I have been in contact with the species and communities program officers of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and the Arts as some of the woodlands in the reserves are classed a Threatened Ecological Community. I had time to record the location of these woodlands but have not had time to walk and record all the boundaries, or to count all the trees in it. Maybe I will find time to do so in June or July. Anybody willing to assist, please do contact me.
I have also been looking at the different Banksia species and been trying to find some of the more uncommon ones, specifically that were named Dryandra species previously. You might appreciate that this is difficult as they are not yet in flower. I am hoping that with looking at leaf shape and form I might be able to locate them and record their location for when they do flower. And so, whilst looking on the ground, I stumbled upon an orchid that I had not expected. It is a pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis). The reserve is very dry so there was only the one tiny plant, which I left in-situ after photographing it. Another plant I found in flower was Astroloma compactum, which forms a green mat with small red flowers.
My next visit will be 6 to 9 June. 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 by Jolanda Keeble