This first month of spring did not disappoint with lots of wildflowers beginning to bloom around the parks so let’s take a look at some of the beauties that were spotted at Swainsona!
It was pretty special to see three different species of Pterostylis orchids flowering at the same time, although this genus contains around 300 species which are commonly referred to as ‘greenhoods’! Luckily the ones growing at Swainsona are quite distinct and not so difficult to tell apart! We had the maroonhood (P. pedunculata) with its reddish brown to black tinged flower; the blunt greenhood (P. curta) with a larger flower, shorter lateral sepals, and twisted labellum; and finally the nodding greenhood (P. nutans) whose flower ‘nods’ or leans forward.
We’ve seen austral bear’s ear (Cymbonotus perissianus) with its bright yellow daisy-like flowers sitting up from a rosette of leaves, the yellow and orange of the handsome flat pea (Platylobium formosum), and lots of small white Brachyscome daisies.
Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica) is widespread across most of Australia except for the Northern Territory and gets its name from its tendency to be one of the first plants to flower in spring. It is usually easily distinguishable by the bright purple nectary band across its white tepals. Early Nancys also produce different types of flowers: male flowers have red to purplish anthers while female flowers have a superior purple ovary and three styles. Lots of these are out at Swainsona!
Pink lady fingers (Caladenia carnea) are also out in good numbers. These orchids have a single leaf and between one and five flowers which can vary from bright pink or a paler hue through to white. They have red stripes and two rows of yellow-tipped ‘calli’ on their labellum.
Waxlip orchids (Glossodia major) are larger than pink fingers and have purple sepals and petals which are white with purple spots at the base. The labellum is white with a purple tip.
The sundews have had a great start to spring and are out in force at Swainsona. The particular species found here is likely the tall sundew (Drosera auriculata) and is different to those found at Castle Creek Conservation Reserve (D. gunniana). These plants are carnivorous – the sticky hairs on the leaves trap insects which are then digested by enzymes and absorbed. This is an adaptation to living in poor nutrient soils.
But that’s not all – other flowers have started to bloom in the last week or so with more to come later in the season as well. So it doesn’t matter when you go, there is always something to see!
