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 →
This rare lowland rainforest plant is a cousin of the common Weeping Cleisthanthus (Cleistanthus apodus). I had the very good fortune to have been introduced to this plant by a great botanist of our times, Stuart Worboys at Cooper’s Creek, … Continue reading →
A understorey shrub of rainforest, this attractive plant can be recognized by it’s small foliage that would appear to be pinnate but if closely examined, one would find a minute stipule at each of the leaf bases where the leaf … Continue reading →
A native shrub of coastal forest. This species is among the smaller of the Glochidions. The leaves are around 5cm long and have a glaucous underside. The veins and midrib on the leaf underside are covered with fine hairs, as … Continue reading →
I was quite pleased to find this non-native shrub growing in my front yard and in many of my neighbours yards when I moved in to my rented apartment in Cairns. While it appears to be treated with neglect in … Continue reading →
A handsome rainforest tree with great ornamental potential. The leaves are densely hairy on the underside and also on the branches. Closeup of flowers Clusters of maturing fruit Closeup of leaf stipules. Note also the hairy stems and leaf undersides
This attractive shrub never fails to draw attention. The zig-zag arrangement of the ovate leaves and the single red berry at each leaf axil is rather distinctive. The leaves have a bad smell when crushed. Fruit detail Stipule detail
This supposedly uncommon rainforest understorey shrub was flowering at the Cairns Botanical Gardens. The leaves have a heart-shaped base and the leaf stalks were slightly purple. The cream coloured flowers were quite striking against the rather dull foliage.
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 