Najas marina

Classification

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Alismatales

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

Genus: From Naias, which is Ancient Greek for a river or delta Nymph. It refers to plants, which have a love affair with water.

Specie: From Marīnum, which is Latin for of the sea. It refers to plants, which have a preference for a saline habitats.

Sub specie: Najas marina subsp. armata. From Armatus, which is Latin for armed as in war. It refers to the species being armed with sharp protective thorns.

Sub specie: Najas marina var. graminea. From Gramine, which is Latin for a grass like. It refers to plants, which produce grains resembling some cereals and/or the leaves resembling some grasses.

Sub specie: Najas marina subsp. latior. From Elatior, which is Latin for taller. It refers to plants, which are taller than other species in the genus.

Common Name: Prickly Water Nymph or Prickly Naiad

Distribution:

Najas marina in Western Australia has yet to assign the majority of collections to the various sub species and varieties.

Najas marina subsp. armata is found in three dusjunct populations in the Northern Territory which include The Roper district, Barkley Tablelands and around Alice Springs.

In New South Wales it is found along the coast south from Oyster Creek near Valla south to Maroo Lake. There is an isolated population Marimley Lake in the south west.

Najas marina var. graminea is found in several widely isolated populations across the far northern portions of Western Australia to Queensland.

Najas marina subsp. latior is found in several widely isolated populations from Glen Helen Gorge in the Northern Territory and to the coast of New South Wales.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Najas marina prefers full sun. It grows in still or slow running water often in billabongs, lakes, and back waters within seasonal flowing stretches of creeks, streams and tidal estuaries. The altitude ranges from 0 meter ASL to 608 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in August to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 150mm to an average of 2100mm. The rainfall is not as important as the flow in the creeks maintaining a reasonable level.

Soil Requirements:

Najas marina prefers course sand, sandy loams to medium clays or fine silts to medium silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed granites, sandstones, brown basalts, black basalts, shales, metamorphic rocks often being laid down as alluvial silts. The soils pH. ranges from 4.5pH to 7.5pH. It tolerates water logged soils preferring to grow in shallow water. Non saline soils to extremely saline water is tolerated.

Height & Spread:

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

Characteristics:

Najas marina is an erect slender perennial aquatic. The stems are creamy olive-green, mid olive green, grass-green to deep grass-green and semi glossy to glossy. The terete branching stems usually measure 400mm to 500mm in length and are sparsely and irregularly covered in large broad spine tipped teeth.

Najas marina’s alternate narrow oblong leaves measure 20mm to 60mm in length by 2mm to 6mm in width. The bases are sheathing without auricles while the apexes are truncate with 1 or 2 spine tipped teeth. The concolourous laminas are olive-green, mid olive green, grass-green to deep grass-green and semi glossy to glossy. The margins are sparsely and irregularly covered in large broad spine tipped teeth. The midvein is prominent on both laminas and is irregularly covered in large broad spine tipped teeth.

The dioecious inflorescences of Najas marina are solitary from the leaf axils. The male and female flowers are sessile.

The male flowers have a spathe and measure 3mm to 4mm in length. The single stamen measures 1mm to 3mm in length and has 4 individual sporangia.

The female flowers are without a spathe and measure 3mm to 4mm in length and usually have 3 stigmas. The seeds usually measure 3mm to 6mm in length by 2.5mm to 5mm in diameter.

The plants are unusual in that it flowers during warmer months, then the whole plant becomes detached at the base when mature and drifts around to drop its seeds. The seeds are covered with irregularly arranged craters.

Confusing Subspecies Varieties:

Najas marina subsp. armata’s stems and midrib on lower surface of the leaves have more than 1 spine per square centimetre.

Najas marina subsp. latior’s stems and midrib on lower surface of leaves with less than 1 spine per square centimetre.

Wildlife:

Najas marina’s leaves are consumed by Cichlids (Tilapia zillii) in southern Africa however it is not known which fish in Australia consume it or rely on the plants. As they play an important role in the transitional zones of many coastal, creeks and streams as well as inland seasonal rivers where permanent water holes exist where the salinity changes dramatically throughout the year it could safely be assumed that the plants play an important role in supporting the local fish or fry populations. I have noticed larger fry swimming amongst detached floating plants in the Redland Bay area near Brisbane. It was not known whether the fry were using the plants for food or as a safe means of transportation in the next stage of their life.

Cultivation:

Najas marina make good water plants for outdoor fish ponds where fish prefer transitional zones between fresh water and saline water.

Because of its green stems and leaves I assume it is a good oxygen replenishing plant for outdoor ponds.

Propagation:

Seeds: Najas marina methods of reproduction for salt water ponds or saline aquarium use are unknown to the author.

Further Comments from Readers:

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Nauclea orientalis

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Centianales

Family: Rubiaceae

Subfamily: Cinchonoideae

Tribe: Naucleaceae

Genus: From Naucula, which is Latin for a small boat. It refers to capsules, which float and appear like small boats.

Specie: From Orientalis, which is Latin for the oriental or eastern. It refers to plants, which were first discovered in the east or the orient.

Sub species:

Common Name: Leichhardt Tree or Yellow Cheesewood.

Distribution:

Nauclea orientalis is found east from along the east and north from the Fitzroy River and the Kimberley Range in north west Western Australia to the Gulf Rivers in the Northern Territory and Boodjamulla National Park (Lawn Hill) in north to Normanton in north western Queensland.

It is also found south from Cape York Peninsular and some of the Torres Straight Islands to the Boyne River near Gladstone in central coastal Queensland.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Nauclea orientalis prefers light dappled shade to full shade. It grows along the alluvial plains along creeks, streams and in lowland or littoral rainforests. It is particularly common in gallery forests and along soaks bordering marsh lands. The altitude ranges from 2 meter ASL to 450 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 7 degrees in August to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 800mm to an average of 4000mm.

Soil Requirements:

Nauclea orientalis prefers fine sands medium clays. The soils are usually derived from accumulated beach sands, accumulated coral sands or at times decomposed granites. The soils pH. ranges from 5pH to 7pH. It tolerates seasonal inundations for short periods. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated as are salt laden winds.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 15m to 30m by 8m to 10m.

Characteristics:

Nauclea orientalis’s trunks are mid grey to deep grey furrowed, rough, scabrous and flaky. The trunk is not buttressed but slightly flanging on very old trees. The bole is 70{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of the trees height and on mature trees will measure up to 1000mm in diameter. The branches and main stems are devoid of leaves turning a creamy colour towards the apexes. The main stems are scabrous while smaller stems are covered in lenticels. The stems that hold the leaves are deep sea green.

Nauclea orientalis’s simple leaves are shed briefly during the dry season from mid-August to September. The petioles vary from Deep sea green to purplish and measure 22mm to 35mm in length. There are two large ovate stipules which measure 10mm to 25mm in length by 10mm in width. The oval to broadly elliptical leaves measure 155mm to 300mm by 100mm to 180mm in width. The ovate stipules are covered in large red glands that resemble insect eggs near the bases and measure 10mm to 35mm in length. The petioles measure 35mm to 55mm in length. The oblique bases are rounded-truncate to rounded while the apexes are obtuse or rarely very broadly acuminate. The discolourous laminas are deep grass green to deep sea green, semi glossy and glabrous while the lower lamina is paler and dull. The margins are entire, flat or slightly undulating. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and for 10mm to 20mm on the upper lamina and is distinctly visible on the remainder of the upper lamina.

The inflorescences of Nauclea orientalis are a spherical head born from the upper leaf axils. The inflorescence measures 33mm to 50mm in diameter. The peduncle measures 20m to 30mm. The 5 hemi lanceolate calyx lobes are glabrous, yellow to orange and measure 0.5mm in diameter. The 5 united yellow-orange to orange petals form a corolla tube which measure 7mm to 10mm in length. The petal lobes are hemi ovate and measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length. The 5 yellow-orange to orange stamens are attached to the petals near the point where the lobes begin and measure 1.2mm to 1.6mm in length while the white style measures less than 15mm to 17mm in length. The anthers are ribbed while the pollen is orange and quite profuse. The stigma is swollen somewhat like conical mushroom and measures 1.8mm to 2mm in length. The sweetly scented flowers appear from May to November.

Nauclea orientalis’s fruit is an aggregate. The aggregates measure 40mm to 50mm in diameter. The outer surface is soft to hard spongy and reticulate rugose. The flesh surrounding the seeds is a pale creamy yellow. The black ovoid rugose seeds measure 1.5mm to 2mm in diameter. There is one seed in each aggregate.

Wildlife:

Nauclea orientalis damage often occurs on trees from the beetle Lyctus bruneus known as the Lyctus beetle or the powder post beetle. The Powder post beetle is a pest attacking the sapwood of many hardwood trees such as Oak, Elm, Ash and Eucalypt. Softwoods are not attacked. The heartwood of hardwoods is not infested just the soft sap wood. Most attacks take place in logs or sawn timber drying at sawmill. Signs of infestation may not appear until adults begin to emerge.

Blue stain fungus Grosmannia clavigera is often seen on freshly cut timber staining the timber a blue-grey colour.

The flowers attract many nectar eating birds and insects. Cassowary will eat the fruits as will other larger fruit eating pigeons. Fruits were also eaten by native people across Asia. It is reportedly rather bitter in taste being one of the fruits I have not had the pleasure or miss pleasure of eating.

The timber is easy to work, soft and light and many early tribal minorities used the timber to make canoes from.

Cultivation:

Nauclea orientalis makes an excellent plant for where shady areas are required and as an addition to help form the canopy of a new rainforest. They always look green and fresh especially where plenty of ground moisture is retained whether they are grown in light shade or dense shade. They are very suitable on sandy to medium clay soils and are most suitable for large gardens and parks close to the coast in warm temperate, sub-tropical, tropical or arid gardens. As garden subjects they will grow from 9m to 15m in height by 9m to 15m in diameter. They are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as 4 degree once established.

Nauclea orientalis are excellent additions in drainage problem areas and areas that need soil stabilization. They are beautiful trees, as a standalone specimen as they have a dense spreading canopy and provide very good shade for a park like garden. The root system may be invasive as it prefers wet areas so may seek extra moisture or a permanent water supply from sewers and water pipes so I would have a tendency to plant them well away from public services.

In the formal or Japanese Gardens they can be used as the main plant beside the water feature. Imagine a large pond with fish swimming. Beside it is the strong outline of Nauclea. This is very powerful yet formal and relaxing. The plants will emit great potency yet display a very relaxing and thought provoking scene.

This tree would look excellent if planted as a main feature in a park like scenario with a few Grevillea robusta contrasting strongly on shape. Another advantage is that Grevillea robusta begins flowering as Nauclea orientalis is finishing so an extended flowering season from May through to December is realized.

Propagation:

Nauclea orientalis seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover the seeds with 1mm to 2mm of fine weed free mulch and keep moist. Place the tray in a warm semi shaded position. When the seedlings are 30mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 100mm to 150mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

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 better health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

Neisosperma poweri

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Centianales

Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: From Nivosus, which is Latin for fully covered and Spérma, which is Greek and Latin for a seed. It refers to the seeds having a thick fleshy coating over and through the seed fibres.

Specie: Is named in honour of R. D. Power who raised the attention to the fruit of the new species.

Sub species:

Common Name: Milk Tree.

Distribution:

Neisosperma poweri is found in at least 3 disjunct locations in Queensland and Northern New South Wales. In Queensland it is found from south from Cairns to Eungella National Park and Homevale National Parks while the southern population is found on the Sunshine coast with the third area is around the Border Ranges National Park and south to Bucca Bucca Creek Nana Glen.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Neisosperma poweri prefers light dappled shade to full shade. It grows along creeks alluvial plains adjacent to most types of tropical and subtropical rainforests. It is found where there is a break in the canopy. This is an erect usually single stemmed medium shrub or small tree with attractive scarlet fruits. The altitude ranges from 600 meter ASL to 1100 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 900mm to an average of 4000mm.

Soil Requirements:

Neisosperma poweri prefers fine sands medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed basalts and better quality sandstones. The soils pH. ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 9m by 1.5m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Neisosperma poweri’s trunk is grey, glabrous and rarely attains a diameter exceeding 200mm in very old specimens. The smaller branches and stems are mid grey to grey-brown, glabrous, semi glossy and slender while the immature stems are deep sea green and semi glossy. They are easily distinguished producing a thin milky like exudates from the twigs, petioles, peduncles and leaves when broken.

Neisosperma poweri’s simple leaves have petioles that measure 14mm to 20mm in length. The leaves vary considerably in shape from oblanceolate to obovate and measure 60mm to 140mm by 20mm to 50mm in width. The bases are cuneate while the apexes are broad acuminate or broad cuspidate. The laminas are discolourous laminas are deep sea green, dull to semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is much paler. The margins are widely entire flat or slightly decurve and are slightly undulating. The lamina curves slightly upwards from the mid vein. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina. It is visible on the upper lamina with the lateral veins being consistently spaced and at 80 degrees to the mid vein.

The inflorescences of Neisosperma poweriare compound corymbs born from the leaf axils or terminal. The pedicels measure 3.5mm to 4.5mm in length while the peduncles measure 3.5mm to 4.5mm in length. The peduncules measure 2.5mm to 3.5mm in length. The green calyx lobes are glabrous and measure 1.3mm to 1.8mm in length. There are 12 to 20 white flowers in a corymb which measure 18mm to 23mm in diameter. The 5 petals are united to form a corolla tube which measures 10mm to 12mm in length. The oblong twisted lobes are glabrous and measure 5mm to 8mm in length. The bases are contorted while the apex is broad obtuse. The margin on the overlapping side is also slightly involute. The ovary is a single locule which is green glabrous and semi glossy. The 5 white stamens are inserted to just below the corolla apex. The pollen is white. The stigma is covered in short white hairs. The strong sweetly scented flowers are reminiscent of Frangipani and appear from March to May.

Neisosperma poweri’s fruit is a very distinguishable part of the plant and is an ellipsoidal to elongated ovoid drupe with a very pointed apex. They are glaucous and turn from deep green to a brilliant orange-red to scarlet red, glossy and measure 30mm to 50mm in length by 12mm to 18mm in width. The flesh surrounding the seeds is red. The pale fawn ellipsoidal to elongated ovoid seed is woody pale fawn and covered in anatomizing fibres similar to coconut fibre. They measure 16mm to 30mm in length by 7mm to 12mm wide.

Wildlife:

There are no records of the Australian Aborigines eating the seeds or fruit after treating. The seeds maybe eaten by native rats as caches of discarded fruits are often seen with the ends gnawed to get to the seeds.

The leaves and fruit contain the alkaloid methyl-powerine which is highly toxic.

Cultivation:

Neisosperma poweri makes an excellent plant for light to densely shaded areas and as an addition to the under story of rainforests. They can be used as a feature small tree in a small garden but are very slow to establish themselves. They always look green and fresh especially where adequate ground moisture is retained whether they are grown in light shade or dense shade. They are very suitable on sandy to heavy clay soils and are most suitable for small, medium and large gardens close to the coast in warm temperate, sub-tropical, tropical or semi-arid gardens. As garden subjects they will grow from 6m to 7m in height by 3m to 3.5 meters in diameter as a small specimen tree. They are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 1 degree once established.

They are most suitable for use besides pathways, shady rockeries, along sandy clay banks or along drive ways or adjacent to natural bush gardens. They are best used adjacent to small areas of bush close to paths or the house so their pure white sweetly scented flowers can be viewed and the scent appreciated regularly. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants for hedges or wind breaks are very striking and pleasant in flower and fruit. When mass planted the scarlet fruits are very attractive and will hang for a long time. Plants can be pruned and encouraged to lean out over the edge of water or rock features.

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. They can be tip pruned if a large shrub is required or can be used in conjunction with a couple of different small trees to give height and depth to a garden very effectively. They respond well to pruning recovering quickly, increasing the number of flowers in the following season. Place them in the mid-ground with fine leaf ground covers and very small shrubs, ferns or annuals in front. Plants with pink, orange, red or purple flowers can be used in both the foreground. Plants with finer foliages in pale greens will also compliment the scene during periods when there are few flowers in the garden. This will lead the viewer’s eyes or nose directly to the white flowers and later to the scarlet fruits and for a longer period.

In the formal or Japanese Gardens they can be used as the main plant beside the water feature. Imagine a large pond with fish swimming. Beside it is the strong outline of Neisosperma poweri. This is very powerful yet formal and relaxing. The plants will emit great potency yet display a very relaxing and thought provoking scene. Again trimming to various shapes will suit the formal or gnarled look.

Propagation:

Neisosperma poweri fresh seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover the seeds with 5mm to 10mm of fine weed free mulch and keep moist. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 30mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 100mm to 150mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position. Mass plant them at intervals of 2 meters for shrubs 0r 3meters to 4 meters for trees.

Further Comments from Readers:

Nelumbo nucifera

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Proteales

Family: Nelumbonaceae

Genus: From Nelumbo, which is Latinized for the Sri Lankan vernacular name for the plant found there.

Specie: From Nuci, which is Latin for a nut and Ferae/Ferārum which is Latin for to bear or bearing. It refers to fruits, which contain a nut.

Sub species:

Common Name: Lotus, Lotus flower or Anembo – A quite place in reference to where the plants grow in northern Australia.

The northern aboriginal name for the plant is Anembo.

Distribution:

Nelumbo nucifera is a widespread species which is found in the northern quarter of the Northern Territory especially in the northern parts of Kakadu National Park.

In the east it is found south from Cape York Peninsular to the Condamine River in southern Queensland. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

It is also found from central and southern India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, southern and eastern China, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua, New Guinee, Bougainville, The Solomon islands and many of the Island nations in the western Pacific region.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Nelumbo nucifera prefers full sun. It grows along slow flowing creeks, flooded alluvial plains, in most types of swamps, lagoons or billabongs. This is a water plant for large ponds and dams. The altitude ranges from 20 meter ASL to 250 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 12 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 800mm to an average of 4000mm but this is of little importance as the plants grow in water which is from 200mm to 3 meters in depth.

Soil Requirements:

Nelumbo nucifera prefers fine sands medium clays to heavy silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed basalts, better quality sandstones, shales or alluvial flats where they have been weathered and deposited as alluvial. The soils pH. ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It tolerates water logged soils usually growing in water to 2 meters deep. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

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

Characteristics:

Nelumbo nucifera’s form large ellipsoidal rhizomes contain large circular air chambers which run longitudinally inside the tuber. The rhizomes measure 80mm to 200mm in length by 30mm to 60mm in diameter and are joined together by a short woody appendage. The appendage measures 3mm to 8mm in length by 4mm to 6mm in diameter. The rhizomes are a pale fawn in colour, are glabrous or are covered in small black dots and lenticels.

Nelumbo nucifera’s simple leaves have petioles that vary greatly in length depending on the depth of the water the plants are growing in. They measure 250mm to 4500mm in length by 6mm to 10mm in diameter. The leaves may rest on the water surface or more commonly held 100mm to 1150mm above the water. The very large cordate leaves have a peltate petiole. They measure 160mm to 580mm in diameter. The laminas are concolourous with the laminas being pale grass green to mid blue-green, dull and glabrous. They are uniquely water resistant and self-cleaning. The margins are entire and flat to strongly undulating. The radiating veins are prominent on the lower lamina and are visible on the upper lamina.

The inflorescence of Nelumbo nucifera is a solitary emergent flower born directly from a root bud. The diurnal flowers open for two days and close at night. The pedicel measures 600mm to 5000mm in length and holds the flower 100mm to 300mm above the leaves. The 3 to 6 sepals are green-blue with the margins being paler or tinged with pink. The broad lanceolate to elliptical, cupped sepals measure 60mm to 75mm in length by 30mm to 50mm in width. The 10 to 30 lanceolate to narrow elliptical white to bright pink petals measure 60mm to 75mm in length by 15mm to 25mm in width. The ovary has 8 to 24 locules each producing a single seed. The 200 odd yellow stamens measure 10mm to 16mm in length. The 1mm to 1.5mm anthers are white, cream or yellow while the pollen is white and quite profuse. The cream yellow to deep yellow, inverted, flat conical receptacle measures 19mm to 24mm in length by 19mm to 24mm in diameter at the apex. They are fertilized by insects mainly beetles walking over the surface or face of the stigma. The sweetly scented flowers appear from late November to early February.

Nelumbo nucifera’s fruit is a large pod. The pods are a flat conical cone. They are glaucous blue-green turning deep grey when ripe. The pods face points skyward nodding downwards as the seeds ripen under the weight of the seeds so the seeds can drop out into the water. The ripe cones measure 20mm to 30mm in length by 50mm to 70mm in diameter at the apex. The seeds are not enclosed but are open to the weather at the top of the stigma. The black ellipsoidal seeds are round on one end and have a mucronate point on the other. The seeds measure 6mm to 9mm in length by 6mm to 8mm in width.

Wildlife:

Nelumbo nucifera relies upon many varieties of insects most of which are small beetles for fertilization. These beetles are unknown to the author.

The seeds are eaten by Australian Aborigines; unripe and raw, or ripe and roasted. They are a popular ingredient in local desserts in Asia. The rhizomes are also eaten and are very popular in China. They are boiled usually as a soup, candied as a dessert or pickled. The petioles and peduncles are also eaten and have a mild pleasant celery taste. The large circular leaves were also used to wrap food up for steaming in earth ovens. The plant has been cultivated in China since the early 12th century BC.

Cultivation:

Nelumbo nucifera makes an excellent plant for sunny areas and as an unusual addition to courtyards and around swimming pools. It is deciduous and dies down annually in the dry season or when the weather turns cold. As a garden subject it will grow from 500mm to 1500mm by 500mm to 2000mm in diameter. It is cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as 1 degree once established provided the water or soil does not freeze over or where the waters are seasonal.

When you design a miniature bog garden with a pool, use contours to display the dry land plants to their best. If Nelumbo nucifera is to be grown remember it is a large water plant that requires fairly deep water and room to spread. It is best suited to ponds or dams with at least 200 square meters and a central depth of around a meter.

Use small tussock grasses or Lomandra adjacent to the water and plant Nelumbo nucifera more towards the center otherwise the taller leaves will cover the plants growing next to the water on the bank.

About 70{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of lotus for the human consumption is produced in China. In 2005, the area under cultivation in China was estimated at 300,000 hectares. A majority of lotus production is by small individual farmers and small cooperative farm practices in controlled mixed farming systems. The ponds or flooded fields rotated with rice and vegetables with kuhli loaches, Pangio kuhlii are something to behold.

With such a beautiful plant, it is easy to see why people consider it sacred and spend hours transfixed, endeavouring to secure a photograph that does it justice. The leaves, flowers and fruits, even in their dying stages still has the photographer captivated. Imagine being a high school student in the last Photo, where you are confronted with this magical scene as a part of your recreational area or walking from one classroom to the next or staring out the window during class. I would never get any work done, unless it was botany. To sit and be transfixed in what nature has to offer at school is truly astonishing. Yes this is in the middle of a city of 11,000,000 people. I am guilty in every manner of being addicted to the sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera.

Yes the aboriginal word of ‘Anembo,’ translated to a tranquil scene or peaceful place is truly calming. To be by a billabong; shrouded with Anembo, is to be surrounded by mesmerising beauty, with its all its power of calmness and tranquillity, is candidly apt.

Propagation:

Two or three Nelumbo nucifera seeds can be sown directly into 50mm squat tubes. Cover the seeds with 5mm to 6mm of fine weed free mulch and keep moist by standing the tubes in a saucer of clean water. Change the water daily to ensure cleanliness. Place the tray in a warm semi shaded position. When the seedlings develop true leaves and are 100mm to 150mm tall, plant them into 200mm pots using a good organic mix and slowly adjust their position over a few weeks so they get full sun. Do not let them dry out at any stage. They can be replanted at around 12 months of age into 400mm or 500mm pots.

Division of root tubers is as a matter of breaking the root sections off and planting in separate pots.

Further Comments from Readers:

Nematolepsis squamea

Classification

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Sapindales

Family: Rutaceae

Genus: From Nêma, which is Ancient Greek or Nēma, which is Latin for a thread, and Lepis, which is Ancient Greek for a scale. It refers to a scale; at the base of the stamens, which are thread like.

Specie: From Squarrōsus, which is Latin for a scale or to be scale like. It probably refers to the small leaves, which appear somewhat like scales along the stems.

Sub specie: Nematolepis squamea subsp. coriacea. From Coriaceous, which is Latin for like leather or leathery. It refers to leaves, phyllodes and fronds which are thick and leathery to touch.

Sub specie: Nematolepis squamea subsp. retusa. From Retūsa, which is Latin for to make blunt. It refers to organs, usually the leaves or petals, which have obtuse apexes with a shallow notch as against emarginate which has a deep notch.

Sub specie: Nematolepis squamea subsp. squamea. From Squarrōsus, which is Latin for a scale or to be scale like. It probably refers to the small leaves, which appear somewhat like scales along the stems.

Common Name: Satinwood

Distribution:

Nematolepis squamea subsp. coriacea is found in a few isolated populations including the Warumbungle Mountains in New South Wales and the Snowy River and Mount Arbuckle in central Victoria.

Nematolepis squamea subsp. retusa is found south from The Watchtower and Nelsons Crag in the Licola district south to Tasmania excluding the Bass Strait Islands.

Nematolepis squamea subsp. squamea it is found mainly along the coast to the Great Dividing Range south from the Gold Coast hinterland and Beechworth to the Pyrenees Mountains in Victoria and mainly on the western side of Tasmania. There is a disjunct populations further north in Queensland on Quoin Island north east of Rockhampton.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Nematolepis squamea prefers light dappled shade to full shade. It grows in wet sclerophyll forest, in temperate rainforest openings, cool sub-tropical rainforest openings, in moist gullies or moist gallery forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meter ASL to 1100 meters ASL.

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

The rainfall ranges from lows of 600mm to an average of 2000mm.

Soil Requirements:

Nematolepis squamea prefers better quality fine sands, sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed granites, better quality sandstones, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils pH. ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:

Nematolepis squamea subsp. squamea 8m to 12m by 3m to 5m.

Nematolepis squamea subsp. coriacea 2m to 8m by 1m to 4m.

Nematolepis squamea subsp. retusa 1m to 4m by 1m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Nematolepis squamea’s main stems are mid grey-brown, smooth and glabrous. The branchlets are mid reddish-brown and glabrous while the angled new growth is a green, smooth and glabrous.

Nematolepis squamea’s narrow elliptical to broad elliptic leaves measure 50mm to 100mm in length by 10mm to 22mm in width. The glabrous petioles measure 2mm to 4.5mm in length. The bases are tapering to cuneate while the apexes are acuminate to broadly acuminate. The discolourous laminas are deep green to sea-green, smooth to finely verrucosa, glabrous and glossy on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is densely covered in white to silvery scales. The laminas are flat or undulating, slightly convex on the upper surface or recurve slightly upwards from the mid vein to the margins and gently decurve on the apical half while the margins are entire. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and distinctly visible on the upper lamina. The lateral veins are not distinguishable on either lamina.

The inflorescence of Nematolepis squamea is a small panicle born from the leaf axils. The peduncle, rachis and pedicel are angled and covered in white to silvery scales. The peduncle measures 12mm to 20mm in length while the rachis 10mm to 15mm in length and the pedicels measure 5mm to 10mm in length. There are 3 to 20 individual flowers to a panicle. The 5 small coriaceous, triangular sepals are densely covered in white to silvery scales measure 0.5mm to 1mm in length. The 5 elliptical, white petals are glabrous with a mucronate apex and measure 4mm to 5mm in length by 2mm to 2.6mm in width.

The 5 locule, white ovary is glabrous and measures 1.5mm in length by 2mm in diameter. The 10 white anthers measure 34mm to 4.5mm in length while the white obloidal anthers measure 1mm in length. The white style measure less than 3.5mm to 4mm in length. The sweetly scented flowers appear from September to November.

Nematolepis squamea’s fruits are small flat ellipsoidal cocci. The 5 green cocci radiate outwards from the pedicel and turn fawnish-brown to pale grey-brown when ripe. The cocci shrink as they ripen and measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width when ripe. The minute seeds are black.

Confusing Subspecies Varieties:

Nematolepis squamea subsp. squamea is described above.

Nematolepis squamea subsp. coriacea’s leaves are rather leathery and finely verrucose.

Nematolepis squamea subsp. retusa’s branches are strongly glandular to verrucose. The leaves measure 4mm to 40mm in length by 4mm to 9mm in width with 1mm to 3mm long petioles. Apex obtuse to retuse. The flowers are born singularly or in 2 to 5 flowered cymes. The pedicels measure 1mm to 3mm while the petals measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The flowers appear from September to January.

Wildlife:

Nematolepis squamea’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Nematolepis squamea makes an excellent plant for very shady moist areas and as an addition to small to large rainforests or when starting a small rain forest garden or as an understory to an existing rainforest garden if Nematolepis squamea subsp. retuse is planted out. It always looks green and fresh especially where adequate ground moisture is retained whether they are grown in light shade or dense shade. They are very suitable on sandy to heavy clay soils and are most suitable for small, medium and large gardens close to the coast in warm temperate, sub-tropical, tropical gardens. As garden subjects they will grow from 6 meters to 8 meters in height by 5 meters to 6 meters in diameter when grown in the open or 2 meters to 3 meters in height by 2 meters to 3 meters in diameter.

It is cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 4 degrees once established.

It is most suitable for use as a back drop to provide shade when grown in a sheltered open position, courtyards, besides pathways, shady rockeries, along drive ways or adjacent to natural bush gardens.

Planted within a rainforest the white flowers will carpet the ground.

It is an ideal plant for growing epiphytic ferns and orchids on while the trunks will develop a multitude of lichens when grown in the shade.

Propagation: Nematolepis squamea seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix once the weather warms up. Cover the seeds with 5mm to 10mm of fine weed free mulch and keep moist. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 30mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 100mm to 150mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Further Comments from Readers:

Neoachmandra cunninghamii

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Class: Rosids

Order: Cuccurbitales

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Subfamily: Cucurbitoideae

Tribe: Benincaseae

Genus: Is named in honour of Karl Ludwig Philipp Zeyher; 1799-1858, who was a German professional botanical and insect collector of specimens in Africa.

Specie: Is named in honour of Allan Cunningham; 1791-1839, who was an Australian explorer, botanist and collector of plants.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Slender Cucumber.

Distribution:

Neoachmandra cunninghamii is found in several disjunct populations on and east of the Great Dividing Range from the Torres Straight Islands in far north eastern Queensland south to Buladelah in south eastern New South Wales.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Neoachmandra cunninghamii prefers light shade to full sunlight. It grows in warmer subtropical, littoral rainforests, tropical rainforests or monsoonal rain forests. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 800 meters ASL.

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

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1200mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Neoachmandra cunninghamii usually prefers to grow on better quality, deep loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown, black basalts or better quality metamorphic rocks. The soils pH varies from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

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

Characteristics:

Neoachmandra cunninghamii grows as a small twinning climber with once divided tendrils from the leaf axils.

The alternate cordate to triangular leaves of Neoachmandra cunninghamii measure 40mm to 80mm in length by 30mm to 70mm in width. The petioles are sparsely to moderately covered in rows of stiff scale like hairs and measure 20mm to 60mm in length. The bases are cordate while the apexes are long tapering. The discolourous laminas are mid grass-green to deep olive-green, semi glossy and scabrous on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler. The lamina recurves slightly upwards from the midvein to the margins and decurves downwards near the apex. The lamina is thin while the margins are toothed or rarely shallowly three lobed.

The inflorescences of Neoachmandra cunninghamii are dioecious clusters born from the leaf axils. The male flowers have slender short peduncles.

The female flowers are born singularly to threes usually two in a cluster from the leaf axils. The slender pedicels measure 10mm to 40mm in length. The orbicular corolla measures 4mm to 5.5mm in length while the orbicular yellow calyxes measure 3mm to 4mm in length. The flowers appear from late November to early March.

Neoachmandra cunninghamii’s fruits are spherical berries. The mid olive-green berries are glabrous and turn pale yellow or greenish-yellow when ripe. The berries measure 6mm to 12mm in diameter. The 4 to 8 seeds measure 4mm to 6mm in length.

Wildlife:

Neoachmandra cunninghamii’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Neoachmandra cunninghamii is an interesting addition for cultivation yet it appears that it has not found its way into horticulture to date. Its requirements are simple, consistent soil moisture and heaps of mulch in a semi shaded area. In cultivation it grows 1 meter to 2 meters in diameter.

It is at its best when used as a small rainforest ground cover scrambling over understory shrubs, rocks, logs or raised mounds.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Neoachmandra cunninghamii can be removed easily from the ripe berries and washed, dried and stored in a cool place until required. Place the seeds in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator in a dry calico bag over winter and sow in the spring once the last frosts have subsided. The seeds are very reliable and germinate within 10 days.

Sow freshly treated seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Do not over water as the seeds will rot off before germination takes place. Place the trays in a cool shaded area with 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the tubes plant them out into their permanent position. Do not delay.

Fertilize using Seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water and apply the liquid on an alternate basis. Fertilize e monthly until the plants are well established to maintain better health, vitality and flowering.

Cuttings:

Fortunately Neoachmandra cunninghamii cuttings strike easy. Use 100mm to 200mm long tip cuttings or lateral shoots from the present season’s growth. Take them in warmer months of the year. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding two thirds sharp clean river sand, one third peat or one third perlite. These ingredients must be sterilized,

2 Select good material from non-diseased plants,

3 Select semi green stems for cuttings,

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 intact. 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 2 to 4 cuttings in each of the 50mm native tubes,

7 I like to place the tubes in bucket with holes drilled in the bottom to allow excess water to drain out. A plastic bag that fits over the bucket is ideal to help maintain temperature and moisture. Place in a semi shaded, warm position 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 to a week,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Neofabricia myrtifolia

Classification:

Unranked: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Sub Class: Rosidae

Order: Myrtales

Family: Myrtaceae

Subfamily: Myrtoideae

Tribe: Leptospermeae

Genus: From Neoa, which is Ancient Greek for new or recent and Fabrica, which is Latin for a society. It refers to plants, which are on the periphery of one genus but are separated from it.

Specie: From Múrtos, which is Ancient Greek for bitter or later Myrtus, which is Latin for the European Myrtle genus and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to leaves, which are similar to the European myrtles.

Sub species:

Common Name: Yellow Tea Tree or Black Tea Tree.

Distribution:

Neofabricia myrtifolia is a widespread species which is found south from Cape York Peninsular and the Torres Straight Island to Townsville and the off shore Islands.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Neofabricia myrtifolia prefers light dappled shade to full shade. It grows in open forests, open Eucalyptus heaths, scrub forests and occasionally adjacent to rainforests. The altitude ranges from 5 meter ASL to 100 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 8 degrees in August to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1600mm to an average of 3000mm.

Soil Requirements:

Neofabricia myrtifolia prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed basalts and better quality sandstones, shales, alluvial flats or accumulated coral sands. The soils pH. ranges from 5pH to 7.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 5m by 1.5m to 2.5m.

Characteristics:

Neofabricia myrtifolia grows as a medium shrub with mid grey to deep grey-brown trunk and vertical furrows. The bark is tight fibrous and flaky and is persistent on the trunk and lower branches thickening as the tree ages. The pale red-brown to purple-brown branchlets are glabrous to flaky. Newly emerging stems are purple-red in colour and are covered in silvery-white pannate hairs.

Neofabricia myrtifolia’s alternate to almost opposite, narrow elliptical-oblanceolate leaves, measure 35mm to 50mm in length by 7mm to 11mm in width. The bases are cuneate while the apexes are mucronate. The short petiole measures 1mm to 4mm in length. The concolourous laminas are olive-green to deep sea green. The new growth is red to purple-red initially and densely covered in soft silvery-white pannate hairs soon becoming glabrous and semi glossy. The margins are entire and slightly thickened. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina and is just visible on the upper lamina.

The inflorescences of Neofabricia myrtifolia are born solitarily from the leaf axis and measure 22mm to 27mm in diameter. The pale green glabrous hypanthium measures 1.5mm to 2mm in length. The pedicels measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length. The 5 orbicular calyxes are pale green to cream tipped brown and measure 3.5mm to 4mm in length by 4.5mm to 5mm in width and are glabrous. The 5 pale yellow to deep yellow glabrous petals are broad orbicular and measure 9mm to 11mm in length by 8mm to 10mm in width.

The 20 pale yellow to deep yellow stamens are form a ring around the rim of the disc and measure 5mm to 7mm in length. They are fused to the inner rim of the hypanthia and have pale yellow to deep yellow anthers which measure 1mm in length. The yellow-green style is centrally located on the bright, glossy yellow-green disc and measures 4mm to 5mm in length. The flowers appear from April to early July.

Neofabricia myrtifolia’s fruit is a broad conical capsule. The 5 to 10 locular capsules measure 9mm to 11mm in length by 7mm to 8mm in diameter at the rim. The pale green capsules turn grey-brown on ripening. The valves are strongly exserted and spread as wide as the inner rim on the hypanthium. The seeds are red-brown.

Wildlife:

The flowers of Neofabricia myrtifolia are fed upon by numerous small butterflies, native bees Tetragonula carbonaria and the Blue banded bee Amegilla cingulata, native beetles, wasps and flies and small honey-eaters like the scarlet honey-eater, Myzomela sanguinolenta.

Cultivation:

Neofabricia myrtifolia are beautiful small trees or medium shrubs that grow particularly well in most sunny situations whether it is moist but not water logged. It has great potential in cultivation because of the wide range in climate, soils and fantastic flowering. It is suitable for small, medium and large gardens close to the coast or high in the mountains in temperate, sub-tropical, tropical or semi-arid gardens. As garden subjects they will grow from 1.5 meters to 2.5 meters by 1.5 meters to 3 meters wide as a shrub or 5m tall by 3 meters as a small tree.

It is cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 2 degrees once established. It can be lightly tip pruned if a small bushier shrub is required. It responds well to pruning and can be shaped to give a twisted gnarled appearance if required very easily.

It makes excellent hedges, screens and wildlife corridors because of their upright bushy growth habit and their abundance of flowers.

It is best used as a small park like trees, placed in the background or planted centrally as a small feature tree in small gardens surrounded by other small native shrubs. Placed at the rear of a bush garden their striking display of flowers will draw your attention so that you will want to investigate further. Plants with small red flowers and large or fine green leaves can be used in the mid ground while small red or yellow flowering prostrate shrubs can be used in the front. Whether they are in flower or not these trees will catch your attention because of the proliferation of flowers, and pale beautiful new growth of the foliage at other times of the year.

Use a single tree or scatter 3 or 4 around near old stumps and roots to make the stumps or roots look larger and more gnarled. The deep grey furrowed trunk will blend both the horizontal gnarled logs and stumps with the vertical furrows adding greater emphasis on the smooth exteriors of the stumps. To achieve this all the lower branches and stems must be pruned and some training of the trunk in the early stages maybe necessary to increase the visual effect of time. Sparingly use other plants when planting and remember that deserted beach scenes are rolling flat barren places, not steep hills so it is best to use a gentle slope or a basin with a small pool in the bottom comer if water is to be added. Do not use a waterfall or cascades as they will be very difficult to blend in and would look out of place. That is unless you are prepared to spend years training the plant to grow horizontally over the cascade or waterfall in which case it would prove very dominant and impressive.

When using this plant as a feature only grow small plants that do not reach more than 1 meter in height and have a compact habit with either blue-grey or pale grass green leaves, but be careful that these plants do not steal the limelight in such a scenario. Use them sparingly. Annuals and perennials would really compliment a barren scene as would small ground covers and procumbent plants. Try Boronia specie, Grevillea specie, Hovea specie, Pultenaea specie, Hibertia linearis, Hibertia obtusifolia, Hibbertia scandens or any other small compact native. Select an area of ground and let your hair down and be imaginative but remember it is the trunk, the stumps or rocks that are the feature and the very small ground covers add the extra textures so pleasing to the eye.

They are also very good bonsai plants where they are very affective when highlighting the gnarled trunk.

Propagation:

Seeds: Neofabricia myrtifolia seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover the seeds with 15mm to 20mm of fine weed free mulch and keep moist. Place the tray in a warm sunny position keeping it moist not wet. 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 100mm to 150mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Cuttings: Fortunately Neofabricia myrtifolia is relatively easy strike from cuttings so get in and give it a go.

Use 100mm to 200mm long tip cuttings or lateral shoots from the present season’s growth that have just hardened off. Take them in warmer months of the year. Remove half the leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark.

1 Prepare the cutting mix by adding two thirds sharp clean river sand, one third peat or one third perlite. These ingredients must be sterilized,

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.

7 I like to place the tubes in bucket with holes drilled in the bottom to allow excess water to drain out. A plastic bagthat fits over the bucket is ideal to help maintain temperature and moisture. Place in a semi shaded, warm position 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 to a week,

10 Transplant into a good potting mix to grow on.

Further Comments from Readers:

Neolitsea australiensis

Classification:

Unranked: Magnoliids

Order: Laurales

Family: Lauraceae

Genus: From Neoa, which is Ancient Greek for new or recent, Li, which is Latinized from the Chinese word for small and xiao小 for small. However from my association with Chinese (My wife and working in China) I would consider that Li丽is Chinese for pretty or beautiful; unless the word has been taken from a, minority dialect, and Se色could be for colour or Se 涩not smooth or astringent to taste. It could refer to the beautiful patchwork bark with mosses and lichens found on wild trees or from the original named species Litsea chinensis or Litsea cubeda, which have beautiful pale yellow flowers, coupled with a magnificent scent of which I believe the latter is more accurate. If it is from small it may refer to the beautiful faint scent on the small flowers.

Specie: 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:

Common Name: Green Bolly Gum.

Distribution:

Neolitsea australiensis is a widespread species which is found in at several disjunct locations in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

It is found on Melville Bathurst Island and in the Litchfield National Park in the far north west of the Northern Territory.

In the east it is found in several disjunct populations south from Cooktown in far north eastern Queensland to Ourimbah Forest in north eastern 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=Neolitsea+australiensis#tab_mapView

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Neolitsea australiensis prefers light dappled shade to full shade. It grows along creeks alluvial plains in most types of rainforests. It is found where there is a break in the canopy. The altitude ranges from 10 meter ASL to 1150 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

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

Soil Requirements:

Neolitsea australiensis prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed basalts and better quality sandstones, shale or alluvial flats. The soils pH. ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates seasonal inundations for short periods. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 8m to 15m by 3m to 5m.

Characteristics:

Neolitsea australiensis’s trunk is grey and glabrous. Branches are mid olive-green to deep sea green and glabrous. New growth is a paler green, covered in fine lenticels and covered in pale brown scales towards the apex.

Neolitsea australiensis’s simple ovate to elliptical leaves measure 65mm to 130mm in length by 20mm to 60mm in width. The glabrous petioles measure 15mm to 25mm in length. The bases are broad cuneate while the apexes are acute to broadly acuminate. The discolourous laminas are deep sea green, dull to semi glossy and glabrous while the lower lamina is glaucous-green to deep sea green. Juvenile leaves are pale pink-purple to mushroom pink and densely covered in short white to fawn sericeous hairs. The margins are entire and flat. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and slightly prominent on the upper lamina. There are 2 main lateral veins which are also prominent on the lower lamina.

The inflorescence of Neolitsea australiensis is a simple umbel born from the upper leaf axils and old leaf scars. The peduncle is sparsely covered in short fawn hirsute hairs. The peduncle measures 2mm to 4mm in length. The pedicel is glabrous and measures 6mm to 10mm in length. There are 6 to 10 individual flowers to an umbel. The 4 or 5 lanceolate calyx lobes are covered in short fawn sericeous hairs and measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length. The single locule ovary and perianth are glabrous. The 5 white to cream stamens measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length while the white to cream style measures less than 2.5mm to 3mm in length. The sweetly scented flowers appear from December to February.

Neolitsea australiensis’s fruit is a small round drupe. The hard green drupes turn black on ripening. They measure 9mm to 10mm in diameter and ripen from May to June. The calyx lobes are persistent at the base of the drupes. The flesh surrounding the seeds is purple. The pale fawn ovoid seeds measure 6mm to 7mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Neolitsea australiensis relies upon Bower Birds, Cat Birds, Fig Birds and fruit eating pigeons to spread its seeds. The trees leaves are frequently damaged by unknown butterfly larvae.

The fruits are edible for those with discerning taste buds. In other words they taste ghastly but palatable when you are hungry.

Cultivation:

Neolitsea australiensis makes an excellent plant for very shady areas and as an addition to the under-story in a rainforests or when starting a small rain forest garden. This is an erect usually single stemmed small tree with attractive pale black fruits which will attract many birds to the garden in late autumn and winter. They are very suitable on sandy to heavy clay soils and are most suitable for small, medium and large gardens close to the coast in warm temperate, sub-tropical, tropical and would be worthwhile trying in semi-arid gardens. As garden subjects they will grow from 7 meters to 9 meters in height by 5 meters to 6 meters in diameter when grown in the open. They are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 3 degrees once established.

They are most suitable for use around semi shaded swimming pools, courtyards, besides pathways, shady rockeries, along sandy clay banks or along drive ways or adjacent to natural bush gardens. Remember that they will drop some leaf. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when they are in flower and pruned to promote bushier multi-trunk trees. If they are not pruned they will develop the single stem of their wild parents. When mass planted the black fruits will hang for a long time and will attract a continuous foray of native birds to the garden.

Planted within a rainforest the perfume from the flowers will drift below the canopy. The perfume from the flowers is subtle and sweet. If they are grown for their scent then trimming in the early stages will promote a more dense plant with branching closer to the ground.

They are suitable for growing most small epiphytic ferns and orchids

Propagation:

Neolitsea australiensis seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix once the weather warms up. Cover the seeds with 5mm to 10mm of fine weed free mulch and keep moist. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 30mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 100mm to 150mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Further Comments from Readers:

Neolitsea dealbata

Classification:

Unranked: Magnoliids

Order: Laurales

Family: Lauraceae

Genus: From Neoa, which is Ancient Greek for new or recent, Li, which is Latinized from the Chinese word for small and xiao小 for small. However from my association with Chinese (My wife and working in China) I would consider that Li丽is Chinese for pretty or beautiful; unless the word has been taken from a, minority dialect, and Se色could be for colour or Se 涩not smooth or astringent to taste. It could refer to the beautiful patchwork bark with mosses and lichens found on wild trees or from the original named species Litsea chinensis or Litsea cubeda, which have beautiful pale yellow flowers, coupled with a magnificent scent of which I believe the latter is more accurate. If it is from small it may refer to the beautiful faint scent on the small flowers.

Specie: From Dealbata, which is Latin for white wash. It refers to the underside of the leaves having the appearance of being whitish or white washed in lime.

Sub species:

Common Name: Hairy Bolly Gum or Hairy Leaf Bolly Gum.

Distribution:

Neolitsea dealbata is a widespread species which is found in several disjunct populations south from Cape York Peninsular in north eastern Queensland to the Illawarra district in New South Wales. It is only found on and the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Neolitsea dealbata prefers light dappled shade to full shade. It grows along creeks alluvial plains in most types of rainforests. It is found where there is a break in the canopy. The altitude ranges from 5 meter ASL to 1100 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 4 degrees in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 800mm to an average of 3200mm.

Soil Requirements:

Neolitsea dealbata prefers better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed basalts, better quality sandstones, shale or alluvial deposits. The soils pH. ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 8m to 12m by 3m to 5m.

Characteristics:

Neolitsea dealbata grows as a small tree with glabrous, grey trunk. Branchlets are mid olive-green to deep sea green and glabrous. New growth is a paler green, covered in fine lenticels and covered in pale brown sericeous hairs close to the apex.

Neolitsea dealbata’s simple elliptical to obovate leaves measure 70mm to 180mm in length by 25mm to 80mm in width. The glabrous petioles measure 10mm to 15mm in length. The bases are broad cuneate to rounded while the apexes are acuminate to broadly acuminate. The discolourous laminas are glabrous, glossy and deep sea green on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is glaucous with scattered fawn sericeous hairs. Juvenile leaves are pale salmon pink to mushroom pink and densely covered in short, soft, white to fawn sericeous hairs. The margins are entire. The mid vein and two main lateral veins are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and slightly prominent on the upper lamina. The veins are sparsely covered in fawn to pale rusty-brown tomentose hairs.

The inflorescence of Neolitsea dealbata is a simple umbel born from the upper leaf axils and old leaf scars. The peduncle and pedicel are sparsely covered in short fawn to rusty-brown hirsute hairs The peduncle measures 1mm to 2mm in length while the pedicels measure 2mm to 4mm in length. There are 6 to 10 individual flowers to an umbel. The 4 or 5 fawn lanceolate calyx lobes are covered in short fawn sericeous hairs and measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length. The 5 inserted obcordate petals are glabrous and cream to pale yellow in colour and measure less than 1mm in diameter. The single locule ovary and perianth are glabrous. The 5 cream to pale yellow stamens measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length while the white to cream styles measure less than 2.5mm to 3mm in length. The sweetly scented flowers appear from December to February.

Neolitsea dealbata’s fruit is a small round drupe. The hard green drupes turn black on ripening. They measure 9mm to 10mm in diameter and ripen from April to June. The calyx lobes and perianth are persistent at the base of the drupes. The flesh surrounding the seeds is deep purple-black. The pale fawn ovoid seeds measure 6mm to 7mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Neolitsea dealbata relies upon Bower Birds, Cat Birds, Fig Birds, Fruit eating pigeons and medium size honey-eaters like the Lewin’s Honey-eater for seed dispersal. The trees leaves are frequently damaged by unknown butterfly larvae.

The fruits are edible for those with discerning taste buds. In other words they taste ghastly but palatable when you are hungry.

Cultivation:

Neolitsea dealbata makes an excellent plant for very shady areas and as an addition to the under-story in a rainforests or when starting a small rain forest garden. They always look green and fresh especially where adequate ground moisture is retained whether they are grown in light shade or dense shade. They are very suitable on sandy to heavy clay soils and are most suitable for small, medium and large gardens close to the coast in warm temperate, sub-tropical, tropical gardens. They would be worthwhile trying in semi-arid gardens. As garden subjects they will grow from 6 meters to 9 meters in height by 5 meters to 6 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

They are cold tolerant to temperatures at least as low as minus 4 degrees once established.

They are most suitable for use as a back drop to provide shaded around swimming pools, shady courtyards, besides pathways, shady rockeries, along sandy clay banks or along drive ways or adjacent to natural bush gardens. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in small areas; really do the plants justification especially when they are in flower and pruned to promote bushier multi-trunk trees. If they are not pruned they will develop the single stem of their wild parents. When mass planted the black fruits will hang for a long time and will attract a continuous foray of native birds to the garden.

They are ideal plants for growing epiphytic ferns and orchids on while the trunks will develop a multitude of lichens when grown in the shade.

Propagation: Neolitsea dealbata seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix once the weather warms up. Cover the seeds with 5mm to 10mm of fine weed free mulch and keep moist. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 30mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 100mm to 150mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Further Comments from Readers:

Neololeba atra

Classification:

Phylum: Monocots

Class: commelinids

Order: Poales

Family: Poaceae

Genus: From Neo/a, which is Ancient Greek for new or recent, Loleba, which is Latinized probably for a local vernacular for the plant and a small village where the original specimens were located.

Specie: From ātra, which is Latin for a fire. It refers to the dead canes, which were extensively used and are good for starting fires even in the humid weather of New Guinee.

Sub species:

Common Name: Clump Bamboo, Black Bamboo or Bamboo.

Distribution:

Neololeba atra is found south from the top of Cape York Peninsular to Keating Creek in far north eastern Queensland.

It is also found in the Bismarck Archipelago, Maluku, Papua, New Guinea, Philippines, the Sulawesi Islands and East Timor.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Neololeba atra prefers light dappled shade to full sun. It grows above littoral rainforests in coastal rainforests, gallery rainforests, vine thickets, and moist Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meter ASL to 200 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 8 degrees in August to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 2000mm to an average of 3200mm.

Soil Requirements:

Neololeba atra prefers better quality loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed black basalts, granite or alluvial deposits. The soils pH. ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils but . Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 6m to 7m by 2m to 4m in diameter.

Characteristics:

Neololeba atra grows as a small clump, bamboo with smooth, green culms. The culms measure 6 metres to 7 meters in height by 20mm to 42mm in diameter.

Neololeba atra’s oblong leaves measure 280mm to 350mm by 60mm to 75mm in width. The bases are rounded to somewhat asymmetrical, while the apexes are long acuminate. The concolourous leaves are semi glossy and deep green. The laminas are flat, while the margins have minute teeth. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina and clearly visible on the upper lamina, while 6 to 8 the parallel lateral veins either side of the main vein are clearly visible.

The inflorescence of Neololeba atra are many branched and measure 500mm to 1100mm in length. The spikelets are produced in tufts at the nodes and decrease in size as they approach the apex. The flat spikelets measure 8mm to 12mm in length. The anthers measure 4mm to 5mm length, while the ovary gradually tapers into a flat style with 3 stigmas.

Wildlife:

Neololeba atra’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Neololeba atra makes an excellent starter plant in a suburban rainforest garden. It always looks green and fresh especially where adequate ground moisture is retained whether they are grown in light shade or full sun. It is very suitable on sandy to heavy clay soils and are most suitable for small, medium and large gardens close to the coast in warm temperate, sub-tropical, tropical gardens where frosts are not a problem. It would also be worthwhile trying it in semi-arid gardens away from the coast near septic trenches or where house hold water is channelled. As garden subjects it grows from 12 meters to 16 meters in height by 6 meters to 9 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It is most suitable for use as a back drop to provide shaded around swimming pools, shady courtyards, besides pathways, shady rockeries, along sandy clay banks or along drive ways or adjacent to natural bush gardens. Mass plantings of 5 or more plants even in medium areas; really do the plants justification because of the unusual foliage.

Planted within a rainforest the perfume from the flowers will drift below the canopy. The perfume from the flowers is subtle and sweet.

It is an ideal plant for growing epiphytic ferns and orchids on while the trunks will develop a multitude of lichens when grown in the shade as it matures.

Propagation:

Division is the only reliable method of reproduction. Prepare the garden bed and add a handful of blood and bone and chicken pellets to the hole and mix thoroughly.

1. Do not water before you start unless the ground is very hard and won’t break away.

2. Cut back canes to around 200mm to 400mm in length,

3. Use a garden fork or shovel to dig around the clump you want to divide (about 100mm to 150mm greater circumference than the canes),

4. Lift the whole of the root ball out of the ground,

5. Remove as much soil as practical by shaking. If the soil is hard allow to sit in a container of water for 15 minutes to half an hour. repeat the shaking in the water and hose off excess soil,

6. Once the canes and rhizomes can be seen clearly it is easier to pry and split the clump apart.

7. Leave a small number of canes in each new clump,

8. Replant in the prepared bed,

9. Level off at the same level as the canes were at the start.

10. Water thoroughly, then regularly and feed monthly until the plants have re-established themselves.

Further Comments from Readers:

Neoritis kevedianus

Classification:

Phylum: Charophyta

Class: Equisetopsida

Order: Proteales

Family: Proteaceae

Genus: From Neoa, which is Ancient Greek for new or recent, Oros, which is Ancient Greek for a mountain and Ites, which is Ancient Greek for to be Native to. It refers to plants, which prefer higher altitudes in the mountains.

Specie: From Keved, which is unknown and –ānus, which is an ancient Greek suffix indicating procession or originating from.

Sub species:

Common Name: Fishtail Silky Oak or Fishtail Oak.

Distribution:

Neorites kevedianus is found south from Lorna Doone to the coastal ranges west of Smithfield in far north eastern Queensland. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Neorites kevedianus prefers light dappled shade to full sun. It grows in well developed rainforests. The altitude ranges from 5 meter ASL to 1000 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 4 degrees in August to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 2200mm to an average of 3200mm.

Soil Requirements:

Neorites kevedianus prefers better quality loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed black basalts or alluvial deposits. The soils pH. ranges from 5pH to 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 12m to 30m by 8m to 15m.

Characteristics:

Neorites kevedianus grows as a medium tree with a deep grey trunk with pale creamy fine horizontal lenticels or covered in strongly compressed horizontal lenticels. The branchlets are mid grass-green to deep grass-green and densely covered in pale rusty-brown pubescent hairs.

Neorites kevedianus’s leaves are extremely variable being pinnate on juvenile trees and coppice growth and simple on mature trees. The new growth is bright glossy pink with 10 to 14 opposite leaflets on the rachis at the base becoming subopposita then alternate near the apex. The asymmetrical leaflets are rhomboidal, crescent, semielliptical and falcate. The concolourous or slightly discolourous laminas are bright glossy grass-green and glabrous on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler. The laminas are undulating and decurve downwards from the base to the apex. The margins are toothed.

The adult leaves are oblong to oblong-elliptical and measure 60mm to 250mm by 20mm to 100mm in width. The glabrous, glossy green petioles measure 25mm to 40mm in length. The bases are tapering attenuate while the apexes are narrow acute to narrow acuminate. The discolourous laminas are deep lime-green to grass-green glabrous and glossy on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler and dull. The laminas are flat, or recurve strongly upwards from the mid vein to the margins, undulate and decurve downwards close to the apex or decurve downwards from the base to the apex. The margins are finely toothed especially on the apical half. The mid vein and lateral veins are slightly prominent on the lower lamina and slightly prominent on the upper lamina.

The inflorescence of Neorites kevedianus is a simple panicle born from the upper leaf axils and old leaf scars. The peduncle and rachis are sparsely covered in short fawn to pale rusty-brown pubescent hairs. The peduncle measures 5mm to 20mm in length while the rachis measure 30mm to 70mm in length. The individual flowers are paired without pedicels. The 5 oblong petals are glabrous, white and measure less than 4.5mm to 6.5mm in length by 1mm to 1.6mm in width.

The 5 cream to pale yellow stamens measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length while the white to cream style measure less than 4mm to 6mm in length. The 2 to 4 hypogynous glands are usually clavate. The sessile ovary is densely ferruginous pubescent hairs and contains 6 to 8 ovules. The sweetly scented flowers appear from December to February.

Neorites kevedianus’s fruits are compressed obloidal follicles. The hard green follicles turn brown when ripe. They measure 50mm to 75mm in length by 20mm to 30mm in diameter. The calyx lobes are persistent at the base of the follicles while the style is persistent at the apex. The compressed ovate seeds have a wing attached to one end. The seeds measure 25mm to 45mm in length by 10mm in width while the wing measures 15mm to 30mm in length.

Wildlife:

Neorites kevedianus’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Neorites kevedianus makes an excellent starter plant in a suburban rainforest garden. It always looks green and fresh especially where adequate ground moisture is retained whether they are grown in light shade or full sun. It is very suitable on sandy to heavy clay soils and are most suitable for small, medium and large gardens close to the coast in warm temperate, sub-tropical, tropical gardens where frosts are not a problem. It would also be worthwhile trying it in semi-arid gardens away from the coast near septic trenches or where house hold water is channelled. As garden subjects it grows from 12 meters to 16 meters in height by 6 meters to 9 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

Planted within a rainforest the perfume from the flowers will drift below the canopy. The perfume from the flowers is subtle and sweet.

It is an ideal plant for growing epiphytic ferns and orchids on while the trunks will develop a multitude of lichens when grown in the shade as it matures.

Propagation:

Neorites kevedianus seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix once the weather warms up. Cover the seeds with 5mm to 10mm of fine weed free mulch and keep moist. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 30mm to 50mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 100mm to 150mm in height they can be planted out into their permanent position.

Further Comments from Readers:

Nepenthes mirabilis

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Core Eudicots

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Nepenthaceae

Genus: From Ne which is Ancient Greek for not or not having and Penthos, which is Ancient Greek for to have sorrow. It refers to the plants, which are carnivorous and not having any remorse or sorry for killing its victims slowly in an enzyme, solvent bath.

Specie: From Mirabilis, which is Latin for wonderful. It usually refers to flowers, which are truly beautiful or to plants, which have a wonderful appearance overall.

Sub species:

Common Name: Pitcher Plant or Swamp Pitcher Plant.

Distribution:

Nepenthes mirabilis is found south from the Torres Straight Islands to near Coen on Cape York Peninsular with a population further south at Bramston Beach near Cairns in far north Queensland.

I would suspect the occurrence of this plant to also be further widespread possibly in the northern parts of Northern Territory and Islands in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

It is found east from Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Islands, southern China including Hong Kong, and Macau, D’Entrecasteaux Islands, Java, Laos, Louisiade Archipelago, Maluku Islands, Myanmar, New Guinea, Malaysia, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Thailand and Vietnam. It has also been recorded from many smaller islands, including Babi, Bangka, Banyak Islands, Batu Islands, Bengkalis, Enggano, Ko Lanta, Ko Tarutao, Langkawi, Mendol, Mentawai Islands, Meranti Islands, Nias, Penang, Phuket, Riau Islands, Rupat and Tawi-Tawi.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Nepenthes mirabilis prefers full sun. It grows along creeks alluvial plains in most types of swamps and wallums. It is found amongst grasses and scrambling type shrubs. It is an unusual carnivorous plant with great variation in its pitcher size and colour. The altitude ranges from 10 meter ASL to 300 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 12 degrees in August to 44 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1200mm to an average of 3600mm.

Soil Requirements:

Nepenthes mirabilis prefers poor quality sands to sandy loams. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, shale or alluvial flats. The soils pH. ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1.5m to 2.2m by 1m to 1.5m.

Characteristics:

Nepenthes mirabilis grows as a perennial pitch plant with mid green to deep green and are often tinged or streaked in purple stems. The plants are easily distinguished by the slender stem to 20mm in diameter and the unusual pitchers.

Nepenthes mirabilis’s complex leaves have three distinct sections, the petiole and clasp, the leaf blade and tendril and the pitcher which is a modified leaf blade.

The petioles measure 35mm to 80mm in length before they completely encircle the stem. They are distinctly channelled on the upper surface and sometimes have extended wings.

They are basal initially forming a rosette before becoming alternate as the main stem begins to climb. The lanceolate to oblanceolate leaf blade measures 110mm to 250mm in length by 40mm to 80mm in width. The bases are cuneate, with the collar section measuring 60mm to 80mm in length, while the apexes are acute to round. The concolourous laminas are pale grass green, dull and are covered in red or rusty-red farinaceous bumps. The margins are entire, flat or slightly undulating. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is visible on the upper lamina.

The tendril is the extension of the mid vein and ends in a pitcher often encircling a branch or twig before developing into the pitcher. The tendrils measure 120mm to 240mm in length.

The pitcher is an oblong cylinder that measures 80mm to 160mm in length by 20mm to 55mm in width. There are two distinct ribs running vertically from near the base to the thickened lip of the pitcher. These ribs form a simple wing which is sometimes fringed. The pitchers are pale grass green, tinged or marked in red, purple or burgundy. They are dull covered in red or rusty-red farinaceous bumps. The mid vein extends up the back of the pitcher and forms a lid over the opening of the pitcher.

The three species Nepenthes mirabilis, Nepenthes rowanae and Nepenthes tenax are very closely related.

The dioeciously inflorescence of Nepenthes mirabilis is a raceme born from the terminal. The plants peduncles measures 250mm to 650mm in length while the pedicel measures 5mm to 15mm in length. There are 70 to 110 individual flowers to a raceme. The 4 hemi orbicular to oblong or obovate tepals are glabrous coriaceous and measure 4mm to 7mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The pale green tepals are sparsely to densely covered in red, purple to burgundy markings. The tepals are strongly reflexed while the margins are flat or curve slightly upwards towards the mid vein.

Male flowers have 4 to 25 stamens fused to form a connate column. The connate column is pale grass green with various markings from scarlet red through to purple and burgundy. The stamens measure 4mm to 7mm in length with the anthers having pale yellow to yellow or fawn.

Female specimens I have seen indicate that the female flowers have a 3 locular ovary. The flowers appear from April to May.

Nepenthes mirabilis’s fruit is an elongated triangular ellipsoidal capsule. The capsules are pale grass green turning black when ripe. The capsules split length wise from the base to the apex and measure 20mm to 30mm in length by 5mm to 6mm in cross section. The off white seeds are 8mm to 9mm in diameter by 0.5mm thick including the wings. The seeds measure 1.1mm to 1.3mm in diameter.

Confusing species:

The differences between Nepenthes mirabilis and Nepenthes rowanae are as listed below. Hopefully one day I can find Nepenthes tenax and complete the chart

Nepenthes mirabilis Nepenthes rowanae

Leaf Blade Apex: Acute to round. Narrowly acute-acute.

Petiole connection: At base of pitcher. Somewhat peltate.

Connection to stem: 1/3 of internode’s length. 1/2 of internode’s length.

Pitcher wings: Simple, fringed. Flattened often fringed.

Leaf Blade: Usually chartaceous. Strongly coriaceous.

Wildlife:

Nepenthes mirabilis relies on ants and beetles for supplementing its nitrogen supply in the poor soils in which it grows.

Cultivation:

Nepenthes mirabilis is an unusual addition to the keen gardener who is looking for something different yet still easy to grow. They are ideal in settings near ponds in court yards or the rockery. They need strong sun light to very light shade to grow at their best. Cultivated forms are available that are easier to grow, have a wider choice in colours from pure green forms to rich reds and burgundies and pitchers that vary from squat forms to long narrow forms. The pitchers vary in measurements from 50mm to 330mm in length by 15mm to 85mm in width.

To make a bog garden, extend the pond or to make an artificial marshland on sand all you need is a sheet of black plastic and some rocks. Dig the soil out and lay two or three layers of black plastic on the shallow depression. Fill the plastic to the original level with sharp course sand and peat mixed at a ratio of 4 to 1.Make sure the sand is free of salt. If it isn’t wash the sand several times to make sure the salt is completely removed. Fill the depression with water until it is within 50mm of the surface. Place the rocks around the perimeter so that it looks natural. Make a depression with your arm in the corner on the low side so excess water can drain away when it rains. Water should be drained regularly to maintain freshness.

With Nepenthes mirabilis ensure their roots are growing down into the permanent water line and water moisture is maintained through capillary action. It is a good idea to allow them to dry out in the dry season, however keep the soil slightly moist at all times.

I like to use some of the small Juncus or dwarf forms of Lomandra as a base and back drops when growing small carnivorous plants as most are small and they look more natural when planted around or amongst grass like foliages. With Nepenthes you can use the Juncus species or a gnarled log as the structure for the nepenthes to grow over.

Remove the plants and carefully plant them into their wallum. Do not fertilize.

The best thing about the carnivorous plants is you can grow a large number in a small area. They often reach their full potential in just 1 year and flower in their first year. The water level must be kept topped up for most carnivorous plants but to maintain optimum conditions for Nepenthes mirabilis it is best to plant those on a raised section well above the water table and let capillary action feed the plants.

Propagation:

Seeds: Nepenthes mirabilis seeds require some treatment before sowing. Treat the seeds by placing them in a cool dry position for 3 to 6 months. Sow stratified seeds directly into a deep tray or 150mm squat pot. The mix to be added should be 40{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} course sharp sand, 40{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} black peat that is salt free and 20{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} perlite. Wet the mix well allowing it to soak for an hour or two then drain the excess moisture off. Cover the surface with pre-soaked sphagnum moss. Press the seeds into the sphagnum moss about 20mm apart. Place the tray in a warm place sunny place. If the tray starts to dry out, water it from below by standing the tray or pot in a saucer of water. Do not leave the tray in the water for longer than to wet the mix throughout.

When the seedlings are 10 to 15 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into their permanent position in the bog garden or terrarium. Alternatively they can be transplanted into 75mm pots.

Mass plantings can be achieved by planting them at 600mm to 1000mm centers.

Fertilize using Seaweed or fish emulsion at half strength two weeks before planting out. This is all the plants will need for a life time of happiness. Mass plantings can be achieved with spacing of 600mm to 1000mm centers.

Further Comments from Readers:

Nepenthes rowanae

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Core Eudicots

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Nepenthaceae

Specie: Is named in honour of Marian Ellis Rowan 1848-1922 who was one of Australia’s most adventurous and talented natural history artists, specialising in flowers and birds, and occasionally insects. Her desire and love of the Australian bush led to obsessiveness is defined in the following statement – “My love for the flora of Australia, at once so unique and so fascinating, together with my desire to complete my collection of floral paintings, has carried me into other colonies, Queensland and some of the remotest parts of the great Continent of Australia. The excitement of seeking and the delight of finding rare or even unknown specimens abundantly compensated me for all difficulties, fatigue and hardships.” The bulk of her Australian and New Guinea collection is owned by the Australian Government and is housed in the National Library in Canberra. This fulfilled one of her dreams – to have the work available for the Australian people. More than any other artist she often painted the backgrounds in a surrealist style giving a greater feeling for the plants and the environment she painted.

Sub species:

Common Name: Pitcher Plant or Swamp Pitcher Plant.

Distribution:

Nepenthes rowanae is found on the western side of Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland. It is probably found over the same area as Nepenthes mirabilis to the tip of the Peninsular as the species are difficult to tell apart and have similar habitats.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Nepenthes rowanae prefers full sun. It grows along creeks alluvial plains in most types of swamps or wallums. It is found amongst grasses and scrambling heath shrubs. It is an unusual carnivorous plant with great variation in its pitcher size and colour. The altitude ranges from 5 meter ASL to 200 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 12 degrees in August to 44 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1200mm to an average of 3600mm.

Soil Requirements:

Nepenthes rowanae prefers quality sands to sandy loams. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, shale or alluvial flats. The soils pH. ranges from 4.5pH to 6.5pH. It tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 4m by 1m to 1.5m.

Characteristics:

Nepenthes rowanae grows as a perennial pitcher plant with mid green to deep green stems which are often marked with purple tinges or markings. The plants are easily distinguished by the slender stem to 20mm in diameter and the unusual pitchers.

Nepenthes rowanae’s complex leaves have three distinct sections, the petiole and clasp, the leaf blade and tendril and the pitcher which is a modified leaf blade.

The petioles measure 35mm to 80mm in length before they clasp around the stems for half its circumference. They are distinctly channelled on the upper surface and sometimes have extended wings.

They are basal initially forming a rosette before becoming alternate as the main stem begins to climb. The lanceolate to oblanceolate leaf blade measure 110mm to 250mm by 40mm to 80mm in width. The bases are cuneate, with the collar section measuring 60mm to 80mm in length, while the apexes are narrowly acute to acute. The concolourous laminas are pale grass-green, dull and are covered in red or rusty-red farinaceous bumps. The margins are entire, flat or slightly undulating. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and is visible on the upper lamina.

The tendril is the extension of the mid vein and ends in a pitcher often encircling a branch or twig before developing into the pitcher. The tendrils measure 120mm to 240mm in length.

The pitcher is an oblong cylinder that measures 80mm to 160mm in length by 20mm to 55mm in width. There are two distinct ribs running vertically from near the base to the thickened lip of the pitcher. These ribs form a simple wing which is fringed on the upper half and forms a “Shape on the lower section. The pitchers are pale grass green, tinged or marked in red, purple or burgundy. They are dull covered in red or rusty-red farinaceous bumps. The pitcher’s peristome is ovate in cross section. The mid vein extends up the back of the pitcher and forms an ovate lid over the opening of the pitcher.

The dioeciously inflorescence of Nepenthes rowanae is a raceme born from the terminal. The plants peduncles that measure 160mm to 240mm in length while the rachises measure 350mm to 450mm in length. The pedicels measure 12mm to 15mm in length. There are 70 to 110 individual flowers to a raceme. The 4 hemi orbicular to oblong or obovate tepals are glabrous coriaceous and measure 4mm to 7mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The pale green tepals are sparsely to densely covered in red, purple to burgundy markings. The tepals are strongly reflexed while the margins are flat or curve slightly forward towards the mid vein.

Female specimens I have seen indicate that the female flowers have a 3 locular ovary. The flowers appear from April to May.

Nepenthes rowanae’s fruit is an elongated triangular ellipsoidal capsule. The capsules are pale grass green turning black when ripe. The capsules split length wise from the base to the apex and measure 22mm to 28mm in length by 5mm to 6mm in cross section. The off white seeds are 8mm to 9mm in diameter by 0.5mm thick including the wings. The seeds measure 1.1mm to 1.3mm in diameter by 0.3mm thick.

Confusing Species:

The three species Nepenthes mirabilis, Nepenthes rowanae and Nepenthes tenax are very closely related.

The differences between Nepenthes mirabilis and Nepenthes rowanae are as listed below. Hopefully one day I can find Nepenthes tenax and complete the chart

Nepenthes mirabilis Nepenthes rowanae

Leaf Blade Apex: Acute to round. Narrowly acute-acute.

Petiole connection: At base of pitcher. Somewhat peltate.

Connection to stem: 1/3 of internode’s length. 1/2 of internode’s length.

Pitcher wings: Simple, fringed. Flattened often fringed.

Leaf Blade: Usually chartaceous. Strongly coriaceous.

Wildlife:

Nepenthes rowanae relies on ants and beetles for supplementing its nitrogen supply in the poor soils in which it grows.

Cultivation:

Nepenthes rowanae is an unusual addition to the keen gardener who is looking for something different yet still easy to grow. They are ideal in settings near ponds in court yards or the rockery. They need strong sun light to very light shade to grow at their best. Cultivated forms are available that are easier to grow, have a wider choice in colours from pure green forms to rich reds and burgundies and pitchers that vary from squat forms to long narrow forms The pitchers vary in measurements from 50mm to 330mm in length by 15mm to 85mm in width.

To make a bog garden, extend the pond or to make an artificial marshland on sand all you need is a sheet of black plastic and some rocks. Dig the soil out and lay two or three layers of black plastic on the shallow depression. Fill the plastic to the original level with sharp course sand and peat mixed at a ratio of 4 to 1.Make sure the sand is free of salt. If it isn’t wash the sand several times to make sure the salt is completely removed. Fill the depression with water until it is within 50mm of the surface. Place the rocks around the perimeter so that it looks natural. Make a depression with your arm in the corner on the low side so excess water can drain away when it rains. The water should be drained at regular intervals to maintain freshness.

Remove the plants and carefully plant them into their wallum. Do not fertilize.

The best thing about the carnivorous plants is you can grow a large number in a small area. They often reach their full potential in just 1 year and flower in their first year. The water level must be kept topped up for most carnivorous plants but to maintain optimum conditions for Nepenthes rowanae it is best to plant these on a raised section well above the water table and let capillary action feed the plants.

They are ideal plants for terrariums because watering can easily be maintained. Planting a terrarium needs a sandy mix as already outlined using 4 parts sand to 1 part peat. Mix it up carefully place it in the container. Water well and drain off any excess water. Carefully remove the plants from their pots and plant them ensuring no mix is covering the leaves. Seed should be purchased from reputable dealers or collectors.

Propagation:

Seeds: Nepenthes rowanae seeds require some treatment before sowing. Treat the seeds by placing them in a cool dry position for 3 to 6 months. Sow stratified seeds directly into a deep tray or 150mm squat pot. The mix to be added should be 40{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} course sharp sand, 40{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} black peat that is salt free and 20{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} perlite. Wet the mix well allowing it to soak for an hour or two then drain the excess moisture off. Cover the surface with pre-soaked sphagnum moss. Press the seeds into the sphagnum moss about 20mm apart. Place the tray in a warm place sunny place. If the tray starts to dry out, water it from below by standing the tray or pot in a saucer of water. Do not leave the tray in the water for longer than to wet the mix throughout.

When the seedlings are 10 to 15 mm tall, prick them out and plant them into their permanent position in the bog garden or terrarium. Alternatively they can be transplanted into 75mm pots.

Further Comments from Readers:

Nephrolepis arida

Classification

Division: Pteridophyta

Class: Polypodiopsida / Pteridosida (In dispute)

Order: Polypodales

Family: Lomariopsidaceae

Genus: From Nephros, which is Ancient Greek for a kidney and Lepis, which is Ancient Greek for a scale. It refers to the indusium scales covering the spores, which are the shape or form of a kidney.

Specie: From ārida, which is Latin for dry. It refers to plants, which prefer habitats that are drier or more arid than other species in the genus.

Sub species:

Common Name: Fishbone Fern.

Distribution:

Nephrolepis arida is a restricted to a few populations in the Gregory River National Park and Kings Canyon in the Northern Territory. In Western Australia it is found from the Kymberley, Gibb River Gorges and along the gorges on the Ord River.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Nephrolepis arida prefers light dappled shade to full shade. It grows along creeks and seepages on sandstone cliffs. This is an erect to cascading large fishbone. The altitude ranges from 10 meter ASL to 180 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 7 degrees in August to 44 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 250mm to an average of 3000mm.

Soil Requirements:

Nephrolepis arida prefers to grow on poor better sands to light fatty clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones. The soils pH. ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils but prefers soils that are moist throughout the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

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

1. Notice the gap and position between each of the pinnae.

2. Notice the shape and position of the base auricle overlapping the mid vein and opposite pinnae,

3. The midvein curves downwards towards the upper margin of the opposite pinnae.

Characteristics:

Nephrolepis arida’s rhizomes are slender and wiry. They are densely covered in rusty-brown lanceolate scales. The stipes are covered in red-brown lanceolate scales at the base. Often these scales 50 or more are covered in red-brown ciliate hairs.

The rusty brown rachis is densely covered in short rusty-brown hirsute hairs. The erect single pinnate fronds grow out in clusters at the ends of the rhizome and measure 800mm to 1200mm in length by 20mm to 150mm in width becoming narrower as they approach the apex.

The sterile linear pinnae measure 10mm to 75mm in length by 6mm to 15mm in width near the base. The base has a hemi ovate auricle on both margins though the upper auricle is more pronounced and is contorted over the rachis and opposite upper pinnae. The apexes are narrow acute or narrow rounded. The margins are crenate but less so near the apex. The mid vein is prominent on the lower surface and sparsely covered in rusty-brown hirsute hairs.

The fertile pinnae are similar to the sterile pinnae. The sori are sub marginal and regularly spaced along both margins while the indusium are reniform. The spores are rusty-brown.

Wildlife:

Nephrolepis arida wildlife relationships are unknown to the author however fronds are at times eaten by an unknown looper caterpillar. Damage is generally minimal and the plants recover quickly.

Cultivation:

Nephrolepis arida is a larger fern for courtyards or in the garden where moist or humid bright airy conditions prevail. They respond to regular applications of our recommended fertilizers applied every couple of months on a rotating basis.

They are an excellent fern for sunny pool sides both in the ground and in hanging baskets, as they can handle some full sun, salt spray and neglect, recovering very quickly. If neglected for a short period of time cut them back severely to just above the crowns. Give them a good soaking with a dose of our recommended fertilizing program a week apart. This will see the plants recover in a week or two.

They often reach their full potential in hanging baskets from top to bottom of 2200mm in just 2 years from small plants in 125mm squat pots. It is best to use fibre baskets as the air roots develop better when they can breathe and dry out between watering.

They can be used in more open positions in the garden where full sun is received during part of the day or placed in the fork of a large tree. When placing plants in a fork of a tree ensure that there is plenty of packed peat around the roots to give them a good start. Make sure the peat does not dry out as it will be very difficult to rewet. Regular watering with a mixed organic fertilizer will ensure good growth and long fronds cascading down nearly 2 meters under cultivation. Drip irrigation is highly recommended and beneficial to the plants grown as epiphytes. Select trees that are known for harbouring epiphytes so root toxins do not accumulate causing sickness or death in the long term.

This is one fern that excels behind moist retaining walls where it can cascade over the wall.

Propagation:

Spores: This plant is 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.

Division or from runners? Planting runners is another method in which some plants can be propagated asexually. A plant runner is a rapidly growing stem that grows above the ground, on or just below the soil surfac. The stock plant usually produces a set number of runners which eventually, produces new individuals from the tips of their nodes. As the new plant is slowly developing, the stems of the plant continue to take advantage of the rich soil and grow, while the rhizomes begin to get stronger and support the newly created offspring. These can be severed and placed in a pot, after the fronds have been cut off at around 50mm above the runner’s new crown. Keep moist and maintain a warm humid position for a few weeks until the new roots and new fronds have fully developed then plant out or pot up. A tip for increasing warmth and humidity is to place the pots with their runners in a plastic bucket. Place the bucket in a warm position where it gets a little morning and or afternoon sun. Now place an old clear or opaque plastic shopping size bag around the top of the bucket. This will act like a min bush house.

Further Comments from Readers:

Nephrolepis biserrata

Classification:

Division: Pteridophyta

Class: Polypodiopsida / Pteridosida (In dispute)

Order: Polypodales

Family: Lomariopsidaceae

Specie: From Bi/Bis, which is Greek/Latin for two and Serrāta which is Latin for to have serrations. It refers to structures or organs, which have many fine or small serrations of which each has smaller serrations.

Sub species:

Common Name: Fishbone Fern or Australian Fishbone Fern.

Distribution:

Nephrolepis biserrata is restricted to a small area from the Kimberley Coast and Ranges, the Gibb River Gorges and along the gorges on the Ord River in Western Australia and the Gregory River National Park in the Northern Territory.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Nephrolepis biserrata prefers light dappled shade to full shade. It grows along creeks and seepages on sandstone cliffs and gallery forests. This is a very large erect to cascading large fishbone that has many distinct varieties and sub species. The altitude ranges from 10 meter ASL to 300 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 7 degrees in August to 42 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 250mm to an average of 4000mm.

Soil Requirements:

Nephrolepis biserrata prefers poor better sands to light fatty clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones. The soils pH. ranges from 4.5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils but prefers soils that are moist throughout the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 1m to 1.7m by 2m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Nephrolepis biserrata’s rhizomes are slender and wiry. They are densely covered in rusty-brown lanceolate scales. The stipes are covered in red-brown lanceolate scales at the base. Often these scales 50 or more are covered in red-brown ciliate hairs.

The rusty brown rachis is densely covered in short rusty-brown hirsute hairs. The erect single pinnate fronds grow out in clusters at the ends of the rhizome and measure 1000mm to 1800mm by 20mm to 150mm wide becoming narrower as they approach the apex.

The sterile linear pinnae measure 12mm to 90mm in length by 5mm to 18mm in width near the base. The base is rounded or may have a hemi ovate auricle on both margins. This is not as pronounced as on Nephrolepis arida and is not contorted over the rachis and opposite upper pinnae while the apex is narrow acute. The margins are entire. The mid vein is prominent on the lower surface and sparsely covered in rusty-brown hirsute hairs.

The fertile pinnae are similar to the sterile pinnae. The sori are sub marginal and irregularly spaced along both margins while the indusium are reniform. The spore is rusty-brown.

Confusing Species:

Photograph from https://www.gardenia.net/plant/nephrolepis-biserrata

1. Notice the gap and position between each of the pinnae.

2. Notice there is no base auricle overlapping the mid vein and opposite pinnae,

3. The midvein curves downwards towards the upper margin of the opposite pinnae.

4. Apex is generally acute.

5. Margins usually entire and undulating.

Wildlife:

Nephrolepis biserrata wildlife relationships are unknown to the author however fronds are at times eaten by an unknown looper caterpillar. Damage is generally minimal and recovery is quick.

Cultivation:

Nephrolepis biserrata is a larger fern for courtyards or in the garden where moist bright airy conditions prevail. They respond to regular applications of our recommended fertilizers applied every couple of months on a rotating basis.

They are an excellent fern for pool sides both in the ground and in hanging baskets, as they can handle some full sun, salt spray and neglect, recovering very quickly. If neglected for a short period of time cut them back severely to just above the crowns. Give them a good soaking with a dose of our recommended fertilizing program a week apart. This will see the plants recover in a week or two.

They often reach their full potential from top to bottom of 3000mm by 3500 wide in just 2 years from small plants in 125mm squat pots.

They can be used in more open positions in the garden where full sun is received during part of the day or placed in the fork of a large tree. When placing plants in a fork of a tree ensure that there is plenty of packed peat around the roots to give them a good start. Make sure the peat does not dry out as it will be very difficult to rewet. Regular watering with a mixed organic fertilizer will ensure good growth and long fronds cascading down 2 meters or more under cultivation. Drip irrigation is highly recommended and beneficial to the plants grown as epiphytes. Select trees that are known for harbouring epiphytes so root toxins do not accumulate causing sickness or death in the long term.

This is one fern that excels behind moist retaining walls where it is allowed to cascade freely over the wall. It is particularly spectacular if placed near water falls or cascades.

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.