Celebrating: some astonishingly tough local native plants

It's incredibly dry, and many plants around the place are suffering as a result. They, and we, desperately need rain. But it's amazing to see just how tough some of the local natives are, and how well they are coping. Here are a few shots taken recently that show a few established species looking pretty comfortable. 

The Ribbonwoods (Euroschinus falcatus) around the place generally look OK. This is a naturally
 growing specimen on Gooyong St in Keiraville. Image by Emma Rooksby.

These Ribbonwoods were planted in Nyrang Park in Keiraville, and are all doing well. Nyrang Park
is a great place to take a wander and admire local native plants as well as a fascinating array of exotics. Image by Emma Rooksby.

Not the best shot sorry, but the tree in the centre is a Koda (Ehretia acuminata). It is very difficult to photograph because it loves to grow in company. It's one of the region's deciduous trees, but sadly is little known and little grown! Image by Emma Rooksby.

The classic Lilly Pilly (Acmena smithii, or Syzygium smithii in some people's books). This one is growing in full sun on the top of Saddleback Mountain, and it's perfectly happy. Image by Emma Rooksby.

And what's this? Check out the whitish-pink flowers all over it. Yes, it's a Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus
reticulatus), growing in good conditions on the escarpment  in the Tarrawanna area. They don't normally get this tall in gardens!! Image by Emma Rooksby.

In the right spot, even some of the ferns are still looking fairly happy, though of course many have died right back where they are exposed and don't have access to moisture. 

I'm not game to identify this one, but think it is most likely a Tree Fern of some sort. Note the Cabbage
Palm (Livistona australis) frond centre right. Image by Emma Rooksby. 

What a beauty! This is a Strap-leaved Water Fern (Blechnum patersonii), ID kindly confirmed by Kevin Mills. I've never seen it in cultivation but think it's a gorgeous little thing. 
Image by Emma Rooksby. 

This one's a Shiny Shield Fern (Lastreopsis acuminata), the most commonly seen of the local Shield Fern species. It was growing in subtropical rainforest on the escarpment, in a shady and sheltered spot. Plants in more exposed areas look much less happy! Image by Emma Rooksby.

Local plants are well adapted to local conditions, though of course of those conditions change, and change rapidly, it's going to be a real challenge for them. For now, let's hope for good rains soon.