Unverified

Dodder–laurel parasitising on the ground plants of the lee of the primary dune. Very extensive population of plants, brilliantly orange coloured, with white flowers Species identification to double check back in the field on location if still there. I have confidence in it now after going through the keys and descriptions. As confirming this species identification requires details of the petals and stamens of the open flowers. I searched close-up through these photgraphs in particular the first photograph. At the time i observed and photographed these plants, I was presuming thinking i was seeing and learning _Cassytha filiformis_ – a species not so familiar to me. The Vic'n _Cassytha glabella_ ..., _Cassytha pubescens_ and _Cassytha melantha_ i have familiarity with since learning these in the late 1980s. Using the Flora of Au botanical key to species across Au, relevant features I can see in these my three 2015 photos blown up to full resolution, include: • sepals ciliate or fimbriate; • plant stems do show some parts with pubescence and some parts look glabrous; • pedicels appear non existent or minute; • flowers and fruits in pedunculate heads, in particular here spikes (inflorescences meaning structures of multiple flowers together), peduncles 5–30 mm or more long; • petals appear glabrous in these photos but the single inflorescence close up photo has the flowers unopened so only parts of the petals outsides visible,. Thus cannot here make sure this observation goes through the key below to _Cassytha filiformis_ . Does not look like _Cassytha pubescens_ in the other remaining part of this key, as i have lots of familiarity with plants identified to _Cassytha pubescens_ from Vic. and NSW . Leaving in the remaining other part of the key _Cassytha rufa_, which i don't know and have to look it up. Looks like the other photographs online of C. filiformis (for what that's worth). Wangetti Beach, (between Cairns and Port Douglas – Mossman) . 2015 June 24th 1:21–1:25 pm