What an interseting resource Birding Aus is!
I raised queries about the major sightings of Princess Parrots in the Newhaven
Sation and whether these sightings could be related to the observations of Ian
May in 2010 that a critical component of the botanical environment of the
Princess Parrots appeared to be a stunted needle leafed plant - that Anthea
Fleming quickly identified as the Upside-down Plants, Leptosema Chambersii . He
said that the PP appeared to derive moisture or nectar from the near ground
flowers. (This was in a broader botanical environment of Desert Oaks and
Spotted/Bloodwood Eucalypts, Spinifex and an orange flowered grevillea.)
The following link and comment was received by me from Stephen Ambrose. They
confirm the significant presence of the Upside Downplants on Newhaven. Stephen
hoped to follow up with personal observations shortly.Stephen's references:
"Alice Springs Field Naturalists Club Newsletter, May
2010http://alicefieldnaturalists.org.au/10_05.pdf
Pages 5 to 8 of the newsletter discusses a ASFNC field trip to Newhaven and
there are several references and a picture of flowering Leptosema
chambersii."
Carl Billingham is also heading for Newhaven this weekend and will give an
update. Obviously plants do not flower continuously but, so far, the
interesting observation by Ian May, that the plant appeared to be a critical
component of the habitat of the PP may be supported and, at least, cannot be
rejected. "One swallow does not make a (British) summer". Does Leptosema
Chambersii significantly help to make a princess?Angus Innes
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