Showy daisy puts on a bright yellow display | Nature Notes
Most of us know the yellow dandelions and flatweeds of gardens and lawns, but there are also a few rather similar-looking native plants in this group.
Pictured today is the largest of these, known as the showy podolepis.
It is a pity that this attractive plant has not yet had a more "user-friendly" name given. Podolepis is not easy to learn, nor does it have any particular relevance for bushwalkers or others.
Podo in Greek means foot, while lepis is scale. The "foot scale" refers to features of the inner flower-parts, not visible without carefully inspecting the flower.
Whatever its name, showy podolepis is indeed a showy plant. It has been referred to as "an antique dandelion", which is quite an appropriate description. The flowers are larger than others in the dandelion group, being up to 40 millimetres across. Stems are strong, often more than 400 mm tall, and each has one flower.
A distinctive feature of the podolepis flower is its deeply-cut petal tips, with each tip cut into two or three, giving a slightly ragged but attractive effect. In summer the above-ground parts die down after flowering, the plant re-growing in autumn.
Despite its attractiveness, showy podolepis is seldom grown in gardens. Perhaps it is short-lived - although it is regarded as perennial - or perhaps it is not readily available.
It is widespread in local forests, but usually in small localised patches only. Drier situations seem to be favoured.
Another similar native plant in the dandelion group is the yam daisy or murnong, well-known as an important Aboriginal food and gradually becoming better-known in "bush tucker" circles. It can be difficult to identify from the weedy dandelion-like species.
There are a surprising number of exotic (introduced) plants similar to the common flatweeds and dandelions. Hawkbits, ox-tongues, hawksbeards and others all have the similar yellow "dandelion" - type flowers, but they vary in other respects, such as branching, flower formation, leaf-hairiness and so on.
YARROWEE SHRUBS
Most of the trees and shrubs along the Yarrowee River within the City of Ballarat were planted less than 25 years ago, and they are now successfully attracting numbers of native birds, as well as native insects.
The various eucalypts, wattles and others now support pardalotes, honeyeaters, wrens, thornbills, grey fantails, common bronzewings, rosellas, grey shrike-thrushes, whistlers and more.
Almost all of these birds are now present because the trees and shrubs were planted where there were previously only long grass and other weeds.
The planting has been transformational and is fortunately continuing, on a smaller scale, downstream from Ballarat.
HIDING: Dark sheltered places are their preferred sites for centipedes during the day. Picture: Supplied
NATURE QUERIES ANSWERED
This 80 mm centipede was found almost dead on carpet inside our house. Sometimes larger ones are found. Are they dangerous? What would bring them inside the house? They are sometimes found in a desiccated state under furniture. S.R., Mt Pleasant.
The centipedes would be entering your house under a door or similar situation. They would be seeking either shelter or food.
Centipedes are nocturnal predators, feeding on a wide range of creatures smaller than themselves, such as spiders, snails, worms and beetles.
Dark sheltered places are their preferred sites during the day.
Perhaps the environment in your home is too dry for them to survive for long, hence the desiccated specimens you find.
This one is relatively common in the Ballarat district. It can inflict a very painful bite but is not regarded as dangerous to adults. The bite occurs at the head end.
- Questions and photos are welcome. Send to Roger Thomas at The Courier, PO Box 21, Ballarat, 3353, or email to rthomas@vic.australis.com.au