank you Bethany McLeod for confirming the id of this species for us

In these photo's the flowers have a blue hue to them. This wasn't visible to the naked eye, so a camera artifact; not real.
Imaged 2(1Fl) in Oct(1) & Nov(1Fl)
🔍Whole
🔍Basal Leaves
🔍Cauline Leaves
🔍Flower, profile
🔍Flower, above
Mallee Catchfly
Silene apetala
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Other Common NameSand Catchfly

Tall straggly weed with tiny flowers.
Imaged 21(1B) in Jun(1), Jul(1), Aug(9), Sep(6:1B), Oct(3) & Nov(1)
Basal Leaves Seed Pod & Stem
Top Leaves & Seed Pod
Stalk & Leaves
Top Pods & Seeds
Flower & Bud
French Catchfly
Silene gallica var gallica


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameCommon Small Catchfly

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Whole
🔍Leaf
🔍Calyx
🔍New Flower
🔍Older Flowers
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Betalains (Caryophyllales); 10 species, 3 from Ellura - Sundew (Droseraceae); 4 species, none from Ellura
Tall Sundew
Drosera auriculata
VU
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These have pink flowers.
A very strange, dainty, carnivorous plant.
When the plant dies, it goes completely black, as though poisoned.
What we used to call the "mouths" are actually it's leaves!
Imaged 26(2B,4Fl) in Jul(1), Aug(6:1B), Sep(5), Oct(10:1B,2Fl), Nov(3:1Fl) & Dec(1Fl)
🔍Whole
Growing Stem
New Leaf
New Leaf Opening
Leaf, Front
Leaf, Back
Male Midge being Consumed
Trapped Leaf Hopper
Bud Opening
Bud, Profile
Bud, Above
Flower, Above
Flower, Profile
Flower, Fruit Forming
Dried up Flowers
Season's Over
Hooker's Sundew
Drosera hookeri


iNaturalist
Na
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Thank you Dr Miguel de Salas (mftasp) for confirming and Ralph Foster & Thilo Krueger for helping with the id of this species for us

A small sundew with white flowers. It has basal leaves which are different shape to the stem leaves.
At maturity it stands at under 100mm tall & 30mm wide. The flowers are ~10mm across.
The leaves are a shield shape, which is diagnostic. It's easier to see their shape from the back.
As with other sundews, the front of the leaf is covered with stems tipped in sticky sap that attracts insects. When one of these stems is moved by an insect the other stems move towards it to ensnare the insect, and then contract to the middle of the leaf to absorb the insect juices.
Hooker's Sundew (Drosera hookeri) has recently been split into multiple species. It's possible that some of these photo's are Drosera gunniana, a new species with an old name.
Miguel de Salas, who did the recent work on splitting out D. gunniana said "D. hookeri: top-branching, compound inflorescence with leaves and flowers, flower buds and fruit football-shaped with shorter, almost silky hairs."
"I would expect a single stem, with perhaps a couple of simple, racemose inflorescences coming from the uppermost nodes, and a fuzzy-hairy, globular bud/fruit for D. gunniana."
Further he said "... in Tasmania mixed populations of D. gunniana and D. hookeri are not uncommon. They have a slightly different habitat preference, but on grasslands and grassy woodlands it's not uncommon to find both.
The fact that they often grow together and remain distinct is partly what prompted me to separate them."
As our young plants (shown here) don't have enough diagnostic features, and it's possible D. gunniana and D. hookeri may be mixed, we have put the question mark on the id. Miguel did id one of our mature plants in this location, from photo's, to D. hookeri.
We have labelled the photo's S1-8 (sightings 1-8), some of which are the same plants, but we didn't record which.
Imaged 8 in Sep(4) & Oct(4)
S8, Mature Plant
S1, Young Plant
S1, Habit, Growing Plant
S1, New Leaf Buds
S3, Leaf, front
S1, Leaf, back
S2, Water Drops
S4, Larger Plant, habit
S5, Bud
S8, Flower, above
🔍S7, Flower, under
Climbing Sundew
Drosera macrantha ssp planchonii


iNaturalist
LC
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SynonymDrosera planchonii

Thank you Dr Miguel de Salas (mftasp) for confirming the id of this species for us

Leaves ~6mm wide (excluding "fingers"), ~13mm wide (inc "fingers"), with white flowers.
Currently known on Atlas & SA Seed Bank as Drosera macrantha ssp. planchonii.
This was succeeded by Drosera planchonii in 2017 by Lowrie, A. & al.
Imaged 4(1B,1Fl) in Jul(1), Aug(2:1Fl) & Sep(1B)
🔍S3, Climbing
🔍S4, Tall
🔍S3, Stem, with Leaves
🔍S3, Leaf, front
🔍S4, Leaf, profile
🔍S4, Leaf, back
🔍S4, Leaves, back
🔍S1, Flower
Whittaker's Sundew
Drosera whittakeri


iNaturalist
RA
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Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us

~50mm wide, with white flower.
Note that the width of the leaf stems are diagnostic.
Imaged 10(1B,2Fl,1Fr) in Jul(1B), Aug(2) & Oct(7:2Fl,1Fr)
🔍Whole
🔍Flower Bud
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Betalains (Caryophyllales); 10 species, 3 from Ellura - Purslane (Portulacaceae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura
Pink Purslane
Calandrinia calyptrata


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameSmall-leaved Parakeelya

Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Surprisingly, the only way to truely separate C. calyptrata & C. eremaea (without having the seed) is to measure the width of the flower petals. This one having narrower petals at < 2mm. C. eremaea has petals >= 2mm.
We thought we had both, but we only have one photo with a rule on the flower petals showing it's this one. So for now, we've moved all our Calandrinia to this species until we get a chance (hopefully this spring) to measure all of them.
Imaged 27(6B,10Fl) in Jul(1), Aug(4:2B), Sep(14:4B,4Fl) & Oct(8:6Fl)
Whole
Structure
Leaves
Buds
Pygmy Purslane
Calandrinia granulifera


iNaturalist
LC
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Thank you Ralph Foster for confirming the id of this species for us

~11mm wide, white/translucent flowers.
Fresh anthers appear pink and go burgandy as they age. The stigma is pale/translucent.
The leaves look split in two, but are basically buds. The flower pops out the middle of the two leaf halves!!!!
Imaged 4(2Fl,2Fr) in Aug(2Fl) & Sep(2Fr)
🔍Habit
🔍Fresh Anthers
🔍Mature Anthers
Stigma
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Heathers & Allies (Ericales); 2 species, none from Ellura - Primrose (Primulaceae); 2 species, none from Ellura
Scarlet Pimpernel
Lysimachia arvensis var arvensis


iNaturalist
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Thank you Jennifer Rycenga for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 5Fl in Apr(1Fl), Nov(1Fl) & Dec(3Fl)
🔍Flower
Blue Scarlet Pimpernel
Lysimachia loeflingii


iNaturalist
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SynonymLysimachia arvensis var caerulea

Thank you Ernst Weiher for confirming the id of this species for us

This is very difficult/nearly impossible to differentiate from Lysimachia foemina, except the latter hasn't been found in SA ... yet.
Imaged 2Fl in Sep(1Fl) & Nov(1Fl)
🔍Flower
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Legumes (Fabales); 7 species, 2 from Ellura - Legume (Fabaceae or Leguminosae); 7 species, 2 from Ellura
Most species in this family have an orchid like flower, a pea flower, with two petals protruding out the front (often referred to as a beak; aka bird beak) then 2 vertical petals making a bit of a face. The vertical petals are often fused together, but usually have a notch at the top, in the middle, where they would separate into 2 petals.
One notable exception to these flowers are the Wattles (Acacia sp) which all have identical flowers; eucalypt like petalless afairs with the stamens making a round ball. The species in this genus are separated based on leaf shape, seed aril and how the flowers are arranged (on peduncles, or not, single or grouped, etc).
The other exception are the Senna's. These have 5 yellow petals arrange in a cup shape.
Cape Broom
Genista monspessulana


iNaturalist
If
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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍
Native Liquorice
Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa


iNaturalist
RA
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Other Common NameSouthern Liquorice

Thank you (PlantBrah ) for confirming the id of this species for us

A rambling plant easily mistaken for a weed.
Pale lilac flowers with rust coloured seed pods that contrast with the rest of the plant.
Summer flowering.
Notice the flower sepals & stem are covered in salt. Unusual for a plant that isn't saltbush.
You may think it a strange name, but the roots of it's foriegn relative, Glycyrrhiza glabra, are used to make Liquorice.
Please, don't dig them up to try it, they are rare and need to flourish in the ground to spread their seed.
Imaged 4 in Jan(3) & Apr(1)
🔍Whole
🔍Patch
🔍Habit, buds, flowers, seed pods
Leaves
Flower Head
🔍Flower Sepals
🔍Seed Pods
Drying Seed Pods
🔍Dried Seed Pods
Scarlet Runner
Kennedia prostrata
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Other Common NameRunning Postie

Imaged 17(4Fl) in Aug(2:1Fl), Sep(2), Oct(11:3Fl) & Nov(2)
Leaf & Vine
Flower, profile
Flower, back
Flower, above
Flower, centre
Burr Medic
Medicago polymorpha
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Other Common NamesCreeping Burr, Medic Clover, Rough Medic, Toothed Medic, Burr Clover, Toothed Burr Clover or Trefoil

Imaged 2 in Aug(1) & Oct(1)
Whole
Leaf & Old Flower
Flower, front
Flower, profile
Small-leaf Burr Medic
Medicago praecox


iNaturalist
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Other Common NamesPlain Trefoil or Small-leaved Burr Medic

Thanks to Norbert Sauberer's assistance, this may be Medicago truncatula. Norbert said "The leaves of Medicago praecox are nearly glabrous."
Imaged 12(1B,1Fl,3Fr) in Jun(2:1Fr), Jul(1), Aug(6) & Sep(3:1B,1Fl,2Fr)
Several
Leaf
Seed
Bristly Bush-pea
Pultenaea acerosa


iNaturalist
RA
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Imaged 1 in Aug
Subterraneum Clover
Trifolium subterraneum
If
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Other Common NameSubterranean Trefoil

Imaged 4 in Oct(3) & Nov(1)
Patch in flower
Habit
Leaf, ~15mm wide
Leaf, under
Flower, ~5x3mm wide
Flower, profile
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Centauries (Gentianales); 4 species, 2 from Ellura - Gentian (Gentianaceae); 3 species, 2 from Ellura
Red Centaury
Centaurium erythraea
If
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Similar Species: Branched Centaury (Centaurium tenuiflorum)
You can see here that Red Centaury's habit is quite different to both Branched Centaury & Spike Centaury, but the flowers look identical from above.
The basal leaves stay green during flowering while the other two dry up quickly.
This species is also larger and more lucious than the other two.
Imaged 7 in Jan(1), Sep(1), Nov(2) & Dec(3)
Habit
Seedling
Basal Leaves
Flowers
Flower, Buds + Sepals
Branched Centaury
Centaurium tenuiflorum
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Similar Species: Spike Centaury (Schenkia australis) : Red Centaury (Centaurium erythraea)
Can be difficult to distinguish from Spike Centaury on habit alone; particularly for small plants withonly one stem and one flower. However, the comparison of the sepals of the 3 similar plants here shows how unique Branched Centaury is from the other two with no distance between the tip of the sepals and the separation/bend of the petals.
Imaged 2 in Jan(1) & Nov(1)
🔍Whole
Habit + Buds
Basal Leaves
🔍Flower
Flower + Sepals
Spike Centaury
Schenkia australis


iNaturalist
LC
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SynonymsCentaurium spicatum or Schenkia spicatum

Similar Species: Branched Centaury (Centaurium tenuiflorum)
Thank you (BaronSamedi ) for confirming the id of this species for us

This is one of the more tricky plants to separate out from it's introduced cousins. We have 3 different species, on this web site, which on initial inspection all look the same. We've waited two years to be sure that we actually had the native variety at Ellura, as our single stemmed & flower specimen was not big enough to be sure. But this year (2016, as well as 2022) the weather caused a mass germination of very healthy plants.
All 3 can occur together, so it's important to identify each specimen before removing the introduced species.
S. australis has a lop sided growth habit; such that one branch has a flower, and it's paired branch grows as one or more stems. This habit gives a "raceme" like appearance.
The other 2 introduced species both branch equally with flowers on the ends of the branches. This gives a panicle of flowers.
This is a generalised habit, though, it does not show on every single pair of branches.
The side shot of the flower also shows a gap between the ends of the sepals & the turning of the petal. This is the same as C. erythraea, but different to C. tenuiflorum. We found C. erythraea to be significanly larger than S. australis.
A very general rule of thumb is that the native has flowers in the middle of the plant, the weeds have the flowers at the top.
Imaged 12(2B,3Fl) in Oct(3), Nov(7:1Fl) & Dec(2:2B,2Fl)
🔍S11, Best Habit Shot
🔍S9, Whole
🔍S10, Whole, Size
S6, Bud, Flower
S9, Sepals
🔍S10, Flower, profile, Close Up
S4, Flower
S8, Habit
🔍S10, Habit, Close Up
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Centauries (Gentianales); 4 species, 2 from Ellura - Madder (Rubiaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Twiggy Stinkweed
Opercularia turpis


iNaturalist
LC
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Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

Male & Female plants. Very rush like habit, with distinctive green & white stiped stems.
Imaged 2 in Oct
🔍Whole
🔍Habit
🔍Fruits
🔍Fruit
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Geraniums (Geraniales); 3 species, 1 from Ellura - Geranium (Geraniaceae); 3 species, 1 from Ellura
Common Crowfoot
Erodium cicutarium
If
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Other Common NameStork's-bill

Imaged 17(1Fl) in Jan(1), Jun(2), Jul(4:1Fl), Aug(6) & Sep(4)
Large
In Flower
Small, in Flower
With Red Growth
Leaf
Buds
Flower
Seed
Australian Crane's-bill
Geranium solanderi


iNaturalist
RA
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Other Common NamesAustral Geranium or Solander's Geranium

Imaged 4Fl in Nov(2Fl) & Dec(2Fl)
🔍S2, Leaves
🔍S3, Whole
🔍S4, Flower
Austral Stork's-bill
Pelargonium australe


iNaturalist
RA
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Imaged 2(1B,2Fl,1Fr) in Sep(1:1B,1Fl,1Fr) & Oct(1Fl)
🔍S2, Whole
🔍S2, Flowers
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mints (Lamiales); 15 species, 9 from Ellura - Forget-me-not (Boraginaceae); 6 species, 4 from Ellura
Corn Gromwell
Buglossoides arvensis


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameSheepweed

Thank you Santiago Morales PP for confirming the id of this species for us

A small slender, hairy plant that stands at ~200mm high.
Flowers have 5 white petals and tiny at ~5mm across
Imaged 2 in Sep
🔍Whole, in Flower
Purple Peril
Echium plantagineum
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Other Common NamesSalvation Jane, Purple Viper's Bugloss, Blueweed, Lady Campbell Weed, Riverina Bluebell or Paterson's Curse

Imaged 6(2Fl) in Apr(1), Jun(1), Aug(1Fl), Oct(2:1Fl) & Nov(1)
Seedling Rosettes
Small Flowering
Medium Flowering
Sweet Hound's-tongue
Hackelia suaveolens
RA
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SynonymCynoglossum suaveolens

Imaged 9 in Sep(1), Oct(4), Nov(3) & Dec(1)
🔍Profile, ~300mm
Above
Leaves, rotated
Buds
Young Flower
🔍Old Flower
Flower, under
Heliotrope
Heliotropium europaeum
LC
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Other Common NameCommon Heliotrope & Potato Weed

It flourishes in wet summers here in SA, but also grows in drier seasons; with the seeds geminating after warm weather & rain (eg late spring).
It is a toxic plant (attacking the liver) and kills livestock (sheep & cattle), possibly taking years after grazzing on this weed for symptoms & death to occur. Some research suggests it also causes problems in Wombats.
Considered an introduced weed for a long time, it is currently considered native.
Imaged 5 in Jan(1), Feb(2), Mar(1) & Apr(1)
"Naturalised"
Healthy
Small, hidden
Perspective
Leaf, above
Leaf, under
Flower heads
Single flower stem
Fruit, seed pod, seeded
Hairy Sheepweed
Neatostema apulum
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Other Common NameBlackweed

Imaged 9 in Mar(1), Oct(5) & Nov(3)
~250mm tall
Leaves
Flower & Bud, above
Flower & Bud, under
Burr Stickseed
Omphalolappula concava
NT
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Imaged 13(1J,2B,4Fl,4Fr) in Aug(6:1B,2Fl,2Fr), Sep(5:1J,1B,1Fl,1Fr) & Oct(2:1Fl,1Fr)
Young Seedling
Larger Seedling
Whole
Small Patch
Structure
Leaves & Stem
Leaf & Stem with Aphid
Bud
Fruit, Dried Flower & Bud
Flower, Profile
🔍Flower, Front
Flower Done, Bracts Opening
Fruit Stem
New Fruit
Fruit (4 Nutlets)
Hooks on the end of the Burrs
Older Fruit/Burr
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mints (Lamiales); 15 species, 9 from Ellura - Mint (Lamiaceae); 6 species, 3 from Ellura
Australian Bugle
Ajuga australis


iNaturalist
RA
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Other Common NameAustral Bugle

Thank you (BaronSamedi ) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 5 in Jul(1), Oct(1) & Nov(3)
🔍Patch
Horehound
Marrubium vulgare


iNaturalist
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Other Common NamesHound's Bane, Marrube, Marvel, White Horehound or Woolly Horehound

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

#3 Enemy: Bush with green grey foliage, very hard to spot in saltbush. Hides well.
Seeds last decades in the soil, so long term monitoring of an infected area is required to ensure it doesn't become re-established.
Has little hooks on the seed pods that get stuck to animal fur (and socks!) which spreads the seed very effectively.
With the recent flooding (2022) we found the first horehound, about to seed, for many years from an old seed bank.
Imaged 12(6Fl,3Fr) in Mar(1Fl), May(1Fr), Jul(1:1Fl,1Fr), Sep(1Fl), Oct(4:1Fl), Nov(3:2Fl) & Dec(1Fr)
Seedling
🔍Green Patch (with wild sage in seed)
🔍Leaf, Bud, Flower
🔍Under Leaf, Bud, Flower
🔍Finished Flowering, B4 Seeding
🔍Seed Pod Hooks
🔍In Seed
🔍Seed Head
Wild Sage
Salvia verbenaca var verbenaca


iNaturalist
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Thank you Mark (Vandalsen) for confirming the id of this species for us

We found one of these on Ellura and took forever to work it out. In worldwide, it is considered a synonym of Salvia verbanaca.
However it's different. It's leaves are not as lobed and wider. It doesn't smell when crushed. It has red tints throughout the stems & leaves. Unfortunately the flower stem was eaten before we could get a photo of the flowers; only managing to photo buds.
It is certainly a strong relationship, and a sub-species makes sense to us. But being a synonym doesn't.
In the past they have been called "Type A" & "Type B". Now they have names.
This sub-species is recognised on the Australian national ANBG/APNI web sites.
Imaged 12(2J,4B,3Fl) in Feb(1), Mar(3:2B), Apr(1), Jun(2J), Sep(4:2B,3Fl) & Oct(1)
Above, ~80mm wide
Profile
Seedling
Stems
Basal Leaf
Stem Leaves
Bud stem, ~5mm bud length
Bud stem, profile
Wild Sage
Salvia verbenaca var vernalis


iNaturalist
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Other Common NamesClary Sage, Salvia, Verbena Sage, Vervain Sage, Vervain Salvia or Wild clary

Thank you Mark (Vandalsen) for confirming the id of this species for us

#2 Enemy: Called "Sage" due to its strong smell.
Will decimate an area over time if allowed. Likes depressions. Currently invasive throughout Ellura.
A staged approach will be used to eradicate:
1 Spray with Glyphosate on tracks (car, wombat & roo) to stop spread
2 Spray open & infested areas to stop volume seed generation
3 Manual removal from under natives (primarily saltbush)
4 Monitor infested areas for 10 years to finalise.
Imaged 12(1Fl) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(1), Apr(1), Jun(1), Jul(1), Aug(1), Sep(3:1Fl), Oct(1) & Nov(1)
Small
Large
Several Large
Removal
Scurfy Germander
Teucrium albicaule
VU
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Imaged 4 in Jan(2), Mar(1) & Dec(1)
Whole
Perspective
Buds & Flowers
Grey Germander
Teucrium racemosum


iNaturalist
LC
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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 6(1Fl) in Jan(1), Feb(1Fl), Mar(1), Apr(2) & Jul(1)
Patch
Structure
Flower Centre
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mints (Lamiales); 15 species, 9 from Ellura - Plantain (Plantaginaceae); 3 species, 2 from Ellura
Hairy Plantain
Plantago bellardii


iNaturalist
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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in Oct
🔍Patch
🔍Flower
🔍Flowers Finished
Clay Plantain
Plantago cunninghamii


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameSago

Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in Sep(1) & Oct(1)
Whole
Leaf, whole
Leaf, close up
Bud Stem
🔍Flower Head
Flowers, ~4mm long each
Crowned Plantain
Plantago turrifera


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Other Common NameSmall Sago

Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 28(1B,2Fl) in Apr(1), May(3), Jul(3), Aug(10), Sep(9:1Fl) & Oct(2:1B,1Fl)
Whole
Seedling
Leaf
Flowers
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Lilies (Liliales); 5 species, 1 from Ellura - Spikelily and Allies (Colchicaceae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura
Short-leaf Early Nancy
Wurmbea dioica ssp brevifolia


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SynonymAnguillaria dioica

Other Common NamesHarbinger of Spring or Pink-edged Star-lily

Thank you Ralph Foster & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

What a happy little flowering plant this is.
It's like it's got a target painted on it saying "Look at me, spring is here!"

Very bold, 6 petaled (actually 3 petals + 3 sepals), white flowers rimmed with deep maroon/purple.
With up to 5 or more flowers on one little stem.
It has 3 leaves, one basal, two wrapped from the stem (one in the mid section, the other under the flowers). The higher leaf looks like a hand holding the flower stem.
It's been 10 years since we've seen one of these flowers and were so pleased to find them on Ellura.
The top leaf being truncated at the point of narrowing is diagnostic. However, you need to ensure it hasn't been eaten!
In the photo "Patch of Fruiting Females" you can see all the short upper leaves (hence ssp brevifolia), which are starting to dry & yellow.
Imaged 19(3B,6Fl,3Fr) in Jul(3), Aug(15:3B,6Fl,2Fr) & Sep(1Fr)
Male
Females
Patch (15 or so) Males
🔍Patch of Fruiting Females
🔍Male Flower Stem
🔍New Male Flower
Older Male Flower
Older Male Flower
Mature Male Flower
Male Flower Finished
🔍Female Flower Stem
Female Bud
🔍Female Flower
Fruiting
Fruit Stem
🔍Fruit
Long-leaf Early Nancy
Wurmbea dioica ssp dioica
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Other Common NameEarly Star-lily

Notice the 3 leaves; all 3 with significant length past the point where the leaves narrow.
In the "Whole" photo you can see the upper leaf is quite long compared with ssp brevifolia above.
As it turns out the purple patterns are not diagnostic in that the flowers can be totally white. We've not seen this, but variations in thickness, colour and purpled edged petals are all variable within the species.
Imaged 9 in Aug(1), Sep(5) & Oct(3)
Female, whole
Female, Leaf lengths
Female, Basal Leaf
Female, Middle Leaf
Female, New Flowers, above
Female, New Flowers, profile
Female, Flowers, fully open
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Lilies (Liliales); 5 species, 1 from Ellura - Lily (Liliaceae); 3 species, none from Ellura
Bulbine Lily
Bulbine bulbosa


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Other Common NameNative Leek

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 12(2B,4Fl) in Sep(3:1Fl), Oct(4:1B,1Fl) & Nov(5:1B,2Fl)
Whole
Bud Stem
Buds, One Opening
Flower Centre
Flower, Profile
Flower, Finished
Milkmaids
Burchardia umbellata


iNaturalist
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Thank you Reiner Richter for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 18(2B,6Fl,1Fr) in Oct(2), Nov(13:1B,6Fl) & Dec(3:1B,1Fr)
Patch
Buds & New Flower
🔍Buds, Bud Opening & New Flower
Flowers with White Centre
Flower Centre
Flower Beaten by the Rain
Old Flower
Fruit
Yellow Rush-lily
Tricoryne elatior


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Other Common NameMallee Rush-lily

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 5 in Jan(2), Oct(1) & Dec(2)
🔍Flower
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Spurges, Violets & Allies (Malpighiales); 3 species, none from Ellura - Spurge (Euphorbiaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
False Caper
Euphorbia terracina


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Other Common NameGeraldton Carnation Weed

Thank you Tom Hunt (Moth_Nut) for confirming the id of this species for us

This is a declared weed. Found on sandy soils (sand dunes) near water (eg the Murray River & the Coast).
Imaged 1(1Fl,1Fr) in Oct
🔍Yellow Flowers & Fruit
🔍Whole
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Spurges, Violets & Allies (Malpighiales); 3 species, none from Ellura - Flax (Linaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Native Flax
Linum marginale


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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Thin, grass-like plant with lilac, 5-petalled flowers.
Imaged 4 in Oct
🔍Whole
🔍Leaf & Bud
🔍Flower
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Spurges, Violets & Allies (Malpighiales); 3 species, none from Ellura - 2 Ovule Spurge (Phyllanthaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Small Poranthera
Poranthera microphylla


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Thank you Reiner Richter & Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

These range is size quite about as mature flowering plants. We've seen them from around only 30mm across to ~100mm. From prostrate to upright.
This has all the haulmarks of a spurge; that fat little fruit forming in front of the flower. These have 5 white petals, flowering from Sept.
Imaged 6(1Fl) in Aug(1), Sep(2) & Oct(3:1Fl)
🔍Single large specimen
🔍Large example, profile
🔍Habit
Many Small Specimens
🔍Upright Patch
🔍Upright Plant
🔍Close up On Patch with Buds
🔍Flower & Fruit
🔍Fruit
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Hibisci (Malvales); 4 species, 3 from Ellura - Mallow (Malvaceae); 3 species from Ellura
Clustered Lawrencia
Lawrencia glomerata


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Other Common NameSmall golden-spike

Thank you Glenys and Graham Pearce for identifying and Dr Manfred Jusaitis for confirming the id of this species for us

A small plant that dies off in the summer heat.
Seedlings look similar to Corrugated Sida. The basal leaves are much wider and have a large number of lobes/teeth compared with those on the flowering/fruiting stems; which are narrow & toothed on the tip or entire.
What strange flowers these have. The flowers appear petalless, but in fact have 5 translucent petals; showing as green & sometimes yellowish depending on the background. Flowers are defined as being bisexual, but there do seem to be male only flowers; while all flowers with female style also have anthers (that we've seen). Often the anthers seem a brilliant white; rather than yellow. This seems to only occur when female parts (styles) are present. Perhaps they have no pollen, but maintain the anther structure, making them a purely female flower? The male flowers tend to stand up like tiny little trees, where as the bisexual & female flowers primarily show the styles; the anther structures tend to stay smaller & closer to the calyx. In time the styles turn purple and shrivel up, leaving a little purple tip in the middle of the anther structures.
When fertilised, the sepals fold in, the petals dry and the fruit forms.
Imaged 13 in Jan(1), Apr(2), Jul(1), Aug(3), Sep(1), Oct(4) & Nov(1)
Seedling, above
Seedling, profile
New Leaf Buds
Resprouting from previous year
Habit
Dried Plant
Flowering
🔍Patch
Stem Leaves
Basal Leaves after Fruiting
Flower/Fruit Stem
Flower Closing, another Opening
Bisexual Flower
Bisexual Flower
Male Flower
Female Flower? & Bisexual Flower
Flowers Finished
Fruit Forming
Corrugated Sida
Sida corrugata
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Similar Species: Limestone Sida (Sida spodochroma)
Generally darker green to Limestone Sida (Sida spodochroma), but S. spodochroma can be as green.
We differentiate them by the "hair" on the leaf and the habit.
S. corrugata has tufts of "hair" on an otherwise glaborous surface. While S. spodochroma is velted; very fine hair covering the whole leaf.
The petals on S. corrugata seem to be well separated, while Sida spodochroma petals seem to overlap more.
S. corrugata seems to have a more wood bush like appearance. S. spodochroma has much more of an annual, prostrate appearance. But this is probably more to do with the fact that S. spodochroma is so heavily grazed it barely gets a chance to age into a mature bush.
These are just our observations as it appears these plants confuse the experts as well. With the taxonomy sea sawing between different various species & sub-species. Both varieties are now also recognised as separate at a Federal level, not just at a State level.
Imaged 2(1Fl) in Jan(1Fl) & Jul(1)
🔍Woody Base
🔍Habit
🔍Leaves
🔍Leaf Back
🔍Flower, above
🔍Flower & Leaf
Flower, profile
Calyx
Limestone Sida
Sida spodochroma


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Similar Species: Corrugated Sida (Sida corrugata)
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

A very small pale / grey green plant; almost white in bright sunlight.
It gets eaten, by summer, and then re-sprouts in winter.
To see our first flower we had to protect one of the larger plants from grazing by kangaroos; we placed a dead bush over it.
See our notes above under Corrugated Sida (Sida corrugata var corrugata) to see how we differentiate our local plants.
Asimakis Patitsas told us ‘spodo chroma’ meaning ‘ash coloured’ in Greek.
Imaged 41(3B,9Fl,4Fr) in Jan(1), Feb(3:1B,2Fl), Mar(10:1B,3Fl), Apr(3:1B,1Fr), May(2:1Fl,2Fr), Jun(4), Jul(2), Aug(3), Sep(3), Oct(7:2Fl,1Fr), Nov(2:1Fl) & Dec(1)
Habit, in flower
Habit
Habit
🔍In bud
Flower Bud
Flower, above
Flower, profile
Flower Dried, Fruiting
Fruit
Fruit, profile
Seed
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Hibisci (Malvales); 4 species, 3 from Ellura - Daphne (Thymelaeaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Small Riceflower
Pimelea humilis


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Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 8(1B,3Fl) in Oct(1) & Nov(7:1B,3Fl)
Whole
Patch
Stem & Leaves
Buds & Floral Leaves
Bud Opening
Mature Flowers
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Wood Sorrels (Oxalidales); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Sorrel (Oxalidaceae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura
Native Sorrel
Oxalis perennans


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Other Common NamesGrassland Wood-sorrel, Native Oxalis or Tall-fruit Oxalis

Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

It is very similar to it's cousin the Soursob (Oxalis pes-caprae).
However, it is smaller, has a creeping habit and does not have bulbs.
Imaged 22(5B,14Fl,4Fr) in Jan(1:1B,1Fl), Feb(3:1B,1Fl), Mar(4:1B,4Fl,2Fr), May(1Fr), Jul(1:1B,1Fl), Aug(1Fl), Sep(4:1B,1Fl,1Fr), Oct(4:2Fl), Nov(2Fl) & Dec(1Fl)
Whole
Whole
Leaf
Leaf, dappled
Bud
Bud about to Open
Flower
Flower, Profile
Flower, Dried
Seed Pod
Soursob
Oxalis pescaprae


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Other Common NameSour Sob

Thank you Janet Whitington for confirming the id of this species for us

The latin name is actually spelt Oxalis pes-caprae, but our database can't handle the '-' within a name. It's the first time we've come across this and in time will try and fix it.
It's spread throughout the State, generally seen in more moist areas. eg in the Murray Mallee it's along the Murray River, we just haven't bothered to photographed it yet.
Imaged 5(3B,5Fl) in Sep(4:2B,4Fl) & Oct(1:1B,1Fl)
🔍Whole, Buds & Flowers
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Grasses & Sedges (Poales); 8 species, 1 from Ellura - Small Herb (Centrolepidaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Dwarf Aphelia
Aphelia pumilio
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Thank you Peri Coleman for identifying this species for us

A strange little plant with petalless flowers. Not much larger than moss, the top of the flowers stand at ~10mm, with leaves around 20mm long. The flowers are a fan shape array of bracts.
Imaged 3 in Oct
Single Plant
Patch
Flower, face on
Flower, edge
Flower, finished
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Grasses & Sedges (Poales); 8 species, 1 from Ellura - Sedge (Cyperaceae); 2 species, none from Ellura
Clustered Sword-sedge
Lepidosperma congestum


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Imaged 1 in Jul
🔍Flower
🔍Whole
Sandhill Sword-sedge
Lepidosperma hispidulum


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Other Common NameSpreading Sword-sedge

Imaged 1 in Jul
🔍Flower
🔍Whole
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Grasses & Sedges (Poales); 8 species, 1 from Ellura - Grass (Poaceae); 5 species, 1 from Ellura
Feather Spear-grass
Austrostipa elegantissima


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Thank you Darren Schmitke & Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 5 in Oct(3), Nov(1) & Dec(1)
Seed Head
Seed Head, close up
Blowfly Grass
Briza maxima


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Other Common NameGreater Quaking Grass

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

One or 2 larger seed heads coming from the plant with a gentle curved stemmed, hanging down.
Imaged 7 in Jan(1), Oct(4), Nov(1) & Dec(1)
🔍Patch In Seed
🔍Close Up of Patch
🔍Seed Head
Little Quaking Grass
Briza minor


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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Very similar to B. major. Here you see many seed heads coming/branching from the one plant
Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Seed Heads Emerging
Hare's-tail Grass
Lagurus ovatus


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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Flower
Echidna Grass
Triodia scariosa


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Other Common NamesPorcupine Grass or Spinifex

Thank you Darren Schmitke for identifying this species for us

Alan Bedggood said "Triodia species are hard to determine without access to the flower spike and, preferably, a couple of individual florets. The size and shape of the three lobes on the floret is diagnostic. The presence or absence of resin on the leaves and sheaths helps"
Imaged 9(1Fl) in Apr(1), Jul(2), Aug(1), Sep(3) & Oct(2:1Fl)
🔍Patch
🔍Individual
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Polypod Ferns (Polypodiales); 1 species, none from Ellura - Fern (Pteridaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Maiden-hair Fern
Adiantum aethiopicum


iNaturalist
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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in Sep(1) & Nov(1)
🔍Whole
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Buttercups (Ranunculales); 4 species, none from Ellura - Poppy (Papaveraceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Round Pricklyhead Poppy
Papaver hybridum


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Other Common NameRough Poppy

Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2(1Fl,1Fr) in Oct(1:1Fl,1Fr) & Nov(1)
🔍Whole
🔍Flower, above
🔍Flower, profile
🔍Fruit
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Buttercups (Ranunculales); 4 species, none from Ellura - Buttercup (Ranunculaceae); 3 species, none from Ellura
Pheasant's Eye
Adonis microcarpa


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Other Common NamesRed Chamomile or Yellow Pheasant's Eye

Plant ~110mm high. Flowers ~16mm diameter, are often red, but can also have yellow petals.
At one time a declared weed, but has been removed from the list.
They can have 5-15 petals, makes it hard to find an id. 5 sepals though.
This is the only species in the genus in Australia.
Imaged 2(1B,2Fl) in Sep
🔍Whole
🔍Profile
🔍Structure
🔍Leaves
🔍5 Petal Flower
🔍8 Petal Flower
Hill Buttercup
Ranunculus hamatosetosus


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Thank you Kai-Philipp Schablewski for confirming the id of this species for us

These can have 0 (like here) - 2 petals. As such, they are rarely recognised by amateurs. They are endemic to South Australia. They have a status of Least Concern in the Southern Flinders ranges, which turns to Endangered the further South you head; and are Rare to the North & East.
Atlas has 258 records.
Imaged 1Fr in Sep
🔍Whole small plant
🔍Covered in Fruit
🔍Cauline Leaf
🔍Young Fruit (below)
🔍Older Fruit
Thick-fruit Buttercup
Ranunculus pachycarpus


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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

~25mm diameter flowers.
Very glossy petals & fruit.
Imaged 3(3Fl,1Fr) in Sep
🔍S1, Basal Leaves
🔍S3, Basal Leaves
🔍S3, Cauline Leaves
🔍S1, Hairy Flower Stem
🔍S1, Flower
🔍S1, Different Flower
🔍S3, Flower, Fruiting
🔍S1, Young Fruit
🔍S1, Older Fruit
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Roses (Rosales); 1 species, none from Ellura - Rose (Rosaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura
Sheep's Burr
Acaena echinata


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Other Common NameBidibid

Thank you Hayley Pojikar Prentice for identifying and Tom Hunt (Moth_Nut) for confirming the id of this species for us

In South Australia there are two similar species. The other being Downy Sheep's Burr (Acaena ovina) which is much hairier/downy under the leaves.
The other local species in the genus have quite different seed/flower heads, looking like balls.
Imaged 15(1Fl) in Aug(1), Sep(1Fl), Oct(10), Nov(2) & Dec(1)
🔍Whole, profile
🔍Whole, above
🔍Budding
🔍Budding
🔍Young Leaf
🔍Upper-side of Leaf
🔍Under-side of Leaf
🔍Flowers
🔍Flowers
🔍Flowers
🔍Flower Stem
🔍Flower Finished
🔍Fruiting
🔍Fruiting
🔍Dried Fruit
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Rockfoils (Saxifragales); 8 species, 2 from Ellura - Stonecrop (Crassulaceae); 3 species, 2 from Ellura
Dense Stonecrop
Crassula colorata
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Other Common NameDense Crassula

Imaged 1 in Aug
Whole
A Patch
Leaves & Flowers
Spreading Stonecrop
Crassula decumbens var decumbens


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Other Common NameScilly Pigmyweed

Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 6 in Aug(2), Sep(2) & Oct(2)
🔍Large example
~50mm wide
Bud Bracts
Bud Above
Flower, plus fruit
Fruit
Australian Stonecrop
Crassula tetramera
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SynonymCrassula sieberana ssp tetramera

Other Common NamesAustral Crassula, Austral Stonecrop, Sieber Crassula or Silver Crassula

Imaged 12(1Fl,4Fr) in Jul(2), Aug(2:1Fl), Sep(6:3Fr) & Oct(2:1Fr)
Beige Stem
Red Stem
Sparse Patch
Clustered Patch
Leaf Texture & Outline
A Small Bunch Budding
Flowers
Flowers Growing Stalks going to Seed
Gone Red while Seeding
Seeded
Drying Up
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Rockfoils (Saxifragales); 8 species, 2 from Ellura - Raspwort (Haloragaceae); 5 species, none from Ellura
Hill Raspwort
Gonocarpus elatus


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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 6 in Jun(2), Aug(1), Sep(1) & Oct(2)
🔍Patch
🔍Fruit
Broad-leaf Raspwort
Gonocarpus mezianus


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Thank you Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

The yellow flowers in this photo are from something else. The Raspwort is in bud and has different flowers.
Imaged 3(2B,1Fl) in Aug(1) & Oct(2:2B,1Fl)
🔍In Bud
Small-leaf Raspwort
Gonocarpus tetragynus


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Thank you Hayley Pojikar Prentice for identifying and Alan Dandie (Alan_Dandie) for confirming the id of this species for us

The leaves are only 9mm long by 2.5mm wide, with tiny petalless flowers only 2.5mm wide. The plants we found were up to 400mm high.
Notice the heavily toothed leaves; which are shiny on top and matt, almost fibrous under.
Imaged 7(2Fl) in Oct(3:2Fl), Nov(1) & Dec(3)
🔍Plants Budding
🔍Plants Flowering
🔍Upper Leaf
🔍Under Leaf
🔍Bud Stem
🔍Flower
🔍Flowers
Smooth Raspwort
Haloragis acutangula


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Thank you Denzel Murfet for identifying, Andrew Thornhill for confirming and Darren Schmitke, Ralph Foster & Daniel Duval for helping with the id of this species for us

We thought this was the endangered species, Haloragis odontocarpa forma pterocarpa.
It's still a rare plant, in abundance after 2 years of fire recovery in the area it was found.
Imaged 5 in Jul(1), Sep(2) & Oct(2)
🔍Habit
🔍Red Stems
🔍Young Leaves
🔍Older Leaves
🔍Dried Flowers, Seeding
Rough Raspwort
Haloragis aspera


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Thank you Dr Manfred Jusaitis for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Nov
🔍Plant
🔍Buds
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Potatoes (Solanales); 5 species, 3 from Ellura - Bindweed (Convolvulaceae); 2 species from Ellura
Australian Bindweed
Convolvulus angustissimus ssp angustissimus


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SynonymConvolvulus erubescens

Other Common NamePink Convolvulus

Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us

Pretty little pink flower (about the size of a finger-nail) with green leaves and runners that can climb.
The flower has a unique way of opening by "unfolding"; as it is a single petal.
The fold lines are plainly visible. It gives it the appearance of an origami (paper) flower.
Imaged 9(2Fl) in Mar(1), Jun(1), Aug(1Fl), Sep(4:1Fl) & Oct(2)
Whole
Whole
New season growth
Profile
Structure
Seedling
New Leaf
Leaves
Older Leaf
🔍Flower
Flower
Flower, back
Grassy Bindweed
Convolvulus remotus


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Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 6(5Fl,1Fr) in Oct(3Fl), Nov(1Fl) & Dec(2:1Fl,1Fr)
Structure
Leaves
Bud
Flower
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Potatoes (Solanales); 5 species, 3 from Ellura - Nightshade (Solanaceae); 3 species, 1 from Ellura
Small-flowered Tobacco
Nicotiana goodspeedii


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Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 17(1B,10Fl,1Fr) in Jan(1Fl), Mar(1Fl), Apr(4), May(1Fl), Aug(1), Sep(1Fl), Oct(6:1B,4Fl,1Fr), Nov(1Fl) & Dec(1Fl)
Plant
Base
Flower
Silverleaf Nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
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Other Common NameTomato Weed

Similar Species: Silver Goodenia (Goodenia willisiana)
Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying this species for us

Imaged 1 in Dec
Whole
Leaf, above
Spikes, stem & leaf back
Wilted flower
Kangaroo Apple
Solanum simile


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Other Common NameOondooroo

Thank you Ralph Foster & Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us

These can grow to 2m, so the one depicted here is quite young & small at ~0.5m high; after 2 years of fire recovery.
Imaged 2 in Sep
🔍Habit
🔍Leaf
🔍Flower
🔍Calyx
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Twinleaves (Zygophyllales); 6 species, 2 from Ellura - Caltrop (Zygophyllaceae); 6 species, 2 from Ellura
Pointed Twinleaf
Roepera apiculata


iNaturalist
LC
e m r
SynonymZygophyllum apiculatum

Other Common NamesCommon Twinleaf or Gallweed

Similar Species: Pale Twinleaf (Roepera glauca)
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Large round green leaves, split in two (hence the "twinleaf").
Flowers are rich yellow, 5 petals, with a green centre (the emerging fruit). The fruit is a stubby 5 finned affair which reminds us of an upside down crown.
For us, the common name (Common Twinleaf) is a misnomer as the Shrubby Twinleaf is far more numerous on Ellura than this. And you can't see the points on the fruits until you get up close & personal.
We refer to this one as "broad-leaved" to avoid confusion. We also don't use the term "common" to describe any of our native species, it belies the importance of them.
We are in information overload, so haven't managed to learn all the scientific names yet (just can't seem to remember apiculatum .... it'll happen


There is a very similar species in the region, Pale Twinleaf (Roepera glauca). Both are Least Concern. It generally has paler leaves, but this is misleading where different specimens are healthier than others (ie R. apiculata can look pale in the hot weather). However, it can be differentiate by 4 petals on the flowers and a very different shaped fruit; an eliptical, 4 finned affair.
Generally R. apiculata is more upright & bushy. R. glauca is more prostrate.
Imaged 43(2B,11Fl,2Fr) in Jan(2), Mar(2), Apr(1), May(2), Jun(3), Jul(10:3Fl), Aug(11:1B,6Fl,1Fr), Sep(6:1B,1Fl,1Fr), Oct(3) & Nov(3:1Fl)
Whole
🔍Whole
🔍Whole, Pale
Structure
🔍Buds, Flowers & Leaves
🔍Flower
🔍Fruit
Notched Twinleaf
Roepera crenata


iNaturalist
LC
m
SynonymZygophyllum crenatum

Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2 in Aug(1) & Oct(1)
🔍Flowering & Budding
🔍Structure
🔍Flower
🔍Fruit
Pale Twinleaf
Roepera glauca


iNaturalist
LC
m
SynonymZygophyllum glaucum

Similar Species: Pointed Twinleaf (Roepera apiculata)
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Flowers are ~25mm across, while fruit bodies are ~10mm long.
4 petals, with fruits that have 4 fins. Generally paler leaves than R. apiculata, but not always (as seen here).
The fruits dry to pale brown papery drupe.
You can see the shape of the fruit in the middle of the flower, which aids substantially with identification.
Imaged 1 in Aug
🔍Whole
🔍Buds & Fruit
🔍Flower
🔍Fruit
Violet Twinleaf
Roepera iodocarpa


iNaturalist
LC
m
SynonymZygophyllum iodocarpum

Thank you Ralph Foster for confirming the id of this species for us

The fruits should have 5 wings. Notice here we happen to centre on the one that only had 4. This highlights how small they are and wasn't intentional. Not sure if this is a one off mutation, or if the number of wings varies.
Also notice the petals are small & white. We didn't see the normally larger yellow petals associated with this species.
When these shots were taken there had been significant rainfall recently, but the ground has already dried out, becoming dusty. Found in an area that may be an ephemeral lake.
Imaged 2(2B,2Fl,2Fr) in Oct
🔍Habit
🔍Size
🔍Bud & Flower
Flower
Fruit Forming
🔍Fruits
Dwarf Twinleaf
Roepera ovata


iNaturalist
LC
e m r
SynonymZygophyllum ovatum

Thank you Peter Crowcroft & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

A very small plant with green flower & leaves with red stems.
Imaged 42(2B,6Fl,8Fr) in Jan(1), Mar(4), Apr(3), May(3), Jun(1), Jul(4:1Fr), Aug(8), Sep(12:2B,5Fl,5Fr), Oct(5:1Fl,2Fr) & Nov(1)
Whole
Leaf
Flower
New Fruit
🔍Drying Fruit & Leaves
White Twinleaf
Roepera similis


iNaturalist
LC
m
SynonymZygophyllum simile

Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 5 in Jul(2), Aug(2) & Sep(1)
🔍Seedling
🔍Flowering & Fruiting
🔍Size
🔍Patch
🔍Flower
🔍Fruit

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