Many native plant enthusiasts will readily identify the tall trees in the above photo as Paperbarks, but can you say exactly which species? If you’re unsure, you are with the majority. On a recent outing, we learned from expert botanist Russell Cumming that these trees are Melaleuca aff. viridiflora (Myrtaceae), actually a new species hiding …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 06/2025: Melaleuca aff viridiflora“
In Australia, Morinda citrifolia (Rubiaceae) grows naturally as a large shrub or small tree near the coast from Central Queensland to the Top End and across to the northern Kimberley. Morinda citrifolia usually occurs just behind the beach, sometimes fully exposed as we’ve seen at Magnetic Island (first photo above) and also in dense beach …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 05/2025: Morinda citrifolia“
This month we put the spotlight on two lovely little plants in the Violaceae botanical family. Pigea enneasperma (photo above) was spotted on our April outing to Bluewater Range, and we found Pigea stellaroides (photo below) a few days later on the rocky slopes near Cape Cleveland. At a glance the flower shape provides a …
Continue reading “Plants of the month 04/2025:
Pigea enneasperma and Pigea stellaroides“
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“