Whilst it might be winter and a little chilly at Paluma, it hasn’t deterred the local birdlife from getting out and about amongst the village gardens and adjacent rainforest. Paluma is always a great place to do a spot of bird watching. These fine, sunny winter days are ideal for a stroll in the village and the opportunities abound to catch a glimpse of some locally common species. Peter and Jan Cooke have done just that, recently sighting the following birds in their own garden and throughout the village.
Crimson Rosella tucking into the nectar-laden grevillea flower spikes at No. 56 Mt Spec Road. This stunning flower is Grevillea Moonlight, a hybrid of G. banksii and G. whiteana.Another feasting Crimson Rosella, this time enjoying the powder-puff flowers of a red Calliandra. This Eastern Spinebill was up at dawn to enjoy the flowers of Grevillea Firesprite.Recently a pair of Grey Fantails have been cruising up and down Mt Spec Road….perching momentarily and then demonstrating great aerial acrobatics to take insects in flight.
Photos by Peter Cooke. Text by Peter Cooke and Michele Bird.
Vireya or Tropical Rhododendrons are currently blooming amongst Paluma gardens, providing a blaze of brilliant winter colour. Vireya’s are evergreen shrubs producing clusters of trumpet-shaped blooms several times a year. There are many cultivars and they come in a superb range of bright tropical colours. Some varieties have sweetly fragrant flowers. They are native to southeastern Asia and range from Thailand to Australia. They thrive in the cool mountain climate at Paluma and they are relatively easy to grow provided they have good drainage. Some of the varieties in beautiful bloom during June are shown below.
A recent discussion with friends about a very large tree in their garden which was to have a limb lopped off, has prompted me to feature the species Flindersia as Rainforest Tree of the Month. The limb of the tree in question hung dangerously over the roof of their house. My friends understood this tree to be Australian Teak, Flindersia australis, but I questioned this as it did not quite match the characteristics of Flindersia australis.
The seed capsule collected from my friends’ tree, was still green and had a bumpy surface rather than the characteristic spiny surfaced, five valved seed capsules of the Flindersia australis. Nor did the leaflets of the compound leaves, being slightly curved, match the elliptic shape of those of Flindersiaaustralis. The distribution of this tree is in rainforest from near Proserpine to northern NSW, at altitudes up to 750 metres. So, I feel that more likely candidates for my friends’ tree would be Flindersia acuminata, Flindersiabrayleana, Flindersia bourjotiana or Flindersia pimenteliana, all of which are endemic to Paluma.
There are seventeen species of Flindersia world-wide; growing in New Caledonia, New Guinea, Malesia and Australia. Fifteen species are endemic to Australia. The species is named after Matthew Flinders (1774-1814), the renowned navigator and cartographer who led the voyage of ‘The Investigator’ on which the British botanist, Robert Brown, collected many Australian plants. Flindersias are members of the Rutaceae family.
Flindersia australis, also known as Teak, Australian Teak and Crows Ash,can grow to a height of 40 metres on rich, volcanic rainforest soil. It is somewhat smaller elsewhere. Sprays of tiny white flowers appear from August to February with the spiny seed capsules forming from March to January. Unlike most other Flindersia species, these segments do not separate into individual portions. The 35-50mm seeds are flattish and winged at the apex. The timber is in demand for general building, flooring and fencing. It has a high oil content and is readily flammable.
Seed Capsule of Flindersia australis
Flindersia pimenteliana is also known as Maple Silkwood, Rose Silkwood and Mountain Silkwood. This majestic tree grows to 30 metres high and may be buttressed. It occurs from Mt Finnegan near Cooktown to Paluma and also is found in New Guinea. The leaves, like other Flindersias, are compound but the leaflets taper to a narrow point. The flowers are similar in size to the inflorescence of the other Flindersia species but are red to purple. They appear from November to March and are difficult to see high in the canopy. The fruiting capsule, 55 – 115 mm long, is green to brown with five spiny valves. These split and release about 20 flat, winged seeds about 45-50mm long, from July to December.
Flindersia pimenteliana seed capsules
Sulphur-crested cockatoos eat the seeds.
The timber of this tree was once used to make barrels and very decorative cabinet timber. Although young plants grow readily, they are not an economic tree to grow in plantations due to their spreading structure. Leaf material has been found to be active against some tumours.
There are several fine examples of Flindersia pimenteliana to be seen around the village. The easiest to find is in the stand of trees in the area between the tree ferns and the road cutting opposite the Rainforest Inn, (the kitchen end near the entrance to the motel units). Some still attached, green seed capsules hang just above eye level. Other trees can be seen at the end of Smith Crescent, at Number 20 and at the fence-line between Numbers 15 and 17 Mount Spec Road.
Flindersia schottiana is another tree which could possibly be found in the Paluma area as its distribution range is from Cape York to Port Macquarie at altitudes up to 1300 metres. This tree is also known as Silver Ash, Bumpy Ash, Floppy-leaf Ash and Cudgerie. A majestic tree, growing to 45 metres, it is rarely buttressed. The trunk features large bumps where old branches have been detached, hence its common name, Bumpy Ash. The tree has compound leaves with 7 to 9 leaflets, 50 to 260mm long. The upper-side of the leaves is mildly hairy with dense, fine hairs on the under-side. The tiny white or cream flowers are fragrant, appearing from August to December and in May. The five-valved fruit capsules are spiny, 80-130mm and release about 30 flat winged seeds from December to April. Flindersia schottiana is a pioneer tree, often found in regrowth areas and rainforest margins.
Flindersia acuminata, also known as Silver Maple, Silver Silkwood, White Silkwood and Ice-wood, occurs at altitudes up to 1200 metres in rainforests between the Windsor Tableland and Paluma. The tree can grow to a height of 40 metres and may be buttressed. The elliptic leaflets of the compound leaves are from 50 to 150 mm long, slightly curved, and tapering to a point. Fragrant white or cream flowers grow in terminal or axillary panicles from November to January. They are tiny, with five petals and are only about 3 mm in size. The fruit capsules, appearing from June to March are green to brown, 90 to 150 mm long and have five spiny valves which split to release flat, papery winged seeds, 65 to 80 mm.
Flindersia bourjotiana, also known as Queensland Silver Ash, Silver Ash and White Ash. The distribution of this tree is in rainforests from McIvor River near Cooktown to the Paluma Range at altitudes up to 1200 metres. The tree grows to about 35 metres and may be buttressed. The leaves are compound, with 3 to 9 elliptic leaflets, from 50 to 190 mm long. The underside of leaves can be slightly hairy. The tiny, (5-9mm), fragrant flowers can be white, cream or green and grow in terminal or axillary panicles, or sprays. Flowering occurs between April and January. Fruit capsules can be up to 150 mm long with five spiny valves which split to release several flat, winged seeds, 30-70 mm long. Sulphur-crested cockatoos and giant white-tailed rats eat the seeds.
Flindersia brayleana, is also known as Queensland Maple, Maple Silkwood and Red Beech. A tree growing to 35 metres, its distribution is from the Windsor Table-land to Mount Halifax near Townsville, at altitudes up to 1150 metres. The compound leaves have slightly curved leaflets, tending toward an ovate/elliptic shape and ranging from 60 to 210 mm in length. Tiny fragrant white flowers with five petals 3mm in size grow in terminal or axillary panicles from November to January. They are difficult to see high in the canopy. The fruit capsules, are 60 to 100 mm long, and have bumps rather than spines on the surface. They split into five valves, or segments, and release several winged seeds. Flindersia brayleana was once a common tree in rich, red, volcanic soils on the Table-land and on Mount Spec however, high demand for its exceptionally beautiful pink timber has caused it to become scarce. During World War 2, the timber was sought for use in aircraft production, such as in the manufacture of propellers and for ply-wood used in the Mosquito bomber aircraft. The timber was also used in rifle stocks and for beautiful decorated stocks in sporting rifles and shotguns. Boxes, barrels and window frames were also made from this timber. The timber can cause dermatitis.
This Sunday one of Paluma’s long-time and much-loved residents celebrates turning 89 years young. A big happy birthday to our resident Irishman Les Hyland. A small group of Les’ friends celebrated the occasion (early) with a Saturday morning tea and delicious cake baked by Lynn.
Happy Birthday Les from your Paluma friends and family!
It is with great sorrow that we report the passing of Kelly Davis, a long-time Paluma resident and active member of the community. Kelly passed away last Friday night. Kelly’s long association with Paluma, and the various roles and friendships he established here warrant a more detailed tribute. My most recent memories of Kelly come from recent Anagama firings at Len Cook’s kiln where he spend nightly vigils stoking the furnace and monitoring firing temperatures. But there is much more to tell about this man, so please email me (j.k.oliver@outlook.com) if you have any other information or anecdotes so that his contributions can be fully acknowledged in a separate post.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads would like to advise that pavement repair works will occur on Mount Spec Road on the Paluma Range on Thursday 4 June 2020 from 12pm to 5pm. These works will include spray sealing on previously repaired sections of the road.
Impact on motorists:
Mount Spec Road will be reduced to a single lane at the sections where repairs are taking place.
Motorists who travel along Mount Spec Road between the hours of 12pm and 5pm can expect short delays of five minutes.
Stop/go traffic controllers will be on-site at either end of the works to direct traffic through the works zone.
A 40km/hr speed limit will be maintained along Mount Spec Road throughout the duration of the works.
TMR would like to thank the local community and businesses in advance for their patience during these works. Residents are encouraged to contact TMR on the details below should they have any further enquiries about the road works.
Kind Regards
Meghan
Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810 PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810 P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8711 E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au
Following up on a comment from Michael Drew on theEucalyptus grandis Tree of the Month article, I am reprinting an article from the August 2017 issue of Turkey Talk on the Bettong and its role in the health of Eucalyptus forests.
To remove any ambiguity regarding the identity of our local truffle-eater, the northern bettong (Bettongia tropica), I altered title of the original article from Potoroo to Bettong. Potoroos, close relatives of the Bettong, are only found in the SE Australia & Tasmania.
Of course it’s possible that the Republic of Hussey Road has its own endemic but undescribed species of Potoroo (Potorous husseyensis ??)
Jamie
[Bettongs] of Hussey Road are more than cute critters.
‘Truffles’ conjures up the ‘black gold’ now being produced in WA, Vic, NSW and Tas. However, there are also native truffles, mostly found under litter, which are eaten by small marsupials. These truffles are the fruit bodies of fungi which have probably evolved to fruit underground due to drying climatic conditions in Australia over 35myo. They are vitally important in a 3 way association -tree- truffle-marsupial.
More is becoming known about the importance of mycorrhiza in the soil in which fungi mycelia are attached to tree roots. It is a symbiotic relationship where the fungus receives sugars from the tree and the tree gets chemicals such as phosphorus from the fungus. Since the 1980s studies have shown a third component in the system that is the marsupials. To survive it needs small marsupials such as potaroos and bettongs to dig up the truffles and eat them.
Truffles contain a mass of spores and tissues with a distinctive smell to attract animals and also provide them with food. Spores pass through the animal and can be dispersed to a new location
Since many of our small animals such as potaroos and bettongs are endangered species, it is vital that this relationship is better known. Eucalypts are one of our native plants which are very reliant on truffles. It has been estimated that they and many other native trees derive up to 75% of their metabolic needs from this type of ectomycorrhizal association. If these marsupials disappear, one vital component in the ecosystem will be lost.
Other ectomycorrhizal fungi may occur in an ecosystem as well so it doesn’t mean the whole system will collapse. But in Australia there are many ecosystems which are less healthy and resistant than before.
Orchids are the most diverse of all the flowering plant families with around 25,000 species world-wide and around 1,600 in Australia. They can be terrestrial or grow on rocks (lithophytic), or on other plants such as trees (epiphytic), or on rotten logs. While some have large, showy flowers, many can be small, inconspicuous plants with tiny delicate flowers of various hues.
While there are several orchids that can be found around the Paluma village and surrounding tracks, their scientific names are currently in a state of flux, with 4 of the ‘5 easy species’ listed here having had their names changed by one group of scientists, but contested by another! Here we will use the names published by the Atlas of Living Australia, but if you use the very good online key to Tropical Rainforest Orchids, you will need to be aware of the alternative scientific name given after the “=” sign).
Remember that it is illegal to collect any orchids from the wild. Several species have suffered from serious decline due to unscrupulous collectors.
1. Christmas Orchid (Calanthe australasica)
This is one of the most common and easily recognized species around Paluma. It is a terrestrial orchid with large pleated leaves. As its name suggests, it flowers around Christmas time (October – February) with a rather showy mass of white flowers on one or more stems. Under the shady canopy of the closed rainforest these orchid plants occur at irregular intervals, but in more open areas on the edge of the forest they can spread to form substantial patches. There are good examples of this orchid along all the village tracks.
This is the most common of the epiphytic orchids that can be seen on the upper trunks and limbs of trees along the village tracks. You can also find it at ground level on the limbs of recently fallen trees or on large rock outcrops. It can be identified from the cluster of distinctive pencil-thin, often grooved canes with a few (max. 6) leaves near the tip. It can also be found on rocks. The white to pale yellow flowers are small (around the size of a 5 or 10 cent coin) and appear from July to October. There are several good examples of this orchid along the H-Track and in several open areas around the village. This species is restricted to high altitude rainforests and sheltered areas of wet forests from above 700 m from Paluma to the Tablelands.
3. Rock Orchid (Dendrobium speciosum = Thelychiton jonesii var. bancroftianum)
This is a well-known and widely distributed lithophytic and epiphytic orchid with large bulbous stems (pseudobulbs) topped by large leathery leaves. It is common in many Paluma gardens where it can form massive clumps. Large clumps of this orchid can be found on rocky outcrops in full sun along tracks around the Paluma Dam (Lake Paluma), but along tracks around Paluma village it forms smaller, less conspicuous clusters, usually high up on trees. Flowers mostly vary from white to creamy yellow and appear from September to November.
There is another species recorded from this area which looks nearly identical (Dendrobium jonesii = Thelychiton jonesii var. jonesii) and can only be distinguished by its slightly smaller flowers and earlier flowering period (September-November). Some taxonomists have lumped both into a single species, so it might be safer to call any of these orchids Dendrobium speciosum/jonesii and leave the final determination to be resolved by the experts!
This native north Queensland orchid is quite common but often overlooked due to its small size. It has a creeping rhizome that grows up trees or rocks and produces regularly-spaced, small, globular, green pseudobulbs (8-15 mm), each with a small, sturdy, green leaf up to 70mm. It produces bunches of up to 8 small (50mm), white to cream or greenish flowers from September to December.
In areas at the edge of clearings or on fallen trees it can be found near the ground but otherwise it is higher up in the forest canopy where the light is stronger. It can be found around many of the public areas in the village.
This beautiful small epiphytic or lithophytic orchid can be found in open forest near the edges of rainforest or on tree branches overhanging open sunlit streams. In favourable conditions it can form dense patches.
It has slender cane-like stems that look a bit like Dendrobium adae (see above) but they are more spaced out along a creeping rhizome rather than occurring in bunches. It also produces leaves along a greater portion of the stem. The perfumed flowers are bright yellow, appearing from July to November.
We have previously posted articles on the wide variety of Camellias growing in Paluma gardens and the fact that our cool mountain climate provides an ideal environment for these more temperate plants. If you peruse the gardening sections of the Paluma.org website you will find photographs of the many varieties and flower shapes, sizes and colours amongst the village gardens.
Coming from Central Victoria I have always loved Camellias and they hold special sentimental value for me. I grew up gardening with my grandparents amongst the Camellias. When I moved to Paluma four years ago and discovered they thrived in local gardens I set about planting several new Camellias at No. 13, adding to those already planted by Andy and Ann Bishop.
About 12 months ago whilst browsing the Bunnings garden shop (something I am known to do on the odd occasion!) I came across a new variety of Camellia – ‘Volunteer’. This new variety was named to commemorate the International Year of Volunteers in 2001 in New Zealand. Incidentally, the International Week of Volunteers has just passed and was celebrated in May.
Anyway, back to Bunnings…..After some deliberation (for about 5 seconds) I purchased a Camellia ‘Volunteer’ and I squeezed it in amongst the plethora of plants in what I call my ‘chaotic cottage garden’. Well, the ‘Volunteer’ has thrived and is just over a metre in height. Throughout the month of May it has produced numerous blooms and they are quite spectacular. The flowers are quite large, deeply ruffled and variegated – they begin as a deep rich pink with white edges and fade to lighter shades of pink as they age.
Camellia ‘Volunteer’ is said to grow some 2m in height and 1.5m in width. It is a medium to dense upright shrub which is low maintenance. It produces multiple blooms over a long flowering period from May to September.
I can thoroughly recommend this Camellia as a beautiful addition to your Paluma garden. I was also thinking that this is an appropriate plant to grow in our little village, since the spirit of community and volunteering thrives here! I wonder if I could find some room for another one…….?
Macleay’s Honeyeaters are pretty fearless little creatures.
As Jan Cooke stepped onto the deck today to enjoy a morning juice, suddenly she was ‘breakfast bombed’ by one of the cheeky Macleay’s Honeyeaters who pretty much dominate the fruit station. Such is life in downtown Paluma!
Thankfully the scrub turkeys aren’t as bold……..!
Jan Cooke with her very friendly Macleay’s Honeyeater. What’s for breakfast?
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