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Project Noah Nature School
Swainsona formosa
This is the red centered variety, endemic to the Cape Range National Park area. " The Sturt’s Desert Pea is a blood red flower [typically] with a black centre. It also has a long stalk with up to sixteen leaflets, on a creeping vine that runs across the ground." (http://5bbiology.weebly.com/sturts-deser... )
In the camping area there was quite a few of these, at Tulki Beach Campsite, Cape Range National Park.
Found this really interesting stuff: "In ancient times the range was isolated as an island as rising sea levels inundated lower lying areas. As a result of this geographic isolation, there are some species of plants and animals that are endemic to the area, including the red centred variety of the Sturt Desert Pea. Surveys have recorded over 630 species of flowering plants on the peninsula and within the Cape Range National Park. This is a surprisingly high number for an arid limestone area." (http://www.visitningaloo.com.au/our-regi... ) It is the floral emblem of the state South Australia.
Spotted on Jun 19, 2015
Submitted on Oct 23, 2016
2 Comments
I hope you see one too! I was quite surprised that there was this red-centred variety as I had only ever seen (in books) the black-centred ones. Now I want to see one of those :D I have joined your mission and will add any current and additional spottings! Thank you for creating it!
I don't know why, but this (for me) is a quintessentially Australian plant. I hope to see one before I kark it. Please consider adding this to a new Aussie mission - https://www.projectnoah.org/missions/240... Beautiful spotting, Liana, and awesome notes too.