Travelogue 2015/2 Reynolds Reserve #14
October 18th, 2015. All of this entry takes up a few hours on two separate days at a small reserve called Reynolds Flora Reserve which is located six kms south east of Kondut. Kondut is now a nothing town located half way between Wongan Hills and Ballidu. It consists of a wheat silo and a bus stop these days. The old shop that used to sell a multitude of goods is now closed and is occupied as a private residence.
An early pioneer (Mr Reynolds) in 1907 set aside a small part of his selection because he loved flowers. Later another farmer added to the original plot and arranged for it to be protected as a flora reserve. The reserve measures 170 metres by 945 metres and is located in a sea of wheat along the east side of the Old Ballidu Road. It would have to be by far the best display of Verticordia one could imagine. A Verticordia paradise even. It's a shame the early Cocky's didn't set aside far more good quality land for wildflower preservation. The only land not covered in wheat, or other crops, is either salt flats or rocky hill tops. The second day required a return trip from Rockingham, on Nov 5th, specifically to see and take photos of the white Verticordia or Cauliflower Bush. I kept 100 photos and have included about half although every one is worthy of inclusion, in my humble opinion. Enough of the waffle on with the Verticordia. There are seven varieties of Verticordia growing in the reserve. most are shown below.
Google Earth img. Reynolds Flora Reserve
All the flowers are Verticordia except were indicated otherwise
All the flowers are Verticordia except were indicated otherwise
The greenish bush is Verticordia capillaris (Cauliflower Bush). You will see it in all it's glory at the end of this Travelogue.
I would call this plant Kerosene Bush. It burns, when green, like kerosene.
The track through the middle is to allow Seniors to drive through.
This brings an end the photos taken on Oct 18th. All the rest were taken on Nov 5th and are, in the main, Verticordia capillaris and are a threatened species due to over harvesting and destruction of their habitat on roadsides by council graders, road widening endeavors and feral plants. The individual flowers are tiny and are packed together in extremely dense bunches much like a cauliflower hence the name Cauliflower Bush
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Bonnie showed much interest in the scent from many different flowers as we wandered about on this trip
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img2405 New Holland Combine Harvester
For what is worth- I have operated one of these, or similar, many many times, sometimes only ten kms from this very spot both east and west of here.
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This brings to an end the Verticordia of Reynolds Flora Reserve.
Sorry if there was too much repetition.
Travelogue 2015/2 Reynolds Reserve #14--- Ends
Geoff
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