Carallia brachiata is not a rare species in our area but it can be easily overlooked amongst dense creek-bank vegetation. Fortunately it’s often ‘flagged’ by a bright yellow caterpillar poised conspicuously on a dark green leaf (photo above). These distinctive caterpillars of the Four o’clock Moth Dysphania numana rarely feed on other trees, so they …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 01/2024: Carallia brachiata“
Crateva religiosa, an unusual member of the Caper family, is little known in Townsville although a few plant enthusiasts have grown it successfully here. One of our members has a fine specimen doing very well in his garden (photo below) and it is currently in flower (photo above). . Crateva religiosa (Capparaceae) grows naturally in …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 10/2023: Crateva religiosa“
Dischidia major (Apocynaceae) is a strange-looking tropical plant, native to Queensland (Cape York) and also occuring in some Asian countries. It naturally grows as an epiphyte, twining around tree trunks and branches, as in the photos above and below. Dischidia major , sometimes called “Rattle Skulls”, has the unusual habit of bearing two distinct types …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 09/2023: Dischidia major“
On our August outing to Mt Zero we chose Hakea benthamii as our P o M after finding many specimens, all flowering beautifully and spreading their lovely scent. Hakea benthamii (Proteaceae) grows as a small-medium shrub (photo above) sometimes up to 4m high. Although its range extends from SE Queensland to near Cooktown, it is …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 08/2023: Hakea benthamii“
Greg brought a specimen of Cynometra iripa to our July meeting, possibly the first-ever mangrove species in our group’s long-running ‘show and tell’ tradition – thank you Greg! And the Cynometra iripa Greg has grown at home (photo below) might be the first ever cultivated in a Townsville garden? Cynometra iripa (Fabaceae), commonly called Wrinkle-pod …
Continue reading “Plant of the month 07/2023: Cynometra iripa“
Most people have seen deciduous trees change colour before dropping their crisp, drying leaves in response to seasonal drought (in our region) or low temperatures (in cold climates) and then grow fresh new leaves when conditions improve. However, only a few of our group had observed diallagy – or even heard about it – until …