Luke Steenhuis

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• Ranunculus gunnianus Gunn's Alpine Buttercup

  29 Nov 2017 • -37.1,146.4 • Luke Steenhuis

  Small groups in grassland at Mount Buller.

  

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• Arthropodium spp. (s.s.) Vanilla Lily

  22 Nov 2017 • -37.7,146.7 • Luke Steenhuis

  Dry, rocky road embankment beside a dry creek. Macalister Valley.

  

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  1. Chris Lindorff  Very nice find Luke. Was expecting more obvious fimbriate petals, but perhaps other characters point you to this taxa. Were the plants rather tall? How wide were the leaves?

     Reply • 05 Dec 2017

  2. • Luke Steenhuis  Chris, after going over the I.D. info again I can't positively say that it is Arthropodium sp. 1 - robust glaucous. It could be A. milleflorum. I have therefore put it under Arthropodium spp. for the time being. Is that O.K.?

       Reply • 05 Dec 2017

  3. Chris Lindorff  This is up to you. I not familiar with the taller glaucous version and it may well be it. Other photos i have seen show more fimbriate petals. Location is good though.

     Reply • 06 Dec 2017
• Hovea montana Alpine Rusty-pods

  29 Nov 2017 • -37.1,146.4 • Luke Steenhuis

  White variant in front of the typical coloured species.

  

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• Dianella tasmanica Tasman Flax-lily

  29 Nov 2017 • -37.1,146.5 • Luke Steenhuis

  Growing on a flank of Mount Stirling at about 1300m altitude. Dianella tasmanica is a common species in the area but this one seems to have a thicker flower stem and more closely clustered flowers. Three photos.

  

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  1. Lorraine Phelan  Stypandra glauca species id suggested

     Reply • 30 Nov 2017

  3. Luke Steenhuis  Thanks Lorraine. I'm still not sure with your I.D. I have photographed several S. glauca and none exhibit the traits of this one. I am more inclined to think that it is a Dianella species and after spending time comparing the different Dianella members, I can only come to the conclusion that it is a very healthy and vigorous D. tasmanica. Please see the third image uploaded in this set for the typical Dianella basal leaf structure which varies quite a bit to Stypandra; which has only sparse leaves around the base. The habitat (sheltered, damp forest) and 1300m elevation also do not match S. glauca's preference. I have added a fourth image which shows the serrated margin of the leaves as highlighted by VicFlora for D. tasminica (see the lower leaf on the extra image).

     Reply • 01 Dec 2017

  5. Lorraine Phelan  Tricky business, isn't it? But fun.

     Reply • 01 Dec 2017

  7. Luke Steenhuis  I agree. It's a great way to get out and experience nature at it's best. I'm often envious of your wonderful photos.

     Reply • 01 Dec 2017

  8. • Lorraine Phelan  Thankyou, but I'm often puzzled when I look at the computer screen and wish I'd photographed the leaf junction or the sepals or some other vital identification point.

       Reply • 01 Dec 2017
• Parsonsia brownii Twining Silkpod

  20 Nov 2017 • -37.8,145.6 • Luke Steenhuis

  Creeper growing through low shrubbery. One of a young group of plants to maximum height of about 1m. Looks to have potential to climb much higher, similar to clematis. Tiny flower. Diameter 5mm. 2 pics uploaded (one of leaves).

  

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  1. David Francis  Another unusual plant for NatureShare. I see it is the Apocynaceae which is a little-known family.(Includes Vinca, Sea-box and Nerium).

     Reply • 20 Nov 2017
• Prostanthera galbraithiae Wellington Mint-bush

  10 Nov 2017 • -38.2,147.0 • Luke Steenhuis

  Vulnerable. Approx. 850 plants remain in natural habitat (2006 census). This one in a patch of about thirty in natural bush between commercial pine plantations. Two pics uploaded.

  

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  1. Cathy Powers  Great observation and record, Luke.

     Reply • 13 Nov 2017
• Acrothamnus hookeri Mountain Beard-heath

  27 Oct 2017 • -37.5,146.7 • Luke Steenhuis

  Not the best photo or example but at least it's a record. Stunted plant about 50cm high at elevation circa 1300m not long after snow melt. Have also seen plants at lower elevations (around 800m) to about 3m high with thick clusters of flowers.

  

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  1. David Francis  Great observation. Your photo shows the diagnostic bearded inner face of corolla lobes.

     Reply • 06 Nov 2017
• Olearia tenuifolia Scented Daisy-bush

  27 Oct 2017 • -37.5,146.6 • Luke Steenhuis

  Location approximate.

  

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  1. David Francis  Great record. Another rare highland plant for NatureShare.

     Reply • 01 Nov 2017
• Leionema bilobum subsp. serrulatum Toothed Leionema

  20 Oct 2017 • -37.9,145.9 • Luke Steenhuis

  Fairly common between Gembrook and Noojee. Have seen them in damp valleys right on the edge of watercourses as well as on an elevated rocky escarpment at 600m.

  

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• Menura novaehollandiae Superb Lyrebird

  22 Oct 2017 • -37.9,146.0 • Luke Steenhuis

  Getting to know each other. Three short videos uploaded taken during ten minutes of observation.

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  1. Cathy Powers  Absolutely fantastic - wish I could have seen it in person.

     Reply • 22 Oct 2017

  3. Luke Steenhuis  Thanks Cathy. I'm glad you said that. I was just about to delete with the thinking that it was a bit sub-standard but conveniently lost internet connection just as was about to press delete. It was a real thrill. Pity the sound didn't come out as it should have. I was in full view of them but they took no notice.

     Reply • 22 Oct 2017

  5. David Francis  A great record with both male and female in the one shot.

     Reply • 23 Oct 2017
• Acacia kettlewelliae Buffalo Wattle

  17 Oct 2017 • -37.1,146.6 • Luke Steenhuis

  Much smaller (or younger) plant at 3 metres high, and appears to be slightly later flowering than previous observation. Growing at 1100m altitude amongst A.obliquinervia

  

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• Acacia kettlewelliae Buffalo Wattle

  17 Oct 2017 • -37.0,146.6 • Luke Steenhuis

  Location approximate. Numerous trees up to 6 or 8m in height along 2km stretch of road. Growing at about 500m - 600m altitude.

  

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  1. David Francis  Great to see these high country species.

     Reply • 19 Oct 2017
• Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme Speedwell

  07 Oct 2017 • -37.8,145.6 • Luke Steenhuis

  Tiny grassland plant. 10cm high. Flower 5mm diameter. 100s of plants over a few square metres.

  

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• Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme Speedwell

  07 Oct 2017 • -37.8,145.6 • Luke Steenhuis

  Tiny plant in damp grassland. 10cm high. Flowers 5mm diameter. 100s of plants over about 5 square metres.

  

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• Grevillea chrysophaea (Gippsland form) Golden Grevillea

  01 Oct 2017 • -38.3,146.8 • Luke Steenhuis

  Possibly the Holey Plains Form as it was observed adjacent to the Holey Plains State Park. VicFlora has this form with narrower leaves (to 5mm) and less hairy flowers than other forms of G.chrysophaea. I did not measure the leaves but they appeared to be a little larger than as stated; perhaps to 1cm.

  

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• Clematis leptophylla Skeleton Vine

  17 Sep 2017 • -37.6,147.4 • Luke Steenhuis

  Adding an extra two leaf images. Different plant and location to previous observation.

  

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• Clematis leptophylla Skeleton Vine

  31 Aug 2017 • -37.6,147.2 • Luke Steenhuis

  

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  1. David Francis  Hi Luke, Do you have other photos showing the number, shape and size of the leaflets? I'm trying to get my head around the differences between C. leptophylla and C. microphylla

     Reply • 12 Sep 2017

  3. Luke Steenhuis  Two additional photos of the same plant have been uploaded. Yes, I had a bit of trouble as well. I could be wrong. Any assistance will be appreciated.

     Reply • 12 Sep 2017

  5. Chris Lindorff  Nice photos Luke. I think this looks good for Clematis leptophylla.

     Reply • 13 Sep 2017

  7. David Francis  Yes, leaflets show up well in added photos.

     Reply • 13 Sep 2017

  9. Luke Steenhuis  Thanks Chris. Thanks David.

     Reply • 13 Sep 2017
• Grevillea chrysophaea (Gippsland form) Golden Grevillea

  31 Aug 2017 • -37.7,147.1 • Luke Steenhuis

  Full shrub in second view.

  

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  1. David Francis  Great to have a photo of the Gippsland form of this rare Grevillea. Compare with the Brisbane Ranges form (https://natureshare.org.au/observations?species=Grevillea+chrysophaea)

     Reply • 05 Sep 2017

  3. Luke Steenhuis  I was actually quite disappointed (after being excited) on seeing the actual flowers as they were very sparse on the plant and hard to spot. Also very fragile but they came up better than expected on the photo.

     Reply • 05 Sep 2017
• Hovea asperifolia subsp. asperifolia Mountain Beauty

  04 Sep 2017 • -37.9,145.6 • Luke Steenhuis

  Gembrook variant. Small upright tree or shrub. Tallest in this community is over 2 metres in height.

  

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  1. David Francis  Interesting leaves - very long and linear.

     Reply • 05 Sep 2017
• Viburnum tinus Laurestinus

  18 May 2017 • -37.8,145.6 • Luke Steenhuis

  Introduced species. Recently noticed growing on roadside reserve. Identified by Lewis Hiller - Plant Identification Australia (Facebook).

  

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  1. Chris Lindorff  Thanks Luke. A useful addition to Natureshare as it will help others identify this weed species.

     Reply • 30 May 2017

  2. • Luke Steenhuis  Seems to be growing quite rapidly. Its in a patch of native vegetation that I see regularly and haven't seen this plant before this year. I guess I should do a good deed and pull the group of plants out.

       Reply • 30 May 2017
• Daviesia buxifolia Box-leaf Bitter-pea

  02 Sep 2016 • -37.5,147.2 • Luke Steenhuis

  New record. Flowering September. Verification of I.D. would be appreciated. 2m tall shrubs. Growing on dry rocky slope near river.

  

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  1. David Francis  Yes, your id matches images and description for Daviesia buxifolia on VicFlora. First observation on NatureShare for this species.

     Reply • 27 May 2017
• Utricularia gibba Floating Bladderwort

  08 Mar 2016 • -37.9,145.6 • Luke Steenhuis

  Growing in shallow water in a forest dam. Noticed in two places about 1km apart. Identified as such by Kelly Bollinger (Facebook - Plant Identification Australia). Three photos uploaded. Native species. Common elsewhere in Australia but unusual in Victoria.

  

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  1. David Francis  Well spotted. As you say, rarely recored in Victoria. An interesting plant (a bladderwort) that is said to capture organisms in its bladders.

     Reply • 05 Mar 2017

  3. Luke Steenhuis  ALA has a record in the area from 2007 but that was about 5km in a direct line from this sighting. These photos are from 2016. It should be flowering again in the next week or so. I will be keen to go back and check them out again and see if there are any more likely dams in the area.

     Reply • 05 Mar 2017

  5. Chris Clarke  Lovely find

     Reply • 14 Mar 2017
• Gaultheria appressa Wax-berry

  01 Dec 2016 • -37.4,147.2 • Luke Steenhuis

  In flower. November / December.

  

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• Gaultheria appressa Wax-berry

  28 Feb 2017 • -37.4,147.2 • Luke Steenhuis

  With fruit. Dargo High Plains Road at altitude about 1200m.

  

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  1. David Francis  First record of this species for NatureShare. New to me, interesting.

     Reply • 01 Mar 2017
• Trachymene humilis subsp. humilis Alpine Trachymene

  27 Feb 2017 • -37.2,147.4 • Luke Steenhuis

  I think this might be a Trachymene humilis subsp. humilis (Alpine Trachymene) but am not sure. Growing at about 1400m altitude between Omeo and Dargo. Stalks about 10cm. Plants appear to be growing individually rather than as a matted group as seen at higher altitudes. Three images uploaded.

  

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  1. David Francis  Yes, I agree with T. humilis subsp. humilis. It matches the VicFlora description and the other obervations in NatureShare . Fruiting peduncles (stem) longer than leaves gives the subspecies I think. Another great alpine beauty for NatureShare.

     Reply • 01 Mar 2017
• Viola arvensis Field Pansy

  15 Feb 2017 • -37.1,146.4 • Luke Steenhuis

  Noticed below the summit of Mount Buller and again near the summit of Corn Hill. In grassy areas.

  

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  1. David Francis  Interesting observation. Vicflora says: A weed of mostly high altitude grasslands where distributed by cattle.

     Reply • 17 Feb 2017

  3. Luke Steenhuis  Quite possible. Corn Hill is 1600m. The summit car park area would be above 1700m.

     Reply • 17 Feb 2017
• Erythranthe moschata Musk Monkey-flower

  15 Feb 2017 • -37.1,146.5 • Luke Steenhuis

  Scattered in moist gullies with running water near Mount Buller and along Mount Buller Tourist Road.

  

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• Verbena spp. Verbena

  15 Feb 2017 • -37.2,146.5 • Luke Steenhuis

  Verbena officinalis has been suggested to me. One plant growing beside Stirling Road at Mount Buller in a rocky, dry environment. Altitude 1500 - 1600m. Twiggy shrub about 1 metre high. See other photos. Unfortunately pics not quite sharp enough to see leaf in detail. The flower and what you can see of the leaves certainly looks like Verbena.

  

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  1. David Francis  I think I can see dissected leaves at the bottom left of the middle photo which agrees with Verbena officinalis. Flowers, stems and habit look good for this species too. Inflorescence superficially like the unrelated Euphrasia spp.

     Reply • 17 Feb 2017

  3. Luke Steenhuis  Thanks David, should I change the title? Special credit to my sister, Anne, who matched the observation to the species.

     Reply • 17 Feb 2017

  4. • David Francis  Yes, it's a good match, so make the change. Your sister did very well to make that id. It would have had me scratching my head!

       Reply • 17 Feb 2017
• Olearia aff. ramulosa (Omeo) Twiggy Daisy-bush

  01 Feb 2017 • -37.3,146.8 • Luke Steenhuis

  Observed at Snowy Plains near Licola. Altitude 1600mm growing in a dry, exposed area.

  

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  1. Luke Steenhuis  Have added two additional images.

     Reply • 04 Feb 2017

  3. Luke Steenhuis  Maybe Olearia aff. Ramulosa (Omeo). Vicflora says found at Omeo and Licola 700m - 1400m. This one was definitely a bit higher at 1600m.

     Reply • 04 Feb 2017

  5. David Francis  Doesn't look like Olearia ramulosa or even Olearia. The Daisy family is huge and difficult. Identification often relies on microscopic examination to nail it. The fine detail of the stems and leaves are often more important than the flower. Are you able to get an extreme close-up of the stem, leaf and base of the flower-head? Someone who is familiar with the species may be able to suggest the id from the general appearance.

     Reply • 04 Feb 2017

  6. • Luke Steenhuis  Thanks David. These are the only images I have. I have deleted the suggested ID. I hope that deletes it from the record image.

       Reply • 04 Feb 2017

     • • David Francis  Yes, it is now "unidentified". It's a beautiful plant we will investigate further.

         Reply • 04 Feb 2017

  7. Luke Steenhuis  Have found and added two more images.

     Reply • 04 Feb 2017

  8. • David Francis  Those new images are looking a bit more like O. ramulosa so maybe your are right.

       Reply • 04 Feb 2017

     • David Francis  It looks close enough to be match, so I think you should restore your original id. (Olearia aff. ramulosa (Omeo). This is a rare plant and a great observation! Sorry for the confusion.

       Reply • 04 Feb 2017

  9. Luke Steenhuis  Olearia aff. ramulosa (Omeo) species id suggested

     Reply • 04 Feb 2017

  11. Luke Steenhuis  Thanks again David. Being just an amateur wildflower sleuth I am never completely sure of my opinion. On this occasion I spent a good two or more hours looking through all the reference sites and changed my mind several times. Am finding it a fascinating hobby though. I was thrilled when I saw this species confirmed by ALA as existing almost exactly where I saw it.

      Reply • 04 Feb 2017

  13. David Francis  Your patch of the alps is a botanist's delight. There's always the chance of finding something new.

      Reply • 04 Feb 2017
• Veronica subtilis Thread Speedwell

  01 Feb 2017 • Luke Steenhuis

  Growing on Snow Plains about 1600m altitude in the Victorian Alpine Area near Licola. Further advice or confirmation re ID welcome.

  

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  1. David Francis  Yes, it matches the images for V. subtilis on ALA. Definitely not the similar V. gracilis. First record for Natureshare.

     Reply • 03 Feb 2017

  3. Chris Clarke  Lovely find - expanding the alpine records!

     Reply • 14 Mar 2017