Editing Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park (section)

===Flora===
[[File:Wildflowers1218.jpg|thumb|Wildflowers in bloom with Kata Tjuta in the background]]
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park [[flora]] represents a large portion of plants found in Central Australia. A number of these species are considered rare and restricted in the park or the immediate region. There are many rare and [[endemism|endemic]] plants at Uluru and [[Kata Tjuta]]. A number of other species, while found elsewhere in central Australia, may be endangered within the park.

The desert flora has adapted to the harsh conditions. The growth and reproduction of plant communities rely on irregular rainfall. Some plants are able to survive fire and some are dependent on it to reproduce. Plants are an important part of [[Tjukurpa]], and there are ceremonies for each of the major plant foods. Many plants are associated with ancestral beings. Collection of plant foods remains a culturally important activity, reinforcing traditional links with country and Tjukurpa.

Flora in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park can be broken into the following categories:
* Punu – trees
* Puti – shrubs
* {{lang|pjt|Tjulpun-tjulpunpa}} – flowers
* Ukiri – grasses

[[File:Desert Oaks3484.jpg|thumb|Desert oaks with Kata Tjuta in the background]]
Trees such as the [[Acacia aneura|mulga]] and centralian [[bloodwood]] are used to make tools such as spearheads, [[boomerang]]s and bowls. The red [[sap]] of the bloodwood is used as a disinfectant and an inhalant for coughs and colds.

Others such as the [[river red gum]] and [[Duboisia|corkwood trees]] like [[grevillea]] and hakeas are a source of food themselves. The white flaky crust from river red gum leaves can be rolled into balls and eaten like a lolly and the nectar from the flowers of the corkwood trees can produce a sweet drink.

The witchetty bush looks like a shrubby mulga with broad round-ended leaves. Witchetty grubs are found in the roots of this tree.
[[Asteraceae|Daisies]] and other ground flowers bloom after rain and during the winter. Others such as the wattles bloom as spring approaches. Anangu collect wattle seed, crush and mix it with water to make an edible paste which they eat raw. To make [[bush bread|damper]], the seeds are parched with hot sand so their skins can be removed before they are ground for flour.
[[File:Spinifex grass.jpg|thumb|Spinifex grass]]
The prickly hard [[Triodia (plant genus)|spinifex]] hummocks have enormous root systems that prevent desert sands shifting. The hummock roots spread underground beyond the prickly clump and deeply into the soil, forming an immense cone. Anangu use a resin gathered from the gummy spinifex to make [[Spinifex resin|gum]]. They thresh the spinifex until the resin particles fall free. These particles are heated until they fuse together to form a moldable black tar which Anangu work while warm. The gum is used for hunting and working implements, and to mend breaks in stone and wooden implements.

The naked woolybutt and native [[millet]] have seeds that are important Anangu foods. Women rub the seedheads from their stalks and then separate the seeds from the chaff by skilful winnowing. Using grinding stones, they then grind the seeds to flour for damper.

There are several rare and endangered species in the park. Most of them like adder's tongue ferns ([[Ophioglossaceae]] sp.) are restricted to the moist areas at the base of the [[monolith]]s, which are areas of high visitor use and subject to erosion.

Since the first Europeans arrived, 34 exotic plant species have been recorded in the park, representing about 6.4% of the total park flora. Some such as perennial buffel grass (''Cenchrus ciliaris'') were introduced to rehabilitate areas damaged by erosion. It is the most threatening weed in the park and has spread to invade water and nutrient rich drainage lines. Where infestation is dense, it prevents the growth of native grasses – a source of food for animals and humans. A few others such as burrgrass were brought in accidentally, carried on cars and people.