Plants of the Australian Tropical Savanna
The plants of the Australian Savanna contain a wide range of biodiversity. Many species are home to this unique biome. Most of these plants have adapted to a habitat which is very dry, sandy and frequent to fire.
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Stringy Bark Trees (Eucalyptus tetrodonta)
- Stringybark trees are a common tree of Northern Australia. They have a rough "stringy bark" that is resistant to the harsh environment. Leaves are oblong and the flowers have three fuzzy points. Stringybark are usually 30-40 feet tall. Adaptations include its deep roots to help find nutrients and water and seed that benefit from frequent fire. Jarrah Tree (Eucalyptus marginata) - Jarrah trees are another Eucalyptus that inhabits the Savanna. They are usually around 40 meters high with few to no branches. This tree flowers every other year. Bees are fond of the jarrah so the bi-yearly flowering yields more honey. Some adaptations of the Jarrah are is long, deep roots and its lignotuber. This is a large swelling underground used for carbohydrate storage. These deep roots are seen in other species of trees making this tree an indicator species Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglessi) - Kangaroo Paws are a iconic image of the Australian Savanna. Its flowers are around 10 cm tall and a sturdy stem makes it a popular perch for birds. Little hairs on its stem create a bad taste and texture for any predators. These hairs also hold in more moisture to protect from the dry environment. Cycads - Cycads are a very woody plant with large palm like leaves. Their cones are hard and durable to ensure reproduction in the rough climate. This rough climate and soil is the Cycads niche.Their roots contain a symbiotic relationship with blue-green algae which fix nitrogen from the air. This helps cycads thrive in sparse nutrient deficient soil. Cycads also have adapted to frequent fires being in the Savanna. Mycorrhizae Fungus This is a decomposer that infects plant's roots that are generally young. The fungus takes essential nutrients from the plants but in turn makes a larger, deeper network for the plant, which enables it to survive in the soil. The fungus create essential nutrients for the infertile soil that helps the survival of all plants. This fungus would be considered a Keystone Species. Acacias _ Acacias are large trees common to the Savanna. They inhabit dry soils. They have legumes at their roots to fix nitrogen from the air to make more nutrient rich. This adaptation allows them to easily survive in the brutal environment. Their seeds also have a tough coating to ensure that they are safe from the environment. |