Two contributions have been received from some keen Paluma gardeners wanting to share photographs of some impressive plants currently in flower at the end of the dry season.
A fine specimen of Elaeocarpus reticulatus is in flower at Michael and Donna Drew’s cottage at Hussey Road. Michael notes that this small tree/bush is known by several common names such as Blueberry Ash and ‘Fairy Petticoats’.
Michael Drew writes:
“I think ‘Fairy Petticoats’ is a better description leaving aside the question of whether fairies actually wear petticoats!? (Maybe when they attend Fairy Debutante Balls….?).
I suspect this bush was planted next to a fine example of a Symplocus stawellii (Native Hazelnut Tree) by the original owner of Bud Cottage. Bud Jones, who lived here for over 60 years was a great scrounger of all things botanical and mechanical.
The ‘Fairy Petticoats’ bush seems to be outside its normal habitat, described as open Eucalypt/Casuarina forests, sometimes on rocky slopes (Reference: Native Plants of Queensland, Volume 1). I have not seen this bush flower in the past, over 10 years. I suspect the very dry weather has caused the bush to flower (as with many other species presently blooming up here).
The ‘Fairy Petticoats’ produces purple berries….. probably eaten by cassowaries”.
Peter and Dorothy Klumpp have discovered a Red Passion Flower or Red Passion Vine (Passiflora sp.) growing along the edge of the rainforest in their back garden. It is a vigorous climber, growing at ground level and also reaching high into the canopy, with hanging clusters of brilliant red flowers.
Red Passion Flower is native to Brazil, but grows well in tropical and subtropical climates. It can be potentially invasive in a garden and adjacent bushland if not controlled and regularly pruned. The bright red flowers are a great attractant for butterflies and bees.
If you have an extraordinary or special plant currently in flower at Paluma and you would like to share it (or even brag about it!), please get in touch.
Text by Michele Bird and Michael Drew. Photos by Michael Drew and Dorothy and Peter Klumpp.