Southwest Australian Swamps

The most common shrub found in the heavier swamp soils is the swamp tea-tree (Leptospermum ellipticum), while in areas subject to seasonal flooding there may various species of shrubby Banksia, such as the endemic Banksia occidentalis (Proteaceae), and the endemic shrub Hypocalymma angustifolium (Myrtaceae). The slightly dryer areas provide home for various members of the Haemodoraceae including the endemic shrub Anigozanthos viridus, as well as some of the less spectacular species of the endemic genus Tribonanthes (Haemodoraceae). Also in these areas, especially ones subjected to winter wetness, endemics such as red swamp cranberry Astroloma stomarrhena (Epacridaceae) and Leptocarpus canus (Restionaceae) occur. Some of the more ephemeral swamps, particularly those near the foothills of the Darling Range, are noted for their prevalence of endemic plants, and include a number of insectivorous species, such as Byblis gigantea (Byblidaceae), several sun dews like Drosera menziesii (Droseraceae) and members of the bladderwort family (Lentibulariaceae) such as Utricularia menziesii. Other endemic species found in the swamps of this BioProvince include the shrubs Acacia baxteri (Fabaceae), Beaufortia sparsa, Melaleuca polygaloides (Myrtaceae), Boronia heterophylla, Boronia molloyae (Rutaceae), Cosmelia rubra (Epacridaceae), the perennial herbs Adenanthus obovata (Proteaceae), Anigozanthos flavidus (Haemodoraceae), the pitcher plant Cephalotis folliculare (Cephalotaceae), and the orchids Drakaea elastica, Eriochilus scaber and Prasophyllum regium (Orchidaceae). The latter (P. regium) is one of the giants of the orchid world growing to heights of up to 2 m.

References

Aplin, T. E. H. 1975. The Vegetation of Western Australia. In: Western Australian Year Book No. 14. W. M. Bartlett. Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Beadle, N. C. W. 1981. The Vegetation of Australia. Gustav Fischer Verlag.

Beard, J. S., Chapman, A. R. & Gioia, P. 2000. Species richness and endemism in the Western Australian Flora. Journal of Biogeography, 27: 1257-1268.

Erickson, R. et al. 1973. Flowers and Plants of Western Australia. A. H. & A. W. Reed.

Gardner, C. A. 1959. The vegetation of western Australia. In: Biogeography and Ecology in Australia. Monographiae Biologicae, 8: 275-281.