Ellura Sanctuary, Swan Reach, SA, 5354
                      
 
Stat'NotesThumbnails: 754.   107 native species (4 introduced) listed, with 49 natives (1 introduced) from Ellura
Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Shrubs & Bushes
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Daisy
Asteraceae
  (8 species
    6 from Ellura)
Daisies have compound flowers, made up of tiny flowers (called "Florets") inside a larger cluster. As such, Daisy flowers are often referred to as "Flower Heads".
The petals are often from only one side of the external florets, with internal florets often not having any petals at all. Different species can have different arrangements of petals.
They are respresented on 2 pages here, as they can be tiny (on our Small Plants ... Daisy Page, or Bushes (on our Shrubs page).
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Daisy
Asteraceae
  (8 species
    6 from Ellura)
Sticky Cassinia
Cassinia cf uncata


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Imaged 4 in Nov
🔍Whole, in Bud
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Daisy
Asteraceae
  (8 species
    6 from Ellura)
Bluebush Daisy
Cratystylis conocephala


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Other Common NamesBluebush or Blue-bush Daisy

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.
Imaged 35(7B,1Fl,3Fr) in Jan(3:2Fr), Feb(3), Mar(3:1Fr), May(1), Jun(1), Jul(1B), Aug(10:1B), Sep(6:3B), Oct(5:2B) & Nov(2:1Fl)
Whole
Structure
Structure
Leaf
Leaves
Buds
Bud
Flower going to Seed
Flower tube Drying, about to Seed
Flower tube Splitting, as it Seeds
Seed Dispersing
Several Seeds Fell together
Single Seed, with Ant
Single Seed, End
Barbs on Seed Bristles
Compared to Pearl Bluebush
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Daisy
Asteraceae
  (8 species
    6 from Ellura)
Short-leaf Daisy-bush
Olearia brachyphylla
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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.
Imaged 26(3B,10Fl,4Fr) in Apr(1), Jun(2:1B), Jul(4:2B,4Fl), Aug(13:6Fl), Oct(2:1Fr), Nov(1Fr) & Dec(3:2Fr)
In Flower
In Seed
Structure in Bud
About to Explode into Flower
Hairy/Felted Back of Leaf
New Bud showing Felt
Bud
Bud about to open
New Flower Centre
New Flower
Compared to O. pimeleoides
Seed Pods
Seed Pod
Seed in Pod
After Seeding
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Daisy
Asteraceae
  (8 species
    6 from Ellura)
Crinkle-leaf Daisy-bush
Olearia calcarea


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Other Common NameLimestone Daisy-bush

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.
Imaged 25(2B,2Fl,1Fr) in May(1), Jun(1B), Jul(3:1B), Aug(7), Sep(7:1Fl), Oct(5:1Fl,1Fr) & Nov(1)
Whole
Structure
Structure, close
Leaves, Bud & New Flower
Leaves, Bud & Flower
Leaves, ~12mm long
S1, Large Bud, ~13mm high
S2, Small Red Bud
O. muelleri (left) comparison
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Daisy
Asteraceae
  (8 species
    6 from Ellura)
Splendid Daisy-bush
Olearia magniflora


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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.
Imaged 30(7B,14Fl,6Fr) in Mar(1), Apr(1), Jun(1B), Jul(2), Aug(6:4B,2Fl), Sep(10:2B,9Fl), Oct(6:3Fl,3Fr) & Nov(3Fr)
On it's own
In another
Leaf
Buds
Bud Opening
New Flower
Old Flower (long stamen)
Seeded - In Seed
Blooming
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Daisy
Asteraceae
  (8 species
    6 from Ellura)
Mueller's Daisy-bush
Olearia muelleri


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Other Common NameGoldfield's Daisy

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.
Imaged 67(23Fl,1Fr) in Jan(3), Feb(2), Apr(1), Jun(1), Jul(4), Aug(24:9Fl), Sep(22:12Fl), Oct(5:2Fl,1Fr), Nov(4) & Dec(1)
Bush in Flower
Bush after Seeding
Structure
Leaves & Buds Opening
Leaves & Old Flower
Husk - Seeding - In Seed
Husk after Rain
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Daisy
Asteraceae
  (8 species
    6 from Ellura)
Pimelea Daisy-bush
Olearia pimeleoides ssp pimeleoides


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Other Common NameShowy Daisy-bush

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

Imaged 24(1B,3Fl) in Mar(2), Jun(1), Jul(1), Aug(6:1B), Sep(5:2Fl), Oct(7:1Fl) & Nov(2)
Structure
Leaves
Compared to O.+brachyphylla
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Daisy
Asteraceae
  (8 species
    6 from Ellura)
Azure Daisy-bush
Olearia rudis


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

Imaged 2 in Sep
🔍Habitat
🔍Habit
🔍Leaves & Stems
Leaves
🔍Flower
🔍Calyx
Budding, Flowering & Seeding
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Goodenia
Goodeniaceae
  (4 species
    1 from Ellura)
Grooved Dampiera
Dampiera lanceolata var lanceolata


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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.
Imaged 2 in Sep
🔍Field
🔍Patch
Single Bush
🔍Habit
🔍Bud
🔍Pale Flower
🔍Variegated Flower
🔍"Plain" Flower Front
🔍Flower Profile
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Goodenia
Goodeniaceae
  (4 species
    1 from Ellura)
Velvet Dampiera
Dampiera marifolia


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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.
Imaged 2 in Sep
🔍Habitat
🔍Habit
🔍Flower
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Goodenia
Goodeniaceae
  (4 species
    1 from Ellura)
Native Rosemary
Dampiera rosmarinifolia


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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.
Imaged 4 in Sep(2) & Oct(2)
Patch
Sea of Purple
Single Bush
🔍Habit
Sunflowers
Asterales
  (12 species
    7 from Ellura)
Goodenia
Goodeniaceae
  (4 species
    1 from Ellura)
Spiny Fan-flower
Scaevola spinescens


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Other Common NameCurrant Bush

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.
Imaged 21(1B,12Fl) in Jan(1Fl), Feb(1Fl), Mar(1Fl), Apr(3:2Fl), May(1Fl), Jun(3:1Fl), Jul(2), Aug(2), Oct(3:1Fl) & Dec(4:1B,4Fl)
Bush
Structure, Leaves, Flowers & buds
Flowering Bush
Bud
Bud Showing Split Lines
Bud Splitting / Opening
Bud Opening
Bud Opening
Flower
🔍Flower
Flower
Flowers
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Pointed Saltbush
Atriplex acutibractea ssp acutibractea


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Imaged 3 in Jul(2) & Aug(1)
🔍Habit
Habit
New Leaves
Leaves & Bud
🔍Fruit, serveral
🔍Fruit, profile
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Kidney Saltbush
Atriplex stipitata


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Other Common NamesMallee Saltbush or Bitter Saltbush

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.
Imaged 30(1Fr) in Jan(4), Feb(4), Mar(4), Apr(1), Jun(1), Jul(1Fr), Aug(3), Oct(4), Nov(3) & Dec(5)
Bush
Structure
Structure
Leaves
Leaves & Fruit
Bud showing stamen
Flower opening
Flower open
Male Flowers
Galls & Flat Fruits
Gall
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Cottony Saltbush
Chenopodium curvispicatum


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SynonymRhagodia gaudichaudiana

Other Common NamesCottony Goosefoot or White Goosefoot

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.
Imaged 36(3Fl,3Fr) in Feb(2:1Fl), Mar(2), Apr(4), May(4:1Fr), Jun(5), Jul(9:1Fl,1Fr), Aug(6:1Fl,1Fr), Sep(1) & Oct(3)
🔍Big On Dead Callitris Trunk
🔍On Top of Beyeria Bush
🔍In Exocarpos
🔍Structural Parasite
🔍Big Bush Fruiting
🔍Yellow-fruiting Bush
🔍Red-fruiting Bush
🔍Tall Bush
🔍Leaf Budding
🔍Leaf Shape
🔍Vesicular hairs on Leaf
🔍Immature Bisexual Flower
🔍Mature Bisexual Flower
🔍Stigma of Bisexual Flower
🔍Female Flowers
🔍Bunch of Fruit
🔍Fruiting Stem
🔍Red Fruit, Green Tepals
🔍Red Fruit, Green Tepals
🔍Red Fruit, Pale Tepals
🔍Yellow Fruit, Red Tepals
🔍Yellow Fruit, Pale Tepals
🔍Shrivelled Fruit
🔍Fruit Dispersed, Red Tepals
🔍Mixed Coloured Tepals on one plant
🔍Mixed Coloured Tepals on one plant
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Ruby Saltbush
Enchylaena tomentosa var tomentosa


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Other Common NameBarrier Saltbush

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.
Imaged 32(2Fl,28Fr) in Jan(1Fr), Feb(3Fr), Mar(4:1Fl,3Fr), Apr(4Fr), May(2:1Fr), Jun(2Fr), Jul(7:1Fl,6Fr), Aug(1Fr), Oct(5:4Fr), Nov(1Fr) & Dec(2Fr)
Whole
Upright Habit
Spreading Habit
Pale, Felted Leaf
New Fruit & Reddish Leaves
Lots of Fruit & Green Leaves
Orange Fruit
Mature Ruby Red Fruit
Mature Yellow Fruit
Mature Green Fruit
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Leafless Bluebush
Maireana aphylla


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Other Common NameCottonbush

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.
Imaged 1 in Jan
🔍Whole
🔍Habit
🔍Leaves & Flowers
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Short-leaf Bluebush
Maireana brevifolia


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SynonymsEnchylaena tamariscina, Kochia brevifolia or Kochia tamariscina

Other Common NamesCottonbush, Small Leaf Bluebush or Yanga Bush

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.
Imaged 23(1Fl,7Fr) in Jan(2), Feb(1Fr), Mar(5:1Fr), Apr(6:4Fr), May(1), Jun(2), Jul(1), Sep(2), Oct(2) & Dec(1:1Fl,1Fr)
Supported by a log
Structure / Green Head
New Branch Forming
Leaves & Stem
Buds, Flowers & Leaves
Flowers turning to Fruit
Mass of Fruit
3 Fruits; Dried, Mature, New
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Rosy Bluebush
Maireana erioclada


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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
Imaged 53(3Fl,26Fr) in Apr(1), May(3:1Fl,3Fr), Jun(4:1Fl,1Fr), Jul(5:1Fl,3Fr), Aug(13:3Fr), Sep(17:9Fr) & Oct(10:7Fr)
Yyoung fruit
~300mm high
Whole
🔍Whole
End of Fruiting
Habit
Habit
Habit
Leaves
🔍Leaves
Leaves, red tips
Leaves, drying
🔍Flowers, new
Flowers, ~2mm wide
🔍Flowers
Pollen
Flowers dying & new fruit
Young fruit
🔍Fruit, profile
🔍Fruit, anterior, ~10mm wide
Fruit, highlighting vertical wings
Fruit, slit
Fruit, dried
Lot a fruit
Mass of fruit
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Erect Mallee Bluebush
Maireana pentatropis


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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.
Imaged 67(7Fl,28Fr) in Jan(2), Feb(2), Mar(2), Apr(3), May(1Fl), Jun(3:1Fr), Jul(7:2Fl,4Fr), Aug(20:4Fl,9Fr), Sep(10:5Fr), Oct(14:9Fr), Nov(2) & Dec(1)
🔍Tall "Erect" Plant
🔍Small Bushy Plant
Several Plants
🔍Flowers
New Stem, Leaves, Flowers & Fruit
🔍Fruit, profile
🔍Fruit, profile with Split
🔍Fruit New-Top Old-Bottom
🔍Fruit New-Left Old-Right
🔍Bunch of Fruit
Summer Dried Leaves
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Radiate Bluebush
Maireana radiata


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SynonymKochia radiata

Other Common NameGrey Bluebush

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

Imaged 30(3Fl,7Fr) in Feb(2), Mar(2), Apr(1), May(1), Jun(1), Jul(2), Aug(6:2Fl,2Fr), Sep(5:1Fl,2Fr) & Oct(10:3Fr)
Whole
Whole
Structure
Woolly Bud, Leaves & Stem
Leaves Drying
Dried Leaves
Flowers Male•Female
Flowers
Flowering & Fruiting
🔍Fruit Stem
🔍Mature Fruit goes Red
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Rohrlach's Bluebush
Maireana rohrlachii


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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.
Imaged 12(1Fl,12Fr) in Feb(1Fr), Mar(3Fr), Apr(6:1Fl,6Fr), May(1Fr) & Oct(1Fr)
Whole
Small
Structure
Leaves
Flowers in Bloom
Flowers going to fruit
Fruit, new
Fruit, back
Fruit, transluscent wing
Fruit, slit in wing
Fruit, lots
🔍Fruit, lots, paler
Fruit, profile, ~12mm high
Fruit, just beautiful
Fruit, beautiful 1 day perfect the next
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Pearl Bluebush
Maireana sedifolia


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Other Common NamesDense Bluebush or Bluebush

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.
Imaged 41(1Fl,2Fr) in Jan(3), Feb(2), Mar(6:1Fl), Apr(2), May(1), Jun(4), Jul(3), Aug(8), Sep(2), Oct(6:1Fr), Nov(2) & Dec(2:1Fr)
Striking Colour
Beaming
Plain
🔍A Sea of Pearl
Structure
Leaves
Old Male Flowers
Old Male Flowers
🔍Female Flowers + Fruit Forming
🔍Fruit in Profile
🔍Fruit, with Centre Flower Drying
🔍Fruits
🔍Mature Fruit
Compared to Bluebush Daisy
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Top-fruit Bluebush
Maireana turbinata


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Other Common NameSatiny Bluebush

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)
Imaged 7Fr in Oct(1Fr) & Nov(6Fr)
🔍Whole
🔍Whole
🔍Whole
🔍Woolly Stem
🔍Fruit wing
🔍Fruit wing
🔍Fruit Rear Profile
🔍Drying Fruit Fallen Off
🔍Drying Fruit Fallen Off
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Ruby Bluebush
Maireana turbinata x Enchylaenae tomentosa


iNaturalist
Na
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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.
Imaged 1Fr in Nov
🔍Whole
🔍Habit & Multiple Fruits
🔍Young Fruit
🔍Fruit, profile
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Fleshy Saltbush
Rhagodia crassifolia


iNaturalist
LC
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SynonymChenopodium wilsonii

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.
Imaged 34(7Fl,10Fr) in Jan(6:2Fl,1Fr), Feb(2:1Fl,2Fr), Mar(4:1Fl,1Fr), Apr(3:2Fr), May(2:1Fl,2Fr), Jun(4:1Fl,1Fr), Jul(3:1Fl), Aug(4:1Fr), Sep(2), Oct(3) & Dec(1)
Whole
Structure
New & Ripe Fruit
Fruit
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Mealy Saltbush
Rhagodia parabolica
LC
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Other Common NamesFragrant Saltbush or Oldman Saltbush

Imaged 13(1Fl) in Feb(1), Mar(3), Apr(1), May(1), Jul(3:1Fl), Aug(3) & Oct(1)
Medium
Small
Young Structure
Old Structure
New Growth
Typical Leaf
Female Flowers
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Mallee Saltbush
Rhagodia preissii ssp preissii


iNaturalist
LC
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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.
Imaged 1 in Jul
🔍Habit
🔍Structure
🔍Buds & Flowers
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Spiny Saltbush
Rhagodia spinescens
LC
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Other Common NamesBerry saltbush, Creeping Saltbush, Hedge saltbush or Thorny saltbush

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.
Imaged 25(2B,4Fl,2Fr) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(1), Jun(6:1B,2Fl,1Fr), Jul(8:1B,2Fl), Aug(4:1Fr), Sep(3) & Oct(1)
Seedling
Young Plant
Small
Small
Medium
Large
Mature Plant Re-sprouting
Habit
Structure
Structure
Spine
Salty, Triangular, Green Leaf
Shiny, Brown Edged Leaf
Salty, Pointy, Green Leaves
Salty, Round, Green Leaves
Red Leaf
Bud Opening
Flower Perspective
Female Flower
New Male Flower
Male Flower
Female Flower Stem
Fruit Starting
Fruit Forming
Fruit, Well Hidden
Fruit Dispersed
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Goosefoot
Chenopodiaceae
  (18 species
    15 from Ellura)
Intricate Saltbush
Rhagodia ulicina


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NamesSpiny Goosefoot or Spiny Saltbush

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.
Imaged 4 in Aug(2) & Oct(2)
🔍Whole, in Flower
🔍Whole, grazed
🔍Whole, more erect
🔍Whole, low
🔍New stem & Leaves
🔍Spiny Habit
🔍Female Flowers
Betalains
Caryophyllales
  (19 species
    15 from Ellura)
Knotweed
Polygonaceae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Twiggy Lignum
Muehlenbeckia diclina


iNaturalist
VU
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SynonymMuehlenbeckia diclina ssp diclina

Other Common NameWeeping Lignum

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.
Imaged 3 in Sep
Flowering
🔍Habit & Size
🔍Leaves
🔍Bud Opening
Full Bloom
Guinea-flowers
Dilleniales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Dillenia
Dilleniaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Long-hair Guinea-flower
Hibbertia crinita


iNaturalist
Na
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Thank you Robert Lawrence for identifying and Dr Timothy Hammer & Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 1 in Aug
🔍Budding
Guinea-flowers
Dilleniales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Dillenia
Dilleniaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Prickly Guinea-flower
Hibbertia exutiacies


iNaturalist
Na
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Other Common NameSpiky Guinea-flower

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

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.
Imaged 11 in Aug(1), Sep(3) & Oct(7)
In flower
Habit
New Leaves
Buds
Bud Opening
New Flower, lost all petals
Flowers, with & without petals
Flower, lost 1 petal
New Flower, profile
Flower, spread petals
Mature Flower, profile
Guinea-flowers
Dilleniales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Dillenia
Dilleniaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
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"
Imaged 5 in Jan(2), Nov(1) & Dec(2)
🔍Flower
Guinea-flowers
Dilleniales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Dillenia
Dilleniaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Silky Guinea-flower
Hibbertia sericea
LC
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Imaged 10 in Aug(3), Oct(6) & Nov(1)
Photograph yet to be loaded.
Guinea-flowers
Dilleniales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Dillenia
Dilleniaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Twiggy Guinea-flower
Hibbertia virgata


iNaturalist
LC
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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.
Imaged 10(1B,2Fl) in Jul(2), Aug(2), Sep(5:1B,1Fl) & Oct(1Fl)
🔍Whole
🔍Buds & Flowers
🔍Petals & Sepals
Heathers & Allies
Ericales
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Heath
Ericaceae
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Brush Heath
Brachyloma ericoides ssp ericoides


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

Imaged 1 in Apr
🔍Whole
🔍Structure
🔍Leaf, under
🔍Flowers
🔍Petals
Heathers & Allies
Ericales
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Heath
Ericaceae
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
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.
Imaged 4 in Oct
🔍Leaf, Bud, Flower & Fruit
Heathers & Allies
Ericales
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Heath
Ericaceae
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Flame Heath
Stenanthera conostephioides


iNaturalist
LC
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SynonymAstroloma conostephioides

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

Imaged 3Fl in Apr(1Fl) & Aug(2Fl)
🔍Whole
🔍Bud
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Wreath Wattle
Acacia acinacea
VU
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SynonymAcacia rotundifolia

Other Common NamesGold-dust Wattle or Round-leaved Wattle

Imaged 4 in Aug(3) & Sep(1)
🔍Whole
Leaves
Buds
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Silver Mulga-bush
Acacia argyrophylla
LC
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Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying this species for us

Imaged 3(1Fr) in Jan(1), Sep(1) & Dec(1Fr)
Whole
Leaves
Seed Pod
Seed
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Veined Wait-a-while
Acacia colletioides


iNaturalist
LC
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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!
Imaged 1 in Oct
🔍Whole
🔍Structure
🔍Leaf
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Hakea Wattle
Acacia hakeoides


iNaturalist
LC
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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.
Imaged 72(12B,12Fl,3Fr) in Jan(2B), Feb(1B), Mar(5:4B), Apr(2:1B), May(1B), Jun(7:1B), Jul(6:2B,2Fl), Aug(33:10Fl), Sep(8), Oct(3:1Fr), Nov(3:1Fr) & Dec(1Fr)
Bush in Flower
Several Bushes in Flower
Bushes under Mallee
Bush with Dried Pods
Structure & Leaves
Early Bud
Buds
Bud, Leaf & Flower
Flower, with mating Weevils
Green Pods
Dried Pods
Seed with Stalk
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Sandhill Wattle
Acacia ligulata
LC
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Other Common NamesDune Wattle, Small Cooba, Umbrella or Wardaruka Bush

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

Imaged 2 in Jan
Whole
Leaves & Stem
Leaf tip variation
Dried Seed Pods
Seed Perspective
Seed & Orange Aril
Seed & Yellow Aril
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Spine Bush
Acacia nyssophylla


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NamesPin Bush or Spinebush

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.
Imaged 38(5B,4Fl,4Fr) in Mar(2), Apr(1), May(1:1B,1Fl), Jun(1B), Jul(5:2B), Aug(9:1B,1Fl), Sep(9:1Fl), Oct(6:1Fl,3Fr), Nov(3) & Dec(1Fr)
🔍Large Bush
🔍Large Bush
🔍Same Large Bush in Flower
🔍Medium Bush in Flower, Not Grazed
🔍Small Bush in Flower, Grazed
🔍New Stem & Leaves
🔍Phylloids, Peduncle, Flowers, Buds
🔍Buds & Leaves
🔍Close up on Buds & Leaves
🔍Flowers & Phyllodes
🔍Bunch of Flowers
🔍Old Bush, Finishing Flowering
🔍New Seed Pod Forming
🔍Seed Pods Growing
🔍Hairy Green Young Seed Pods
🔍Seed & Aril
🔍Dried Seed & Pods
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Umbrella Wattle
Acacia oswaldii
LC
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Other Common NameOswald's Wattle

Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying this species for us

Imaged 4(1Fl,3Fr) in Jan(1Fr), Jul(1), Aug(1Fr) & Dec(1:1Fl,1Fr)
Leaves
🔍Flower
Flower Stem
Pods
Pod
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Kangaroo Thorn
Acacia paradoxa


iNaturalist
RA
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Other Common NamePrickly wattle

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.
Imaged 7 in Apr(1), Aug(2), Oct(3) & Dec(1)
🔍Whole
🔍Habit
🔍Thorns & Leaves
🔍Bud
🔍Flower
🔍New Seed Pods
🔍Seed in Dried Seed Pods
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Golden Wattle
Acacia pycnantha


iNaturalist
LC
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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.
Imaged 8 in Aug(7) & Oct(1)
🔍Whole Adult in Flower
🔍Habit
🔍Sappling
🔍Adult Leaves
🔍Buds
🔍Flowers
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Needlebush Wattle
Acacia rigens


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameNealie

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 1,400 published species on Ellura here.
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.
Imaged 17(5B,12Fl) in Apr(1B), Jul(4:3B,2Fl), Aug(8:1B,6Fl), Sep(3Fl) & Oct(1Fl)
🔍Young, Starting to Flower
🔍Whole, in Flower
🔍Whole, Finished Flowering
🔍Whole, Finished Flowering
🔍Old
🔍Young Trunk (rotated)
🔍Leaves & Buds
🔍Penduncles
🔍Buds
🔍Buds Opening
🔍Flowers & Phyllodes
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Hard-leaf Wattle
Acacia sclerophylla var sclerophylla


iNaturalist
LC
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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.
Imaged 28(6B,8Fl,3Fr) in Jan(2Fr), Jul(3:2B), Aug(2:1Fl), Sep(17:3B,6Fl), Oct(3:1B,1Fl) & Dec(1Fr)
Bush
Masses of New Buds
New Buds, Above
New Buds, Profile
New Buds Breaking Out
New Buds on Stalks
Bud, Leaves & Flowers
Green Pods & Leaves
Dried Pods & Seeds
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Wilhelm's Wattle
Acacia wilhelmiana


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameDwarf Nealie

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

Imaged 4 in Jul(2) & Sep(2)
🔍Habit
🔍Structure
🔍Leaves
🔍Buds
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea
Daviesia leptophylla


iNaturalist
Na
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Thank you Robert Lawrence for identifying and Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 2(1B,1Fl) in Aug(1) & Oct(1:1B,1Fl)
🔍Leaves
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Red Parrot-pea
Dillwynia hispida


iNaturalist
LC
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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.
Imaged 18(3Fl) in Oct(14:3Fl) & Nov(4)
🔍Whole, Flowering
🔍Whole, Flowering
🔍Measured
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Mallee Bush-pea
Eutaxia microphylla var microphylla


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameCommon Eutaxia

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.
Imaged 32(2B,14Fl) in Mar(1), Apr(1), Jun(1), Aug(7:1B,3Fl), Sep(13:1B,7Fl), Oct(6:4Fl) & Nov(3)
Whole
Structure
🔍Leaves
Lots of Buds
🔍Bunch of Flowers
Flower
🔍Calices & Flowers
🔍Expolsion of Flowers
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Austral Trefoil
Lotus australis


iNaturalist
RA
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Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 4 in Nov
🔍Flower
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Large-leaf Bush-pea
Pultenaea daphnoides
Na
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A tall (up to 2m) spindly bush, with wedge shaped leaves; note the pointed "tip" on the leaves
Imaged 9 in Jul(1), Sep(4) & Oct(4)
Whole
Early Buds
Leaves
Buds & Young Flowers
Flower Laden
Young Flowers
Older Flowers
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Bridal Veil Broom
Retama monosperma


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

Imaged 1 in Sep
🔍Whole
🔍Structure
🔍Flowers
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Silver Cassia
Senna artemisioides ssp artemisioides


iNaturalist
DD
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Other Common NamePunty Bush

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.
Imaged 33(1B,12Fl,2Fr) in Feb(1), Mar(4:1Fr), May(1), Jun(1), Aug(4:1B), Sep(11:8Fl), Oct(7:4Fl), Nov(3) & Dec(1Fr)
Bush
Structure
Leaf
Old Flowers
Green Pod
Drying Pods
Dried Pod
🔍Comparison S a filifolia & petiolaris
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
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.
Imaged 20(2B,5Fl) in Jan(3), Feb(3), Jun(1), Aug(3), Sep(5:2B,2Fl) & Oct(5:3Fl)
Seedling
Whole
Bush
🔍Structure
Leaves
🔍Leaf
Leaf
Flower & New Pod
🔍Leaflet Variations
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Fine-leaf Desert Senna
Senna artemisioides ssp filifolia


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameSilver Cassia

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).
Imaged 55(2B,16Fl,1Fr) in Jan(3), Feb(3), Mar(2), Apr(2), May(3), Jun(4), Jul(1), Aug(4:1B,1Fl), Sep(19:1B,11Fl), Oct(11:4Fl,1Fr), Nov(1) & Dec(2)
Bushes starting to Flower
Bush in Flower
Bushes with Pods
Structure with New Buds & Leaves
Showing Spiky Appearance
Buds nearly Open
New Flowers
🔍New Flower
Old Flower
Green Pods, Flowers & Leaves
Dried Pod showing Seed
Seeds in Pod
🔍Compare S a artemisioides & petiolaris
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Woody Desert Senna
Senna artemisioides ssp petiolaris


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NamesFlat-stalk Senna or Woody Cassia

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.
Imaged 12(1B,3Fl) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(2), Jun(1), Jul(2), Aug(1), Sep(1:1B,1Fl) & Oct(3:2Fl)
Whole
Perspective
Leaf
2 Leaf bases (no leaflets), not a leaf
🔍Comparison S a filifolia & artemisioides
Legumes
Fabales
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Legume
Fabaceae or Leguminosae
  (23 species
    10 from Ellura)
Twin-leaf Desert Senna
Senna artemisioides ssp zygophylla


iNaturalist
RA
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Other Common NamesDesert Senna or Grey Cassia

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.
Imaged 1 in Apr
🔍Leaves
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Forget-me-not
Boraginaceae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Smooth Blue-flower
Halgania andromedifolia


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameLavender Halgania & Scented Blue-flower

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.
Imaged 34(5B,21Fl) in Jan(1), Jun(1), Jul(4), Aug(8:2Fl), Sep(10:4B,10Fl), Oct(8:1B,8Fl), Nov(1Fl) & Dec(1)
Bush
🔍Bush Decimated 3 years after Drought
🔍Typical Bush B4 Drought
Leaves
Sepals
Bud & Leaf
🔍Buds
🔍Flower, front
🔍Flower, profile
Flower with Raindrops
🔍Bunch of Flowers
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Forget-me-not
Boraginaceae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Rough Blue-flower
Halgania cyanea


iNaturalist
LC
m r c
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 9 in Mar(1), Apr(1), Jul(1), Sep(3) & Oct(3)
🔍Larger Bush
🔍Whole
Structure
Flower
🔍Flowers
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Mint
Lamiaceae
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
Scarlet Mintbush
Prostanthera aspalathoides


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NamePixie Caps

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.
Imaged 25(1B,7Fl) in Jan(1), Jun(3), Jul(3), Aug(9:2Fl), Sep(6:1B,3Fl), Oct(2:1Fl) & Nov(1Fl)
Whole
Whole
Bud, Flower & Leaf
Flower & Leaf
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Mint
Lamiaceae
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
Downy Mintbush
Prostanthera behriana


iNaturalist
RA
m a f
Thank you Guy Taseski for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 4 in Nov(3) & Dec(1)
🔍Flowers & Leaves
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Mint
Lamiaceae
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
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.
Imaged 2 in Aug
🔍Whole
🔍Stems
🔍Leaves
🔍Flower & Bud
🔍Under Flower
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Mint
Lamiaceae
  (4 species
    2 from Ellura)
Stiff Western Rosemary
Westringia rigida


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameStiff Westringia

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.
Imaged 61(6B,16Fl,3Fr) in Jan(4:1Fr), Feb(1), Mar(5:1B,1Fl), Apr(1Fl), May(2:1B,1Fr), Jun(6), Jul(3), Aug(13:2B,2Fl), Sep(11:2B,6Fl,1Fr), Oct(12:4Fl), Nov(2:1Fl) & Dec(1Fl)
Seedling
Whole
Summer Red Colour
Sparse Variety
Structure
Flower
🔍Flowers
New Growth
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Plantain
Plantaginaceae
  (1 species
    0 from Ellura)
Bluerod
Stemodia florulenta
LC
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SynonymMorgania floribunda

Imaged 6 in Jan(1), Oct(4) & Dec(1)
Whole
🔍Structure
Leaf & Stem
Flower
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Figwort
Scrophulariaceae
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Narrow-leaf Emubush
Eremophila alternifolia
RA
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Other Common NamesNarrow-leaf Fucia Bush, Native Honeysuckle or Poverty Bush

Imaged 1 in Oct
Flower
🔍Flower & Leaf
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Figwort
Scrophulariaceae
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Turkey-bush
Eremophila deserti
RA
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SynonymMyoporum deserti

Other Common NamesCarrot Bush, Dogwood, Pencil Bush, Poison Bush, Turkeybush or Turkish Bush

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.
Imaged 5(1Fr) in Aug(1Fr) & Sep(4)
Structure
🔍Leaves, Buds, Flowers & Fruit
Fruit
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Figwort
Scrophulariaceae
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Tar Bush
Eremophila glabra


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NamesCommon Emubush or Black Fuchsia

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.
Imaged 49(16Fl) in Jan(2:1Fl), Feb(3:1Fl), Mar(4), Apr(1), May(1), Jun(3:1Fl), Jul(2:1Fl), Aug(10:2Fl), Sep(12:4Fl), Oct(9:5Fl) & Nov(2:1Fl)
Whole
Our Biggest Glabra
A Mini Hedge (several bushes)
Structure
Leaf
Fire engine red Smooth Flower
Deep red Smooth Flower
🔍Brown red Smooth Flower
Orange Smooth Flower
Reddish Green Smooth Flower
Green & Red Smooth Flower together
Red Hairy Flower
Orange Hairy Flower
Fruit & Leaves
New Fruit
Fruit
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Figwort
Scrophulariaceae
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Spotted Emubush
Eremophila maculata ssp maculata
VU
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Imaged 2 in Apr(1) & Oct(1)
In bloom
Leaves
Bud
Hanging Flower, profile, & Bud
🔍Flower with spots
Flower, no spots, buds and stalk
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Figwort
Scrophulariaceae
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Flowering Lignum
Eremophila polyclada


iNaturalist
P-R
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Other Common NameTwiggy Emu-Bush

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.
Imaged 2 in Nov
🔍Flower
Mints
Lamiales
  (13 species
    4 from Ellura)
Figwort
Scrophulariaceae
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Scotia Bush
Eremophila scoparia


iNaturalist
LC
m r
Other Common NameSilver Emubush

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.
Imaged 9(1B,1Fl) in Mar(1), May(1), Jun(1), Sep(1:1B,1Fl), Oct(4) & Nov(1)
Bush
🔍Flower & Stem
Flower
Spurges & Allies
Malpighiales
  (3 species
    2 from Ellura)
Spurge
Euphorbiaceae
  (3 species
    2 from Ellura)
Mitchell's Bertya
Bertya tasmanica ssp vestita


iNaturalist
LC
m
SynonymBertya mitchellii

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

Imaged 4Fl in Jul(2Fl) & Aug(2Fl)
🔍Habit
🔍Buds
🔍Male Flowers
Spurges & Allies
Malpighiales
  (3 species
    2 from Ellura)
Spurge
Euphorbiaceae
  (3 species
    2 from Ellura)
Felted Wallaby-bush
Beyeria lechenaultii


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NamePale Turpentine Bush

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.
Imaged 19(2Fl,1Fr) in Feb(1), Mar(1), Jul(6), Aug(2), Sep(5:2Fl,1Fr), Oct(2) & Nov(2)
Whole
Structure (see Black caps)
New Leaf
Felted Leaf
Male Flower
Spurges & Allies
Malpighiales
  (3 species
    2 from Ellura)
Spurge
Euphorbiaceae
  (3 species
    2 from Ellura)
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.
Imaged 39(4Fl,4Fr) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(1), Apr(1), May(3:1Fl), Jun(4:1Fl), Jul(8), Aug(9), Sep(4:1Fl,1Fr), Oct(4:1Fl,2Fr), Nov(2:1Fr) & Dec(1)
Whole
New Leaf
Leaf Back
Flat Leaf & Red Cap on New Fruit
🔍Bud, Flower & Leaf
Male Flower
Green Fruit
🔍Mature Fruit
Fruit Drying
Dried Fruit
Nut inside Dried Fruit
Old Fruit Split (after summer)
Fruit Has Fallen
Hibisci
Malvales
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Mallow
Malvaceae
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Lilac Hibiscus
Alyogyne huegelii


iNaturalist
Na
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Other Common NameBlue Hibiscus

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

Imaged 2 in Nov
🔍Flower
Hibisci
Malvales
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Mallow
Malvaceae
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Pink Velvet-bush
Lasiopetalum behrii


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

Imaged 3 in Apr
🔍Whole
🔍Leaf, top
🔍Leaf, under
🔍Tip
Hibisci
Malvales
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Mallow
Malvaceae
  (3 species
    0 from Ellura)
Australian Hollyhock
Malva weinmanniana
LC
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SynonymLavatera plebeia

Other Common NameInland Austral Hollyhock

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"
Imaged 6 in Jan(1), Apr(1), Sep(2) & Oct(2)
Whole
Flower
Hibisci
Malvales
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Daphne
Thymelaeaceae
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Silky Riceflower
Pimelea micrantha


iNaturalist
NT
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Other Common NameCurved Riceflower

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.
Imaged 21(3Fl) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(1), May(1), Jun(4:1Fl), Jul(1), Aug(4), Sep(3), Oct(4:2Fl) & Nov(1)
Lush spring garb
Slim summer look
Structure
Buds and leaves
Loosing leaves
Flower Profile
Flower, Above
Going to Seed
Hibisci
Malvales
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Daphne
Thymelaeaceae
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Shrubby Riceflower
Pimelea microcephala ssp microcephala


iNaturalist
RA
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Other Common NameMallee Riceflower

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

Imaged 4(2B,2Fl,2Fr) in Oct(2:2B,1Fl,1Fr) & Nov(2:1Fl,1Fr)
🔍Flowers
Hibisci
Malvales
  (6 species
    1 from Ellura)
Daphne
Thymelaeaceae
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Erect Riceflower
Pimelea stricta


iNaturalist
LC
m a c
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us

Imaged 5(1Fl) in Aug(3), Sep(1) & Oct(1Fl)
Whole
Structure
Flowers & Leaves
Myrtles
Myrtales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Myrtle
Myrtaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Scarlet Bottlebrush
Callistemon rugulosus


iNaturalist
RA
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SynonymMelaleuca rugulosa

Imaged 2 in Oct(1) & Nov(1)
🔍Flower
Myrtles
Myrtales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Myrtle
Myrtaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Needle Bottlebrush
Callistemon teretifolius


iNaturalist
Na
f
SynonymMelaleuca orophila

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

Imaged 1 in Nov
🔍Flower
Myrtles
Myrtales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Myrtle
Myrtaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
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.
Imaged 11 in Apr(1), Aug(2), Oct(6), Nov(1) & Dec(1)
🔍Whole
🔍Leaves
🔍Buds
🔍Buds & Flower, profile
🔍Flowers
🔍Finished Flowering, Red
🔍Finished Flowering, Yellow
🔍Finished Flowering, While
Myrtles
Myrtales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Myrtle
Myrtaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Prickly Tea-tree
Leptospermum continentale


iNaturalist
VU
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Imaged 1 in Dec
🔍Flowers
Myrtles
Myrtales
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Myrtle
Myrtaceae
  (5 species
    0 from Ellura)
Dune Tea-tree
Leptospermum coriaceum


iNaturalist
LC
m r
Other Common NamesMallee Tea-tree or Mallee Teatree

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

Imaged 7(1Fl,1Fr) in Mar(1), Apr(1), Jul(2:1Fr), Aug(1) & Sep(2:1Fl)
🔍Habit
🔍Structure
🔍Buds
🔍Flower
🔍Fruit
🔍Bark
Grevilleas
Proteales
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Protea
Proteaceae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
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.
Imaged 9(1B) in Feb(1), Mar(1), Apr(1), Jul(1), Sep(1B) & Oct(4)
Whole
Leaves & Habit
New Leaves
Buds
🔍Flowers
Flowers
🔍Tepals
Grevilleas
Proteales
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Protea
Proteaceae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Native Holly
Grevillea ilicifolia ssp ilicifolia


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

Imaged 4 in Apr
🔍Whole
🔍Small
🔍Structure
🔍Leaf
Grevilleas
Proteales
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Protea
Proteaceae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Pincushion Hakea
Hakea laurina


iNaturalist
Ir
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Thank you David Muirhead for confirming the id of this species for us

Regionally Introduced from Western Australia
Imaged 1 in May
🔍Habit
Flower
Grevilleas
Proteales
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Protea
Proteaceae
  (4 species
    0 from Ellura)
Heath Needlebush
Hakea mitchellii


iNaturalist
NT
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Other Common NameDesert Hakea

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

Imaged 1 in Apr
🔍Structure
🔍New Cone
🔍Old Cones
Roses
Rosales
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Buckthorn
Rhamnaceae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Mallee Cryptandra
Cryptandra magniflora


iNaturalist
NT
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SynonymCryptandra propinqua

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.
Imaged 1 in Jul
🔍Habitat
🔍Habit
Leaf
🔍Buds
🔍Flowers
🔍Flower
Roses
Rosales
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Buckthorn
Rhamnaceae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Cryptandra
Cryptandra sp ES01


iNaturalist
LC
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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.
Imaged 19(7B,11Fl) in Mar(1), May(2:2B,1Fl), Jun(3:2Fl), Jul(1B), Aug(5:1B,3Fl), Sep(6:3B,4Fl) & Oct(1Fl)
Bush
Structure
Buds
Flowers
Sandalwoods
Santalales
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Sandalwood
Santalaceae
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
White Sour-bush
Choretrum glomeratum


iNaturalist
RA
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Other Common NameBerry broombush

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

Imaged 2 in Apr
🔍Whole
🔍Structure
🔍Bud & Flower
Sandalwoods
Santalales
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Sandalwood
Santalaceae
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Leafless Cherry
Exocarpos aphyllus
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SynonymExocarpus aphyllus

Other Common NamesNaked Lady or Current Bush

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.
Imaged 27(1Fl,1Fr) in Jan(4), Feb(1), Mar(2), Apr(3), May(3), Jul(3), Aug(3), Sep(1), Oct(5:1Fr) & Nov(2:1Fl)
Seedling
Bush
Bud with mites
Bud Opening
Flower
Size Comparison
Fruit & New Stem
New Fruit
Fruit
🔍Ripening Fruit
Ripe Fruit
Fruited & Stem Starting
New Stems
Sandalwoods
Santalales
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Sandalwood
Santalaceae
  (3 species
    1 from Ellura)
Native Cherry
Exocarpos cupressiformis


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameCherry Ballart

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

Imaged 3 in Aug(1), Nov(1) & Dec(1)
🔍Habit
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Saltpetre
Nitrariaceae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Nitre-bush
Nitraria billardierei
LC
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SynonymNitraria schoberi

Other Common NamesDillon Bush, Native Grape, Nitre Bush or Wild Grape

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.
Imaged 20(1Fl) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(3), Apr(2), May(4), Jun(1), Oct(4), Nov(3:1Fl) & Dec(1)
Structure
Structure
Leaves, ~10-20mm long
Pods Forming
Whole
Habit
Bud Opening
Flower
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Citrus
Rutaceae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Blue Boronia
Boronia coerulescens ssp coerulescens


iNaturalist
LC
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SynonymCyanothamnus coerulescens ssp coerulescens

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.
Imaged 6(1Fl) in Mar(1), Apr(1), Jul(1), Aug(1) & Sep(2:1Fl)
🔍Habit
🔍Pink Flower
🔍White Flower, Blue Buds
🔍Bluish-pink Flower
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Citrus
Rutaceae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Desert Boronia
Boronia inornata ssp leptophylla


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NameDryland Boronia

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.
Imaged 25(5B,18Fl) in Jan(1), Mar(2), Jun(2:1B,2Fl), Jul(2Fl), Aug(11:2B,8Fl), Sep(6:2B,5Fl) & Oct(1Fl)
Whole
Structure
Buds
Buds & leaves
Buds & leaves
Flowers
Flower
🔍Flowers
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Citrus
Rutaceae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Oil Bush
Geijera linearifolia


iNaturalist
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Other Common NameSheep Bush

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.
Imaged 52(6B,22Fl,10Fr) in Jan(3Fr), Feb(1Fr), Mar(4:3Fr), Apr(2), Jun(4:1B,2Fr), Jul(3:1Fl), Aug(10:3B,1Fl), Sep(16:2B,13Fl) & Oct(9:7Fl,1Fr)
Bush
Structure
Bud
Leaf & Bud
Flower
Starting to Fruit
Fruit
Fruit Splitting
Seed
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Citrus
Rutaceae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Small-leaf Microcybe
Microcybe multiflora ssp multiflora


iNaturalist
RA
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Other Common NameRed Microcybe

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.
Imaged 30(3B,10Fl,3Fr) in Jan(1), Mar(3:1Fr), Apr(1), Jun(2:1Fl), Jul(2:1B), Aug(9:2B,5Fl), Sep(2), Oct(9:4Fl,2Fr) & Dec(1)
Bush in flower
Bush in seed
Structure in Bud
Structure in Seed
Bud, leaves, flower & stem
Flower
Dried Flower
Green Pod
Pod Drying with Split Line
Seed Emerging
Seeded with Green Pods
No more Seed
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Citrus
Rutaceae
  (5 species
    3 from Ellura)
Silvery Phebalium
Phebalium bullatum


iNaturalist
LC
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Other Common NamesDesert Phebalium or Sand Phebalium

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

Imaged 6(1B,1Fl) in Apr(1), Jul(2), Aug(1) & Sep(2:1B,1Fl)
🔍Whole
🔍Whole, in Flower
🔍Whole In Flower
🔍Structure
🔍Leaf, upper
Leaf, back, and Buds
🔍Leaves, Buds & Flowers
🔍Buds
🔍Bud Opening
🔍Flowers
🔍Old Flowers
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Soapberry
Sapindaceae
  (4 species
    3 from Ellura)
Desert Hop-bush
Dodonaea stenozyga


iNaturalist
LC
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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.
Imaged 19(3B,2Fl,10Fr) in Jan(1), Feb(2), Jun(1), Jul(3:1B,2Fr), Sep(2:1Fr), Oct(7:2B,2Fl,4Fr), Nov(2Fr) & Dec(1Fr)
Male Shrub
🔍Female Shrub
Structure
New Leaf Growth
Leaf & Male Flowers
Male Flowers
🔍Fruits with 3, 4 & 5 Wings
🔍Mature Fruits
🔍Mature Fruit
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Soapberry
Sapindaceae
  (4 species
    3 from Ellura)
Narrow-leaf Hop-bush
Dodonaea viscosa ssp angustissima


iNaturalist
LC
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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.
Imaged 30(5Fl,4Fr) in Jan(4:1Fr), Feb(2), Mar(1), Jul(3), Sep(4), Oct(8:5Fl), Nov(1) & Dec(7:3Fr)
Bush
Leaf
Buds
Male Flowers Opening
Bunch of Male Flowers
Male Flowers Drying
Fruit & Leaf
Mass of Green Fruit
A Red Fruit
Dried Fruit on Shrub with Seed
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Soapberry
Sapindaceae
  (4 species
    3 from Ellura)
Wedge-leaf Hop-bush
Dodonaea viscosa ssp cuneata
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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.
Imaged 14(2Fl,2Fr) in Feb(1), Mar(1), May(1Fl), Jun(1Fl), Aug(1), Oct(5:2Fr), Nov(2) & Dec(2)
Shrub
Leaf, Front
Leaf, Back
Structure
Female Red Flower
Female Buff Flower
Female Flower Head
Female Flower Head
New Fruit
Dark Fruit (young)
Pale Fruit (older)
New Growth
Soapberries
Sapindales
  (10 species
    7 from Ellura)
Soapberry
Sapindaceae
  (4 species
    3 from Ellura)
Sticky Hop-bush
Dodonaea viscosa ssp spatulata


iNaturalist
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Imaged 4 in Aug(2) & Nov(2)
🔍In Fruit
Potatoes
Solanales
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Nightshade
Solanaceae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Australian Boxthorn
Lycium australe
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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.
Imaged 7(1Fr) in Feb(1), Mar(1), Oct(4:1Fr) & Dec(1)
Several Old
Luscious
Succulent Leaves
Leaf, ~30mm long
Flower, profile
Flower, front, ~7mm wide
Potatoes
Solanales
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
Nightshade
Solanaceae
  (2 species
    1 from Ellura)
African Boxthorn
Lycium ferocissimum


iNaturalist
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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.
Imaged 23(3B,7Fl,3Fr) in Jan(1:1Fl,1Fr), Feb(2:1Fl), Mar(3:1B,1Fl), Apr(1Fl), May(1), Jun(1:1Fl,1Fr), Jul(3:1B,1Fl), Aug(3:1B,1Fl), Sep(4:1Fr), Oct(3) & Dec(1)
Bush
Structure
New Leaves
Leaves & structure
New Bud
Bud
Bud, perspective
Base of Flower; Long Stamen
Flower
Flower
Dried Flower
Dried Flower, Fruit Forming
Fruit Further Developing
Fruit, Still Green
Green Fruit, Perspective with Structure
Ripe Red Fruit
Thought was Sweet Bursaria
Twinleaves
Zygophyllales
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Caltrop
Zygophyllaceae
  (1 species
    1 from Ellura)
Shrubby Twinleaf
Roepera aurantiaca


iNaturalist
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SynonymZygophyllum aurantiacum

Other Common NamesBiarpiti or Native Hop

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.
Imaged 92(5B,14Fl,15Fr) in Jan(1), Feb(2), Mar(4:1Fr), Apr(5), May(6:1Fr), Jun(3:1B), Jul(10), Aug(21:3B,8Fl,3Fr), Sep(18:1B,3Fl,6Fr), Oct(13:2Fl,3Fr), Nov(7:1Fr) & Dec(2:1Fl)
Flowering
Drying (yellow)
Drying (brown)
Structure & Leaves
Flower
Fruit

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