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This Eremophila sp. is a small tree in the main camping ground at Lake Mungo.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2009
Daisy growing as a low herb, Walls of China area.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2009
These Pittosporum sp. were one of the few instances where it seemed that the lunette was being actively invaded by native species, helping to control erosion. Elsewhere, there is continued degradation of the landscape, even though feral pests are being controlled.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2009
It was surprising to see that moss could survive and even thrive in this semi-desert. The winter of 2009 was wet and miserable, but at least the moss plants seemed to like it!
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2009
Senecio lautus, or variable groundsel, seems to do very well in this region, it was ubiquitous.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2009
The Paddy Melon, or Cucumis myriocarpus, flowers in summer and autumn. The fruit and leaves are harmful to stock. They are often found in sandy soils and disturbed areas.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2009
The Mungo area is dry enough for Spinifex to grow. Spinifex was an important source for gum used to glue tools to handles, as well as a general purpose "plastic" to make objects of any shape which did not have much tension on them, as for example the mouth piece of the local form of the didjeridoo.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2009
One of the millions of a single species of caterpillar in the area at the time the photographs were taken, this one can be seen demolishing a Senecio sp. flower.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Senecio sp. flowers on which the caterpillars were feasting.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Flowers of the Wilga tree.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Cypress Pine seed cones, opened to release the seeds.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Pea flower. There are many native peas in Australia, a large proportion of which are poisonous to stock.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Ruby saltbush. The berries are edible, but the taste is never going to set the world on fire.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Unidentified flower on a tree.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Unidentified flower on a bush.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
A very hairy white flowered Eremophila sp. growing on the eastern side of the lunette on the tourist drive.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
The white flowered Eremophila sp. bush shown in close up above, growing on the eastern side of the lunette on the tourist drive.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
A very hairy purple flowered Eremophila sp. growing on the eastern side of the lunette on the tourist drive.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
A very hairy purple flowered Eremophila sp. growing on the eastern side of the lunette on the tourist drive.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
A Eucalyptus - salt bush community on the eastern side of the lunette.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
A succulent flower on the eastern side of the lunette near Vigars Well.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Lily.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Lily.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Field of Lilies.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Botany Bay Greens. These were used by Captain Cook to combat scurvy when he landed in Australia. In contrast to most Australian native plants used for bush tucker, these are quite palatable without any special treatment.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Cypress Pine on the shores of Lake Mungo
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Flowering spinifex
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Lichen on the ground beneath these mallees helps to keep the soil from blowing or washing away, even though there is little other ground cover.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
The environment here is dry enough to support the growth of spinifex grass beneath the eucalyptus trees.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
This area has been ripped in order to destroy rabbit warrens, and is now in the process of recovery. The natural vegetation has begun to recolonise the area.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Two trees joined. Perhaps one is a sucker from the other, and the connecting root is now exposed by erosion of the sediments in which the trees grew originally.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Nicotiana (an exotic weed of the tobacco family) being buried by mobile sand on the back of the walls of china lunette, the eastern lee side.
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005
Nicotiana flowers
Photo: Don Hitchcock 2005