GlenysDonkey Orchids
December 18th 2010 03:16
Wildflowers of Western Australia
Purple Pansy Orchid
Donkey Orchid
Photographs taken by Trevor Cunningham.
*** Don't judge (a plant) by its name ***
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Photographs taken by Trevor Cunningham.
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Western Australian Christmas Tree
December 16th 2010 03:16
Last week we were travelling along Pearson Street, Perth, WA, when I spotted the unmistakable blossom of a Western Australian Christmas Tree. I had to take a photo.
I grew up on a wheatbelt farm in Western Australia and every year, around Christmas time, we would admire the Christmas Trees as the brilliant colour of their blossom brightened up the countryside. It didn't matter that a lot of the trees were scraggy and not a perfect shape - it added to their charm.
The flowers of the WA Christmas Tree are vivid yellow-orange and appear between October and January.
The Western Australian Christmas Tree (Nuytsia floribunda) is a member of the mistletoe family. It grows only in South West Australia, its distribution spreading east to the Esperance Plain and north to the Geraldton Sandplain.
This area of Australia has dry summers with most rain in winter.
The Western Australian Christmas Tree is a hemi-parasite, obtaining some of its nutrients from a host.The haustoria arising from its roots attach themselves to the roots of many nearby plants and draw water and minerals from them. It obtains food and sugar, however, through the photosynthetic process in its leaves.
The habit of this species is a tree up to 10m high, or as a shrub.
Western Australian Christmas trees are not easy to propagate so I wonder if this tree, growing by a busy road in the city, was planted by humans or nature.
Reference: Wikipedia
Photographs taken by Glenys Deutscher.
Western Australian Christmas Tree
I grew up on a wheatbelt farm in Western Australia and every year, around Christmas time, we would admire the Christmas Trees as the brilliant colour of their blossom brightened up the countryside. It didn't matter that a lot of the trees were scraggy and not a perfect shape - it added to their charm.
Western Australian Christmas Tree
The flowers of the WA Christmas Tree are vivid yellow-orange and appear between October and January.
Western Australian Christmas Tree
The Western Australian Christmas Tree (Nuytsia floribunda) is a member of the mistletoe family. It grows only in South West Australia, its distribution spreading east to the Esperance Plain and north to the Geraldton Sandplain.
This area of Australia has dry summers with most rain in winter.
The Western Australian Christmas Tree is a hemi-parasite, obtaining some of its nutrients from a host.The haustoria arising from its roots attach themselves to the roots of many nearby plants and draw water and minerals from them. It obtains food and sugar, however, through the photosynthetic process in its leaves.
Western Australian Christmas Tree
The habit of this species is a tree up to 10m high, or as a shrub.
Western Australian Christmas trees are not easy to propagate so I wonder if this tree, growing by a busy road in the city, was planted by humans or nature.
Reference: Wikipedia
Photographs taken by Glenys Deutscher.
*** You don't have to be perfect to be impressive ***
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Cowslip Orchid
December 14th 2010 03:38
Wildflowers of Western Australia
Cow Slip Orchid
Cow Slip Orchids
This photograph was taken in the Western Australian wheatbelt country.
*** Cluster together - make a splash ***
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
Blue Sun Orchid
December 10th 2010 13:19
As previously mentioned, Western Australia is famous for the variety of colourful wildflowers which flower each year from about the end of July in the Gascoyne area of the state to October/November in the south. Tours are organised to take interested people to the wildflower areas.
Manypeaks, a district about 50km east of Albany, displays a lot of wildflowers during the wildflower season. The Blue Sun Orchid belongs to the Thelmitra genus which has over 20 species in Western Australia. This orchid is a relative of the Shirt orchid which was shown on this site last week. They are called sun orchids because their flowers open on sunny days and close each night. They can be found throughout the south west of Western Australia and grow best on inland granite outcrops. The flowers on these orchids can range in colour through shades of pink, blue and yellow. This photo was taken at Manypeaks, Western Australia.
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Blue Sun Orchid
Manypeaks, a district about 50km east of Albany, displays a lot of wildflowers during the wildflower season. The Blue Sun Orchid belongs to the Thelmitra genus which has over 20 species in Western Australia. This orchid is a relative of the Shirt orchid which was shown on this site last week. They are called sun orchids because their flowers open on sunny days and close each night. They can be found throughout the south west of Western Australia and grow best on inland granite outcrops. The flowers on these orchids can range in colour through shades of pink, blue and yellow. This photo was taken at Manypeaks, Western Australia.
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
Orchids of Western Australia
December 6th 2010 12:47
Western Australia is famous for its wildflowers. Each year travellers from all over the world come to admire their variety, uniqueness and colour. The wildflower season starts approximately in July in the North West of WA and continues to approximately November in the South.
There are many different types of ground orchids in Australia. The following photos were taken by an orchid enthusiast.
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There are many different types of ground orchids in Australia. The following photos were taken by an orchid enthusiast.
Sun Orchid (Shirt Orchid)
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
Lechenaultia and the Wreath Flower - tourist magnets
December 3rd 2010 09:27
The wildflower season is under way in Western Australia and enthusiasts are travelling many kilometres to view what nature has to offer.
Western Australia is famous for its brilliant blue lechenaultia, but more than 20 species of lechenaultia grow in this state. Some lechenaultia plants grow prostrate, while others can grow up to 1 metre high. The colour of the flowers can vary from blue, red, orange, pink, yellow and white[ Click here to read more ]
Western Australia is famous for its brilliant blue lechenaultia, but more than 20 species of lechenaultia grow in this state. Some lechenaultia plants grow prostrate, while others can grow up to 1 metre high. The colour of the flowers can vary from blue, red, orange, pink, yellow and white
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
Dragon Orchid and Dancing Bee Orchid - Western Australia
November 30th 2010 13:06
Dragon Orchid, Western Australia
The Dragon Orchid (Drakonorchis barbarossa) is a unique Western Australian ground orchid which flowers in Spring. Its flowers are small and the labellum is coverd with hairs.
To ensure pollination, the labellum of this orchid mimics a wingless female Thynnid Wasp, in looks and scent, to entice the male to visit
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
More Spider Orchids - Western Australia
November 28th 2010 12:27
Spider Orchids are well known in Western Australia and, before cultivation of the land, could be found in abundance. In the early 1960’s we used to wander around and find dozens of them in the bush near Badgingarra. Spider Orchids belong to the Genus Caladenia and are one of the most attractive of the ground orchids. They never cease to delight when found. Spider Orchids have a small narrow leaf, and flowers are produced on a single stem.
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Spider Orchid, Western Australia
This beautiful spider orchid was photographed found near Tentadin, WA, in late spring.
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
Blushing Spider Orchid - things are not always as they appear
November 25th 2010 06:31
Last September we were venturing forth on a mini wild flower tour when we stopped and went on a discovery walk along the road verge on the Brand Highway, near Cataby, Western Australia.
We were thrilled to discover this cluster of Spider Orchids[ Click here to read more ]
We were thrilled to discover this cluster of Spider Orchids
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
Wildflowers in Western Australia - Everlastings - The Coalseam Conservation Park
November 22nd 2010 14:21
Western Australia is known as 'The Wildflower State' and for good reason.It is renowned world wide for the huge variety of spectacular wildflowers which set the countryside ablaze every year.
Many tracks of land have been set aside in Western Australia for National Parks and Nature Reserves to help preserve and protect the wildflowers. Many wildflowers (some of them rare species) grow on the road verges which have been left especially for the wildflowers. The road verges also provide valuable corridors for the movement of birds and animals from one area to another[ Click here to read more ]
Many tracks of land have been set aside in Western Australia for National Parks and Nature Reserves to help preserve and protect the wildflowers. Many wildflowers (some of them rare species) grow on the road verges which have been left especially for the wildflowers. The road verges also provide valuable corridors for the movement of birds and animals from one area to another
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
Sturt Desert Pea - Striking display in a desert place
October 14th 2010 13:57
Sturt Desert Pea - Living Desert Reserve, Broken Hill, Australia
When flowering the Sturt Desert Pea boasts an exquisite, decorative, eye-catching display.
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
Nature's Garden - Living Desert Reserve
October 13th 2010 13:53
Native Plants in a Natural Environment - Living Desert Reserve, Broken Hill
The Living Desert Reserve is situated 9km NW of Broken Hill, NSW, Australia
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Posted By: Glenys - Category: Wildflowers
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