Maireana astrotricha, the Low Bluebush, is a compact pale blue grey bush growing amongst Black Bluebush on the limey clay plains of Copley. Coppery pink to red coloured fruit has a single slit.
Low Bluebush fruiting
Mallee Bluebush fruiting: Warraweena
Maireana trichoptera, the Mallee Bluebush, is a small hairy perennial with stunning green or white fruits edged with burgundy and pink. Seen fruiting in limey rocky soils at Warraweena in the Northern Flinders Ranges in July.
Top Bluebush fruiting: Copley
Maireana turbinata, the Top Bluebush fruiting in winter in the Northern Flinders Ranges.
Black Bluebush fruiting
Maireana pyramidata, the Black Bluebush or Sago Bush in winter. Fruits are yellow with a raised pyramid shaped centre, drying to black, giving the plant its scientific and common names. Prevalent in chenopod country throughout the Flinders Ranges, this plant provides habitat for birds such as the Variegated Fairy Wren and reptiles such as the Bearded Dragon.
Three-winged Bluebush: Arkaroola
Three-winged Bluebush (Maireana triptera) with red-orange fruit drying to black seed in Arkaroola, in July.
Woolly-fruit Bluebush: Arkaroola
Southern Bluebush: Wilpena
The succulent Southern Bluebush, Maireana astrotricha, is one of the many Chenopods of the Flinders Ranges. Chenopods have small flowers without petals, which are wind pollinated, producing colourful winged fruit that may appear to be the flower of the plant. This Maireana grows on the edges of sandy dunes in the plains to the west of Wilpena Pound.
