Xanthorrhoea quadrangulata (Mount Lofty Grass-tree)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
As its common name suggests, this species is endemic to South Australia, occuring in a roughly north-south line from the northern Flinders Ranges to the Gulf St.Vincent coast on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The Latin name refers to the four-sided leaves, which distinguish this species from X.semiplana, which has leaves that are semicircular in cross-section.
Flower spike, Scott Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
Flower spike, Scott Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
Orchids
Caladenia tentaculata (Eastern Mantis Orchid)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
A walk in spring through native eucalypt woodland in the Adelaide Hills will often allow you to see this common but beautiful orchid. The flowers can be up to 10cm across and held aloft on 50cm stems, making it a truly spectacular wildflower.
Like the other Spider Orchids in Australia, this species has a mobile taxonony, having moved from Caladenia to Arachnorchis and back again in recent years.
Wasp pollinator visiting flower, Sandy Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
Like the other Spider Orchids in Australia, this species has a mobile taxonony, having moved from Caladenia to Arachnorchis and back again in recent years.
Wasp pollinator visiting flower, Sandy Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
Caladenia leptochila ssp.leptochila (Narrow-lipped Spider Orchid)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
Less showy than C.tentaculata, this species is also less common in the Adelaide Hills. The narrow lip is also smooth-margined, unlike the 'toothed' lip of the above species.
Pterostylis nana (Dwarf Greenhood)
Morialta CP, Adelaide Hills
Hale CP
This species is very common, and is a welcome sight in late winter when few other plants (apart from the Acacias) have begun flowering.
In total, twnety-nine Pterostylis species are currently recognised from South Australia.
In total, twnety-nine Pterostylis species are currently recognised from South Australia.
Pterostylis pedunculata (Maroonhood)
Seemingly less common in the Adelaide Hills than P.nana, this distinctive orchid can easily be overlooked amongst the shade and leaf litter of a eucalypt woodland. I found these in Montacute CP.
Pterostylis sanguinea (Red-banded Greenhood)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
Formerly known as Urochilus sanguineus, this orchid is endemic to south-eastern Australia, and relatively common and widespread within its range. The rusty-coloured drooping flowerheads and reddish-brown labellum are sufficient to distinguish this species in the Adelaide Hills.
Anstey Hill RP
Anstey Hill RP
Pterostylis plumosa (Bearded Greenhood)
Sandy Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
The unusual bearded lip makes this little orchid unmistakeable, although, like other greenhoods, it can be hard to spot.
This species is found in across southern Australia, including Tasmania, and is also present in New Zealand.
This species is found in across southern Australia, including Tasmania, and is also present in New Zealand.
Pheladenia deformis (Blue Fairies)
Anstey Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
Formerly included in Caladenia, this attractive little orchid is commonly seen adorning open woodland in early spring, flowering before most other species. It occurs across all of southern Australia, and in the Adelaide Hills cannot be confused with any other species.
Caladenia prolata (Long-leaf Fingers)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
I came across this little orchid on one of my favourite routes around Black Hill CP. It's not mentioned on the Park's flora list, but it's certainly a correct ID, so maybe I made a new discovery.
Acianthus pusillus (Small Mosquito Orchid)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
Acianthus is a small genus (less than 10 species) of autumn-flowering orchids (hence these plants were only showing seed pods in spring), and are easily recognised by their single heart-shaped leaves, from which the flower spike arises.
A.pusillus is a widespread species of south-eastern Australia, and is the one of only two member of the genus found in South Australia (the other is A.caudatus).
A.pusillus is a widespread species of south-eastern Australia, and is the one of only two member of the genus found in South Australia (the other is A.caudatus).
Diuris pardina (Leopard Orchid)
Angove CP, Adelaide Hills
Anstey Hill CP, Adelaide Hils
This attractive plant is the commonest of the Donkey-orchids in the Adelaide Hills. Despite its striking appearance, it can be difficult to spot amongst the woodland vegetation.
Diuris behrii (Golden Cowslips / Orange Moths)
To find these orchids I went to Charleston Conservation Park. They were fairly abundant, along with some other Diuris species.
D.behrii has pure yellow flowers with dark internal streaks, unlike many other Diuris flowers which have spotted or blotched petals. It is the only Adelaide Hills species which belongs to a group of Diuris which have wide, drooping flowers and lack the 'donkey ears' of species like D.pardina.
This species is uncommon in South Australia (and listed as Vulnerable), but more abundant in the south-eastern mainland states
D.behrii has pure yellow flowers with dark internal streaks, unlike many other Diuris flowers which have spotted or blotched petals. It is the only Adelaide Hills species which belongs to a group of Diuris which have wide, drooping flowers and lack the 'donkey ears' of species like D.pardina.
This species is uncommon in South Australia (and listed as Vulnerable), but more abundant in the south-eastern mainland states
Diuris x palachila (Broad-lip Doubletail)
Charleston CP, Adelaide Hills
This plant is a natural hybrid between D.behrii and D.pardina. Diuris orchids often hybridise, and this particular one is known from SA and Victoria. It retains the flower-form of D.behrii, but has blotched marking similar to D.pardina.
Diuris orientis (Wallflower Orchid)
Mt Billy CP, Fleurieu Peninsula
The washed-out purplish colours on this orchid give it a unique appearance among South Australian orchids, and make it easy to identify. It is a predominantly south-eastern Australian species.
In common with other Diuris species, flowering is stimulated by bush fires.
In common with other Diuris species, flowering is stimulated by bush fires.
Diuris aff.corymbosa
Para Wirra RP
Text coming soon!
Corybas diemenicus (Veined Helmet Orchid)
Warren CP, Adelaide Hills
Corybas diemenicus (formerly known as Corysanthes dilatata) is a tiny plant and easily overlooked. The flowers stand only 1 or 2 cm tall, and the best way to spot them in their shady habitat is to look for the distinctive single round leaves lying flat on the ground.
Most Corybas species are found in the eastern states where rainfall is higher.
Most Corybas species are found in the eastern states where rainfall is higher.
Glossodia major (Waxlip Orchid)
Sandy Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
White-flowered form, Scott CP, Fleurieu Peninsula There are only two Glossodia species, major and minor, and this is the only one to occur in SA. It can be very common in open eucalypt woodland in spring, and as the photos below show, exists in blue and white-flowering forms.
Thelymitra antennifera (Rabbit Ears Orchid)
This is probably my favourite South Australian orchid (so far!). Despite their diminutive stature compared to some other Thelymitra species, these beautiful yellow orchids are always a happy find in spring.
Like other Thelymitra orchids, the flowers only open in sunny weather.
These plants were all photographed at Sandy Creek CP in the Adelaide Hills.
Like other Thelymitra orchids, the flowers only open in sunny weather.
These plants were all photographed at Sandy Creek CP in the Adelaide Hills.
Thelymitra sp (possibly pauciflora)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
Both T.pauciflora and T.nuda exist in occasional white-flowered forms, and both species are superficially very similar, although the flowers of T.pauciflora are smaller, with structural differences in the centre of the flower (difficult to see in this photo).
If anyone can decide either way on this plant's identity I'd be very grateful in hearing from you!
If anyone can decide either way on this plant's identity I'd be very grateful in hearing from you!
Thelymitra nuda (Scented Sun-orchid)
A common but beautiful late spring-flowering orchid, this species can be found across south-eastern Australia. These plants at Cox Scrub were very robust, and made a spectacular sight as they towered above the low heathy vegetation.
Cox Scrub CP, Adelaide Hills
Cox Scrub CP, Adelaide Hills
Thelymitra luteocilium (Fringed Sun-orchid)
Sandy Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
This common species is very similar to T.rubra, but can be recognised by the yellow hair-tufts in the centre of the flower. Nationally it is found in all south-eastern states.
Black Hill CP
Black Hill CP
Pyrorchis nigricans (Red Fire Orchid)
Mt Billy CP, Fleurieu Peninsula
There are only two Pyrorchis species, both endemic to Australia. P. forrestii is found in WA, and P. nigricans is found across southern Australia. Both species flower poorly unless prompted by summer bushfires.
Other little plants!
Sundews
Half a dozen or so different sundews occur in the Adelaide Hills, and are among the first flowers to bloom each spring.
Drosera auriculata (Tall Sundew)
Angove CP, Adelaide Hills
Growing up to 70cm tall, this plant looks odd to a native of Europe, where sundews are mat forming, diminutive plants! It is a very common species of south-eastern Australia, and is also found in New Zealand.
D. auriculata is very similar to D. peltata (see below), but lacks a hairy calyx. During my time in Adelaide, I found D. peltata to be the more common species in the Hills, but I must admit I didn't make a systematic search for either plant!
Warren CP
D. auriculata is very similar to D. peltata (see below), but lacks a hairy calyx. During my time in Adelaide, I found D. peltata to be the more common species in the Hills, but I must admit I didn't make a systematic search for either plant!
Warren CP
Drosera peltata (Pale Sundew)
Mylor CP, Adelaide Hills
In early spring the white flowers of this beautiful plant adorn the understory of eucalypt woodland in the Adelaide Hills.
The hairy calyx, which distinguishes this plant from D. auriculata, can be seen in several parts of this photo.
Mylor CP
Morialta CP
The hairy calyx, which distinguishes this plant from D. auriculata, can be seen in several parts of this photo.
Mylor CP
Morialta CP
Drosera whittakeri ssp.whittakeri (Scented Sundew)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
Unlike the two previous species, Scented Sundew is a prostrate, rosette-forming plant. The large flowers almost obscure the sticky leaves in spring, and instantly draw attention to these little plants.
Within Australia, this sundew is restricted to the Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island and Victoria.
Within Australia, this sundew is restricted to the Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island and Victoria.
Drosera glanduligera (Scarlet Sundew)
Morialta CP, Adelaide Hills
This tiny annual plant is easily recognised on account of its size, and the orange-red flowers.
The only other South Australian sundew to have similarly coloured flowers is D. macrantha, the Climbing Sundew, but that plant has a completely different growth habit.
Scarlet Sundew is one of Australia's commonest sundews, being found in all states except NT and Qld.
The only other South Australian sundew to have similarly coloured flowers is D. macrantha, the Climbing Sundew, but that plant has a completely different growth habit.
Scarlet Sundew is one of Australia's commonest sundews, being found in all states except NT and Qld.
Argentipallium obtusifolium (Blunt-leaved Everlasting)
Cox Scrub CP
This attractive everlasting is a plant of the southern Mount Lofty Ranges, and is rare in the northern Adelaide Hills. The broad 'petals' (actually bracts) are not pointed like many other everlastings, and the centre of each 'flower' (actually the tiny flowers making up the composite flowerhead) are pinkish red, rather than yellow or orange.
Nationally this species is found in all south-eastern states, including Tasmania.
Nationally this species is found in all south-eastern states, including Tasmania.
Goodenia geniculata (Bent Goodenia)
Warren CP, Adelaide Hills
Some Goodenias are little herbs rather than small shrubs.
G. geniculata has typical Goodenia flowers held above a rosette of glossy, dark green spoon-shaped, toothed leaves. The species can be found from the Eyre Peninsula south-east through Victoria to Tasmania.
G. geniculata has typical Goodenia flowers held above a rosette of glossy, dark green spoon-shaped, toothed leaves. The species can be found from the Eyre Peninsula south-east through Victoria to Tasmania.
Chamaescilla corymbosa (Blue Squill)
Warren CP, Adelaide Hills
This diminutive species forms little patches amongst the leaf litter in open woodlands in spring. It can be found in suitable habitat across all of southern Australia, including Tasmania.
Dichopogon strictus (Chocolate Lily)
Sandy Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
The common name for this family of plants (formerly known as Arthropodium) derives from the scent of the flowers, although this can be difficult to detect!
D. strictus is a common species, not just in the Mount Lofty Ranges, but in Australia as a whole, and the species is absent only from Western Australia.
Two Dichopogon species are found in the Adelaide Hills, both with similar-looking flowers. D. strictus has only one flower from each bract, while D. fimbriatum has several flowers from each bract.
Dichopogon is a non-endemic genus in Australia - you can see a New Zealand species, D. candidum here.
D. strictus is a common species, not just in the Mount Lofty Ranges, but in Australia as a whole, and the species is absent only from Western Australia.
Two Dichopogon species are found in the Adelaide Hills, both with similar-looking flowers. D. strictus has only one flower from each bract, while D. fimbriatum has several flowers from each bract.
Dichopogon is a non-endemic genus in Australia - you can see a New Zealand species, D. candidum here.
Chrysocephalum baxteri (Fringed Everlasting)
Scott Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
Many everlastings are annual plants, but Fringed Everlasting is a handsome perennial herb, with yellow-centred white flowers. It is native to all south-eastern states, including Tasmania.
Bulbine bulbosa (Native Leek)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
Found throughout temperate Australia, this handsome spring-flowering bulb is common in the Adelaide Hills. Plants can grow up to 50cm tall, with flowers appearing alternately on a tall spike. Individual flowers last only one day, but each spike bears many buds and lasts much longer.
A similar species, B. semibarbata, also occurs in the Hills, but this annual plant has smaller, less hairy flowers little more than 1cm across.
A similar species, B. semibarbata, also occurs in the Hills, but this annual plant has smaller, less hairy flowers little more than 1cm across.
Calostemma purpureum (Purple Bells)
Morialta CP, Adelaide Hills
Unlike many plants in the Mount Lofty Ranges, these bulbs flower in the summer and autumn. This species is the only native member of the Amaryllidaceae found in the Mount Lofty Ranges.
Burchardia umbellata (Milkmaids)
Anstey Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
This charming little spring bulb is found across the southern half of Australia.
Black Hill CP
Black Hill CP
Wurmbea dioica (Early Nancy)
Morialta CP, Adelaide Hills
As the scientific name suggests, this species has separate male and female flowers. Those pictured here are male.
Thysanotus patersonii (Twining Fringe-lily)
Morialta CP, Adelaide Hills
The common name of Fringe-lilies for this family is very apt, and makes Thysanotus an instantly recognisable genus of plants. Individual species, however, can be more tricky to distinguish. Thankfully only three species are found in the Adelaide Hills, T. patersonii, T. baueri and T. juncifolius. The first two are non-climbing plants, easily distinguished by the presence or lack of leaves at flowering, and T. patersonii is a climbing plant with twining stems (visible to the left of the flower in this photo). It is a widespread species, absent only from the Northern Territory in Australia.
Sandy Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
Sandy Creek CP, Adelaide Hills
Caesia calliantha (Blue Grass-lily)
Warren CP, Adelaide Hills
Text coming soon!
Glycine clandestina var. sericea (Twining Glycine)
Morialta CP, Adelaide Hills
A widespread twining plant of many temperate areas of Australia, this species can be recognised by its small-flowered vine-like habit. It could perhaps be confused with Hardenbergia violacea (see above), but that species has large ovate leaves, rather than the lobed leaves of G. clandestina (visible below the flowers in this photo).
Kennedia prostrata (Scarlet Postman)
Warren CP, Adelaide Hills
Kennedias are scrambling, twining plants of woodland regions throughout Australia. Thankfully for Adelaide Hills botanists there are only two species present - K. prostrata and the introduced K. nigricans, which has black rather than red flowers.
Despite there being several other red-flowered legumes in the Hills, this species is simple to recognise with its scrambling habit and large 'mouth-shaped' flowers, which lack the lateral spreading flower-form of families like Dillwynia.
Nationally K. prostrata is a widespread plant, absent only from the Northern Territory
Despite there being several other red-flowered legumes in the Hills, this species is simple to recognise with its scrambling habit and large 'mouth-shaped' flowers, which lack the lateral spreading flower-form of families like Dillwynia.
Nationally K. prostrata is a widespread plant, absent only from the Northern Territory
Stackhousia monogyna / aspericocca (Creamy Candles)
Para Wirra RP, Adelaide Hills
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills
Stackhousias are elegant bush plants and make an enchanting sight when clumps of them flower in spring. Although they are easily identified as a genus, separating individual species requires close examination of the flowers.
Two species are found in the Adelaide Hills, the first more abundant: S. aspericocca, which has a conspicuous bract on each side of the flower base, and S. monogyna, which has a swollen bract base.
Nationally S. monogyna is widespread, whereas S. aspericocca is restricted to mild, wetter areas of SA and Victoria. Both species are variable in colour, from pure white to yellow, although S. aspericocca can be a deeper yellow and grow to a larger size.
Mylor CP, Adelaide Hills
Two species are found in the Adelaide Hills, the first more abundant: S. aspericocca, which has a conspicuous bract on each side of the flower base, and S. monogyna, which has a swollen bract base.
Nationally S. monogyna is widespread, whereas S. aspericocca is restricted to mild, wetter areas of SA and Victoria. Both species are variable in colour, from pure white to yellow, although S. aspericocca can be a deeper yellow and grow to a larger size.
Mylor CP, Adelaide Hills
Patersonia fragilis (Swamp Iris)
Mt Billy CP, Fleurieu Peninsula
This attractive spring-flowering species is not very common in the Mount Lofty Ranges, although it is widespread nationally in temperate areas. It is easily distinguished from the more common P. occidentalis by its grooved cylindrical leaves.
Dampiera dysantha
Scott CP
The flowers of all Dampieras, like those of their cousins the Goodenias, are a highly distinctive shape, with five long, often crinkled petals. D. dysantha is is a widespread species of south-eastern Australia and can be recognised by its thin, short leaves which are unlike the two other members of the genus in the Adelaide Hills, D. lanceolata and D. rosmarinifolia.
Stylidium calcaratum
Mt Billy CP
Text coming soon!
Coral Fern (Gleichenia microphylla)
Cleland CP
Text coming soon!
Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia
Morialta CP
Text coming soon!