ish_crew's Favorites

Five plants in one group, of which four flowering and one a new seedling since last year.
Another very small group about to flower.
However the group that had the most plants last year are now all dead except one seedling (probably doomed) in shallow sand on rock slabs with other species there also dying.

First record for species for 100 years. Regarded as Data Deficient on Redlist, but just extremely localised in an inaccessible habitat. Two plants observed, may be more lower on steep slopes. Grows amongst dense Osmitopsis astericoides stands. Current known area <100sq.m. Should be regarded as Critically Rare or even Endangered or Critically Endangered as although well-conserved there is nowhere for it to go should climate change the habitat or fire regime.
Last three photos show comparison of Brunia pillansii (left) with Brunia cordata (right), of which there was a single plant also grew in the area https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/95511393. Leaves of B. pillansii are adpressed to the stem up to the inflorescence (some spreading leaves on lower branches), whereas B. cordata the leaves are spreading up to the inflorescence. Flowers of B. pillansii are also larger, 5-6mm across, whereas B. cordata flowers are around 4mm across.

4 plants seen, smaller in size than a AAA battery. the population is under serious threat from habitat loss, disturbance, and invasive aliens. haven't had luck finding this orchid flowering from three previous search attempts - they don't flower readily.

Found by Mark Johnston, who kindly pointed us in their direction.

Tiny little things, growing out of damp moss on some rocks above a pool. At times their location would be in a watercourse, though water was no longer flowing down that section of rock when we saw the plants.