We drop off more guests and then onto Cocklebiddy to pickup stores via the Pannikin Plain. Here we survey the Bluebush and grasslands, while it has dried out it’s still picturesque.

The Pearl Bluebush, Maireana sedifolia appears to be very common on the plain but there are many other species as well, such as Eremophila sp, Atriplex sp (Saltbush) and many more we are yet to identify.

Pearl bluebush is an extremely hardy plant and is reputed to live up to 300 years new plants are rare. Large areas of the Nullarbor Plain have been stripped of this plant by the combined effects of repeated bushfires and grazing by rabbits. Pearl bluebush will decline under heavy grazing as it has a high protein and salt content sheep especially will graze on it. There are separate male and female plants. Flowers appear in late spring, following late winter rain. Pearl bluebush does not always produce seed after flowering. The single seed is enclosed in an oval seed case and has a fine, straw-coloured wing about 10 mm wide.

We enjoy another wonderful sunset, looks like rain on the way.