I will have to remind myself to
do a trip to Central Australia when it is bone dry sometime as it would look quite
different to what I saw, after a 3 + years of solidly above average rainfall – the
green centre. Pretty much on the Tropic of Capricorn, it gets a lot of year
round sunshine, add water and a lush garden oasis results.
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| Olive Pink Botanic Gardens in Alice Springs Darling Lilies (Crinum sp.) in foreground |
Another feature that makes the
Centre a plant lovers dream is the McDonnell Ranges, that provide a vast array
of microclimates and niches, making it a biodiversity hotspot. The tallest peak
of the ranges is Mt Ziel, 1531 m above sea level, high enough for the very
occasional snowfall. These ranges are surrounded by desert to the south, west,
north and east, however they span a few hundred kilometres east-west either
side of Alice Springs.
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| Graziers delight in West McDonnell Ranges A.K.A the red centre |
Typically the main wildflower
show is spring, however when the below photo were taken in March when many plants were going through a second or third set of flowering due to the high rainfall of 2010/11. Some common species I saw looking a showy spectacular were the Desert Rose (Gossypium sp.), the feathery Ptilotus sp. and Chinese Lantern Abuliton sp.
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| Variation in colour of Swainsonia sp. |
Nerida
ReplyDeletethat lush native pasture looks magnificent - I can see why sheep like it. And the Darling Lilies grow abundantly in northern Victoria, I don't know why we don't see them more in Melbourne gardens
Great photos. The McDonnell Ranges sound like an awesome place. I might have to go there myself one day!
ReplyDeleteGreatly enjoyed the photos and information on plants in Central Aus. It would be interesting to see the difference resulting from low rainfall or drought. Think I'll have to add a trip to the Red (or Green) Centre to my list of future adventures. Looks great!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the McDonnell Ranges in such splender, the gorges of the west Macs would be a wonderful sight with the greenery illuminating the Ghost Gums and the swimming holes full of water and life. Must get back there again. Thanks Nerida for the wonderful pics.
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