Autumn colours at Tarin Rock Nature Reserve

Pictured above: ​Bearded heath Leucopogon cuneifolius

It is March. For me this heralds a time of change. We have just passed the March equinox, where day light and night time are almost the same length. We are now heading into autumn. In the reserve I noticed the shrub colours are changing from greens to more subdued browns and reds, looking dry and parched. Most of the Eucalypts have had their flash of glory but there are a few still that are just starting. The salmon gum is in full flower and if you stand near a tree you can hear the bees buzzing high up in the canopy. I love the way they change their trunk colour to this beautiful salmon red. It is ironic that this majestic tree has such tiny flowers. Eucalyptus tenera (Sand Mallee) and E. astringens (Brown Mallet) also have a beautiful coppery coloured bark at this time of the year. Besides Eucalyptus species, the Banksia sphaerocarpa is coming into full flower, those beautiful yellow balls in light green foliage would make good Christmas decorations. Other shrubs that I noticed this time are the hop bushes (Dodonaea) that are starting to flower. You would normally first notice their winged seeds as the red contrasts with the green foliage. The hop bush is also known as soapberry bush. Some moth larvae use these plants as a food source. The bearded heath (Leucopogon) is also coming into bloom. Their tiny flowers are worth looking at through a hand-lens. The ‘beard’ is quite obvious.

My next visit will be 6 to 9 April. If anybody wants to come along, let me know and we can meet up on site. If you have any questions, you can reach me by email at tarinrockbook@gmail.com or by phone on 0439978550.

Article supplied by Jolanda Keeble

Pictured above: ​female flower of Dodonaea ptarmicaefolia

Pictured above: ​male flower of Dodonaea ptarmicaefolia