Plant Descriptions – Hibiscus diversifolia – Hypoxis pratensis

Hibiscus diversifolia

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Genus: From Ibískos, which is Greek or Hibiscum, which is Latin for a marsh mallo and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to a plant in ancient Egypt that grew in marshes and was used to make mallow for soothing the throat. Today it refers to plants, which have flowers that resemble the marsh mellow plant.

Specie: From Dīversum, which is Latin for more than one form and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to where the leaves are very variable in shape and size.

Sub species:

Common Name: Native Rosella.

In the Aboriginal language it is known as Wyrrung.

Distribution:

Hibiscus diversifolia is found south from Cairns in Queensland to Jervis Bay in central coastal New South Wales. It is found along the coastal strip.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+diversifolia#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspects Climate:

Hibiscus diversifolia prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open woodland swamps, woodland wallum heaths or open heaths. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 350 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 750mm to an average of 2400mm annually. This is of little consequence as the plants grow where there is continuous ground moisture, even to the extent of becoming semi aquatic with branches extending out over the surface of the water.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus diversifolia prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, gritty light clays, medium clays or podsolics. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks sandstones or accumulated peaty beach sands. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It tolerates water logged soils seasonal inundations and high water tables. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1m to 2m by 2m to 2.5m. This is a small straggly shrub that spreads thinly over other shrubs, grasses or the surface water.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus diversifolia’s stems are grey-brown to pale creamy-brown with a few short sharp persistent prickles. The branchlets rely on other shrubs for support or float across water often forming watery roots along the stems. The branchlets are pale green and are densely covered in course white pubescent and setose hairs. There are two types of branches short leafed non flowering stems and longer sparsely leafed flowering stems.

Hibiscus diversifolia’s alternate, ovate to cordate or 3 to 5 shallowly lobed leaves measure 40mm to 80mm in length by 40mm to 80mm in width. The lobes are oblong or broadly ovate and measure 5mm to 20mm in length. The leaves are reduced along the flowering stems to usually being elliptical to lanceolate and measure 30mm to 60mm in length by 20mm to 30mm in width. The base is extremely variable from cuneate, truncate, rounded, cordate or even slightly hastate while the apexes are acuminate or narrow acute to broadly acute. The concolourous laminas are pale grass-green to pale blue-green. The laminas are densely covered in white pubescent and setose hairs. The margins are entire or more often are crenulate to sinuate. It is flat or curve slightly upwards from the mid vein. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are slightly visible from above. The mid vein and lateral veins have a row of short sharp prickles. The petioles measure 7mm to 80mm in length.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus diversifolia are born on a terminal raceme or singularly from the leaf axis and measure 70mm to 100mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels, buds and sepals are all densely covered in white appressed puberulent and setose hairs. The pedicels measure 0.5mm to 5mm in length. The 8 to 10 linear epicalyxes segments are pale green and measure 10mm to 12mm in length. The 5 pale creamy green subulate calyx lobes measure 12mm to 20mm long. The 5 pale yellow petals only partially open forming a funnel. It is ovate to orbicular or broadly spathulate tapering at the base and are strongly contorted while the apex is broadly obtuse. The pale yellow corolla has a deep red to burgundy base. They measure 30mm to 50mm in length by 30mm to 50mm across at the widest point.

The deep red to burgundy style measures 25 to 45mm in length and divides into 5 stigmas very close to the apex. The 50 to 60 deep red or burgundy stamens are fused to the upper portion of the style. Flowers appear from August to May in cooler climate while flowers will appear throughout the year in frost free warm areas with full sun.

Hibiscus diversifolia’s fruit is a globose to conical capsule. The capsules measure 18mm to 22mm in length by 18mm to 20mm in diameter. It is densely covered in stiff fawn to pale brown hirtellous and setose hairs. The green capsules turn brown on ripening. The pale dull, deep brown glabrous seeds measure 3mm to 4mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

The flowers are visited by a number of small honeyeaters along with the native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.)

Cultivation:

Hibiscus diversifolia is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens in wet areas. It is an excellent colourful addition for tropical, subtropical or temperate zones. As garden subjects they will grow to 1.5 meter to 2 meters high by 2 meters to 3 meters wide. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 6 degrees. Frosts will kill young unprotected plants. Older plants will be killed off down to ground level will grow out immediately on warmer weather.

It is best suited to areas that are water logged or have poor drainage like in depressions and around sullage trenches. Place them at the bottom of slopes or retaining walls where moisture lies or seeps out. It must be pruned to maintain a bushy appearance and for the plants to send up more flowering stems. I have found by pruning the flowering stems back just prior to the last few flowers buds opening the plants will send up new flowering stems very quickly. I also pruned them during the coldest month of the year to help stimulate more growth. Not a pleasant job with the prickles but worthwhile once the flowers start to appear.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus diversifolia seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Place the trays under 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade and keep the trays warm. Bottom heat is beneficial when striking the cuttings. Ideally temperatures should be maintained at between 22 to 24 degrees.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Alternatively take a 150mm to 200 non flowering stem which is 10mm to 20mm thick. Remove the top 200mm and place it in a 50mm native tube with a porous mix without organic matter. Ensure that the bottom of the cutting is about 20mm from the base of the tube. Now lay the tubes out at 45 degrees so that the bottom half of the tube is in water. When the roots appear at the bottom of the tubes harden the off a little and plant them out into their permanent positions.

Further Comments from Readers:

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In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl and all aboriginal nations throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and future for the pleasures we have gained.

Hibiscus geranioides

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Genus: From Ibískos, which is Greek or later Hibiscum, which is Latin for a marsh mallo and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to a plant in ancient Egypt that grew in marshes and was used to make mallow for soothing the throat. Today it refers to plants, which have flowers that resemble the marsh mellow plant.

Specie: From Geraniol, which is Ancient Greek for a crane’s bill and Eîdos/Oides, which is Ancient Greek for alike or similar to. It refers to the plants which resemble those of the exotic Geranium genus.

Sub species:

Common Name: Geranium Leaf Hibiscus.

Distribution:

Hibiscus geranioides is found across the top end of Australia east from the Kimberley Range in the north western, Western Australia to Cape York Peninsular in far north eastern Queensland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+geranioides#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspects Climate:

Hibiscus geranioides prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows in riparian zones, open woodlands, adjacent to dry and well developed monsoonal and in littoral rainforests. This is a small perennial shrub that has large showy pink flowers. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 600 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 8 degree in July to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 550mm to an average of 3000mm annually. In lower rainfall areas it is associated with soils that have a stronger capillary action along riparian zones.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus geranioides prefer sandy loams, fatty sands to light clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, and sandstone. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables for short periods are tolerated. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 0.7m by 0.5m to 0.8m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus geranioides’s stem is blue-green and glabrous. The branchlets are pale blue-green and are covered in fawn to pale brown stellate or stiff trifid hairs.

Hibiscus geranioides’s ovate or 3 lobed leaves and measure 30mm to 70mm in length by 20mm to 60mm in width. The lobes are oblong or broadly ovate and measure 25mm to 40mm in length. The bases are hastate to rounded while the apexes are obtuse. The concolourous laminas are blue-green and are sparsely covered in white hirsute hairs or very rarely glabrous. The margins are serrate and flat. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are slightly visible from above. The mid vein and lateral veins have a row of setose hairs. The petioles are covered in fawn to pale brown stellate hairs and measure 20mm to 25mm in length

The inflorescences of Hibiscus geranioides are born singularly from the leaf axis and measure 120mm to 150mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels, buds and sepals are all densely covered in white stellate hairs. The pedicel measures 15mm to 25mm in length. The 7 to 10 linear epicalyxes lobes are green and measure 3mm to 7mm in length. The 5 calyx lobes are deep green, lanceolate, and are covered in white stellate hairs externally and glabrous internally. They measure 4mm to 6mm in length. The 5 pale pink rarely white to deep pink petals are oblong to elliptical. The petals are tapering at the base and are contorted while the apex is broadly obtuse. The petals measure 10mm to 20mm in length by 8mm to 10mm across at the widest point. The corolla is purple-red at the base.

The pink stamens are fused to the upper segment of the style and have yellow anthers. The pale pink to deep pink styles measure 8 to 18mm in length. The 5 lobed pink stigmas are linear. The flowers appear throughout the year under favourable conditions.

Hibiscus geranioides’s fruit is a globose to conical capsule. The capsules measure 8mm to 12mm in length by 7mm to 9mm in diameter. It is densely covered in stiff fawn to khaki hirsute hairs. The green capsules turn brown on ripening. The pale dull grey-brown seeds measure 3mm to 4mm in diameter and are covered in long pale brown hirsute hairs.

Confusing Species:

This species is often confused with Hibiscus pedunculata which originates from Africa and is incorrectly sold under the label of Hibiscus geranioides.

Hibiscus geranioides has pedicel which measure 15mm to 25mm in length, petals, measure 10mm to 20mm in length, calyx measure 10mm to 15mm in length and epicalyx measure 7mm to 15mm in length which are longer.

Hibiscus pedunculata has pedicel which measure 4mm to 12mm in length, petals, measure 30mm to 40mm in length sepals and epicalyx are all shorter.

Wildlife:

The flowers are visited by a number of small native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.)

Cultivation:

Hibiscus geranioides is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens in moist to wet areas. It is an excellent colourful addition for tropical, sub tropical or warm temperate frost free areas in the garden. As garden subjects it will grow to 0.5 meters to 1 meter in height by 0.6 meters to 1 meter in diameter. They must be lightly pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 1 degree. They should be treated as an annual and are easy to propagate from seed.

It is best suited to areas that have consistent ground moisture but not water logged. It makes excellent colourful additions where a fast growing annual or perennial is wanted. Plants we had growing at Nana Glen in a warm northerly position lived for 5 years and flowered from early September until cut back by frosts in late June or early July. The central stem that survived the frosts would immediately commence growing and flowering as soon as the last frosts were over for the year. Seedlings naturally sown beneath the mother plant would commence flowering in late November.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus geranioides seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Try using 100mm to 150mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in mid spring or autumn. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side. Rooting hormone is not required. Place the cutting into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite. The weak hormone is mainly used for sterility.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hibiscus heterophyllus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: From Heteros, which is Ancient Greek for other or different and Phullon/Phýllon, which is Ancient Greek for a leaf. It refers to leaves, which are of different sizes and shapes on the same plant.

Sub species:

Common Name: Native Rosella.

Distribution:

Hibiscus heterophyllus is found south from Ingham in far north Queensland to Wollongong in New South Wales through. There is an outlying colony on the Lockhart River on Cape York Peninsular. It is found on and east the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+heterophyllus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspects Climate:

Hibiscus heterophyllus prefers full sun to dappled shade. It grows in riparian zones, open woodlands, adjacent to dry rainforests, well developed rainforests or in littoral rainforests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 850 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 750mm to an average of 3000mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus heterophyllus prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, gritty light clays, medium clays or podsolics. The soils are derived from decomposed shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks and sandstones. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 4m to 6m by 2m to 4m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus heterophyllus’s bark is green to deep green and glabrous. The branches and branchlets are green, densely covered in fawn to rusty hirtellous and stellate hairs with a few setose hairs.

Hibiscus heterophyllus’s ovate or 3 to 5 lobed lower leaves measure 50mm to 120mm in length by 50mm to 130mm in width. The upper leaves are narrow ovate to lanceolate and measure 90mm to 180mm in length by 25mm to 60mm in width. The lobes are oblong or broadly ovate and measure 25mm to 60mm in length. The base is cuneate to rounded while the apex is acuminate or narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are deep sea green and are sparsely covered in rusty tomentose with a few setose hairs or very rarely glabrous. The margins are entire and flat. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are slightly visible from above. The mid vein and lateral veins have a row of setose hairs. The petioles measure 20mm to 30mm in length and are covered in white setose hairs.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus heterophyllus are born singularly from the leaf axis and measure 120mm to 150mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels, buds and sepals are all densely covered in rusty stellate and tomentose hairs with a few setose hairs. The pedicel measures 18mm to 25mm in length. The epicalyxes number 10 to 12 and are pale green linear and measure 15mm to 20mm in length. The 5 calyx lobes are deep green, lanceolate, and are covered in rusty tomentose hairs and measure 20mm to 35mm long. The 5 white or bright yellow petals have a wide pink longitudinal line down the edge. The petals are ovate to broadly spathulate tapering at the base and are contorted while the apex is broadly obtuse. The corolla has a deep red to burgundy base and measure 50mm to 70mm in length by 40mm to 60mm across at the widest point. The deep red to burgundy style measures 25 to 30mm in length and divides into 5 stigmas very close to the apex. The 10 to 20 deep red or burgundy stamens are fused to the style for much of its length. Flowers appear from September to May.

Hibiscus heterophyllus’s fruits are globose to conical capsule. The capsules measure 18mm to 22mm in length by 18mm to 20mm in diameter. It is densely covered in stiff fawn to khaki puberulent and setose hairs. The green capsules turn brown on ripening. The pale dull grey-brown glabrous seeds measure 3mm to 4mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

The flowers are visited by a number of small honeyeaters along with the native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.) The flowers and especially the seeds are much sought after by the Australian king parrot, Alisterus scapularis.

Cultivation:

Hibiscus heterophyllus is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens in moist situations. It is an excellent colourful addition for tropical, subtropical or warm temperate zones. As garden subjects it will grow to 4 meter to 6 meters in height by 4 meters to 6 meters in diameter. It must be lightly pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 2 degrees. Frosts will kill young unprotected plants. Older plants will be killed off down to the hard wood however recover immediately the weather warms up again.

It is best suited to areas that have consistent ground moisture but not water logged. It makes a good specimen tree during the establishment of a rainforest, being fast growing and usually flower in the second year from seed. The green trunk is an attractive feature as are the flowers with pink buds opening to white or yellow. We have measured the flowers; from a variegated white flowering specimen, we have growing in our Malvaceae garden and they average 190mm in diameter. The largest of the Australian Hibiscus we have seen to date.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus heterophyllus seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Try using 100mm to 150mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in mid spring or autumn. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side at the base. Using a weak rooting hormone, dip the cutting in and place it into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite. The weak hormone is mainly used for sterility. I have used vitamin B liquid formulas as an alternative to the use of hormones

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

*Dysdercus sidae* mating on *Hibiscus insularis* with *Tectoriis diophthalmus* in the background

Orange backed Shield bug, *Tectocoris diophthalmus*

Hibiscus insularis

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: From īnsulānus which is Latin for relating to an Island or Islands. It refers to plants, which grow on islands or at times narrow necked peninsular.

Sub species:

Common Name: Phillip Island Hibiscus.

Distribution:

Hibiscus insularis is endemic to Phillip Island which is part of the Norfolk Island group.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+insularis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspects Climate:

Hibiscus insularis prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in open plains and headlands. The altitude ranges from 60 meters ASL to 250 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 15 degree in July to 28 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1000mm to an average of 1328mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus insularis prefers red, gritty, porous light clays to medium well drained red clays. The soils are derived from decomposed black basalt. The soils pH varies from 5.5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Note that our measurements have been obtained from garden grown specimens at the Mount Cootha Botanical gardens as have all the our photographs. Plants had been regularly fertilized and this could distort measurements compared to the wild ancestors. The plants were probably from a single genetic pool which would limit the range and size of the measurements provided below. It is not known whether the specimens grown are representative of the species or type specimen.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 2.5m by 2m to 2.5m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus insularis’s main stems are pale grey, mid grey-brown to pale creamy-brown. The main stems are rough and somewhat scabrous. The smaller stems are pale green and are moderately covered in course white puberulent and sessile stellate hairs.

Hibiscus insularis’s alternate, oval to ovate leaves measure 30mm to 60mm in length by 20mm to 45mm in width. The bases are truncate while the apexes are tapering obtuse with a broad, shallow emarginate to retuse tip. The discolourous laminas are deep green to sea-green and sparsely covered in tufts of spreading, fawn sessile stellate hairs on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are much paler and slightly scabrous. The laminas recurve upwards from the mid vein to the margins while the margins are irregularly sinuate with or without a few shallow lobes. The mid vein is prominent on both laminas but more prominent on the lower lamina while the main lateral veins are prominent on the upper lamina and are clearly visible from the lower laminas being yellowish-green. The mid vein and lateral veins have a row of short sharp prickles. The petioles measure 7mm to 15mm in length.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus insularis are born singularly from the leaf axis and measure 60mm to 80mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels are densely covered in fine white pulverulent and floccose hairs. The stout pedicels measure 7mm to 9mm in length. The 5 elliptical bracts are densely covered in short white pulverulent and tufted floccose hairs externally and measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 4mm to 4.5mm in width. The pale creamy yellow-green calyxes have 5 broad triangular lobes and are densely covered in short white pulverulent and tufted floccose hairs externally. The calyxes are glabrous internally while the lobes are covered in short white pulverulent and tufted floccose hairs. The calyxes measure 6mm to 7.5mm in length by 10mm to 12mm in diameter while the lobes measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The 5 strongly contorted petals are oblong and twist to form a long funnel form tube. The pale yellow corolla is heavily streaked in purplish-red to deep purplish-pink from the base and extends to the opening of the funnel internally and can be seen from the outside through the petals. The petals measure 40mm to 55mm in length by 20mm to 25mm across at the widest point.

The gynoecium is purplish-red to deep purplish-pink near the base and extends to the mouth of the funnel where it turns pastel yellow rotating around the style similar to a barbers pole to where the styles divides. The gynoecium measure 42mm to 46mm in length. The 70 to 80 white filaments are often streaked in purplish-red to deep purplish-pink. The stamens are fused to the upper portion of the style and measure 6mm to 9mm in length. The white, purplish-red to deep purplish-pink anthers produce a pale yellow pollen and measure 0.5mm to 2mm in diameter after anthesis including the pollen. The purplish-red, deep purplish-pink or magenta styles are 5 fid and measure 8mm to 10mm from where they divide to the stigmas that measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length. The flowers appear throughout the year.

Hibiscus insularis’s fruits are broad conical capsules. The capsules measure 14mm to 15mm in length by 9mm to 10mm in diameter. The green capsules turn deep brown to chocolate brown and rugulose when ripe. The epicalyx and sepals are persistent on the ripe capsules. The pale dull, deep brown rugulose seeds measure 3mm to 4mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

The flowers on Hibiscus insularis are visited by a number of native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.)

Cultivation:

Hibiscus insularis is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens in wet areas. It is an excellent colourful addition for tropical, sub tropical or temperate zones. As garden subjects they will grow to 1.5 meter to 2 meters high by 2 meters to 3 meters wide. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures as low as minus 2 degrees if protected during the early stages of growth. Frosts will kill young unprotected plants.

If mild native fertilizers are used they will develop deep sea-green leaves.

It makes an excellent hedge, screen and wildlife corridors because of their upright bushy growth habit and their abundance of flowers. It should be noted however that it is susceptible to the Hibiscus Harlequin beetle and these may form plagues under a monoculture situation. Another drawback is that if used on farms it is highly palatable to stock so must be fenced off.

It looks particularly attractive at the edge of a bush garden. Plants can be placed near a bend in the garden or set back in the mid ground. It will gain a lot of attention and highlight other finer bright green leafy shrubs. Mass plant them (4 to 8) in the midground with deep red flowering plants in the fore ground while large flowering specie can be placed in the background. They would be a very good choice if planted on a tight bend or “U” bends. Planted on the inside of the bend, whether it is in flower or not these plants will break your concentration and the viewer will be transfixed on the display of flowers or foliage rather than watching the path. Here the choice of companion plants to use on the outside of the bend is limited only by your imagination. Small Acacias to 1 meter diameter with cream or white flowers can also be used to great effect as their flowering will compliment it as would many of the red flowering Grevillea. When mass planting use 2.5 meter to 2.5 meter centers.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus insularis seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 75mm to 100mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in mid spring or autumn. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side. Rooting hormone is not required. Place it into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hibiscus macilwraithensis

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: Is named in honour of Thomas MacIlwraith; 1835–1900, who was a Queensland politician and pastoralist and Anum/Ensis, which is Latin for originating from. It refers to the type species coming from the Macilwraithe Range in far north eastern Queensland.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Hibiscus macIlwraithensis is found south from Bolt Head to Macillwraith Range on Cape York Peninsular with a disjunct population further south near Tolga on the Atherton Tableland in far north eastern coastal Queensland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+macilwraithensis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspects Climate:

Hibiscus macIlwraithensis prefers medium shade to light dappled shade. It grows adjacent to or in tropical rainforests and monsoonal rainforests. The altitude ranges from 50 meters ASL to 400 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 12 degree in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1850mm to an average of 3000mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus macIlwraithensis prefers loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt or sandstones. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1m to 4m by 2m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus macIlwraithensis’s stems are grey-brown to pale fawnish-brown and are covered in papillate and farinaceous lumps. The grey-brown branchlets are covered in papillate and farinaceous lumps while the stems are pale green and are usually moderately covered in course fawn to pale brown stellate hairs or at times sparsely covered.

Hibiscus macIlwraithensis’s alternate, oblanceolate leaves measure 125mm to 170mm in length by 40mm to 50mm in width at the widest point. The linear stipules are filiform and measure 4mm to10mm in length. The bases are long tapering and are rounded where they join onto the petioles while the apexes are acuminate or narrowly acute. The discolourous laminas are mid grass-green to mid green, somewhat scabrous and are usually moderately covered in course fawn to pale brown stellate hairs or at times sparsely covered on the upper laminas and are paler on the lower laminas. The laminas are flat and straight while the margins are entire and slightly undulating. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is prominent on the upper lamina while the lateral veins are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and slightly prominent on the upper lamina. The lateral veins loop close to the margins. The stout petioles measure 2mm to 3mm in length.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus macIlwraithensis are born on a terminal raceme or singularly from the leaf axis and measure 70mm to 100mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels are densely covered in fawn to pale brown stellate hairs and measure 10mm to 50mm in length. The 6 or 7 linear epicalyxes segments are free for most their length, are deep green and are sparsely covered in fawn to pale brown stellate hairs. The epicalyxes measure 8.2mm to 12.5mm in length by 2mm to 3.5mm in width. The calyxes and 5 elliptical lobes are covered in fawn to pale brown stellate hairs and scales externally and are glabrous internally. The calyxes and lobes measure 10mm to 15mm in length by 3.5mm to 5mm in width. The 5 broad oval petals are strongly contorted while the apex is broadly truncate with a mucronate tip. The corolla and petals are usually creamy-white or at times white from the base to the apex and are covered in white sessile stellate hairs externally especially near the margins. They measure 20mm to 28mm in length by 15mm to 20mm across at the widest point.

The white gynoecium measures 22 to 33mm in length including the stamens. The 18 to 22 white filaments measure are fused to the upper 3mm to 5mm below the stigma. The filiform filaments measure 3mm to 4.5mm in length while the cream strongly reniform anthers dehisce on the outer edge and measure 0.8mm to 1mm in diameter.

The 5 fid, white stigma splits very close to the apex. The flowers appear from August to October.

Hibiscus macIlwraithensis’s fruits are sub globose capsules. The capsules measure 10mm to 16mm in length by 12mm to 14mm in diameter. The green capsules are moderately to densely covered in stiff fawn to pale brown stellate hairs and turn brown on ripening. The epicalyxes and sepals are persistent on the ripe capsules.

The pale dull, grey obloidal, glabrous seeds are covered in white hirsute hairs and measure 4.5mm to 5mm in length by 2.8mm to 3mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

The flowers on Hibiscus macIlwraithensis are visited by a number of native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.)

Cultivation:

Hibiscus macIlwraithensis is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens in moist areas. It is an excellent addition for tropical, sub tropical or warm frost free temperate gardens. As garden subjects they will grow to 4 meter to 5 meters in height by 3 meters to 4 meters in diameter. It is fast growing and drought tolerant once established

If mild native fertilizers are used they will develop deep sea-green tropical look in the leaves.

They make excellent large hedges, screens and wildlife corridors because of their upright bushy growth habit and their abundance of flowers. It should be noted however that it may be susceptible to the Hibiscus Harlequin beetle and these may form plagues under a monoculture situation. Another drawback could be that if used on farms maybe highly palatable to stock so may need fencing off.

It looks particularly attractive at the edge of a bush gardens or used as a rainforest understory plant or for the starting of a small rainforests on a suburban block.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus macIlwraithensis seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Try using 75mm to 100mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in mid spring or autumn. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side at the base. Using an appropriate rooting hormone, dip the cutting in and place it into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hibiscus phyllochlaenus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: From Phýllo which is Ancient Greek for a leaf and chlaenus which is Latin for a plant family found in Madagasca. It refers to plants, which have leaves that resemble the Madagascan family of plants.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Hibiscus phyllochlaenus is restricted to a small area south from Charters Towers and the Paluma Range National Park to Banana and Gladstone in northern to central eastern Queensland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+phyllochlaenus +P.Grimshaw{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}2B+PG2484{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}29#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspects Climate:

Hibiscus phyllochlaenus prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open woodlands verging on open grass plains. The altitude ranges from 85 meters ASL to 350 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to an average of 1200mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus phyllochlaenus prefers medium clays or sandy clays on rocky terrains. The soils are usually derived from better quality decomposed shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks or sandstone or granite. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1m to 2m by 1m to 2m.

Characteristics:

Our measurements are taken from a single plant on Mount Stuart near Townsville and may not be typical of the type specimen.

Hibiscus phyllochlaenus has reddish-brown stems that are sporadically blotched in matted, white hairs. The juvenile stems are moderately to densely covered in a mixture of short and long, soft, white somewhat tardy caduceous hirsute hairs.

The petioles are moderately to densely covered in a mixture of short and long, soft, white hirsute hairs and measure 18mm to 22mm in length. The palmate leaves have shallow, obtuse and acute lobes and measure 60mm to 90mm in length by 60mm to 80mm in width. The bases are cordate. The discolourous laminas are velvety to touch and are sparsely covered in long, soft, white hirsute hairs on the upper lamina, while the lower lamina is pale to almost whitish and moderately covered in long, soft, white hirsute hairs especially along the veins. The margins are serrate and flat. The main palmate veins and main lateral veins are prominent on the both laminas, but more so on the lower lamina.

The pedicels, buds and sepals are moderately to densely covered in a mixture of short and long, soft, white hirsute hairs. The pedicel measures 5mm to 8mm in length. The 5 linear epicalyxes lobes are dull green, moderately to densely covered in a mixture of short and long, soft, white hirsute hairs externally and glabrous internally and measure 3mm to 7mm in length. The 5 calyx lobes are dull green, linear, moderately to densely covered in a mixture of short and long, soft, white hirsute hairs externally and glabrous internally. They measure 4mm to 6mm in length. The 5 usually bright pink or rarely white petals are oblong. The petals are tapering at the base and are contorted while the apex is broadly obtuse. The petals measure 10mm to 20mm in length by 10mm to 12mm across at the widest point. The corolla is purple-red at the base.

The 5 brownish stamens are set at the base of the pistil, while the staminodes are fused to the upper segment of the style. The deep pink style measures 8 to 12mm in length. The tri lobed white stigmas are orbicular. The flowers appear throughout the year under favourable conditions.

Hibiscus geranioides’s fruit is a globose to conical capsule. The capsules are densely covered in long, soft, echinate spikes that have stellate apexes and measure 9mm to 12mm in length by 9mm to 12mm in diameter not including the echinate spikes, which measure 3mm to 5mm in length. It is densely covered in stiff fawn to khaki hirsute hairs. The green capsules turn brown on ripening.

Wildlife:

The flowers on Hibiscus phyllochlaenus are visited by a number of small honeyeaters along with the native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.)

Cultivation:

Hibiscus phyllochlaenus is a very beautiful large native shrub or small tree which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens on heavier or rocky soils. It is an excellent colourful spring addition for tropical, sub tropical or warm temperate frost free gardens. The large soft grey velvet leaves make an attractive feature for the period that this shrub is not in flower.

As garden subjects they will grow to 2 meter to 3 meters high by 2 meters to 3.5 meters in diameter when grown in the open. They must be pruned regularly to enhance bushiness or to train them as a shrub.

As a shrub the more lateral branches created flowers will be more abundant in the following spring. Hard pruning can be done once the plants are established but some set back will occur in flowering so it is better to trim the plants on a regular or annual basis. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 3 degrees. Frosts will kill young unprotected plants. Older plants will be killed off down to the hard wood but they will grow out immediately on warmer weather. They need a protected area away from strong winds as the branches are quite brittle and snap easily.

Placed at the rear of a bush garden or at the edge of a forest garden their striking display of flowers and leaves will draw your attention so that you will want to investigate further. A bend in a path can be broken up by placing them at the back of the bend. Place them in the background with medium and smaller plants with finer pale green leaves in front will draw the attention of people passing by. Plants with either red, white or yellow flowers can be used in the midground while the prostrate or smaller shrubs are best with red or white flowers in the front. This will lead the viewer’s eyes down to the foreground and over to the back ground. Whether it is in flower or not these trees will catch your attention because of the large, beautiful flowers and unusual foliage. The viewer will be transfixed on the display of flowers or shape rather than watching the path. The large blue green leaves will offset the pale yellow or cream flowers of any prostrate Acacias planted in the foreground. In fact they would be a very strong but softening complementary contrast if the prostrate or smaller Acacia specie were to flower at the same time. In a bush scene it is best scattered through the bush to give patches of colour to attract the viewers’ attention and draw them even further in rather than having a mass planting. If it is to be planted within a forest ensure there is adequate light available or the plants will tend to grow very spindly.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus phyllochlaenus seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 75mm to 100mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in mid spring or autumn. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side at the base. A rooting hormone is not required. Place it into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hibiscus sp. barambah creek

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: From Baramba Creek, which is Latin for a creek between Kingaroy Nanango. It refers to plants, which were first discovered along the Creek in south eastern Queensland.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Hibiscus sp. barambah creek is endemic to the middle and lower reaches of Barambah Creek from east of Kingaroy to Gayndah in southern Queensland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+sp.+{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}28Barambah+Creek+P.Grimshaw{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}2B+PG2484{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}29#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspects Climate:

Hibiscus sp. barambah creeks prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open riparian zones, in swamps marshlands and wallums. The altitude ranges from 85 meters ASL to 350 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to an average of 800mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus sp. Barambah creek prefers medium clays or sandy clays on rocky terrains. The soils are usually derived from better quality decomposed shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks or sandstone. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1m to 2.5m by 2m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus sp. barambah creek’s trunk is blue-green with a few short sharp persistent prickles. The branches and branchlets are pale blue to blue-green and densely covered in glistening white pulverulent and hispid and setose hairs.

Hibiscus sp. barambah creek’s alternate leaves are palmate with 3 to 5 deeply divided lobes and measure 60mm to 150mm in length by 60mm to 150mm in width. The lobes are narrow oblong and measure 10mm to 100mm in length. The petioles are densely covered in off white silky pulverulent hairs and measure 50mm to 80mm in length.The bases are truncate, rounded or cordate while the apexes are broad acuminate, broad acute or narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are pale grey-green and densely covered in off white silky pulverulent hairs. The margins are entire or more often are finely crenate. It is flat or curve slightly upwards from the mid vein though this becomes stronger in hot dry weather. The midvein vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are slightly visible from above. The mid vein and lateral veins have a few short sharp spines.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus sp. barambah creek are born singularly from the leaf axis and measure150mm to 170mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels are densely covered in off white silky pulverulent hairs. The pedicel measures 18mm to 26mm in length. The 10 to 12 linear epicalyxes are blue-green linear and are densely covered in off white silky pulverulent hairs and measure 18mm to 25mm in length. The lanceolate calyxes and 5 lobes are pale blue-green with an acuminate apex. The calyxes are densely covered in off white silky pulverulent hairs and measure 30mm to 40mm long. The 5 pale pink to deep pink petals have a wide deeper pink to purple broad longitudinal line down the edge. The petals are broadly triangular with an obtuse apex and contorted base. The corolla has a red and deep burgundy base and measure 50mm to 80mm in length by 50mm to 80mm across at the widest point.

The 46 to 60 deep maroon-red sometimes burgundy-red stamens are fused to the basal two thirds of the style. The filaments measure 5mm to 6mm in length while the anthers measure 2mm to 2.5mm in diameter. The deep maroon-red sometimes burgundy-red pistils are sparsely covered in soft, maroon-red or burgundy-red pulverulent hairs and measure 22mm to 36mm in length. The 5 fid burgundy stigma is free and covered in soft deep maroon-red sometimes burgundy-red hairs while the branches measures 2mm to 3mm in length and the stigmas measure 1.5mm to 1.8mm in diameter. The flowers appear from September to October.

Hibiscus sp. barambah creek’s fruits are globose to broad conical capsules. The capsules measure 26mm to 32mm in length by 24mm to 30mm in diameter. It is covered in off white pulverulent hairs. The grey-green capsules turn brown on ripening. The pale dull grey-brown glabrous seeds measure 3mm to 4mm in diameter.

Confusing Species:

Hibiscus sp. barambah creek has deep incised lobes on the foliage on mature trees that are blue-grey and are densely covered in velutinous hairs. The flowers are more intense in colour with the petals being only partially open at anthesis. The calyxes are linear with strong prominent ribs.

Hibiscus splendens has broad shallow lobes on the foliage or simple ovate leaves on mature trees that are blue-green and are densely covered in glistening white pubescent, hispid and setose hairs. The flowers are less intense in colour with the petals being more open at anthesis. The calyxes are more rounded with less prominent ribbing.

Wildlife:

The flowers on Hibiscus sp. barambah creek are visited by a number of small honeyeaters along with the native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.)

Cultivation:

Hibiscus sp. barambah creek is a very beautiful large native shrub for semi arid or dry locations. It is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens on heavier or rocky soils. It is an excellent colourful spring addition for tropical, subtropical or warm temperate frost free gardens. The large soft grey velvet leaves make an attractive feature for the period that this shrub is not in flower.

As garden subjects it will grow to 3 meter to 4 meters high by 2 meters to 4 meters in diameter when grown in the open. It needs to be pruned regularly to enhance bushiness. As a shrub the more lateral branches created the more abundant the flowering will be in the following spring. Hard pruning is not advisable. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 3 degrees. Frosts will kill young unprotected plants. Older plants will be killed off down to the hard wood but they will grow out immediately on warmer weather. It needs a protected area away from strong winds as the branches are quite brittle and snap easily.

Placed at the rear of a bush garden or at the edge of a forest garden their striking display of flowers and leaves will draw your attention so that you will want to investigate further. Place it in the background with medium and smaller plants with finer pale green leaves in front will draw the attention of people passing by. Plants with either red, white or yellow flowers can be used in the midground while the prostrate or smaller shrubs are best with red or white flowers in the front.

It can be a very strong but softening complementary contrast if prostrate or smaller Acacia specie were to flower at the same time. In a bush scene it is best scattered through the bush to give patches of colour to attract the viewers’ attention and draw them even further in rather than having a mass planting. If it is to be planted within a forest ensure there is adequate light available or the plants will tend to grow very spindly.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus sp. barambah creek seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 80mm to 120mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in the warmer months. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side at the base. A rooting hormone is not required. Place it into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hybrid between *Hibiscus splendens* and Hibiscus heterophyllus yellow. Unfortunately we lost future cuttings. White Crab Spider *Thomisus spectabilis* consuming a native bee.

Hibiscus splendens

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: From Splendēns, which is Latin for to glisten or shine. It refers to plants, which have a real shine about them or have an organ or structure that glistens in the sunlight.

Sub species:

Common Name: Pink Hibiscus or Native Hollyhock.

Distribution:

Hibiscus splendens is found south from Camilla and Cairns in central eastern Queensland to Wollongong in central coastal New South Wales. It is mainly found on the Western slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+splendens#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspects Climate:

Hibiscus splendens prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open country on slopes and hills in transitional forests usually between rainforests and Eucalyptus forests or gallery forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 750 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 550mm to an average of 2800mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus splendens prefers growing on light sandy clays to medium clays, rocky terrains or at times on podsolic soils. The soils are usually derived from better quality decomposed shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, sandstones or at times granites. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 5m by 2m to 4m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus splendens’s trunk is blue-green with a few short sharp persistent prickles. The branches and branchlets are pale blue to blue-green and densely covered in glistening white pulverulent and hispid and setose hairs.

Hibiscus splendens’s alternate palmate leaves have 3 to 5 lobed lobes and measure 60mm to 150mm in length by 60mm to 150mm in width. The lobes are oblong or broadly ovate and measure 10mm to 50mm long. The leaves on mature trees and shrubs are lanceolate to ovate and measure 30mm to 80mm in length by 12mm to 30mm in width. The bases are truncate, rounded or cordate while the apexes are broad acuminate, broad acute or narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are pale blue-green and densely covered in glistening white pulverulent and hispid and setose hairs. The margins are entire or more often are finely crenate. It is flat or curve slightly upwards from the mid vein though this becomes stronger in hot dry weather. The midvein vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are slightly visible from above. The mid vein and lateral veins have a few short sharp spines. The petioles are covered in white pulverulent hairs and glistening hispid and setose hairs and measure 50mm to 80mm in length.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus splendens are born singularly from the leaf axis and measure150mm to 170mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels are densely covered in covered in white pulverulent hairs and glistening hispid hairs. The pedicel measures 18mm to 26mm in length. The 10 to 12 linear epicalyxes are blue-green linear and are densely covered in white pulverulent hairs and glistening hispid and setose hairs. The epicalyxes measure 18mm to 25mm in length. The lanceolate calyxes and 5 lobes are pale blue-green with an acuminate apex. The calyxes are covered in white pulverulent hairs and glistening hispid hairs and measure 30mm to 40mm long. The 5 pale pink to deep pink petals have a wide deeper pink to purple broad longitudinal line down the edge. The petals are broadly triangular with an obtuse apex and contorted base. The corolla has a red and deep burgundy base and measure 50mm to 80mm in length by 50mm to 80mm across at the widest point.

Hibiscus splendens’s fruits are globose to broad conical capsules. The capsules measure 26mm to 32mm in length by 24mm to 30mm in diameter. It is covered in white pulverulent hairs and glistening hispid and setose hairs. The blue-green capsules turn grey-brown on ripening. The pale dull grey-brown glabrous seeds measure 3mm to 4mm in diameter.

Confusing Species:

Wildlife:

The flowers are visited by a number of small native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.) The flowers and especially the seeds are much sought after by the Australian king parrot, Alisterus scapularis.

Cultivation:

Hibiscus splendens is a very beautiful large native shrub or small tree which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens on heavier or rocky soils. It is an excellent colourful spring addition for tropical, subtropical or warm temperate frost free gardens. The large soft grey velvet leaves make an attractive feature for the period that this shrub is not in flower.

Placed at the rear of a bush garden or at the edge of a forest garden their striking display of flowers and leaves will draw your attention so that you will want to investigate further. Place it in the background with medium and smaller plants with finer pale green leaves in front will draw the attention of people passing by. Plants with either red, white or yellow flowers can be used in the midground while the prostrate or smaller shrubs are best with red or white flowers in the front.

I have cursedmyself a thousand times for not taking cuttings off the hybrid (orange flower in photograph) between Hibiscus splendens X Hibiscus heterophyllus yellow.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus splendens seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hibiscus sturtii

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: Is named in honour of Captain Charles Napier Sturt; 1795–1869, who was a British born explorer in the interior of Australia and Anum/Ensis which is Latin for to originate from. It refers to plants which were first discovered in the Sturt desert region.

Sub species: Hibiscus sturtii var. campylochlamys. Is named in honour of Cyril W. Foster; 18..-1933, who was a British botanist who collected in Africa.

Sub species: Hibiscus sturtii var. fosteri. Is named in honour of Cyril W. Foster; 18..-1933, who was a British botanist who collected in Africa.

Sub species: Hibiscus sturtii var. glandulosa. From Gland/Glāns, which is Latin for a gland. It refers to a group of cells, which make an organ that produce a secretion and bearing numerous glands.

Sub species: Hibiscus sturtii var. muelleri. Is named in honour of Ferdinand Von Mueller; 1825-1896, who was a German born Australian Botanist who named over 2000 new species and was director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens.

Sub species: Hibiscus sturtii var. platychlamys. From Platy, which is Ancient Greek for flat and broad and Chlamys, which is Ancient Greek for a cloak. It refers to seeds and/or pappus which are flattish and have bristles.

Sub species: Hibiscus sturtii var. truncatus. From Truncātus, which is Latin for to maim as in to have the limbs cut off. It refers to structures or organs that have no appendages or a square apex.

Sub species: Hibiscus sturtii var. sturtii. Is named in honour of Captain Charles Napier Sturt; 1795–1869, who was a British born explorer in the interior of Australia and Anum/Ensis which is Latin for to originate from. It refers to plants which were first discovered in the Sturt desert region.

Sub species: Hibiscus sturtii var. typicus. From Typikós, which is Ancient Greek, Typicālis, which is Ancient Latin or later Typicus, which is Modern Latin for typical or normal. It refer to characteristics of species, which are very typical of the genus or a subspecies or variety that is typical of the species.

Common Name: Sturt’s desert Rose.

Distribution:

Hibiscus sturtii subsp. campylochlamys is widespread in the central half of Western Australia from the coast to the lower half of the Northern Territory and the western two thirds of Queensland.

Hibiscus sturtii Subsp. campylochlamys is widespread in the central half of Western Australia from the coast to the lower half of the Northern Territory.

Hibiscus sturtii var. glandulosa is limited to two disjunct populations, two in the northern portion of Western Australia and two in the central east of the Northern Territory.

Hibiscus sturtii subsp. muelleri is widespread but not common in any portion of its distribution. It is found in the south eastern portion of the Northern Territory, central South Australia, central western Queensland and north western New South Wales.

Hibiscus sturtii subsp. platychlamys is widespread in the central half of Western Australia from the coast to the lower half of the Northern Territory and fare western central Queensland.

Hibiscus sturtii subsp. truncatus is widespread in the central half of Western Australia from the coast down to Shark Bay to the lower half of the Northern Territory.

Hibiscus sturtii subsp. sturtii is limited to a few scattered populations in Western Australia and the lower third of the Northern Territory, then it becomes widespread throughout Queensland and New South Wales west of the Great Dividing Range.

Hibiscus sturtii var. typicus is found in scattered populations in the central half of Western Australia from the coast to the lower third of the Northern Territory, then it becomes widespread throughout Queensland and New South Wales west of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+sturtii#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hibiscus sturtii prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open riparian zones, depressions and drainage lines in arid zones in central Australia. It is a straggly shrub with large pale yellow flowers. The altitude ranges from 20 meters ASL to 1000 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degree in July to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 150mm to an average of 1600mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus sturtii prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, gritty light clays, medium clays or podsolics. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones or granite. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 0.7m by 0.5m to 0.8m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus sturtii’s is usually a sub shrub or at times a semi prostrate ground cover. The stems are bluish-green and densely covered in rusty-brown or rusty-red stellate hairs.

Hibiscus sturtii’s ovate to cordate or 3 to 5 lobed leaves measure 20mm to 55mm in length by 12mm to 25mm in width. The bases are broadly rounded, truncate or broad cuneate while the apexes are obtuse to tapering obtuse. The discolourous laminas are pale blue-green to pale blue-green and densely covered in rusty-brown or rusty-red stellate hairs. The laminas recurve upwards from the mid vein to the margins while the margins are serrate, toothed to shallowly lobed. The laminas are flat or convex between the main vein and the lateral veins on the upper laminas. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are not visible or clearly visible from above. The petioles measure 5mm to 8mm in length.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus sturtii are born singularly from the leaf axis and measure150mm to 170mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels are densely covered in rusty-brown or rusty-red stellate hairs and measures 18mm to 50mm in length. The 7 to 8 linear, narrow triangular or ovate epicalyxes and lobes are pale blue-green and densely covered in rusty-brown or rusty-red stellate hairs. The cupuliform epicalyxes measure 7mm to 10mm in length while the lobes measure 6mm to 8mm in length by 4mm to 6mm in width. The 5 broad triangular to broad lanceolate calyxes lobes are pale blue-green and are in rusty-brown or rusty-red stellate hairs and measure 8mm to 13mm long.

The 5 pale pink to deep pink petals have a wide deeper pink to purple broad longitudinal line down the edge. The contorted petals are broad oblong to oval with a broad obtuse or truncate apex. The pale pink to deep pink, pale purple, white, or yellow petals are white at the base and sparsely covered in white stellate hairs. The petals measure 15mm to 26mm in length by 12mm to 26mm in width.

The 12 to 20 white pistils is fused to the apical third of the style or yellow with Hibiscus stuartii subsp. fosterii’s which are fused to the apical half of the style. The white, filiform filaments measure 3mm to 4mm in length while the white orbicular anthers measure 0.5mm to 1mm in diameter.

The white or yellow pistils are glabrous and measure 10mm to 15mm in length. The 5 fid white or yellow stigmas are glabrous while the branches measures 2mm to 3mm in length and the stigmas measure 1.5mm to 1.8mm in diameter. The flowers appear throughout the year under favourable conditions with a peak from September to October.

Hibiscus sturtii’s fruits are globose capsules. The capsules measure 9mm to 12mm in length by 9mm to 12mm in diameter. It is densely covered in long, white appressed hirsute hairs. The green capsules turn brown on ripening. The pale dull, deep brown glabrous seeds measure 3mm to 4mm in diameter.

Confusing Subspecies Varieties:

Hibiscus sturtii var. campylochlamys

Hibiscus stuartii subsp. fosterii’s flowers are yellow and it grows on granitic soils. The leaves are densely covered in white pulverulent hairs.

Hibiscus stuartii var. glandulosa

Hibiscus stuartii subsp. muelleri’s epicalyxes are narrow triangular to linear and are slightly to much shorter than the true calyxes.

Hibiscus stuartii subsp. platychlamys

Hibiscus stuartii subsp. truncatus has leaf bases, which are are

truncate.

Hibiscus stuartii subsp. stuartii’s epicalyxes’ segments are dilated, obtuse-triangular and are equal to or slightly shorter than the true calyxes. The epicalyxes and calyxes are often reflexed in fruit

Hibiscus sturtii var. typicus

Wildlife:

The flowers on Hibiscus sturtii are visited by a number of native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.)

Cultivation:

Hibiscus sturtii is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens in drier semi-arid, arid or subtropical areas where the humidity is on the low side. As garden subjects, they will grow from 0.4 meter to 0.5 meters in height by 0.5 meters to 1 meter in width. They must be pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering otherwise a straggly less productive flowering plant will eventuate. Hard pruning can be done once the plants are established but some set back will occur in flowering so it is better to trim the plants on a regular or biannual basis. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 1 degrees. Frosts will kill young unprotected plants. Older plants may be killed off down to ground level but will grow out immediately on warmer weather returning.

It is best suited to areas that are well drained. Place them at the top of slopes or retaining walls where moisture drains rapidly. When you design a miniature desert garden; which Hibiscus sturtii is highly suitable, use contours to display the plants to their best. Use one or two taller shrubs like Grevillea bipinnatifida to give a stronger more vertical break to the sides which will help frame the center or a squat rounded shrub like Grevillea thyrsoides to compliment the rolling plains. Small Grevillea like Grevillea centristigma or Grevillea masonii or use annuals to help contrast the foliages and flowers

Place them near old stumps and roots to make the stumps or roots look larger. Select an area of ground and let your hair down and be imaginative and this is the plant that may just change your life. Remember to plant sparingly leaving large gaps between the plants to allow the mulch to be seen. Mulches should consist of fine pebbles to give a more expansive barren look. A billabong affect is the go, not a waterfall or cascades and keep it in harmony with the scene by not making it too large or placing it in the center unless a totally formal look is required.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus sturtii seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hibiscus tiliaceus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: From Tilia, which is Latin for the European Linden tree Tilia europeae. It refers to leaves which have a very similar appearance to the European Tillia genus.

Sub species:

Common Name: The flower of an hour.

Distribution:

Hibiscus tiliaceus is found north and east from the Ord River in Western Australia along the coast to Port Macquarie in coastal New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+tiliaceus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hibiscus tiliaceus prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in exposed and semi sheltered positions along the foreshore and river and creek estuaries. The altitude ranges from 1 meters ASL to 25 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 3 degrees in July to 44 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1000mm to an average of 3200mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus tiliaceus prefers coarse and fine sands, sandy loams, fatty sands, and coral sands. The soils are usually derived from alluvial deposits or accumulated beach sands. The soils pH varies from 6pH through to an 8pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils though seasonal high water tables are frequently encountered. Non saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 7m to 9m by 8m to 10m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus tiliaceus is small to medium tree often with a poorly formed trunk and horizontal branches touching the ground.

Hibiscus tiliaceus’s alternate orbicular or cordate leaves measure 50mm to 180mm in diameter. The cleft lobes are oblong to lanceolate in outline and measure 15mm to 70mm in length by 10mm to 45mm in width. The petioles measure 10mm to 30mm in length. The petioles measure 100mm to 300mm in length. The bases are rounded or cordate while the apexes are broad acuminate. The discolourous laminas are deep green to sea-green and glabrous on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are silvery to off white and sparsely covered in white or pale grey stellate hairs. The laminas are flat and recurve strongly upwards from the main mid vein. The mid vein and 6 or 8 lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are clearly visible from upper lamina.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus tiliaceus are born on a short raceme from the terminals. The peduncles are articulate at the base. The 8 to 13 epicalyx segments are triangular and measure 7mm to 11mm in length. The lanceolate calyx lobes are moderately to densely covered in pale rusty–brown stellate hairs externally and are glabrous internally and measure 20mm to 28mm in length. The corolla is pale yellow to bright yellow with a large basal red to maroon or at times burgundy blotch. The corolla measures 50mm to 80mm in length. The mid green cupuliform calyx and 5 elliptical-lanceolate calyx lobes measure 10mm to 18mm in length. The flowers appear throughout the warmer months in the south and from early spring to late autumn in the north with the odd flower all year.

The bright yellow stamens and style are fused while the stigma is deep red to maroon-red. The corolla turns a drab reddish yellow shortly after anthesis then falls a way.

Hibiscus tiliaceus’s fruit is a globose capsule. The capsules measure 22mm to 26mm in length by 14mm to 20mm in diameter. The green capsules turn fawnish brown to greyish brown when ripe and are moderately to densely covered in pale greyish brown to yellowish brown pubescent to hirtellous hairs externally and are glabrous internally. The fawnish-brown reniform seeds are covered in distinct rows of tuberculate lines.

Wildlife:

The flowers on Hibiscus tiliaceus are visited by a number of native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.) The flowers, especially the seeds are much sought after by the Australian king parrot, Alisterus scapularis.

Cultivation:

Hibiscus tiliaceus is a beautiful small tree which is suitable for medium gardens to the largest gardens in exposed situations. It would make an excellent colourful addition for semi-arid, arid, tropical, sub tropical or warm frost free temperate gardens. As garden subjects it grows to 6 meters to 12 meters in height by 8 meters to 12 meters in diameter. It is fast growing, drought resistant but is frost sensitive in the early stages. Severe frosts will kill the plants.

Hibiscus tiliaceus offer dense shade and are good for mounting coastal type orchids like Dendrobium speciosum and ferns like Asplenium australis. This Hibiscus performs admirably when used between other arid plants on deep, dry sandy flats and gentle embankments.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus tiliaceus seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Sow the seeds as soon as the last frosts are over for the year. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 40mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position. Don’t delay as it usually forms a thick aggressive root in the initial stages. Over fertilizing this tree could cause brittleness in the branches so moderation should be the key.

Cuttings: Seed is produced in good quantities and is easy to harvest and germinate so there is little need to propagate plants from cuttings unless a specific colour or leaf form is required.

Use 100mm long half ripened material when growing from cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in mid-autumn or early spring. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark. Take a 10mm slice off the bark from the bottom of the cutting on one side.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

4 Place the cutting on a flat, hard surface, and make a clean cut down one side of the cutting at the base for 10mm with a sharp sterile knife or razor blade. – This scarification of the node will increase the chances of roots emerging from this spot. Now remove all but one or two the leaves, leaving the apex leaves in tact. If the leaves are very large in proportion to the stem, cut off the apical halves.

5 Fill a saucer with water, and place a little medium strength rooting hormone into another container like a milk bottle top. Dip the node end of the cutting into the water and then into the rooting hormone. Tap off any excess hormone,

6 Use a small dipple stick or old pencil to poke a hole into the soilless potting mix. Ensure the hole is slightly larger than the stem diameter and be careful not to wipe the rooting hormone off the cuttings base, place the cuttings in a pattern ensuring the cuttings are not touching each other,

7 I like to place the pots in Plastic bags to help maintain temperature and moisture. Place in a semi shaded place like under 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth.

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hibiscus tozerensis

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: From Tozer, which is Latinized for the Mount Tozer district on Cape York Peninsular and Anum/Ensis which is Latin for to originate from. It refers to plants, which were first discovered around Mount Tozer on Cape York Peninsular in far north eastern Queensland.

Sub species:

Common Name: Iron Range Hibiscus.

Distribution:

Hibiscus tozerensis is restricted to 2 small disjunct populations south from Kennedy Hill to Tozer’s gap and Brown’s Creek and near Tolga on the Atherton Tableland in far north Queensland on Cape York Peninsular.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+tozerensis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hibiscus tozerensis prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows on the margins of tropical rainforests. The altitude ranges from 100 meters ASL to 400 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 8 degree in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1350mm to an average of 2000mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus tozerensis prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, gritty light clays, medium clays or podsolics. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, metasediments and granitic sands. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 4m by 2m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus tozerensis’s main stems are pale brown, grey-brown to pale creamy-brown and are often covered in lichens. The branchlets are grass-green and are covered in white and fawn stellate hairs.

Hibiscus tozerensis’s alternate oblanceolate leaves measure 125mm to 175mm in length by 40mm to 45mm in width. The filiform, linear stipules are densely covered in brown stellate hairs and measure 4mm to 10mm in length. The bases are cuneate while the apexes are narrow acuminate, broad accuminata or obtuse even on the same tree and same twigs. The concolourous laminas are grass-green and usually sparsely to moderately covered in white or at times pale brown stellate hairs. The laminas are slightly rough but not scabrous. The laminas are usually flat or at times recurve slightly upwards from the mid vein to the margins and at times are slightly convex between the main vein and the main lateral veins. The margins are entire or slightly undulate.

The mid vein is strongly prominent on both laminas while the main lateral veins are prominent on both laminas especially near the mid vein. The lateral veins form loops close to the margins. The mid vein and lateral veins close to the mid vein are moderately to densely covered in brown stellate hairs. The petioles are densely covered in brown stellate hairs and measure 3.5mm to 6mm in length.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus tozerensis are born in clusters from the terminals and measure 40mm to 50mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels are all densely covered in white stellate and measure 10mm to 50mm in length. The 3 to 5 broad oval epicalyxes lobes have an acuminate apex and are grass-green. The cupuliform tube measures 5mm to 7.5mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in width while the lobes measure 7.5mm to 10mm in length. The 5 pale grass-green, translucent calyx lobes are oval with an acuminate apex. The calyxes and lobes are moderately covered in white stellate hairs externally, are glabrous internally and measure 12mm to 15mm in length. The 5 pastel creamy pink to pale creamy pink petals only partially open to form a funnel. It is oblong and strongly contorted while the apex is broadly obtuse-truncate. The petals measure 18mm to 22mm in length by 3.5mm to 4.5mm across at the widest point.

The white style measures 26mm to 31.5mm in length and divides into 5 orbicular to broad conical stigmas. There are 2 or 3 white, linear bracts between the filaments and the stigma branches that are moderately covered in white stellate hairs and measure 2.5mm to 5mm in length.

The 10, 15 or 20 white filaments are fused to the middle section of the style and are moderately covered in long, white stellate and hirsute hairs. The filaments measure 3mm to 5mm in length. The basifixed anthers are strongly reniform and are dehiscence on the outer periphery. The style and stigma branches are moderately covered in long, white stellate and hirsute hairs while the branches measure 3mm to 6mm in length while the stigmas measure 0.8mm in diameter. The flowers appear from September to November.

Hibiscus tozerensis’s fruits are sub globose capsules. The capsules measure 10mm to 15mm in length by 12mm to 14mm in diameter. It is covered in white stellate hairs. The green capsules turn brown on ripening. The calyxes, epicalyx and lobes are persistent at the base of the ripe capsules. The 12 to 15 seeds measure 5mm in length by 4.5mm in diameter and are covered in long, white hirsute hairs.

Wildlife:

The flowers on Hibiscus tozerensis are visited by numerous native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.)

Cultivation:

Hibiscus tozerensis is a very beautiful medium native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens in moist areas. It is an excellent colourful addition for tropical, sub tropical or temperate zone gardens where a lush rainforest look is required. As garden subjects they will grow to 4 meter to 5 meters in height by 2 meters to 3 meters in width. It is fast growing and are drought tolerant once established. Frosts will kill young unprotected plants. Older plants will be killed off down to ground level but will grow out immediately on warmer weather.

They can be used in raised garden beds or turning circles as the main feature surrounded by small shrubs and ground covers or annuals. Fine, pale green leaves would make a wonderful contrast especially if the flowers appeared at a different time of the year as the pale creamy pink flowers would be lost amongst strong reds and purples while lilacs, pinks and whites would blend leaving a feeling that something is missing.

The trees would make very good accent trees in front of low set commercial, industrial sheds or school class rooms or between shade trees in front of low multistorey buildings where they will break up hard rigid architectural lines and give warmth and breadth to the building.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus tozerensis seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Seed is produced in good quantities and is easy to harvest and germinate so there is little need to propagate plants from cuttings unless a specific colour or leaf form is required.

Use 80mm to 100mm long half ripened material when growing from cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in mid-autumn or early spring. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark. Take a 10mm slice off the bark from the bottom of the cutting on one side.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hibiscus trionum

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Tribe: Hibisceae

Specie: From Treîs/Tría, which are Ancient Greek or Tri, which is Latin for three. It refers to a species, which have flowers that appear naturally in three different colours.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Hibiscus trionum is found south and east of a line from Mount McMinn in the eastern Northern Territory to Camballin in the north west of Western Australia to Boulia in north western Queensland to north of Alice Springs and south to Tumbly Bay on Eyre Peninsular in southern South Australia. There are 2 isolated populations in Western Australia from Millstream to Mount Tom Price in the Pilbra and Moora north of Perth south to Donnybrook and then east to Ongerup. In Tasmania it is found in 2 disjunct populations from west Tamara to Entally and from Hobart to Kingborough on the southern coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hibiscus+trionum#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hibiscus trionum prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open woodlands, open forests and plains and slopes. It is a straggly shrub with large pale yellow flowers. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 850 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3degrees in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 150mm to an average of 2000mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hibiscus trionum prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, gritty light clays, medium clays or podsolics. The soils are usually derived from decomposed granites or sandstones. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 0.6m by 0.5m to 1m.

Characteristics:

Hibiscus trionum is an annual or short lived perennial with grass-green stems. The terete or angular stems are sparsely covered in course, long, white hirsute hairs.

Hibiscus trionum’s alternate lower leaves are orbicular and measure 15mm to 30mm in diameter while the upper leaves are deeply divided with 3 to 5 lobes from near the base. The cleft lobes are oblong to lanceolate in outline and measure 15mm to 70mm in length by 10mm to 45mm in width. The petioles measure 10mm to 30mm in length. The bases of the lobes are tapering to the petiole while the apexes are obtuse. The concolourous laminas are mid blue-green to mid green and are often variable, glabrous and semi glossy. The laminas are flat or recurve slightly upwards from the mid vein to the margins while the lobes margins are cleft. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are visible from upper laminas.

The inflorescences of Hibiscus trionum are born from the leaf axils and measure 35mm to 65mm in diameter when spread out. The pedicels are sparsely covered in long white hirsute hairs. The pedicels measure 15mm to 22mm in length. The 10 to 14 linear epicalyxes are mid blue-green to mid green and measure 8mm to 10mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. The lime-green cupuliform calyx and 5 triangular calyx lobes are translucent with 4 to 5 raised burgundy veins. The calyxes measure 12mm to 20mm long.

The 5 pale yellow, cream or at times white petals only partially open to form a funnel. The oval, orbicular or broadly oblong have deep burgundy-red bases and often have a pastel purple band along one margin. The petals measure 15mm to 30mm in length by 12mm to 30mm across at the widest point.

The deep burgundy-red or white style measures 9mm to 15mm in length. The 20 to 60 deep burgundy-red or white filiform filaments are fused to the apical half of the style. The 5 deep burgundy-red or white branches holding the stigmas measure 3mm to 5mm in length while the stigmas measure 1.5mm to 2mm in diameter. The flowers appear throughout the year under favourable weather conditions and where warmth is maintained all year. There is a peak from October to May in cooler climate.

Hibiscus trionum’s fruit is a globose to conical capsule. The capsules measure 15mm to 22mm in length by 14mm to 20mm in diameter. The translucent lime-green capsules are covered in faint reticulate veins and have 20 to 25 longitudinal veins. There are 3 or 4 smaller veins between each of the 5 main raised veins. The 5 larger veins expand on the apical half to 3.5mm in height while the basal half and the reaming smaller wings measure 0.8mm to 1.2mm in height. The wings ridges are burgundy and covered in small papillate lumps with long white hirsute hairs growing from each. The green capsules turn papery-brown when ripe. The pale dull, deep brown glabrous seeds measure 3mm to 4mm in diameter. The deep grey to almost black, orbicular, rugulose seeds measure 3mm to 3.5mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

The flowers on Hibiscus trionum are visited by a number of native Hibiscus beetles from the Nitidulidae family. The leaves and flowers are eaten by the harlequin bugs. (Harlequin bugs are those beautifully coloured beetles called Tectocoris diopthalmus.)

Cultivation:

Hibiscus trionum is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens in wet areas. It is an excellent colourful addition for semi-arid, arid, tropical, sub tropical or warm frost free temperate gardens. As garden subjects they will grow to 0.3 meter to 0.5 meters in height by 0.5 meters to 0.8 meters in diameter. They must be pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. It is fast growing, drought resistant but are frost sensitive. Frosts will kill unprotected plants.

This is the perfect little filler in permanent garden beds where a fill in plant is required following the death of an older plant or where it can be used as an annual or perennial. This seldom grown, but easy-to-grow Hibiscus performs admirably when used between other arid plants on dry embankments and on rock walls. It forms a beautiful compact, densely branched mound of deeply lobed, deep grey-green leaves which add a texture not often seen in the garden. Planted in the foreground of a taller shrubbery the leaves have a strong character that will bring the background forward. Planted in the background in a small garden the interesting texture of the leaves and the cream Hibiscus flowers with the purples hues on under sides, and deep burgundy centers are very eye catching especially if it is surrounded by deep reds and oranges or with deep reds and deep blues and violets in front. Each flower typical of the Malvaceae may only last a day but the plants bloom profusely once they start in the garden and produces interestingly wonderful inflated seedpods.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hibiscus trionum seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Sow the seeds as soon as the last frosts are over for the year. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Seed is produced in good quantities and is easy to harvest and germinate so there is little need to propagate plants from cuttings unless a specific colour or leaf form is required.

Use 75mm to 100mm long ripened material when growing from cuttings from the desired parent material. Take them in mid spring or autumn or immediately after the specific flower colour is noted. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side. Using an appropriate rooting hormone, dip the cutting in and place it into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Proteales

Family: Proteaceae

Genus: Is named in honour of Sir Manual Hicks-Beach; 1837-1916, who was a British colonial secretary.

Specie: From Pinna which is Latin for a pinna and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to divided leaf sections, where the clefts do not reach the main vein and are usually greater than 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of their length.

Sub species:

Common Name: Red Bopple Nut or Bopple Nut or Beef Nut or Rose Nut.

Distribution:

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia is found in 2 disjunct populations south from Crystal Creek in far south eastern coastal Queensland to Murwillumbah and Alstonville and from Thora to Kennaicle Creek near Nambucca.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hicksbeachia+pinnatifolia#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in and on the margins of subtropical rainforest. The altitude ranges from 80 meters ASL to 160 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1050mm to an average of 1900mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia prefers better quality loams to gritty light clays to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed black basalt. The soils pH varies from 5.5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however the soils remain moist throughout the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 8m to 10m by 5m to 7m.

Characteristics:

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia’s stems are mid brown and scabrous. The branchlets are pale green or reddish-maroon when young and are densely covered in long, course, rusty-red or rusty-brown pulverulent or hirsute hairs. The trees often form several thin trunks and sucker readily from the ground or lower section of the trunk if damaged.

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia’s alternate, oblong odd pinnate leaves measure 340mm to 1000mm in length by 30mm to 85mm in width. There are 7 to 35 usually 15 to 25 narrow oblong pinnae that measure 60mm to 250mm in length by 20mm to 70mm in width. The northern population’s leaves are longer and broader than the southern forms. The longest leaves are usually 2 to 4 pairs back from the apex. The winged petioles measure 7mm to 80mm in length. The bases are rounded and often attenuate on the northern forms and attenuate sessile on the southern forms while the apexes are acuminate, obtuse or truncate on the northern forms and acute on the southern forms.

The discolourous coriaceous laminas are deep grass-green to sea-green, glabrous on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are much paler and rusty-green to greenish-brown. The laminas recurve slightly to moderately from the mid vein to the margins and decurve moderately to strongly from the base to the apex or only on the apical third. The margins are covered in irregular small, pungent teeth. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on both laminas. The venation forms loops well inside the margin. The peduncle and rachis are prominently winged while the peduncles reniform base is swollen where it connects to the branch. The peduncle measures 34mm to 60mm in length while the rachis measures 400mm to 800mm in length.

The conflorescences of Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia are born cauliforously on racemes. The racemes measure 140mm to 450mm in length. There is a pair of flowers in each pair of bracts that measure 0.3mm to 1mm in length. The northern form’s peduncle rachis and pedicels are covered in rusty-brown puberulent hairs while the southern forms are glabrous. The peduncles measure 0.5mm to 3mm in length while the individual pedicels measure 0mm to 1.5mm in length. The tepals are purple-maroon to purple-burgundy externally and pinkish-purple to creamy purple internally and measure 10mm to 15mm in length.

The purple-maroon to purple-burgundy pistils are covered in rusty-red to rusty-brown pulverulent hairs and measure 14mm to 19mm in length. The ovary is densely covered in rusty-red to rusty-brown pulverulent hairs. The strong but sweetly scented flowers appear from early June to early September but may produce the odd flower throughout the year under favourable conditions.

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia’s fruits are globose nuts. The nuts measure 25mm to 45mm in length by 20mm to 30mm in diameter. The green nuts turn orange–red when ripe. The fleshy, coriaceous rind dehisces to reveal the brown nut.

Wildlife:

The flowers on Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia are visited by thousands of native pollen flies, native bees and butterflies.

While the nuts have been eaten they contain variable amounts of CHN (Cyanide) and should be treated as poisonous. The CSIRO is presently attempting to develop new strains for cultivation that are Cyanide free. When this is achieved the trees will have great potential in the nut industry.

Cultivation:

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia make excellent medium size tree for a park like scene or specimen tree in the garden. They always look green and fresh especially where adequate ground moisture is retained whether it is grown in light shade or full sun. It is very suitable on sandy clay soils. It is most suitable for small, medium and large gardens close to the coast in warm temperate, sub tropical or tropical gardens. As garden subjects they will grow from 6m to 8m in height by 5m to 7m in diameter. It is cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 2 degrees once established. They should be protected until they reach at least 2.5 meters in height.

It is best used adjacent to small areas of bush close to paths or the house so their perfumed scented flowers can be appreciated regularly. They can be planted in small groups of 1, 2 or 3 for a formal garden look or as a standalone plant to create a dense shade for other shade loving plants.

They can be used as shade trees in semi protected areas. It is an excellent tree for starting a dry rainforest garden. When planting the trees in a rainforest try to place them near the edge so the scent from the proliferation of flowers can be fully enjoyed and their natural bushy shape is not interfered with.

If mild native fertilizers are used they will develop deep sea green leaves.

In Native gardens they can be used for attracting smaller honeyeaters and less aggressive nectar feeding birds. Smaller birds like silver eyes which will seek the protection offered by the dense canopy and use the plants as a regular feed source. Butterflies, native bees, native flies or native beetles will also be attracted during flowering and are necessary for fertilization of the flowers.

It is useful as a backdrop small tree contrasting with smaller finer leaf shrubs that are planted in the foreground. This gives the impression that they like being the center of attention which they deserve.

Looking ahead for mass plantings in an orchard space the CNH free trees at 8 meter centers or if you are using them as a park trees plant them using 10 meter centers. Rainforest trees where the nuts are not important plant them at 6 meter centers.

Note the fruit may contain CHN see wildlife.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia seeds can be sown directly into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix after treatment. The seeds need to be filed down on one side to remove the thick woody shell being careful not to cut into the testa. Place the tubes beneath 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade and keep moist not wet.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position or potted on.

Cuttings: Try using 75mm to 100mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in mid spring or autumn. Use 100mm long half ripened material when growing from cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in mid-autumn or early spring. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark. Take a 10mm slice off the bark from the bottom of the cutting on one side.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Fertilize using seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering. Avoid synthetic fertilizers as they will most likely contain calcium and phosphorous at levels, which are toxic to most Proteaceae.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hippocratea barbata

Classification:

Unranked: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Class: Rosidae

Order: Celastrales

Family: Celastraceae

Subfamily: Hippocrateoideae

Genus: Is named in honour of Hippocrates; 460-370, who was an ancient Greek physician and the father of modern medicine practices.

Specie: From Barbātum, which is Latin for a beard or a barbed hair. It refers to tufts of hairs, which are barbed.

Sub species:

Common Name: Knot Vine.

Distribution:

Hippocratea barbata is found in 2 disjunct populations on the coastal ranges of the Great Dividing Range to the coast. It is found south from the Torres Straight Island and the northern half of Cape York Peninsular then down the eastern side to Mount Norman south of Townsville and from Gracemere near Rockhampton in Queensland to the Clarence Valley in far north eastern coastal New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hippocratea+barbata#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hippocratea barbata prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open riparian zones, in swamps marshlands and wallums. It is a straggly shrub with large pale yellow flowers. The altitude ranges from 2 meters ASL to 1000 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 900mm to an average of 3200mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hippocratea barbata prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, gritty light clays, medium clays or podsolics and silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite, and sandstone alluvial and accumulated sands including corals sands. The soils pH varies from 4.5pH through to a 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 10m to 20m by 12m to 25m.

Characteristics:

The branches are grey-brown, while the small stems are pale rusty-brown and covered in rough horizontal lenticels. The smallest stems are twining often coiling completely around the host forming knots, grass-green and scabrous.

The opposite leaves are usually ovate to lanceolate or at times are obovate and measure 30mm to 90mm in length by 12mm to 35mm in width. The bases are tapering, cuneate or rounded and symmetrical or slightly asymmetrical while the apexes are obtuse to broad acuminate or cuspidate. The discolourous laminas are mid green to sea-green glabrous and dull to semi glossy on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are much paler. The laminas are flat, recurve slightly upwards from the mid vein to the margins or are convex on the upper laminas and are straight or decurve downwards near the apex. The laminas are flat between the mid vein and the main lateral veins or are convex between the mid vein and the main lateral veins. The margins are entire or crenate. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are visible from the upper lamina or are prominent on both laminas. The narrow triangular stipules measure 0.7mm to 1mm in length. The petioles measure 5mm to 8mm in length.

The inflorescences are born on 2 to 4 branched cymes from the leaf axils. The cymes measure 35mm to 50mm in length by 35mm to 50mm in diameter. The peduncles, rachis and pedicels are covered in white puberulent hairs. The pedicels measure 0.5mm to 5mm in length. The deep green calyx and 5 minute calyx lobes measure 1mm to 1.2mm in length. The 5 divaricate petals are greenish-yellow externally and honey-yellow internally. It is elliptical while the apex are acute and cupuliform. They petals are very sparsely covered in long white pilose hairs internally near the apex and are smothered in a gluttonous honey like substance. The petals measure 4mm to 5mm in length by 1.5mm to 2.4mm in width.

The glabrous green ovary is covered in a gluttonous honey like substance and measures 1.5mm to 1.8mm in length by 2mm to 2.2mm in diameter. The ovaries have 8 to 10 locules. The 3 triangular stamens have broad deep brownish filaments and tan to mid brown anthers. The stamens measure 1.2mm to 1.5mm in length. The pale green pistil is domed shaped and tapers to the stigma. The sweetly scented flowers appear from November to December.

The fruits are globose, glabrous capsules. The capsule lobes measure 30mm to 50mm in length by 15mm to 20mm in width. The yellowish-green, coriaceous capsules turn brown when. The pale dull, brown glabrous seeds measure 25mm to 30mm in length by 10mm to 12mm in width including the wing.

Wildlife:

Hippocratea barbata’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

There is no finer sight than a house wall, fence or veranda covered by the leaves of a creeper or enveloped in a mass of green foliage, unless it is a balcony adorned with a colourful, scented cloud of flowers or a patio that is reminiscent of orange blossom.

It may be every gardener’s dream but it is an ambition that is easier to turn into reality than you might believe. Hippocratea barbata’s lush foliage and sweetly scented flowers can be the start of that dream. Fast easy, hardy and reliable once established to withstand frosts, drought and hard wear on north facing walls south facing walls or somewhere in between.

It grows well on sturdy fences, along walls or on large embankments as a ground cover. The widespread use of climbers as ground covers is just beginning and it can play an intrical part in improving the general atmosphere of an area and will provide both a habitat and food for many small native animals.

Without the need for a great deal of equipment and little knowledge a trellis or lean to can be constructed to help you disguise an ugly corner or adorn a bland looking shed wall or an ugly neighbours pool fence with an ever greenery of ivies and climbers covering every surface.

The success of your ‘green’ exterior will largely depend on your imagination and the selection of the right plants in the right location.

With only a little effort, and in a very short time, some climbers will completely cover ugly facades or large expanses of unsightly wall. Such plants are also suitable for providing greenery on a balcony, on fences and in the garden. It can be mixed with Pandorea pandorana or Pandorea jasminoides to extend the flowering period or bouquet.

This is a particularly good plant for espaliering as it is fast growing and dense in habit. I would even be attempting to grow it as a bonsai plant where it would be easy to work and develop a thick trunk within a few years. I have used a related specie here in China as a bonsai where the trunk grew to 300mm in height by 60mm in diameter and the branches extended to 500mm in just 5 years. Nothing beats imagination and it is rife in China where small gardens are the only option for most people.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hippocratea barbata seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Try using 75mm to 100mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings that have at least 2 pairs of nodes.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Histiopteris incisa

Classification:

Division: Tracheophyta

Subdivision: Euphyllophytina

Class: Polypodiopsida

Order: Polypodiales

Family: Dennstaediaceae

Genus: From Hiistion, which is Ancient Greek for a web and Pteris, which is Ancient Greek for a fern. It refers to fronds which have a dense web like venation on the fronds.

Specie: From Incisus, which is Latin for to be deeply cut. It refers to leaf margins, which are deeply cut or torn in appearance.

Common Name: Bat’s Wing Fern or Oak Leaf Fern.

Distribution:

Histiopteris incisa is found on the Ord River and south from Yal Yal Springs to the Esperance Plains within 70 kilometers on the coast in southern Western Australia.

In the east it is found south from the Mossman River in far north Queensland to the Huon Valley in far southern coast of Tasmania including the Bass Straight Islands. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range but extends westwards to Mount Gambier in South Australia where it is also found on Kangaroo Island and from the Adelaide Hills to Lake Alexandrina. In the Northern territory it is found in southern Kakadu National Park, and bounded within the Macdonald Ranges, the Finke River and Alice Springs.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Histiopteris+incisa#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Histiopteris incisa prefers full shade, partial shade, dappled light and a little overhead sunlight in moist sheltered sites. It grows in moist, sheltered situations in riparian zones along creek banks, streams and drainage lines, where it often forms extensive colonies.

The temperatures range from 4 degrees in July to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 600mm to an average of 3200mm annually. This is not as important as where the ferns grow is usually always associated with water, seepages or soil moisture.

Soil Requirements:

Histiopteris incisa prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, gritty light clays, medium clays, podsolics or medium to heavy silts. The soils are derived from decomposed shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granites, sandstones or alluvial or accumulated sands including corals sands. The soils pH varies from 5.5pH through to a 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are tolerated. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild plants grow from 1m to 2m by 2m to hundreds of square meters.

Characteristics:

Histiopteris incisa is one of the few ferns that form large clumps. The rhizomes are thick and covered in linear to narrow lanceolate, reddish to golden-brown scales which measure 4mm to 6mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm in width. The margins of the scales are entire. The rhizomes measure 3mm to 7mm in diameter.

The large triangular fronds are held horizontal on stout, blue-green to aqua stipe. The stipes are glabrous except for a few deep brown scattered scales near the base and a few pale yellow or white hair like scales to the rachis. The stipes measure 1500mm to 2100mm in length. The soft pale blue-green laminas are 2 to 3 pinnate. The discolourous laminas are with a delicate, soft pale blue-green and glabrous on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are glaucous. The pinnae have a pair of clasping stipule like leaflets at the base. The ultimate segments are asymmetrical.

The fertile fronds of Histiopteris incisaare similar however look finer. The margins have 1mm decurved membranous flaps that partially surround the continuous marginal sori on the lower laminas.

Wildlife:

Wherever Histiopteris incisa grows the fronds are always attacked at some stage during the year from caterpillars.

Cultivation:

Histiopteris incisa is a very hardy fern in cultivation particularly near the coast where temperatures are more even. They can tolerate bright conditions and even thrive in very light shade though they will lose that beautiful pale blue on the fronds. It is an ideal ferns for around pool scapes and against walls where the soil is continuously moist. As long as they do not dry out and plentiful water is guaranteed healthy growth is assured.

This fern looks particularly at home in large dark court yards where the 1.6 meter long fronds contrast beautifully against brick work, logs, stumps or other very hard line features.

It looks great in a rainforest garden setting where it breaks up vertical lines of the trunks from palms and Cordyline specie. Some cleaning of spent fronds on annual bases maybe necessary particularly after they have been foraged over by unknown moth larvae. It is not drought tolerant so the occasional lapse in watering will see the fronds look worse for wear and the new fronds much reduced in size. If they do happen to look dead after a long holiday or during a drought prune all the fronds off to a few centimeters of the rhizome and give them a good soaking. I follow this procedure with my plants after it is defoliated every year in early summer. Cut all the foliage or remaining foliage back to just above the rhizome. Apply a generous watering then after two days give them a double strength of our recommended fertilizer and within two weeks the new fronds will totally rejuvenate the floor of the forest.

Propagation:

Spores:

All ferns that are declared rare, vulnerable or endangered are protected by Federal and State Laws and must not be removed from the wild unless you are a land developer, mining company or main Roads department etc. This includes bulbs, roots, leaves and flowers. No part of any plant can be removed from Federal, State or Local Government land without the prior permission of the authority and this includes the spore.

Most people are put off at the thought of growing ferns from spore. Like all plants that produce their offspring from seed or spore the methods are basically the same. Remember nature has been doing this for millions of years and has been very successful. I have had excellent results growing over 200 different species of Australian ferns so don’t be afraid. Give it a go.

Step 1. Select spore from the fern fronds. Wait until the fern is just starting to release its spore. Rinse the fronds under clean running water and dry. This is to wash off any other spores from rogue ferns that may have settled onto the fronds. (There is nothing worse than having common brake or common soft bracken contaminating a prized tree fern or epiphyte.)

Step 2. Place the dry fronds in a clean brown paper bag and keep them in a cool dark place like the linen closet for about a week to ten days before you are ready to sow the spore. The exception to this rule applies to ferns, which produce green spores. These must be sown immediately that they are released. Todea Barbara is a good example of a fern, which produces green spore.

Step 3. Take a large ice cream container, a small ice cream container and a clean clear plastic bag large enough to seal the large ice cream container and three or four milk bottle tops.

Step 4. Punch or drill 6 to 10 5mm holes in the bottom of the small ice cream container.

Step 5. Wash both containers, tops and plastic bag so that they are very clean and sterile.

Step 6. Use a clean fine seed raising mi. We used 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} fine sand, 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} peat and 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} perlite and 10{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} vermiculite. We used crushed basalt, crusher dust and peat in a 50:50 ratio for epiphytes. Moisten the mix enough that water does not run out when the mix is squeezed between the fingers.

Step 7. Place the moisten mix (Enough to half fill the small ice cream container) in the microwave oven with a large glass of water for 7 or 8 minutes, until the water is boiling. Allow them to cool in the oven. You will need the water later so do not tip it out.

Step 8. Take the brown paper bag out of the linen closet. Shake the bag and remove the fronds. You should have a yellow, brown, black or rarely greenish brown or ochre powder or very fine, small round pin head size spore depending on the specie involved.

Step 9. Remove the mixture from the oven once it has cooled and place it in the small ice cream container and level.

Step 10. Sprinkle the spore sparsely over the mixture in the small ice cream container.

Step 11. Place the milk bottle tops in the large ice cream container with the flat surface facing down. Place the small ice cream container in the large ice cream container so that it is sitting on the milk bottle tops.

Step 12. Remove the water from the microwave and pour it into the larger ice cream container so there is 25mm to 30mm of water in the bottom.

Step 13. Place the ice cream containers in the plastic bag and seal. Step 14. Place the contents and bag in a warm shady place preferably 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 70{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade depending on the specie. Shade houses and some window sills are ideal.

Step 15. The surface should turn green within a week to two weeks. The prothallus will then develop. From the prthalus the first true fronds will appear. Wait until the ferns are 20mm to 35mm in height before you attempt to transplant them. Once they are ready open the bag up slightly and allow the air to flow around the little ferns. Every 3 to 5 days open the bag a little further so the ferns get use to their new environment. Allow them a week to two weeks to harden off before you transplant them following the removal of the plastic bag. Carefully prick them out into 50mm standard squat tubes as you would any seedling.

Do not try to transplant them as single plants as they are still a little delicate still.

Once the smaller ones again reach 50mm to 70mm you may wish to divide the stronger and hardier individual plants into smaller clumps in 100mm squat pots.

Step 16. We fertilized with seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis until established. Fertilize every two months for one year even when in the ground.

INDOORS OR POTTED ON:

Plants that are being used as patio or for indoors should have a good quality indoor mix.

Sawdust or sand mixes are too well draining unless the sawdust has completely composted down where it exhibits a texture like plastacine to the touch. Moisture can be squeezed out between the fingers yet it remains moist. I find this a great basis to start with.

Mix equal parts of the well decomposed saw dust with the above feel with perlite and vermiculite. To this add two part sharp clean sand, one part compost and one part good crusher dust from basalt rock quarries. Preferably black basalt but both are good. Make sure the sand comes from a source that does not have salt.

The Saw dust in this condition creates the moisture retention and holds nutrient in. The perlite and vermiculite make the mix neutral and both have great water holing capacity without shrinkage with age. The sand creates good drainage and is good for good healthy root development. The crusher dust adds vital minerals which the plants need.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hodgkinsonia ovatiflora

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Superorder: Asterids

Order: Gentianales

Family: Rubiaceae

Subfamily: Malvoideae

Genus: Is named in honour of Miss Mary Hodgkinson; 1824-1889, who was an English born Australian who was an avid collector of plants in northern New South Wales.

Specie: From Ovatis, which is Latin for almost an egg shape and Flōris, which is Latin for a flower or Flōs, which is the Roman goddess for spring and flowers. It refers to flowers, which have the outline of an egg.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Hodgkisonia ovatiflora is found south from the Broken River in central coastal Queensland to the Hastings River in northern central New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hodgkinsonia+ovatiflora#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hodgkinsonia ovatiflora prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in dry warm subtropical rainforests and cool dry tropical rainforests. The altitude ranges from 30 meters ASL to 980 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degree in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 800mm to an average of 2000mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hodgkinsonia ovatiflora prefers light gritty clays to medium clays or podsolics. The soils are derived from decomposed metashales, brown basalt, black basalt and metamorphic rocks. The soils pH varies from 4.5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 18m to 25m by 10m to 12m.

Characteristics:

The trunk is grey-brown, while the branchlets are grey-brown and densely covered in oblong raised lenticels. The new growth is mid green, glabrous and sparsely covered in white lenticels.

The opposite, elliptical to narrow ovate leaves measure 40mm to 85mm in length by 10mm to 40mm in width. The bases are cuneate while the apexes are acute to bluntly acuminate. The glossy discolourous laminas are deep grass-green to deep green and glabrous while the lower laminas are grass green to pale olive-green. The laminas recurve upwards from the mid vein to the margins and decurve near the apex while the margins are entire. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower laminas and is slightly prominent on the upper laminas. The reticulate veins are finely prominent on the lower lamina while the mid vein may have some tufts of fine fawn, hirsute hairs at the axils with the lateral veins on the lower surface. The minute stipules are triangular. The petioles measure 4mm to 10mm in length.

The inflorescences are umbels or umbellatas born from the leaf axis. The pedicels and peduncles and peduncules are glabrous. The pedicels measure 20mm to 30mm in length while the peduncles measure 20mm to 30mm in length and the peduncules measure 0.5mm to 1mm in length.

There are 10 to 20 male flowers on an umbel. The pale green calyxes measure 1mm to 1.2mm in length. The pastel green to white, urceolate, corolla tubes measure 4mm to 4.5mm in length. The 5 minute lobes are obtuse. The 5 pastel green to white stamens and anthers are inserted.

There are 2 to 6 female flowers on an umbel. The pale green calyxes measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length. The pastel green to white, globose, corolla tubes measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length while the 5 minute lobes are truncate. The pastel green to white pistil are equal to or slightly longer than the corolla and lobes. The 5 staminodes are inserted. The flowers appear from November to January.

The fruits are ovoidal drupes. The drupes measure 6mm to 10mm in length by 5mm to 8mm in diameter. The green drupes turn red to orange-red when ripe and dry to black with longitudinal ribs. The pale dull, deep brown glabrous seeds measure 3mm to 4mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Hodgkinsonia ovatiflora’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Hodgkinsonia ovatiflora is a very beautiful small to medium native tree which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens in moist to dry areas especially on slopes. It is an excellent colourful addition for tropical, sub tropical or warm temperate zones. As garden subjects they will grow to 6 meter to 8meters high by 5 meters to 7 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if confined to a rainforest garden. It is relatively fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 3 degrees. Frosts will kill young unprotected plants so will need some protection in inclement weather in the first few years.

The trees would make excellent street trees on nature strips or along bicycle ways meandering through the streets or especially in meandering avenues. As accent trees in front of low set or 2 story commercial buildings, industrial sheds or school classrooms they would be ideal. Here they would break up hard rigid architectural lines and give warmth and breadth to the structures.

The root system is usually not invasive or large meaning it is a better choice planted near amenities and underground services.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds are best sown directly into 50mm native tubes and covered with 10mm of a good quality seed raising mix. Place the tubes in a warm sunny position or beneath 30 shade cloth.

When the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position or repot into larger containers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Homalanthus novo-guineensis

Classification:

Unranked: manoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Genus: From Homalos, which is Ancient Greek for flat and equal and ántha/ánthos, which are Ancient Greek for the male reproductive organs on a flower or the flower. It refers to leaves, which are flat and smooth while resembling brightly coloured flowers.

Specie: From Novae/Novus, which is Latin for new, Guinee which is Latin for Papuana and eastern Irian Jahya and Anum/Ensis, which is Latin for to originate from. It refers to plants, which were first discovered from New Guinee.

Sub species:

Common Name: Bleeding Heart.

Distribution:

Homalanthus novoguineensis is found in three disjunct populations. It is found east from the southern Kimberley Plateau in north western, Western Australia to the Ord River in the Northern Territory.

The Queensland populations are found south from the Iron Range National Park to Townsville. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Homalanthus+novo-guineensis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Homalanthus novoguineensis prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open riparian zones, adjacent to all types of rainforests and wet Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 350 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 750mm to an average of 2600mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Homalanthus novoguineensis prefers better quality sandy loams, alluvial flats to light and medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt, and metamorphic rocks. The soils pH varies from 5.5pH through to a 6.8pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however soils are generally moist throughout the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 12m by 3m to 8m.

Characteristics:

Homalanthus novoguineensis’s stems are grey, grey-brown or brown, glabrous and often sparsely covered in lichens. The branchlets are pale green and glabrous. The trunk, branches, branchlets and petioles all exude white latex when damaged.

Homalanthus novoguineensis’s alternate oval to cordate leaves measure 50mm to 80mm in length by 35mm to 65mm in width. The bases are cordate while the apexes are obtuse with an apiculate tip to long acute. The discolourous laminas are a mid blue-green and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler. The leaves turn a brilliant scarlet red prior to dropping to the ground. The margins are entire and flat. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are visible from above. The petioles are very long, slender, deep red and measure 20mm to 35mm in length. There are two oblong stipules which measure 10mm to 12mm in length.

The inflorescences of Homalanthus novoguineensis are born on an erect terminal raceme; similar to a catkin and measure 150mm to 240mm in length. The flowers number about 100 to 360 per raceme. The bracts subtend the female flowers or clusters of male flowers. The male and female flowers are found along the common rachis. The creamy-green to creamy-yellow flowers measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm in diameter. The corolla tube is white while the fimbriate lobes are yellow. The lime green pedicel measures 0.6mm to 1mm in length. Flowers appear from May to June.

Homalanthus novoguineensis’s fruit is a globose to ovoid capsule. The stigma is persistent on the capsules while the pedicels lengthen to 15mm to 20mm. The capsules measure 8mm to 9mm in length by 8mm to 9mm in diameter. The glaucous-green, glabrous capsules turn brown on ripening before dehiscing. The 4 to 6 dull black glabrous seeds measure 2.5mm to 3mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

The fruits are eaten by the Brown Cuckoo Dove, White headed pigeon and Emerald dove and probably other rainforest pigeons and doves. The trees are the host to Australia’s largest moth the Hercules Moth, Coscinocera Hercules.

Cultivation:

Homalanthus novoguineensis is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for tropical, subtropical or warm temperate zones. As garden subjects they will grow to 6 meter to 8 meters in height by 4 meters to 6 meters in diameter when grown in the open. As rainforest subjects they will grow from 10 meters to 12 meters in height by 3 meters to 4 meters in diameter.

It can be pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering though the flowers are insignificant. However the fruits are very attractive to a number of different birds so this is a good reason for growing them for the fruits. Hard pruning is not recommended as the plants do not respond quickly to the damage so it is better to trim the plants on a regular or annual basis. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as 0 degrees. Frosts will kill young unprotected plants.

Homalanthus novoguineensis are best suited for rainforest situations and do best in partial shade or dappled light on moist soils. It is almost a must for starting a rainforest as they respond to disturbed ground and native fertilizers. Plants can achieve 6 meters in a couple of years especially when mass planted at 3 meter centers. The trunks are a feature not to be overlooked as on older trees it is slightly furrowed and are a deep brown to black.

Plants respond well to regular watering and fertilizing. Fertilizers should be applied at half recommended rates as the trees can become top heavy and subject to wind damage when grown in the open.

Propagation:

Seeds: Homalanthus novoguineensis seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Try using 75mm to 100mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in mid spring or autumn. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side. Using an appropriate rooting hormone, dip the cutting in and place it into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Homalanthus populifolius

Classification:

Unranked: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Specie: From Popler, which is old English for the Poplar tree and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to leaves, which resemble the European Populus genus.

Sub species:

Common Name: Bleeding Heart.

Distribution:

Homalanthus populifolius is found south from Cooktown in north eastern Queensland to the Victorian New South Wales border. There is an outlying population north east of Melbourne. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Homalanthus+populifolius#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Homalanthus populifolius prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open riparian zones, adjacent to all types of rainforests and wet Eucalyptus forests including littoral rainforests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 650 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 750mm to an average of 2600mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Homalanthus populifolius prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, gritty light clays, medium clays or podsolics. The soils are derived from decomposed shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granites, sandstones or accumulated peaty beach sands. The soils pH ranges from 5pH through to a 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however the soils are moist throughout the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 4m to 6m by 3m to 6m.

Characteristics:

Homalanthus populifolius’s stems are grey, grey-brown or brown, glabrous and often sparsely covered in lichens. The branchlets are pale green and glabrous. The trunk, branches, branchlets and petioles all exude white latex when damaged. This is a small dense canopy small tree or large shrub with colourful leaves when it is about to drop.

Homalanthus populifolius’s oval to cordate leaves measure 30mm to 150mm in length by 30mm to 120mm in width. The base is cordate while the apex is broadly acute. The discolourous laminas are deep green and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is pale grey-green. The leaves turn a brilliant scarlet red prior to dropping to the ground. The margins are entire and flat. The mid vein and main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are visible from above. The petioles are very long, slender, deep red and measure 40mm to 120mm in length. The two clasping oblong stipules measure 10mm to 12mm in length.

The inflorescences of Homalanthus populifolius are born on a terminal raceme; similar to a catkin and measure 70mm to 180mm in length. The flowers number about 100 to 240 per raceme. The bracts subtend the female flowers or it is in small clusters of male flowers. The creamy green to creamy yellow flowers measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm in diameter. Flowers appear from October to early December.

Homalanthus popalanifolius’s fruit is a globose to ovoid capsule. The capsules measure 8mm to 10mm in length by 8mm to 10mm in diameter. The glaucous-green, glabrous capsules turn brown on ripening. The dull black glabrous seeds measure 2mm to 3mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

The fruits are eaten by most doves and pigeons including the Brown Cuckoo Dove and white headed pigeon. These trees are good creek restoration trees developing a good root system in all types of soil.

Cultivation:

Homalanthus populifolius is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for tropical, subtropical or warm temperate zones. As garden subjects they will grow to 6 meter to 8 meters in height by 4 meters to 6 meters in diameter when grown in the open. As rainforest subjects they will grow from 10 meters to 12 meters in height by 3 meters to 4 meters in diameter.

Plants respond well to regular watering and fertilizing. Fertilizers should be applied at half recommended rates as the trees can become top heavy and subject to wind damage when grown in the open. It is an ideal plant for breaking up heavy clay soils and increasing soil fertility by producing large quantities of leaf litter.

Propagation:

Seeds: Homalanthus populifolius seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 100mm to 150mm long ripened material when growing from cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in mid-autumn or early spring. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark. Take a 10mm slice off the bark from the bottom of the cutting on one side.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

5 Fill a saucer with water, and place a little weak strength rooting hormone into another container like a milk bottle top. Dip the node end of the cutting into the water and then into the rooting hormone. Tap off any excess hormone,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Homoranthus flavescens

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Class: Rosids

Order: Myrtales

Family: Myrtaceae

Genus: From Hómoios, which is Ancient Greek for similar, unvarying or uniformly and ántha/ánthos, which are Ancient Greek for the male reproductive organs in a flower or the flower. It refers to all anthers and or flowers which are rather uniform throughout the genus.

Specie: From Flavum, which is Latin for turning or becoming yellow. It refers to the colour of the stems, leaves or more often the flowers, which turn yellowish or yellow-ochre following anthesis.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Homoranthus flavescens is found south from between Caloundra and Roma in southern Queensland to the Dubbo Plains in central eastern New South Wales. There is an outlying population north east of Melbourne. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Homoranthus+flavescens#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Homoranthus flavescens prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open Eucalyptus forests and schlerophyll forests. The altitude ranges from 250 meters ASL to 750 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 450mm to an average of 1100mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Homoranthus flavescens prefers skeletal sandy loams, fatty sands or gritty light clays. The soils are derived from decomposed granites, sandstones or accumulated alluvial silts sands. The soils pH ranges from 5pH through to a 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.4m to 1m by 1m to 2m.

Characteristics:

Homoranthus flavescens’s stems are covered in a hard, thick grey striated bark. The branchlets near the growing tips are smooth creamy yellow to creamy red or orange, glabrous and often glaucous.

Homoranthus flavescens’s ovate to terete, fleshy leaves are clustered near the terminal branchlets and measure 6mm to 12mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm in width. The short petioles are difficult to distinguish from the leaves except that it is yellowish. They measure 0.5mm to 1mm in length. The apexes are broadly acute ending in a soft point. The concolourous laminas are a mid bluish-green and glabrous. The leaves turn a yellow or brilliant scarlet-orange prior to dropping to the ground. The mid vein and lateral veins are not visible.

The inflorescences of Homoranthus flavescens are born solitary from the leaf axils. The pedicels measure 1mm to 3mm in length. The deep yellowish flowers bracteoles shed before anthesis. The hypanthium is narrow-obconical with 5 prominent longitudinal ribs. It is usually glabrous or at times glandular between the ribs. The corolla tube measures 3.5mm to 5 mm in length. The sepals measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm length while the petals measure 0.8mm to 1.1mm in length. The style measures 5mm to 9mm in length. The flowers appear from September to early March.

Homoranthus flavescens’s fruit is a cylindrical capsule. The capsules measure 3mm to 4mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm in diameter. The glaucous-yellowish, glabrous capsules turn reddish-brown on ripening. The seeds are black and glabrous.

Wildlife:

Homoranthus flavescens is attractive to native bees like Tetragonula carbonaria and the Blue banded bee Amegilla cingulata when in flower.

Cultivation:

Homoranthus flavescens is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for dry heath gardens in warm temperate zones to cool subtropical areas. As garden subjects it prefers to grow in light shade or dappled sunlight. It grows to 0.6 meter to 0.8 meters in height by 1.2 meters to 2.2 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It is better not to prune the plants as this reduces flowering and the plants display considerable set back even under ideal conditions. It is not fast growing and may take some time to adapt to local conditions especially if planted in full sun. It is cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 5 degrees which makes them ideal for mountain scapes on sites that suffer severe frosts.

Homoranthus flavescens is best suited for growing in areas that have large boulders or rockeries, dry heaths, sandy slopes or dry forest gardens.

Plants respond well to a little extra water and fertilizing when grown on sand. Fertilizers should be applied regularly at half strengths. Because of the twisted stems and longevity Homoranthus flavescens may make very good bonsai specimen.

Not only is its beautiful blue foliage an attractant with its creamy yellow flowers but when the air is still the fragrance of honey drifts across the garden especially when mass planted.

Propagation:

Seeds: Homoranthus flavescens seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 100mm long ripe material when growing from cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in the warmer months of the year. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark. Take a 10mm slice off the bark from the bottom of the cutting on one side.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Homoranthus virgatus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Class: Rosids

Order: Myrtales

Family: Myrtaceae

Specie: From Virgātus, which is Latin for a wand. It refers to stems, which are straight and thin like a wand or stick.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Homoranthus virgatus is found south from Shoalhaven north of Rockhampton in central coastal Queensland to Taree in central coastal New South Wale.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Homoranthus+virgatus#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Homoranthus virgatus prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in less exposed coastal fore shores in open Eucalyptus forests and heaths including littoral rainforests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 60 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 37 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 950mm to an average of 2600mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Homoranthus virgatus prefers skeletal to deep sands, sandy loams or light fatty clays. The soils are usually derived from accumulated beach sands. The soils pH ranges from 5pH through to a 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 1.5m by 0.6m to 1m.

Characteristics:

Homoranthus virgatus’s stems are covered in a hard, thick grey striated bark. The branchlets near the growing tips are smooth creamy yellow to fawn and glabrous.

Homoranthus virgatus’s ovate to terete, fleshy leaves are clustered on the terminal branchlets and measure 6mm to 11mm in length by 0.9mm to 1.2mm in width. The short petioles are difficult to distinguish from the actual leaves except that it is purplish-pink. They measure 1mm to 1.4mm in length. The apexes are broadly acute ending in a soft point. The concolourous laminas are a mid bluish-grey often with a purplish tinge and glabrous. The mid vein and lateral veins are not visible.

The inflorescences of Homoranthus virgatus are born solitary from the leaf axils. The pedicels measure 1mm to 1.5mm in length. The pale yellow flower’s bracteoles shed before anthesis. The hypanthium is narrow-obconical with 5 prominent longitudinal ribs. It is usually glandular between the ribs. The corolla tube measures 4.5mm to 5.5mm in length. The sepals measure 1.5mm to 2.2mm length while the petals measure 0.8mm to 1.2mm in length. The style measures 4mm to 5mm in length. The flowers appear from September to early March.

Homoranthus virgatus’s fruit is a cylindrical capsule. The capsules measure 4mm to 5mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm in diameter. The glaucous-yellowish, glabrous capsules turn reddish-brown on ripening. The seeds are black and glabrous.

Wildlife:

Homoranthus virgatus is attractive to native bees like Tetragonula carbonaria and the Blue banded bee Amegilla cingulata when in flower.

Cultivation:

Homoranthus virgatus is a very beautiful small native shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for heath gardens in warm temperate zones to cool sub tropical areas. As garden subjects it prefers to grow in light shade or dappled sunlight. It grows from 1 meter to 1.6 meters in height by 1 meter to 1.4 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

Homoranthus virgatus is best suited for growing in dry rockeries, sandy slopes, and dry forest gardens and is especially well suited to dry heath settings.

Plants respond well to a little extra water when grown on sand and fertilizing. Fertilizers should be applied regularly at half strengths. Because of the twisted stems and longevity Homoranthus virgatus may make very good bonsai specimen.

Not only is its beautiful blue foliage an attractant with its creamy yellow flowers but when the air is still the fragrance of honey drifts across the garden especially when mass planted.

Propagation:

Seeds: Homoranthus virgatus seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 70mm to 80mm long ripe material when growing from cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in the warmer months of the year. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark. Take a 10mm slice off the bark from the bottom of the cutting on one side.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non-diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hovea acutifolia

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Fabiodeae

Tribe: Brongniartieae

Genus: Is named in honour of Anton P. Hove; 1773-1798, who was a Polish botanist who collected plants for Sir Joseph Banks in West Africa, India and Crimea.

Species: From Acutatum, which is Latin for sharpened or to sharpen and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to leaves, which evenly, taper or gradually taper towards their apex.

Sub species:

Common Name: Purple Pea.

Distribution:

Hovea acutifolia is found south from Bundaberg in south eastern Queensland to west of Sydney in New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hovea+acutifolia#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hovea acutifolia prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open riparian zones, adjacent to all types of rainforests and wet Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 2 meters ASL to 650 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degree in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 500mm to an average of 1600mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hovea acutifolia prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, and gritty light clays to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granites or sandstones. The soils pH varies from 5.5pH through to a 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 4m by 1m to 2.5m.

Characteristics:

Hovea acutifolia’s main stems are grey and densely covered in grey to pale rusty brown villous hairs. The branchlets are grey and densely covered in grey to pale rusty brown hirsute and villous hairs.

Hovea acutifolia’s alternate narrow elliptical leaves measure 30mm to 70mm in length by 3mm to 12mm in width. The bases are cuneate while the apexes are tapering acute. The discolourous laminas are deep sea-green and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and are moderately covered in pale rusty-brown pubescent hairs. The laminas curve upwards from the mid vein which forms a distinct channel. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina. There is a reticulated venation of veins which are visible from the upper lamina. The laminas recurve slightly upwards from the mid vein to the margins while the margins are entire. The midvein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from above. The petioles measure 2mm to 3mm in length and are covered in rusty villous hairs.

The inflorescences of Hovea acutifolia are born in clusters from the leaf axils. The flowers number about 1 to 4 per leaf axil. The calyx lobes measure 4mm to 5mm in length and are sparsely covered in rusty pannate hairs. The pale purple to deep purple standards have deeper purple veins spreading out from the base. The standards measure 9mm to 10mm in height by 6mm to 7mm in width. The wings measure 6mm to 7mm in length by 3.5mm to 4.5mm in height. The keel is only exposed along the bottom edge and measures 4mm to 5mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in depth. The pedicel measures 2mm to 3mm in length. Flowers appear from August to October.

Hovea acutifolia’s fruit is an oblong pod. The pods are 12mm to 16mm long by 10mm to 13mm in diameter. The styles are persistent on the pods. It is sparsely covered in white pannate and hirsute hairs. The green pods turn deep grey brown to black on ripening. The 2 dull black glabrous seeds measure 2mm to 3mm in length.

Wildlife:

Hovea acutifolia’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the seeds are frequently eaten by unknown weevil larvae.

Cultivation:

Hovea acutifolia is a very beautiful small slender shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for subtropical or warm temperate zone gardens. As garden subjects they will grow to 2.5 meter to 3 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It should be tipped pruned regularly as a juvenile plants to enhance bushiness and better flowering. Hovea respond very well to tip pruning, additional native fertilizers and heavy mulching. Being a legume high nitrogenous fertilizers should be avoided. Hard pruning is not recommended as the plants do not respond quickly to the damage so it is better to trim the plants on a regular basis. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 4 degrees. Heavy frosts will kill young unprotected plants.

It is most suitable for use around swimming pools, sunny courtyards, besides pathways, rockeries, along sandy clay banks or along drive ways, screens, wind breaks or shelter belts for small native animals. If it is placed around a pool or sunny courtyard try to plant 2 or 3 in a straight row for a very formal look or use curves for the natural look. The choice of companion plants with bright yellow to cream flowers will contrast the deep purples beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used provided it is a pale green or lime green for an all year contrast. Hibbertia would look terrific as the ground and contrast brilliantly with the deep yellow flowers and give the Hovea with its deep violet flowers extra height and greater depth to the garden. The slender growth habit would make small areas look larger and walls look longer.

When mass or group planting Hovea acutifolia, use curves and irregular patterns so they can be viewed from different angles around the garden. Use them at the edge of a forest scene or close to several large trees with smaller Acacias in the foreground or larger Acacias in the background. The contrast in foliages and flowers makes a very powerful display of colour for 2 months of the year.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hovea acutifolia seeds need to be treated before sowing. Pre-treat the seeds by light abrasion. This can be done by placing the seeds in an old sock, with coarse sand and placing them in the weekly wash, or scarifying by pouring boiling water over the seeds and allowing them to soak for several hours. Place the treated seeds into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 80mm to 100mm long half ripened material when growing from cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in mid-autumn or early spring. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark. Take a 10mm slice off the bark from the bottom of the cutting on one side.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hovea densivellosa

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Fabiodeae

Tribe: Brongniartieae

Genus: Is named in honour of Anton P. Hove; 1773-1798, who was a Polish botanist who collected plants for Sir Joseph Banks in West Africa, India and Crimea.

Species: From Dasús which is Ancient Greek or later Densus, which is Latin for hairy, shaggy or dense and Villōsa, which is Latin for a fleece. It refers to organs or structures, which are densely covered in long hairy, shaggy wool like hairs.

Sub species:

Common Name: Purple Pea.

Distribution:

Hovea densivellosa is found in several disjunct populations south from the Windsor Tablelands to Many Peaks range near Miriam Vale in eastern. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hovea+densivellosa#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hovea densivellosa prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It grows on gentle to steep slopes, ridges and crests in more open Eucalyptus forests and open woodlands. The altitude ranges from 20 meters ASL to 1100 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 4 degree in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 800mm to an average of 3000mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hovea densivellosa prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, and gritty light clays to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed brown rhyolitic basalts, granites or at times sandstones. The soils pH varies from 4.5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 2m by 1m to 1.5m.

Characteristics:

All measurements have been taken from a single plant and community growing on the Paluma Range National Park.

The main stems of Hovea densivellosa are grey and densely covered in pale grey to pale rusty brown villous hairs. The juvenile stems are grey-green and densely covered in grey to pale rusty brown hirsute and villous hairs.

Hovea densivellosa has alternate narrow linear leaves measure 60mm to 80mm in length by 5mm to 6.5mm in width. The petioles measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length and are covered in rusty villous hairs. The bases are rounded while the apexes are obtuse with a short, broad apiculate tip. The discolourous laminas are grass-green and rugose on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and are densely covered in pale rusty-brown villose hairs. The laminas are convex from mid vein to the margins and are revolute. The margins are entire. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is depressed on the upper lamina.

The sessile or subsessile inflorescences of Hovea densivellosa are born in pairs or at times singularly or in small clusters of three from the leaf axils. The calyx measures 3mm to 4mm in length, while the lobes measure 2.5mm to 4mm in length and are sparsely covered in rusty pannate hairs. The upper lobe is broadly truncate while the lower lobes are narrow acute and are densely covered in pale rusty-brown villose hairs. The pale purplish-pink to deep purplish-pink standards have a small emarginate apex and measure 8mm to 9mm in height by 9mm to 10mm in width. The purplish-pink wings measure 6mm to 7mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in width. The purplish-pink keel petals measure 4mm to 5mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. Flowers appear in July.

Hovea denivellosa’s fruit is an oblong pod.

Wildlife:

Hovea densevillosa’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Hovea densivellosa is a slender, small open shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for subtropical or warm temperate zone gardens. As garden subjects it will grow to 1 meter to 2 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It is most suitable for use on steeper dry, rockeries, along sandy clay banks or along drive ways. The choice of companion plants with bright yellow to cream flowers will contrast the deep purples beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used provided it is a pale green or lime green for an all year contrast. Hibbertia would look terrific as the ground and contrast brilliantly with the deep yellow flowers and give the Hovea with its deep violet flowers extra height and greater depth to the garden. The slender growth habit would make small areas look larger and walls look longer.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hovea densivellosa seeds need to be treated before sowing. Pre-treat the seeds by light abrasion. This can be done by placing the seeds in an old sock, with coarse sand and placing them in the weekly wash, or scarifying by pouring boiling water over the seeds and allowing them to soak for several hours. Place the treated seeds into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hovea granitica

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Fabiodeae

Tribe: Brongniartieae

Genus: Is named in honour of Anton P. Hove; 1773-1798, who was a Polish botanist who collected plants for Sir Joseph Banks in West Africa, India and Crimea.

Species: From Granitica which is Latin for a type of intrusive based rocks that decompose down to rather course silica sands. It refers to plants, which prefer to grow on granitic sands or between Granit boulders.

Sub species:

Common Name: GranitePurple Pea.

Distribution:

Hovea graniticola is found south from Eummundi in south eastern Queensland to Orange in far north eastern New South Wales on the Granite Belt. It is mainly found on the western side of the Great Dividing Range on the Range with a few populations near the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hovea+granitica#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hovea graniticola prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open riparian zones, moist Eucalyptus forests Eucalyptus woodlands or sclerophyll woodland heaths. The altitude ranges from 450 meters ASL to 1050 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in July to 30 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 600mm to an average of 1000mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hovea graniticola prefers better quality soils from sandy loams, alluvial flats to light clays. The soils are usually derived from partially decomposed granites. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1.2m to 2.5m by 1m to 2m.

Characteristics:

Hovea graniticola’s main stems are grey to deep grey and densely covered in brown or grey-brown pannate and hirtellous hairs. The branchlets are grey to deep grey and densely covered in brown or grey-brown villous and hirtellous hairs.

Hovea graniticola’s alternate, narrow oblong to linear leaves measure 25mm to 50mm in length by 3mm to 6mm in width. The bases are rounded while the apexes are acute or obtuse with a mucronate tip to 1.5mm in length. The discolourous laminas are deep green and glabrous while the lower lamina is densely covered in rusty-orange villous and hirsute hairs. The laminas are strongly arched from the mid vein. The margins are entire and slightly recurved at the edge. The midvein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from the upper lamina with a visible reticulated venation. The petioles measure 2mm to 3.5mm in length and are covered in rusty pubescent hairs. The stipules measure 2mm to 5mm and are densely covered in rusty-orange villous and hirsute hairs.

The inflorescences of Hovea graniticola are born in pairs from the leaf axils. The calyx lobes measure 4.5mm to 6mm in length and are sparsely covered in rusty-orange hirtellous hairs. The pale to deep purple standards have deeper purple veins spreading out from the base. The standards measure 9mm to 10mm high by 6mm to 7mm wide while the wings measure 6mm to 7mm in length by 3.5mm to 4.5mm in height. The keel is totally enclosed. The pedicel measures 0.5mm to 3mm in length. Flowers appear from August to October.

Hovea graniticola’s fruit is a flattened oblong pod. The styles are persistent on the pods. The pods measure 10mm to 13mm in length by 8mm to 10mm in height by 3mm to 4mm in width. It is sparsely covered in rusty hirtellous hairs. The green pods turn deep grey brown to black on ripening. The dull black glabrous seeds measure 2mm to 3mm in length.

Wildlife:

Hovea graniticola’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Hovea graniticola is a very beautiful small slender shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for sub tropical or warm temperate zone gardens. As garden subjects they will grow to 2 meter to 2.5 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It can be tipped pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. Hovea graniticola respond very well to tip pruning, additional native fertilizers and heavy mulching. Being legume high nitrogenous fertilizers should be avoided. Hard pruning is not recommended as the plants do not respond quickly to the damage so it is better to trim the plants on a regular basis. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 6 degrees. Heavy frosts will kill young unprotected plants in their first year.

When mass or group planting Hovea graniticola, use curves and irregular patterns so they can be viewed from different angles around the garden. Use them at the edge of a forest scene or close to several large trees with smaller Acacias in the foreground or larger Acacia specie in the back ground. The contrast in foliages and flowers makes a very powerful display of colour for 2 months of the year.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hovea graniticola seeds need to be treated before sowing. Pre-treat the seeds by light abrasion. This can be done by placing the seeds in an old sock, with coarse sand and placing them in the weekly wash, or scarifying by pouring boiling water over the seeds and allowing them to soak for several hours. Place the treated seeds into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 70mm to 100mm long half ripened material when growing from cuttings from the present season’s growth. Take them in mid-autumn or early spring. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark. Take a 10mm slice off the bark from the bottom of the cutting on one side.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hovea heterophylla

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Fabiodeae

Tribe: Brongniartieae

Genus: Is named in honour of Anton P. Hove; 1773-1798, who was a Polish botanist who collected plants for Sir Joseph Banks in West Africa, India and Crimea.

Species: From Heteros, which is Ancient Greek for other or different and Phullon/Phýllon, which is Ancient Greek for a leaf. It refers to leaves, which are of different sizes and or shapes often on the same plant or in the same population.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Hovea heterophylla is widespread south and east of a line from Rainbow Beach in southern coastal Queensland to Angelsea and Urquhats Bluff in coastal southern Victoria. It is also found south from Bendigo to the South Australian border.

In Tasmania it is found east of a line from East Sassafras near Latrobe in the north to Derwent Bridge and Kingborough in the south.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hovea+heterophylla#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hovea heterophylla prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in dry open schlerophyll forests, woodlands and adjacent to coastal heaths. The altitude ranges from 2meters ASL to 1250 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degree in August to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 350mm to an average of 1800mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hovea heterophylla prefers sandy loams, fatty sands, gritty light clays, medium clays or podsolics. The soils are usually derived from decomposed shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite and sandstone. The soils pH varies from 5.5pH through to a 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.3m to 0.5m by 0.5m to 1m.

Characteristics:

Hovea heterophylla’s main stems are pale brown and densely covered in pale grey, silvery-fawn to fawn hirsute appressed and antrorse hairs. The stems are brown and densely covered in pale grey, silvery-fawn to fawn hirsute appressed hairs.

Hovea heterophylla’s alternate narrow alternate, dimorphic leaves are elliptical to orbicular on the older and lower stems while the upper stems are linear, lanceolate or very narrow elliptical. The leaves measure 6mm to 65mm in length by 1.5mm to 17mm in width. The stipules and petioles are densely covered in pale grey, silvery-fawn to fawn tomentose hairs. The narrow ovate to lanceolate stipules measure 1mm to 2mm in length while the petioles measure 1.5mm to 3mm in length.The bases are rounded while the apexes are acute and strongly hooked downwards.

The discolourous laminas are sea-green and glabrous with small 0.1mm to 0.3mm areoles on the upper lamina while the lower laminas are paler and sparsely to densely covered in covered in pale grey, silvery-fawn to fawn hirsute appressed and antrorse hairs. The laminas recurve lightly upwards from the mid vein to the margins while the margins are entire. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina. The lateral and secondary veins are finely reticulate.

The inflorescences of Hovea heterophylla are born in small clusters of 1 to 3 usually 2 individual flowers from the leaf axils. The calyx lobes measure 4mm to 5mm in length and are sparsely covered in rusty pannate hairs. The pale purple to deep purple standards have deeper purple veins spreading out from the base. The standards measure 9mm to 10mm in height by 6mm to 7mm in width. The wings measure 6mm to 7mm in length by 3.5mm to 4.5mm in height. The keel is only exposed along the bottom edge and measures 4mm to 5mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in depth. The pedicel measures 1.5mm to 3mm in length.

The narrow ovate to lanceolate bracts measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length and are usually recurved and contorted. The bracteoles are usually covered in pale grey, silvery-fawn to fawn hirsute appressed hairs or at times are glabrous and are inserted at base of calyxes. The lanceolate bracteoles are usually covered in pale grey, silvery-fawn to fawn hirsute appressed hairs or at times glabrous and measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length. The calyxes are covered in pale grey, silvery-fawn to fawn hirsute appressed hairs or at times glabrous externally and are glabrous internally and measure 3.5mm to 5mm in length. The upper calyxes’ lobe measures 0.2mm to 0.4mm in length by 2.5mm to 3mm in width. The lateral calyx lobes measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length while the lower lobes measure 2mm to 3mm in length.

The purple standard is greenish-yellow at the base and is surrounded by a deep purple halo. The standards measures 7mm to 10mm in height by 7mm to 10mm in width. The claw measures 2mm to 2.5mm in length.

The purple wings measure 6mm to 7.5mm in length.

The purple keel measures 4.5mm to 5mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width while its claw measures 2mm in length.

Hovea heterophylla’s fruits are orbicular pods. The glabrous pods measure 7mm to 10mm in length by 7mm to 10mm in diameter. The styles are persistent on the pods. The green pods turn deep grey to black when ripe.

The dull, deep brown, glabrous ellipsoidal seeds measure 3.5mm to 4mm in length by 3mm to 3.2mm in diameter. The aril is oblong to elliptic and extending from 50 to 75{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of the curved length of seed. The arils measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length by 1.5mm in width.

Wildlife:

Hovea heterophylla’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the seeds are frequently eaten by unknown weevil larvae.

Cultivation:

Hovea heterophylla is a very beautiful small slender shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for sub tropical or warm temperate zone gardens. As garden subjects they will grow to 0.5 meter to 0.6 meters in height by 0.8 meters to 1 meter in diameter when grown in the open.

It can be tipped pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. Hovea respond very well to tip pruning, additional native fertilizers and heavy mulching. Being legume high nitrogenous fertilizers should be avoided. Hard pruning is not recommended as the plants do not respond quickly to the damage so it is better to trim the plants on a regular basis. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 4 degrees. Heavy frosts will kill young unprotected plants.

When planted adjacent to bush or in shrubberies try to plant them in small groups of 2 to 4 in a straight row for a very formal look or scatter plant them for the natural look.

The choice of companion plants with bright yellow to cream flowers will contrast the deep purples beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used provided it is a pale green or lime green for an all year contrast. Hibbertia would look terrific as the ground and contrast brilliantly with the deep yellow flowers and give the Hovea with its deep violet flowers extra height and greater depth to the garden. The slender growth habit would make small areas look larger and walls look longer.

When mass or group plantingHovea acutifolia, use curves and irregular patterns so they can be viewed from different angles around the garden. Use them at the edge of a forest scene or close to several large trees with smaller Acacias in the foreground or larger Acacias in the background. The contrast in foliages and flowers makes a very powerful display of colour for 2 months of the year.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hovea heterophylla seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hovea ramulosa

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Fabiodeae

Tribe: Brongniartieae

Genus: Is named in honour of Anton P. Hove; 1773-1798, who was a Polish botanist who collected plants for Sir Joseph Banks in West Africa, India and Crimea.

Species: From Rāmulus/Rāmulī, which is Latin for a twig or small stem. It refers to plants, which have many small branchlets or where flowers appear on the naked stems behind the leaves.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Hovea ramulosa is found south from Esk in far south eastern Queensland to Purgatory Creek west of Grafton in far north eastern New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hovea+ramulosa#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hovea ramulosa prefer full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in open dry schlerophyll forests or dry eucalyptus woodlands. The altitude ranges from 50 meters ASL to 250 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degree in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 800mm to an average of 1300mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hovea ramulosa prefers sandy loams to fatty sandy loams or medium to heavy silts. The soils are usually derived from partially decomposed to decomposed sandstones, granites or at times alluvial deposits. The soils pH varies from 5.5pH through to a 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1.6m to 2.2m by 1.8m to 2.2m.

Characteristics:

Hovea ramulosa’s main stems are mid reddish-brown and densely covered in long, grey, grey-brown, deep grey, spreading villous hairs. The smaller stems are grey and are densely covered in long, grey, grey-brown, deep grey, spreading and matted villous hairs.

Hovea ramulosa’s juvenile leaves are lorate to very narrow elliptic or oblanceolate and measre35mm to 90mm in length by 2.5mm to 8mm in width.

The alternate narrow linear to linear adult leaves measure 35mm to 90mm in length by 2.5mm to 5mm in width. The bases are rounded while the apexes are obtuse to obtuse-acute with a dense tuft of long, grey, grey-brown, deep grey, hirsute hairs. The discolourous laminas are sea-green, dull and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is densely covered in tan, orange-brown deep orange-brown villous hairs that are partly obscured by long pale grey to off white hairs that are mainly spreading laterally from midrib to the leaf margins. The upper laminas are straight and strongly convex from the mid vein to the margins while the margins are entire and revolute. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible as a groove on the upper laminas while the upper laminas reticulated venations are strongly raised with short projections at vein junctions. The lanceolate to subulate stipules measure 2mm to 4mm in length. The petioles are densely covered in long, grey, grey-brown, deep grey, spreading and matted villous hairs and measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length and are covered in rusty villous hairs.

The inflorescences of Hovea ramulosa narrow ovate to lanceolate bracts are distally located 1.5mm to 2.3mm from the base of the petioles measure 1.5mm to 3mm in length. The bracteoles are usually inserted at the base of the calyx and are densely covered in long, grey, grey-brown, deep grey, spreading and matted villous hairs. The lanceolate bracteoles measure 1.5mm to 3mm in length. The calyxes are covered in long, grey, grey-brown, deep grey, spreading and matted villous hairs externally and are glabrous internally. The calyxes’ tubes measure 2.5mm to 3.2mm in length. The upper calyx’s lobe measures 1.2mm to 1.5mm in length by 2.5mm to 3.2mm in width. The lateral calyx lobes measure 1.8mm to 2mm in length while the lower lobe measures 2.2mm to 2.5mm in length by 4mm to 4.5mm in width. The flowers are sessile.

The deep mauve to purple standard is greenish-yellow at the base and is surrounded by a deep purple halo. The standards measures 9mm to 12mm in height by 10mm to 12mm in width. The claw measures 2mm to 2.5mm in length.

The deep mauve to purple wings measure 7mm to 8mm in length by 3.5mm to 4mm in width while the claw measures 2mm in length.

The deep mauve to purple keel measures 4.5mm to 5mm in length by 2mm to 2.2mm in width while its claw measures 2mm in length. Flowers appear from July to August.

Hovea ramulosa’s fruits are orbicular pods. The pods are moderately covered in long, pale grey to pale grey-brown, spreading and matted tomentose hairs. The pods measure 9mm to 11mm in length by 9mm to 11mm in diameter. The styles are persistent on the pods. The green pods turn deep grey to black when ripe.

The dull, deep motley brown, glabrous, ellipsoidal seeds measure 4.5mm to 5mm in length by 3mm to 3.2mm in diameter. The oblong aril extends from 70 to 80{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of the curved length of seed. The arils measure 4.4mm to 4.8mm in length by 1.2mm in width.

Wildlife:

Hovea ramulosa’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the seeds are frequently eaten by unknown weevil larvae.

Cultivation:

Hovea ramulosa is a very beautiful small slender shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for sub tropical or warm temperate zone gardens. As garden subjects they will grow to 1 meter to 1.5 meters in height by 1 meter to 1.5 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

They can be tipped pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. Hovea respond very well to tip pruning, additional native fertilizers and heavy mulching. Being legume high nitrogenous fertilizers should be avoided. Hard pruning is not recommended as the plants do not respond quickly to the damage so it is better to trim the plants on a regular basis. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 4 degrees. Heavy frosts will kill young unprotected plants.

It is most suitable for use around swimming pools, sunny courtyards, besides pathways, rockeries, along sandy clay banks, along drive ways, low hedges screens, front line in wind breaks, adjacent to bush gardens or shelter belts for small native animals.

When planted adjacent to bush or in shrubberies try to plant them in small groups of 2 to 4 in a straight row for a very formal look or scatter plant them for the natural look. The choice of companion plants with bright yellow to cream flowers will contrast the deep purples beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used provided it is a pale green or lime green for an all year contrast. Hibbertia would look terrific as the ground and contrast brilliantly with the deep yellow flowers and give the Hovea with its deep violet flowers extra height and greater depth to the garden. The slender growth habit would make small areas look larger and walls look longer.

When mass or group planting Hovea ramulosa, use curves and irregular patterns so they can be viewed from different angles around the garden. Use them at the edge of a forest scene or close to several large trees with smaller Acacia specie in the foreground or larger Acacia specie in the background. The contrast in foliages and flowers makes a very powerful display of colour for 2 months of the year.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hovea ramulosa seeds need to be treated before sowing. Pre-treat the seeds by light abrasion. This can be done by placing the seeds in an old sock, with coarse sand and placing them in the weekly wash, or scarifying by pouring boiling water over the seeds and allowing them to soak for several hours. Place the treated seeds into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hovea similis

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked Rosids

Order: Fabales

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Fabiodeae

Tribe: Brongniartieae

Genus: Is named in honour of Anton P. Hove; 1773-1798, who was a Polish botanist who collected plants for Sir Joseph Banks in West Africa, India and Crimea.

Species: From Simili, which is Ancient Greek for alike or similar to. It refers to structures or organs, which have the appearance that is similar or very typical of another species or genus.

Sub species:

Common Name: Purple Pea.

Distribution:

Hovea similis is found south from Maryborough in south eastern Queensland to the Manning River in New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hovea+similis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hovea similis prefers full sun to light dappled shade. It grows in more open riparian zones, moist Eucalyptus forests or dry open Eucalyptus forests. This is a small densely foliaged shrub with colourful deep purple pea flowers. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1050 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degree in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 700mm to an average of 1420mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hovea similis prefers growing on better quality sandy loams to light clays with iron stone gravels. The soils are usually derived from decomposed granites, basaltic rhyolites or at times sandstone. The soils pH varies from 5.5pH through to a 6.2pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 3m to 5m by 2m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Hovea similis’s main stems are grey to deep grey and are densely covered in silver-grey, pale brown or pale silver-brown pannate hairs which bend towards the apex of the stems. The branchlets are grey to deep grey and are densely covered in silver-grey, pale brown or pale silver-brown pannate and villous hairs which bend towards the apex of the stems.

Hovea similis’s alternate, narrow elliptical to linear leaves measure 25mm to 80mm in length by 4mm to 9mm in width. The bases are rounded to broadly cuneate while the apexes are acute to obtuse with a mucronate tip. The discolourous laminas are deep sea-green, glabrous and semi glossy on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and covered in rusty-orange villous and hirsute hairs. The lamina is weakly arched either side of the mid vein. The reticulated pattern of veins on the upper lamina is faintly visible. The margins are entire. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from above. The petioles measure 1mm to 2mm in length and are covered in rusty-orange pannate hairs. The lanceolate stipules measure 1.3mm to 1.8mm in length.

The inflorescences of Hovea similis are born in pairs or threes from the leaf axils. The narrow ovate to lanceolate bracts measure 1.2mm to 2.5mm in length. The bracteoles measure 1.2mm to 3mm in length. The calyx lobes measure 4mm to 5mm in length total length while the acute lobes measure 1.5 to 2.5mm in length. The lobes are covered in pale yellow brown pannate hairs. The deep purple standards have deeper purple almost navy blue spot at the base. The standards measure 7mm to 8mm in height by 8mm to 11mm in width while the wings measure 5mm to 7.5mm in length by 2mm to 3.5mm in height. The keel is protrudes below the wings and measure 4mm by 5mm in length by 1.8mm to 2.2mm in height. The pedicel measures 0.2mm to 4mm in length. Flowers appear from mid-March to September.

Hovea similis’s fruit is an irregularly shaped orbicular pod. The style is persistent on the pods. The pods measure 10mm to 15mm in length by 10mm to 15mm in height by 3mm to 5mm in width. It is glabrous both externally and internally. The green pods turn deep grey brown on ripening. The dull black glabrous seeds measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length.

Wildlife:

Hovea similis’s wildlife is unknown to the author, however the seeds are frequently eaten by unknown weevil larvae.

Cultivation:

Hovea similis is a very beautiful small slender shrub which is suitable for small gardens to the largest gardens. It is an excellent colourful addition for sub tropical or warm temperate zone gardens having deep purple blue flowers. As garden subjects they will grow to 2.5 meter to 3 meters high by 2 meters to 2.5 meters wide.

They can be tipped pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. Hovea similes respond very well to tip pruning, additional native fertilizers and heavy mulching. Being legume high nitrogenous fertilizers should be avoided. Hard pruning is not recommended as the plants do not respond quickly to the damage so it is better to trim the plants on a regular basis. (When hit with the tractor slasher the plants succumb very quickly) It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 4 degrees in Nana Glen where severe frosts will reach 8 meters.

It is most suitable for use around swimming pools, sunny courtyards, besides pathways, rockeries, along sandy clay banks or along drive ways, screens, wind breaks or shelter belts for small native animals. If it is placed around a pool or sunny courtyard try to plant 2 or 3 in a straight row for a very formal look or use curves for the natural look. The choice of companion plants with bright yellow to cream flowers will contrast the deep purples beautifully. It would not matter whether fine or large leaf plants are used provided it is a pale green or lime green for an all year contrast. Hibbertia would look great on the ground and give the Hovea extra height. The slender growth habit would make small areas look larger and walls look longer.

When mass or group planting Hovea similis, use curves and irregular patterns so they can be viewed from different angles around the garden.

Use them at the edge of a forest scene or close to several large trees with slightly smaller Acacia specie or larger Acacia specie will give a very powerful display of colour for 2 months of the year in July and August. They look fantastic when mixed with Acacias.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hovea similis seeds need to be treated before sowing. Pre-treat the seeds by light abrasion. This can be done by placing the seeds in an old sock, with coarse sand and placing them in the weekly wash, or scarifying by pouring boiling water over the seeds and allowing them to soak for several hours. Place the treated seeds into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding one third sharp clean river sand, one third peat and one third perlite. These ingredients are sterilize,

2 Select good material from non diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

8 When the cuttings have struck, open the bag to allow air circulation for a few days to a week,

9 Once hardened off remove the cuttings from the bag and allow to further hardening for a few more days,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Howea forsteriana

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Unranked: Commelinids

Order: Arecales

Family: Arecacae

Subfamily: Arecaoideae

Tribe: Areceae

Sub Tribe: Linospadicinae

Genus: From Howe which is Latinized for Lord Howe Island. (Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe) It refers to plants which were first discovered on Lord Howe Island or are restricted to the Islands.

Species: Is named in honour of Cyril W. Foster; 18..-1933, who was a British botanist who collected in Africa.

Common Name: Lord Howe Palm.

Distribution:

Howea forsteriana distribution is restricted to the Lord Howe Island group of islands east of Australia’s mainland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Howea+forsteriana#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Howea forsteriana prefers dense shade to a dappled filtered light. It is found in coastal rain forests, riverine rainforests or littoral rainforests. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 250 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 8 degrees in August to 31 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 950mm to an average of 1600mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Howea forsteriana grows on sandy loams to light red clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed basalt. The soils are close to neutral ranging from a PH of 5.5 to 6.5.It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations or periodic rises in water tables are normal. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:12m to 18m by 3m to 4m in diameter with a trunk 300mm to 350mm in diameter.

Characteristics:

Howea forsteriana has a beautiful slender grey trunk. The 300mm to 350mm diameter trunks retains the leaf scars from past leaves. The upper sections of the trunk are deep green.

Howea forsteriana leaves measure 3000mm to 4500mm in length by 1000mm to 1500mm across. It is known as a feather palm due to the leaves looking like the feather of a bird’s wing. It is a self-cleaning palm shedding old leaves soon after they die. The 12 to 16 leaves clasp the trunk in a crown shaft for the upper 1000mm to 1300mm. The leaves have a pronounced lateral twist with 60 to 80 pairs of pinnae. The pinnae measure 600mm to 750mm in length by 30mm to 50mm in width. The petiole measures 320mm to 380mm and is concave above and convex below. The leaves are discolourous with the upper lamina being deep sea green and the lower lamina being a silvery grey. The pinnae base is truncate while the apex is irregularly torn. The margins are entire while the midrib is prominent on both laminas.

Howea forsteriana’s inflorescence is born in large pendant panicles from below the bottom of the crown shaft. They measure 500mm to 950mm in length by 400mm to 500mm in width. The palms are monoecious.

The 3 sepals measure 1.6mm to 2mm in length. There are 3 white to cream male flowers in a cluster which have lanceolate petals. The petals measure 6mm to 7mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The 9 stamens measure 2.5mm in length with 2mm anthers. The male flowers outnumber the female flowers by 3 to 1.

The female flowers sepals measure 2mm in length. The 3 petals are tightly packed around the style never fully opening and measure 3mm to 4mm in length. Only the trilobed stigma is exserted beyond the petals.

Howea forsteriana’s fruit is an ovoid to globose nut. The nuts measure 8mm to 14mm in length by 6mm to 10mm in diameter. The green nuts turn deep red to deep orange-red when ripe. The Calyx and stigma are persistent on the fruits. The epicarp sheds to reveal the fawn-brown coconut fibres that surround the nut.

Confusing Species:

Howea belmoreana’s inflorescence are single spike. The rachis of the leaves are arcuate.

Howea forsteriana’s inflorescences usually have 3 to 5 branches are at times up to 8 branches from a single broad base. The rachis of central and lower leaves horizontal and drooping

Wildlife:

Howea forsteriana’s wildlife is unknown to the Author.

Cultivation:

Howea forsteriana is a beautiful palm that deserves a place in every tropical or sub tropical garden. It may reach 16 meters by 5 meters in cultivation but don’t hold your breath waiting as it is rather slow in forming a trunk of any size.

The trunk is suitable for stags and other epiphytes. Howea forsteriana will grow on most soils especially those that are not pure sand as long as an adequate supply of water is given. It is a good feature plant around pools and ponds as it is self-cleaning and take years to flower and fruit. Roots do not give any problems when in confined places like court yards and near pools. They make great accent plant against hard surfaces like brick walls or where a slow maturing plant is required.

Kentia palms also make good indoor subjects or tub plants for patios.

Due to the slow growth of kentia the plants are ideal for confined spaces and may be moved at a later stage without much set back.

INDOORS OR POTTED ON:

Howea forsteriana Sawdust or sand mixes are too well draining unless the sawdust has completely composted down where it exhibits a texture like plastacine to the touch. Moisture can be squeezed out between the fingers yet it remains moist. I find this a great basis to start with.

Mix equal parts of the well decomposed saw dust with the above feel with perlite and vermiculite. To this add two part sharp clean sand and one part compost. Make sure the sand comes from a source that does not have salt.

Indoor plants need good light and ventilation without drying breezes or wind. Bangalow palms will tolerate darker positions in the home than Alexandra palms. Again fertilize the plants on a monthly basis with the above formula on a rotation basis.

Propagation:

Seeds: Sow Howea forsteriana into a seed raising mix. Seed can be slow to germinate and is often erratic in germination.

When the seedlings are at the two to three leaf stages, prick them out and plant them into 75mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 250mm to 300mm in height plant them out into their permanent position.

Where mass plantings of Howea fosteriana are required, as a feature plant them at 3 meters to 4 meters centers. Plantings along a drive way should be planted at 4 meter centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Howittia trilocularis

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Malvales

Family: Malvaceae

Genus: Is probably named in honour of Dr. Godfrey Howitt; 1800-1873, who was an English born Australian physician, botanist and entomologist in Melbourne.

Species: From Treîs/Tría, which are Ancient Greek or Tri, which is Latin for three and Loculus, which is Latin for a case or box. It refers plants which have three locules or ovaries.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Howittia trilocularis is found south from Diandarah Falls in northern New South Wales to near Orbost in Victoria with an outlying population in the Grampians. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Howittia+trilocularis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Howittia trilocularis prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in moist closed Eucalyptus forests to dry open Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 550 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 300mm to an average of 1200mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Howittia trilocularis prefers light clays to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed shale, or mudstones or at times sandstones, basalts or granites. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It tolerates seasonal wet soils and seasonal high water tables for short periods. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1m to 3m by 1m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Howittia trilocularis’s main stems are fawn and densely covered in fawn pannate hairs. The branchlets are pale green and covered in fawn to pale yellow pilose to villous hairs.

Howittia trilocularis’s broad lanceolate to ovate leaves measure 20mm to 90mm in length by 10mm to 50mm in width. The base is broadly rounded or at times cordate while the apex is broad acute. The discolourous laminas are grass-green or olive green and covered in golden yellow-brown pilose to villous hairs on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is a paler olive green or yellow-green and covered in golden yellow-brown pilose and villous hairs. The margins are entire, serrated or widely toothed. They arch upwards either side of the mid vein. The midvein and lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are visible from above. The petioles measure 15mm to 20mm in length and are covered in golden yellow-brown pilose and villous hairs.

The inflorescences of Howittia trilocularis are born singularly from the leaf axis and measure 25mm to 30mm when spread out. The 5 grass-green triangular calyx lobes measure 4mm to 5mm in length and are covered in golden yellow-brown pilose and villous hairs externally and internally. The purple, lilac or pink corolla measures 10mm to 14mm in length. The white style measures 7mm to 10mm in length and divides into 3 stigmas at the apex. The style measures 7mm to 10mm in length. The white stamens are fused to the lower two thirds of the style. The stamens measure 1mm to 2.5mm in length. The pedicels are longer than the leaves and measure 35mm to 120mm in length. Flowers appear from September to February however some flowers appear throughout the year in warmer areas.

Howittia trilocularis’s fruit is a globose capsule. The capsules measure 7mm to 8mm in diameter. It is covered in golden yellow-brown pilose and villous hairs. The green pods turn deep grey brown on ripening. The dull grey glabrous oblong, seeds have a round triangular cross section and measure 2mm to 3mm in length.

Wildlife:

Howittia trilocularis’s is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Howittia trilocularis are a very beautiful small shrub which is suitable for small lightly shaded spots in the garden. As garden subjects they will grow to 1.5 meters to 2 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter when grown in the open. Southern grown plants tend to grow larger than plants from northern New South Wales.

They must be tip pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. Howittia trilocularis respond very well to tip pruning, additional native fertilizers and heavy mulching. Hard pruning is not recommended. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 4 degrees but will grow better if in a frost free area which doesn’t fall below zero.

It is most suitable for use around swimming pools, bright courtyards, besides pathways, rockeries, along sandy clay banks or along drive ways and larger fish or frog ponds. Around frog ponds the semi arching stems will offer protection for these amphibians venturing to and from the water. Two, three or four planted back from a bend will become a very strong focal point when in flower gain a lot of attention whether you are coming or going because of the fresh clean look of the foliage even in the driest of times. Place them in the mid ground with large deep green glabrous foliages to the rear and fine leaf ground covers and very small shrubs in front that have deep green glabrous foliages. Plants with cream or pale yellow flowers can be used in both the foreground and background for the best contrasting colours. Plants with finer foliages in pale green will also compliment the scene during periods when there are few flowers in the garden.

Small prostrate Acacia specie with cream, white or yellow flowers can also be used to great effect as their flowering will compliment those from Howittia trilocularis.

Propagation:

Seeds: Howittia trilocularis seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Try using 50mm to 80mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in mid spring through to autumn. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side at the base. The use of a rooting hormone is not required. Place it into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hoya australis

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocynaceae

Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae

Genus: Is named in honour of Thomas Hoy; 1750-1822, who was an English born gardener and botanist in Syon House in Middlesex England.

Species: From Terra Australis, which is Latin for land of the south. It refers to plants, which were first discovered from the land down under.

Sub species: Hoya australis subsp. australis. From Terra Australis, which is Latin for land of the south. It refers to plants, which were first discovered from the land down under.

Sub species: Hoya australis subsp. oramicola. From Ará, which is Ancient Greek or ōrātum, Latin for to pray or to orate. It usually refers flowers, which hang down.

Sub species: Hoya australis subsp. rupicola. From Rupes, which is Latin for a cliff or crag, Kola, which is Ancient Greek or Cola, which is Latin for to dwell or reside. It refers to plants, which prefer to grow on rocky cliffs, tors and crags.

Sub species: Hoya australis subsp. sana. From Sôs, which is Ancient Greek or later Sānum which is Latin for sane, of sound mind or a kiss. It refers to the extraordinary beauty of the flowers which overpowers the mind.

Sub species: Hoya australis subsp. tenuipes. From Tanu, which is Ancient Greek or later Tenue, which is Latin for slender and fine and Pous, which is Ancient Greek or Pedi, which is Latin for a foot or feet. It refers to pedicels or petioles, which are rather slender.

Common Name: Native Wax Flower or Australian Wax Flower.

Distribution:

Hoya australis is mainly found on the coastal side and on the Great Dividing Range south from Cooktown in far north Queensland to Dorrigo in northern New South Wales. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

Hoya australis subsp. rupicola is found in Western Australia from the Ord River across to the Kimberley Range and is now considered to be a distinct species – Hoya rupicola.

Hoya australis subsp. australis is found from the tip of Cape York Peninsular in Queensland south to the mouth of the Macleay River in New South Wales.

Hoya australis subsp. oramicola is found from Melville Islands and around Darwin in the Northern Territory.

Hoya australis subsp. rupicola is found from the Kimberley district in far north west Western Australia east to East

Arnhem.

Hoya australis subsp. sana is found on the norther half of Cape York Peninsular.

Hoya australis subsp. tenuipes is found in New Guinee, the lower half of Cape York Peninsular and south to Innisfail.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hoya+australis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hoya australis prefers dappled full sun to shade. It grows in moist Eucalyptus forests, dry rainforests and on the back dunes associated with moist littoral rainforests. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 850 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 4 degree in August to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 750mm to an average of 3200mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hoya australis prefers growing on sandy soils to light clays. It also grows in the nests and back material of Asplenium and Platycerium specie. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, accumulated sands or at times shale, brown basalt, black basalt, metamorphic rocks, granite and sandstone. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1m to 6m by 0.1m to 6m.

Characteristics:

Hoya australis is a small twinning climber with large white or pale pink wax flowers. The main stems are brown and densely covered in pale grey pubescent hairs especially towards the apex. All parts of the plants exude white latex when damaged.

Hoya australis’s broad elliptical, ovate, oval or orbicular leaves are thick and coriaceous. They measure 30mm to 60mm in length by 20mm to 50mm in width. The base is rounded while the apex is obtuse with a short apiculate point. The concolourous laminas are olive-green, grey-green or deep sea green and glabrous or sparsely covered in white or pale grey pubescent hairs on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is densely covered in white or pale grey pulverulent and pannate hairs. The margins are entire and are flat or curve slightly upwards from the mid vein. The mid vein and lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are visible from above. The petioles measure 10mm to 35mm in length and are covered in white or pale grey pulverulent hairs.

The inflorescences of Hoya australis are born in umbels from the leaf axis and measure 60mm to 75mm in diameter. There are 12 to 30 flowers per umbel. The yellow green sepals measure 2mm to 3mm in length. The pure white or rarely pale pink corolla has a red to burgundy center and measures 7mm to 8mm in length while the 5 oblong lobes spread widely and have an acute apex. They measure 7mm to 12mm in width and are sparsely covered in very short white hairs. The corona is white. The large, oval, pure white, spreading stamens are fused together at the base to form a short tube. They eventually spread out opposite the petals. The pale yellow green peduncle measures 5mm to 25mm in length while the pale yellow green pedicels measure 15mm to 25mm in length. The fragrant flowers appear from March to August however the odd flower may appear throughout the year in warmer areas.

Hoya australis’s fruit is a linear terete follicle. The follicles measure 70mm to 180mm in length by 5mm to 7mm in diameter. The green pods turn deep grey-brown on ripening. Seeds are cream to fawn, and measure 3mm to 4mm in length with long 15mm to 25mm white plume extending out from out from the apex.

Wildlife:

Hoya australis is the food source for two Australian butterflies, the Australian Crow butterfly and Eichorn’s Crow butterfly.

Cultivation:

Hoya australis are very beautiful small climbers which are suitable for small shaded spots in the garden. It is an excellent colourful addition for sub tropical or warm temperate zone gardens. As garden subjects they will grow to 2 meter to 3 meters in height by 2 meters to 2.5 meters wide when grown in the open.

They must be tip pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. Hoya australis respond very well to tip pruning, additional native fertilizers and heavy mulching. Hard pruning is not necessary. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures as low as 0 degrees. It is frost sensitive so frosts should be avoided. In Nana Glen I have grown this plant where temperatures reach minus 3 however the plants were not subjected to frosts. They displayed browning and purpling of the leaves but recovered slowly during the summer months.

It is most suitable for use around swimming pools, bright courtyards, and smaller fish or frog ponds where they can scramble over logs, rocks or stumps. It is better used to scramble over logs and around rocks than on a fence or pergola.

It looks spectacular when grown in, indoor miniature gardens, formal gardens or around fish or frog ponds.

In the formal or Japanese Gardens they can be used as the center of attention or as the main plant beside the water feature. Imagine a small pond with fish swimming. Beside it is a lonely Hoya australis scrambling over a stump a log or cascading down beside the waterfall. This is very powerful. It is balanced, formal yet very relaxing. They do not require much maintenance and if you go on holidays they will survive with a monthly watering.

In court yards, around bush house or swimming pools they can be used on small trellis or in hanging baskets. Hoya australis make very good indoor plants where central heating is not an issue. When growing them in pots use a good indoor mix.

It makes wonderful topiary work and hanging basket specimens.

INDOORS OR POTTED ON:

Mix equal parts of the well decomposed saw dust with the above feel with perlite and vermiculite. To this add two part sharp clean sand, one part compost and one part good crusher dust from a basalt rock quarries. Preferably black basalt but both are good. Make sure the sand comes from a source that does not have salt.

The decomposed Sawdust in this condition creates the moisture retention and holds nutrient in. The perlite and vermiculite make the mix neutral and both have great water holing capacity without shrinkage with age. The sand creates good drainage and is good for good healthy root development. The crusher dust adds vital minerals which the plants need.

Indoor plants need good light and ventilation without drying breezes or wind. Fertilize the plants on a monthly basis during the growing season with the formula mentioned under propagation at half strength on a rotation basis.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hoya australis seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 50mm to 80mm long ripened material when growing from cuttings that have at least one pair of leaves. Take them in warmer months of the year. Place them into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite with the pair of leaves just touching the surface of the mix.

Place the trays under 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade and keep the trays warm. Bottom heat is beneficial to hasten rooting of the cuttings. Ideally temperatures should be maintained at between 22 to 24 degrees. Keep the trays moist not wet and allow them to almost dry out between watering.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Another method is to layer the cutting. This involves nicking a section from an internodes and pinning the runner horizontally to the surface of in an adjacent pot so that it can’t move. This method is 100{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} reliable and plants usually form roots very quickly within the month. Once good roots have formed sever the new plant from its parent and nip the apex to promote more lateral runners.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hoya macgillivrayi

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocynaceae

Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae

Genus: Is named in honour of Thomas Hoy; 1750-1822, who was an English born gardener and botanist in Syon House in Middlesex England.

Species: Is named in honour of Thomas Hoy; 1750-1822, who was an English born gardener and botanist in Syon House in Middlesex England.

Sub species:

Common Name: Coastal Wax Flower.

Distribution:

Hoya macgillivrayi is found on the eastern coastal side of Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hoya+macgillivrayi#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hoya macgillivrayi prefers dappled shade. It grows on coastal headlands or in the littoral rainforests behind the coastal frontal dunes. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 100 meters ASL.

Temperatures range from 10 degree in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 900mm to an average of 3000mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hoya macgillivrayi prefers growing on sandy soils. It also grows in the nests and back material of Asplenium and Platycerium specie. They grow as an epiphyte or lithophyte on rocks. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstone or accumulated sands or granite. The soils pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.1m to 6m by 0.1m to 6m.

Characteristics:

Hoya macgillivrayi’s main stems are grey and glabrous. All parts of the plants exude copious quantities of white milky latex when damaged.

Hoya macgillivrayi’s broad elliptical leaves are thick and coriaceous. They measure 90mm to 175mm in length by 40mm to 70mm in width. The base is hastate while the apex is narrowly acuminate. The concolourous laminas are green to deep sea-green and glabrous. The margins are entire and flat or curve very slightly upwards from the mid vein. The midvein vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from above. The petioles measure 15mm to 20mm in length and are glabrous.

The inflorescences of Hoya macgillivrayi are born in umbiliform from the leaf axils and measure 50mm to 60mm in diameter. There are 6 to 18 flowers per umbel which measures 120mm to 200mm in diameter. The cream calyxes measure 30mm to 56mm in length. The deep burgundy to deep maroon corolla measures 22mm to 23mm in length while the 5 broad triangular divaricate lobes measure 20mm to 22mm in length. The large, oval, maroon stamens, spreading stamens are fused together at the base to form a short tube. The peduncle measures 10 to 70mm in length while the pedicels measure 70mm to 80mm in length.

The anthers measure 2.5mm to 2.7mm in length. The flowers appear from March to August however the odd flower may appear throughout the year in warmer areas.

Hoya macgillivrayi’s fruit is a long linear acicular capsule. The capsules measure 160mm to 210mm in length by 10mm to 16mm in diameter. The green pods turn deep grey brown on ripening. Seeds are cream to fawn, oblong and measure 6.5mm to 7mm in length with long 40mm to 45mm white plume extending out from the apex.

Wildlife:

Hoya macgillivrayi’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Hoya macgillivrayi are very beautiful small climbers which are suitable for small shaded spots in the garden. It is an excellent colourful addition for sub tropical or warm temperate zone gardens. As garden subjects they will grow to 2 meter to 2.5 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in width.

They must be tip pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. Hoya macgillivrayi respond very well to tip pruning, additional native fertilizers and heavy mulching. Hard pruning is not necessary. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures as low as 0 degrees. It is frost sensitive so frosts should be avoided. In Nana Glen I have grown this plant where temperatures reach minus 3 however the plants were not subjected to frosts. They displayed browning and purpling of the leaves but recovered slowly during the summer months. They never flowered under these cold conditions even after 10 years of growth.

It is most suitable for use around swimming pools, bright courtyards, and smaller fish or frog ponds where they can scramble over logs, rocks or stumps.

They look spectacular when grown in indoor miniature gardens, formal gardens or around fish or frog ponds.

In the formal or Japanese Gardens they can be used as the center of attention or as the main plant beside the water feature. Imagine a small pond with fish swimming. Beside it is a lonely Hoya macgillivrayi scrambling over a stump a log or cascading down beside the waterfall. This is very powerful, balanced, formal yet very relaxing. They do not require much maintenance and if you go on holidays they will survive with a fortnightly watering.

In court yards, around bush house or swimming pools they can be used on small trellis or in hanging baskets. Hoya australis make very good indoor plants where central heating is not an issue. When growing them in pots use a good indoor mix.

It would make a wonderful small topiary work and hanging basket specimens.

INDOORS OR POTTED ON:

Mix equal parts of the well decomposed saw dust with the above feel with perlite and vermiculite. To this add two part sharp clean sand, one part compost and one part good crusher dust from a basalt rock quarries. Preferably black basalt but both are good. Make sure the sand comes from a source that does not have salt.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hoya macgillivrayi seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 50mm to 80mm long ripened material with at least 2 pairs of nodes when growing from cuttings that have at least one pair of leaves. Take them in the warmer months of the year. Place the cuttings into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite with the pair of leaves just touching the surface of the mix.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Hoya oligotricha

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocynaceae

Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae

Genus: Is named in honour of Thomas Hoy; 1750-1822, who was an English born gardener and botanist in Syon House in Middlesex England.

Species: Is named in honour of John Macgillivray; 1822–1867, who was a Scottish botanist and author who studied the plants from the Northern Territory.

Sub species:

Common Name: Coastal Wax Flower.

Distribution:

Hoya oligotricha is found on the coastal side and on the Great Dividing Range on the coastal strip from Cape Grafton in far north Queensland to Kempsey in northern New South Wales.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Hoya+oligotricha#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Hoya oligotricha prefers dappled shade to full sunlight. It grows on coastal headlands and in the littoral rainforests behind the coastal frontal dunes. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 30 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 3 degree in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 900mm to an average of 3000mm annually.

Soil Requirements:

Hoya oligotricha prefers growing on shallow sandy soils. It also grows in the nests and back material of Asplenium and Platycerium specie growing close to the coast. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstone or accumulated sands. The soils pH varies from 6pH through to a 6.8pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.1m to 6m by 0.1m to 6m.

Characteristics:

Hoya oligotricha’s main stems are brown and sparsely covered in pale grey pubescent hairs especially towards the apex. All parts of the plants exude copious quantities of white latex when damaged.

Hoya oligotricha’s broad elliptical, ovate, oval or orbicular leaves are thick and coriaceous. They measure 40mm to 120mm in length by 30mm to 80mm in width. The petioles measure 10mm to 35mm in length and are glabrous or covered in pale grey pulverulent hairs. The bases are rounded while the apexes are obtuse with or without a short apiculate point. The concolourous laminas are deep green to deep sea-green and are glabrous or sparsely covered in pale grey pubescent hairs. The margins are entire and are flat or curve slightly upwards from the mid vein. The midvein and lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are visible from above.

The inflorescences of Hoya oligotricha are born in umbels from the leaf axils and measure 50mm to 70mm in diameter. There are 12 to 30 flowers per umbel which measure 15mm to 25mm each. The yellow green sepals measure 2mm to 4mm in length. The cream or pale creamy pink corolla has a red to pink center and measures 7mm to 8mm in length and is sparsely covered in minute pubescent hairs. The 5 oblong lobes spread widely and have an acute to obtuse apex. They measure 7mm to 12mm in width and are sparsely covered in very short white hairs. The corona is white. The large, oval, pure white, spreading stamens are fused together at the base to form a short tube. The pale yellow green peduncle measures 5mm to 25mm in length while the pale yellow green pedicels measure 15mm to 30mm in length. The fragrant flowers appear from March to August however the odd flower may appear throughout the year in warmer areas.

Hoya oligotricha’s fruit is a linear, terete capsule. The capsules measure 100mm to 150mm long by 10mm to 15mm in width. The green pods turn deep grey brown on ripening. Seeds are cream to fawn, oblong and measure 3.5mm to 4.5mm in length with long 15mm to 25mm white plume out from the from the apex.

Wildlife:

Hoya oligotricha’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Hoya oligotricha are very beautiful small climbers which are suitable for small shaded spots in the garden. It is an excellent colourful addition for sub tropical or warm temperate zone gardens. As garden subjects they will grow to 2 meter to 5 meters high by 2 meters to 2.5 meters wide. They must be tip pruned regularly to enhance bushiness and better flowering. Hoya oligotricha respond very well to tip pruning, additional native fertilizers and heavy mulching. Hard pruning is not necessary. It is fast growing and are cold tolerant to temperatures as low as 0 degrees. It is frost sensitive so frosts should be avoided. In Nana Glen I have grown this plant where temperatures reach minus 3 however the plants were not subjected to frosts. They displayed browning and purpling of the leaves but recovered slowly during the summer months.

It is most suitable for use around swimming pools, bright courtyards, and smaller fish or frog ponds where they can scramble over logs, rocks or stumps.

It looks spectacular when grown in indoor miniature gardens, formal gardens or around fish or frog ponds.

In the formal or Japanese Gardens they can be used as the center of attention or as the main plant beside the water feature. Imagine a small pond with fish swimming. Beside it is a lonely Hoya oligotricha scrambling over a stump a log or cascading down beside the waterfall. This is very powerful, balanced, formal yet very relaxing. They do not require much maintenance and if you go on holidays they will survive with a fortnightly watering.

In court yards, around bush house or swimming pools it can be used on small trellis or in hanging baskets. Hoya oligotricha make very good indoor plants where central heating is not an issue. When growing them in pots use a good indoor mix.

INDOORS OR POTTED ON:

Mix equal parts of the well decomposed saw dust with the above feel with perlite and vermiculite. To this add two part sharp clean sand, one part compost and one part good crusher dust from a basalt rock quarries. Preferably black basalt but both are good. Make sure the sand comes from a source that does not have salt.

Propagation:

Seeds: Hoya oligotricha seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 5mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 30mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 200mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Use 50mm to 80mm long ripened material when growing from Cuttings. Take them in the warmer months of the year. Remove a 10mm slice from the bark in a downward stroke from one side. Using an appropriate rooting hormone, dip the cutting in and place it into a sterile mix of peat, sand and perlite.

When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots treat them as for seedlings.

Further Comments from Readers:

Huperzia carinata

Classification:

Division: Lycopodiophyta

Class: Lycopodiopsida

Order: Lycopodiales

Family: Huperziaceae

Genus: Is named in honour of Johann Peter Huperz; 1771-1816, who was a German botanist who specialized in ferns.

Species: From Carinatus, which is Latin for to have a keel like ridge. It refers to an organ, which has a longitudinally raised ridge.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Queensland Tassel or Tasselled Club Moss.

Distribution:

Huperzia carinata is found on the eastern side of Cape York Peninsular in the north, south from the Iron Range National Park to north of Cape Grafton in far north Queensland.

https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Huperzia+carinata#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Huperzia carinata prefers dense shade to heavy filtered light. It grows in coastal rainforests, mountain rainforests, high on the trunks or branches of suitable trees. It grows as an epiphyte, lithophyte or on rare occasions in the soil. The altitude ranges from 50 meters ASL to 1250 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 6 degrees in August to 28 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 1600mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Huperzia carinata grows as an epiphyte on trees or as a lithophyte on rocks. Occasionally it can be seen growing on the rainforest floors among the leaf litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalt sandstones or granites. The soils and composts pH varies from 5pH through to a 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 100mm to 1200mm by 500mm to 800mm.

Characteristics:

Huperzia carinata has short, tufted, stout stem stems in their initial stages of growth which eventually become pendulous as they lengthen in size. The longer stems will become dimorphically branched and measure 400mm to 900mm in length by 12mm to 15mm in diameter. The last 20mm to 60mm contain the fertile sporangia. The stems are black at the base becoming glossy green as they approach the pendulous section.

Huperzia carinata leaves are densely arranged in 4 spiralling rows along the stems. The leaves are at 30 degree angles to the central axis. The coriaceous, attenuate lanceolate, linear-lanceolate to almost acicular leaves are prominently keeled on the lower surface of the lamina. The leaves are not twisted on this specie and measure 10mm to 13mm in length by 1mm to 2mm in width near the base. The concolourous laminas are lime-green to pale yellowish-green and glabrous. The laminas recurve slightly upwards from the mid vein to the margins. The margins are entire.

The transitional zone from the sterile leaves to the fertile sporangia zone is gradual and is located at the apexes of the pendulous branches. The sporangia zone is usually unbranched or at times branched once or rarely twice. The fertile sporangia are held in the upper half to upper eighth of the sporophylls length. The sporophylls measure 4mm to 8mm in length by 1mm to 2.5mm in width. The ovate-cuspidate to lanceolate sporophylls bases are truncate to rounded while the apexes are acute. The lime –green to yellowish-green sporophylls are glabrous. It is cuspidate with a prominent longitudinal keel on the lower surface. The sporangia are about half the size of the sporophylls.

Wildlife:

Huperzia carinata’s wildlife is unknown to the author in the wild.

Cultivation:

Huperzia carinata is a magnificent large club moss that is very easy to grow however it is slow to establish especially in cooler climates. It is suitable for bright courtyards or in the garden where moist bright conditions prevail. Huperzia phlegmaria is an excellent basket plant when planted on the sides of the basket. Do not use metal or plastic baskets as it is iron sensitive and resents roots sweating in the plastic baskets.

Huperzia carinata will establish themselves from small plants and will reach their full potential in around 4 to 8 years. There only requirement is semi-shade warm temperatures above 6 degrees centigrade and a humid microclimate.

When the sterile and fertile fronds are on display together the rich lime-green colour of the strobilus and leaves are refreshing to look at. The areas for cultivation should mimic their natural surroundings as close as possible to ensure successful happy plants. It makes an ideal plant for a bush house in sub tropical and cool tropical gardens.

Fertilize the plants on a monthly basis during the growing season with the formula mentioned under propagation at half strength on a rotation basis.

Propagation:

Spores: Huperzia carinata is not easy to grow so expect many failures but once the area and success has been made the rewards are great in admiration and the plants will self-propagate without any further to do without becoming rampant.

All ferns and clubmosses that are declared rare, vulnerable or endangered are protected by Federal and State Laws and must not be removed from the wild unless you are a land developer, mining company or main Roads department etc. This includes bulbs, roots, leaves and flowers. No part of any plant can be removed from Federal, State or Local Government land without the prior permission of the authority and this includes the spore.