July is the time that species of the Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) family first flower in Foxes Lair. Like many of the June-July flowering wildflowers here, the flowers are tiny (about 3mm) and insignificant if you don’t have a lens or macro camera to see their delicate form.
In this district Rhamnaceae plants are mostly small shrubs found on upland gravelly or sandy soils with white flowers that have hoods covering anthers attached to the petals the The flowers are open for pollination by a number of insects, including flies. Perhaps the anther hoods provide protection from ants and beetles.
They can look very similar, but I I use rules of thumb to distinguish between local genera
Genus Cryptandra
Cryptandras are small shrubs with sessile flowers that have a small tube before it splits into sepals.
The name Cryptandra (Latin – hiding man) refers to the anthers that are cloaked by a hood on the petals, that are joined into a short to medium length tube. flowers are attached singly to the flowering stem directly or by a short pedicel.
All Cryptandras have leaves wih rolled-down edges in contrast to the other species, which have conjoined petals (folded lengthways into two sides with a midrib
Cryptandra nutans is a little shrub about 30cm high on the gravelly Banksia Trail in Foxes Lair.
In this district Rhamnaceae plants are mostly small shrubs found on upland gravelly or sandy soils with white flowers that have hoods covering anthers attached to the petals the The flowers are open for pollination by a number of insects, including flies. Perhaps the anther hoods provide protection from ants and beetles.
They can look very similar, but I I use rules of thumb to distinguish between local genera
Genus Cryptandra
Cryptandras are small shrubs with sessile flowers that have a small tube before it splits into sepals.
The name Cryptandra (Latin – hiding man) refers to the anthers that are cloaked by a hood on the petals, that are joined into a short to medium length tube. flowers are attached singly to the flowering stem directly or by a short pedicel.
All Cryptandras have leaves wih rolled-down edges in contrast to the other species, which have conjoined petals (folded lengthways into two sides with a midrib
Cryptandra nutans is a little shrub about 30cm high on the gravelly Banksia Trail in Foxes Lair.
 Cryptandra nutans pink flower form |  |
 Cryptandra arbutifolia distinct floral tube and short petiole | Waxy Cryptandra Cryptandra arbutifolia is uncommon on granitic sandy soils in Foxes Lair. It flowers in September-October when it is dwarfed by the mass of other wildflowers at this time. It is spiny with tiny exquisite tubular flowers, particularly when viewed with the sun behind them. |
 Characteristic spines |  After flowering note downfolded leaves |  Hooded anthers |
Genus Trymalium
Trymalium comes from Greek for "the eye of a needle", which refers to the three slits at the summit of the fruit when it opens. Trymalium are generally larger bushes with conjoined leaves and sprays of flowers that are split to the base.
Trymalium ledifolium occurs as a number of varieties in the district. Variety ledifolium is a medium sized shrub with soft green leaves that can form clusters on rocky red loams and granitic sandy soils near the claypit. Flowering starts in mid-July with sprays of minuscule pale-yellow flowers and dark green shiny foliage in August.
Trymalium comes from Greek for "the eye of a needle", which refers to the three slits at the summit of the fruit when it opens. Trymalium are generally larger bushes with conjoined leaves and sprays of flowers that are split to the base.
Trymalium ledifolium occurs as a number of varieties in the district. Variety ledifolium is a medium sized shrub with soft green leaves that can form clusters on rocky red loams and granitic sandy soils near the claypit. Flowering starts in mid-July with sprays of minuscule pale-yellow flowers and dark green shiny foliage in August.
Variety rosemarinifolium is more common on mafic gravel spots. It can be distinguished by its generally paler colour and felt-surfaced growth and flowers.
 Var rosemarinifolium has paler leaves |  |  hairy leaves and flowers |
I recently found a few plants of rare Trymalium monospermum at Boundain Nature Reserve. It is a small compact shrub with hairless leaves flowers and a single on each flowering stem.
Stenanthemum tridentatum Genus Stenanthemum
The name means 'narrow flower'
Conjoined leaves are arranged alternately along the branches, usually folded in half lengthwise on a short petiole. Tubular flowers are arranged singly or in dense heads, usually on the ends of branches with bracts at the base of the flowers.
Stenanthemum leaves have very hairy undersides, which help them to be very drought tolerant. I found Stenanthemum tridentatum at Rich Road Reserve.
The name means 'narrow flower'
Conjoined leaves are arranged alternately along the branches, usually folded in half lengthwise on a short petiole. Tubular flowers are arranged singly or in dense heads, usually on the ends of branches with bracts at the base of the flowers.
Stenanthemum leaves have very hairy undersides, which help them to be very drought tolerant. I found Stenanthemum tridentatum at Rich Road Reserve.
 Trymalium monospermum |  Hairless foliage and flowers |  |
Genus Polyanthion
There is only one species in the district at Tutanning Nature Reserve: Priority 4 Tutanning Pomaderris Polianthion biloculare , which is a low shrub found on sandy gravel. Terminal heads of flowers that lack anther hoods.
There is only one species in the district at Tutanning Nature Reserve: Priority 4 Tutanning Pomaderris Polianthion biloculare , which is a low shrub found on sandy gravel. Terminal heads of flowers that lack anther hoods.
Genus Spyridium
I discovered autumn flowering Spyridium microcephalum near Nomans Lake Hall. The genus name (Spyridium) means "a small basket" because their flowers are clustered inside cup-like bracts. The feathery parts shown are aerial seeds.
The image also shows feathery seeds, which leave the cup of star shaped bracts behind.
I discovered autumn flowering Spyridium microcephalum near Nomans Lake Hall. The genus name (Spyridium) means "a small basket" because their flowers are clustered inside cup-like bracts. The feathery parts shown are aerial seeds.
The image also shows feathery seeds, which leave the cup of star shaped bracts behind.