Monthly Archives: September 2011

Flannel Leaf

September 6, 2011PlantsAstrotricha floccosa, flannel leaf, introduced, Native, Solanum, Solanum mauritianum, Tobacco Bush, Wild TobaccoJoe Lipson

Astrotricha floccosa

After ~~some more searching I think this is Tobacco Bush~~. ~~The leaves are narrower than some other photos out there, everything else seems to match though.~~ Julia’s comment I also think this is a Flannel leaf! When searching through Google images I still think tobacco bush (Solanum mauritianum), and the native flannel leaf (Austrotricha floccosa) are remarkably similar looking but the Flannel leafs description of a shrub 2 – 4m tall matches more closely with what I saw.

It was running wild in an area by Middle Harbour River, all the plants looked young and the same height though, as if they’d all sprouted within the last few weeks. ~~It is an introduced species from South America.~~ Flannel leaf is a native species found in sheltered gullies near streams, common on sandstone.

Tobacco Bush - new growth — Flannel leaf – fuzzy new growth

Tobacco Bush — Flannel leaf – It’s hard to see but all the plants in the background are also Flannel leafs, it was taking over

more info:

What Plant is This?

September 5, 2011Plantsintroducedadmin

Jess and I went for a walk to the Middle Harbour Creek stepping stone crossing at the intersection of Bungaroo and Govenor Phillip tracks. This plant was sprouting up all over the place by the side of the river.

It doesn’t look like a native but who knows, I’ll update this page when I find out what it is.

[[update]] It’s a ~~Tobacco Bush~~ Flannel leaf

Pouched Coral Fern

September 5, 2011PlantsGleichenia, Gleichenia dicarpa, Native, Pouched Coral Fernadmin

Gleichenia dicarpa

“A scrambling fern forming dense entanglements in sunny sites” – NPOS p. 313

The pouched coral fern has small delicate fronds on branchletts that sprout from a central stalk. On some plants the colour of the frinds lightens as they move furthar allong the branchlets. I’m not sure why this is, could it be new growth?

On the underside of the fronds are tiny pouches that contain the spores. The pouches are a diagnostic feature that set the it apart from other coral ferns, and of course the origin of the common name. The pouches really are small, I had to look at them through a hand lens the first time properly visualize them. Now I know what to look for they seem visible to the naked eye.

Golden Guinea Flower

September 5, 2011PlantsGolden Guinea Flower, Hibbertia, Hibbertia scandens, Nativeadmin

Hibbertia scandens

“A vigorous scrambler with dense foliage” – NPOS p.332

There are beds of this outside the office building where I work, I’ve not seen it in the wild.

from http://www.friendsoflanecovenationalpark.org.au/Flowering/Flowers/Hibbertia_scandens.htm

Hibbertia scandens is a vigorous climber commonly found on sandy coastal areas through to inland forests. It prefers sunny positions on good soil. It has thick fleshy stems trailing 3m up tree trunks or along the ground, often twining around each other. The name “scandens” refers to its climbing habit.

The leaves of Hibbertia scandens are alternate, large, up to 8 cm long, shiny above and hairy beneath. Some are toothed.

The flowers are larger than Hibbertia dentata, to 9cm across. The seeds are bright red and shiny, clustering on the old sepals.

Hibbertia scandens mainly flowers in Spring and Summer.

In Garigal

Observations in Garigal National Park