At present the spectacular Golden Penda (Xanthostemon crysanthus) is in bloom, its flowers swarming with bees while dozens of birds visit for the nectar. There are about 45 species of Xanthostemon worldwide with 13 species in Australia but this species, native to North Queensland, is the most impressive. The flowers are in densely-packed umbels, forming golden pompons the size of cricket balls which cover the tree for a few glorious weeks.
Other native flowers you may see this month are the sweetly scented Ivory Curl Flower (Buckinghamia celsissima) and White Hazelwood (Simplocos cochinchinensis). These two trees usually bloom between February and May but flowering may be sporadic. There are still a few white flowering spikes remaining on the Ivory Curl Flower trees around the village.
The White Hazelwood which can be seen along the Range Road and around the village, bears racemes of small pearly white flowers. When the tiny petals drop they form a white carpet beneath the tree.
In the village gardens colour is provided by exotics such as Tibouchina with its beautiful royal purple flowers. Many of these trees are planted in Paluma and when all are in full bloom, as they were a few weeks ago, the sight is magnificent. Camellias are blooming in a range of colour from deep pink to white and Hibiscus shrubs are also providing splashes of colour while Tropical Rhododendrons, with their rich yellow and apricot toning stand out like beacons against the surrounding greenery. Livening up many gardens is the perennial Balsam, or Impatiens as it is also known. Its bright red and pink flowers sprawl exuberantly across the ground beneath shrubbery and along garden borders.
Text & Photos: Colwyn Campbell