Images Dated 2nd February 2022

New England waratah (Telopea aspera)

New England waratah (Telopea aspera), one of the five species of Waratah, resembling the New South Wales state floral emblem (Telopea speciosissima), separated from that species in 1987. It is also called Gibraltar Range waratah. Northern Tablelands, New South Wales, Australia

© Mark Spencer/AUSCAPE All rights reserved

Australian, Bracts, Bush, Close Up, Endemic To Australia, Flora, Flowerhead, Inflorescence, Lignotuber, Native, Plant, Proteaceae, Showy, Shrub, Underground, Vegetation, Wildflower

Bullanock (Xanthorrhoea australis) in mist, New South Wales, Australia

Bullanock (Xanthorrhoea australis) on a misty October morning. The plant is a perennial, some estimated to be 350 to 400 years old. Its range is eastern Australia including Tasmania and South Australia. Indigenous Australians soaked the flowering spikes in water for a sweet drink. The soft white leaf bases were eaten as well as the growing point of the stem. The flower spike exudes a resin that was used as an adhesive in making tools. Stems were used for the lower portion of a spear and also as a base for a drill to start a fire. Mid North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

© Mark Spencer / AUSCAPE All rights reserved