The low growing bushy shrub Prickly Broom-heath, Monotoca scoparia, is a highlight for me this month, despite the inconspicuous nature of its numerous tiny white flowers. These develop singly, or on short spikes, in the leaf axils.
Prickly Broom-heath – male
This plant has male and female flowers growing on different plants. A close look will reveal either dark stamens standing out from the centre of the short tubular flowers of the male plants, or the central green ovary of the female flowers.
Prickly Broom-heath – female
The narrow erect, pointed leaves are white underneath, which help to distinguish it from another common heathland plant, Common Beard- heath, Leucopogon virgatus var. virgatus.
Our colourful Correas are also coming into flower. Early flowers of our endemic Yellow Correa, Correa sp. aff. reflexa (Anglesea), are easily spotted along the Point Addis Koori Cultural Walk, and is described in the second edition of Flowers of Anglesea and Aireys Inlet.
Yellow Correa
Ellinor Campbell