Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. australis
Swamp Isotome at Watson, ACT
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| Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. australis | Tapirlord | 12 Jun 2023 | |
| Bacopa monnieri | WalterEgo | 12 Jun 2023 |
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User's notes
Not really sure how to count abundance!
12 comments
12 Jun 2023
Did you collect a sample? The species you suggest is new to the ACT and the CNM.
12 Jun 2023
No, didn't take a sample. Proposed ID is a bit of a guess. Didn't look like the other options for freshwater plants I looked at on the CNM field guide...
12 Jun 2023
I'm uncertain what this species is, but consider Bacopa monnieri highly unlikely. In fact I'm not sure why this species is on CNM list for Canberra and surrounds at all, as records (except one, odd one) are well to north of here on tablelands or coastal. PlantNet gives distribution as "north from Royal National Park". ALA has a photo (from I Naturalist) for the Snowy river region but this has not been verified.
Suggest you re-visit and record flower and fruits in the growing season. These are essential details to confirm species ID and to add a new species, not just to CNM but to the ACT. Vegetative characteristics aren't enough, I'm afraid.
Suggest you re-visit and record flower and fruits in the growing season. These are essential details to confirm species ID and to add a new species, not just to CNM but to the ACT. Vegetative characteristics aren't enough, I'm afraid.
12 Jun 2023
Thanks, I'm now wondering if it is an isotoma... Will try to get back in spring/summer to check for flowers
13 Jun 2023
I spotted Isotoma fluviatilus subsp. australis on Mt Majura's east slope in a moist environment but I haven't seen it growing in a flooded site. Sam, do you think this site is permanently under water?
13 Jun 2023
A perspective on habitat: think variability.
Isotoma fluviatilis occurs on saturated soils, under shallow water and can persist despite prolonged inundation. Sites such as these on Mt Majura are ephemeral and/or seasonal, so water and moisture conditions vary enormously, driven by recent and longer-term weather. During the Millenium Drought, and hot dry conditions before bushfires, these creek lines were dry even hard soil, and devoid of amphibious plants like Isotoma. Coping with variable climate is what aquatic and wetland plants do, usually thanks to seeds.
Isotoma fluviatilis occurs on saturated soils, under shallow water and can persist despite prolonged inundation. Sites such as these on Mt Majura are ephemeral and/or seasonal, so water and moisture conditions vary enormously, driven by recent and longer-term weather. During the Millenium Drought, and hot dry conditions before bushfires, these creek lines were dry even hard soil, and devoid of amphibious plants like Isotoma. Coping with variable climate is what aquatic and wetland plants do, usually thanks to seeds.
13 Jun 2023
Thanks for the very informative comments Jane.
Sam no need to further comment; thanks for the report.
Sam no need to further comment; thanks for the report.
14 Jun 2023
Yes I'll back Jane up here, I've even seen it growing in lawn in the city, so definitely realistic.
Location information
- Coordinates 149.178944-35.228517
- Altitude 644.2m
- Places Watson, ACT
Sighting information
- 4 - 15 Abundance
- 12 Jun 2023 11:12 AM Recorded on
- WalterEgo Recorded by
- No In flower
Collections
- WalterEgo Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. australis Other Wildflowers & Herbs Plants
Species information
- Isotoma fluviatilis subsp. australis Scientific name
- Swamp Isotome Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1622.62m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
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Synonyms
Isotoma fluviatilis var australis
Seasonal activity
-
In flower
JFMAMJJASOND
Record quality
Quality score
6 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- Additional attributes
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species