On the small side: woodrush

Woodrushes

A lot goes on down at the level of our feet in the Reserve.

The Common Woodrush, Luzula meridionalis, can be found in a range of areas and seems to tolerate times of wet and dry. These are graceful plants which can be seen along various paths in the Reserve. The L.meridionalise var. flaccida, below, is beginning to provide more extensive cover in some areas where our Quaking Grass (Briza maxima) removal is starting to show results.

Perennial herb

In flower

Graceful native plant

Quaking Grass, Briza maxima – a major weed that invades areas and lays down a mulch of higher fertility that then allows it to out-compete native flora

After flowering, the Woodrush produces shiny seeds held in a cluster.

Seed heads of Luzula

These are popular with ants. Here, the major worker of a local Pheidole species of ant, is working hard to secure the ripe seed of another Luzula variety, L.meridionalis var. densiflora.

Collecting seed

Pheidole major and Pheidole minor ant on Luzula

The major workers in the Pheidole family have very large heads and powerful jaws – useful for cracking seeds.