Heteropogon contortus

The Heteropogon contortus is a plant of the order Poales, commonly known as the Black Speargrass, Tanglehead and Pili. It can be characterised by the twisted awn at the topmost part of the plant when the seeds have developed.

It is a tropical, perrenial tussock grass that is distributed across North Australia, parts of Africa and Asia. It grows to 1.5 metres tall.

It is a native weed to Australia and problems exist where the seeds can cause discomfort for sheep.

Pittosporum multiflorum

The Pittosporum multiflorum is a plant of the of the order Apiales, commonly known as the Orange Thorn, formerly known as Citriobatus pauciflorus. It tends to grow in soils that are rich in shales or volcanic substances, from Eden in NSW to north QLD.

The leaves are almost circular, slightly wider at the base and usually about 3-12mm long. The toothed margins along the abaxial side of the leaf distinguishes this species from others. The fruit is an edible orange berry with rough skin.

Solanum spirale

The Solanum spirale is a plant of the order Solanales and belonging to the Solanaceae family which comprises nightshade, tomatoes, petunias and tobacco. Solanum spirale Roxb. is the most common variety with 3 or 4 more available.

The leaves are unequal and paired. Fruit is a berry (small tomato) that is yellow and orange when ripe. The flowers are white.

In some parts of India the young leaves are harvested and eaten, and the roots are used as an anaesthetic and diuretic.

Raphanus sativus

The Raphanus sativus is an edible root vegetable of the order Brassicales, commonly known as the Radish. It contains a number of beneficial nutrients and minerals such as ascorbic acid, folic acid, potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, copper, calcium.

Radish is a fast growing annual that grows to 0.5 m tall. It prefers moist soils with some sunlight. There are several varieties which give rise radish with different shape, color, flesh color and more.

It was introduced into Australia.

Phalaris minor

The Phalaris minor is a grass of the order Poales, with common names including little seed canary grass, small-seeded canary grass, small canary grass and lesser canary grass. It is native to Africa, Europe and Asia, and was introduced into Australia.

This grass can grow to 1.8 m tall. In some area it is classified as a weed, as it can contaminate seed stocks if left unchecked. Yasin et al. (2011) have found that Fenoxaprop-ethyl is an excellent herbicide to control the spread of Phalaris minor.

Macropus giganteus

The Macropus giganteus is a large marsupial of the order Diprotodontia, commonly known as the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, but also the Great Grey Kangaroo and the Forester Kangaroo. It is endemic to Australia and generally prefers open grasslands where it grazes for food.

These animals have been known to be able to travel at speeds of up to ~40 mph. It has a soft grey coat and along with the shape of their face, they are quite different from Red Kangaroos.

Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia

The Banksia integrifolia subsp. integrifolia is a plant of the order Proteales. They are sometimes commonly known as the coast Banksias, but this name may be applicable to several species.

This species differes from B. integrifolia subsp. compar by having smaller yet broader leaves. The distribution of Banksias range from the coast line to the fringes of rainforests up to 50km from the coast. They are endemic to Australia and can be found from Bundaberg to Geelong.

The growth habit is generally a tree up to 20m tall. The flowers are a pale yellow and tend to attract a large number of pollinators including insects, birds and even mammals.

Spergularia rubra

The Spergularia rubra is a plant species of the order Caryophyllales, commonly known as the Red Sand Spurrey. It is native to Europe and Asia and was introduced to Australia.

It is an annual or perennial herb and the stem grows to only 25cm long. The leaves are only ever about 2cm long with white stipules. Flowers emerge from the leaf axils.

Comesperma retusum

The Comesperma retusum is a herbaceous plant of the order Fabales. The leaves are alternate for all species of the Comesperma genus. This species is endemic to Australia. Similar species include C. esulifolium which is commonly known as the Mountain Match-head due to the shape of the unopened flowers, much like the Organism of the Day.

The Comesperma retusum is currently classified for the Queensland conservation status as of least concern.

Ixobrychus dubius

The Ixobrychus dubius is a small bird of the order Pelecaniformes, commonly known as the Black-backed Bitten, Black-backed Least Bitten and the Australian Little Bitten. They grow to only 30cm in length and the males have a black cap with black back. Their undersides are generally lighter as per the image above.

Their distribution includes much of the  SE region of Australia and habitats include the Murray Darling Basin and along the east coast. Other records include sightings in New Guinea and New Caledonia.

The Queensland conservation status lists the Ixobrychus dubius as of least concern. However, nationally it is classified as near threatened.

Leptospermum juniperinum

The Leptospermum juniperinum is a plant of the order Myrtales, commonly called the Prickly Tea Tree. Some say that this plant was used by Cpt. Cook during his voyage to Australia. It is an evergreen shrub which grows only to 2 meters tall. It is a fairly hardy tree and can withstand high winds and even light frost.

The flowers are produced in the early warmer seasons and are white in this species.

It currently has a Queensland conservation status of Least Concern.

Ardea modesta

Distribution of Ardea modesta

The Ardea modesta is a bird of the order Pelecaniformes and is commonly called the Eastern Great Egret, or kotuku in New Zealand. It has a large distribution in Australia and oversease and tends to feed  on living creatures - frogs, insects, fish. Breeding times vary across Australia but they have often been observed doing so in colonies of several species of birds.

The Eastern Great Egret is of least concern for Queensland conservation status.

Hedychium coronarium

Hedychium coronarium is a monocot of the order Zingiberales, commonly known as White Ginger and White Garland-lily, Butterfly Ginger. It has a herbaceous growth habit and can grow to 6 feet. The flowers are comprised of 3 yellowish or greenish sepals and 3 white petals, that form much like some orchid species.

This plant can be propagated in the spring from parent bulbs. The flowers produce a pleasant fragrance.

It is an invasive species to the Brisbane region.