A deliciously sweet fragrance at the approach the Loop Road, and the humming of bees, draw attention to a stand of Brown Gardenias (Attractocarpus fitzalanii,) which are covered in small white, five-petalled star-shaped flowers. This is an unusually heavy flowering and the trees look spectacular.
In the nearby cutting and in several other roadside tangles, the Hibbertia scandens vines scramble to the tops of trees, scattering their bright yellow flowers over the foliage.
Glochidion hylandii trees are laden with pin-cushion-like fruits nestling in the leaf axils along almost every branch. Recently, an unusually abundant flowering of Sloanea australis took place in the stand of trees outside PEEC. The spiny-covered fruits should soon be found ripening on the trees.
On the forest floor among the dropped seeds and fruits are the dark red to black drupes of Bollywood, (Litsea connorsii) and the glossy, black 30 mm long drupes of the Ivory Walnut (Bielschmiedia recurva).
Sarsaparillas (Alphitonia petriei), herald the approaching festive season, looking splendid with their tiered branches covered in white to cream flowers suggestive of snow-clad Christmas trees.
Literally, here today and gone tomorrow, are the various fungi which have popped up in response to recent rain. Notable was a brilliant red, star-like fungus: the anemone stinkhorn, (Aseroe rubra).
There are many more little treasures to be found on your walks – just keep a wary eye out for snakes though!
Text and photos (unless indicated otherwise) by Colwyn Campbell