End of summer blooms along the Merri

Although flowers might seem scarce along the Merri at the end of a hot, dry summer, a few species power through the heat and continue to provide important food resources for fauna. These plants bridge the gap until cooler weather and rain arrives, which will allow for a flush of fresh plant growth and signal the transition into Iuk (Eel season) for the Wurundjeri. The timing of the weather shift varies. This year has been particularly dry, but you might still catch these unsung heroes flowering along the Merri this March.

Sweet Bursaria, Bursaria spinosa
Sweet Bursaria is a prickly, medium-to-large shrub that erupts in pyramid-shaped plumes of tiny, creamy white flowers, making it an absolute magnet for hungry insects and the small birds that eat them. It’s easy to identify when in bloom, but can look similar to other Merri plants when it’s not, so take the opportunity now to look closer at its leaves, spines and the wide range of insects that visit the flowers. If you’ve missed the flowers, you might instead find the flattened, purse-shaped seed capsules that gave the genus its name (from the Latin Bursa for purse). For gardeners with a little more space, the prolific late summer flowers also make Bursaria spinosa a great species to include in a habitat garden.

Beauty heads, Calocephalus species

Closer to the ground, along the creek, look for two interesting daisies finishing their flowering. The botanical names of these species come from the Greek roots of their common names - Calocephalus from the Greek kalos (meaning beautiful), and kephalos (meaning head). Calocephalus citreus is therefore the Lemon Beauty-heads and Calocephalus lacteus is the Milky Beauty-heads. 

Calocephalus citreus is a small-tufted plant with silvery-green stems, and bright yellow, oval-shaped button flowers. During their peak and at the right time of day, the colour of these can mean they seem to glow amongst browned-off grasses. 

The closely related Milky Beauty-heads, Calocephalus lacteus also grows along the Merri. It is distinguished by its white flowers, shorter leaves and spreading growth that can form thick mats. It tends to do well in the margins of wetlands, small depressions and other areas with moist soil, such as the Moomba Park Wetlands, pictured right, below. 

Rock correa, Correa glabra
As summer-flowering plants are coming to the end of their season, Correa glabra steps in to take the baton for the cooler months. These distinctively dainty, bell-shaped flowers will continue to light up shady spots with their lime-green glow throughout autumn and winter, like Christmas lights amongst the glossy dark green leaves. They are a favourite food of Eastern Spinebills, who, as the name would imply, have long thin bills (beaks) that are perfectly suited to accessing the nectar within. Correa glabra also makes a great hedging plant in the garden and, despite its lush appearance, will easily handle dry conditions once established. 

Why not see if you can catch these species while they’re still in flower and take note of where you spot them. Then, watch as the seasons and flowers change, and they blend back in with the rest, while others take centre stage. Even if you don’t remember the names, or botanical jargon, the simple act of connecting with Country can make your creek walks all the more rewarding.

Photos by Jake Duyvestyn