Coastal cliff top flora of Kangaroo Island

[Jupiter]

On a recent trip to my Dad's place I did a walk to a headland at a place called Pennington Bay. The flora on the rocky cliff tops is fascinating so I thought I'd share some images for those interested in such things.

I haven't had time to put names to things yet; I know some of them and can find out the others if anyone would like to know more about it.




Looking West from the Eastern end of Pennington Bay.



Looking South, nothing but sea between here and Antarctica.




Pimelea glauca




Kunzea pomifera




Lasiopetalum discolor




Euphrasia collina ssp. osbornii (?)







Euphrasia collina ssp. osbornii (?)



















Calytrix tetragona













Podolepis rugata










Lotus australis




Veronica hillebrandii




Pultenaea acerosa



Pultenaea acerosa




Scaevola crassifolia

[Maggi Young]

That is a beautiful spot, Jamus.  And some real "rock plants" too! Would be super to have names for them, please, when you have time.

[Robert]

When you have time, yes, names for the plants would be good. There are certainly some interesting and beautiful plants. Some information about the climatic conditions could be helpful too. I can understand if this is too much to ask as I'm sure, like the rest of us, you are very busy.

Anyway, I enjoyed the photographs.

[Jupiter]

I have added names to most of the plants above with a couple of exceptions. I can't find a name for the little succulent, yellow daisy, try as I may...

Kangaroo Island is not far from Adelaide and has a very typically Mediterranean climate. It is cooler than Adelaide, rarely reaching 40°C. Winters are cold but not freezing. The Southerlies rip in off the open ocean and sea mist would provide a little regular water besides the predominantly winter rains. It's pretty much always windy there.

The soil is limestone rock and sand. A pretty inhospitable environment all in all.

[Robert]

Jamus,

Thanks for the climatic information as well as the plant names. I thought the last photograph might be a Scavola. My knowledge of Australian flora is very weak. Some more plants to look up at our public library.

[ArnoldT]

Jamus:

Nice to see what the area looks like.

I've collected honey from all over the world and have a couple of jars from Hog Bay Apiary in Penneshaw!

[Jupiter]

Hi Arnold, did you visit the honey farm on Kangaroo Island or did you buy it somewhere else? KI has the only pure Ligurian bee strain left in the world I believe. What that means for the quality of the honey I'm really not sure.

[Lesley Cox]

What a marvellous place that looks to be Jamus, with a lovely flora as well as the landscape itself. I'll bet you enjoyed that trip. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Jupiter]

Lesley if you ever find yourself over this way I highly recommend Kangaroo Island. It's a rugged place but some of the coastal scenery is really unique and beautiful. I stole a couple of hours away from the kids to do this walk, high cliff ledges composed of crumbly limestone are no place for little ones! Especially when you're being swooped by an angry mummy osprey with a nest nearby!

[ArnoldT]

Jamus:

I had it shipped.  I recall it was almost as expensive to ship as was the cost of the honey.  I read about the strain of Ligurian bees.

My traveling days were done by the time I discovered the Hog Bay apiary.

[Hoy]

Jamus; very interesting! I have looked at that island on the maps several times but it is very different from what I thought!


Arnold, I hope you have acquired and tasted honey from Erica tetralix collected by Apis mellifera mellifera (the Scandinavian black strain which we call brown here)