Purple flowers of the Native Sarsaparilla vine

8th August 2016

Native Sarsaparilla Hardenbergia violacea (Also known as Happy Wanderer or False Coral Pea) is a twining vine common in the local area.  Purple 10mm flowers appear in spring, however this one was flowering abundantly at the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields today. 

Flowers of the Native Sarsparilla Hardenbergia violacea , creeping up on a eucalyptus tree.

Native Sarsparilla Hardenbergia violacea 

Native Sarsparilla Hardenbergia violacea 

Beautiful Fringe-Lily

FRINGE-LILY Thysanotus tuberosus was a new discovery for the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields in 2015.  These beautiful native wildflowers had not been recorded at the reserve before, but the recent rainfall in October and November, had them displaying for the first time in many years no doubt.  These flowers only open for a couple of hours during the day so you need to be lucky to observe them at their best. Their exact location has been recorded and we hope to see them again in the future - should the weather be at their liking.

J.G

FRINGE-LILY Thysanotus tuberosus

Devils Needles - Native Red Berries and Spikes 13/01/14

These vibrant red berries caught my eye at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve in January 2014.  I photographed them but required an i.d.  Thanks to Greg Lukes for helping out with an identification of Devils Needles (Solanum stelligerum).  This native shrub is found on rainforest edges and eucalyptus forests.  Stems are prickly and leaves often alternate with spines.  Mauve flowers are present in spring to summer followed by the red fruit (see below).  Devils Needles shrubs are prominent on the southern side of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve along the edges of the Nature Trail.

Devils Needles (Solanum stelligerum) at Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve 13/01/2014