| Stat' | Notes | Thumbnails: 684. 79 native species (37 introduced) listed, with 32 natives (18 introduced) from Ellura |
| Plants (Plantae) - Land Plants (Charophyta) - Land Plants (Equisetopsida) - Other Small Plants | ||||||||
| Carrots Apiales (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Carrot Apiaceae (2 species 2 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) | ||||
| Carrots Apiales (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Carrot Apiaceae (2 species 2 from Ellura) | Native Carrot Daucus glochidiatus iNaturalist | LC e m r c |
Thank you Kate Sandiford & (PennywortMan ) for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 16(2Fl,2Fr) in Aug(4), Sep(9:2Fl,1Fr) & Oct(3:1Fr) | ||||
| Carrots Apiales (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Ivy Araliaceae (2 species 0 from Ellura) | Stinking Pennywort Hydrocotyle laxiflora iNaturalist | LC d f | Thank you (PennywortMan
) for confirming the id of this species for us You smell it before you see it, it's quite pungent. Imaged 3 in Nov | ||||
| Carrots Apiales (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Ivy Araliaceae (2 species 0 from Ellura) | Purple Trachymene Trachymene cyanopetala iNaturalist | LC m r | Thank you (PennywortMan
) for confirming the id of this species for us Named after the colour of the fruit. It has small white flowers, heavily lobed leaves. It can be a small compact plant or a lanky, spreading one. The fruit is quite spiny looking. Imaged 2(1Fl,1Fr) in Aug(1) & Sep(1:1Fl,1Fr) | ||||
| Carrots Apiales (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Pittosporum Pittosporaceae (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Hand Flower Cheiranthera alternifolia iNaturalist | RA m a |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Oct | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Asparagus Asparagaceae (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Blue Squill Chamaescilla corymbosa iNaturalist | VU m a c |
Thank you Alan Dandie & Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us There does seem to be some colour variation with the flowers, from pale (almost white) to dark (almost purple). The smaller variations we've seen with our eyes are hard to notice with the camera. They do seem to darken with age as well. Leaves are between 30-100mm long and 10mm wide. Flowers are 25mm wide. Imaged 18(1Fr) in May(3), Jun(1), Jul(1), Aug(4), Sep(2) & Oct(7:1Fr) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Asparagus Asparagaceae (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Scented Mat-rush Lomandra effusa iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us Funny how some specimens take your interest. We found a small group of these nearly a year ago and have been monitoring them ever since; waiting in anticipation for them to flower so we could identify them. Strangely one is left alone yet the other 4 or 5 are constantly eaten right down. The flowers have a lovely aroma, but watch your eyes if you smell them. The leaves are very stiff and sharp, nearly spines. Cream flowers with 3 petals + 3 sepals (looks like 6 petals) Leaves are long, thin, ribbed all around and a half circle in cross section. Reed like. Heavily toothed (but not easily visible; a magnifying glass helps). They dry on the tip to a 2-pronged fork. It's hard to imagine why anything would find them palatable. We surmise it can only be kangaroos as no other animal would be able to get to the top leaves without injuring itself; and we've seen kangaroos eating Westringia rigida, so it's not a stretch to see them enjoying these as well. Imaged 16(1B,2Fl) in Apr(1), May(3:1B,2Fl), Jun(4), Jul(2), Aug(1), Sep(1) & Oct(4) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Asparagus Asparagaceae (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Mallee Fringe-lily Thysanotus baueri iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Similar Species: Twining Fringe-lily (Thysanotus patersonii) Thank you Ralph Foster & Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us A small single stemmed herb. Leaves are like grass and die off early. While the flowers look as though they have 6 petals, in actual fact they have 3 striped sepals (paler and thinner) and 3 striped petals. The strange petals with tassels (fimbriae - latin for fringes) are lilac in colour. The flowers ONLY LAST A FEW HOURS! So we was very popular when we saw a lot of them about 100m from the car and we said "I'll photograph those tomorrow"; because we was tired at the time. It's quite bizarre when you realise there were 20+ plants all flowering at the same time, just for that one day. Fortunately; another 5 popped up in the same area later and we was able to redeem myself Imaged 19(5B,3Fl,1Fr) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Aug(1), Sep(1B), Oct(4:1B,1Fl), Nov(9:3B,2Fl,1Fr) & Dec(2) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Asparagus Asparagaceae (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Twining Fringe-lily Thysanotus patersonii iNaturalist | LC m a c | Similar Species: Mallee Fringe-lily (Thysanotus baueri) Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us Flowers look very similar to the Mallee Fringe-lily, but as you can see the plant habit is totally different. As it's common name indicates, it's a climber and wraps itself around other plant stems to gain height (~200mm or so). Also snakes around on the ground flowering. We weren't able to find any leaves. Imaged 6 in Jun(1) & Oct(5) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Asparagus Asparagaceae (5 species 2 from Ellura) | Grassy Fringe-lily Thysanotus tenellus iNaturalist | P-R f | Thank you Stephen Fricker for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Nov | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Asphodels Asphodelaceae (1 species 1 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) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Hemerocallis Hemerocallidaceae (2 species 1 from Ellura) | Blue Grass-lily Caesia calliantha iNaturalist | VU m a c | Thank you Alan Dandie
& Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us While it looks like the flowers have 6 petals, they are 3 petals and 3 sepals. Imaged 20(3B,3Fl,1Fr) in Sep(4), Oct(14:3B,3Fl,1Fr) & Nov(2) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Hemerocallis Hemerocallidaceae (2 species 1 from Ellura) | Black-anther Flax-lily Dianella revoluta iNaturalist | LC e m a f r |
Thank you Alan Dandie & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us While it looks like the flowers have 6 petals, they are 3 petals and 3 sepals. Imaged 30(7B,9Fl,2Fr) in Mar(1), Jun(1), Jul(2), Aug(6:2B), Sep(6:3B,2Fl,1Fr), Oct(10:2B,5Fl,1Fr), Nov(2:1Fl) & Dec(2:1Fl) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Hypoxis Hypoxidaceae (1 species 1 from Ellura) | Tiny Star Pauridia glabella var glabella iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Geoffrey Cox for confirming the id of this species for us Flowers ~8mm to ~14mm wide. Leaves ~1mm wide. While it looks like the flowers have 6 petals, they are 3 petals and 3 sepals. There is a very similar one that is generally larger, Yellow Star (Pauridia vaginata). The differences are difficult to spot in photographs unless they are targetted with a macro lens. P. vaginata has flowers 15-25 mm wide, leaves 1-3.5 mm wide. As you can see, sizes meet so can't be used to distinguish in all cases; ie a large Tiny Star is the same size as a small Yellow Star. A more reliable diagnostic (remember, plants can get eaten so a missing bract isn't definitive) are the bract counts. Geoff said "P. vaginata has one bract part way up the stem". Pauridia glabella has 2 bracts at the base of the flower stem, as shown here. Imaged 25(5Fl) in Apr(1), Jun(4), Jul(3:1Fl), Aug(15:2Fl), Sep(1Fl) & Oct(1Fl) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Iris Iridaceae (4 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) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Iris Iridaceae (4 species 1 from Ellura) | Guildford Iris Romulea rosea var australis | If a |
NB: It's an iris, not a grass, so the old common name is very misleading Imaged 2 in Sep(1) & Oct(1) | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Iris Iridaceae (4 species 1 from Ellura) | Guildford Iris Romulea rosea var communis | If m a |
Imaged 2 in Sep | ||||
| Asparagus Asparagales (13 species 6 from Ellura) | Iris Iridaceae (4 species 1 from Ellura) | Guildford Iris Romulea rosea var reflexa | If a |
Imaged 1 in Sep | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Bellflower Campanulaceae (2 species 1 from Ellura) | Annual Bluebell Wahlenbergia gracilenta iNaturalist | LC m r |
Thank you Dr Peter Lang for identifying this species for us We were stumped with this one, both from being white & having a hairy calyx. We couldn't find a match. Peter said "I'm always pleased when I see forms with hairs on the hypanthium, as it is a good indicator of W. gracilenta (along with its annual habit). However, it is more often than not glabrous. Variably hairy on fruit and calyx, and often white. Always annual." Imaged 1 in Sep | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Bellflower Campanulaceae (2 species 1 from Ellura) | Bluebell Wahlenbergia sp | LC e m a |
These are very hard to differentiate between species. They vary greatly within species, so "keys" overlap. As such, next spring we will focus on individual specimens; photographing and taking note of more "keys" each time to hopefully identify them down to species level. Imaged 5(1B,3Fl) in Feb(1), Oct(3:1B,2Fl) & Nov(1Fl) | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Goodenia Goodeniaceae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Clasping Goodenia Goodenia amplexans iNaturalist | Na f | Thank you InsideRelic for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Nov | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Goodenia Goodeniaceae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Cup Velleia Goodenia connata iNaturalist | EN m |
Thank you Andrew Thornhill for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 2(1Fl) in Sep | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Goodenia Goodeniaceae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Cut-leaf Goodenia Goodenia pinnatifida iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 18(3B,8Fl,3Fr) in Aug(1), Sep(3:1B,1Fl,2Fr), Oct(12:1B,6Fl,1Fr) & Nov(2:1B,1Fl) | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Goodenia Goodeniaceae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Small-flower Goodenia Goodenia pusilliflora iNaturalist | LC e m | Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 13(4Fl) in Jul(1), Aug(7:3Fl), Sep(3) & Oct(2:1Fl) | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Goodenia Goodeniaceae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Woolly Goodenia Goodenia robusta iNaturalist | LC m f | Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 2 in Nov | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Goodenia Goodeniaceae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Sticky Goodenia Goodenia varia iNaturalist | LC e m | Thank you Dr Kym Nicolson & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 10(3Fl) in Jan(1), Mar(1), May(1), Jul(1), Oct(2Fl), Nov(3:1Fl) & Dec(1) | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Goodenia Goodeniaceae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Silver Goodenia Goodenia willisiana iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Similar Species: Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) Thank you Matt Campbell & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Would never have guessed this was a Goodenia until we finally saw it flower. They are perennial (live longer than 2 years) but ours get eaten &/or dry up, leaving only the root stock in the ground over summer. This makes them seem like annuals. Plants are up to ~60mm in diameter and very variable; from silver to pale green. The flowers are short lived, but typical Goodenia flowers, yellow with 5 petals. They last about a week (hence missed them last spring, and still don't have many bud photos!) and are small, not at all obvious like Velleia, etc. But the leaves are so different, we thought it was some sort of Nightshade (Solanaceae). With our specimens, the pale green leaves are basal (only come from the ground / root) with a fine woolly texture that makes them look silver; which varies with age. There is a bit more wool on the back than the face of the leaves. They also look as though they have thorns on the leaf edges, but in fact they are entire (plain, smooth edged); the woolly hairs tuft up looking like spines. Apprantly they can be toothed. Leaves start out rolled & linear and then open out; some even become spatulate (like a spoon / spatula) Our flowering specimens are in a sparse patch of about 20 on the south west side of a mallee tree. We lost our other patch which was in the open and seemed greener (the new camera has GPS, so that'll never happen again) Imaged 19(2B,3Fl) in Jan(1), Mar(1), Apr(1), Jul(3), Aug(5), Sep(4:1B,1Fl) & Oct(4:1B,2Fl) | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Goodenia Goodeniaceae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Toothed Velleia Velleia arguta iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us A very unusual looking yellow flower, with 5 petals, on the end of long stems. 3 of the petals lay out flat, with 2 curved upwards. The petals have frilled edges. Imaged 47(5B,40Fl) in Apr(1Fl), Jul(1Fl), Aug(8:1B,3Fl), Sep(20:1B,19Fl), Oct(16:3B,15Fl) & Nov(1Fl) | ||||
| Sunflowers Asterales (11 species 6 from Ellura) | Triggerplant Stylidiaceae (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Hairy Stylewort Levenhookia dubia iNaturalist | RA m c | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 2 in Oct | ||||
| Mustards & Allies Brassicales (9 species 5 from Ellura) | Mustard Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (8 species 5 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) | ||||
| Mustards & Allies Brassicales (9 species 5 from Ellura) | Mustard Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | 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) | ||||
| Mustards & Allies Brassicales (9 species 5 from Ellura) | Mustard Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | 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) | ||||
| Mustards & Allies Brassicales (9 species 5 from Ellura) | Mustard Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Earth Cress Geococcus pusillus iNaturalist | LC m | Thank you Helen Vonow (SA Herbarium) for identifying, Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming and Coral Johnston for helping with the id of this species for us Small prostrate plant ~50mm diameter. Leaves are heavily lobed, with small tufts of white hair scattered around. The lobes are arranged to appear like alternate leaflets. Flowers have 4 white petals near the base of the plant. Imaged 1 in Aug | ||||
| Mustards & Allies Brassicales (9 species 5 from Ellura) | Mustard Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Sweet Alyssum Lobularia maritima iNaturalist | If a | Thank you Jeanie Shelton
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Oct | ||||
| Mustards & Allies Brassicales (9 species 5 from Ellura) | Mustard Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Spreading Cress Phlegmatospermum eremaeum iNaturalist | P-R m | Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us Small prostrate plant ~20mm diameter. Basal leaves are spatulate, with newer/upper leaves being heavily lobed, with relatively long thin hairs laying parrallel to the main vein. Flowers are ~4mm wide, have 4 white petals on short stalks, with generally one flower per stalk, but can have more. Imaged 2 in Jul | ||||
| Mustards & Allies Brassicales (9 species 5 from Ellura) | Mustard Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Smooth Mustard Sisymbrium erysimoides | If e m |
Imaged 14(4B,5Fl,2Fr) in Jan(1), Jun(2), Jul(6:4B,5Fl,2Fr), Aug(2), Sep(1) & Oct(2) | ||||
| Mustards & Allies Brassicales (9 species 5 from Ellura) | Mustard Brassicaceae or Cruciferae (8 species 5 from Ellura) | Narrow Thread-petal Stenopetalum lineare iNaturalist | LC e m r | Thank you Dr Manfred Jusaitis for confirming the id of this species for us A very difficult plant to spot. Has 4 chocolate brown to dull yellow petals. The flowers are tiny, with the petals only 1mm or so long. We only found single stemmed, short (up to 200mm) plants. They can branch out and be up to 500mm high. Imaged 6(1B,1Fl,1Fr) in Aug(1), Sep(4:1B,1Fl,1Fr) & Oct(1) | ||||
| Mustards & Allies Brassicales (9 species 5 from Ellura) | Mignonette Resedaceae (1 species 0 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) | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales (8 species 3 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) | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales (8 species 3 from Ellura) | Carnation Caryophyllaceae (4 species 2 from Ellura) | Hairypink Petrorhagia dubia iNaturalist | If c |
Thank you BMCGoolie 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 1 in Oct | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales (8 species 3 from Ellura) | Carnation Caryophyllaceae (4 species 2 from Ellura) | 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) | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales (8 species 3 from Ellura) | Carnation Caryophyllaceae (4 species 2 from Ellura) | 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 | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales (8 species 3 from Ellura) | Sundew Droseraceae (2 species 0 from Ellura) | Tall Sundew Drosera auriculata | VU m a c | A very strange, dainty, carnivorous plant. When the plant dies, it goes completely black, as though poisoned. What we used to call the "mouths" are actually it's leaves! Imaged 25(2B,4Fl) in Jul(1), Aug(6:1B), Sep(4), Oct(10:1B,2Fl), Nov(3:1Fl) & Dec(1Fl) | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales (8 species 3 from Ellura) | Sundew Droseraceae (2 species 0 from Ellura) | Hooker's Sundew Drosera hookeri iNaturalist | Na a | Thank you Dr Miguel de Salas for confirming and Ralph Foster & Thilo Krueger for helping with the id of this species for us A small sundew with white flowers. It has basal leaves which are different shape to the stem leaves. At maturity it stands at under 100mm tall & 30mm wide. The flowers are ~10mm across. The leaves are a shield shape, which is diagnostic. It's easier to see their shape from the back. As with other sundews, the front of the leaf is covered with stems tipped in sticky sap that attracts insects. When one of these stems is moved by an insect the other stems move towards it to ensnare the insect, and then contract to the middle of the leaf to absorb the insect juices. Hooker's Sundew (Drosera hookeri) has recently been split into multiple species. It's possible that some of these photo's are Drosera gunniana, a new species with an old name. Miguel de Salas, who did the recent work on splitting out D. gunniana said "D. hookeri: top-branching, compound inflorescence with leaves and flowers, flower buds and fruit football-shaped with shorter, almost silky hairs." "I would expect a single stem, with perhaps a couple of simple, racemose inflorescences coming from the uppermost nodes, and a fuzzy-hairy, globular bud/fruit for D. gunniana." Further he said "... in Tasmania mixed populations of D. gunniana and D. hookeri are not uncommon. They have a slightly different habitat preference, but on grasslands and grassy woodlands it's not uncommon to find both. The fact that they often grow together and remain distinct is partly what prompted me to separate them." As our young plants (shown here) don't have enough diagnostic features, and it's possible D. gunniana and D. hookeri may be mixed, we have put the question mark on the id. Miguel did id one of our mature plants in this location, from photo's, to D. hookeri. We have labelled the photo's S1-8 (sightings 1-8), some of which are the same plants, but we didn't record which. Imaged 8 in Sep(4) & Oct(4) | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales (8 species 3 from Ellura) | Purslane Portulacaceae (2 species 1 from Ellura) | Pink Purslane Calandrinia calyptrata iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Surprisingly, the only way to truely separate C. calyptrata & C. eremaea (without having the seed) is to measure the width of the flower petals. This one having narrower petals at < 2mm. C. eremaea has petals >= 2mm. We thought we had both, but we only have one photo with a rule on the flower petals showing it's this one. So for now, we've moved all our Calandrinia to this species until we get a chance (hopefully this spring) to measure all of them. Imaged 27(6B,9Fl) in Jul(1), Aug(4:2B), Sep(14:4B,4Fl) & Oct(8:5Fl) | ||||
| Betalains Caryophyllales (8 species 3 from Ellura) | Purslane Portulacaceae (2 species 1 from Ellura) | Pygmy Purslane Calandrinia granulifera iNaturalist | LC m r | Thank you Ralph Foster for confirming the id of this species for us ~11mm wide, white/translucent flowers. Fresh anthers appear pink and go burgandy as they age. The stigma is pale/translucent. The leaves look split in two, but are basically buds. The flower pops out the middle of the two leaf halves!!!! Imaged 4(2Fl,2Fr) in Aug(2Fl) & Sep(2Fr) | ||||
| Heathers & Allies Ericales (2 species 0 from Ellura) | Primrose Primulaceae (2 species 0 from Ellura) | Scarlet Pimpernel Lysimachia arvensis var arvensis iNaturalist | If a | Thank you Jennifer Rycenga for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 4 in Apr(1) & Dec(3) | ||||
| Heathers & Allies Ericales (2 species 0 from Ellura) | Primrose Primulaceae (2 species 0 from Ellura) | Blue Scarlet Pimpernel Lysimachia loeflingii iNaturalist | If m |
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 1 in Sep | ||||
| Legumes Fabales (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae (7 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 | ||||
| Legumes Fabales (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Native Liquorice Glycyrrhiza acanthocarpa iNaturalist | RA m |
Thank you PlantBrah for confirming the id of this species for us A rambling plant easily mistaken for a weed. Pale lilac flowers with rust coloured seed pods that contrast with the rest of the plant. Summer flowering. Notice the flower sepals & stem are covered in salt. Unusual for a plant that isn't saltbush. You may think it a strange name, but the roots of it's foriegn relative, Glycyrrhiza glabra, are used to make Liquorice. Please, don't dig them up to try it, they are rare and need to flourish in the ground to spread their seed. Imaged 4 in Jan(3) & Apr(1) | ||||
| Legumes Fabales (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Scarlet Runner Kennedia prostrata | RA m a |
Imaged 17(4Fl) in Aug(2:1Fl), Sep(2), Oct(11:3Fl) & Nov(2) | ||||
| Legumes Fabales (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Burr Medic Medicago polymorpha | If e m |
Imaged 2 in Aug(1) & Oct(1) | ||||
| Legumes Fabales (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae (7 species 2 from Ellura) | 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) | ||||
| Legumes Fabales (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Bristly Bush-pea Pultenaea acerosa iNaturalist | RA m a | Imaged 1 in Aug | ||||
| Legumes Fabales (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Legume Fabaceae or Leguminosae (7 species 2 from Ellura) | Subterraneum Clover Trifolium subterraneum | If a |
Imaged 4 in Oct(3) & Nov(1) | ||||
| Centauries Gentianales (4 species 2 from Ellura) | Gentian Gentianaceae (3 species 2 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) | ||||
| Centauries Gentianales (4 species 2 from Ellura) | Gentian Gentianaceae (3 species 2 from Ellura) | 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) | ||||
| Centauries Gentianales (4 species 2 from Ellura) | Gentian Gentianaceae (3 species 2 from Ellura) | Spike Centaury Schenkia australis iNaturalist | LC e m a |
Similar Species: Branched Centaury (Centaurium tenuiflorum) Thank you BaronSamedi for confirming the id of this species for us This is one of the more tricky plants to separate out from it's introduced cousins. We have 3 different species, on this web site, which on initial inspection all look the same. We've waited two years to be sure that we actually had the native variety at Ellura, as our single stemmed & flower specimen was not big enough to be sure. But this year (2016, as well as 2022) the weather caused a mass germination of very healthy plants. All 3 can occur together, so it's important to identify each specimen before removing the introduced species. S. australis has a lop sided growth habit; such that one branch has a flower, and it's paired branch grows as one or more stems. This habit gives a "raceme" like appearance. The other 2 introduced species both branch equally with flowers on the ends of the branches. This gives a panicle of flowers. This is a generalised habit, though, it does not show on every single pair of branches. The side shot of the flower also shows a gap between the ends of the sepals & the turning of the petal. This is the same as C. erythraea, but different to C. tenuiflorum. We found C. erythraea to be significanly larger than S. australis. A very general rule of thumb is that the native has flowers in the middle of the plant, the weeds have the flowers at the top. Imaged 12(2B,3Fl) in Oct(3), Nov(7:1Fl) & Dec(2:2B,2Fl) | ||||
| Centauries Gentianales (4 species 2 from Ellura) | Madder Rubiaceae (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Twiggy Stinkweed Opercularia turpis iNaturalist | LC m c | Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us Male & Female plants. Very rush like habit, with distinctive green & white stiped stems. Imaged 2 in Oct | ||||
| Geraniums Geraniales (1 species 1 from Ellura) | Geranium Geraniaceae (1 species 1 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) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Forget-me-not Boraginaceae (6 species 4 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 | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Forget-me-not Boraginaceae (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Sweet Hound's-tongue Cynoglossum suaveolens | RA d a | Imaged 9 in Sep(1), Oct(4), Nov(3) & Dec(1) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Forget-me-not Boraginaceae (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Purple Peril Echium plantagineum | If e m a |
Imaged 5 in Apr(1), Jun(1), Oct(2) & Nov(1) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Forget-me-not Boraginaceae (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Heliotrope Heliotropium europaeum | LC e m |
It flourishes in wet summers here in SA, but also grows in drier seasons; with the seeds geminating after warm weather & rain (eg late spring). It is a toxic plant (attacking the liver) and kills livestock (sheep & cattle), possibly taking years after grazzing on this weed for symptoms & death to occur. Some research suggests it also causes problems in Wombats. Considered an introduced weed for a long time, it is currently considered native. Imaged 5 in Jan(1), Feb(2), Mar(1) & Apr(1) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Forget-me-not Boraginaceae (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Hairy Sheepweed Neatostema apulum | If e m |
Imaged 9 in Mar(1), Oct(5) & Nov(3) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Forget-me-not Boraginaceae (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Burr Stickseed Omphalolappula concava | NT e m | Imaged 13(2B,3Fl,3Fr) in Aug(6:1B,2Fl,2Fr), Sep(5:1B,1Fl,1Fr) & Oct(2) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Mint Lamiaceae (6 species 3 from Ellura) | Australian Bugle Ajuga australis iNaturalist | RA m f |
Thank you BaronSamedi for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 5 in Jul(1), Oct(1) & Nov(3) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Mint Lamiaceae (6 species 3 from Ellura) | Horehound Marrubium vulgare iNaturalist | If e m |
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 8(1Fr) in Mar(1), May(1), Jul(1), Sep(1), Oct(3) & Dec(1Fr) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Mint Lamiaceae (6 species 3 from Ellura) | 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) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Mint Lamiaceae (6 species 3 from Ellura) | 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 11(1Fl) in Jan(1), Feb(1), Mar(1), Apr(1), Jun(1), Aug(1), Sep(3:1Fl), Oct(1) & Nov(1) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Mint Lamiaceae (6 species 3 from Ellura) | Scurfy Germander Teucrium albicaule | VU m | Imaged 4 in Jan(2), Mar(1) & Dec(1) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Mint Lamiaceae (6 species 3 from Ellura) | Grey Germander Teucrium racemosum iNaturalist | LC m | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 6(1Fl) in Jan(1), Feb(1Fl), Mar(1), Apr(2) & Jul(1) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Plantain Plantaginaceae (3 species 2 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 | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Plantain Plantaginaceae (3 species 2 from Ellura) | Clay Plantain Plantago cunninghamii iNaturalist | NT e m |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 2 in Sep(1) & Oct(1) | ||||
| Mints Lamiales (15 species 9 from Ellura) | Plantain Plantaginaceae (3 species 2 from Ellura) | Crowned Plantain Plantago turrifera iNaturalist | RA e m r |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 26(1Fl) in Apr(1), May(3), Jul(3), Aug(8), Sep(9:1Fl) & Oct(2) | ||||
| Lilies Liliales (5 species 1 from Ellura) | Spikelily and Allies Colchicaceae (2 species 1 from Ellura) | Short-leaf Early Nancy Wurmbea dioica ssp brevifolia iNaturalist | LC e m |
Thank you Ralph Foster & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us What a happy little flowering plant this is. It's like it's got a target painted on it saying "Look at me, spring is here!" Very bold, 6 petaled (actually 3 petals + 3 sepals), white flowers rimmed with deep maroon/purple. With up to 5 or more flowers on one little stem. It has 3 leaves, one basal, two wrapped from the stem (one in the mid section, the other under the flowers). The higher leaf looks like a hand holding the flower stem. It's been 10 years since we've seen one of these flowers and were so pleased to find them on Ellura. The top leaf being truncated at the point of narrowing is diagnostic. However, you need to ensure it hasn't been eaten! In the photo "Patch of Fruiting Females" you can see all the short upper leaves (hence ssp brevifolia), which are starting to dry & yellow. Imaged 19(3B,6Fl,3Fr) in Jul(3), Aug(15:3B,6Fl,2Fr) & Sep(1Fr) | ||||
| Lilies Liliales (5 species 1 from Ellura) | Spikelily and Allies Colchicaceae (2 species 1 from Ellura) | Long-leaf Early Nancy Wurmbea dioica ssp dioica | RA d a |
Notice the 3 leaves; all 3 with significant length past the point where the leaves narrow. In the "Whole" photo you can see the upper leaf is quite long compared with ssp brevifolia above. As it turns out the purple patterns are not diagnostic in that the flowers can be totally white. We've not seen this, but variations in thickness, colour and purpled edged petals are all variable within the species. Imaged 9 in Aug(1), Sep(5) & Oct(3) | ||||
| Lilies Liliales (5 species 1 from Ellura) | Lily Liliaceae (3 species 0 from Ellura) | Bulbine Lily Bulbine bulbosa iNaturalist | Na m a |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 11(2B,3Fl) in Sep(2), Oct(4:1B,1Fl) & Nov(5:1B,2Fl) | ||||
| Lilies Liliales (5 species 1 from Ellura) | Lily Liliaceae (3 species 0 from Ellura) | Milkmaids Burchardia umbellata | RA m a c | Imaged 18(2B,6Fl,1Fr) in Oct(2), Nov(13:1B,6Fl) & Dec(3:1B,1Fr) | ||||
| Lilies Liliales (5 species 1 from Ellura) | Lily Liliaceae (3 species 0 from Ellura) | Yellow Rush-lily Tricoryne elatior iNaturalist | RA m a c |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 5 in Jan(2), Oct(1) & Dec(2) | ||||
| Spurges & Allies Malpighiales (2 species 0 from Ellura) | Flax Linaceae (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Native Flax Linum marginale iNaturalist | LC m c | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Thin, grass-like plant with lilac, 5-petalled flowers. Imaged 4 in Oct | ||||
| Spurges & Allies Malpighiales (2 species 0 from Ellura) | 2 Ovule Spurge Phyllanthaceae (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Small Poranthera Poranthera microphylla iNaturalist | RA m a c | Thank you Reiner Richter & Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us These range is size quite about as mature flowering plants. We've seen them from around only 30mm across to ~100mm. From prostrate to upright. This has all the haulmarks of a spurge; that fat little fruit forming in front of the flower. These have 5 white petals, flowering from Sept. Imaged 6(1Fl) in Aug(1), Sep(2) & Oct(3:1Fl) | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales (4 species 3 from Ellura) | Mallow Malvaceae (3 species 3 from Ellura) | Clustered Lawrencia Lawrencia glomerata iNaturalist | NT e m |
Thank you Glenys and Graham Pearce for identifying and Dr Manfred Jusaitis for confirming the id of this species for us A small plant that dies off in the summer heat. Seedlings look similar to Corrugated Sida. The basal leaves are much wider and have a large number of lobes/teeth compared with those on the flowering/fruiting stems; which are narrow & toothed on the tip or entire. What strange flowers these have. The flowers appear petalless, but in fact have 5 translucent petals; showing as green & sometimes yellowish depending on the background. Flowers are defined as being bisexual, but there do seem to be male only flowers; while all flowers with female style also have anthers (that we've seen). Often the anthers seem a brilliant white; rather than yellow. This seems to only occur when female parts (styles) are present. Perhaps they have no pollen, but maintain the anther structure, making them a purely female flower? The male flowers tend to stand up like tiny little trees, where as the bisexual & female flowers primarily show the styles; the anther structures tend to stay smaller & closer to the calyx. In time the styles turn purple and shrivel up, leaving a little purple tip in the middle of the anther structures. When fertilised, the sepals fold in, the petals dry and the fruit forms. Imaged 13 in Jan(1), Apr(2), Jul(1), Aug(3), Sep(1), Oct(4) & Nov(1) | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales (4 species 3 from Ellura) | Mallow Malvaceae (3 species 3 from Ellura) | Corrugated Sida Sida corrugata | RA e m | Similar Species: Limestone Sida (Sida spodochroma) Generally darker green to Limestone Sida (Sida spodochroma), but S. spodochroma can be as green. We differentiate them by the "hair" on the leaf and the habit. S. corrugata has tufts of "hair" on an otherwise glaborous surface. While S. spodochroma is velted; very fine hair covering the whole leaf. The petals on S. corrugata seem to be well separated, while Sida spodochroma petals seem to overlap more. S. corrugata seems to have a more wood bush like appearance. S. spodochroma has much more of an annual, prostrate appearance. But this is probably more to do with the fact that S. spodochroma is so heavily grazed it barely gets a chance to age into a mature bush. These are just our observations as it appears these plants confuse the experts as well. With the taxonomy sea sawing between different various species & sub-species. Both varieties are now also recognised as separate at a Federal level, not just at a State level. Imaged 2(1Fl) in Jan(1Fl) & Jul(1) | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales (4 species 3 from Ellura) | Mallow Malvaceae (3 species 3 from Ellura) | Limestone Sida Sida spodochroma iNaturalist | VU e m | Similar Species: Corrugated Sida (Sida corrugata) Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us A very small pale / grey green plant; almost white in bright sunlight. It gets eaten, by summer, and then re-sprouts in winter. To see our first flower we had to protect one of the larger plants from grazing by kangaroos; we placed a dead bush over it. See our notes above under Corrugated Sida (Sida corrugata var corrugata) to see how we differentiate our local plants. Asimakis Patitsas told us ‘spodo chroma’ meaning ‘ash coloured’ in Greek. Imaged 41(3B,8Fl,4Fr) in Jan(1), Feb(3:1B,2Fl), Mar(10:1B,3Fl), Apr(3:1B,1Fr), May(2:1Fl,2Fr), Jun(4), Jul(2), Aug(3), Sep(3), Oct(7:1Fl,1Fr), Nov(2:1Fl) & Dec(1) | ||||
| Hibisci Malvales (4 species 3 from Ellura) | Daphne Thymelaeaceae (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Small Riceflower Pimelea humilis iNaturalist | RA m a c | Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 8(1B,3Fl) in Oct(1) & Nov(7:1B,3Fl) | ||||
| Wood Sorrels Oxalidales (1 species 1 from Ellura) | Sorrel Oxalidaceae (1 species 1 from Ellura) | Native Sorrel Oxalis perennans iNaturalist | LC e m a c |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us It is very similar to it's cousin the Soursob (Oxalis pes-caprae). However, it is smaller, has a creeping habit and does not have bulbs. Imaged 20(5B,12Fl,4Fr) in Jan(1:1B,1Fl), Feb(3:1B,1Fl), Mar(4:1B,4Fl,2Fr), May(1Fr), Jul(1:1B,1Fl), Aug(1Fl), Sep(3:1B,1Fr), Oct(4:2Fl), Nov(1Fl) & Dec(1Fl) | ||||
| Grasses & Sedges Poales (6 species 1 from Ellura) | Small Herb Centrolepidaceae (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Dwarf Aphelia Aphelia pumilio | Na a | Thank you Peri Coleman for identifying this species for us A strange little plant with petalless flowers. Not much larger than moss, the top of the flowers stand at ~10mm, with leaves around 20mm long. The flowers are a fan shape array of bracts. Imaged 3 in Oct | ||||
| Grasses & Sedges Poales (6 species 1 from Ellura) | Grass Poaceae (5 species 1 from Ellura) | Feather Spear-grass Austrostipa elegantissima iNaturalist | LC e m r | Thank you Darren Schmitke & Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 5 in Oct(3), Nov(1) & Dec(1) | ||||
| Grasses & Sedges Poales (6 species 1 from Ellura) | Grass Poaceae (5 species 1 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) | ||||
| Grasses & Sedges Poales (6 species 1 from Ellura) | Grass Poaceae (5 species 1 from Ellura) | 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 | ||||
| Grasses & Sedges Poales (6 species 1 from Ellura) | Grass Poaceae (5 species 1 from Ellura) | 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 | ||||
| Grasses & Sedges Poales (6 species 1 from Ellura) | Grass Poaceae (5 species 1 from Ellura) | Echidna Grass Triodia scariosa iNaturalist | LC m r |
Thank you Darren Schmitke for identifying this species for us Alan Bedggood said "Triodia species are hard to determine without access to the flower spike and, preferably, a couple of individual florets. The size and shape of the three lobes on the floret is diagnostic. The presence or absence of resin on the leaves and sheaths helps" Imaged 9(1Fl) in Apr(1), Jul(2), Aug(1), Sep(3) & Oct(2:1Fl) | ||||
| Polypod Ferns Polypodiales (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Fern Pteridaceae (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Maiden-hair Fern Adiantum aethiopicum iNaturalist | Na f | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Nov | ||||
| Buttercups Ranunculales (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Poppy Papaveraceae (1 species 0 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) | ||||
| Roses Rosales (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Rose Rosaceae (1 species 0 from Ellura) | Sheep's Burr Acaena echinata iNaturalist | RA m a c |
Thank you Hayley Pojikar Prentice for identifying this species for us In South Australia there are two similar species. The other being Downy Sheep's Burr (Acaena ovina) which is much hairier/downy under the leaves. The other local species in the genus have quite different seed/flower heads, looking like balls. Imaged 13 in Aug(1), Oct(10), Nov(1) & Dec(1) | ||||
| Rockfoils Saxifragales (8 species 2 from Ellura) | Stonecrop Crassulaceae (3 species 2 from Ellura) | Dense Stonecrop Crassula colorata | LC e m |
Imaged 1 in Aug | ||||
| Rockfoils Saxifragales (8 species 2 from Ellura) | Stonecrop Crassulaceae (3 species 2 from Ellura) | Spreading Stonecrop Crassula decumbens iNaturalist | LC m a c |
Thank you Alan Dandie for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 6 in Aug(2), Sep(2) & Oct(2) | ||||
| Rockfoils Saxifragales (8 species 2 from Ellura) | Stonecrop Crassulaceae (3 species 2 from Ellura) | Australian Stonecrop Crassula tetramera | LC e m |
Imaged 12(1Fl,4Fr) in Jul(2), Aug(2:1Fl), Sep(6:3Fr) & Oct(2:1Fr) | ||||
| Rockfoils Saxifragales (8 species 2 from Ellura) | Raspwort Haloragaceae (5 species 0 from Ellura) | Hill Raspwort Gonocarpus elatus iNaturalist | RA m a | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 5 in Jun(2), Aug(1) & Oct(2) | ||||
| Rockfoils Saxifragales (8 species 2 from Ellura) | Raspwort Haloragaceae (5 species 0 from Ellura) | Broad-leaf Raspwort Gonocarpus mezianus iNaturalist | RA m a c | Thank you Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us The yellow flowers in this photo are from something else. The Raspwort is in bud and has different flowers. Imaged 3(2B,1Fl) in Aug(1) & Oct(2:2B,1Fl) | ||||
| Rockfoils Saxifragales (8 species 2 from Ellura) | Raspwort Haloragaceae (5 species 0 from Ellura) | Small-leaf Raspwort Gonocarpus tetragynus iNaturalist | RA m a c | Thank you Hayley Pojikar Prentice for identifying and Alan Dandie
for confirming the id of this species for us The leaves are only 9mm long by 2.5mm wide, with tiny petalless flowers only 2.5mm wide. The plants we found were up to 400mm high. Notice the heavily toothed leaves; which are shiny on top and matt, almost fibrous under. Imaged 7(2Fl) in Oct(3:2Fl), Nov(1) & Dec(3) | ||||
| Rockfoils Saxifragales (8 species 2 from Ellura) | Raspwort Haloragaceae (5 species 0 from Ellura) | Smooth Raspwort Haloragis acutangula iNaturalist | RA m | Thank you Denzel Murfet for identifying, Andrew Thornhill for confirming and Darren Schmitke, Ralph Foster & Daniel Duval for helping with the id of this species for us We thought this was the endangered species, Haloragis odontocarpa forma pterocarpa. It's still a rare plant, in abundance after 2 years of fire recovery in the area it was found. Imaged 4 in Sep(2) & Oct(2) | ||||
| Rockfoils Saxifragales (8 species 2 from Ellura) | Raspwort Haloragaceae (5 species 0 from Ellura) | Rough Raspwort Haloragis aspera iNaturalist | RA m | Thank you Dr Manfred Jusaitis for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 1 in Nov | ||||
| Potatoes Solanales (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Bindweed Convolvulaceae (3 species 3 from Ellura) | Australian Bindweed Convolvulus angustissimus ssp angustissimus iNaturalist | RA e m |
Thank you Asimakis Patitsas for confirming the id of this species for us Pretty little pink flower (about the size of a finger-nail) with green leaves and runners that can climb. The flower has a unique way of opening by "unfolding"; as it is a single petal. The fold lines are plainly visible. It gives it the appearance of an origami (paper) flower. Imaged 7(1Fl) in Mar(1), Jun(1), Sep(3:1Fl) & Oct(2) | ||||
| Potatoes Solanales (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Bindweed Convolvulaceae (3 species 3 from Ellura) | Grassland Bindweed Convolvulus angustissimus ssp peninsularum | RA e m | Imaged 2(1Fl) in Aug(1Fl) & Sep(1) | ||||
| Potatoes Solanales (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Bindweed Convolvulaceae (3 species 3 from Ellura) | Grassy Bindweed Convolvulus remotus iNaturalist | LC e m c | Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 4 in Oct(1), Nov(1) & Dec(2) | ||||
| Potatoes Solanales (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Nightshade Solanaceae (3 species 1 from Ellura) | Small-flowered Tobacco Nicotiana goodspeedii iNaturalist | LC e m | Thank you Karen Weaving for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 16(1B,8Fl,1Fr) in Jan(1Fl), Mar(1Fl), Apr(4), May(1Fl), Aug(1), Sep(1Fl), Oct(5:1B,2Fl,1Fr), Nov(1Fl) & Dec(1Fl) | ||||
| Potatoes Solanales (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Nightshade Solanaceae (3 species 1 from Ellura) | 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 | ||||
| Potatoes Solanales (6 species 4 from Ellura) | Nightshade Solanaceae (3 species 1 from Ellura) | Kangaroo Apple Solanum simile iNaturalist | LC m |
Thank you Ralph Foster & Dr Kym Nicolson for confirming the id of this species for us These can grow to 2m, so the one depicted here is quite young & small at ~0.5m high; after 2 years of fire recovery. Imaged 2 in Sep | ||||
| Twinleaves Zygophyllales (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Caltrop Zygophyllaceae (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Pointed Twinleaf Roepera apiculata iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Similar Species: Pale Twinleaf (Roepera glauca) Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Large round green leaves, split in two (hence the "twinleaf"). Flowers are rich yellow, 5 petals, with a green centre (the emerging fruit). The fruit is a stubby 5 finned affair which reminds us of an upside down crown. For us, the common name (Common Twinleaf) is a misnomer as the Shrubby Twinleaf is far more numerous on Ellura than this. And you can't see the points on the fruits until you get up close & personal. We refer to this one as "broad-leaved" to avoid confusion. We also don't use the term "common" to describe any of our native species, it belies the importance of them. We are in information overload, so haven't managed to learn all the scientific names yet (just can't seem to remember apiculatum .... it'll happen There is a very similar species in the region, Pale Twinleaf (Roepera glauca). Both are Least Concern. It generally has paler leaves, but this is misleading where different specimens are healthier than others (ie R. apiculata can look pale in the hot weather). However, it can be differentiate by 4 petals on the flowers and a very different shaped fruit; an eliptical, 4 finned affair. Generally R. apiculata is more upright & bushy. R. glauca is more prostrate. Imaged 43(2B,11Fl,2Fr) in Jan(2), Mar(2), Apr(1), May(2), Jun(3), Jul(10:3Fl), Aug(11:1B,6Fl,1Fr), Sep(6:1B,1Fl,1Fr), Oct(3) & Nov(3:1Fl) | ||||
| Twinleaves Zygophyllales (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Caltrop Zygophyllaceae (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Notched Twinleaf Roepera crenata iNaturalist | LC m |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 2 in Aug(1) & Oct(1) | ||||
| Twinleaves Zygophyllales (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Caltrop Zygophyllaceae (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Pale Twinleaf Roepera glauca iNaturalist | LC m |
Similar Species: Pointed Twinleaf (Roepera apiculata) Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Flowers are ~25mm across, while fruit bodies are ~10mm long. 4 petals, with fruits that have 4 fins. Generally paler leaves than R. apiculata, but not always (as seen here). The fruits dry to pale brown papery drupe. You can see the shape of the fruit in the middle of the flower, which aids substantially with identification. Imaged 1 in Aug | ||||
| Twinleaves Zygophyllales (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Caltrop Zygophyllaceae (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Violet Twinleaf Roepera iodocarpa iNaturalist | LC m |
Thank you Ralph Foster for confirming the id of this species for us The fruits should have 5 wings. Notice here we happen to centre on the one that only had 4. This highlights how small they are and wasn't intentional. Not sure if this is a one off mutation, or if the number of wings varies. Also notice the petals are small & white. We didn't see the normally larger yellow petals associated with this species. When these shots were taken there had been significant rainfall recently, but the ground has already dried out, becoming dusty. Found in an area that may be an ephemeral lake. Imaged 2 in Oct | ||||
| Twinleaves Zygophyllales (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Caltrop Zygophyllaceae (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Dwarf Twinleaf Roepera ovata iNaturalist | LC e m r |
Thank you Peter Crowcroft & Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us A very small plant with green flower & leaves with red stems. Imaged 41(2B,5Fl,6Fr) in Jan(1), Mar(4), Apr(3), May(3), Jun(1), Jul(3), Aug(8), Sep(12:2B,5Fl,5Fr), Oct(5:1Fr) & Nov(1) | ||||
| Twinleaves Zygophyllales (6 species 2 from Ellura) | Caltrop Zygophyllaceae (6 species 2 from Ellura) | White Twinleaf Roepera similis iNaturalist | LC m |
Thank you Tony and Jenny Dominelli for confirming the id of this species for us Imaged 5 in Jul(2), Aug(2) & Sep(1) | ||||
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