Not who we expected in our #possum traps this morning!

Disagreements about management of #feralhorses are old and tiresome. Tip 1: Politicising management doesn’t improve things; it might get attention but it amplifies subjectivity. Tip 2: Attacking people doesn’t win your argument but it does undermine your own credibility.

A very complex issue. How do we conserve wildlife, satisfy demand for hardwood products, substantially reduce carbon emissions and pay for it all? theguardian.com/australia-ne…

Today’s Australian native plant is the last one I’m posting, for now... These are Eucalyptus dalrympleana - Mountain Gums. Like so many other species they are disappearing. Land clearing, over-grazing, exotic plantings and climate change are ending their story. #plantnatives

Today’s Australian native plant: Eucalyptus saligna - the Blue Gum. Fast growing, smooth bark, attractive leaves and pretty pale flowers.

Today’s Australian native plant: Myoporum parvifolium - creeping Boobialla. A tough ground cover that produces beautiful white flowers.

Do you know someone with drought inertia? No feed on the ground, cold months approaching, no sign of rain but still not de-stocking or enacting a plan to protect the land they depend on? They are likely not ‘too proud’, or ‘too stupid’. They need empathy and support.

As we slip (plummet?) further into #drought conditions there are still a few bright spots in the back paddock.

Today’s Australian native plant: Banksia integrifolia - the coastal banksia. Huge variation in this species. Prostrate. Shrub. Tree. The constant: beautiful flowers that attract bird, mammal and insect pollinators galore. And black cockatoos love the seed.

Today’s Australian native plant: Hakea ochroptera - the Dorrigo hakea. This spectacular Hakea can grow to 12m tall and gets beautiful creamy white flowers. Good drainage def preferred but doing ok in heavy clay here (for now).

Today’s Australian native plant: Hardenbergia violacea - Happy wanderer / native sarsaparilla / native pea. Tough climber / ground cover with purple / pink / white flowers depending on variety. Have some fun with them and enjoy.

Today’s Australian native plants: Coronidium elatum - the white paper daisy. Occurs along much of the east coast. Varies in form but is tough and beautiful. Want more? Let it self seed but be prepared to thin them out!

This should be a scene full of Australian native plants, directly adjacent to a high altitude creek. Instead it’s a weed infested testament to Australian’s recent expertise as terrible land managers.

Today’s Australian native plant: Asperula conferta- the common woodruff. This native ground cover is sometimes dismissed as a weed, or even moss, but it’s a lovely little flower plant that will grow around the base of trees without harming them. Tiny white flowers in spr-sum.

Travesty! Today’s Australian native plant post didn’t post… Today’s Australian native plant is: Grevillea robusta - The Silky Oak. Our largest grevillea, weedy in some places but great food and habitat for wildlife. Give them space and watch them grow, even in frosty regions.

I just heard that Americans are concerned about paying $4 USD per gallon for ‘gas’. Just FYR, in my Australian town, we are now paying $8.70 USD per gallon, for fuel.

Today’s Australian native plant: Eucalyptus sideroxylon - The Mugga Ironbark. Rough dark bark and pink flowers (can vary from white to red). Favours dry conditions. Tolerates frost, Loved by honeyeaters and insects.

Today’s Australian native plant: Cassinia aureonitens - the yellow Cassinia. An almost alien-looking plant that can grow up to 4 m tall. Gets covered in yellow flowers. Forms amazing stands in the bush. Can be pruned back hard.

Today’s Australian native plant: Melaleuca thymifolia - the thyme honey-Myrtle. Flowers can be purple, pink or white. Grows to about 1m tall (there are miniature varieties too). Intricate flowers are very beautiful.

Today’s Australian native plant: Callistemon pungens - the spine leaved bottlebrush. Common in the high, rocky streams of se qld / nth eastern nsw. Lots of colour variation between river systems.