Sometimes it pays off to photograph plants that appear to be weeds or insignificant in appearance. These days I mostly use my phone to photograph plants, and I debated whether it would be worth trying to capture a weedy looking tendril with red dots on it. The phone had a few issues, and it is … Continue reading Common Raspwort (Gonocarpus tetragynus)
Category: Plants
Autumn Wasp Orchid (Chiloglottis Reflexa)
We have been watching a patch of orchid leaves for years. Each year they grow rich and green and full of promise, then curl up without flowering. We thought they looked like Bird Orchid leaves, as they showed up in that ‘bow-tie’ formation in a reasonable sized colony. This year, I am delighted to say, … Continue reading Autumn Wasp Orchid (Chiloglottis Reflexa)
Rush-leaf Sun-Orchid (Thelymitra juncifolia) vs. Spotted Sun-Orchid (Thelymitra ixioides)
For many years I have been photographing the Spotted Sun Orchid (Thelymitra ixioides) on our property. I was aware that there was a variation in colour and often in the location of the spots. Recently, with the help of ‘Bush Gems’ an excellent reference to Victoria’s orchids by Gary Backhouse, I realise there are two … Continue reading Rush-leaf Sun-Orchid (Thelymitra juncifolia) vs. Spotted Sun-Orchid (Thelymitra ixioides)
Hedge Wattle (Acacia paradoxa)
Over the years we have been here, I have photographed many plants which are waiting to be identified. I first photographed Hedge Wattle in 2013 when I spotted a spindly branch dotted with yellow flowers in front of a tree I was trying to capture. In October 2017 I found another specimen of Hedge Wattle … Continue reading Hedge Wattle (Acacia paradoxa)
Pale Vanilla Lily – White?
Happy New Year to you! On this first day of 2017, the cold and damp weather is still with us. A few days ago, we were complaining about being too hot, and now we’re cold again. One positive of the cool weather is the prolonged flowering season. In particular, the Pale Vanilla Lily (Arthropodium milleflorum) … Continue reading Pale Vanilla Lily – White?
Ivy Leaf Violets, Sundews, Rice Flowers and Goodenias
As I wrote about last week, and as requested by Nature on the Edge here are some photographs of the smaller plants, such as Ivy Leaf Violets, Rice Flowers, Pale Sundews and Goodenias which seem to be flourishing this year, with the wet weather and prolonged cooler temperatures. We’ve had carpets of colour in the grass … Continue reading Ivy Leaf Violets, Sundews, Rice Flowers and Goodenias
Natural Re-vegetation Around the Dam
Recently, I wrote about the falling water level in the Dam. I’ve noticed many small plants growing close to the new perimeter of the water. These have all grown naturally from seed dispersed in the air or deposited when birds and mammals go to the dam for a drink. I thought it might be interesting to … Continue reading Natural Re-vegetation Around the Dam
X is for Xanthorrhoea!
Last year I wrote a post about Xanthorrhoea, using my only reference guide at the time to try to determine the species. A few comments suggested I had incorrectly named the plant as Xanthorrhoea Resinosa when it was more likely to be Xanthorrhoea Minor. The feedback was probably correct. However, by the time I could check, the flowers … Continue reading X is for Xanthorrhoea!
Tall Sundew – Carnivorous plant
I took this photo in November, and was unable to identify the name of the flower. In my many Google searches to find the species of a caterpillar for a post, I came across a brochure called “Threatened Species of Central Victoria” designed for school children by the Koala Connect project, through the Australian Koala … Continue reading Tall Sundew – Carnivorous plant
Waxlip Orchid (Glossodia major)
In mid-October we had a few Waxlip Orchids flowering. They seem to be solitary, just one here and there, but their beauty certainly captures my attention when I walk past one. I’m still a novice when it comes to native Australian wildflowers, so I rely heavily on references. The one I am using to identify … Continue reading Waxlip Orchid (Glossodia major)
Xanthorrhoea Minor
A number of the plants which I thought were native grasses, have developed large flowering spikes, but others have remained flower free. Keen to find out more about this, I consulted Denise Grieg’s excellent book ‘Field Guide to Australian Wildflowers‘ which I picked up last week. An excellent reference! According to Grieg, these plants are … Continue reading Xanthorrhoea Minor
Fifteen Acres 