This collection represents plants from The Flinders Region which is an area dominated by the Flinders Ranges, an ancient landscape that has revealed fossils of the very earliest forms of life. This diverse range of rugged peaks and deep rocky gorges supports an equally diverse array of plant communities and has at least 18 plant species found nowhere else in the world.
This collection represents plants from the Gawler Region, an area that includes the beautiful Gawler Ranges, with vast hills and deep gullies of volcanic rock 1,500 million years old. Over 400 plant species have been recorded in this region with at least 16 considered rare and anther 7 found nowhere else.
This collection represents plants from the Eyre Region which includes coastal and sub coastal plains with Mallee communities being a distinct feature throughout. Woodlands of these multi stemmed shrub Eucalypts can cover vast areas and incorporate complex plant communities and diverse wildlife.
The Plants in this collection represent the Central Ranges, an area dominated by rugged ranges and red sand plains. Often sparsely vegetated, plants from this region have developed to cope with low rainfall and 50 degree summer temperatures.
The plants in this collection represent The Great Victoria Desert Region, a vast area of over 424,000 square kilometres. Known for high summer temperatures and low rainfall the region is also known for the spectacular displays of ephemeral wildflowers following rainfall.
Eremophilas, commonly known by a variety of different names such as Emu Bush, Poverty Bush, Native Fuschia and Turkey Bush are a diverse and fascinating group of Australian plants. With over 200 named species in this genus the Eremophila garden showcases a significant range highlighting the amazing diversity and also the horticultural potential of this increasingly popular and often showy group.
This collection of plants, featured at the Matthew Flinders Red Cliffs Lookout, represents some of the species collected by botanist Robert Brown on his expedition with Matthew Flinders in 1802. The species planted here were collected from Mount Brown which is visible from the site and is the same area that the botanist collected from during that visit.
Australia has almost 25% of the world’s rare and threatened plant species and our Rare Plant Collection represents just a very small but significant portion of the arid species. The plants in this collection are classified as rare because of incredibly small or reduced and threatened populations.
Our sand dunes are home to many reptiles including Sand Goannas, Sleepy Lizards and Bearded Dragons. Vegetation includes colonies of ancient Western Myalls and Native Pigface. Birds abound and include Chirruping Wedgebills and Redthroats.
The Salt Bush Plains of the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden are a fascinating ecosystem of almost hidden treasures. These large flat areas of low Saltbush vegetation such as Pearl and Black Bluebush hide populations of Geckoes, Fairy Wrens and some surprising life forms such as fungi and extensive colonies of lichen.
The eastern boundary of the gardens actually extends into the Spencer Gulf and includes a significant population of Grey Mangroves and Samphires. Viewed from the Flinders Red Cliff Lookout, this important marine environment teems with underwater life providing a constant food source for a range of aquatic birds such as Yellow Billed Spoonbills and Hoary Headed Grebes. A pod of dolphins can often be seen in this area