Cretan Trefoil (Lotus creticus), a silvery, silken-leaved denizen of the Mediterranean strand, lately translocated to Melbourne’s exurban vacation dunes. Other than a scattering of more … Read the full post
Square-stalked St. John’s Wort (Hypericum tetrapterum)
Square-stalked St. John’s Wort (Hypericum tetrapterum), a moisture-loving wort (i.e. medicinal root) from Europe. This plant has also been known as St. Peter’s Wort, although … Read the full post
Prickly Paddy Melon (Cucumis myriocarpus)
Prickly Paddy Melon (Cucumis myriocarpus) a bitter Southern African cucumber producing a myriad of tiny fruit. von Mueller made the first Australian collection of Paddy Melon … Read the full post
Banana Passionfruit (Passiflora tarminiana)
Banana Passionfruit (Passiflora tarminiana), an expert climber with edible fruit. Formerly planted more widely for the fruit (although this is often described as somewhat insipid), … Read the full post
St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), a Eurasian perennial and herbal remedy widely established across temperate Australia. It is impossible to tell the story of St John’s … Read the full post
Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum)
Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum), a striking Eurasian St. Johns Wort with a shrubby aspect and attractive red fruits turning black at maturity. Naturalised in New Zealand … Read the full post
False Strawberry (Potentilla indica)
False Strawberry (Potentilla indica), one of a number of species in a Rose-family genus adopted into herbal medicine and ornamental use. Native to monsoon Asia, … Read the full post
Cut-leaved Evening Primrose (Oenothera laciniata)
Cut-leaved Evening Primrose (Oenothera laciniata), an annual or short-lived perennial from the sand prairies of the eastern United States. Introduced in 1770 to English cultivation … Read the full post
Lesser Swine’s Cress (Lepidium didymum)
Lesser Swine’s Cress (Lepidium didymum), a South American member of the mustard family introduced to Europe by early colonial transfers, and from there to Australia … Read the full post
Hairy Willow-herb (Epilobium hirtigerum)
Hairy Willow-herb (Epilobium hirtigerum), an ephemeral Australian native plant whose lifeways flit between areas of disturbance. Hairy Willow-herb is adapted to exploit sites of short-lived … Read the full post
Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias)
Sea Spurge (Euphorbia paralias), a Mediterranean spurge introduced to Australian coasts and now actively transforming dune environments around the continent’s southern perimeter. Sea Spurge alters … Read the full post
Sweet Briar (Rosa rubiginosa)
Sweet Briar (Rosa rubiginosa), brought to Australia as grafting stock, a sometimes hedge and a domestic source of rose hip tea. Spread by birds and … Read the full post
Caper Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris)
Caper Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris), another latex-exuding Southern European ornamental selection, now naturalised in riparian woodlands throughout Southern Australia. Caper Spurge combined excellent vertical structure, drought-hardy … Read the full post
Myrtle-leaf Milkwort (Polygala myrtifolia)
Myrtle-leaf Milkwort (Polygala myrtifolia), a South African ornamental shrub and one of several dominant weeds in residential scrub around Port Phillip Bay, and on Mornington … Read the full post
Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba)
Hoary Cress (Lepidium draba), a Eurasian mustard globalised in the 1800s in contaminated seed and ship ballast. The first Australian infestation reportedly occurred at the … Read the full post
Tree Mallow (Malva arborea)
Tree Mallow (Malva arborea), a Mediterranean coastal shrub. Described in 1859 as very common in Australian gardens, the plant offered instant vertical colour; an 1886 … Read the full post
Hairy Abutilon (Abutilon grandifolium)
Hairy Abutilon (Abutilon grandifolium), a South American plant similar in appearance to various South Asian Abutilons, hence another common name ‘Hairy Indian Mallow’. Although there … Read the full post
Hairy Abutilon (Abutilon grandifolium)
Hairy Abutilon (Abutilon grandifolium), a South American plant similar in appearance to various South Asian Abutilons, hence another common name ‘Hairy Indian Mallow’. Although there … Read the full post
Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera)
Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera), a stone fruit native to the Balkans and to Western Asia, adopted and selected for its ornamental qualities (as well as … Read the full post
Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera)
Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera), a stone fruit native to the Balkans and to Western Asia, adopted and selected for its ornamental qualities (as well as … Read the full post
Geraldton Carnation Weed (Euphorbia terracina)
Geraldton Carnation Weed (Euphorbia terracina), a Mediterranean perennial established across southern Australia as a weed of pasture, roadsides and bushland. Also called False Caper Spurge … Read the full post
Geraldton Carnation Weed (Euphorbia terracina)
Geraldton Carnation Weed (Euphorbia terracina), a Mediterranean perennial established across southern Australia as a weed of pasture, roadsides and bushland. Also called False Caper Spurge … Read the full post
Oval Heron’s-bill (Erodium malacoides)
Oval Heron’s-bill (Erodium malacoides), a ‘mallow-leafed’ geranium native to the Mediterranean basin but spread to similar climates around the world as a contaminant of seed … Read the full post
Oval Heron’s-bill (Erodium malacoides)
Oval Heron’s-bill (Erodium malacoides), a ‘mallow-leafed’ geranium native to the Mediterranean basin but spread to similar climates around the world as a contaminant of seed … Read the full post
Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill (Geranium molle)
Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill (Geranium molle), a Eurasian annual introduced to 19th century Australia as a contaminant of grain and fodder seed. This geranium has been noted … Read the full post
Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill (Geranium molle)
Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill (Geranium molle), a Eurasian annual introduced to 19th century Australia as a contaminant of grain and fodder seed. This geranium has been noted … Read the full post
Large-flower wood-sorrel (Oxalis purpurea)
Large-flower wood-sorrel (Oxalis purpurea), a South African perennial bulb adopted as a garden ornamental. Typically flowering a bright magenta as seen here, white and pale-pink … Read the full post
Large-flower wood-sorrel (Oxalis purpurea)
Large-flower wood-sorrel (Oxalis purpurea), a South African perennial bulb adopted as a garden ornamental. Typically flowering a bright magenta as seen here, white and pale-pink … Read the full post
Large Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias)
Large Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias), another beloved Eurasian garden filler with gloriously alien inflorescences and caustic latex sap. Tolerant of drought and high salinity levels, … Read the full post
Large Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias)
Large Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias), another beloved Eurasian garden filler with gloriously alien inflorescences and caustic latex sap. Tolerant of drought and high salinity levels, … Read the full post