Millettia pinnata also known as Pongamia pinnata (Fabaceae) is a dry rainforest tree widespread in Queensland and beyond. It has beautiful pea-like flowers (photo above) that appear towards the end of the Dry Season. However, at this time of year, during our Wet Season, it is the tree’s dense green foliage that draws attention (photo …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 03/2025: Millettia pinnata“
Lophostemon grandiflorus (Myrtaceae) is endemic to Australia, an attractive but often overlooked tree (photo above) that occurs naturally right across the Top End, extending in the east to Central Queensland. It was originally named Tristania grandiflora, then transferred to the genus Lophostemon in the 1980s. Lophostemon grandiflorus typically grows in well drained native woodland areas …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 02/2025: Lophostemon grandiflorus“
Cananga odorata (Annonaceae) occurs naturally in Queensland between Torres Strait and the Tully River. It is also native to parts of SE Asia and Near Oceania. Cananga odorata typically grows in lowland rain forest and, under good condtiions, it develops into a substantial tree (photo below). Although Townsville is south of Cananga odorata’s natural range, …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 10/2024: Cananga odorata“
This tree caught Pete’s attention during our NPQ May outing but it was mistakenly identified. Later, with Russell’s expert help, it was identified as Corymbia trachyphloia (Myrtaceae). The trunk of Corymbia trachyphloia has rough bark, tessellated, soft, grey, brown and yellow-grey (first photo below), shedding higher up to leave the upper branches smooth, pale grey …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 05/2023 updated: Corymbia trachyphloia “
During our September outing to White Mountains National Park, a tall single-stemmed shrub caught our attention. It was an intriguing ‘new’ discovery for most of us, identified by the experts in our group as Astrotricha pterocarpa. We were fortunate that on this occasion we found Astrotricha pterocarpa (Araliaceae) in “full bloom” (photo above) although we …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 09/2024: Astrotricha pterocarpa“
On our Magnetic Island outing last month we noticed an attractive native tree in fruit (photo above) but we failed to identify it. Later the photo was scrutinised by one of our very knowledgeable members who is currently working far from home. He sent back the answer: the tree is Harpullia hillii, commonly called blunt-leaved …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 08/2024: Harpullia hillii“