| Stat' | Notes | Thumbnails: 756. 107 native species listed, with 49 from Ellura |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Shrubs & Bushes | ||||||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Daisy Asteraceae | Sticky Cassinia Cassinia cf uncata iNaturalist | Na f | |||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Daisy Asteraceae | Bluebush Daisy Cratystylis conocephala iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Similar Species: Pearl Bluebush (Maireana sedifolia) Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us From a distance, very easy to confuse with Pearl Bluebush in shape and colour (hence the name we suspect). Up close it's easy to spot the difference. Generally larger than the Pearl Bluebush in our area. | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Daisy Asteraceae | Short-leaf Daisy-bush Olearia brachyphylla | LC e m | Small white flower with 8 petals. Buds are green & white with red highlights. Leaves are very small and felted underneath. Stems are soft and pale green when new, hardening to grey wood with age. A low dense bush, which blends into the background until it flowers, when it stands out like a beacon. | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Daisy Asteraceae | Crinkle-leaf Daisy-bush Olearia calcarea iNaturalist | RA e m |
Similar Species: Mueller's Daisy-bush (Olearia muelleri) Marie really out-did herself to find this one. She has amazing pattern recognition abilities. We walked past a couple of these bushes and she asked what they were. I said "O. muelleri". She said "No, it's different". I took a slightly closer look and said "Oh, O. magniflora". "No, it's not that either." I then took a really long look and said "I have no idea; you've done it again. How do you do that ?" Of course as soon as she asked what it was I instinctively knew something was up, 'cause she knows O. muelleri & O. magniflora like the back of her hand. It is said that O. calcarea is a natural cross between O. muelleri & O. magniflora. And we can certainly see why. The two specimens we've found on Ellura have quite different buds. One has large green buds, the other small copper highlighted buds. But the rest of the bush looks the same. One suspects one being in a small clearing on it's own, and the other at the base of a small mallee tree is the reason. | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Daisy Asteraceae | Splendid Daisy-bush Olearia magniflora iNaturalist | NT e m r | Thank you Ralph Foster & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Usually this bush likes to live with in the safety of another bush When on its own it's a very straggly looking affair. Beautiful large pale purple flowers Leaves are stiff and like shovels, with up to 4 small prongs coming out the side. | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Daisy Asteraceae | Mueller's Daisy-bush Olearia muelleri iNaturalist | LC e m |
Similar Species: Crinkle-leaf Daisy-bush (Olearia calcarea) Thank you Ralph Foster & Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us Small, round, green, succulent leaves. Small white flowers, yellow centres. A dense bush with stems that go from stiff green to grey wood with age. | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Daisy Asteraceae | Pimelea Daisy-bush Olearia pimeleoides ssp pimeleoides iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Daisy Asteraceae | Azure Daisy-bush Olearia rudis iNaturalist | RA m | Thank you Darren Schmitke for identifying and Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Goodenia Goodeniaceae | Grooved Dampiera Dampiera lanceolata var lanceolata iNaturalist | LC m | Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Thank you to Darren Schmitke for showing us this amazing area of fire recovery. A bush fire destroyed this area 2.5 years before. He's never seen Dampiera thrive like this, in decades of experience exploring local reserves. In one day these three species were all seen in flower together. These were considerably larger and more lanky than the other two Dampiera's we saw on the day. | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Goodenia Goodeniaceae | Velvet Dampiera Dampiera marifolia iNaturalist | NT m | Thank you Darren Schmitke for identifying and Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Similar to Grooved Dampiera in they are covered in felt, but these are a much more compact species. | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Goodenia Goodeniaceae | Native Rosemary Dampiera rosmarinifolia iNaturalist | LC m c | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us These are relatively easy to separate from the other two dampiera we saw on the day. They have long relatively thin glossy leaves. | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales | Goodenia Goodeniaceae | Spiny Fan-flower Scaevola spinescens iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us An unattractive bush with light grey foliage and stems. Very stiff with spikes coming from the stems. Stunning, pale yellow to white, fan shaped flowers. Flowered in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct & Dec. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Pointed Saltbush Atriplex acutibractea ssp acutibractea iNaturalist | LC e m | |||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Kidney Saltbush Atriplex stipitata iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Previously we considered these to have swollen fruits, which didn't make much sense. But of course we now realise they are galls. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Cottony Saltbush Chenopodium curvispicatum iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson, Byron Golledge & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Generally a structural parasite than uses other bushes for shade and to allow it's stems to reach much higher. As such, often seen as a vine. However, it can survive on it's own; but tends to be lower to the ground and more prostrate in this situation. Over a metre tall inside another bush, or ankle height on it's own. It's possible the low height is due to grazing, where those in another bush are more protected. Green to silvery grey leaves which are rounded triangular and shovel shaped. The soft parts of the plant (leaves, flowers, etc; non-woody) are covered in vesicular hairs (hairs ending with a sack/bladder). It's possible these sacks are filled with moisture when young and dry out, we're not sure. We always thought they were salt crystals. Some look like tiny inverted mushrooms; possibly once/if they've dried. Primarily female flowers with some bi-sexual flowers on the same bush (ie polygamo-monoecious), which are petalless. We see predominantly red fruit, with red tepals, but we also get yellow fruit. The fruit is encapsulated within 5 tepals that open to reveal the fruit. As it matures and opens it looks like a red flower with 5 petals.These tepals can look as though they are stained by the fruit on the inside, but can be red or green regardless of fruit colour. Occasional fruits can appear shrivelled and dried up; we assume this is caused by Hemiptera (True bugs) attack. The green colouring here of the leaves is different to how we see them in the field. This is because the underlying colour of the leaves is green, but the vesicular hairs are translucent and reflective giving the leaves a grey look. An optical illusion really. Antoni Milewski suggested the green tepal colour was due to the plant being another species C. gaudichaudianus. While possible, that species isn't recognised in our area. We've added some photo's showing how the tepals can be multiple colours. We agree with Antoni that the brown tepals are old. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Ruby Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa var tomentosa iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Alan Dandie , Geoffrey Cox & Luke and Denise Flitter for confirming the id of this species for us A soft, pretty little bush with bright, shiny, ruby red to yellow fruits (on the same bush). Young fruit is green. We're pretty sure that the old fruits can also be green (as per photo here). Others suggest all fruit goes red with time, but we don't agree with this; with our specimens. It's always possible there are unknown subspecies with different behaviours. Leaves can be pale green (almost white) thru dark green with dark red tips, cylindrical and succulent. Stem is generally grey and woody. Can have a spreading or upright habit, often entwined in another bush. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Leafless Bluebush Maireana aphylla iNaturalist | VU m |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us A very spiny large bluebush. With the drought, this specimen is very stressed; looks much more spiny than normal. Even so, it's covered in thousands of flowers! Petalless flowers, with hot pink stigma. We could find any fruits, even old ones. While it seems leafless, you can notice in the bottom left of the last photo there are very small leaves. Unlike Spinebush (Acacia) the spines are not phyllodes, but proper stems. The leaves are small, but succulent. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Short-leaf Bluebush Maireana brevifolia iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us On the whole a very straggly plant. But the prominent green heads / tops, with red branches are quite pretty. Flowers are almost invisible. Like most Maireana's; the fruit looks more like a flower and is quite beautiful. The new fruits have a beautiful red edge to the wings. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Rosy Bluebush Maireana erioclada iNaturalist | LC e m | Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us Deep pink/red fruits which are flat with a tiny back centre, that becomes fury/woolly/wooly as it matures. The black centre is actually the dried remnants of the flower. The fruit appear flat with one horizontal "wing"; but in outline are cup shaped (when taking the rear vertical wings into account). The fruits are diagnostic, as they are with all the bluebush; they have a single slit in the "wing" which is very hard to spot. The 5 fins (vertical wings) at the back, supporting the horizontal wing (at the front) are more obvious. The leaves are alternating, glabrous (smooth & hairless), succulent and cylindrical (obovoid to clavate) with a tiny soft point at the tip. The size of the leaves, as well as quantity, relates directly to how wet or dry it has been. As the leaves age, they turn from solid green to pink/red tips. They turn black & shrivel over summer as the plant extracts moisture to survive; leaving a grey shell until the winter rains come. Stems are covered in white fury/wool | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Erect Mallee Bluebush Maireana pentatropis iNaturalist | LC e m r | Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Cylindrical, succulent, hairless, green leaves on long woolly stems. Plants can be a single stem to 1m high, or multiples, and they can also be small and bushy. Generally healthier plants are tall and lanky, with grazed/damaged/young plants are bushy. Seedlings & young leaves are covered in fine hair making them look quite fluffy. Flowers are tiny white at the base of the leaves on the stem. As with other Maireanas, in summer the plant takes nutrients from the leaves, leaving the leaves to shrivel up into black husk. The fruit is similar to Rosy Bluebush (M. ericolada) on first appearance. It's best to find mature fruits to separate them. Here, the fruit looks like it's pinched in the middle, on the top, with white hairs/fur poking out. The back of the fruit has small fins which are very difficult to see on fruit laden stems. When young, the fins meet the wing on the extremities, but with age the wing expands hiding the fins. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Radiate Bluebush Maireana radiata iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Rohrlach's Bluebush Maireana rohrlachii iNaturalist | P-R e m | Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us Probably one of the most beautiful bluebush fruits. The fruit wings are curved and have deep red edges, going to shiny copper centres. The wing is one piece with a single slit, which is hard to spot. The centre fleshy part of the fruit is green and cone shaped on the back. The stems are hairy, and leaves typical of Maireana; succulent green with red tinges. We confused these for a while with M brevifolia, as they can have a bit of a red ring. But closer inspection shows the single wing vs 5 for M brevifolia. The plant is similar though (well that's our excuse & we're sticking to it without the red stems. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Pearl Bluebush Maireana sedifolia iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Similar Species: Bluebush Daisy (Cratystylis conocephala) Thank you Asimakis Patitsas & Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us These are very easy to spot. They are very bright at certain times of year and almost glow. Like the old silver Xmas trees. Medium sized bushes with cylindrical grey/silver leaves. From a distance, very easy to confuse with Bluebush Daisy in shape and colour. Up close it's easy to spot the difference. Generally smaller than the Bluebush Daisy in our area. Leaves are very felted / covered in silky fibres (which is shiny). Not the different gender flowers, and the size of the fruit, compared to the leaves, in the different aged fruits here. The fruit grows behind the red female flower. When the flower germinates the fruit then grows, with the flower turning brown in the centre as it dies. They are known not to flower for a decade. We still haven't seen ours flower or fruit in 8 years. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Top-fruit Bluebush Maireana turbinata iNaturalist | RA e m |
Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us Very similar to Rohrlach's Bluebush. Taking a closer look you notice the lack of a radial slit in the fruit's wing; this isn't as easy to spot as you might think. The face of the wing is smooth except for small hair tuft in the middle; unlike Rohrlach's, which has a doughnut shaped lump in the centre. The bushes are quite small, ~400 mm across, and entangled with other plants for protection. The stems are covered in wool. We found a small patch of them after a massive rainfall this year (2022). We also discovered the cross between these & Ruby Saltbush on the same day in the same area (plus have since found more elsewhere) | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Ruby Bluebush Maireana turbinata x Enchylaenae tomentosa iNaturalist | Na e m | Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us A known natural cross between Maireana turbinata & Enchylaena tomentosa. Under the Maireana genus due to it's winged fruit. Very similar to Maireana turbinata (of course) and on Ellura seems healthier/happier/more robust. Has a partial wing slit, and the edges are quite scaloped. Not to be confused with Maireana tomentosa; yet another species. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Fleshy Saltbush Rhagodia crassifolia iNaturalist | LC e m |
As with other saltbushes, the fruit of these is a bright red berry. Unlike E. tomentosa we believe the green fruit is young, ripening to red. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Mealy Saltbush Rhagodia parabolica | LC e m |
| ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Mallee Saltbush Rhagodia preissii ssp preissii iNaturalist | LC m | Unlike the usual grey of saltbush, this species is very green. Without the buds it'd be hard to recognise as a saltbush at all. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Spiny Saltbush Rhagodia spinescens | LC e m r |
Compared to other Spiny shrubs, this is pretty soft and painless. Has great variety of leaf colour from pale green thru to vivid red (we suspect the red ones are dying, like autumn leaves). Older leaves are green with a white milky coating and shiny reddish brown edges (margins). These leaves are very distinctive to this species making id easy, but aren't on young plants. As with all saltbushes, has tiny flowers that are barely discernible. The fruits are much darker than usual; a deep burgundy wine colour. As such, any red fruits you see with the naked eye are not fruits but the stained bracts remaining after the fruit has dropped. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae | Intricate Saltbush Rhagodia ulicina iNaturalist | LC m r |
Small leaves, ~2-5mm. A medium sized, grey-green shrub with many branching stems Young stems are red. In winter/spring the leaves hide the branches quite well but as the season dries some of the leaves fall off leaving a spiny looking habit. The overal shape of the bush seems quite variable, possibly due to grazing from herbivours. This is a dioecious species, ie a specimen is either male or female. Only the female plants produce fruit. Like other Rhagodia's, the fruit is a red berry. | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales | Knotweed Polygonaceae | Twiggy Lignum Muehlenbeckia diclina iNaturalist | VU m |
Thank you InsideRelic & Prof Karen L Wilson AM for confirming the id of this species for us There seems to be a change in that the sub-species isn't recognised any more, with some movement of Muehlenbeckia genus to Duma. | ||||
| Guinea-flowers Dilleniales | Dillenia Dilleniaceae | Long-hair Guinea-flower Hibbertia crinita iNaturalist | Na a | Thank you Robert Lawrence for identifying this species for us | ||||
| Guinea-flowers Dilleniales | Dillenia Dilleniaceae | Prickly Guinea-flower Hibbertia exutiacies | Na a c |
These little bushes are a ray of sunshine in spring The flowers drop their petals very easily, leaving discussion and quandry in their wake as one tries to work out this new green flowering plant LOL The yellow flowers are ~15mm wide, with the pale green buds at just over 2mm. The flowers can vary in general appearance with the 5 petals being close together forming a buttercup flower appearance, or spread apart looking like a star. Counting the petals isn't easy with petals often overlapping, yet each one having an indent in the end making it appear to be 2 petals close together. The green, nearly cylindrical leaves have a sharp spike on the end (hence prickly) and are ~8mm long. They are adjacent, often in swirls of 5 leaves (ie about 70 deg apart), with fine teeth along the edge. | ||||
| Guinea-flowers Dilleniales | Dillenia Dilleniaceae | Climbing Guinea-flower Hibbertia scandens iNaturalist | Ir a | Thank you Ralph Foster & Dr Timothy Hammer for identifying this species for us We thought this was Australian Buttercup (Ranunculus lappaceus) Timothy said this is "Likely a garden escapee" | ||||
| Guinea-flowers Dilleniales | Dillenia Dilleniaceae | Silky Guinea-flower Hibbertia sericea | LC m a c |
| ||||
| Guinea-flowers Dilleniales | Dillenia Dilleniaceae | Twiggy Guinea-flower Hibbertia virgata iNaturalist | LC m a r | Thank you Dr Peter Lang for identifying, Dr Timothy Hammer for confirming and Dr Jennifer Gardner & Hannah and Grant for helping with the id of this species for us A very atypical specimen. Small petals, short, woolly, curved, linear, convex leaves, small brown buds. 2 specimens in close proximity, in sand, looking the same. Walking up to them we thought they were Eutaxia microphylla; clearly not of course. Peter informed us these are under review and the name will likely change soon. | ||||
| Heathers & Allies Ericales | Heath Ericaceae | Brush Heath Brachyloma ericoides ssp ericoides iNaturalist | LC m | Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Heathers & Allies Ericales | Heath Ericaceae | Coastal Beard-heath Leucopogon parviflorus iNaturalist | Na c | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us These particular Beard-heaths aren't found in the Murraylands, but the flower shows the typical Beard-heath form. | ||||
| Heathers & Allies Ericales | Heath Ericaceae | Flame Heath Stenanthera conostephioides iNaturalist | LC m a |
Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Wreath Wattle Acacia acinacea | VU m a |
| ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Silver Mulga-bush Acacia argyrophylla | LC m | Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying this species for us | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Veined Wait-a-while Acacia colletioides iNaturalist | LC m r | Similar Species: Spine Bush (Acacia nyssophylla) Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us The leaves (phyllodes) have 8 parallel veins (nerves). Sorry about the yellow colour of the close ups, they were taken in drought, not a diagnostic of the species. While they are classed as Least Concern we've only ever seen them once. They are nearly impossible to separate from Spinebush from a distance, so you need to take a close look at the phyllodes of everyone you see. We've done this with all our Spinebushes on Ellura and not a colletioides to be found. The name comes from a local legend that if you ever fell into one you'll have to wait-a-while for someone else to pull you out. They are so prickly that trying to push yourself off the bush would be extremely painful! | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Hakea Wattle Acacia hakeoides iNaturalist | LC e m c | Thank you David Muirhead for confirming and Andrew Allanson for helping with the id of this species for us We have quite a few examples were multiple bushes look like one huge bush. Bright yellow, petal-less, ball flowers with long, oval, green leaves. The leaves are wide with a round tip and often have a thin yellow edge. Stems are yellow when young going through green, brown then to grey wood with age. Seeds are grown in pods. Unlike most pods these are very shaped, around each seed. When the pod splits open the black seeds can be seen, and are held in by stalks until ready to disperse. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Sandhill Wattle Acacia ligulata | LC m |
Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying this species for us Peter Marriott kindly sent us a paper from 1953 of the proceedings of the Royal Society of South Australia. From page 56, it discusses how the roots of this shub are a food source for Witjuti / Witchety / Witchetty grubs; named after the Witjuti bush which is now considered to be Acacia kempeana. Various tribes had various names for the bushes, one being Wardaruka Bush for this species, and so Wardaruka grubs would feed on it's roots. Interesting how one term is so well known & the other not | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Spine Bush Acacia nyssophylla iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Similar Species: Veined Wait-a-while (Acacia colletioides) Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us Very similar to Wait-a-while, A. colletioides, except the leaves (phyllodes) have 16 parallel veins (nerves), not 8. Yellow flowers don't have petals, but are spherical/ball-shaped. Seeds come in long, flat pods a bit like beans. Flowers are not in receme's but on peduncles, usually 2 per leaf axis. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Umbrella Wattle Acacia oswaldii | LC m r |
Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying this species for us | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Kangaroo Thorn Acacia paradoxa iNaturalist | RA m a c |
Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us A lot of people don't like this plant because of it's thorns. It is incredibly imporant habitat for small animals and birds. More common in the Adelaide Hills than in the Murraylands. It's the perfect plant to revegetate blackberry outbreaks. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha iNaturalist | LC m a c | Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us We have to say, this is one of our least favourite plants. Having lived with them growing wild in our Lobethal property, everytime we went to weed, these things would poke our eyes out. As they grow, the young leaves drop off leaving sharp dead stalks behind. They'd get very black trunks. Probably not the best location for them, so seemed to get sick quite easily. HOWEVER, when seeing them in Conservation Parks, they are stunning to look at; and great habitat for animals. In fact, they look so different we didn't even recognise them. They have very different, unique, leaves as saplings compared to their adult forms. Large fat sapling leaves, compared to the longer/thinner leaves of adults. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Needlebush Wattle Acacia rigens iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Alan Dandie & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Measured phyllode ~60mm; with veins, not sharp or spiny. ~700mm high. This one is quite young and very well hidden. Maybe ~5 years old? Which would be interesting as it would have germinated in the severe 3 drought period. It's very rare for us to find a new bush species on Ellura, so finding this the other day was a huge surprise. As such, we are making this our We have a lot of Senna artemisioides ssp. filifolia around; and without any flowers this could easily be mistaken for that (particularly because we weren't expecting a new species). But now it's started flowering, it's clearly a different species. We suspect it's the 1st time it's flowered ... else we should have seen it before. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Hard-leaf Wattle Acacia sclerophylla var sclerophylla iNaturalist | LC e m r | Thank you Alan Dandie
& Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Similar to A. hakeoides, but the leaves are much narrower, with a pointy tip. At the tip, the leaf dries to a hard black/grey point. Leaves don't have the yellow edge, but are strongly veined / striped. Generally the bushes are shorter and more sprawling than the Hakea Wattle. When in flower the bush looks like a mass of upright flower stems, whereas the Hakea tends to look like a big, wide, yellow ball. The seeds are held in the pods with a white cup. There is no cup holding the seed in the Hakea Wattle. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Wilhelm's Wattle Acacia wilhelmiana iNaturalist | LC m r |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea Daviesia leptophylla iNaturalist | Na a c | Thank you Robert Lawrence for identifying and Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Red Parrot-pea Dillwynia hispida iNaturalist | LC m a c | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Small bushes, or sub-shrubs. Flowers are not always red, can be just yellow. Alan said "Terminal flowers on a long stalk." This is a great help to separate these from other legumes; as the flowers generally look very, very similar. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Mallee Bush-pea Eutaxia microphylla var microphylla iNaturalist | LC e m f r c |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Stiff structure, where the small green leaves seem to completely wrap the young stems, however, the stems are the same colour as the leaves. So they don't completely wrap it. Bright yellow pea-like flowers. Buds are deep red / brown. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Austral Trefoil Lotus australis iNaturalist | RA m f | Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Large-leaf Bush-pea Pultenaea daphnoides | Na a c | A tall (up to 2m) spindly bush, with wedge shaped leaves; note the pointed "tip" on the leaves | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Bridal Veil Broom Retama monosperma iNaturalist | If m | Thank you Ralph Foster for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Silver Cassia Senna artemisioides ssp artemisioides iNaturalist | DD e m |
Thank you Jean-Philippe Basuyaux for confirming the id of this species for us Very similar to the Senna artemisioides ssp filifolia, but the leaves are not cylindrical; even though they look it from one side. They are heavily curved, like a new moon in cross section. The photo's tell the story easier than it is to describe them. The leaves are also shorter, which reduces the spiky appearance. Oops, forgot to mention; they also regularly have 4 leaflets (or more), not the 2 of filifolia. They are very common on Ellura, with an estimated 30% of Senna artemisioides bushes being this sub-species. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Broad-leaf Desert Senna Senna artemisioides ssp coriacea iNaturalist | LC e m r | Thank you Jean-Philippe Basuyaux, Tony and Jenny Dominelli & Arthur Chapman for confirming the id of this species for us All our Senna's start growing the pods from the centre of the flower as soon as the flower opens. It's a thin green bent stalk in the middle. As the flower is pollinated and so dies and falls off around the stem, the pod continues to grow. Thanks to Arthur for highlighting the fact that S. a. ssp zygophylla only has 2 pairs of leaflets. As such we thought the narrow leaflets here were S. a. ssp zygophylla. Arthur also explained that S. a. ssp coriacea is a natural hybrid, and so very variable. It is possible, in the leaf comparision shot, that the left most leaf is S. a. ssp zygophylla. But until we find the bush again, and re-do the shots with sizes, etc, we can't be sure. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Fine-leaf Desert Senna Senna artemisioides ssp filifolia iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Jean-Philippe Basuyaux for confirming the id of this species for us Bright yellow flowers with 5 petals. Leaves are light green and very long, thin and cylindrical which split in two half way along (into leaflets). Look more like new stems than leaves. Overall the bush looks spiky on top. Very easy to confuse with s.a. ssp zygophylla as they both seem to have narrow leaves. But closer inspection reveals the filifolia having cylindrical leaves, whereas the zygophylla has very curved end leaflets. Bright green flat pods (similar to beans) dry on the bush to a dark rusty brown and are crispy. Also very similar to ssp petiolaris. As ssp filifolia leaves age, the base of the leaf flattens out, so is not totally cylindrical as it is when young. But notice it is still divided in the middle (ie half and half). | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Woody Desert Senna Senna artemisioides ssp petiolaris iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you David Muirhead for confirming the id of this species for us Similar to ssp filifolia, but the base of the leaf is always flattened, not cylindrical, even in the young leaves. The leaf base is thicker (compared to length) than old filifolia leaves. The leaf splits into leaflets about 2/3rds the way along, not 1/2 way (as in filifolia). ssp petiolaris leaflets tend to curve over more on the ends compared with ssp filifolia leaflets. All these tendencies mean that you could get a leaf off a ssp filifolia bush that matches a ssp petiolaris. But you won't see a petiolaris leaf that has a cylindrical base. All Senna artemisioides can loose the end leaflets. | ||||
| Legumes Fabales | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Twin-leaf Desert Senna Senna artemisioides ssp zygophylla iNaturalist | RA e m |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Thanks to Arthur Chapman for highlighting our error with these. This sub species only has a maximum of 2 pairs of leaflets. They are classed as rare, but are not listed in the Murraylands Survey. We have lost the specimen depicted here (not recognising what they were at the time), so are on the look out for it again to take better measurements & diagnostic photo's. | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Forget-me-not Boraginaceae | Smooth Blue-flower Halgania andromedifolia iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Ralph Foster & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Smallish, stiff, shiny, green leaves. Pale green / white felted underneath. Blossoms with a blue / pale-purple flower with 5 petals. Leaves superficially resemble Beyeria lechenaultii leaves, but Halgania leaves are much larger and are pointy. We've highlighted the effects of the drought here. In 2019 we had 135mm, compared to an average of ~270mm. The halgania were hard hit, as were many of our plants. You can see they've managed to survive, but will take years to recover to their former glory. The flowering across Ellura in 2022 has been staggering. Further years of good rain will see the seeds produced from these flowers germinate and cover Ellura in healthy bushes again; in decades to come. | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Forget-me-not Boraginaceae | Rough Blue-flower Halgania cyanea iNaturalist | LC m r c | Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Mint Lamiaceae | Scarlet Mintbush Prostanthera aspalathoides iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us Has an Eremophila style red flower, which is speckled under macro photography. Buds are like a Spanish soldiers helmet. Leaves are like a Maireana's, green, succulent and cylindrical (also speckled). Generally a dense bush. | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Mint Lamiaceae | Downy Mintbush Prostanthera behriana iNaturalist | RA m a f | Thank you Guy Taseski for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Mint Lamiaceae | Green Mintbush Prostanthera chlorantha iNaturalist | P-R a | Thank you Guy Taseski for confirming the id of this species for us The flower cups are variable from plain lime green to green with red stripes. Flower is lilac to white. Stems are covered in white, complex hair. | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Mint Lamiaceae | Stiff Western Rosemary Westringia rigida iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson, Tony and Jenny Dominelli & Guy Taseski for confirming the id of this species for us A very stiff plant. The plants overall bell shape makes it look as though there's big pot in the middle with a creeper that's overflowed. Flowers are small and delicate with 5 hairy petals arranged in an orchid shape. The flower's "tongue" is speckled with tiny red blotches. We have another variety which has a different habit. It's sparse and generally looks greener. Flowers are the same, as are the individual stems. We thought they were seedlings at first, but there are other young plants that look like bonsai versions of the large ones. So we are not sure why some are different. The sparse ones are generally smaller. | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Plantain Plantaginaceae | Bluerod Stemodia florulenta | LC m r |
| ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Figwort Scrophulariaceae | Narrow-leaf Emubush Eremophila alternifolia | RA m |
| ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Figwort Scrophulariaceae | Turkey-bush Eremophila deserti | RA m |
We thought it was a Myoporum based on the leaves, structure & flowers. But the fruits were eremophila like. The synonym shows even the experts weren't sure Leaves are long, thin, entire with a typical myoporum hook on the end. Flowers are white with 5 petals on short tubes at the end of a stalk. Up to 3 stalks come from the leaf axis and droop down / weep, but generally there was only one flower per leaf. | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Figwort Scrophulariaceae | Tar Bush Eremophila glabra iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Dr Bevan Buirchell for confirming the id of this species for us Very common on Ellura. Flower colour cannot be used for identification. We have green through orange & various shades of red; with the typical Eremophila shape. Leaves also vary in shape (rounded end to slightly pointy) and colour. They are stiff, roundish and vary between pale (younger) and dark (older) green, giving the bush a two toned appearance. They are also covered in oil (tar) giving the leaves a rough textured appearance. Flowers can also be hairy or smooth. | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Figwort Scrophulariaceae | Spotted Emubush Eremophila maculata ssp maculata | VU m r | |||||
| Mints Lamiales | Figwort Scrophulariaceae | Flowering Lignum Eremophila polyclada iNaturalist | P-R d f |
While photographed in the Finders Rangers, it was out of location/range; probably planted. Their natural range is around Renmark and the north eastern corner of SA; endangered in both regions. | ||||
| Mints Lamiales | Figwort Scrophulariaceae | Scotia Bush Eremophila scoparia iNaturalist | LC m r |
Thank you Dr Bevan Buirchell for confirming the id of this species for us Lilac/pale purple bell shaped flowers. Leaves are thin cylindrical and green. The plant has an upright, stalky appearance. | ||||
| Spurges & Allies Malpighiales | Spurge Euphorbiaceae | Mitchell's Bertya Bertya tasmanica ssp vestita iNaturalist | LC m |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Spurges & Allies Malpighiales | Spurge Euphorbiaceae | Felted Wallaby-bush Beyeria lechenaultii iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us Very similar to the Smooth Wallaby-bush. Leaves are thicker and slightly curved (so they "wrap around" on the back instead of being flat). Branches are more orange. The most striking difference is the red buds & "petals" on the flowers. We only have a few of these compared to an abundance of Smooth. | ||||
| Spurges & Allies Malpighiales | Spurge Euphorbiaceae | Smooth Wallaby-bush Beyeria opaca iNaturalist | LC e m r | Thank you Geoffrey Cox
& Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Short, wide bush, with fruit that starts green drying to pale brown, then reddish brown. Fruit has red cap when young, darkening to black later. The fruit is more like a nut really, very hard to break open when drying, and as can be seen the single seed is quite a larger percentage of the fruit size. Leaves are dark green on top, pale under. New growth is lime green, almost yellow, and darkens to a deep bottle green. Flowers are small, with no petals, and look yellow due to the stamen. | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales | Mallow Malvaceae | Lilac Hibiscus Alyogyne huegelii iNaturalist | Na f |
Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales | Mallow Malvaceae | Pink Velvet-bush Lasiopetalum behrii iNaturalist | LC m | Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales | Mallow Malvaceae | Australian Hollyhock Malva weinmanniana | LC m |
There is some confusion over the botanical name, but it's clear this is no longer called M. preissiana. As such, the 2010 Murraylands survey is refering to this plant, which is the Inland form, not coastal. Dr. Peter Lang said "The new treatment was published in 2012 in J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 25, 17-25 and supersedes the 2007 paper. The reference to pink flower colour in the title of the paper ("Malva weinmanniana (Besser ex Rchb.) Conran, a new name for the pink-flowered form of M. preissiana Schltdl. (Malvaceae)" is misleading. Unfortunately the paper did not take account of the fact that some forms of M. weinmanniana (with the characteristic wider flower spacing and reduced leaf tomentum on the upper surface) have white or extremely pale pink flowers. Here is the relevant key from that paper. Note that flower colour isn't included as one of the key characters to separate out M. weinmanniana in the first couplet). 1.a. Leaves well-spaced along stems, upper surface much less tomentose than lower -> Malva weinmanniana 1.b. Leaves crowded together on stems and densely tomentose on both surfaces->2 2.a. Flowers deep cerise pink with a dark purple to black centre-> Malva arborea 2.b. Flowers white to pale pink with a pale centre->3 3.a. Epicalyx lobes shorter than the calyx lobes-> Malva preissiana 3.b. Epicalyx lobes and calyx lobes of similar length-> Malva arborea x M. preissiana" | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales | Daphne Thymelaeaceae | Silky Riceflower Pimelea micrantha iNaturalist | NT e m |
Thank you Alan Dandie for identifying this species for us An innocuous plant that, having identified it, is suddenly everywhere It has the tiniest little yellow flowers that look like 10 pin bowling pins. Through the year it changes appearance dramatically Over summer it sheds a lot of leaves and looks totally different to it's luscious spring time cover. | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales | Daphne Thymelaeaceae | Shrubby Riceflower Pimelea microcephala ssp microcephala iNaturalist | RA m f |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales | Daphne Thymelaeaceae | Erect Riceflower Pimelea stricta | LC m a c | |||||
| Myrtles Myrtales | Myrtle Myrtaceae | Scarlet Bottlebrush Callistemon rugulosus iNaturalist | RA m f |
| ||||
| Myrtles Myrtales | Myrtle Myrtaceae | Needle Bottlebrush Callistemon teretifolius iNaturalist | Na f |
Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Myrtles Myrtales | Myrtle Myrtaceae | Fringe-myrtle Calytrix tetragona iNaturalist | LC m a f c | Thank you BaronSamedi
for confirming the id of this species for us They have very distinctive sepals with long strands. Looking at the buds, you can see those long strands wrapping the bud. When it finishes flowering the petals fall off leaving the sepals looking like flowers. The name Calytrix translates from greek as "Hairy Calyx". The red sepals turn to yellow, then beige/off white as they age; staying on the plant for a long time. This is one of those plants where the seed/fruit forms behind the flower. As such, the calix stays with the fruit and acts as a windmill to then disperse the seed. | ||||
| Myrtles Myrtales | Myrtle Myrtaceae | Prickly Tea-tree Leptospermum continentale iNaturalist | VU m a | |||||
| Myrtles Myrtales | Myrtle Myrtaceae | Dune Tea-tree Leptospermum coriaceum iNaturalist | LC m r |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Grevilleas Proteales | Protea Proteaceae | Comb Grevillea Grevillea huegelii iNaturalist | NT m r | Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us Grevillia flowers don't have petals .... Say what? While inspecting flower photo's to post we noticed the curled back "petal" actually contains anthers in the tips. How can this be? Petals are just that, they aren't part of the sexual organs of a flower. Ahhh, further investigation .... we find they aren't petals but TEPALS. These are structures like petals, that don't fall into a proper definition of petal or sepal. | ||||
| Grevilleas Proteales | Protea Proteaceae | Native Holly Grevillea ilicifolia ssp ilicifolia iNaturalist | VU m | Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Grevilleas Proteales | Protea Proteaceae | Pincushion Hakea Hakea laurina iNaturalist | Ir c | Thank you David Muirhead for confirming the id of this species for us Regionally Introduced from Western Australia | ||||
| Grevilleas Proteales | Protea Proteaceae | Heath Needlebush Hakea mitchellii iNaturalist | NT m |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Roses Rosales | Buckthorn Rhamnaceae | Mallee Cryptandra Cryptandra magniflora iNaturalist | NT m |
Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming and Ralph Foster for helping with the id of this species for us The most notable difference between these and other cryptandra species are the bronze/brown bracts that cover the flower tube. | ||||
| Roses Rosales | Buckthorn Rhamnaceae | Cryptandra Cryptandra sp ES01 iNaturalist | LC e m | Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us A very stiff structure, reminiscent of boxthorn. Leaves are dark green and tiny, looking cylindrical. On first inspection these looked like the flowers are a compound of white balls. A closer look reveals this to be creamy white buds mixed in with tiny bell flowers. As flowers bloom, the "white balls" get a spiky appearance, due to the bell flowers 5 triangular tipped petals. Flowers die to a pretty apricot colour adding to the display. We originally thought these were Cryptandra tomentosa. While investigating a different Cryptandra species on Bakara CP we discoved that C. tomentosa isn't supposed to have the spikes/short branchlets. We then thought they were Cryptandra sp. Floriferous, but have since seen the key we used is not particularly accurate. Guy Taseski kindly let us know the SA Herbarium are working on Cryptandra at the moment, so we'll wait until we can get the paper to see if we can get a more accurate id on these amazing little bushes. Ours look very similar to Westringia rigida when walking past. You have to get close to see the difference and then it's difficult out of flowering season. | ||||
| Sandalwoods Santalales | Sandalwood Santalaceae | White Sour-bush Choretrum glomeratum iNaturalist | RA m |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Sandalwoods Santalales | Sandalwood Santalaceae | Leafless Cherry Exocarpos aphyllus | LC e m r |
Literally, no leaves, just green stems that are similar to the wait-a-while leaf. A small tree rather than a bush in some situations. | ||||
| Sandalwoods Santalales | Sandalwood Santalaceae | Native Cherry Exocarpos cupressiformis iNaturalist | VU m a f |
Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Saltpetre Nitrariaceae | Nitre-bush Nitraria billardierei | LC e m r |
Thank you Kitty and Tony for identifying this species for us Our one and only specimen (so far) is tucked behind a big Caletris, which has then had a major branch fall on it. So we've not been able to get a photo of the whole. Since it's so shady, we also suspect this is why there is no fruit on it. | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Citrus Rutaceae | Blue Boronia Boronia coerulescens ssp coerulescens iNaturalist | LC m |
Thank you Ralph Foster, Alan Dandie & Dr Marco Duretto for confirming the id of this species for us This sub-species is the only Boronia coerulescens in SA. There were a number of bushes with these pink flowers on them. Clearly a genetic aberation. Darren Schmitke thought they were "sports". But then he & Marie discovered they looked like different plants, coming out of the ground a couple of centimetres apart. We still think they are a type of "sport", but suckering from the roots rather than up the stem as a branch. This occurred with a number of plants and they all looked like one plant. There wasn't a pink flowering plant on it's own. | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Citrus Rutaceae | Desert Boronia Boronia inornata ssp leptophylla iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us The buds are prettier than the flower; Hot pink shades which gives the whole shrub a pink colouration (this fades as it blooms). The buds and flowers range from white to deep pink. The buds can also be single coloured or variegated. Cylindrical / baseball bat, green, shiny leaves. New stems are rusty brown. | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Citrus Rutaceae | Oil Bush Geijera linearifolia iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us A plain looking, woody, large bush. Has very small white flowers, with small spherical black fruit. Each fruit is encased in a protective skin that sheds when ripe. Leaves are long, thin and pale green. | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Citrus Rutaceae | Small-leaf Microcybe Microcybe multiflora ssp multiflora iNaturalist | RA e m |
Thank you Dr Marco Duretto for confirming the id of this species for us A small, woody, round, dark green bush. The cream & white compound flowers, at the end of stems, make the bush look very attractive in spring. Then in summer it takes on classy rustic red tones. The "red" must surely refer to the seed heads when it's finished flowering. The leaves are small, giving the stems a conifer look about them. The seed pods are so small they are barely visible with the naked eye. Exploration of Ellura has uncovered some amazing surprises. The unique & diverse way our natives survive & propagate is enthralling. Take for example the tiny seeds here. Each one delicately wrapped and grown in it's own clam shell pod; then ejected into the world hoping for a suitable place to germinate. | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Citrus Rutaceae | Silvery Phebalium Phebalium bullatum iNaturalist | LC m r |
Thank you Alan Dandie & Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Soapberry Sapindaceae | Desert Hop-bush Dodonaea stenozyga iNaturalist | LC e m | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Originally we found one male flowering in October; which has never produced fruit. These are Dioecious plants (male & female are different plants). Many plants have male & female on the same plant; or even in the same flower. We then found a female plant in the following July; which had already flowered with mature fruit. It then fruited through to December. The fruit are a stunning mix of immature green to mature wine-red shades. They are covered in little warts. Surprisingly the fruit (or capsule) can be of mix of 3, 4 or 5 wings or fins. Usually the wing count would be diagnostic for different species, but occurs on the same plant; in fact on the same stem as shown here. As is clear, the leaves are thin branching into leaflets; somewhat Senna artemisioides like. They are glossy though. | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Soapberry Sapindaceae | Narrow-leaf Hop-bush Dodonaea viscosa ssp angustissima iNaturalist | LC e m r | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us A plain looking, woody, large bush. But after it has flowered, it is covered in red fruit (with wings). Similar shape to Zygophyllum fruit, but very red. The red jewel bugs hide well in the bush at this time of year. Leaves are reasonably small, long and thin. We have masses of these; such that after fruiting is over the ground is covered in a carpet of fallen fruit. The fruit is not your typical fleshy variety; rather thin leaf like material with a seed in the middle of the wings. More a seed pod with wings than fruit. | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Soapberry Sapindaceae | Wedge-leaf Hop-bush Dodonaea viscosa ssp cuneata | RA e m a | Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying this species for us This is the only specimen of this species we've found so far, but it fruited well so we suspect another nearby. It is well protected under a Sugarwood, surrounded by dead/fallen Callitris branches. As such it's well shaded from the sun and wind; which it seems to thrive on. | ||||
| Soapberries Sapindales | Soapberry Sapindaceae | Sticky Hop-bush Dodonaea viscosa ssp spatulata iNaturalist | NT m a f | |||||
| Potatoes Solanales | Nightshade Solanaceae | Australian Boxthorn Lycium australe | LC m r | Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying this species for us Typical boxthorn, and difficult to distinguish with the weed. Has small white flowers. A difference between this native and the introduced African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) is that the weed can be greener and luscious. For us, the easiest difference to spot was that the stamens (in the flower) of the weed are very long and protude well beyond the petals. With the native they are short and nearly level with the petals. | ||||
| Potatoes Solanales | Nightshade Solanaceae | African Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying and Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us These are a declared noxious weed. Ooops. We thought we had the native. Our specimens generally looked very sparse and easy to mistake with the native (Lycium australe) As soon as we realised (yesterday, 5 March 2014), we cut & swabbed them. This situation highlights the need for web sites like ours: To help land owners & conservationists identify introduced species & eradicate them; giving natives more resources (nutrients/water/space) to grow. Which in turn gives native animals better things to eat & places to live in. Notice how natives always seem to be attacked by insects but introduced species aren't? Native insects depend on native plants to survive as they don't recognise introduced plants as useful. Birds & lizards thrive on insects. Ergo; less weeds = more birds & lizards. We've heard that if all the insects died today, man-kind would be extinct in 6 months! We've had one growing for some 10 years, but it never flowered. We thought it might be Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa ssp spinosa), waiting for it to flower, but it never did. Finally in April 2022 it flowered, nearly 10 years after we discovered it and it was a typical African Boxthorn flower. It's now been removed. | ||||
| Twinleaves Zygophyllales | Caltrop Zygophyllaceae | Shrubby Twinleaf Roepera aurantiaca iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us A hardy plant that has beautiful yellow flowers, with 4 petals. Twinleaf refers to the fact the leaves always branch off, in the middle, into 2 leaflets. Leaves are dark green and succulent, but much more cylindrical than the pointed twinleaf. It has large, winged, pale green fruit. Biarpiti grub (Endoxyla biarpiti) larvae feed on the roots of this plant. The aboriginal name of this plant is Biarpiti, ergo Biarpiti grubs. There is a very similar species that is hard to differentiate in photo's; Climbing Twinleaf (Roepera eremaea). The fruit is very similar shape to these. However, the flowers are smaller and the mature fruit is similar in size to the flower. With Roepera aurantiaca the mature fruit becomes considerably larger than the flower. | ||||
| Copyright © 1996-2023 Brett & Marie Smith. All Rights Reserved. |