A plant seed comes about as the result of pollination in which 2 gametes from same (self pollination) or different plants (cross pollination) unite to create a zygote. The zygote develops within the ovary to become an embryo – the beginnings of…
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A seed contains the embryonic new plant and the beginnings of a new generation. For annuals in particular, the parent generation dies leaving their entire species as progeny in their seeds. To this end, it is important that the seeds are…
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The sheoak (she-oak) is endemic to Australia. Sheoaks are actually flowering plants and belong to the genus Allocasuarina and the family Casuarinaceae. The sheoak may also be called the ironwood, bull-oak (buloke) or beefwood. The species Allocasuarina luehmannii gives its…
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Inside each seed there is an embryonic plant. A seed contains the next generation of the plant it comes from and, as such, the plant goes to great lengths to ensure the survival of the seed. Every seed is different and…
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The Marri tree is one of the most common of the eucalypts found in the south-west forests of Western Australia (WA). It is not found outside of the south west corner of WA. The marri was formerly referred to as…
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Xylem consists of long, dead cells and is part of the vascular tissue of a plant (the other components being phloem and cambium (cambium only in dicotyledons). Like our veins, xylem carries the life blood of a plant- water. Water…
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The Red or Scarlet Flowering Gum grows to around 10m tall. It is an evergreen tree whose deep green leaves form a thick canopy. It is one of the best of the Australian native shade trees. Its natural habitat is…
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When identifying plants, it can be very difficult because many species have marked similarities. However, one of the easiest ways to identify plants is by their leaves. Leaves come in all sorts of shapes and forms. The aim of plant identification…
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Nuytsia floribunda (Western Australian Christmas tree or simply Christmas tree) is a root hemi-parasite. It is named in honour of Pieter Nuyts who was a 17th century Dutch explorer and colonial official. It belongs to the family Loranthaceae, the mistletoes….
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The quaintly named Snottygobble is one of 90 species of Persoonia. Four of these species occur in the south-west of Western Australia (WA). It is a key component of the mid-storey level of WA’s jarrah forests. The snottygobble grows well…
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