Pomaderris canescens (Rhamnaceae) is a Queensland endemic, typically growing as a medium-sized shrub in the understory (photo above) of seasonally dry tropical woodlands and open forests.

During our recent outing to the area west of Paluma and north of Mt Zero, we found many Pomaderris canescens making a beautiful show with their terminal clusters of dainty white flowers (photo above) contrasting against attractive deep green foliage.

The underside of Pomaderris canescens leaves (photo above) are very pale green with distinctly raised veins.

Pomaderris canescens is rarely seen in cultivation but it can be propagated from seed (photo above) and might do well in a well-drained, semi-shaded garden.

Murdannia graminea (Commelinaceae) is a small tufting native plant that grows naturally in many parts of Queensland and northern Australia, typically in moist locations within in woodland habitat.

Also known as native Grass Lily, Murdannia graminea was found in flower on Mount Stuart during our April outing this year.

When it’s not in flower, Murdannia graminea is inconspicuous and blends in amongst surrounding plants. Its grass-like linear leaves may die back completely during a long dry season. However, the plant survives due to its thick, fleshy roots, and it re-sprouts quickly when rains return.

This close-up photo of a Murdannia graminea flower reveals its bearded (hairy) stamen filaments and distinctive arrangement of three pollen-bearing stamens and three that do not produce pollen, the latter botanically called staminodes.

This beautiful Native Peanut Tree, Sterculia quadrifida (photo above), was in full flower when it caught our attention during a recent outing with the local Wildlife Queensland group.

The species Sterculia quadrifida was historically classified in the botanical family Sterculiaceae. Now, on the basis of molecular analysis, it is part of the Malvaceae, in the sub-family Sterculioideae.

While Sterculia quadrifida is a local native in our region, it has a wide natural range across northern Australia extending down the east coast to north-east NSW, typically growing in vine thickets and drier rain forest.

Sterculia quadrifida has glossy leaves clustered towards the ends of its branches, and it bears panicles of small cream-coloured flowers (photo above) with a light scent.

Viewed close up, the inflorescence of Sterculia quadrifida is densely hairy (photo above). Individual trees have both male and female flowers in complex arrangements. Botanical enthusiasts can find details about flowering and pollination of Sterculia quadrifida on the website of the Rare Fruit Club of Western Australia.

Eye-catching mature fruits of Sterculia quadrifida (photo above) split open to display velvety black seeds. With proper preparation, these seeds are edible and reportedly taste a bit like raw peanuts, hence the tree’s common name.

Sterculia quadrifida seeds have traditionally provided a valuable food resource for Indigenous Australians who also used crushed leaves and infusions of bark from this species for therapeutic treatments.

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 endemic to Queensland. It grows naturally in lowland vine thickets (centre plant in photo above) and drier rainforest, where it’s typically seen as a moderate to tall shrub, slowly developing into a small tree.

The foliage of Fitzalania heteropetala (photo above) is distinctive with alternate leaves along its slightly zig-zag branches.

The oval-shaped leaves (photo above) have very short petioles and distinct venation.

Fitzalania heteropetala produces bright orange fruits (photo above) that are reported to be edible although unremarkable in flavour and texture.

Fitzalania heteropetala is seldom seen in cultivation but some of our local members have specimens growing well in their gardens, in sun or shade. The flowering specimens spotted by our president were likely planted by the local council.

Fitzalania heteropetala is a host plant for the pale green triangle butterfly Graphium eurypylus. Tucked among the leaves of that Douglas specimen, our president found a plump little Graphium eurypylus caterpillar happily munching away (photo above), “a quiet reminder that even a simple riverside walk can reveal a small but thriving world at work”.

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 endemic to well developed rain forest areas in north eastern Queensland. Some tall specimens may be spotted near the road to Paluma (photo above). Even taller emergent trees almost 40 m high have been reported to occur in optimal conditions.

Cardwellia sublimis has large compound leaves with the leaflets glossy on the upper side and having a golden-brown sheen underneath (photo above).

Cardwellia sublimis produces beautiful panicles of cream flowers (first photo on this page) that are followed by very large brown woody fruits (lower centre of photo above). These fruits remain for quite a while on the tree where they split open to release winged seeds whose dispersal is probably assisted by wind.

Within the rainforest, Cardwellia sublimis tends to blend in amongst other trees and its lofty crown may be hard to spot. Fortunately its large fallen seed cases (photo above) persist for a long time on the ground and provide a helpful clue that Cardwellia sublimis is probably growing nearby.

The seedlings of Cardwellia sublimis have distinctive cotyledons reminiscent of bright green butterfly wings (photo above). Although the seeds are reported to germinate readily in 14 to 24 days, attempts to grow Cardwellia sublimis in plantations have not been successful.

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 Queensland endemic was a personal “new species” for most of us.

Limonium solanderi (Plumbaginaceae) has branching inflorescences with small creamy-yellow flowers (photo above) seen in more detail in the first photo at the top of this page.

The angular stems of Limonium solanderi arise from a basal rosette of leaves (photo above). The plant is evidently well-adapted to the harsh saltmarsh environment and might be a nice addition to a coastal garden but it remains to be tested whether it would thrive in a non-saline environment.

Caution: Please don’t let anyone persuade you to grow non-native Limonium species often called “sea lavender” although not botanically related to true lavendar (Lavendula sp). Some introduced European Limonium species have become invasive weeds that are already threatening native coastal habitat in parts of South and Western Australia.