The unusual flowers of Orange Annona Fitzalania heteropetala (photo above) caught the eye of our president while walking along riverside tracks in Douglas. One specimen was in full bloom with “flowers a deep, velvety purple, so dark they were almost black, glowing richly against the greenery”. Fitzalania heteropetala (Annonaceae), also known as Meiogyne heteropetala, is …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 02/2026: Fitzalania heteropetala“
Cardwellia sublimis, a giant of the Proteaceae family, was one of the ‘big things’ we encountered during our visit to the Paluma rainforest late last year. Its local name, Northern Silky Oak, harks back to colonial times when its timber with oak-like grain was highly valued for building Queenslander-style houses and furniture Cardwellia sublimis is …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 01/2026: Cardwellia sublimis“
A special shout-out to Earthwatch Australia for organising Bioblitz events this month at various saltmarsh and mangrove areas near Townsville, where participants encountered a fascinating range of lesser-known fauna and flora. Thanks to Beth for spotting an unusual plant amidst a swathe of low-growing saltmarsh species (photo above) and identifying it as Limonium solanderi. This …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 10/2025: Limonium solanderi“
Sesuvium portulacastrum (Aizoaceae) was an unexpected find during our September visit to the Bushland Beach Channel Naturalisation Project. It is the first saltmarsh species in our Plant of the Month series. Sesuvium portulacastrum is a sprawling perennial plant, green and succulent (above) during the wet season, turning reddish (below) during extended dry periods. Sesuvium portulacastrum …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 09/2025: Sesuvium portulacastrum“
Drosera finlaysoniana (Droseraceae) was just one of many species we found in flower during our recent outing to White Mountains National Park, but it was a bonus for the Editor who is a long-term Drosera enthusiast. Unlike compact Drosera species with their leaves arranged in a rosette close to the ground, Drosera finlaysoniana is a …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 08/2025: Drosera finlaysoniana“
Melhania oblongifolia (Malvaceae) got the Editor’s vote as the prettiest small flowering plant spotted on our recent outing to the Mingela Range. From late morning onward its brilliant flowers were displayed to full advantage (photo above) after unfurling very slowly earlier in the day. Melhania oblongifolia is a small understorey plant adapted to open woodland, …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 07/2025: Melhania oblongifolia“