Plant Communities

The Uplands

Marri (Eucalyptus calophylla or Corymbia calophylla) Woodland with an understorey of shrubs, sedges and herbs are found on the slight rises around the wet flats. This is the only area of the Wetlands where trees naturally occur. In spring the Marri Woodlands are bright with flowering Red and Green Kangaroo Paws (Anigozanthos manglesii), yellow Buttercups (Hibbertia hypericoides) and cream Milkmaids (Burchardia congesta).

The Wet Flats

Surrounding the claypans are a series of flats which are covered with sheets of water over winter and spring. In spring the tree-like Sundew (Drosera gigantea) white Flannel Flowers (Tribonanthes species) and Pink Petticoats (Utricularia multifida) are seen. By late spring carpets of white Everlastings (Hyalosperma cotula) flower around the clumps of grey – flowered Foxtail Mulga Grass (Neurachne alopecuroidea). Many small shrubs also grow on these flats, of particular interest are two types of the Star of Bethlehem (Calectasia species) that grow together at the Wetlands, the only place where they occur together on the Swan Coastal Plain. A layer of sedges and rushes also occurs through the community. The most obvious rush is the Hoary Twine Rush (Meeboldina cana).

In the heat of early summer these flats are bright with the yellow flowers of the Swish Bush (Viminaria juncea) and pink flowers of an unnamed Astartea. The tall bright green Swish Bush and the lower Astartea shrubs form a distinct band around the flats at the edges of the claypans.

The Claypans

The entire area of the Wetlands is waterlogged in winter but more long-lived ponds form in deeper depressions in the heavy clay soils. These ponds are commonly called claypans. The claypans fill with the winter rains and soon after a series of native aquatic plants grow and flower in the water over winter, spring and early summer.

A recently recognised and unnamed form of Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica) is the first winter flower in the Claypans. Bulbs of this species lie dormant in the soil over summer.   Other winter flowering plants are the rare Stalked Water Ribbons (Aponogeton hexatepalus), the Brixton Blue Squill (an unnamed Chamaescilla), Flannel Flowers (Tribonanthes species) and the Brixton Blue Devil (soon to be named Eryngium  pinnatifidum subspecies palustre).

By spring (September/October) clumps of Aquatic Pennywort (Hydrocotyle lemnoides) leaves float on the surface of the water in the Claypans. Groups of tiny ‘carrot’ flowers hide amongst the leaves. Aquatic Pennywort is a rare species and is only known to occur in six claypans in the south west of Western Australia.

Later in spring, bright green clumps of flowering Swamp Wallaby Grass (Amphibromus nervosus) identify the Claypans surrounded by clumps of Hoary Twine-rush.  By late spring to early summer (November/December) the ponds have dried and many tiny plants such as the white Swan River Daisies (Brachycome species), Sundews (Drosera species) and pink Triggerplants (Stylidium species) form carpets of flowers in the almost dry Claypans.

In the heat of early summer the pink-white flowers of a new species of Native Gerbera (a Trichocline) and the brilliant red flowers of the Robin Red Breast Bush (Melaleuca lateritia) bring colour to the dry Claypans. The flowers of the Astartea and Robin Red Breast Bush provide food for many insects, especially the brilliant coloured rare Jewel Beetles.

Join the Friends

We’re always keen to share stories or provide information, and we are proud of the success our group has achieved so far. If it sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, don’t wait….get in touch with us today!

Contact Regina or Trevor for more information about joining the group today!

Tel: (08) 9459 2964 or mobile: 0407 544 679