Kangaroo Paw
The two species of the Kangaroo Paw; Anigozanthos and Macropidia occur endemically is the southwest of Western Australia, in a variety of habitats and soils.
The size, flower-stalk height and colour of kangaroo paws vary between the different species. However many new forms have also resin due to deliberate hybridisation. The overall colour of the flower is influenced by the fine coloured hairs, which is found all over the flower, sometimes on the stalk and opens at the apex with six claw-like structures. The flowers shape and position of the pollen-bearing anthers is a feature which allows animals like birds to deposit the pollen as it is transferred from one flower to another. This species flowers in late spring through to early summer with golden yellow flowers on stems to 1.2 metres and is found on the sand plains between Perth and Geraldton. |
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Desert Pea
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Sturt’s Desert Pea Swainsona formosa, are endemic to Australia and is part of the fabacease family. The flower is only situated in Australia’s mainland and occurs in arid inland regions with annual rainfall of between 125 and 250mm per year. It flowering period can occur over a range from July to March depending on the timing of rainfall. In its natural habitat, it grows in calcareous, sandy soil in small depressions which channel water before it permeates into the soil.
Although the growth form of Sturt’s Desert Pea can vary, most forms are prostrate (flat), sprawling forms that produce gradual stems up to 2 m long, to which inflorescences arise at regular intervals bearing 6 -7 bright red flower stalks with a black shiny pea-looking bud. Sturt’s Desert Pea occasionally occurs in more shrubby, erect forms which are well-suited to planting and growing in pots. Within a year the desert pea as sprouted and complete its life cycle |
River Red Gum
The eucalyptus trees (gum) are the most diverse trees common to Australia. They are found in areas from sub-alpine to wet coastal forests, through to temperate woodlands and the dry inland areas. The native Australian animal, koala feeds exclusively on certain species of the eucalypts.
One of the species Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) is a common and a widespread tree situated along watercourses over much of mainland Australia. Eucalyptus camaldulensis is a single stemmed, medium-sized to up to 30m high with an estimate life span of 500 to 1000 years. The Eucalyptus camaldulensis is located over most of the Australian mainland, along rivers of Australia; expect south-west South Australia, southern Western Australia and the eastern coast of Queensland, NSW and Victoria. The gum is extensively on grey heavy clay soils along river banks and on floodplains subjected to flooding, however in the Murray region the tree is found on brown and red clays. It can also be seen in channels of sandy watercourses, higher valleys of hill country and rarely on margins of salt lakes |
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