Following the December nature ramble along the Anglesea river in Coogoorah Park, it was decided to continue the riverside observations along the Anglesea estuary for our ramble on February 16.
It was a perfect morning to be outdoors and a group of 15 members joined us for the activity as we set off beside the river.
Penne offered to be our photographer and she had fun taking shots of the vegetation, some species that had been seen on the December ramble and some different ones.
The young seed heads of the Common Reed Phragmites australis captured our attention at the start of the walk. Although called a reed, it is a grass and belongs to the Poa family.
Common Reed in flower
Beaded Glasswort Sarcornia quinqueflora with its short succulent, cylindrical branches was in flower and the stamens with their yellow pollen were clearly visible.
Beaded Glasswort
The tiny purple flowers of the Angled Lobelia Lobelia anceps could be seen, with the angular stems of the plant spreading amongst other vegetation.
It was certainly easy to distinguish between the male and female plants of the Seaberry Saltbush Rhagodia candolleana as the female plants were bearing their fleshy burgundy fruit.
Seaberry Saltbush
The Coast Bonefruit Threlkeldia diffusa, with its hairless fleshy leaves that turn reddish in autumn, was seen on the side of the track. Keen eyes observed some purplish fruits amongst the vegetation.
Carl and Roma posed for us beside the Saltmarsh sign where the Chaffy Saw-sedge Ghania filum, Sea Rush Juncua kraussii and other saltmarsh vegetation were massed together.
Carl and Roma
Plant lists helped people to identify the various species of vegetation we found.
Along the margin of the swampy area we came across the trailing Grass Daisy Brachyscome graminea with its small white flower heads and green leaves tangled amongst other vegetation
As we neared the coast we found a few clumps of the exotic Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias an intruder from the Mediterranean region. These were quickly removed and taken away for disposal.
The Anglesea River always has plenty of plants to share, and today’s ramble was no exception.
Margaret MacDonald with photos by Penne Kwiat