Broughton Willow, Acacia Salicina, growing in ephemeral waterways in the Northern Flinders Ranges.
Iga flowering cycle
The Iga tree (Capparis Mitchellii) is seen flowering in the northern Flinders Ranges and Gammon Ranges in summer. The Iga a food source for the White Caper Butterfly larvae.
A member of the Capparaceae family, the flowers are among the largest and showiest seen in the area. Budding is profuse and staggered through the flowering season.
Stamens (male) and stigma (female) developing in the bud (magnification 20x).
A stigma emerges from an opening bud.
Petals open to a dazzling array of stamens (approximately 50mm long) with the stigma held high, holding their form for sometimes only a single day in the summer heat.
Caper White Butterfly
Caper White Butterflies (Belenois java) are a migratory species which breed on inland caper bushes and sandalwood. They were seen in abundance surrounding Iga trees throughout the Northern Flinders and Gammon Ranges in November following a heavy rain. Igas are a laval food plant for the Caper White caterpillars and eggs are laid directly onto the leaves.
More information about Caper White Butterflies available at Butterfly Conservation SA.
Continue reading “Caper White Butterfly”Flinders Ranges Corkbark flowering
Hakea ednieana, the Flinders Ranges Corkbark or Cork Tree, flowering at Arkaroola in November.
Acacia Victoriae seeding
Acacia victoriae is prolific in the Flinders Ranges, seeding profusely following summer. The seeds can be ground into an edible flour.
Athel Pine
Athel Pine, Tamarix aphylla, is an introduced species from Africa. A highly successful coloniser in saline waterways, Athel Pine is further proliferating with every wet season along the inlet and surrounding flood plains of Copley Retention Dam, growing into thickets along the shoreline. Seen flowering in May.
Barrier Range Wattle
Acacia beckleri, also known as Beckler’s Rock Wattle or the Barrier Range Wattle, seeding in the central Flinders Ranges in early Summer.
Quandong flowers
Quandong (Santalum acuminatum) in flower in December in the Northern Flinders Ranges. Quandongs produce edible fruit between August and October.
Bullock Bush
Alectryon oleifolius flowering in the sand dunes west of Wilpena Pound. Also known as Rosewood, Rosebush, Cattle-bush, Dogwood.
River Redgum Seedlings: Warraweena
River Redgum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) seedlings growing in a creek bed at Warraweena, five months after flooding rains.
