Month: November 2010

Albany Banksia

Also known as the Granite Banksia, the Albany Banksia is a species of shrub (and rarely seen as a tree) that belongs to the genus Banksia. It is native to the south-west region of Western Australia, and this small shrub can reach up to 3 metres tall. However, in sheltered areas it can grow larger.

Hydnellum peckii

The Hydnellum peckii is a fungus that belongs to the genus Hydenellum and the Bankeraceae faily. This species is found in Europe and North America, as well as Korea and Iran. This fungus species is a mycorrhizal species that forms mutually beneficial relationships with coniferous trees. Doesn't look like an ordinary fungus This unusual looking

Violet Banksia

The Violet Banksia is a tree or shrub species that belongs to the genus Banksia. This shrub is only found in Western Australia and is well known for its purple-violet inflorescences and grows in sandy soils. Violet banksia inflorescence It was first described by Charles Gardner in 1927. There are no recognised varieties or subspecies

Short-stemmed slippery Jack

Also known as the stubby-stalk, the short-stemmed slippery Jack was first described in the late 19th century by American mycologists. It is found all over North America, and in some areas overseas as well. It is native to North America It was first scientifically described as Boletus viscosus by Charles Frost in 1874. However, in

Great Mullein

The Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a mullein species that is native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. It has also been introduced into Australia and the Americas. It was first described by Carolus Linnaeus in Species Plantarum which was published in 1753. However, before this it was actually a herb called thaspus used by

Mica Cap

Also known as the glistening inky cap or the shiny cap, the mica cap is a commonly found species of fungus that has be found in cosmopolitan areas. These mushrooms are small and thin, but they are rather bountiful and usually grow in dense clusters. The mica cap is edible, but only immediately after plucking

Round-fruit Banksia

Also known as the Fox Banksia, the Round-fruit Banksia is a tree or shrub species that belongs to the genus Banksia. It is found in the south-west of Western Australia in sandy soil. It was first described by Robert Brown in 1810. The Round-fruit Banksia with blue-grey foliage The Round-fruit Banksia varies in flower, leaf,

Northern Bald Ibis

Also known as the Waldrapp or the Hermit Ibis, the Northern Bald Ibisis a migratory bird that is currently on the Critically Endangered list. This bird is found in semi-desert, barren,. And rocky habitats that are close to running water. The Northern Bald Ibis is a critically endangered species The Northern Bald Ibis is about

Gorgosaurus

Gorgosaurus (or ‘fierce lizard’ in English) is a tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous Period between 76.5 – 75 million years ago. Fossil remains of the Gorgosaurus have been found in Alberta, Canada, and possibly Montana, USA. The Gorgosaurus skeleton Just like most known tyrannosaurids, the Gorgosaurus was

Coast Banksia

Also known as the Honeysuckle Oak, White Honeysuckle, White Bottlebrush, White Banksia, Honeysuckle, or Coastal Banksia, the Coast Banksia is a tree species that grows on the east coast of Australia. It was one of the 4 original Banksia that was collected in 1770 by Sir Joseph Banks. It was also published as part of

Banksia epica

The Banksia epica is a shrub that grows along the south coast of Western Australia. It is thought to have been first seen by Edward John Eyre in 1841, however this species was not collected until 1973. Even then, this was only recognised as a distinctive species in 1988. Since then, very little research has

Matchstick Banksia

Also known as the Quairading Banksia, the Matchstick Banksia is an endangered species that is endemic to south-west Western Australia. It is a subgenus of 3 related Banksia species that have dome-shaped inflorescences. The Matchstick Banksia in Gnangarra The Matchstick Banksia was first collected before 1880. However, it was not until 1981 that the Australian

Porcino Mushroom

Also known as a penny bun or cep, the porcino mushroom is a type of fungus belonging to the genus, Boletus. It was first scientifically described by the French Botanist, Pierre Bulliard, in 1782. It is found all across the Northern Hemisphere, and does not occur naturally in the Southern Hemisphere. However, it was introduced

Song Thrush

The Song Thrush is a thrush (type of bird) that breeds in Eurasia. It is also known as a mavis or throstle. It was first described in 1813 by the German Orinthologist, Christian Ludwing Brehm. He named it Turdus for Thrus which refers to the character, Philomela, in Greek mythology who had her tongue cut

Racoon

Also known as the northern, common or North American raccoon, this mammal is native to North America. Even though it is medium-sized, it is considered the largest in its family. It was discovered in the western world by members of Christopher Columbus’ expedition. A raccoon in the park Originally, taxonomists thought that the raccoon was