Wilsonia
Community type
Habitat type
A range of wilsonia species occur in Tasmanian saltmarshes. In the Derwent estuary the most common is narrowleaf wilsonia (Wilsonia backousei), while silky wilsonia (Wilsonia humilis), and round-leafed wilsonia (Wilsonia rotundifolia) are both listed as rare in Tasmania. Much like glassworts and pigface, wilsonia form a dense carpet-like groundcover. They have narrow, fleshy leaves and bear small white flowers in late spring and summer. The flowers of the common narrowleaf wilsonia are thin elongated corollas, or tubes which look like little trumpets. Upon close inspection small beetles and ants can be seen feeding on the pollen from these flowers. Invasion of the woody weed African boxthorn is quite detrimental to the health of the wilsonia populations.