Published 4 November 2011

Some stunning photographs of native orchids were captured at Wollar recently as part of the Native Grasses in Rural Cemeteries Field Days run by Watershed Landcare and the Department of Primary Industries.

Orchids, lilies and other native wildflowers were in full bloom around the headstones at Wollar, with different species coming into flower at Ulan, and the cooler Ilford and Tannabutta sites.

Hosted by local grazier and botanical enthusiast Christine McRae, participants at these cemetery field days discovered quite a range of different species, photographed some rare specimens and, reading through some of the headstones, were captivated by some of the genealogical history of the area.

These four local rural cemeteries are visited in spring and autumn each year to record species growing, and to enjoy this botanical and historical resource with the local community. Every year new species pop up in the growing conditions of the season so there is always something new to discover. Many species which seem to come and go, have unique connections, via their roots, to vast underground systems of fungi (called Mycorrhizal fungi). 

Local amateur photographer, farmer and expectant mother Simone Kurtz came along for the Wollar and Ulan visits, and won the photo competition Watershed ran as part of the day with some of her stunning macros. 

Rural cemeteries are those tiny graveyards dotted throughout the district, adjacent to villages or smaller localities. One of the first plots to be set aside in a new settlement, cemeteries missed out any major changes to land use (such as urbanisation and agriculture). The herbaceous layer in particular is what’s interesting, with various forbs, legumes, orchids, shrubs and grasses not readily found in the wider landscape. 

To register your interest and be on the emailing list for the Autumn surveys, please contact Watershed. Also, check out the Atlas of Living Australia http://www.ala.org.au/ to learn, share and contribute your discoveries in the landscape. Grassland Flora – a field guide for the Southern Tablelands (NSW & ACT) is a handy book to have by your side this time of year.

This project is supported by Watershed Landcare through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Mid-Western Regional Council also supports the project through special management of the sites.