Wildflower Watch

WILDFLOWER WATCH 30th August 2013

Queen of sheba

Thank you Judy Walker Photography

Today was a warm sunny day, and many Queen of Sheba orchids (Thelymitra speciosa) were spectacular. Note: the Queen of Sheba,” closes on cold, overcast days, and closes for the season when pollinated. The end of her season is usually the first few days in September depending on the weather.
As well, beautiful Caladenia orchids shown on the tour include the Club Spider
( C. longiclavata), Cowslip (C. flava),Joseph (C. polychroma), King (C. pectinata) Little Pink Fairy (C. reptans), Prisoner Orchid ( hybrid Zebra X Joseph), Reaching Spider ( C. arrecta), Stumpy Spider (C. ensata), White Spider Orchids (C. longicauda subsp. longicauda and eminens ) and Zebra (C. cairnsiana). The Blue Fairy (Pheladenia deformis), Silky Blue (Cyanicula sericea), Blue China (Cyanicula gemmata), Donkey (Diuris corymbosa,) Bird (Pterostylis barbata), Banded Greenhood (Pt .vitata), Dark Banded Greenhood (Pt sanguinea), Cupped Banded Greenhood ( Pt concava), Jug (Pt.recurva ) and Slender Snail Orchid (Pt slender) are also blooming.
Wildflowers delighting visitors include orange davesias and 1080 peas; red leschenaultia, grevillea, beaufortia, nemcia, kennedia , running postman, banksia; blue philotheca and dampiera; purple tinsel flower (Calectasia grandiflora), hovea and hardenbergia; white leucopogons and drosera; cream petrophile and hakea; yellow synaphea, pea flowers, and acacia; rust coloured (Stirlingia latifolia) and Banksia Gardneri; pink boronia, pixie mops
( isopogons) and cupped hakea.
To visit well camouflaged orchids and wildflower hot spots, join the Hidden Treasures Orchid and Wildflower Tour which leaves Stirling Range Retreat’s office every day at 9am, until 31st October. Duration 3 hours. Tariff $49 per person. Bookings recommended. Ayleen , Tony and Brian welcome you on board!
Did you know?
 The mountain bells (Darwinia lejostyla) which grow above the 300 metre contour level on Mt Trio are stunning. They also in bloom on the Bluff Knoll path.
 Unless you’re admiring a cultivated crop of yellow canola (rape seed), with mountains in view, spring at Stirling Range is all about plant diversity.
 Stirling Range Drive which winds through the southern section of Stirling Range between Red Gum Pass and Chester Pass Road is worthwhile. We drive via Chester Pass Road (due west) in the morning and Red Gum Pass (due east) after lunch to prevent being blinded by sun on the windscreen. Drive at 40 kph along this gravel road and stop when you see colour. You’ll be surprised what else you find.
ENJOY