Visitors to Narrogin in summer could be forgiven for thinking that many understorey plants have died, but each winter most burst into life again.
There are many plant strategies for coping with our seasonal droughts.
Each November marri trees drop some leaves to reduce their water use, and orchids survive as twin underground bulbs.
True specialists are resurrection plants, which completely dry out but, become green and active within days of rain. Examples are lichens (OK not plants) and Borya species, “pincushion plants" mostly found in soil on granite rocks
There are many plant strategies for coping with our seasonal droughts.
Each November marri trees drop some leaves to reduce their water use, and orchids survive as twin underground bulbs.
True specialists are resurrection plants, which completely dry out but, become green and active within days of rain. Examples are lichens (OK not plants) and Borya species, “pincushion plants" mostly found in soil on granite rocks
 Summer. Dormant and just recovering |  Winter. Actively growing Borya sphaerocephala |  |
Many other plants partially shrivel and change colour to ultraviolet resistant purple, red, and yellow, but remain alive in most seasons. However it takes days for them to recover after rain, and plants will die in severe droughts.
The compact bush tucker plant kickbush (Astroloma acervatum) is a good example
The compact bush tucker plant kickbush (Astroloma acervatum) is a good example
 Kickbush in spring |  Kickbush in summer. Orange part is dead |
I followed the rejuvenation of one plant in summer after rain in the first week of February followed by another in the first week of March 2021
 Feb 12 still yellow but leaves expanding |  Feb 25 becoming green |  March 12 fully green |
Allocasuarinas (sheoaks and tammars) can also markedly change colour as shown in dwarf tammar (Allocasuarina humilis) images below near the Claypit. I noticed colour differences within the plant where some branches were more water stressed than others.
Random comment – why do taxonomists use the Latin word humilis for smaller?
As a person of moderate stature, I consider this heightist bias, and feel no humility towards my larger brethren (poor souls).
Random comment – why do taxonomists use the Latin word humilis for smaller?
As a person of moderate stature, I consider this heightist bias, and feel no humility towards my larger brethren (poor souls).
 Dwarf Tammar water sufficient |  Dwarf Tammar water stressed |
This interesting extract from a book edited by Professor Hans Lambers is a great read for those wishing to understand more about drought tolerance of our native plants.
Have you ever wondered why Australia has no cacti and few succulents compared to other countries?
Succulent plants rely on salts in their cells to retain large amounts of water. Their evolution has not been favoured on most of our soils which have formed on leached and weathered materials, except in saline basins where one finds salt tolerant succulents like bluebush, pigface, and samphire.
Have you ever wondered why Australia has no cacti and few succulents compared to other countries?
Succulent plants rely on salts in their cells to retain large amounts of water. Their evolution has not been favoured on most of our soils which have formed on leached and weathered materials, except in saline basins where one finds salt tolerant succulents like bluebush, pigface, and samphire.
 A flowering samphire |  Samphire and a cotula (billy button) |