The first Angair walk for the year was along the east side of the Anglesea River. We were particularly interested in halophytes, plants growing in saline conditions. They have special adaptations to deal with the saline; some can absorb salt, then release the excess as crystals on the leaves, to fall to the ground or be washed off by the rain. Other halophytes can exclude salt by dropping their leaves or obstructing absorption with waxy strips on their roots.
The dominant species growing along the riverbank were Sea Rush, Juncus kraussii, and Chaffy Saw-sedge, Gahnia filum. Unfortunately there were also many plants of Juncus acutus, a bad environmental weed, which is very similar in appearance to Juncus kraussii. Australian Salt-grass, Distichlis distichophylla, was found creeping and scrambling amongst the rushes and sedges.
We enjoyed seeing patches of the white Grass Daisy, Brachyscombe graminea.
Grass Daisy
The tiny, cryptic mauve flowers of the Angled Lobelia, Lobelia anceps, with its square stems were found near the water.
Angled Lobelia
The fan-shaped flowers of the Shiny Swamp-mat, Selliera radicans, are always a delight.
Shiny Swamp-mat
However, the outstanding feature of this month’s walk was the number of plants bearing abundant berries.
The purple berries of the Coast Boobialla, Myoporum insulare, were spectacular.
Coast Boobialla
Coast Boobialla berries
The sprawling Seaberry Saltbush, Rhagodia candolleana subsp. candolleana, had many deep burgundy berries.
Seaberry Saltbush
Hidden amongst the foliage of the Coast Bonefruit, Threlkeldia diffusa, were its purple berries which have a very hard seed – hence its name.
Coast Bonefruit
An unusual find was the berries on the Bower Spinach, Tetragonia implexicoma, which most of us had never seen before.
Bower Spinach
Streaked Arrow-grass, Triglochin striata, belongs to the Water Ribbon Family. We were excited to find a large patch growing in the sandy swamp. It’s fruit are shaped like an arrowhead.
Streaked Arrow-grass
Streaked Arrow-grass fruit
The Anglesea River estuary is always a fascinating place to explore for its great variety of salt-tolerant plants.
Anglesea River estuary (photo by Meredith Sussex)
Christine Morrissey