Monthly Archives: November 2014

Carolyn’s Corner – November 2014

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What does success look like? We know we are making a difference when the plants survive (big tick), and an even bigger tick when the seedlings we plant flower and spread their seed allowing for natural recruitment. Nature (birds, wind and water) help us out, as long as we keep the weeds down, to prevent competition.  Examples of plants that are flowering and have set seed on site include Goodenia amplexans, Vittidinia sp, Lotus australis, Dianella, Scaevola and all of the grasses (wallaby, kangaroo, spear grass, poa).

Those passing by the plantings near the ferry terminal will notice the area has been slashed & weeded to help out the new plants.

Photos Liz Cousins, Cape Jervis (Goodenia, Lotus, Dianella)

Next get together:

Sat 6 (10am-4pm)  & Sun 7 Dec (9am-12noon)

Seed collecting & weeding.

We welcome new volunteers, even an hour or two is a big help.

Training & cake provided. Contact Carolyn Schultz 0423 213 481.

Plant of the Month – November 2014

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KNOBBY CLUB RUSH

(Ficinia nodosa, originally Isolepsis nodosa)

(Photos: E. Cousins; growth habit; knobbly foliage, knobby seed head on leaf)

This is a common sedge around the coastline near Cape Jervis. Look for the gentle weeping habit and the deep green cylindrical foliage. It grows in tufts, or clumps, from stout rhizomes. The clumps can grow to about 1 metre tall, and spread up to about 1 metre at the base. The plant gets its common name from the dense brownish growths on the foliage. These are the plant’s flower- and seed-heads. This plant would look good as a contrast to soft foliage or lighter coloured plants in your garden too. And it is a toughie: it likes sandy soil, and will tolerate full coastal exposure, drought and frost. It might go a little bit yellow in really cold weather… never mind, though, it’ll green up again in spring!

Weed of the Month – November 2014

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EVENING PRIMROSE

(Oenothera stricta ssp. stricta)

                        

(Photos: C. Schultz, Cape Jervis; opening and withered flowers; flowering plant; base leaves)

The evening primrose produces erect flowering spikes most of the year; the 10cm yellow flowers are tubular, with 4 petals and 8 stamens. As the name suggests, flowers open in the evening. They then redden and wither away the next day as the flower above them on the spike opens. Most of the leaves are at the base, but smaller ones spiral up the flower spike. Both sets of leaves have a pointed tip and wavy edges; however the base leaves are hairless while the leaves on the flower spikes have tiny hairs. The stems themselves are hairy too, and often woody but unbranched. Originally from South America but now naturalized in S.A., the evening primrose is classified as an environmental weed; that is, it invades native ecosystems and adversely affects the survival of indigenous flora and fauna.