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Wet Season Mushrooms 2023

After several seasons of reporting (by various authors) on interesting mushrooms that pop up around Paluma each season, I would have thought there would be fewer new varieties to report on this year, but so far my mushrooming efforts have not suffered the fate of diminishing returns.

Here is a selection of some of my new finds this year.

Hygrocybe cf miniata

Every year with out fail one of the more common mushrooms along the rainforest tracks is the small Vermillion waxcaps (Hygrocybe sp – possibly H. miniata). I have published pictures of these before. But there are other beautiful red species that can be found if you look carefully. One of my favourites is the tiny Redbonnet, with a delicate shiny viscous cap and slender stem. Often overlooked because of its size, it is common in many gardens as well as along the tracks.

Top:Ruby Bonnet (Crentomycena viscidocruenta). Bottom Blackening Waxcap (Hygrocybe astatogala). Bottom right photo by Ray Palmer on Flickr

Another less common but striking red mushroom is the Blackening waxcap (Hygrocybe astatogala). It gets its common name from the fact that it turns increasingly black with age. The bottom left hand photo is a fairly fresh specimen found by Juanita at McClelland’s lookout, with a stem showing faint black streaks. After a few days it can turn entirely jet black as shown in the adjacent image by Ray Palmer from a specimen near Cairns. Both phases are strikingly beautiful.

Some other classic gilled mushrooms (Agarics) I’ve found in the last few weeks are shown below. The orange Gymnopilis was growing on a log in my garden, while the unusual burnt yellow mushroom (Oudemansiella flavo-olivacea) was growing on the roadside next to the High Ropes Course. The last mushroom in this group is an Amanita found in the Banksi/Casuarina forest near Witts Lookout.

Top Row: Gymnopilus sp.
Middle row: Oudemansiella flavo-olivacea.
Bottom Row: Amanita sp. (section Roanokenses)

The last two fungi for this article both share the common name coral fungi based on their shape, which is similar to some corals, but they are not in any way related. The large white bushy specimen is Artomyces sp growing on a log behind Potters Park. It belongs to the order Russulales along with the very different False Turkey tail (Stereum ostrea) that I have previously written about in the 5 easy species series. The red club-shaped fungi is Clavulinopsis sp (probably the sulcata group) which is in the family Clavariaceae in the order Agaricales, which is the group that contains mostly gilled fungi.

Two very different and totally unrelated coral fungi. Left: Artomyces sp. Right Clavulinopsis sp (probably in the sucata group); photo by Juanita Poletto.

If you come across any interesting Fungi that you would like to identify I would be happy to give it a try, or refer it back to some of the facebook experts that have helped me for this article. Just take a picture from the top and side, as well as one of the underside of the cap. I am sure that there are dozens more spectacular fungi to be found around Paluma and it would be great to share them with others through this website.

Text and photos (unless indicated) by Jamie Oliver

Recycling in Paluma

When Townsville City Council decided years ago to introduce a recycling system,  outlying suburbs such as Paluma and Alligator Creek were not included as it was considered that community support in these areas was not sufficient to warrant their trucks to travel that far.

The Paluma Environmental Education Centre, therefore, decided to set up and incorporate a recycling system into their environmental education curriculum, organizing a recycling station at the Catholic Education Centre (Gumbaroo) with yellow-lidded bins provided by the Townsville City Council. A council truck would travel to Paluma to empty these eight bins, with the cost for this service being charged to PEEC. Over the years the charge for this service has risen annually and last stood at $400, making it very expensive with council indicating another increase on the way. This also caused occasions where all the bins were full and recyclables were left on the ground.

Part-time resident, Wilfred Karnoll volunteered in mid 2022 to transport any full bins to and empty them at the council-operated recycling depot at the Stuart dump free of charge on his way home to his other residence at Alligator Creek. As the bins are the large 300 liter type they have to be emptied manually at the site and the recycled material has to be placed into the standard 200liter yellow lid bins and paper/cardboard containers. The Paluma bins are regularly monitored to ensure there is always space available, all bins full to overflowing should therefore be a thing of the past. He’s asking all residents to read and adhere to the list of Do’s and Don’t’s outlined below to make his job as easy as possible.

DO’S and DON’T’S for PALUMA RECYCLING

  1. All recyclables are to be placed into bins loose, not bagged or in cartons.
  2. Fill bins completely in order from left to right, that way we don’t end up with 8 bins half full.
  3. Do not overfill bins, lids have to sit flat to keep rain out, any moisture in the bins causes soggy paper/cardboard, as well as mould, smell and rust.
  4. All food containers must be rinsed out and drained of any liquid.
  5. All lids must be removed from all bottles and plastic containers and discarded, as they are considered a contaminant.
  6. Place glass bottles into the bins gently, if dropped from height they may break any glass containers already in the bins.
  7. Paper should be a minimum size of A5, (half the size of a standard A4) and should be flat, not scrunched up. No small arts and crafts remnants, please.
  8. All cartons must be flattened by undoing the glued flaps at top and bottom or by removing the sticky tape, don’t try to flatten them by crushing them, as it doesn’t work and only creates a bulky mess.
  9. Any items smaller than a credit card or fist should not be recycled as they have very little recycling value but create a lot of extra work.

Happy recycling!

A gorgeous fluorescent scorpion at the Cooke’s

Paluma after dark is a riot of colour if you go rambling with a black light (UV) torch.

Fungi and lichen on a letter box and a clump of palms at the start of Lennox Crescent light up like a coral reef under black light and there’s plenty more to be seen (animal and vegetable) along the walking tracks.

Under the blacklight at #56 this week this scorpion from damp lumber in the front yard lit up brilliantly for the camera of Jay Deagon, Jan Cooke’s niece.

Photo by Jay Deagon.
(Canon EOSR7, with RF100 Macro, lighting from a Lumenshooter UV torch)

Jamie Oliver went online and found two possible species locally — Lychas variatus a species of marbled scorpions or another rainforest scorpion, perhaps Hormurus waigiensis.

Jay’s image seems to be the Lychas, much more gracile than the Hormurus.

Google tells us that all scorpions fluoresce under black light or even under strong natural moonlight. and no one is quite sure why.

“The blue-green glow comes from a substance found in the hyaline layer, a very thin but super tough coating in a part of the scorpion’s exoskeleton called the cuticle.

“Scientists have noticed that, right after a scorpion molts, or sheds its shell, it doesn’t glow until the new cuticle hardens. …

“Whatever its source, the glowing property is surprisingly long-lasting. When scorpions are preserved in alcohol, the liquid itself sometimes glows under UV light. And the hyaline layer is amazingly durable: It can survive millions of years … even fossilized hyaline fluoresces.

“Still, scientists don’t know what purpose the fluorescence serves. Some theories:

  • It protects scorpions from sunlight
  • It helps them find each other
  • It might confuse their prey

Text by Peter Cooke, photo by Jay Deagon

Mauve Magic Redux

Last year, Michele published an article on a spectacular bluish purple mushroom popping up on the village green.

Earlier this week I noticed that the same purple mushroom was now growing as a fairy ring over 5m in diameter out in the open area of the village green. A semi-circle of large light mauve mushrooms was quite a sight.

After a misidentification by me last year, the correct name Lepista sublilacina was provided by Barry and Jenn Muir from Cairns. It has been called the Australian Blewit. A closely related species (or possibly the same species as) is the Lilac Blewit (L. sordida) which is a common edible northern hemisphere species that is known to form fairy rings. Both species are recognised by the Atlas of Living Australia and have been recorded in Queensland but the characters used to distinguish the two species are not readily available from a web search. They are commonly found on lawns and gardens.

There are at least two websites in Australia that suggest the Lepistra sublilacina/sordida is edible but my recommendation would be not to try to eat them until you have conducted your own investigation on this.

This species is just one of many that have been popping up all around Paluma. I will dedicate a separate post to these in the near future.

Text and Photos by Jamie Oliver

Working Bee a Great Success!

Yesterday’s working bee to refurbish the steps at the far end of the “Rainforest Walk” attracted a great turnout. There was a total of 10 people, 3 wheelbarrows, a generator and a cement mixer all working solidly for a couple of hours to fill in the new step frames and drainage channels that Wilfred and Colin had previously set up. The final result looked very impressive. Even the existing wooden bridges and platforms along the track got a major cleanup. We finished the effort back at the Community Centre congratulating ourselves with some well-earned drinks.

It was agreed that we should aim for a regular working bee on the first Saturday of every month to carry out various maintenance and improvement projects around the city. Look out for announcements on Paluma.org

Paluma Buy, Sell, Swap page on Facebook

For more than a year several people have raised the possiblity of creating a facebook group for Paluma residents to post notices to others about items for sale or even to let people know of an opportunity to share costs for bringing a plumber or electrician up to the village to do some work.

Well Stella Thompson-Wheway has recently taken the initiative to create just such a group. It’s called Paluma Buy, Sell, Swap and Give away and she is inviting all Paluma residents to join up. The link above should take you there, or else just use the search function to find the group (using “Paluma Buy Sell” in the search box should do it).

There’s already one item for give away on the site, and I am sure more posts like it will follow soon.

Many thanks to Stella for setting this up for the Community.

Djindal Bayanyu EcoRetreat opens tomorrow (December 28)

It’s not every day that a new commercial enterprise opens in Paluma, especially one that offers accommodation and meals in a beautiful rainforest setting. Mark and Leonie Crennan have been working tirelessly over the last year to refurbish the old Paluma Dreaming (and Heaven’s Kitchen) café at 1 Loop Road.

The new name, Djindal Bayanyu, was the result of many hours of research and consultation by Leonie, who wanted to acknowledge the original inhabitants of Paluma. The name means Singing Waterfalls in Nywaigi, which is the language group of the traditional owners who thrived for centuries in the abundant rainforest and pristine creeks of our spectacular mountain range.

Djindal Bayanyu will be open from 10:30am to 3pm Thursday – Sunday (and Wednesday this week) for excellent coffee, tea and sweet and savoury treats. Accommodation is also available with ensuite bathroom and kitchenette, or you can access shared facilities.

In addition to the refurbished interiors of the rooms and café, the garden has received a range of new plantings of native and ornamental trees and shrubs and artful landscaping. Their gardening efforts were recently recognised with an award in this year’s Paluma Garden Competition.

Ring or text 0490397650 to book accommodation or check cafe opening times.

Email: 7Djindal@gmail.com.

Paluma Garden Competition 2022 – the winners are ….

The judges: Ange (L) & Kathleen (R)

This year’s Garden Competition was held on November 14th. The competition was sponsored by Bunnings and judged by two experienced and enthusiastic garden-lovers from Bunnings (Ange, a trained horticulturalist and Kathleen, the local activities coordinator). Lynn and Jamie spent most of the day escorting judges around the village and 5 acre blocks, admiring the wonderful and varied landscapes and plantings created by Paluma residents. The judges commented on what a privilege it was to be able to see the spectacular displays of blooms and foliage that our misty, mountain climate can produce. Almost every garden had something that was striking and unique that caught the eyes and admiration of the judges. They left the village overwhelmed with the task of picking winners from such a range of beautiful gardens.

The Winners for this year (with comments from the judges) are:

1. Best Residential Garden in the Village (Allison Evens Trophy)
Michele Bird.

From the front of the property to the back, everywhere we looked there was something interesting and beautiful to look at. The front was full of colour that was a delight to see. As you walked through the little paths it was like walking through a secret garden. The back was beautifully landscaped creating a lovely view from the balcony which also had an amazing array of plotted plants. We loved the eclectic style and she has done an amazing job with the space that she has.

2. Best Non-Residential Garden in the Village
Djindal Bayanyu EcoRetreat (Mark Cubis and Leonie Crennan) 

The place at the end of Mount Spec Rd/Loop Rd – The landscaping was very well done. It had different levels and points of interest such as the timber archway and water feature. The view from the deck down onto the garden was lovely and created such a relaxing space.

3. Best Acreage Garden
Lynn and Les Hyland.

Out of all the acreage properties we saw, we felt this property used the space to its full potential. There were interesting paths to take you throughout the property, each one was a unique experience. We also loved that the forest itself was integrated as part of the garden. It created a beautiful balance of established gardens and the natural environment.

4. Highly Recommended Village Garden
Julie and Tony Bligh

The Japanese style garden – It was such a surprise to see the beautiful little Japanese style garden amongst the Paluma rainforest. We loved the use of water which created an interesting and tranquil space and the black pine was a beautiful specimen. It was a unique little garden well worth seeing.

5. Most Unusual Feature or Plant Specimen
Don Battersby

He had the most impressive collection of anthuriums we have seen and there were many interesting specimens but the poisonous pigtail anthurium was the most unusual garden specimen we had seen that day. Something we have never seen or heard of.

The winners…. (except the Blighs)

Congratulations to all the winners. We hope to post separate articles on recent winning gardens early next year.

Positions Available at PEEC

2023 VACANCIES
Paluma Environmental Education Centre

CASUAL COOK
Casual Hours as needed when students onsite
Ref: PEEC 2022-01

CASUAL RELIEF CLEANER
Hours as needed when students onsite
Ref: PEEC 2022-02

  • Casual Cook and Cleaner positions are based at the Centre at 53 Mount Spec Road, Paluma, 4816
  • Application packages available from the Business Manager, phone 07 4772 9555 or email principal@palumaeec.eq.edu.au
  • Successful applicant will be required to hold a current suitability card (Blue Card) from Blue Card Services before they commence work.
    The prospective employee is responsible for the cost of the Blue Card Check and the subsequent issue of the suitability card.  Please check the Blue Card Services website for current fees.
  • The successful applicant will also be required to undertake a Criminal History Check prior to commencement.


Applications close 4:00pm Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Paluma After Dark – A great night out

Orange-thighed tree frog (Litoria xanthomera)
Photo by Jan Cooke

This Saturday’s night walk was very well attended (17 people) and provided lots to see, especially in terms of fluorescent wildlife. We started off the walk with a rousing solo vocal performance from one of my resident orange-thighed tree frogs, with distant vocal back-up from numerous nursery frogs and one or two robust whistling frogs.

As we started our walk around Lennox Crescent the glow worms formed an unmistakeable series of “fairy lights” along one of the exposed earth banks beside the road.

Brilliantly coloured fluorescent lichens were the most common organisms visible with our UV torches, with an amazing diversity of colours shapes and patterns on trees, logs and even mailboxes!

Top left: Fluorescent lichen on a tree. Top right: various hues of fluorescent colours emtted by moss, fungi and leaves. Bottom: Candlevine (Pothos longipes) fluorescing brilliant red under UV (left) compared with the normal grren colour seen using dead torches. All Photos by Peter Klumpp

More fluorescent lichen, Even a plain old mailbox(right) looks like a work of art from the psychdelic ’70s at night under a UV torch (centre) All photos by Jamie Oliver.

Supplejack (Ripognium album) Photo by Peter Klumpp

Along the track to Witts Lookout we also saw some great examples of the sinouus blue fluorescing supplejack vines.

For the first time we also found two different animals exhibiting fluorescence: a small snail and a worm (not photographed).

The normal array of small nocturnal spiders, crickets, millepedes and moths were also seen. I also had a fleeting glimpse of what was probably a bandicoot hopping across the track as we returned along the Witts lookout track.

Moths, millepedes amd snails were also seen. Top Left: a nocturnal moth. Top centre: Paluma dark banded snail (Steorra jimfergusoni). Top right: a rainforest out grazing on rotten wood and lichen. Bottom: A small Camaenid snail whose body emitted a beautiful blue fluorescence under UV. Top center and top right images by Jan Cooke. Other images by Jamie Oliver

There seems to be a consistent difference in fluorescent and luminous flora between the H-Track and Witts Lookout track. Witts track had very few logs covered with the fluorescent liverwort (Bazzania vitatta) although it is very common on the much of the Lennox Crescent and back sides of the H-Track. Also there seem to be fewer luminous mushrooms. One of the group pointed out that the micro-climate on the H-track is more sheltered and humid compared to the Witt’s lookout track, which follows an somewhat exposed ridgeline that slopes steeply down to the coast. This seems a very plausible explanation. A few of us finished the night’s walk by going down the start of the H-track in order to see the large log that consistently puts on a gorgeous fluorescent display. It did not disappoint us!

The now well known “Blue Log” on the H-track Photo by Peter Klumpp

Jamie Oliver