FAUNA

Quenda Isoodon fusciventer The quenda is a nocturnal marsupial which GOVERNMENT OF occasionally emerges during the day. Look for evidence of its foraging in the form of distinctive cone-shaped diggings as it hunts for insects and plant tubers. Kings Park Bushland

Western Bearded Dragon Pogona minor A Pocket Guide The largest of the local dragons these semi- arboreal lizards love to sun bathe. They are very well camoufaged and will sit motionless until to the Bushland disturbed. Nature Trail Bobtail Tiliqua rugosa rugosa The bobtail will often be found basking in sunny patches of bushland. A monogamous species, bobtails breed in spring with the female giving birth to live young in late summer.

Dragonfy Aeshna brevistyla Dragonfies can be seen throughout the bushland taking advantage of open areas to hunt fying insects. Dragonfies are most noticeable following spring rains when insect eggs are stimulated to hatch creating an airborne buffet.

Blue-banded Bee Amegilla cingulata (Native Bees) With its distinctive bands of metallic blue fur, the native blue-banded bee can often be spotted hovering around fowers during spring. After landing on a fower the bee will buzz to release the pollen.

Cicada Cicadidae Family Heard before they are seen, the distinctive chorus produced by males using an organ called a tymbal can almost be deafening. Cicada nymphs begin life below the ground feeding on plant roots, sometimes for many years, before metamorphosing into fying adults.

Turtle Frog Myobatrachus gouldii The rarely seen turtle frog spends most of its life underground, however, summer rain draws them Photo: F Hort from their burrows to search for a mate. At this time the short singular croaks of males can be heard calling for a female. The turtle frog does not produce free-swimming tadpoles. Instead tiny, fully-formed frogs hatch from large eggs with the frst winter rains. FAUNA FUNGI

Quenda Isoodon fusciventer Ghost nidiformis The quenda is a nocturnal marsupial which This fungus is unusual among the others in Kings occasionally emerges during the day. Look for Park as it glows in the dark. This unassuming fungus evidence of its foraging in the form of distinctive slowly decomposes materials at the base of living cone-shaped diggings as it hunts for insects and trees. Come nightfall an eerie green glow can be plant tubers. seen coming from their fan shaped fruiting bodies.

Woody Layered Bracket Fungus Western Bearded Dragon Pogona minor Formitiporia robusta The largest of the local dragons these semi- Found growing on trees, this pathogenic fungus can arboreal lizards love to sun bathe. They are very grow up to 120 mm wide. The uppermost layer well camoufaged and will sit motionless until forms a blackened and fssured texture which looks disturbed. like giving it its name.

Bobtail Tiliqua rugosa rugosa Yellow Brain Fungus Tremella mesenterica The bobtail will often be found basking in sunny Found on rotting wood, usually where old bark patches of bushland. A monogamous species, separates from the trunk, this fungus is bright orange bobtails breed in spring with the female giving and appears similar in shape to a brain. Interestingly birth to live young in late summer. this fungus is parasitic on other fungi that occupy rotting wood.

Dragonfy Aeshna brevistyla Scarlet Bracket Fungus Dragonfies can be seen throughout the bushland Pycnoporus coccineus taking advantage of open areas to hunt fying These bright orange brackets, distinctively colourful insects. Dragonfies are most noticeable following amongst the other colours in the bushland, are spring rains when insect eggs are stimulated to decomposers of dead wood. Brackets can persist hatch creating an airborne buffet. over time and as they age their colour fades.

Blue-banded Bee Amegilla cingulata (Native Bees) Recommended reading: Perth Plants by Russell Barrett With its distinctive bands of metallic blue fur, the and Eng Pin Tay, available at Aspects of Kings Park Gallery Shop. native blue-banded bee can often be spotted hovering around fowers during spring. After landing on a fower the bee will buzz to Bushland release the pollen. Wadjuk Aspects Carpark of Kings Carpark Park Cicada Cicadidae Family LOVEKIN DRIVE Forrest Heard before they are seen, the distinctive Botanic Carpark chorus produced by males using an organ called Garden Bushland Carpark a tymbal can almost be deafening. Cicada Carpark nymphs begin life below the ground feeding on Bushland plant roots, sometimes for many years, before Nature Trail metamorphosing into fying adults. Western Australian Drinking Water Botanic Toilets Turtle Frog Myobatrachus gouldii FORREST DRIVEGarden Parking DNA The rarely seen turtle frog spends most of its life Tower Visitor Information underground, however, summer rain draws them Photo: F Hort Centre from their burrows to search for a mate. At this time the short singular croaks of males can be KINGS PARK AND BOTANIC GARDEN heard calling for a female. The turtle frog does RO22054:09_1218 not produce free-swimming tadpoles. Instead tiny, Administration, 1 Kattidj Close fully-formed frogs hatch from large eggs with the frst winter rains. Kings Park, Western Australia 6005 t (+618) 9480 3600 e [email protected] w www.bgpa.wa.gov.au THE WOODLAND SHRUBS HERBS

As you wander and explore the Bushland Nature Trail, you will see Waldjumi Jacksonia sericea Milkmaids Burchardia congesta unique Western Australian trees including tuart, jarrah and marri scattered Jacksonia sericea is a silky grey leafess plant Attractive white fowers clustered on tall slender Jan – Dec throughout the bushland. , sheoaks and other small trees and that grows as a tangle of prostrate branches stems are scattered throughout the bushland. tall shrubs make up a middle storey with a diversity of low, beautifully with yellow pea fowers. During summer, the plant dies back to an Aug – Oct fowering plants forming the understorey. There are plants in fower all underground tuber. year round, the peak being between July and October. Parrot Bush Banksia sessilis Purple Tassels Sowerbaea laxifora This tall shrub has prickly grey-green leaves. The pendulous purple fowers retain their colour TREES Key: Flowering months The attractive creamy-yellow blossoms are a for long periods. Its habit is very similar to that favourite with bees and honeyeaters. Jul – Oct of Milkmaids, dying back during the hot dry Marri summer months. Aug – Nov The nectar-rich blossom occurs from Pixie Mops Petrophile linearis summer to autumn, and is a haven for bird This low shrub with grey-green foliage has mop-like Mangles Kangaroo Paw and insect life. The bark is fbrous and pale pink, hairy fowers. Stems arise from a woody Anigozanthos manglesii ‘tessellated’. The large gumnuts (honkey rootstock or lignotuber; the taproots sink deep Aug – Dec The State Floral Emblem is one of the most nuts) are often scarred by the beaks into the soil. spectacular plants with vivid red and green of parrots. Dec – May coloured fowers. Honeyeaters are often seen Native Buttercup Hibbertia hypericoides collecting nectar and, in the process, pollinating Aug – Nov Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata A common low shrub with bright yellow fowers. the fowers. A woody underground stem enables this species This tree provides Western Australia’s most to resprout quickly after fre. Yellow Autumn Lily Tricoryne elatior famous structural and cabinet hardwood. Apr – Dec A small perennial herb common in the bushland. The reddish brown bark is in long stringy Prickly Moses pulchella The vibrant yellow fowers can be spotted sections. Flowering in summer attracts many throughout the year. different species of insects including native A small, prickly wattle with many yellow fowers in wasps and bees. spherical heads. It grows from seed after bushfres, Jun – Jan Jan – Dec forming dense thickets which provide ORCHIDS cover for small nesting birds. Tuart Eucalyptus gomphocephala May – Oct Donkey Orchids Duris spp. This tall tree has distinctive buds and fruit. Swan River Myrtle A widespread and common plant with yellow The bark is grey in small rough sections. Hypocalymma robustum and brown ‘donkey-faced’ fowers, the two lateral Tuarts provide shelter and homes for many This low shrub bears many lightly scented pink petals are like ears. Donkey orchids often grow birds and insects and are sometimes in large clumps. fowers along its branches in spring. Each fower Aug – Oct impacted by wood rotting fungi has fve petals and more than 60 stamens. and insects. Jun – Nov Jan – Apr Banded Greenhood Pterostylis vittata Three Flowered Pea Daviesia trifora This is one of the earliest orchids to fower. The Sheoak A many-stemmed shrub bearing orange, yellow and striped green hood comprises two petals and the Flowers are produced on separate male reddish brown pea fowers in groups of three along back sepal. The bloated seed capsules appear in and female trees. The male trees’ rust- the leafess stems. The bushland has three other late winter or early spring. coloured fowers are evident in winter May – Sep daviesias, each with similar coloured fowers. May – Sep and spring. The cones can be seen on the female trees all year round. The fne Spider Orchid Caladenia arenicola Pearl Flower Conostephium pendulum branches look like needles but are This orchid has red-green spider-like fowers on a segmented branchlets with tiny leaf scales. A low plant with long white and reddish-purple 25–40 cm stalk arising from a single hairy leaf. May – Oct scented fowers. These buzz pollinated fowers Several species occur in Kings Park, some are hang down on long, curved stalks. sweetly scented. Banksia Mar – Oct Aug – Oct This tree has silky red two-toned fower Wild Violet Hybanthus calycinus CYCADS heads and coarsely toothed leaves. The The charming blue-violet fowers are easily fower and fruit of this banksia are featured recognised by one broadly prominent petal. Sandplain Zamia Macrozamia fraseri on the entry mosaic of the Nature Trail. It is a member of the violet family. Jul – Oct This palm-like plant belongs to an ancient group Four other banksias can be found called cycads. The male and female plants are along the trail: B. grandis, B. attenuata Jul – Oct separate, each producing distinctive cones. They B. sessilis and B. prionotes. Feb – Oct are pollinated by weevils. Sep – Oct