| Rules of Thumb: If it's attacked by insects, it's probably a native. If it's got minute flowers, it's probably a native. NB: A big difference between If (foreign) & Ir (regional) here. Ir are still Australian Natives, but in the wrong region. |
| Stat' |
| Thumbnails: 460. 108 introduced species listed, with 63 on Ellura |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Spiders, Scorpions, Mites & Ticks (Arachnida) - Spiders (Araneae); 4 species, 3 from Ellura - Daddy Long Legs (Pholcidae); 2 species from Ellura | Long-bodied Daddy Long-legs Pholcus cf phalangioides | If e m |
Imaged 4(3F) in Apr(2:1F,1E), Oct(1F) & Nov(1F) | ||
| Daddy Long-legs Smeringopus cf natalensis | If e m |
Thank you Mark Newton for identifying this species for us ~5-7mm. Very difficult to be certain of species, with out proper examination (as with many of the spiders here). This genus is unusual for a spider in that the male & female are the same size. Imaged 3(1M,2F) in Jan(2:1M,1F) & Mar(1F) | |||
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Spiders, Scorpions, Mites & Ticks (Arachnida) - Spiders (Araneae); 4 species, 3 from Ellura - Comb-footed Spider (Theridiidae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura | Redback Latrodectus hasseltii iNaturalist | Ir e m a |
Thank you Anthony Paul for confirming the id of this species for us A poisonous spider that can be lethal, but very, very rarely. Poisoning usually occurs due to picking up material off the ground without gloves. They love corrugated iron. They are generally black with a dark red diamond shaped stripe on their abdomen which extends from the top all the way round underneath. The stripe goes bright red when threatened. Diagnostically only the red hour glass underneath is relevant. As such, they can be missing the red stripe on top, are often brown not black, and also often have white stripes. These originated in the North-western Deserts of South Australia. They have become cosmopolitan (ie travel with humans) to other locations outside their native range. Imaged 50(16M,31F,15J) in Jan(11:2M,9F,7J), Feb(11:1M,7F,4J,2E), Mar(4:2M,2F), Apr(2F), Jun(1M), Jul(1M), Aug(1M), Sep(2:1M,1F,1J), Oct(8:3M,5F,3J), Nov(4:1M,3F) & Dec(5:3M,2F) | ||
| Cupboard Spider Steatoda cf grossa | If a |
These will make you sick for a few days if bitten. It's related to the redback, so it's quite understandable. It's possibly a different species (as with the case with all our inverts), but S. grossa originated in Canada. Imaged 6(2M,4F) in Jan(1F), Feb(2:1M,1F), Aug(2:1M,1F) & Sep(1F) | |||
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Spiders, Scorpions, Mites & Ticks (Arachnida) - Mites (Trombidiformes); 1 species from Ellura - Earth Mite (Penthaleidae); 1 species from Ellura | Red-legged Earth Mite Halotydeus destructor iNaturalist | If e m a |
~1mm long Imaged 3 in Oct(2) & Nov(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Cockroaches (Blattodea); 1 species, none from Ellura - Cockroach (Blattidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Oriental Cockroach Blatta orientalis | If a | Imaged 1 in Oct |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Beetles (Coleoptera); 7 species, 5 from Ellura - Ladybird (Coccinellidae); 1 species from Ellura | Spotted Amber Ladybeetle Hippodamia variegata | If e m |
As it's name suggests, a very variable species. Usually with white stripes on it's pronotum, but sometimes not. Introduced from Europe and used as a biological control of cotton aphids in crops, it is now wide spread and an environmental pest. Our apologies for the moth scales interfering with these photo's. They were shed in the container by the previous occupant, not part of this species. Imaged 6 in Mar(1), Nov(4) & Dec(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Beetles (Coleoptera); 7 species, 5 from Ellura - True Weevil (Curculionoidea: Curculionidae); 1 species from Ellura | Sitona Weevil Sitona discoideus | If e m | Imaged 3 in Oct(2) & Nov(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Beetles (Coleoptera); 7 species, 5 from Ellura - Skin Beetle (Dermestidae); 1 species from Ellura | Varied Carpet Beetle Anthrenus verbasci iNaturalist | If e m a | Similar Species: Brown Globular Springtail (Symphypleona sp ES01) Thank you Lila (FairyPossum) for confirming the id of this species for us A small beetle, ~3mm long, that has cost millions to protect against severely damaging the world's museum specimens. Imaged 7(1J) in May(1J), Sep(1) & Oct(5) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Beetles (Coleoptera); 7 species, 5 from Ellura - Scarab Beetle (Scarabaeidae); 2 species, none from Ellura | Sandy Dung Beetle Euoniticellus fulvus | If a | Imaged 1 in Oct | |
| Fiddler Beetle Eupoecila australasiae iNaturalist | Ir a | Thank you Mark Hura & Kurtise Templeton (NutsAboutNature) for confirming the id of this species for us ~20mm long, found by our 16m old Grandson, Kayden. These are an Australian Native, but introduced to South Australia from the Eastern States. There is a very similar, locally native species, Chlorobapta frontalis. Both vary quite a bit in their dorsal patterns such that they are easily confused. However, a ventral shot shows the thighs of Chlorobapta frontalis are very yellow; here the thighs are generally dark brown with a small yellow patch on the front of the hind thighs. Looking further is seems Chlorobapta frontalis doesn't have the longitudinal yellow mark on the pronotum either. These are still a major concern as, like Koalas, they can have a devastating effect on the local environment; pushing out local natives. Some do say that being in a suburban environment (where this was found) is a lost cause. ie so much damage has already been caused by humans. However, within a few days both a Southern Marbled Gecko (Christinus marmoratus) & a Four-toed Earless Skink (Hemiergis peronii) were both found in the same garden. So not all hope is lost in suburbia. Mark said "These seem to have appeared about 8 or 9 years ago, initially centered around the Golden Grove area, and so perhaps came in from landscape supplies as it is the site of large landscape suppliers. These have spread rapidly, covering most of suburban Adelaide now, which is a testament to their strong flying capabilities and their ability to adapt to a wide variety of flowering plants." Imaged 1 in Jun | ||
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Beetles (Coleoptera); 7 species, 5 from Ellura - Darkling Beetle (Tenebrionidae); 2 species from Ellura | Egyptian Beetle Blaps polychresta iNaturalist | If e m c |
Thank you Dr Chris Lambkin & Mark Hura for confirming the id of this species for us Large black beetle, approximately 35mm (40mm including elytra extension) long, with a projection out the rear end of the elytra. Imaged 3 in Feb(1) & Mar(2) | |
| Little Sardinian Beetle Cheirodes sardous iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Mark Hura for identifying this species for us ~5mm long. We suspected they were introduced as we found them in the kitchen and assumed they had transported in from flowers or veggies. But the records showing distribution seem higher in Southern Australia than the rest of the world; indicating they originated here. Mark said "Introduced here from Nthn Africa/Mediterranean. The first records of it here are from WA in the 1920's and they have been recorded here in SA since the 1960's" We also found a couple of records from Victoria in 1943. This implies it's been in SA longer than we thought. We'd expect them to travel thru SA from WA toward Victoria; unless it was a separate introduction. Interestingly these seem rare in their countries of origin ... perhaps we can catch them & ship them back Imaged 1 in Sep | ||
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Earwigs (Dermaptera); 1 species from Ellura - Earwig (Forficulidae); 1 species from Ellura | European Earwig Forficula auricularia iNaturalist | If e m a p | Thank you David Muirhead for confirming the id of this species for us ~14mm long plus pincers are a further ~7mm. Found in the kitchen, so most likely came from produce (fresh vegetables). Imaged 3(2M,1F,1J) in Feb(1M), Aug(1:1F,1J) & Nov(1M) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Flies (Diptera); 3 species from Ellura - Bush Fly (Muscidae); 1 species from Ellura | Common House Fly Musca domestica iNaturalist | If e m f r | Thank you Tony Daley & Sarah-Jayne Hucks
for confirming the id of this species for us ~6mm long. Very annoying little flies that keep pestering; trying to fly into your eyes, ears, mouth, etc. Imaged 13 in Mar(1), Apr(1), May(6), Jun(1), Sep(1), Oct(2) & Nov(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Flies (Diptera); 3 species from Ellura - Bot Fly (Oestridae); 1 species from Ellura | Sheep Nasal Bot Fly Oestrus ovis iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Dr Chris Lambkin for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 4 in Mar(1), Apr(2) & Nov(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Flies (Diptera); 3 species from Ellura - Hover Fly (Syrphidae); 1 species from Ellura | Wasp-mimicking Hover Fly Ceriana ornata ssp ornata iNaturalist | Ir e m | Thank you Reiner Richter for confirming the id of this species for us This is primarily a Qld species that invades bee hives. As we have no native bee hives in SA, we suspect they've travelled south using/breeding/surviving thru European bee hives. Andras Szito (WA DPIRD) said "I believe your suspicion is well founded. I am aware of (sometimes large scale) movement of used bee hives between the states. If some brought in some used, uncleaned hives with some dead combs in them from Qld where Ceriana is quite common then there is a high likelihood that there were viable Ceriana in it. I guess it is well adapted to European bee hives that contains a lot greater amount of honey than native bees." Thanks for your thoughts Andras ergo It is also introduced. Imaged 2 in Apr(1) & Dec(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - True Bugs (Hemiptera); 1 species from Ellura - Leafhopper (Hopper: Membracoidea, Cicadellidae); 1 species from Ellura | Tamarix Leafhopper Opsius stactogalus iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Solomon Hendrix for identifying this species for us Here's an Australian gov' site: NSW DPI The antennae are quite long and thin with these (you have to look closely at the 1st photo to see it). There are slight differences with above link and our photo's but this could be due to head tilt & dead vs alive specimens. Imaged 1 in Feb |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Ant Bee Wasps (Hymenoptera); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Long-tongued Bee (Bee: Apidae); 1 species from Ellura | European Honey Bee Apis mellifera iNaturalist | If e m a c |
Thank you Dr John Ascher, Frank Prinz, Terra Occ & (HowardDC) for confirming the id of this species for us Most people think of these insects in a positive light, but like all introduced species are an environmental headache and should be eradicated where possible. Please don't allow bee keepers to use your bush block for bees. Would you allow someone to plough your native vegetation to grow crops? European Bees are just as devastating, but the damage is hidden (eg using up precious hollows used by our birds and reptiles), spreading over many kilometres to neighbouring properties & reserves. Our native bees are also less aggressive and solitary (in SA). If you thought all European Bees don't look alike, you'd be right. Peri Coleman said "There are three main races of bees in Australia, and a very few of two other races. Main races used by bee keepers: 1. Italian (yellow banded): have 5 yellow bands, but the Ligurian sub-race has less than 5 yellow bands & have a yellow queen. The Ligurian bees of Kangaroo Island are a sub-race of Italian bees, and the early settlement bees were blackish coloured "Black Germans", but I don't know if any of these are still cultivated 2. Caucasian (bigger, grey): are dark grey, hardly banded at all, and have a long body 3. Carniolan (smallest): have creamy light bands which gives them a greyish look, and are smaller than Italians. They have a dark queen. Quarantine in North Queensland keeps a close eye out for Asian honeybees as they are likely to bring in Nosema disease. It is considered they are most likely to get here via shipping to a northern port or by island hopping from New Guinea." Imaged 28 in Jan(2), Feb(1), Mar(4), Apr(2), May(1), Jun(2), Aug(4), Sep(3), Oct(4), Nov(3) & Dec(2) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Ant Bee Wasps (Hymenoptera); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Potter Wasp (Wasp: Vespidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | European Wasp Vespula germanica iNaturalist | If a |
Thank you Mark Hura & Dave Holland for confirming the id of this species for us There are two very similar introduced wasps in South Australia. This one & the much less common English Wasp (Vespula vulgaris). You probably couldn't tell the difference between them with the naked eye. But with photo's the difference becomes evident. This one has a solid yellow band behind the eye; V. vulgaris has a black patch in the band behind the eye. This one has a thin vertical black line on the face with a black dot either side in the yellow; V. vulgaris has a fat vertical black line on the face with no dots. The queen looks the same as the worker, with the only reliable differentiation being size. The queen ~20mm long; while the worker is ~14mm long. The big surprise for us after photographing one was realising how hairy they are. The look very smooth and hairless with the naked eye. They are one of the most aggressive wasps in Australia; attacking just because you are too close to YOUR picnic lunch. Probably second only to the European Honeybee. Thank you to Dave Holland for pointing out that males have long antenna and 7 terga of abdomen rather than 6; and are stingless. Imaged 5(3F) in Mar(1F), May(1F), Jul(1F), Nov(1) & Dec(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera); 8 species, 5 from Ellura - Oecophorid Moth (:Gelechioidea Oecophoridae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Brown House Moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella iNaturalist | If a | Thank you Prof Victor W Fazio III† for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Jan |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera); 8 species, 5 from Ellura - Leaf Miner (:Gracillarioidea Gracillariidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Echium Leaf Miner Dialectica scalariella iNaturalist | If a | Thank you Leon Crang for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Apr |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera); 8 species, 5 from Ellura - Plume Moth (:Pterophorioidea Pterophoridae); 1 species from Ellura | Horehound Plume Moth Wheeleria spilodactylus iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Donald Hobern for confirming the id of this species for us ~9mm long, ~17mm natural wingspan. It has striped legs and striped wings. Imaged 9(2J) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(3:1J), Oct(3) & Dec(1J) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera); 8 species, 5 from Ellura - Grass Moth (:Pyraloidea Pyralidae); 2 species from Ellura | Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Prof Victor W Fazio III† for confirming the id of this species for us ~14mm long, ~33mm wingspan. Imaged 1 in Nov | ||
| Indian Meal Moth Plodia interpunctella iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Prof Victor W Fazio III† for confirming the id of this species for us ~7mm long, ~17mm wingspan Imaged 1 in Dec | |||
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera); 8 species, 5 from Ellura - Diamondback Moth (:Yponomeutoid Plutellidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Cabbage Moth Plutella cf xylostella | If a |
Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us This introduced species is highly variable in it's colours. The antennae always have banding, however, and point forward. Imaged 2 in Oct |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera); 8 species, 5 from Ellura - Brown Butterfly (Papilionoidea: Nymphalidae); 1 species from Ellura | Foreign Wanderer Danaus plexippus iNaturalist | If e m a |
Thank you Alan Melville for confirming the id of this species for us While this butterfly comes from the Americas. It's only food source is the introduced Milkweed. There is some discussion if it arrives under it's own steam to the Eastcoast of Australia. Even so, it wouldn't be able to propogate without the weed. Regardless, it's not native to SA. Imaged 5(2M,2F) in Mar(1M), Apr(2:1F), May(1F) & Jun(1M) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Insects (Insecta) - Butterflies & Moths (Lepidoptera); 8 species, 5 from Ellura - White & Yellow Butterfly (Papilionoidea: Pieridae); 1 species from Ellura | Small Cabbage White Pieris rapae iNaturalist | If e m a |
Thank you Matt Endacott, Karen Weaving & Leon Crang for confirming the id of this species for us Males have one black spot per forewing, while females have 2. They both have one spot on each hindwing. This is not obvious and it's easy to confuse the male's forewing spot and hindwing spot as 2 spots on one wing; looking like a female. Larvae are green, with a pale yellow/green line along it's back. Yellow spotting around it's spiricles and 4 tiny ocelli (eyes) per side. Imaged 19(7M,7F,1J) in Jan(2:1M), Feb(2:1M,1F), Mar(2F), Apr(2:1M,1F), Jul(1), Aug(3:1M,1F), Sep(2:1F), Oct(2:1M,1F), Nov(1M) & Dec(2:1M,1J) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Crustaceans (Malacostraca) - Peracarid Crustaceans (Isopoda); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Terrestrial Crustacean (Armadillidiidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Pill Bug Armadillidium vulgare iNaturalist | If a |
Thank you Grant Schiermeyer for confirming the id of this species for us Interestingly, Atlas only has 2 species described in this family and they are both introduced. Notice the trapezoidal telson of this family mentioned by Grant above. We think the colour variation is due to the specimen #4 recently moulting. Specimen #7 is the colour of an older specimen. Imaged 7 in Jan(1), Mar(3), Sep(1), Oct(1) & Dec(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Jointed Legs (Arthropoda) - Crustaceans (Malacostraca) - Peracarid Crustaceans (Isopoda); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Terrestrial Crustacean (Porcellionidae); 1 species from Ellura | Common Rough Woodlouse Porcellio scaber iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Matt Campbell for confirming the id of this species for us ~10mm long Imaged 1 in Nov |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Ray-finned Fish (Actinopterygii) - Minnows (Cypriniformes); 1 species, none from Ellura - Carp (Cyprinidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | European Carp Cyprinus carpio iNaturalist | If r | Thank you (NJ852) for confirming the id of this species for us This one was 4kg, a large fish. These fish have destroyed the Murray River. Once a clear watered river, it's now murky as these fish filter thru the silt on the river bed looking for food, constantly stirring up the silt. Imaged 1 in Jan |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Ray-finned Fish (Actinopterygii) - Toothcarps (Cyprinodontiformes); 1 species, none from Ellura - Livebearer (Poeciliidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Eastern Mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki iNaturalist | If m | Thank you (Meta4) for identifying and Fubberpish for confirming the id of this species for us fubberpish said "Yep, bloody things are everywhere, they're a massive problem. they're super hardy fish, produce massive amounts of young very quickly and only take a few months to reach breeding age, so they are able to multiply extremely rapidly and survive in just about any body of fresh water. they were deliberately introduced to eat mosquito larvae - except native Australian fish like the Empire Gudgeon are actually better at mosquito control than the Mosquitofish!" Imaged 1 in Jan |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Doves and Pigeons (Columbiformes); 2 species, none from Ellura - Dove and Pigeon (Columbidae); 2 species, none from Ellura | Spotted Turtle-dove Spilopelia chinensis iNaturalist | If c |
Thank you Thomas Mesaglio & George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 2 in Jul(1) & Nov(1) | |||
| Laughing Dove Spilopelia senegalensis iNaturalist | If |
Thank you Thomas Mesaglio for confirming the id of this species for us Photographed in a Zoo Imaged 1 in Oct | ||||
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 3 species, 1 from Ellura - Weaver-finch (Estrildidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Chestnut-Breasted Mannikin Lonchura castaneothorax iNaturalist | Ir a | Thank you Brendan Duggan for confirming the id of this species for us The 2 reasons for adding this, primarily Queensland, species are that
Imaged 2 in May |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 3 species, 1 from Ellura - Sparrow (Passeridae); 1 species from Ellura | European House Sparrow Passer (Passer) domesticus ssp domesticus iNaturalist | If e m a c | Thank you George Seagull for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in May |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Birds (Aves) - Perching Birds (Passeriformes); 3 species, 1 from Ellura - Starling (Sturnidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | European Common Starling Sturnus (Sturnus) vulgaris ssp vulgaris iNaturalist | If c | Thank you Asimakis Patitsas & (TheBirdNerdVal) for confirming the id of this species for us Breeding adults have yellow beaks, while non-breeding have black beaks. Breeding males have blue at the base of the beak (like here) while females have pink. Females are more spotty on the breast. Imaged 4(1M,2F) in Feb(1F), May(1), Jul(1M) & Oct(1F) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Mammals (Mammalia) - Even-toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla); 1 species from Ellura - Cloven-hoofed Mammal (Bovidae); 1 species from Ellura | Feral Goat Capra hircus iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 3 in Apr(1) & Jul(2) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Mammals (Mammalia) - Placental mammals (Carnivora); 2 species from Ellura - Canine (Canidae); 1 species from Ellura | Red Fox Vulpes vulpes iNaturalist | If e m a |
Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 3 in Jan(1), Sep(1) & Oct(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Mammals (Mammalia) - Placental mammals (Carnivora); 2 species from Ellura - Cat (Felidae); 1 species from Ellura | Feral Cat Felis catus | If e m a r c | Imaged 1 in Aug |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Mammals (Mammalia) - Kangaroos & Wombats (Diprotodontia); 1 species, none from Ellura - Koala (Phascolarctidae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Koala Phascolarctos cinereus ssp victor iNaturalist | Ir a | Thank you Terra Occ for confirming the id of this species for us While considered cute and cuddly, wild animals should not be approached. Animals that people hold in zoo's are tame. As with any large wild animal, they can inflict severe injuries if cornered. Having said that, they are not openly aggressive. A male's mating call is a loud, deep, sickening sound. It's a much bigger sound than their size suggests. This is on purpose; the ladies like their boys to be big, so the boys oblige They love stringy bark gum trees. We also often see them walking on the roads through the Adelaide Hills. You may think we've made a mistake ... of course Koala's aren't introduced! Well, yes they were; locally at least. Introduced to the Adelaide Hills in the middle of last century. So while an Australian native, not a native where these photo's were taken. This can be related to Cootamundra Wattle. A NSW native, now an "introduced" weed species in the Adelaide Hills. Similarly, can you image the destruction this species has caused to the local native environs. It's not their fault of course, should never have been located there in the first place. But Tourism is a powerful motivator in our Society. Imaged 7(2M) in Jan(1), Jul(1M), Oct(2), Nov(2) & Dec(1M) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Mammals (Mammalia) - Hares & Rabbits (Lagomorpha); 2 species from Ellura - Hare & Rabbit (Leporidae); 2 species from Ellura | European Hare Lepus europaeus iNaturalist | If e m a |
Thank you (Sea-Kangaroo) for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 3 in Jan(1), Apr(1) & Dec(1) | ||
| Feral European Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus iNaturalist | If e m a |
Thank you Josh Magro (JMag1) for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 7 in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(1), Jul(1), Oct(1), Nov(1) & Dec(1) | |||
| Animals (Animalia) - Chordates (Chordata) - Mammals (Mammalia) - Rodents (Rodentia); 2 species from Ellura - Murid (Muridae); 2 species from Ellura | Western European House Mouse Mus musculus ssp domesticus iNaturalist | If e m a | Thank you Antoni Camozzato for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 4 in Jan(1), Mar(2) & Jun(1) | |
| Black Rat Rattus rattus iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Josef Kohlmetz for confirming the id of this species for us ~150mm long. It seems their tail is diagnostic. We are amazed we get such large, introduced animals out here in near desert Australia. Imaged 3 in Aug | ||
| Animals (Animalia) - Molluscs (Mollusca) - Gastropods, Slugs, And Snails (Gastropoda) - Land Snails & Slugs (Stylommatophora); 3 species from Ellura - Typical Snail (Helicidae); 1 species from Ellura | Garden Snail Cornu aspersum iNaturalist | If e m a | Thank you Thomas Mesaglio & Dr Kevin Bonham AM for confirming the id of this species for us The shell was ~28mm long & ~23mm high. 4 eye stalks. They don't seem to have an obvious umbilicus (centre hole). They are very variable in colour & pattern making id difficult. We normally mirror some images to always have the head point to the left. Kevin said "As snails and slugs are not symmetrical it is best not to reverse photos of them as genuinely reversed specimens are very rare natural freaks." As such, we have now put them all in there natural orientation. Imaged 3 in Apr(2) & Dec(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Molluscs (Mollusca) - Gastropods, Slugs, And Snails (Gastropoda) - Land Snails & Slugs (Stylommatophora); 3 species from Ellura - Small Land Snail (Hygromiidae); 1 species from Ellura | Common White Snail Cernuella virgata iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Mike Burrell, Kevin Huang & Dr Kevin Bonham AM for confirming the id of this species for us These are easily confused with another introduced snail, the White Italian Snail (Theba pisana). The centre hole (the umbilicus) is covered, or nearly covered, with T. pisana. So a photo of the umbilicus is requred for definate identification. It was how we were able to id these specimens. Matt Parr from iNaturalist says that T. pisana has a flatter top/spire and more inflated shell than Cernuella virgata. Thanks Matt Imaged 4 in Jun(1), Jul(1), Oct(1) & Dec(1) |
| Animals (Animalia) - Molluscs (Mollusca) - Gastropods, Slugs, And Snails (Gastropoda) - Land Snails & Slugs (Stylommatophora); 3 species from Ellura - Keelback Slug (Limacidae); 1 species from Ellura | Threeband Slug Ambigolimax sp iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Dr Kevin Bonham AM for confirming the id of this species for us It's not possible to separate these into species with dissection. We asked Kevin if this might be native. He said "All Ambigolimax in Australia, and anything else that looks like them, are introduced." When we querried the hole in it's side he said "That hole is the pneumostome or breathing pore. Normal feature." It's so weird that it's only on one side! On another obs, when comparing Limax sp to these, Kevin said "Limax often have well-defined stripes on the tail end but typically not on the mantle. There are a few here and there where the spotting on the mantle forms into irregular stripe-like markings, generally broader than on Ambigolimax. Some other differences include that the end of the tail in Limax tends to be sharply keeled and also the tubercles (ridges) on the tail end of Limax tend to be serrated-looking." Imaged 1 in May |
| Fungi (Fungi) - Basidio (Basidiomycota) - Mushroom-forming Fungi (Agaricomycetes) - Gilled Fungi (Agaricales); 1 species, none from Ellura - Mushroom (Amanitaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria iNaturalist | If a | Similar Species: Vermilion Grisette (Amanita xanthocephala) Thank you (CesDaMess) & Konan Farrelly-Horsfall for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in May |
| Fungi (Fungi) - Chytridio (Chytridiomycota) - Rust Fungi (Chytridiomycetes) - Rusts (Chytridiales); 1 species from Ellura - Crowfoot Rust (Synchytriaceae); 1 species from Ellura | Common Crowfoot Rust Synchytrium papillatum iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Sofia Zvolanek for confirming the id of this species for us This rust is growing on Common Crowfoot (Erodium cicutarium) which is an introduced species. We believe each species of this type of fungus evolves to only grow on one plant species. As such, this species of fungus must also be introduced? Imaged 2 in Jul |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Carrots (Apiales); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Carrot (Apiaceae); 1 species from Ellura | Grey Hare's Ear Bupleurum semicompositum iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Darren Schmitke for identifying and Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us A simple thank you just isn't enough. We didn't even know where to start with this species and Darren spent many evenings investigating it. After we had given up, and Darren almost had, he found it. We were elated and disappointed at the same time. Elated the puzzle was solved, but disappointed that after all that work it turned out to be an introduced species. Here's hoping that by being on this web site it helps others know they can remove it; and Darren's work will be put to good use. It occurs primarily in disturbed locations on Ellura and may be useful to reduce erosion while natives reclaim their ground. It's heaviest where we've removed heavy investations of onion weed, but doesn't have anywhere near the destructive properties of onion weed. As such, it's weak and natives are stronger. It is classed as "Naturalised" (a term we despise) and an "Environmental Weed" (ie it doesn't impact farmers crops). The flowers are tiny; and go against the rule of thumb of small flowers being native. They are petalless (petals 0). The apparant petals are actually 5 sepals which start green and turn red with age. The flower has 5 stamen. The 5 bracts (leaf like structures) are toothed and form a cup holding up to about 8 flowers. The flower heads are on varying length stalks (0 to ~10mm). A flower head can throw 5 stalks with more flower heads; in fact it'll even throw another "branch". The plant is almost grass like, with the base of each leaf curving round the stem at least at each branch. The branches are hexegon. The structure tends to create a ceme of flowers (ie one branch is a flower head, the other goes higher until another fork or terminates in a flowerhead). The flowers are on top of the fruit, which splits in 2 when it dries; and goes a pale lilac colour. While trying to describe this plant one realises why there are so many botanical terms to describe the huge array of features a plant can exhibit; in a succinct way, unlike this novel Imaged 11(7B,3Fl,5Fr) in Sep(4:3B), Oct(6:3B,2Fl,4Fr) & Nov(1:1B,1Fl,1Fr) |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Carrots (Apiales); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum iNaturalist | If a | Thank you John Tann for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Jun |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Asparagus (Asparagales); 5 species, 2 from Ellura - Asphodels (Asphodelaceae); 1 species from Ellura | Onion Weed Asphodelus fistulosus iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us #1 Enemy: Loves 250mm/yr rainfall. We have erradicated it. We still see new seedlings in "good" years, but in new locations, so brought in from neighbouring areas by wildlife. Will decimate an area, regardless of grazing, killing saltbush, zygophylum, etc, as it goes. Vigorous; will germinate, flower and seed within 3 weeks in spring. ~90% of seed germinates in first year in our area. Resilient: never leave removed plants on the ground. They will flower & seed (out of the ground)! Hard to poison. Needs good wetting agent. We're convinced Onion Weeds are Allelopathic; ie exude Allelochemicals to inhibit further germination of it's own seed. We found when we pulled all our large plants from Ellura in one season, they were then replaced the following season with millions of seedlings. Thanks to David Armstrong for letting us know about this phenomenon. We recognised it existed with onion weed, but didn't realise it was a recognised phenomenon; let alone had a name. We've written a discussion paper on this to help you control your outbreak. Click here to download (it's about 2.7mb) Updated 11 AM, 06 April 2014 The photo's here are explained in more detail in the discussion paper. You can see Brush Cutting (not on Ellura) only stopped it seeding, but grew over a hot dry summer. The Before & After photo's of our worst 3 acre patch on Ellura, after 12m of hard work. With the experiment of a seedling patch, you can see poisoning had the best results, after 2 months. Imaged 39 in Jan(2), Feb(3), Apr(4), May(2), Jun(2), Jul(8), Aug(5), Sep(5), Oct(3), Nov(2) & Dec(3) |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Asparagus (Asparagales); 5 species, 2 from Ellura - Iris (Iridaceae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura | Thread Iris Moraea setifolia iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Alan Dandie & Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us Invasive throughout the region. Difficult to eradicate due to their thin leaf. Wombats like the bulbs and plough the soil searching for the them. This is not natural behaviour for them and is very destructive to the soil crust and natural order of things. Competes with native grasses. Has a single pale purple flower and two grass-like leaves (often one dries early leaving only one leaf). While it looks nothing like it many people think it's nut grass. Probably because the bulbs are like nuts and the few leaves are very grass like. The flower is a dead give away it's not grass. Kangaroos eat the dried leaves in summer. Possibly because other food is more scarce; or because it's weaker & easier to chew once it's died. It's leaves are incredibly strong & thin. When trying to pull out other weeds if you accidentally grab a Thread Iris leaf as well, you'll have no chance of getting either out. The green leaf is toxic to stock. Consumption of 1kg of green leaves will kill a cow within 24 hours. Wombats don't seem to be able to digest it very easily, so fill up on it and can starve to death if native grass food sources are not available. Imaged 19(8Fl,1Fr) in Apr(1), May(2), Jun(3), Sep(5:2Fl) & Oct(8:6Fl,1Fr) | ||
| Guildford Iris Romulea rosea var australis | If m a |
NB: It's an iris, not a grass, so the old common name is very misleading We originally considered we had 3 different varieties of these, but it seems they are all just the one; indicating it's variable nature. Imaged 6Fl in Sep(4Fl) & Oct(2Fl) | |||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Asparagus (Asparagales); 5 species, 2 from Ellura - Orchid (Orchidaceae); 2 species, none from Ellura | African Orchid Disa bracteata | If a |
A very invasive weed that's difficult to eradicate. Partly because they ALWAYS have two tubers. The first one comes up with the plant fairly easily, the second not so much. The second bulb will continue the plants life if not removed. Once the flower head has seeded it's very difficult to extract the plant without spreading seed further. The only way we know is to very genlty tilt the plant into a plastic bag (without any sudden movement) to catch anything that falls off and then dig it up. It's quite possible that cut & spray will work, but we haven't tried that. Imaged 20 in Jan(1), Mar(1), Aug(1), Sep(2), Oct(3), Nov(9) & Dec(3) | |
| Bullard Donkey-orchid Diuris orientis x pardina iNaturalist | Ih a | Thank you Robert Lawrence for confirming the id of this species for us We call these Bullard Donkey-orchid. A "Bull"dogs & Leop"ard" cross/hybrid. We've marked it as a man made hybrid as they only hybridised due to clearance of land. Before western settlement, they didn't exist. However, the actual hybridisation occurred naturally; once they were in pollenation vacinity due to the land clearing. The last photo shows a comparison between Leopard, Bullard & Bulldog orchids. All photographed within about 20m or so. Imaged 10(6B,4Fl) in Sep(5B) & Oct(5:1B,4Fl) | ||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Sunflowers (Asterales); 12 species, 11 from Ellura - Daisy (Asteraceae); 12 species, 11 from Ellura | Capeweed Arctotheca calendula iNaturalist | If e m a | Thank you Dianne Clarke for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 5(1Fl) in Sep(1), Oct(2) & Nov(2:1Fl) | ||
| Saffron Thistle Carthamus lanatus iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us A few scattered plants found & removed from Ellura VERY prickly & stiff plant at all stages. Tall, green with cream/yellow flowers. Prickles will go straight through leather gloves, weed bags, etc. Imaged 5 in Apr(1), Jul(1), Oct(1) & Nov(2) | |||
| Maltese Cockspur Centaurea melitensis iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us A spindly thistle with small, spiny flowers and stiff, tall habit Imaged 6 in Jan(1), Apr(1), May(1), Oct(1), Nov(1) & Dec(1) | |||
| Skeleton Weed Chondrilla juncea iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Often looking leafless, these aptly named weeds are noxious flowering in summer. Yellow flower, with ridged buds, and a smooth stem. The basal leaves often dying off early leaving no trace. ~300mm high, with ~20mm diameter flowers & buds ~10mm long. Imaged 3 in Jan(1), Mar(1) & Nov(1) | |||
| Flaxleaf Fleabane Erigeron bonariensis iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Mature plant is ~300mm tall; single stemed with flowers bunching at the top. The flowers don't have petals. Imaged 6 in Feb(3), Mar(2) & Apr(1) | |||
| Gazania Gazania x splendens iNaturalist | If e m a |
Thank you Steven Molteno for identifying and Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us We thought this was Gazania linearis. Imaged 14 in Jan(3), Feb(2), Mar(1), Apr(2), Aug(2), Sep(1), Oct(1), Nov(1) & Dec(1) | |||
| Scotch Thistle Onopordum acanthium | If e m |
Larger & bushier than Saffron, harsh and prickly. Purple flowers Imaged 2 in Jun(1) & Aug(1) |
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| Stemless Thistle Onopordum acaulon iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Kai-Philipp Schablewski for confirming the id of this species for us Scattered seedlings have been found & removed. All clear at this stage. Seedlings are soft and easy to handle. Mature plants are very prickly & large, making removal difficult. Slow growing and easy to find seedlings with regular inspections. Silver grey in colour and has no discernible stem Imaged 6 in Sep(2), Oct(3) & Nov(1) | |||
| False Sowthistle Reichardia tingitana iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us In South Australia the maroon centre is diagnostic for this species. Shown here are examples to show variation, you through struggling to thriving. Notice the young flowers have less maroon than the older ones. Notice the unusual habit of stamen coming from behind the inner petals. No full seed shot as we never let them get that far if we can help it. They are victim, fortunately , to grazing, so sometimes tall and sometimes quite short. They love our heat and can withstand the low rainfall, but then in years like this (2022) where we've had 411mm to the end of Nov, they are flourishing. They are all coming out of the woodwork, but fortunately stand out in the crowd so easy to spot to remove. We thought they had gone, but no, clearly a long lived seed bank survives. Imaged 17(3B,5Fl,1Fr) in Jan(1), May(1), Aug(1), Sep(1), Oct(6:1B,2Fl), Nov(6:2B,2Fl) & Dec(1:1Fl,1Fr) | |||
| Creeping Groundsel Senecio angulatus iNaturalist | If a | Thank you (InsideRelic) for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 2 in Jun(1) & Jul(1) | |||
| Prickly Sow Thistle Sonchus asper iNaturalist | If e m a | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 4 in Oct(1) & Nov(3) | |||
| Sow Thistle Sonchus oleraceus | If e m |
Imaged 9(2B,4Fl) in Aug(4:1Fl), Sep(1), Nov(3:2B,2Fl) & Dec(1Fl) |
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| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mustards & Allies (Brassicales); 6 species, 4 from Ellura - Mustard (Brassicaceae or Cruciferae); 5 species, 4 from Ellura | Flax-leaf Alyssum Alyssum linifolium iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Renate and Glenys for identifying this species for us A very strange plant with brown, circular, flat, disk fruits. These discs dry to a paper thin shell, then drop the two seeds contained within. Also has strange tufted short hairs growing from it's leaves & stem. Imaged 13(1B,2Fl,5Fr) in Jun(1), Jul(4:1Fl,2Fr), Aug(6:1B,1Fl,3Fr) & Sep(2) | ||
| Wild Turnip Brassica tournefortii iNaturalist | If e m r |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Not a major problem at Ellura. Removed when found. One of the few plants than can grow under Mallee. Small yellow flower, long green seed pods. Tall, straggly, hairy stems with lobed leaves staying near the ground. Imaged 8(1Fl) in Jul(2), Aug(3), Sep(2) & Oct(1Fl) | |||
| Wards Weed Carrichtera annua | If e m | Invasive throughout the region. Difficult to eradicate as it's in such hugh numbers. The areas we have weeded have shown a big return of native forbs. Seedlings are purple before turning luscious green. Grazed by wombats & roos. Replaces native grass. Imaged 21(2B,8Fl,3Fr) in Jan(1), Feb(3), Mar(2), Apr(2:1B,1Fl), May(1), Jul(5:4Fl), Aug(5:1B,3Fl,2Fr) & Oct(2:1Fr) | |||
| Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima iNaturalist | If a | Thank you Jeanie Shelton
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Oct | |||
| Smooth Mustard Sisymbrium erysimoides | If e m |
Imaged 15(4B,5Fl,2Fr) in Jan(1), Jun(2), Jul(7:4B,5Fl,2Fr), Aug(2), Sep(1) & Oct(2) | |||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mustards & Allies (Brassicales); 6 species, 4 from Ellura - Mignonette (Resedaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Cut-leaf Mignonette Reseda luteola | If m |
Forms a large round rosette, then shoots tall seed heads. Very deep roots which easily break near the rosette to later recover. Manual removal requires as much root as possible to be removed. We remove at least 100mm. Imaged 2 in Apr(1) & Dec(1) |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Betalains (Caryophyllales); 5 species, 2 from Ellura - Ice Plant (Aizoaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Galenia Galenia secunda iNaturalist | If m f |
Thank you Ernst Weiher for confirming the id of this species for us Has white or pink flowers. It's much hairier than it's relation, Aizoon pubescens, which is also introduced in Australia and seems more common. Imaged 3Fl in Sep(1Fl), Oct(1Fl) & Nov(1Fl) |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Betalains (Caryophyllales); 5 species, 2 from Ellura - Carnation (Caryophyllaceae); 4 species, 2 from Ellura | Mouse-ear Chickweed Cerastium glomeratum | If e m a | A hairy leaved weed. A white flower that has 5 petals which are deeply lobed and can look like 10 petals. On Ellura it is more prostrate than in the Adelaide Hills. Imaged 4 in Sep(2), Oct(1) & Nov(1) | ||
| Hairypink Petrorhagia dubia iNaturalist | If f c |
Thank you Bethany McLeod for confirming the id of this species for us In these photo's the flowers have a blue hue to them. This wasn't visible to the naked eye, so a camera artifact; not real. Imaged 2(1Fl) in Oct(1) & Nov(1Fl) | |||
| Mallee Catchfly Silene apetala | If e m |
Tall straggly weed with tiny flowers. Imaged 21(1B) in Jun(1), Jul(1), Aug(9), Sep(6:1B), Oct(3) & Nov(1) | |||
| French Catchfly Silene gallica var gallica iNaturalist | If c |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Oct | |||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Vines (Cucurbitales); 2 species, none from Ellura - Gourd (Cucurbitaceae); 2 species, none from Ellura | Paddymelon Citrullus colocynthis | If m |
These can grow much larger than shown here. But this is a good comparision between the smooth and prickly paddymelons, as well as a mallee leaf Imaged 1 in Jun | ||
| Prickly Paddymelon Cucumis myriocarpus ssp myriocarpus | If m |
Imaged 1 in Jun | |||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Guinea-flowers (Dilleniales); 1 species, none from Ellura - Dillenia (Dilleniaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Climbing Guinea-flower Hibbertia scandens iNaturalist | Ir a | Thank you Ralph Foster & Dr Timothy Hammer for identifying this species for us This is native to the coastal areas of the East Cost of Australia. 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) |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Heathers & Allies (Ericales); 2 species, none from Ellura - Primrose (Primulaceae); 2 species, none from Ellura | Scarlet Pimpernel Lysimachia arvensis var arvensis iNaturalist | If f a | Thank you Jennifer Rycenga for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 5Fl in Apr(1Fl), Nov(1Fl) & Dec(3Fl) | ||
| Blue Scarlet Pimpernel Lysimachia loeflingii iNaturalist | If m f |
Thank you Ernst Weiher for confirming the id of this species for us This is very difficult/nearly impossible to differentiate from Lysimachia foemina, except the latter hasn't been found in SA ... yet. Imaged 2Fl in Sep(1Fl) & Nov(1Fl) | |||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Legumes (Fabales); 5 species, 2 from Ellura - Legume (Fabaceae or Leguminosae); 5 species, 2 from Ellura | Cape Broom Genista monspessulana iNaturalist | If a | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Oct | ||
| Burr Medic Medicago polymorpha | If e m |
Imaged 2 in Aug(1) & Oct(1) | |||
| Small-leaf Burr Medic Medicago praecox iNaturalist | If e m |
Thanks to Norbert Sauberer's assistance, this may be Medicago truncatula. Norbert said "The leaves of Medicago praecox are nearly glabrous." Imaged 12(1B,1Fl,3Fr) in Jun(2:1Fr), Jul(1), Aug(6) & Sep(3:1B,1Fl,2Fr) | |||
| 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 | |||
| Subterraneum Clover Trifolium subterraneum | If a |
Imaged 4 in Oct(3) & Nov(1) | |||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Centauries (Gentianales); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Gentian (Gentianaceae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura | Red Centaury Centaurium erythraea | If a | Similar Species: Branched Centaury (Centaurium tenuiflorum) You can see here that Red Centaury's habit is quite different to both Branched Centaury & Spike Centaury, but the flowers look identical from above. The basal leaves stay green during flowering while the other two dry up quickly. This species is also larger and more lucious than the other two. Imaged 7 in Jan(1), Sep(1), Nov(2) & Dec(3) | |
| Branched Centaury Centaurium tenuiflorum | If e m a | Similar Species: Spike Centaury (Schenkia australis) : Red Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) Can be difficult to distinguish from Spike Centaury on habit alone; particularly for small plants withonly one stem and one flower. However, the comparison of the sepals of the 3 similar plants here shows how unique Branched Centaury is from the other two with no distance between the tip of the sepals and the separation/bend of the petals. Imaged 2 in Jan(1) & Nov(1) | ||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Geraniums (Geraniales); 1 species from Ellura - Geranium (Geraniaceae); 1 species from Ellura | Common Crowfoot Erodium cicutarium | If e m a |
Imaged 17(1Fl) in Jan(1), Jun(2), Jul(4:1Fl), Aug(6) & Sep(4) |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mints (Lamiales); 7 species, 5 from Ellura - Forget-me-not (Boraginaceae); 3 species, 2 from Ellura | Corn Gromwell Buglossoides arvensis iNaturalist | If m |
Thank you Santiago Morales PP for confirming the id of this species for us A small slender, hairy plant that stands at ~200mm high. Flowers have 5 white petals and tiny at ~5mm across Imaged 2 in Sep | ||
| Purple Peril Echium plantagineum | If e m a f |
Imaged 6(2Fl) in Apr(1), Jun(1), Aug(1Fl), Oct(2:1Fl) & Nov(1) | |||
| Hairy Sheepweed Neatostema apulum | If e m |
Imaged 9 in Mar(1), Oct(5) & Nov(3) | |||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mints (Lamiales); 7 species, 5 from Ellura - Mint (Lamiaceae); 3 species from Ellura | Horehound Marrubium vulgare iNaturalist | If e m f |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us #3 Enemy: Bush with green grey foliage, very hard to spot in saltbush. Hides well. Seeds last decades in the soil, so long term monitoring of an infected area is required to ensure it doesn't become re-established. Has little hooks on the seed pods that get stuck to animal fur (and socks!) which spreads the seed very effectively. With the recent flooding (2022) we found the first horehound, about to seed, for many years from an old seed bank. Imaged 12(6Fl,3Fr) in Mar(1Fl), May(1Fr), Jul(1:1Fl,1Fr), Sep(1Fl), Oct(4:1Fl), Nov(3:2Fl) & Dec(1Fr) | ||
| Wild Sage Salvia verbenaca var verbenaca iNaturalist | If e m | Thank you Mark (Vandalsen) for confirming the id of this species for us We found one of these on Ellura and took forever to work it out. In worldwide, it is considered a synonym of Salvia verbanaca. However it's different. It's leaves are not as lobed and wider. It doesn't smell when crushed. It has red tints throughout the stems & leaves. Unfortunately the flower stem was eaten before we could get a photo of the flowers; only managing to photo buds. It is certainly a strong relationship, and a sub-species makes sense to us. But being a synonym doesn't. In the past they have been called "Type A" & "Type B". Now they have names. This sub-species is recognised on the Australian national ANBG/APNI web sites. Imaged 12(4B,3Fl) in Feb(1), Mar(3:2B), Apr(1), Jun(2), Sep(4:2B,3Fl) & Oct(1) | |||
| Wild Sage Salvia verbenaca var vernalis iNaturalist | If e m |
Thank you Mark (Vandalsen) for confirming the id of this species for us #2 Enemy: Called "Sage" due to its strong smell. Will decimate an area over time if allowed. Likes depressions. Currently invasive throughout Ellura. A staged approach will be used to eradicate: 1 Spray with Glyphosate on tracks (car, wombat & roo) to stop spread 2 Spray open & infested areas to stop volume seed generation 3 Manual removal from under natives (primarily saltbush) 4 Monitor infested areas for 10 years to finalise. Imaged 12(1Fl) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(1), Apr(1), Jun(1), Jul(1), Aug(1), Sep(3:1Fl), Oct(1) & Nov(1) | |||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Mints (Lamiales); 7 species, 5 from Ellura - Plantain (Plantaginaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Hairy Plantain Plantago bellardii iNaturalist | If c | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 2 in Oct |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Grasses & Sedges (Poales); 3 species, none from Ellura - Grass (Poaceae); 3 species, none from Ellura | Blowfly Grass Briza maxima iNaturalist | If a c |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us One or 2 larger seed heads coming from the plant with a gentle curved stemmed, hanging down. Imaged 7 in Jan(1), Oct(4), Nov(1) & Dec(1) | |
| Little Quaking Grass Briza minor iNaturalist | If a | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Very similar to B. major. Here you see many seed heads coming/branching from the one plant Imaged 1 in Oct | ||
| Hare's-tail Grass Lagurus ovatus iNaturalist | If c | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Oct | ||
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Grevilleas (Proteales); 1 species, none from Ellura - Protea (Proteaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura | 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 Imaged 1 in May |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Buttercups (Ranunculales); 1 species, none from Ellura - Poppy (Papaveraceae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Round Pricklyhead Poppy Papaver hybridum iNaturalist | If m |
Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 2(1Fl,1Fr) in Oct(1:1Fl,1Fr) & Nov(1) |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Potatoes (Solanales); 2 species, 1 from Ellura - Nightshade (Solanaceae); 2 species, 1 from Ellura | 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. 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) | ||
| Silverleaf Nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium | If m |
Similar Species: Silver Goodenia (Goodenia willisiana) Thank you Andrew Allanson for identifying this species for us Imaged 1 in Dec | |||
| Plants (Plantae) - Liverworts (Marchantiophyta) - Liverworts (Marchantiopsida) - Crescent Liverworts (Lunulariales); 1 species, none from Ellura - Crescent Liverwort (Lunulariaceae); 1 species, none from Ellura | Crescent-cup Liverwort Lunularia cruciata iNaturalist | If a | Thank you Dr Guido Brusa for confirming the id of this species for us The Gemma here look like spores capsules in other life forms, with the cups looking like fruiting bodies. However, the Gemma are actually parts of the plant that disperse (similarly to seed & spores) and take root. Instead of being wind blown, these are dispersed by raindrops hitting the cup. The big difference is these are not produce sexually, but more a broken off part of the plant. Thinking of it as a plant that has suckered from roots. The new plant becomes independant of the original, but is a clone of the original. Imaged 3 in May(1) & Sep(2) |
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