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Talk: Summer Wildflowers on the Lesueur Sandplain, WA – Patrick Previtt

27 February, 2022 @ 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Duggan Pavilion, Cowaramup
Doors open 1.30pm for set-up, book sales, …
$5 at door
Afternoon tea

It is legendary that springtime on the Lesueur Sandplain is synonymous with a stunning display of wildflowers. Less well known is the persistence of the display through November and December depending on temperature and rainfall. ‘Summer’ wildflowers escape notice by many people in the Midwest pf WA who are encouraged by the tourism industry to visit this area in August and September.

Among the better-known wildflowers in the late spring and early summer radiation are verticordias, calytrix, beaufortias, and the ever-present Stylidiaceae. The time of  decline of these jewels has not been assessed as escalating temperatures in December discourage further field work!!

If  you look closely at the flower structure shown by the  different species of the Verticordia genus you will notice subtle variation in sepal and petal shape between species. Some pointers to identification using these features and others will be described. Regardless of your depth of interest in technical data you will not cease to be amazed by the beauty of these ‘turners of hearts.’

The subdued appearance of the Lesueur Sandplain as viewed from a distance belies the true complexity of the land surface and microhabitats available for wildflowers. Variation in soil type, texture and moisture content are major drivers reflected in the remarkable species richness, second to none in WA. Of particular interest to botanists has been the area between Eneabba and Badgingarra. Wildflowers from this area and nearby feature in this presentation.

Bachelor Science degree University of London Botany, Zoology and Geology.

Teaching and research. 40 years in the tertiary sector. University of Tasmania, Launceston Division; University of New England. Armidale NSW; University of Ballarat in Victoria.

Bachelor of Letters, University of New England

Diploma Tertiary Education, New England NSW

Senior Lecturer in Wildlife Management, Federation University of Victoria, Ballarat

Research projects. Habitat use by carnivorous marsupials in dry sclerophyll forests; protection of koalas on roads; impact of land use and farming practice on platypus western Victoria; habitat use by microbats in managed forests; identification of microbats using ultrasonic vocalizations during flight. Factors affecting inability of land managers to control rabbits in Victoria.

Teaching. Animal diversity, Vertebrate Zoology, Human genetics, Forest entomology.

Since 2017 Patrick can be found at People Place Busselton on Wednesday afternoons during term time entertaining U3A participants with coursework on the subject ‘Biodiversity for Everyone’….

…..! Promo. (Enrolment for semester 1 2022 opens early January, (See U3A Website for details) !

Details

Date:
27 February, 2022
Time:
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Event Categories:
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Organiser

South West Capes Branch

Venue

Duggan Pavilion, Cowaramup
Hall Road (off Bussell Highway in the middle of town by Cowaramup Agencies)
Cowaramup, Western Australia Australia
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