Queensland Australia Projects's Journal

June 17, 2020

Persian Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin)

This flower is commonly posted to plant identification groups, as it is widely cultivated as an ornamental tree, and the tree is quite striking for its horizontal canopy and the dainty leaves and flowers. The Persian Silk Tree (Albizia julibrizzin) is native to the Middle East and Asia, but has been introduced to Europe and Australia, and is considered to be an invasive species in some parts of the United States.


Flower: Photo 49598630, (c) Katherine Rottjakob, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Tree: Photo 42462332, (c) laurabankey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

Because of the bipinnate leaves that resemble Mimosa and Acacia, and a similar growth habit and distribution, when it is not in bloom it could easily be confused with Flamboyant Poinciana (bright red flowers - Delonix regia) or Jacaranda (purple flowers - Jacaranda mimosifolia). However, the flowers on all of these trees are quite distinctive and cannot be mistaken.


Left: Poinciana, Photo 20244320, (c) beegl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Right: Jacaranda, Photo 729997, (c) James Steamer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

While the Flamboyant Poinciana (Delonix regia) is at least related to Albizia (they are both Legumes - Fabaceae family), the Jacaranda belongs to the Bignonia family (which is in the same Order as the Mint family).

Posted on June 17, 2020 03:07 AM by row_nature row_nature | 0 comments | Leave a comment

June 13, 2020

Identification Resources for QLD Flora & Fauna

Here are a few resources to help you identify your finds, or learn to identify them for yourself. Most of these are specific to Queensland, or at least Australia.

FACEBOOK GROUPS

All flora & fauna: Native Flora & Fauna of QLD - https://www.facebook.com/groups/NativeFloraFaunaQLD/?ref=bookmarks
Plants: Queensland Plant Identification - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1590103837875621/?ref=bookmarks
Birds: Birds in Backyards (Australia) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BirdsinBackyards/?ref=bookmarks
Frogs: Queensland Frogs - https://www.facebook.com/groups/711091042322292/?ref=bookmarks
Insects: Insect Identification Australia - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476897096018877/?ref=bookmarks

ARTHROPODS (insects, spiders, and other creepy crawlies)

Caterpillar Counts has some great resources on learning to identify bugs you find in your backyard or elsewhere. And there is a quiz you can use to practise your skills!
https://caterpillarscount.unc.edu/
https://caterpillarscount.unc.edu/pdfs/ArthropodIDGuide.pdf
https://caterpillarscount.unc.edu/arthropodQuiz/

This iNat journal post contains some excellent resources for identifying Australian moths: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/moths-of-queensland-australia/journal/21070-australian-moth-identification-online-resources

Posted on June 13, 2020 11:42 AM by row_nature row_nature | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Archives