Having commented on our early spring walk in Castle Creek that there didn’t seem to be many native peas flowering, and even wondered if there were many buds, a mere month later the peas were in full bloom!
Small-leaf Bush-pea (Pultenaea foliolosa), Showy Parrot-pea (Dillwynnia sericea), Hop Bitter-pea (Davesia latifolia) – there were masses on the slopes in Castle Creek Conservation Reserve for our slow walk on 14th October.
Walk leader and native plant guru Sue Brunskill had us noticing the array of plants making the most of this particularly productive spring season, from the Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) flowering profusely above our heads to the smaller single flowers of the orchids. We saw Hooded Caladenia, Salmon sun orchids and a Blue sun orchid (Thelymitra spp) just on the verge of blooming.
The cheerful Milkmaids (Burchardia umbellata) were out in numbers, succeeding the Early Nancies we noted on our September walk, as were the pink flowered Triggerplants (Stylidium graminifolium). We were also pleased to find Murnong (Microseris lanceolata), also called Yam Daisy and known as a staple food of the Traditional Owners of this part of country.
It’s certainly peak time for a bush walk at Castle Creek if wildflowers are your thing. Our final slow walk here for the year will be held on 11th November – you’ll need to book in early!
Parklands Albury Wodonga acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government and the Ross Trust for this program. Photos by Karen Retra
