This epiphytic fern is commonly known as the basket fern and is found widely in the Wet Tropics of Australia. It is also native to the Southeast Asian region. The basket fern is probably the easist member of the genus … Continue reading →
This widespread and common shrub or tree is known as the Rusty Pittosporum, probably due to the rusty brown tomentum on the leaf underside, that is easy to rub off with the fingers. This character is not always present or … Continue reading →
This herb, also known commonly as pignut or chan, is a native of tropical regions of Mexico, Central, the West Indies, and South America. It has been widely naturalized in tropical parts of Africa, Asia and Australia. It grows to … Continue reading →
This endemic tree or shrub is not a very well known species. It doesn’t have a common name. It has rather largish leaves up to 20cm. The underside is hairy and look whitish to greyish, dirty glaucous. The petioles are … Continue reading →
For over a year the identity of this shrub vexed me, even after it flowered, even after it fruited. The strongly raised extrafloral nectaries were quite indicative of a Euphorbiaceae. I wasn’t sure if it was native or not, as … Continue reading →
The Swamp Satinash an endemic and is one of the more handsome of the native satinashes (Syzygium spp.), and also one of the more recognizable. It has very regular elliptic opposite leaves borne on twigs that are angular. More distinctively, … Continue reading →
This is a little known endemic vine of slightly more upland rainforest and deserves more attention. The combination of opposite leaves with a shiny upperside and white-hairy underside, along with the looping veins that come of the midrib at a … Continue reading →
Removed of their outer flesh, the seeds of this endemic rainforest vine look like they have a design that HR Giger (who designed the disturbing sets for the Aliens movies) might have raised eyebrows upon seeing. The leaves of this … Continue reading →
The Hairy Red Pittosporum is an endemic shrub that occurs in the dark shade of the rainforest understorey. I have hardly seen this species grow taller than 2-3m tall. The leaves are soft textured, hairy, largish (although very small ones … Continue reading →
Been in Australia for over a decade gazing at plants, both large and small, grasses and trees, in rain forest and savanna, in the tropics and in temperate zones. I love connecting with people with similar interests. You can read more about me on my About page and at my personal BLOG.
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Leaf Whispering in the Tropics 