May Betsy Jackes. Wednesday 8 th May 8pm

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1 May 2013 General Meeting 8.00pm Wednesday 8 th May Community Centre, Annandale Shopping Centre Committee Meeting 26 th May 3pm 2 Hoya Court Annandale Dates to Remember 19 th May Sunday Outing to Burra Range see page 6 for details Chairman Janice This Issue 4 April Outing 2 Cape York section Plant List 3 From the March Meeting SGAP Flowering in April Plant of the month 4/5 6 7 Other Items 8/9 Membership 10 Abelmoschus moschatus subsp. tuberosus Abelmoschus moschatus ssp tuberosus Abelmoschus moschatus ssp tuberosus Office Bearers Chairperson Janice Lough j.lough@aims.gov.au V.Chairperson Rex Grattidge rgr57487@bigpond.net.au Secretary John Elliott jw-elliott@aapt.net.au Treasurer Keith Townsend noeltownsend@bigpond.com Cmte/Organiser Greg Calvert Newsletter Val & Charlie crabfami1@bigpond.com Colquhoun Librarian Rex Grattidge Webmaster John Elliott Tech Officer Betsy/Greg Providore Janice Lough MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS We are looking forward to receiving articles, photos and/or notices from YOU!(see pg8) Newsletter of the Society for Growing Australian Plants Townsville Branch Inc. PO Box 363, Aitkenvale, Qld sgaptownsville.org.au Wednesday 8 th May 8pm Betsy Jackes will present Some plants encountered while tripping south & west." Page 1 of 10

2 This month our outing was again close to home and took us to Anderson Gardens in Pimlico. Anderson Gardens is an arboretum containing fine specimens of tropical tree ferns, palms and pandanus. Of note is an area devoted to tropical fruit and economic plants. A representative collection of Cape York Peninsula rainforest plants and examples of North East Queensland plants are also to be found. THE HISTORY. The original land for Anderson Park was acquired from the Water and Electricity Supply Department in Much of the land is now Mundingburra State School, (including the original Thuringowa well), road reserve, and the Jubilee Bowls Club. Most of the existing Park was acquired between 1956 and 1963 as land acquisitions. The Park was named in appreciation of the work of William Anderson ( ), City of Townsville's first Curator of Parks ( ). The present design was prepared in 1962 by Alan Wilson, a Landscape Architect and Superintendent of Parks. The Plant collection was originally laid out in Taxonomic groupings. The Queensland Rainforest Section was developed as a joint project between the 'Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch' and the Parks Department ( ). SGAP members met in the CAPE YORK section (see plant list P3) and, led by John and Keith, we made our way around these interesting plants including some fine examples of Cape York Pandanus. Thanks to Nanette Hooker for instigating this information (more on this next month) We noted that the most sections of the gardens featured a number of samples of each species for example Cerbera floribunda, Cerbera manghas and Cerbera incana all in a row opposite the meeting place. We came across a few plants in flower and/or fruit such as the Gmelina dalrympleana. Our noses were easily directed to the fruiting Morinda citrifolia. After pausing for a fruit and water break we drove to the Conservatory where we examined closely the garden in front. We did not have time to get to the RAINFOREST SECTION on this day. Comparing some Fruiting heads of Pandanus Many crowded uniocular drupes Composed of drupes aggregated in clusters (phalanges) Interlocked * /not interlocked P.gemmifer Pandanus lauterbauchii *Pandanus cookii P.conicus Pandanus monticola *P.solmslaubachii Pandanus Zea P. spiralis P. oblatus P.tectorius Page 2 of 10

3 Some Plants of the Cape York Section compiled by John Elliot CY Adenathera pavonina Mimosaceae Red Bead CY Aglaia sapindina Meliaceae Boodyarra CY Aleurites mollucanus Euphorbiaceae Candlenut CY Alpinea caerulea Zingiberaceae Native Ginger CY Alstonia actinophylla Apocynaceae Cape Milkwood CY Alstonia scholaris Apocynaceae White Cheesewood CY Alstonia spectabilis Apocynaceae Hard Cheesewood CY Barringtonia calyptrata Lecythidaceae Mango Pine CY Blepharocarya involucrigera Anacardiaceae Rose Butternut CY Buchanania arborescens Anacardiaceae Satinwood CY Calamus caryotoides Arecaceae Fishtail Lawyer Cane CY Calophyllum inophyllum Clusiaceae Beach Calophyllum CY Cerbera floribunda Apocynaceae Cassowary Plum CY Cerbera manghas Apocynaceae Beach Milkwood CY Commersonia bartramia Byttneriaceae Brown Kurrajong CY Cordyline Asparagaceae CY Cryptocarya densiflora? Lauraceae Cinnamon Laurel CY Cryptocarya mackinnoniana Lauraceae Rusty Laurel CY Cyclophyllum maritinum Rubiaceae Canthium CY Dysoxylum mollisimum subsp molle Meliaceae Miva Mahogany CY Elaeocarpus grandis Elaeocarpaceae Blue Quandong CY Ficus rubiginosa Moraceae Rusty Fig CY Ficus septica Moraceae Septic Fig CY Flindersia ifflaiana Rutaceae Hickory Ash CY Gardenia scabrella Rubiaceae Star Flower CY Gmelina dalrympleana Lamiaceae Northern White Beech CY Grewia retusifolia Sparrmaniaceae Dog's Balls CY Harpulia ramiflora Sapindaceae Claudie Tulipwood CY Heritieria littoralis Sterculiaceae Looking Glass Mangrove CY Horsfieldia australiana Myristicaceae Cape Nutmeg CY Larsenaikia ochreata Rubiaceae Native Gardenia CY Licuala ramsayi Arecaceae Fan Palm CY Livistona muelleri Arecaceae Northern Cabbage Palm CY Mallotus polyadenos Euphorbiaceae Kamala CY Maniltoa lenticellata Caesalpiniaceae Cascading Bean CY Melaleuca arcana Myrtaceae CY Melicope elleryana Rutaceae Pink Euodia CY Melicope rubra Rutaceae Muellers Euodia CY Morinda citrifolia Rubiaceae Rotten Cheese Fruit CY Nauclea orientalis Rubiaceae Leichhardt Tree CY Nelumbo nucifera Nelumbonaceae Sacred Lotus CY Nymphoides indica Menyanthaceae Water Snowflakes CY Pandanus conicus Pandanaceae Mace Screw Pine CY Pandanus lauterbachii Pandanceae CY Pandanus solmslaubachii Pandanaceae Swamp Pandan CY Phaleria clerodendron Thymelaeaceae Scented Daphne CY Ptychosperma elegans Arecaceae Solitare Palm CY Sterculia quadrifida Sterculiaceae Peanut Tree CY Syzygium aqueum Myrtaceae Water Apple Barringtonia calyptrata Cryptocarya mackinnoniana Cyclophyllum maritinum Flindersia ifflaiana Page 3 of 10

4 The Vagaries of Nature (by Keith Townsend) Prior to my talk at the meeting I was asked what the word Vagaries meant. Fortunately, I was prepared, as, although I had selected the title by instinct I had decided to check the meaning to make sure I was correct. Several dictionary definitions are a little ambivalent (no, looked it up and uncertain, undecided, unsure would be better). Some indicated a synonym for vagaries would be caprice, others indicated that a whimsical result could be involved (capricious?). These did not quite fit what I had in mind so I settled for one which indicated that it could be used to describe a series of events or happenings which have an unexpected result. Now that that has been sorted out, John and I took a trip to the Burra Range on 19 th March. I was aware that western Queensland was seriously dry, so we were pleasantly surprised to find that the countryside out through Charters Towers, Balfe s Creek and Homestead was pleasantly green, with abundant tall grass growth. A stop on the roadside in the Balfe s Creek/Homestead area yielded photos of ground hugging creepers, Polymeria longifolia, Cajanus scarabaeoides and Chamaecrista rotundifolia. Outstanding was a tall, unidentified grass with brilliant reddish/purple and white flower parts when examined closely. Between Homestead and Pentland there was an abrupt change little green but plenty of dry grass from the previous season. Obviously our rather poor wet season only extended to that point. A little further on our trip became worthwhile for this finding alone the stand of Eucalyptus chartaboma in full bloom! It is an attractive tree at all times, but particularly so with masses of brilliant orange blossoms. The buds are green with a white indumentum and the bud cap (operculum) is reddish. In several months there should be an abundance of the large ribbed seed capsules in evidence. Also in this area, Acacia platycarpa, one of the early season acacias was in bloom. Page 4 of 10

5 Shortly after, Warrigal Creek indicated the boundary of the National Park, and also the boundary of the bushfire damage. We had been aware of the fire a couple of months ago, but were surprised by the extent. Most of the park on the southern side of the highway has been burnt, as well as the whole accessible part on the northern side, at least as far as the campground, together with many thousands of hectares of grazing land to the west. From Sawpit Gully Carpark The Eucalypt canopy is still there, although badly singed, but the shrub understory has been destroyed in most areas. Visibility through the Eucalypt trunks reveals many rocks, gullies etc., which are not normally seen. The good news is that there are still some pockets which have not been burnt, and we have decided to still have our trip scheduled for 19 th May. In addition to viewing unburnt areas we intend to initiate a project to monitor the rejuvenation process in a severely damaged area at Sawpit Gully. This is a spot we have visited regularly in recent years as it is a hot spot for Calytrix microcoma, and it should provide useful information as to how this and other species recover after severe fire damage. From Sawpit Gully Lookout The project will be led by Sarah Swan, and she may be contacted at sarah.swan@jcu.edu.au or phone if you would like to take part in this interesting project. Pinnacles Lunch Spot Page 5 of 10

6 Apocynaceae Lamiaceae Loranthaceae Mimosaceae Myrtaceae Pittosporaceae Proteaceae Rubiaceae Sterculiaceae Thymelaeaceae Ochrosia elliptica (fruit) Clerodendrum floribundum Orthosiphon aristatus Dendrophthoe sp. Acacia acradenia Acacia aneura Acacia chisholmii Acacia auriculiformis. Acacia salicina Asteromyrtus magnifica Melaleuca viridiflora (red form) Sannantha papillosa Bursaria incana Banksia dentata Grevillea Robyn Gordon Gardenia psidioides Gardenia scabrella Sterculia quadrifida Phaleria clerodendron Orthosiphon aristatus. Burra Range Trip - Sunday 19th May, 2013 Our trip will have the following timetable - meet at the lookout at approx 9.45am for a quick cuppa. (there is little to see there due to the fire damage). Travel time is approximately 2 hours 45 mins so you need to leave Townsville by 7.00am. You need to have good walking shoes, lunch and water for the day. If anyone needs transport, or is unsure of details Please contact Keith at noeltownsend@bigpond.com or phone We will be visiting unburned areas before lunch, and then inspect burned areas and assist with set up of monitoring plots for the rejuvenation programme led by Sarah Swan. Membership Fees Membership Fees were due on 31st March last. If you have not yet renewed, please do so as soon as possible by paying the amount shown on the last page of this newsletter to Townsville Branch (not Brisbane). Fees may be direct credited to Bendigo Bank BSB , Account please quote "membership and your name". Page 6 of 10

7 Gmelina dalrympleana Lamiaceae Grey Teak, Dalrymple s White Beech Described in 1864 by FJH von Mueller, this tree was first collected near Cardwell by John Dallachy In locis paludosis ad sinum Rockingham s Bay (swampy depression). This is almost the southern limit of its range, which extends north to the tip of Cape York, and also extends into PNG. Generally this is a small tree or large shrub between 6-10 metres, but may be found larger. Growing in rainforest, gallery forest, and monsoon forest in lowland areas, and often in poorly drained sites. Large, leathery, oval shaped leaves, are arranged oppositely giving the tree a dark shady appearance. The flowers are held on axillary or terminal panicles, being cream with distinct yellow and purple markings on the lower lip of five petals. Flowers open periodically allowing an extended flowering period, which allows the production of fruit in conjunction with the flowers. The fruit is crimson red about the size of a marble, and readily eaten by fruit doves and cassowaries. This tree yields a soft, light but tough timber, which was renowned for its workability, combined with a high degree of durability in or out of the weather, and a refusal to swell or shrink when wetted. Timbers and Forest Products of Queensland EHF Swain 1928 There are three trees in Anderson Gardens, all of which grow in full sun and are no larger than 6 metres in height. They have developed an attractive, shady form, and at this time of year are full of both flowers and fruit, making them a very attractive proposition as an ornamental tree for a suburban garden. (Provided by John Eliot) Message from Keith Well here I go again - not about plants this time, but may be of interest or maybe you can read it just to humour an old fella! It is in the project of the month titled "New to Town". Page 7 of 10

8 Interested in Growing Pandanus? Take a look at Gardening Australia - How To: Growing Pandanus - ABC ---- :- Jun 18, 2011 Jerry Coleby-Williams looks at the Pandanus and shows why he likes to grow it and how to propagate them SGAP poloshirts Megs Monograms Shop 3, 210 Charters Towers Rd. Hermit Park Qld 4812 Ph info@megsmonograms.com Members who wish to obtain an SGAP polo shirt should contact the supplier directly and arrange payment and collection from the shop 1) What Australian plant have you managed to propagate this month? 2) Was it from cuttings or from seed? How long did it take? 3) What method did you use? Any difficulties? 4) Any advice for newcomers? Do you have a photo? Please your answers to Val and Charlie <crabfami1@bigpond.com> Page 8 of 10

9 HERE IS THE BANNER! Here is the banner So tall, proud; so great. It will look good on stalls Displays.. at a fete! We could have it at Bunnings, At a conference, no less And it rolls up so tidily Leaving no mess. So look on your right And take up the test Can you name every plant? Come on, do your best. Now don t say there s daisies We have none of those Just the beauteous Aussies The good ones they chose. It really will challenge you To say all the names - -You have to give two. So examine the frames. Bring your answer to the meeting The next one, this May. And you ll be rewarded For having your say. Page 9 of 10

10 Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. P.O. Box 363 Aitkenvale, Qld Membership Application or Renewal Form Membership Year is from 1 st April to 31 st March (Initial half yearly membership is available for those joining around October) Name: Address: address: Fee: $ If claiming full time student fee please quote Student No. Additional household members may be registered for a nominal fee of $2.00 per person but they will not receive newsletters or magazines. Society for Growing Australian Plants Townsville Branch Inc ABN Membership Fees: New Ordinary Member $45.00 New Student Member $35.00 Renewal Ordinary $40.00 Renewal Student $30.00 New Member (Half Year from Oct.) $25.00 Additional Household Member $ 2.00 Shell beds from the Northern Bowen Basin If paying electronically please quote Membership and your name Bendigo Bank BSB A/C The Society for Growing Australian Plants promotes the conservation of Australian native flora by encouraging its introduction into gardens. Page 10 of 10