Thanks to John for pointing out this Heliodendron basalticum (photo above) on our recent outing beyond Hervey Range. It was another “new” species for many of us!

Heliodendron basalticum (Fabaceae) synonym Archidendropsis basaltica is an endemic Queensland species with leathery bi-pinnate leaves, sometimes deciduous in dry seasons.

This small tree grows naturally across a wide range in central Queensland. It is known by two common names, Red Lancewood and Dead Finish. The first refers to its dense, straight-grained wood with red tones. The second supposedly came from Indigenous people, who knew the drought-hardiness of this tree, saying “if dis tree die, dis country dead-finish”. Confusingly, the name Dead Finish is also used for other quite different species e.g. Acacia tetragonophylla.

Heliodendron basalticum has globular yellow flowers (photo above) and large seedpods (photo below).

Heliodendron basalticum is not commonly cultivated but a specimen has grown well in a Townsville garden, photographed as a small seedling in 2010 (first photo below) and flowering in 2018 (second and third photos below).

Sannantha papillosa (previously called Babingtonia papillosa) was a Show and Tell item at our February meeting – thanks to Charles! We didn’t have time to discuss this interesting species then, so we’ll give it Plant of the Month attention instead.

Sannantha papillosa (Myrtaceae) is listed as Vulnerable under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act because the species occurs naturally in only a few isolated places. One of its locations is revealed by its common name “Mt Elliot Myrtle” but only hardy bushwalkers get to see it thriving on the mountain’s exposed rocky outcrops (photo below).

On the surface of its branchlets (photo below) Sannantha papillosa has ‘papillose’ oil glands (small raised pimples) that distinguish it from other similar species.

Sannantha papillosa was enthusiastically propagated in the early 1990s from Mt Elliot seed by members of Townsville SGAP, now NPQ. The first cultivated plants have provided seed for many subsequent generations grown by our members and by the Landcare nursery.

The species has proved adaptable to local garden conditions, preferring sunny areas with good drainage, and from an early age it puts on a fine show of abundant small white flowers.

Photos by Russell Cumming, text by Julia Hazel

Thanks to Nanette for identifying this interesting sedge during a recent walk around the top of Mount Stuart.

Scleria sphacelata (Cyperaceae) is a dioecious species, unlike most other Scleria species, so it bears distinct male and female flowers on separate plants.

Flowers of a female Scleria sphacelata plant are shown above. See flowers of a male plant on this page courtesy of Steve & Alison1.

Scleria sphacelata and various other plants with sharp-edged narrow leaves, are commonly called “razor grass”. But for botanists, sedges are NOT grasses!

For a simple way to distinguish the Family of “grass-like” plants, look at the stem (culm) and remember this rhyme:

Sedges have edges,
Rushes are round,
Grasses have nodes from the top to the ground.

Sedges are in the Cyperaceae family. Their stems are often triangular and you can see or feel “edges” on the stems. The stems are solid with no nodes.

Rushes are in the Juncaceae family. They have round (cylindrical) stems which are solid with no nodes.

Grasses are in the Poaceae family. Their stems are round and hollow with solid nodes (swollen joints).

There are exceptions to these simple differences and it’s best to use a botanical key for details.

On our October visit to the riverside “Bush Garden” in Mundingburra, we spotted pink hibiscus-like flowers high up in the foliage.

Greg identified the tree as Lagunaria queenslandica (Malvaceae). It’s a species endemic to Queensland that occurs naturally in open forest and riparian vegetation along seasonal streams.

When it grows in open areas, Lagunaria queenslandica has a spreading habit as suggested by its common name, Queensland Pyramid Tree. In contrast, the tree at the Bush Garden is tall and slender, working its way upwards in a narrow gap within this densely-planted revegetation area.

Young leaves have a pale scaly underside that becomes smoother with age. They are said to have a faint citrus smell when crushed.

Lagunaria queenslandica can be propagated fairly easily from seed if you wait until the pale green fruits have matured to brown before extracting seeds. Take care to avoid irritant fibres when handling the seed capsules.

Lagunaria queenslandica is an attractive and hardy tree that attracts many birds. It’s well suited to local parks and large gardens. Tubestock plants of local provenance are sometimes available at the Landcare nursery in Rowes Bay.

Be aware that commercial nurseries sell similar-looking trees that are cultivars of a different species, Lagunaria patersonia. The natural species Lagunaria patersonia is endemic to Norfolk Island.

An abundance of botanical delights on our September to Mt Zero made it hard to choose a single species for P o M! The editor’s dilemma was resolved, thanks to Ishara nominating the beautiful ground orchid, Thelymitra queenslandica.

The northern sun orchid, Thelymitra queenslandica, Orchidaceae, is endemic to Queensland, with a limited distribution from the Paluma area to about Mount Finnigan (south of Cooktown).

Thelymitra queenslandica produces a slender upright stem with 4 to 15 flowers that open sequentially on sunny days, closing overnight and re-opening with the return of the sun.

Thelymitra queenslandica occurs at higher elevation (approx. 800 to 1300 m) on rocky slopes, typically in open forests. Within those areas it sometimes grows along road embankments, conveniently visible like the beautiful specimen we saw.

Thanks to Cameron for nominating Graptophyllum excelsum as our P o M for August. Recently Cam photographed these plants in full flower among rocky outcrops on Magnetic Island above Nelly bay, and he noticed the gorgeous scarlet flowers were attracting many butterflies and sunbirds.

Graptophyllum excelsum (Acanthaceae) is a Queensland endemic, listed as Near Threatened under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act. It is uncommon in the wild and only patchily distributed in a few coastal areas of northern and central Queensland.

Graptophyllum excelsum also known as Native Fuchsia can do well in local gardens in a sunny, well-drained spot and usually grows as a dense shrub up to 3 m tall. Propagation can be done from cuttings or fresh seed. Growth tends to be fairly slow, but it’s worth the wait!

Graptophyllum excelsum typically produces a few flowers intermittently around the year, plus a spectacular full flowering period that often occurs during August although timing may vary in different areas.