Moggs Creek has been hiding a secret. Confined to a small area of heathland on the ridge between Moggs Creek and Fairhaven is a localised group of unnamed Correas, discovered by Margaret MacDonald in the early 2000s. This distinctive species has striking red cylindrical flowers with yellow tipped petals. A pair of noticeably rough (scabrous) leaves clasps the flowers, which are shorter and wider than the Correa sp. common to the Anglesea area.
Correa sp.aff. reflexa (Moggs Creek)
Image: Gail Slykhuis
The status of this endemic species is still under review but will be published in the second edition of Flowers of Anglesea and Aireys Inlet’ under Correa sp. aff. reflexa (Moggs Creek).
Two Leptospermum species in our region will have new names in the second edition. The popular late spring flowering Silky Teatree, previously known as Leptospermum myrsinoides is now Gaudium myrsinoides and Coast Teatree, Leptospermum laevigatum, known for its weedy behaviour is now Gaudium laevigatum. This reclassification into the Gaudium genus has been based on DNA sequencing.
Silky Teatree Gaudium myrsinoides
Image: Margaret MacDonald
Gail Slykhuis