Orchids are always a delight. As a botanist with a bit of a history with orchids (I once interned at an Orchid cultivating laboratory), I have a soft spot for orchids. While cultivated orchid varieties are always glamorous, I have … Continue reading →
Female flowers Manioc, as this plant is better known, deserves a whole book written on it for its gastronomic virtues. But for now, it is enough to say that this shrub is a gift to the world as it provides … Continue reading →
Is it nice to have an example of a type genus for a plant family to grace the gardens and waysides of Queensland. The genus Malpighia is named in to honor Marcello Malpighia (1628-1693), a distinguished naturalist at Bologna, Italy. … Continue reading →
Carpentaria acuminata (Carpentaria Palm) is the sole species in the genus Carpentaria, which is native to tropical coastal regions in the north of Northern Territory, Australia. Due to it’s attractive form and red fruits, it is widely grown in Cairns … Continue reading →
Commonly by various names such as the Flaming Glorybower, this vigorous vine, native to tropical Africa, is grown for its showy and ornamental red blossoms. Beautiful these flowers are! – brilliant bright red, very showy, and borne in terminal clusters. … Continue reading →
Loropetalum chinense, known commonly as the Chinese fringe flower, is a ornamental species of the witch hazel family, grown as a hedge plant in certain places around Cairns and the Tablelands.
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 →
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 loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a tree from the Rose family, native to south-central China. It is a large evergreen shrub or small tree, grown in private gardens as an ornamental with sweet smelling flowers, and probably for its edible … 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 