Ranunculus collinus

Classification:

Un:Eudicots

Order: Ranunculales

Family: Ranunculaceae

Genus: From Rānunculus, which is Latin for a little frog or tadpole. It refers to plants, which prefer the marshy habitats similar to most species of frogs.

Specie:From Undātum, which is Latin for to cover in water. It refers to plants, which grow on flood plains or ephemeral situations and are frequently being covered in water.

Sub specie:

Common Name: River Buttercup.

Distribution:

Ranunculus collinus is found south along the Augusta-Margaret River and the Frankland River in south west Western Australia.

It is also found south from Eumundi in southern Queensland to Mount Gambier in south eastern South Australia. It is found on the western side, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast as well as along the Murray River to Nyar Forest, Millewe forest on the Cobar Peneplains and further north in Carnarvon Gorge National Park, Taroom and Kroombit Creek head waters.

It is found further west at Holdfast Bay to Deep Creek and around Lake Alexandrina and south at Interlaken in the central Highlands of Tasmania.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ranunculus collinus prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in open forests, open woodlands grasslands and scrubby heaths, along creeks, streams, rivers around billabongs or dames in shallow depressions where ever there is permanent water. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1350 meters ASL.

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

The rainfall ranges from lows of 200mm to 2100mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ranunculus collinus prefers to grow on light clays to medium clays or medium silts to heavy silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts, metamorphic rocks deposited as river deltas, podsolic soils, river meander deposits wet or heaths. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils and long periods of being inundated. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.15m to 0.3m by 0.4m to 0.5m.

Characteristics:

Ranunculus collinus grows as a small perennial with a long creeping glabrous stem. The pale green, to grass-green stems are smooth and with few branches. The stems are glabrous especially where submerged to sparsely covered in white pilose hairs especially where it is emergent. The new shoots are covered in white pilose hairs.

The alternate, strongly divided leaves of are orbicular in outline and measure 10mm to 36mm in diameter. The leaves are further, strongly divided into numerous linear lobes that measure 5mm to 18mm in length by 0.5mm to 2.2mm in width. The petioles are pale green to grass-green and glabrous to sparsely covered in white pilose hairs. The petioles measure 25mm to18mm in length. The lobes bases are truncate while the apexes are sub-acute to narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are pale green to grass-green and glabrous. The leaf and lobe margins are entire. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is distinctly visible on the upper lamina.

The inflorescences are terminal conical heads born from the leaf axils. The pedicels measure 70mm to 300mm in length. The 5 pale green to grass-green sepals are elliptical, glabrous and glossy with an acute apex. The sepals measure 3mm to 5mm in length by 1mm to 3mm in width. The 5 soft lemon-yellow to bright yellow petals are spathulate, divaricated and glossy. The petals measure 5mm to 9mm in length by 2.5mm to 4.5mm in width. The petal apexes are broad obtuse while the nectary lobes are laterally attached to petal bases for about half their length.

The numerous stamens are bright yellow. The stamens measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length. The ovaries are glabrous while the single style on each achene is bright yellow and glabrous. The flowers appear from September to May.

Ranunculus collinus’s fruits are ellipsoidal achenes. The bright yellow achenes are glabrous and turn purplish before ripening to deep chocolate brown almost black. The achenes measure 11mm to 40mm in length by 1.4mm to 2mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Ranunculus collinus’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Ranunculus collinus is a magnificent perennial that are highly suitable to bog gardens or shallow water gardens in cool tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is ideal at the edge of a waterway where its roots and stems are ideal for erosion control. It also makes great rockery displays in around fish ponds and frog ponds. In cultivation it will grow from 0.2 meters to 0.3 meters in height by 0.3 meters to 1 meter in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on light to heavy silts or mud. It can cope with air temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees and up to 39 degrees provided permanent water is available.

Add to the above, if it is given a little native fertilizer when grown outside the fish or frog ponds on being planted out as a seedling will respond with excellent leaf growth and flowering with good fruit set over a longer period.

Mass plantings with the occasional taller herb with simple leaves and deep red or blue flowers add exceptional colour for long periods throughout the year. It can be used in wet heath settings where colour is required on the edges. Plant them out about 8 to 10 weeks before the flowers are required. It would look exceptionally brilliant adjacent to a water scene with more arid plants like Ptilotus exultus planted further out.

This is a beautiful plant for aquarium culture as its foliage is unusual and striking under aquarium lighting.

Spent flowers should be removed prior to fruit set to promote longer flowering and better quality flowers.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the capsules that have fallen to the ground. Once the flowers have died and the first seeds have appear from the capsules remove the flowers and keep them in a cool dry place. Seeds will remain viable for several decades under ideal conditions.

Sow freshly treated seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. 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 as they will develop a large root system quickly as do most desert plants.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ranunculus inundatus

Classification:

Superclass: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Ranunculales

Family: Ranunculaceae

Genus: From Rānunculus, which is Latin for a little frog or tadpole. It refers to plants, which prefer the marshy habitats similar to most species of frogs.

Specie:From Undātum, which is Latin for to cover in water. It refers to plants, which grow on flood plains or ephemeral situations and are frequently being covered in water.

Sub specie:

Common Name: River Buttercup.

Distribution:

Ranunculus inundatus is found south along the Augusta-Margaret River and the Frankland River in south west Western Australia.

It is also found south from Gladstone in southern Queensland to Mount Gambier in south eastern South Australia. It is mainly found on the western side of the Great Dividing Range, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast as well as along the Murray River to Nyar Forest, Millewe forest on the Cobar Peneplains and further north in Carnarvon Gorge National Park, Taroom and Kroombit Creek head waters.

It is found further west at Holdfast Bay to Deep Creek and around Lake Alexandrina and south at Interlaken in the central Highlands of Tasmania.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ranunculus inundatus prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in open forests, open woodlands grasslands and scrubby heaths, along creeks, streams, rivers around billabongs or dames in shallow depressions where ever there is permanent water. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1350 meters ASL.

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

The rainfall ranges from lows of 200mm to 2100mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ranunculus inundatus prefers to grow on light clays to medium clays or medium silts to heavy silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts, metamorphic rocks deposited as river deltas, podsolic soils, river meander deposits wet or heaths. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils and long periods of being inundated. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.15m to 0.3m by 0.4m to 0.5m.

Characteristics:

Ranunculus inundatus grows as a small perennial with a long creeping glabrous stem. The pale green, to grass-green stems are smooth and with few branches. The stems are glabrous especially where submerged to sparsely covered in white pilose hairs especially where it is emergent. The new shoots are covered in white pilose hairs.

The alternate, strongly divided leaves are orbicular in outline and measure 10mm to 36mm in diameter. The leaves are further, strongly divided into numerous linear lobes that measure 5mm to 18mm in length by 0.5mm to 2.2mm in width. The petioles are pale green to grass-green and glabrous to sparsely covered in white pilose hairs. The petioles measure 25mm to18mm in length. The lobes bases are truncate while the apexes are sub-acute to narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are pale green to grass-green and glabrous. The leaf and lobe margins are entire. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is distinctly visible on the upper lamina.

The inflorescences are terminal conical heads born from the leaf axils. The pedicels measure 70mm to 300mm in length. The 5 pale green to grass-green sepals are elliptical, glabrous and glossy with an acute apex. The sepals measure 3mm to 5mm in length by 1mm to 3mm in width. The 5 soft lemon-yellow to bright yellow petals are spathulate, divaricated and glossy. The petals measure 5mm to 9mm in length by 2.5mm to 4.5mm in width. The petal apexes are broad obtuse while the nectary lobes are laterally attached to petal bases for about half their length.

The numerous stamens are bright yellow. The stamens measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length. The ovaries are glabrous while the single style on each achene is bright yellow and glabrous. The flowers appear from September to May.

The fruits are ellipsoidal achenes. The bright yellow achenes are glabrous and turn purplish before ripening to deep chocolate brown almost black. The achenes measure 11mm to 40mm in length by 1.4mm to 2mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Ranunculus inundatus’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Ranunculus inundatus is a magnificent perennial that are highly suitable to bog gardens or shallow water gardens in cool tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is ideal at the edge of a waterway where its roots and stems are ideal for erosion control. It also makes great rockery displays in around fish ponds and frog ponds. In cultivation it will grow from 0.2 meters to 0.3 meters in height by 0.3 meters to 1 meter in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on light to heavy silts or mud. It can cope with air temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees and up to 39 degrees provided permanent water is available.

Add to the above, if it is given a little native fertilizer when grown outside the fish or frog ponds on being planted out as a seedling will respond with excellent leaf growth and flowering with good fruit set over a longer period.

Mass plantings with the occasional taller herb with simple leaves and deep red or blue flowers add exceptional colour for long periods throughout the year. It can be used in wet heath settings where colour is required on the edges. Plant them out about 8 to 10 weeks before the flowers are required. It would look exceptionally brilliant adjacent to a water scene with more arid plants like Ptilotus exultus planted further out.

This is a beautiful plant for aquarium culture as its foliage is unusual and striking under aquarium lighting.

Spent flowers should be removed prior to fruit set to promote longer flowering and better quality flowers.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the capsules that have fallen to the ground. Once the flowers have died and the first seeds have appear from the capsules remove the flowers and keep them in a cool dry place. Seeds will remain viable for several decades under ideal conditions.

Sow freshly treated seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. 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 as they will develop a large root system quickly as do most desert plants.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ranunculus lappaceus

Classification:

Superclass: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Ranunculales

Family: Ranunculaceae

Genus: From Rānunculus, which is Latin for a little frog or tadpole. It refers to plants, which prefer the marshy habitats similar to most species of frogs.

Specie:From Lappula, which is Latin for a burr. It refers to plants, which have burr like fruits.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Common Buttercup.

Distribution:

Ranunculus lappaceus is found south from Bluff State Forest Kaban in far north Queensland to Port Lincoln in southern South Australia. It is found on the Western Plains on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

In Tasmania it is found east of a line from Woolnorth in the north west to the Derwent River in the south east.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ranunculus lappaceus prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in open forests, open woodlands grasslands and scrubby heaths, along creeks, streams, rivers around billabongs or dams in shallow depressions where ever there is permanent water. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1750 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 5 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 200mm to 2100mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ranunculus lappaceus prefers to grow on light clays to medium clays or medium silts to heavy silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts, metamorphic rocks deposited as river deltas, podsolic soils, river meander deposits wet or heaths. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils and long periods of being inundated. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.1.5m to 0.5m by 0.3m to 0.9m.

Characteristics:

Ranunculus lappaceus grows as a small rosette perennial that will develop short creeping stems. The pale green, to grass-green stems are smooth and with few to many branches. The stems are usually glabrous especially where submerged to sparsely covered in white appressed tomentose hairs especially where it is emergent.

The alternate basal and cauline leaves are ovate to triangular in outline and measure 12mm to 80mm in length by 10mm to 70mm in width. The leaves are further, ternately or biternately divided or lobed with apical toothed segments that measure 3mm to 20mm in length. The petioles are pale green to grass-green and sparsely to moderately covered in white appressed tomentose hairs. The petioles measure 20mm to 300mm in length. The lobes bases are rounded to truncate while the apexes are acuminate, sub-acute to narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are pale green to grass-green and glabrous. The leaf and lobe margins are entire. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is distinctly visible on the upper lamina.

The inflorescences are terminal conical heads born from the leaf axils and measure 15mm to 40mm in diameter. The pedicels measure 150mm to 480mm in length. The 5 pale green to grass-green sepals are elliptical, glabrous and glossy with an acute apex. The sepals measure 3mm to 8mm in length by 1.5mm to 3mm in width. The 5 deep lemon-yellow to bright yellow divaricated, glossy petals are oblong with a cuneate base and obtuse apex. The petals measure 7mm to 17mm in length by 6mm to 13mm in width. The petal’s nectaries are laterally attached to petal bases while the nectary lobes measure 0.7mm to 2.4mm in length.

The numerous stamens are bright yellow. The stamens measure 1mm to 2.5mm in length. The ovaries are glabrous while the single minute style on each ellipsoidal ovary is bright yellow-green and glabrous. The flowers appear from September to May.

Ranunculus lappaceus’s fruits are slightly compressed ellipsoidal achenes. The bright yellow-green achenes are glabrous and turn purplish before ripening to deep chocolate brown almost black. The achenes measure 20mm to 50mm in length by 1.7mm to 3.5mm in diameter.

The smooth or faintly tuberculate achenes have a slender beak that has an arching recoiled tip. The beaks measure 0.8mm to 1.8mm in length

Wildlife:

Ranunculus lappaceus’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Ranunculus lappaceus is a magnificent perennial that are highly suitable to bog gardens or shallow water gardens in cool tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is ideal at the edge of a waterway where its roots and stems are ideal for erosion control. It also makes great rockery displays in around fish ponds and frog ponds. In cultivation it will grow from 0.2 meters to 0.3 meters in height by 0.3 meters to 0.6 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on light to heavy silts or mud. It can cope with air temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees and up to 39 degrees provided permanent water is available.

Add to the above, if it is given a little native fertilizer when grown outside the fish or frog ponds on being planted out as a seedling will respond with excellent leaf growth and flowering with good fruit set over a longer period.

Mass plantings with the occasional taller herb with simple leaves and deep red or blue flowers add exceptional colour for long periods throughout the year. It can be used in wet heath settings where colour is required on the edges. Plant them out about 8 to 10 weeks before the flowers are required. It would look exceptionally brilliant adjacent to a water scene with more arid plants like Ptilotus eultus planted further out.

This is a beautiful plant for aquarium culture as its foliage is unusual and striking under aquarium lighting.

Spent flowers should be removed prior to fruit set to promote longer flowering and better quality flowers.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the capsules that have fallen to the ground. Once the flowers have died and the first seeds have appear from the capsules remove the flowers and keep them in a cool dry place. Seeds will remain viable for several decades under ideal conditions.

Sow freshly treated seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. 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 as they will develop a large root system quickly as do most desert plants.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ranunculus plebeius

Classification:

Superclass: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Ranunculales

Family: Ranunculaceae

Genus: From Rānunculus, which is Latin for a little frog or tadpole. It refers to plants, which prefer the marshy habitats similar to most species of frogs.

Specie:From Plebei, which is Latin for belong to the common people. It probably refers to the fact that it was very common in association with people in times past or forms large congregations where it is found.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Forest Buttercup.

Distribution:

Ranunculus plebeius is found south from Mount Archer in central coastal Queensland to Tanybryne in the Otway Ranges in southern Victoria. It is mainly found on both sides of the Great Dividing Range to the coast except for a couple of small populations along the Condamine River.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ranunculus plebeius prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in open forests, open woodlands grasslands or scrubby heaths in moist to wet locations especially near ephemeral pools drainage lines. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1080 meters ASL.

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

The rainfall ranges from lows of 160mm to 850mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ranunculus plebeius prefers to grow on light clays to medium clays or medium silts to heavy silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts, metamorphic rocks deposited as river deltas, podsolic soils, river meander deposits wet or heaths. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates water logged soils or long periods of being inundated. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.1m to 0.8m by 0.2m to 1m.

Characteristics:

Ranunculus plebeius grows as a small rosette perennial with short creeping stems. The pale green, to grass-green stems are smooth and with few to many branches. The stems are usually glabrous especially where submerged to sparsely covered in white pilose hairs especially where it is emergent.

The alternate, broad ovate to broad triangular in outline leaves measure 10mm to 70mm in length by 12mm to 80mm in width. The leaves are further, ternately divided or biternately divided and or lobed with apical toothed segments that measure 3mm to 20mm in length. The petioles are pale green to grass-green and sparsely to moderately covered in white pilose hairs. The petioles measure 30mm to 160mm in length. The lobes bases are rounded to truncate while the apexes are acuminate, sub-acute to narrow acute. The concolourous laminas are pale green to grass-green and glabrous. The leaf and lobe margins are entire. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is distinctly visible on the upper lamina.

The inflorescences are terminal branched conical heads born from the leaf axils and measure 7mm to 16mm in diameter. The pedicels measure 150mm to 480mm in length. The 5 pale greenish-yellow sepals are elliptical, glabrous and semi glossy with an acute apex. The strongly retrorse sepals measure 2.5mm to 5mm in length by 1mm to 2mm in width. The 5 glossy, bright yellow, divaricated petals are oblong with an obtuse apex. The petals measure 5mm to 10mm in length by 2.5mm to 3.5mm in width. The petal’s nectaries have an ovate to elliptical lobe and measure 1mm to 1.5mm in length.

The numerous stamens are bright yellow. The stamens measure 1mm to 2.4mm in length. The ovaries are glabrous while the single minute style on each ellipsoidal ovary is bright yellow-green and glabrous. The flowers appear from December to February.

Ranunculus plebeius’s fruits are compressed ellipsoidal achenes with a narrow marginal ridge. The bright yellow-green achenes are glabrous and turn purplish before ripening to deep chocolate brown almost black. The achenes measure 1.8mm to 2.8mm in length by 0.4mm to 5.5mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Ranunculus plebeius’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Ranunculus plebeius is a magnificent perennial that are highly suitable to bog gardens or shallow water gardens in cool tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It is ideal at the edge of waterways where its roots and stems are ideal for erosion control. It also makes great rockery displays in around fish ponds and frog ponds. In cultivation it will grow from 0.2 meters to 0.3 meters in height by 0.3 meters to 0.6 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on light to heavy silts or mud. It can cope with air temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees and up to 39 degrees provided permanent water is available.

Add to the above, if it is given a little native fertilizer when grown outside the fish or frog ponds on being planted out as a seedling will respond with excellent leaf growth and flowering with good fruit set over a longer period.

Mass plantings with the occasional taller herb with simple leaves and deep red or blue flowers add exceptional colour for long periods throughout the year. It can be used in wet heath settings where colour is required on the edges. Plant them out about 8 to 10 weeks before the flowers are required. It would look exceptionally brilliant adjacent to a water scene with more arid plants like Ptilotus exultus planted further out.

This is a beautiful plant for aquarium culture as its foliage is unusual and striking under aquarium lighting.

Spent flowers should be removed prior to fruit set to promote longer flowering and better quality flowers.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the capsules that have fallen to the ground. Once the flowers have died and the first seeds have appear from the capsules remove the flowers and keep them in a cool dry place. Seeds will remain viable for several decades under ideal conditions.

Sow freshly treated seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. 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 as they will develop a large root system quickly as do most desert plants.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Regelia megacephala

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Myrtales

Family: Myrtaceae

Genus: Is named in honour of Edward Von Regal; 1815-1892, who was a German Botanist who became the director of the Imperial St. Petersburg Botanic Gardens.

Specie:From Mégas, which is Ancient Greek for very large and Kephalḗ, which is Ancient Greek for a head. It refers to flowers, which are in large heads.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Large flowering Regelia.

Distribution:

Regelia megacephala is found in Watheroo National Park in Western Australia

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Regelia megacephala prefers light dappled shade to full sun. It grows in open woodlands, dry heath lands on gentle hills or plains. The altitude ranges from 203 meters ASL to 260 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 500mm to 800mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Regelia megacephala prefers soils that are red sandy loams to light red sandy clays. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones or quartzites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

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

Characteristics:

The stems of Regelia megacephala is an open to densely branched shrub. The straight or cascading stems are pale grey glabrous and slightly spongy to the touch. The branchlets are densely covered in white pilose hairs.

The opposite, decussate, ovate or obovate leaves of Regelia megacephala measure 5mm to 7mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in width. The bases are broad round to truncate while the apexes are round with a mucronate tip. The concolourous laminas are blue green, dull, glabrous and sparsely covered in white hirtellous hairs. The leaf margins are entire, flat and curve slightly upwards. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina and is barely visible from the upper lamina. The leaves are sessile.

Inflorescences of Regelia megacephala are born in loose clusters from the leaf axils. The pale green pedicels are covered in white pilose hairs and measure sessile to 0.5mm in length. The 5 pale green calyx lobes are triangular. The calyx and calyx lobes are covered in white pilose hairs. The calyxes measure 4mm to 5mm in length.

The 5 lavender to carmine-pink stamens branch near the apex and measure 6mm to 7mm in length while the 12 to 16 individual stamens measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The anthers are cream to pale yellow.

The lavender to carmine-pink pistil is glabrous while the ovary is green. The pistil measures 5mm to 6mm in length. Regelia megacephala’s flowers appear from early October through to late December.

The fruits of Regelia megacephala are globose to obovoidal clustered capsules. The capsules are glabrous and measure 20mm to 26mm in length by 20mm to 26mm in diameter. The green capsules turn grey and woody when ripe. The individual capsules measure 8mm to 10mm in length by 8mm to 10mm in diameter. The orifice is raised but remains enclosed and measures 5mm to 6mm in diameter. The capsules may contain hundreds of seeds and chaff. The seeds are rusty brown. The calyx lobes are not persistent on the hypanthia.

Wildlife:

Regelia megacephala’s flowers attract various small and medium non aggressive honeyeaters.

Cultivation:

Regelia megacephala is a magnificent medium shrub that should be grown in association with other heath land specie. It is ideal at the edge of the heath setting or as the main feature. They also make great park shrubs in western areas or semi-arid locations offering quick growth, and bushiness. In cultivation they will grow from 4 meters to 5 meters in height by 2meters to 3 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 40 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond with good flowering over a long period.

Regelia megacephala would make an outstanding contribution to a dry headland heath garden. Here they can be used as the taller growing plant scattered throughout the heath scene. When you design a flat heath garden which this Regelia is well suited don’t use contours to display the plants as heath lands are almost always flat or have a slight rise. Plants must be planted close together and be short so you can see over the tallest ones with the exception of one or two plants at the most. These will be feature plants. The idea is to achieve a feeling of expansive flatness. This can be achieved with using the Regelia megacephala’s blue green ovate leaves and having them contrasting with finer pale green or soft grey to glaucous coloured foliages. Use a lot of procumbent plants like Anigozanthos specie or Hibbertia specie. Mix them with other smaller shrubs so none of them dominate the scene but blend in to give a mosaic of foliage colours that you oversee. Here I immediately think of Ptilotus exaltus, Grevillea thelemanniana or any of the Verticordia specie for three great contrasting foliages.

This shrub could be used as bonsai plant as it is easy to work and respond to pruning and harsh conditions.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Regelia megacephala can be removed easily from the capsules that open readily once it is removed from the parent plant.

Sow fresh seeds directly into an open or course 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 as the root development may become knotted causing some set back if trimming is required.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Regelia velutina

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Myrtales

Family: Myrtaceae

Genus: Is named in honour of Edward Von Regal; 1815-1892, who was a German Botanist who became the director of the Imperial St. Petersburg Botanic Gardens.

Specie:From Velutinus, which is Latin for to be densely covered in short soft hairs. It refers to structures or organs, which form dense soft velvet like mats.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Showy Regelia.

Distribution:

Regelia velutina is found in the south east corner of Western Australia between the Fitzgerald National Park and Jerramungup Koorda and Ravensthorpe. There is an isolated population near Beards Province.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Regelia velutina prefers light dappled shade to full sun. It grows in open woodlands or dry heath lands. It is found on rocky headland heaths, heaths behind the back dunes and on skeletal loams over sandstone and quartz. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 160 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 2 degrees in July to 33 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 300mm to 600mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Regelia velutina prefers skeletal, sandy loams to light fatty clays a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones or quartzites. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It is not tolerant of water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 6m by 1.5m to 4m

Characteristics:

The stems of Regelia velutina are upright, straight, pale grey-brown and glabrous. The branches are pale grey-brown and only becoming green near the apex where the newer leaf growth occurs. The branchlets are densely covered in pale velutinous hairs.

The opposite decussate, elliptical to obovate leaves of Regelia velutina measure 10mm to 16mm in length by 4mm to 6mm in width. The petiole measures 0mm to 0.6mm in length. The bases are rounded while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are blue green, glabrous and densely covered in white velutinous hairs. The leaf margins are entire, flat and curve slightly upwards to the margins. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina and is not visible from the upper lamina.

Inflorescences of Regelia velutina are born in loose clusters from the terminals. The terminals grow out prior to the flowers dying. The pale green pedicels are covered in white velutinous hairs and are sessile to 0.5mm in length. The 5 pale blue green calyx lobes are triangular. The calyx and lobes are covered in white velutinous hairs externally and are glabrous internally. The calyxes measure 4mm to 5mm in length.

The 5 deep orange to scarlet red stamens branch close to the base and measure 4mm to 6mm in length while the 12 to 16 individual stamens measure 7mm to 10mm in length. The anthers are cream to pale yellow.

The pistil measures 13mm to 19mm in length. Regelia velutina’s honey scented flowers appear from early September through to late November and at times through to February in favourable seasons.

The fruits of Regelia velutina are globose to obovoidal clustered capsules. The capsules are glabrous and measure 25mm to 32mm in length by 17mm to 22mm in diameter. The green capsules turn grey and woody when ripe. The 20 to 26 individual capsules measure 7mm to 9mm in length by 7mm to 9mm in diameter. The orifice is deeply enclosed and measures 2mm to 2.5mm in diameter. The capsules may contain hundreds of seeds and chaff. The seeds are rusty brown. The calyx lobes are not persistent on the hypanthia.

Wildlife:

Regelia velutina’s flowers attract various small and medium non aggressive honeyeaters.

Cultivation:

Regelia velutina is a magnificent medium shrub that should be grown in association with other heath land specie. It is ideal at the edge of the heath setting or as the main feature particularly on skeletal soils over sandstone, granite or quartzite. They also make great park shrubs in western areas or semi-arid locations where the summer’s humidity is low, offering quick growth, and bushiness. In cultivation they will grow from 2.5 meters to 3.5 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 40 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established.

Add to the above, if it is given a little water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond with excellent flowering over a long period.

Regelia velutina would make an outstanding contribution to a dry headland heath garden. Here they can be used as the taller growing plant scattered throughout the heath scene. When you design a flat heath garden which this Regelia is well suited don’t use contours to display the plants as heath lands are almost always flat or have a slight rise. Plants must be planted close together and be short so you can see over the tallest ones with the exception of one or two plants at the most. These will be feature plants. The idea is to achieve a feeling of expansive flatness. This can be achieved with using the Regelia velutina’s blue green elliptical leaves and having them contrasting with finer pale green or soft grey to glaucous coloured foliages. Use a lot of procumbent plants like Anigozanthos specie or Hibbertia specie. Mix them with other smaller shrubs so none of them dominate the scene but blend in to give a mosaic of foliage colours that you oversee. Here I immediately think of Ptilotus exaltus, Grevillea thelemanniana or any of the Verticordia specie for three great contrasting foliages.

This shrub could be used as bonsai plant as it is easy to work and respond to pruning and harsh conditions.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Regelia velutina can be removed easily from the capsules that open readily once it is removed from the parent plant.

Sow fresh seeds directly into an open or course 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 as root development may become knotted causing some set back if they need to be trimmed.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Remusatia vivipara

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Class:

Order: Alismatales

Family: Araceae

Subfamily: Aroideae

Genus: Is named in honour of Jean Pierre Abel-Remusat; 1778-1832, who was a French scholar and botanist who studied medicine specializing in Chinese herbal medicine. He was self-taught speaking and writing fluent Chinese so he could fully appreciate and understand wholly the implications of his topic.

Specie:From Vivipara, which is Latin for to bear live young. It refers to plants, which bear fully developed plantlets from the leaves.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Hitchhiker Plant or Hitchhiker Elephant Ear.

Distribution:

Remusatia vivipara is found in several isolated populations in far northern Australia. The Northern Territory Populations are found in north eastern Kakadu National Park at Mount Brockman and Mount Howship.

In Queensland it is found at the Rocky River Gorge, Altanmoui, Mount Molloy and Atherton on or east of the Great Dividing Range especially on the coastal ranges.

Elsewhere it is found Tropical and Central Africa, southern and central America, tropical and subtropical North America, South America, Bougainville, China, Christmas Island, Ethiopia, Hawaii, Indian, Indonesia, southern Japan, Lord Howe Island, Malaya, New Guinee, New Zealand, Oman, Papua, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tibet and Yemen and many of the Pacific Island Nations.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Remusatia vivipara prefers dappled shade to full shade. It usually grows in well-developed wet rainforests, marginal moist rainforest as a lithophyte on rocks, an epiphyte in trees crevices or in the nests or other epiphytes or at times as a terrestrial plant. The altitude ranges from 50 meters ASL to 400 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 8 degrees in July to 39 degrees in January.

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

Soil Requirements:

Remusatia vivipara prefers to grow on peaty decomposed forest litter, on sandy loams or medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstone, black basalts or granitic sands. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6.2pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.3m to 0.5m by 0.4m to 0.7m.

Characteristics:

Remusatia vivipara grows as a small perennial lily with few branches from near the base. The stems are seasonally dormant during the dry seasons retracting to small white tubers that measure 20mm to 40mm in diameter. The pale yellowish-green to bluish-green stems are smooth. The stems are glabrous to sparsely covered in white hirsute hairs. New shoots are sparsely covered in clasping brownish scales. The few, erect, unbranched stems measure 100mm to 300mm in length and bear disjunct clusters of bulbils. The bulbils measure 2mm to 5mm in length with reddish-brown hooked scales.

The usually solitary or at times 2 broadly ovate to cordate leaves of Remusatia vivipara measure 200mm to 255mm in length by 180mm to 280mm in width. The erect, glabrous petioles measure 150mm to 250mm in length. The peltate bases are cordate with rounded lobes while the apexes are obtuse to shortly acuminate. The thick concolourous laminas are mid olive-green to yellowish olive-green with pale brownish to olive-brown longitudinal bands. The leaves are glabrous and glossy. The leaf margins are entire, flat and undulating. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is distinctly visible on the upper lamina.

The inflorescences are inconspicuous spathes born at the terminal of a shot pedicel. The spathe measures 70 to 110mm in length. The ovoid tube measures 20mm to 40mm length and is strongly constricted above. The cream, reflexed blade is sub orbicular and measures 60mm to 80mm in length while the spadix measures 30mm to 45mm in length. The female flowers are found on the basal 20mm of the spadix while the middle 10mm to 12mm sector flowers are sterile or are barren of flowers with the male flowers being found on the clavate apical 10mm to 12mm.

The ovaries are covered in white puberulent hairs. The style is sparsely covered in long white hirsute hairs along one side for 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 60{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of its length. The flowers appear after good rains during the wet season usually from February to March.

Remusatia vivipara’s fruits are clusters of minute berries that develop into small bulbils with fine hooks which attach to small mammals during the wet season.

Wildlife:

Remusatia vivipara’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Remusatia vivipara is a beautiful, yet unusual perennial that is suitable for bush house cultivation or protected areas of rainforest gardens. It is ideal at the inner edge of a sheltered rainforest protected gully in warm tropical gardens. It also makes a great rockery displays in warm, humid, confined, light shady to dense shady positions. In cultivation it grows from 0.4 meters to 0.6 meters in height by 0.4 meters to 0.6 meters in diameter when grown in a protected position in the bush house.

Mass plantings, scattered on the rainforest floor mixed with small delicate looking ferns with pale bluish-green fronds add colour and texture throughout the warmer humid months of the year. Here I think of Adiantum aethiopicum as the perfect contrast. The soil should be left to dry out a little as the plants become dormant over the dry season until the following wet season.

For mass plantings plant them at 350mm centres.

I believe this is Australia’s most striking foliage plant and deserves far greater attention by gardeners.

Propagation:

Seeds: Seed is very rarely set, therefore the main method of reproduction is through the tiny bulbils. The bulbils have tiny hooks that attach to animals or birds in the wild and are transported away from the parent plant. It is necessary to grow Remusatia vivipara in rich soil, keeping the soil moist whilst it is actively growing and to collect the bulbils soon after they have fully developed.

Place the bulbils in a rich organic potting mix; in 50mm tubes, just covering the rooted section and keep moist. As the seedlings bulbils reach the bottom of the tubes repot them into standard 125mm pots immediately. Larger plants or those in the 125mm pots from the previous season can be mass planted in the garden or planted in small clusters into larger pots.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhagodia candolleana

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Amaranthaceae

Genus: From Rhagos, which is Ancient Greek for a berry. It refers to fruits, which are typical berries.

Specie:Is named in honour of Augustin Pyramus de Candolle; 1778-1841, who was a Swiss professor of botany, founder of a Classification: system of botany and notable biological author.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rhagodia candolleana is found in the southern half of Australia from Kalbarri National Park on the central west coast to Anvil Island, Recherche Archipelago on the southern coast of Western Australia.

In the east it is found from Maralinga in south western South Australia to Broken Head Reserve in north eastern coastal New South Wales as well as the Davenport River which flows into Kati Thanda formally Lake Eyre in central South Australia.

It is also found on the Bass Straight Islands and circumnavigates Tasmania.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhagodia candolleana prefers light dappled shade to full sun. It grows in open woodlands, dry heaths, on the frontal dunes along the coast, in saline sandy coastal inlets, coastal estuaries or inland around the salt lakes through central South Australia. The altitude ranges from 7 meters BSL to 40 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in July to 33 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 120mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhagodia candolleana prefers sandy loams to light fatty clays or light silts to heavy silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, quartzite accumulated beach sands or course alluvial deposits. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Moderately saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:2m to 4m by 3m to 6m

Characteristics:

The stems are erect to spreading, pale grey-brown and glabrous. The new growth stems are pale bluish-green to pale blue-green and are moderately covered in pale caducous vesicular hairs.

The opposite or alternate elliptical to broad obovate or hastate leaves measure 20mm to 35mm in length by 8mm to 24mm in width. The petioles measure 0.5mm to 4mm in length. The bases are broad cuneate, rounded or hastate while the apexes are acute to obtuse. The discolourous laminas are blue-green, grass-green to mid green, glabrous on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler. The laminas are flat to slightly recurve from the mid vein to the margins and are straight or decurve gently on the apical half. The margins are entire. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible from the upper lamina.

The inflorescences are born in loose paniculate racemes from the terminals. The peduncles, rachis, racemes and pedicels are pale green, pale blue-green, pinkish and glabrous to moderately covered in white pulverulent hairs. The flowers are usually unisexual. The perianth segments are densely covered in white pulverulent hairs externally and glabrous internally. The female flower’s staminodes are usually half the length of the perianth segments. The flowers appear throughout the year when ever conditions are suitable.

The fruits are compressed, orbicular clustered, fleshy berries. The berries measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length by 3mm to 6mm in diameter. The green capsules turn maroon to deep reddish-maroon glabrous and fleshy when ripe. The sepals are persistent at the base of the berries while the apexes are depressed. The seeds measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Rhagodia candolleana’s fruits are eaten by many small honeyeaters.

The fruits are edible and have a taste reminiscent of salty plums.

Cultivation:

Rhagodia candolleana is a magnificent medium shrub that should be grown in association with other large heath land specie. It is ideal at the edge of the heath setting or in the background particularly on deep coarse sandy soils over sandstone, granite or quartzite. It also makes a great shrub in western areas or semi-arid locations when grown against hot northerly walls. In cultivation it will grow from 2 meters to 3.5 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 3 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It can cope with temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 44 degrees. It is drought resistant once established.

Add to the above, if it is given a little water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond with excellent fruiting over a long period. I have found the plants to be very fast growing and dense but short lived when grown along the coast under ideal conditions.

Rhagodia candolleana would make an outstanding contribution to a dry headland heath garden. Here they can be used as the taller growing plant scattered throughout the heath scene. When you design a flat heath garden which this Regelia is well suited don’t use contours to display the plants as heath lands are almost always flat or have a slight rise. Plants must be planted close together and be short so you can see over the tallest ones with the exception of one or two plants at the most. These will be feature plants. The idea is to achieve a feeling of expansive flatness. This can be achieved with using the Regelia velutina’s blue green elliptical leaves and having them contrasting with finer pale green or soft grey to glaucous coloured foliages. Use a lot of procumbent plants like Anigozanthos specie or Hibbertia specie a. Mix them with other smaller shrubs so none of them dominate the scene but blend in to give a mosaic of foliage colours that you oversee. Here I immediately think of Ptilotus exaltus, Grevillea thelemanniana or any of the Verticordia specie for three great contrasting foliages.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the capsules once the fruits turn maroon and soften.

Sow fresh seeds directly into an open or course 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 as root development may become knotted causing some set back if they need to be trimmed.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Cuttings:

Fortunately Rhagodia candolleana is easy to strike from cuttings. Use 80mm to 120mm 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. Water early in the day sao that the plants are dry in the evenings to help prevent damping off

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.

5 Fill a saucer with water, and place a little weak 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.

Fertilize using seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhaphidophora australasica

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Alismatales

Family: Araceae

Tribe: Monstereae

Genus: From Rhaphis, which is Ancient Greek for a needle and Phoros, which is Ancient Greek for to bear or carry. It refers to plants flesh which bear needle like silicon rods especially in their fruits as is found here or as stinging hairs on the leaves.

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

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rhaphidophora australasica is found around and south of Darwin to the north west coast in the Northern Territory.

It is also found south from the Iron Range National Park to the Paluma Range National Park in north eastern Queensland.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhaphidophora australasica prefer dappled shade to full shade. It grows in mountain gullies and creek lines often with its roots near or in permanent water or seepages. It prefers warm well developed rainforests, littoral rainforests immediately behind mangrove forests in swampy terrain, riverine or riparian zones where good moisture retention is found. The altitude rages from 10 meters ASL to 985 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 5 degrees in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 1400mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhaphidophora australasica prefers soils that are sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of rainforest litter. The soils are derived from decomposed brown basalts, black basalts, sandstones, granites or metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate of water logged soils. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:15m to 20m by 2m to 5m.

Characteristics:

Rhaphidophora australasica stems are tall, straight fleshy, deep green, and glabrous often with adventitious roots. The stems hug the trees by short adventitious roots firmly grasping the trunk.

The alternate, broad linear leaves of Rhaphidophora australasica are symmetrical or slightly asymmetrical and measure 250mm to 550mm in length by 70mm to 150mm in width. The petiole is distinctly channelled for the length of the petiole on the upper surface and measures 100mm to 300mm in length. The bases are broad cuneate and slightly oblique while the apexes are acuminate. The concolourous laminas are deep sea-green, dull or semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is dull. The leaf margins are entire and curve downwards from near the apex and towards the margins. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina while the 15 to 20 main laterals are slightly prominent and join the intramarginal vein. The main vein is distinctly visible from the upper laminas.

Young leaves have a 100mm to 300mm linear ligule which is attached near the base of the petiole encircles the petiole. It soon becomes grey-brown and disintegrates except for a few long fibres which remain attached.

Inflorescences of Rhaphidophora australasica are born as a single spadix from the leaf axils. The main peduncle bends 75 degrees to 90 degrees immediately below the spathe. The green peduncle is glabrous and measure 90mm to 150mm in length by 12mm to 15mm in diameter. The linear ligule measures 90mm to 130mm in length and encircles the peduncle. It soon becomes grey-brown and disintegrates except for a few long fibres which remain attached. The white spathe is erect, glabrous and measure 100mm to 130mm in length by 35mm to 45mm in width if spread out flat. It splits longitudinally and slowly opens to reveal the spadix.

The white spadix measures 50mm to 85mm in length by 15mm to 20mm in diameter.

The 6 filaments are strap like and measure 1mm to 1.5mm in length. The anthers have strap like appendages at their apexes which measure 1mm in length and are longer and wider than the anthers.

The black style and stigma are glabrous while the ovary is green. The style extends beyond the fruits. Rhaphidophora australasica’s flowers appear from mid spring to mid-autumn and smell like rotting fruit.

The fruits of Rhaphidophora australasica are long cylindrical aggregates. The aggregates measure 70mm to 75mm in length by 15mm to 20mm in diameter. The individual white fruits are creamy white internally when ripe. The fruits measure 6.5mm to 8.5mm in length by 3mm to 4.5mm in width and are 6 sided. The 1 to 5 glossy brown seeds are flattened ellipsoidal and measure 1.2 mm to 1.5mm in diameter. There is a cream to white longitudinal scar on one side. The fruit ripen from November through to May.

Wildlife:

Rhaphidophora australasica do not appear to have any predators though the ripe fallen fruits are usually heavily infested with Queensland fruit fly. The fruits are also eaten by the Grey Headed Flying Fox, Pteropus poliocephalus, the Little Red Flying Fox, Pteropus scapulatus, the Bush Rat, Rattus fuscipes and the Cassowary, Casuarius casuarius.

The rotting fruit smell of the flowers would indicate that fertilization is carried out by a type of fly or beetle that is attracted to decaying vegetable matter. The white flowers and spathe would also indicate that this may be carried out at night or be a lure in dark rainforest conditions in the early morning or late afternoon.

Cultivation:

Rhaphidophora australasica is a magnificent small or large epiphytic climber that should be grown in association with other rainforest trees. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest where a good supply of water is guaranteed. In cultivation it will grow from 12 meters to 15 meters in height by 2 meters to 3 meters in diameter when grown in a fairly open position or taller if grown deeper in the forest where the host trees are planted closer together as in a rainforest tree.

It grows exceptionally well on the trunks of most rainforest trees that have smooth or rough barks.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer sprayed onto the leaves on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

It often reaches a good potential in just 3 to 5 years and flower from the fourth year from seed in warm humid tropical conditions.

This plant could be trained onto a totem pole and used as a patio or veranda plant in a large urn. Inside it is best placed on a saucer of water so the humidity remains high at all times.

I have grown Rhaphidophora australasica with its lower stems on a totem pole of coconut fibre and fertilize down the centre of the pole. The plants never developed the mature adult leaves on the totem however split leaves did appear near the top over time.

There is also a variegated leaf form around in specialist nurseries with beautiful creamy white markings.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhaphidophora australasica can be removed easily from the fruits. Sow fresh seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist using the bog method. That is place the seed tray in a saucer of water and keep it topped up at all times. Place the trays in a cool shaded area with at least 70{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house or under a bench. Bright conditions may inhibited germination. 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 or pot them up into larger containers.

Cuttings: Use 150mm to 400mm long ripened material with at least 2 nodes, when growing from cuttings which preferably already have some adventitious roots. Smaller cuttings from the present season’s growth will also strike well but take longer to develop a good root system and leaves. Take them in mid-autumn or early spring. Remove the bottom leaves from the bottom section being careful not to tear the bark or damage the nodes. Place the cuttings in a moist sterile seed raising mix on a 45{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} angle with 1 node just below the surface of the mix or with any adventitious roots below the mix surface. Larger cutting material can be laid horizontally in a 5mm to 10mm surface furrow with the section showing root growth facing downwards. When the cuttings have obviously struck and have developed good roots and leaves treat them as for seedlings.

Much larger cuttings with developed adventitious roots can be tied back onto prepared totems with the rooted sections placed against the totems. Use 6 to 8 cuttings for quick coverage of the totems. The mix should be well drained with a neutral pH for best results. Keep the mix moist and water the plants in the growing season fortnightly with weak tea water. Rotate the pots in situation so the plants grow upwards and not in the direction of the light source if growing in a rather dark situation.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Asparagales

Family: Orcidaceae

Tribe: Vandaeae

Subtribe: Aeridinae

Genus: From Rhinein, which is Ancient Greek for a rasp and Rhiza, which is Ancient Greek for a root. It refers to the long aerial roots which are rather rough to the touch.

Specie: From Dives, which is Latin for rich and plentiful or coming from the gods and Flōris, which is Latin for a flower or Flōs, which is the Roman goddess for spring and flowers. It refers to flowers, which are considered to be divinely or exquisitely beautiful.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Raspy Root Orchid.

Distribution:

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora is found in 2 isolated populations on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast. It is found on the Atherton Tablelands in far north eastern coastal Queensland and from Fraser Island in southern coastal Queensland to Allawah in central coastal New South Wales.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora prefers medium shade to dappled sunlight. It grows in moist rainforests, gorges, gullies, moist gallery forests and moist humid areas in open forest. In the tropics it is confined to the ranges and tablelands at higher altitudes but further south it is confined to warmer subtropical rainforests at lower altitudes. Its altitude ranges from 2 meters ASL to 1200 meters ASL.

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

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1100mm to 3200mm average per annum. The plants are usually associated in areas of orographic precipitation.

Soil Requirements:

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora usually grows as an epiphyte on trees or at times as a lithophyte on rocks.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.2m to 0.3m by 0.1m to 0.16m.

Characteristics:

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora is a small clump forming orchid. The orchids usually consist of a single stem with tightly packed clasping leaves. The short stems are erect to semi pendulous. The numerous roots are appressed to host and are flat, broad pale grey often tinged greenish due to algae or lichens. The roots measure 3mm to 5mm in width and have a raspy appearance.

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora has 3 to 5 rosette ovate, lanceolate to elliptic spread on the basal section of the stem. The leaves measure 20mm to 80mm in length by 15mm to 24mm in width. The sessile bases are rounded while the apexes are acuminate. The concolourous, laminas are pale bluish-green and glabrous. The laminas are flat and decurve downwards on the apical third. The margins are entire. The midvein is prominent on the lower laminas while the reticulate veins are slightly prominent none the upper laminas.

The 2 to 6 alternate, distichous leaves are crowded along the stems and are clasping. The bases are sheathing and imbricate while the apexes are uncinate, unequally emarginate. The leaves measure 80mm to 150mm in length by 25mm to 30mm in width. The chartaceous concolourous laminas are deep green to deep grey-green, thin textured but stiff, almost parchment like. The laminas strongly recurve upwards from the mid vein near the base and are spreading at the apexes while the margins are entire and undulate.

The inflorescences are attractive but short lived, usually opening in groups along the racemes. Plants in a particular area flower synchronously. The flowers are born from the center of the rosette of leaves. The flowers are an axillary arching to pendulous raceme. The racemes measure 200mm to 300mm in length. There are 10 to 60 individual resupinate, porrect, star-shaped flowers that open for 1 to 2 days. The individual flowers measure 40mm to 50mm in length by 40mm to 50mm in width.

The glabrous narrow, twisted linear dorsal sepal is yellow to orange with red blotches or horizontal stripes. The margins are entire. The dorsal sepal measures 35mm to 50mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width.

The glabrous narrow, twisted linear lateral sepals are yellow to orange with red blotches or horizontal blotchy stripes. They measure 35mm to 40mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width.

The glabrous narrow, twisted linear lateral petals are yellow to orange with red blotches or horizontal blotchy stripes. They measure 30mm to 45mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width.

The white labellum is narrow ovate to broad linear, is hinged to column foot and projects forward. The trilobed labellum measures 4 mm to 3mm in length. The lateral lobes are erect with irregular, incomplete reddish stripes measure 3.5mm to 4mm in length by 2.4mm to 2.8mm in width. The short midlobe has an obtuse apex. The spur is white with an obtuse apex. The column measures 2mm in length. The column foot is at an acute angle to column and measures 2mm length. The flowers appear from July to October.

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora’s fruits are obloidal, porrect capsules. The green capsules turn deep grey-brown when ripe.

Wildlife:

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

All native orchids are protected plant species. It is illegal to remove naturally growing orchid plants from the bush and a license is required for the removal of seed capsule.

Cultivation:

Rhinerrhiza divitiflora is a beautiful flowering orchid which is rather hardy and easy to grow and to propagate at least as far south as sale in Victoria along the coast. It does very well either in the bush house attached to a slab of cork or washed pumice stone or attached to most rainforest trees that do not shed their bark in a sheltered area. Do not attach them to Eucalyptus trees as the barks contain resins which most Orchids detest.

Trees with mass plantings of mixed orchids look really spectacular and those that have several Rhinerrhiza divitiflora add interest and curiosity over a long period especially when in flower. Even the roots have some appeal as they cover the trunks. Ficus species, Ceropetalum species and Elaeocarpus species are good host trees as it is natural host for this orchid in the wild as are the various species of Cupaniopsis which make good shade and host trees in the garden.

Be ever so vigilant for Steyhopachys formosa the Dendrobium enthusiast’s nightmare. This beetle can inflict a lot of damage in just one season. Plants attached to trees are less likely to be phased by Dendrobium beetle because of natural predators like birds, bats and frogs.

Control of the beetle is simple just squash it. It is slow movers and though like all beetles can fly, would rather resort to hiding as a means of escape. The pupae are just as easy to eliminate. Check the base of all your orchids on a regular basis and again destroy any pupae. These look like small patches of white toothpaste squeezed from the tube. The larvae are the most difficult and will usually need a systemic spray or great concentration to find the small holes on the canes as they bore their way through from the inside. Eggs are yellowish and measure about 1.5mm in length. The beetle eats buds, flowers, new shoots and developing seed pods. Larvae consume the canes.

Photo with more information can be obtained from the Brisbane Orchid Society.

Dendrobium Beetles (Stethopachys formosa)

Propagation:

Seeds: All orchids 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.

1. Obtain relevant materials

The first step in growing orchid from seed will be sourcing and having at the ready all materials that will be required in the propagation process.

This includes all of the following:

Unripe orchid seed capsule. If there are 2 capsules secure the second capsule immediately after the first capsule splits or if only one capsule as soon as it changes colour.

Orchid gelling medium with agar which can be purchased from an orchid society or a specialist nursery.

Distilled water

Cooking pot

Spoon

Oven-safe glass or polypropylene containers with lids

Sealable bags

Clean, sterilized cutting board

Rubber gloves

Paper towels

Tweezers or forceps

70 percent ethanol

Bleach

Scalpel or sharp knife

Planting pot

Orchid compost

Length of wire metal

Plastic spray bottle.

deep petri dishes or sterile jars.

2. Prepare agar medium

The agar medium is a special orchid gelling mixture that distilled water will be added to distilled water.

To prepare the medium, mix equal parts of orchid gelling medium with distilled water in a cooking pot.

Place the pot on a stove and bring the mixture to boil for while stirring continuously for two minutes.

Pour the mixture into the petri dishes glass or propylene containers while ensuring not to fill the containers above 20 percent of their volume.

Loosely replace the lids to the containers. Sterilize the containers by heating them up in a microwave oven for between 2 to 3 minutes.

Spray 70 percent ethanol into a sealable bag to create a sterile environment. Transfer the heated containers into the sealable bag.

Allow the containers to cool a bit before tightening their lids and then sealing the bag. Leave the containers to stand for a few days until the mixture solidifies.

3. Prepare seed capsule and work surface

Place an open pot of water on a stove and bring to boil. Place the cutting board in the oven and sterilize.

Put on rubber gloves and sterilize the forceps, and scalpel with 70 percent ethanol.

Insert the seed capsule into a bowel filled with bleach for about fifteen minutes.

Sterilize seed capsule again with 70 percent ethanol and place on grill.

Using the sterilized scalpel, cut open the seed capsule to reveal the seeds. Using a scalpel or sharp knife, scrape out the seeds from the capsule unto an ethanol soaked paper towel.

4. Flasking of the seed

Take out the petri dishes or glass jars containers holding the agar medium. Over the steam, open up the containers and transfer seeds from the ethanol soaked paper towel into the individual containers using the sterilized forceps.

The amount of seeds will determine the number of containers required.  Replace the lid of the containers and place them on  a window sill that receives indirect sunlight.

5. Wait and exercise patience

All that can be done at this point is to wait until the seeds germinate. The amount of time that this might take varies and is dependent on the particular species.

Generally, the time can range from a few months to a few years. During this period of waiting, ensure the containers are free from contamination to ensure that germination is not disrupted.

6. Emergence of protocorms

Protocorms are tuber-shaped bodies with rhizoids that are produced by the young seedlings of various orchids. Protocorms represent the embryonic form of the orchid plant.

Their emergence after the period of waiting at an affirmation that everything in the propagation process is on track.

7. Transflask orchid seedlings is done after they have developed roots

Upon the emergence of the protocorms, consistently observe the growth of the seedlings. At the point when the seedlings appear to overcrowd the flask, transflasking should be carried out, typically within 30 and 60 days.

* This is done by removing individual seedlings using sterilized tweezers from the original containers and placing them in new containers also filled, in a proportion similar to the original, with agar medium. 6 to 8 in a standard petri dish or 1or 2 to a test tube

8. Transplant seedlings into planting pots

On the presumption that there are no disruptions to the plant growth, the seedlings will eventually outgrow the containers.

At this point, they are to be transplanted into planting pots. A good rule of thumb to determine when they are ready to be transplanted is when the seedlings have developed roots that have grown up to the length of one-quarter of an inch.

To transplant, prepare a planting pot or other container for receiving the seedling by majorly filling it up with coarse fir bark and possibly some slightly moist orchid compost mixture containing perlite, fine charcoal, redwood bark shavings, etc.

To extract the seedlings, submerge the containers in warm water to help loosen the agar gel.

Once the agar medium is softened, twist a piece of metal to form a loop and in turn, use it to carefully pull out the seedlings from the container. It is best done if the agar and seedling can be removed together.

The seedlings can be further rinsed in lukewarm water to remove any excess agar mixture still stuck to them.

Following this, the seedlings can now be planted into the prepared pot with at least 50mm of space between each individual seedling.

9. Positioning the orchid

The seedling once fully transplanted should be placed in a location that is warm with good indirect sun light.

Slowly position the pots into an area that closely assimilates the conditions it will be growing under.

The choice as to whether the plant should be exposed to full sun or in direct sunlight will be dependent on the particular orchid specie.

10. Subsequent care of the plant

After the first week, the seedling can be misted several times a day and watered just once a week.

A guide in watering the plant will be using the dryness of the fir back that is, water the plant until the fir back is completely moistened and wait till it has completely dried out before watering again.

Do not fertilize until the seedlings have fully established themselves.

Division: Division is the easiest method for amateurs to propagate Rhinerrhiza divitiflora. At some point, the orchid will become root-bound in its pot or large enough to divide the clump on a tree or slab. The only tools required are sharp sterile knife a slab of cork or pumice stone and some hemp or nylon string. I prefer hemp string because it is totally natural but is difficult to obtain.

To repot: Remove Rhinerrhiza divitiflora from its pot and set it on a firm surface. Cut through the roots to create separate sections of the plant. Each piece should include four to five stems and a large chunk of the root system. Repot using a central stick to ensure the plant is tied securely so that it does not move.

Slab plants: Take the slab and cut it down the middle ensuring each section has healthy terminal stems. Retie the new divisions cork or pumice stone onto a new piece of cork or pumice stone. Tie them so that they do not move. Do not over tighten as this cut’s off the flow of nutrients to the new leaves.

Treat plants that are growing naturally on a tree in the same way. First cut the plant in half then slice just below the roots into the outer layer of bark being careful not to damage the stems or the xylem and phloem layers of the tree Remove the section and retie it to another section of the tree or cork slab as desired.

Fertilize using seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis as a foliar spray. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhizophora stylosa

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Rhizophoraceae

Genus: From Rhiza, which is Ancient Greek for a root and Phoros, which is Greek to bear. It refers to roots, which are prominent as stilt or prop roots.

Specie: From Stŷlos, which is Ancient Greek for a column, pillar or later Greek for a part of the female reproductive organ between the ovaries and the stigma. It refers to styles, which are comparatively thicker and longer than most other species in the genus for the overall size of the flowers.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Red Mangrove or Spider Mangrove or Stilt Root Mangrove.

Distribution:

Rhizophora stylosa is found north and east along the coast from Exmouth in central coastal Western Australia through the Northern Territory, northern Queensland and south to South West rocks in northern New South Wales.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhizophora stylosa prefers full sun. It grows along brackish estuaries and exposed coastal flats. It is often found on the land side of the grey mangrove alluvial flats or mud flats. The altitude ranges from 0 meters ASL to 2 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 5 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 3200mm average per annum. This is not really important as it exist in habitats which are flooded daily or regularly by sea water.

Soil Requirements:

Rhizophora stylosa prefers muddy sandy loams to heavy muddy clays or light silts to heavy silts with a high proportion of leaf litter and other organic matter. The soils are mainly derived from alluvial deposits. The soils pH ranges 4.5pH to 8.6pH. They tolerate water logged soils. Very saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 20m by 3m to 12m

Characteristics:

The trunk of Rhizophora stylosa is tall, straight, grey-brown to grey, scabrous and densely covered in large farinaceous lumps. The branches are pale grey-brown to grey and almost glabrous with a few farinaceous lumps. The branchlets only become green near the apex, when the newer leaf growth has just flushed. The aerial roots are very prominent from above the high water level and spreading out further than the drip line on young trees and to the drip line on mature trees. The aerial roots are brown and often branched.

The opposite, crowded, elliptical to obovate leaves of Rhizophora stylosa measure 60mm to 140mm in length by 30mm to 80mm in width. The bases are rounded and slightly attenuate while the apex is obtuse to obtuse-acuminate with a caduceus mucronate tip. The discolourous laminas are sea-green, semi glossy to glossy, coriaceous and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower laminas are paler and sparsely covered in red spots. The leaf margins are entire, flat and curve decurve near the margins and apex. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina and distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The petiole measures 10mm to 35mm in length.

The caduceus stipules are creamy green turning reddish-green near the base. They measure 20mm to 40mm in length by 10mm to 20mm in width.

Inflorescences of Rhizophora stylosa are born on a compound corymb from the leaf axils. The pale creamy green to pale creamy yellow peduncles are glabrous and measure 10mm to 30mm in length. The pale creamy green to pale creamy yellow pedicels are glabrous and measure 5mm to 10mm in length. The 4 pale creamy yellow, elliptical calyx lobes are pendant to divaricate, glabrous and measure 12mm to 15mm in length. The 4 pale creamy yellow, linear petals are divaricate to reflexed, glabrous and measure 8mm to 12mm in length. The margins are densely covered in long white villous hairs.

The 8 stamens are free for their entire length and measure 6mm to 8mm in length. The filaments are creamy yellow and narrower than the anthers which turn pale fawn after anthesis. The linear anthers measure 3mm to 4.5mm in length.

The creamy yellow pistils are glabrous while the ovary is green. The pistils measure 8mm to 10mm in length. Rhizophora stylosa’s sweet scented flowers appear from early June throughout the year.

The fruits of Rhizophora stylosa are long linear pods. The seedlings measure 20mm to 40mm in length by 15mm to 30mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Rhizophora stylosa’s is host to several moths and butterflies including Hypochrysops apelles, Hypochrysops narcissus, Adoxophyes templana and Dysphania numanna.

The stilt roots offer protection for many fish especially when breeding. It is estimated that 75{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} of Australia’s fish visit a mangrove at least once in their lives. Most of these were born there.

Cultivation:

Rhizophora stylosa is a magnificent small tree that should be grown in association with other mangrove trees near the coast. It is ideal at the edge of estuaries and sea board fronts and makes a good park tree on coastal esplanades offering quick growth. It is a good shade where there roots can access saline or brackish water. In cultivation it grows from 8 meters to 12 meters in height by 8 meters to 12 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture is always available. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as 2 degrees and up to 40 degrees.

This tree could be used as a bonsai plant as I have seen some trees in the forest that have grown in some very difficult conditions like on rock ledges covered in mud, take on some weird shapes.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhizophora stylosa can be removed easily from the parent tree.

Sow freshly seeds directly into 200mm pots, keeping them moist by standing the pots in a saucer of water. Place the trays in a warm to hot position in full sun. When the seedlings are 200mm to 500mm tall plant them out in their permanent positions.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhodamnia argentea

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Myrtales

Family: Myrtaceae

Genus: From Rhódos, which is Ancient Greek for a rose, and Aminon, which is Latin for a bowl, in which the blood of lambs was poured after sacrifice. It refers to the bowl shaped calyx tubes resembling a sacrificial bowl.

Specie:From Aárgillos, which is Greek and later Latin for silver. It refers to structures or organs usually the foliage and stems, which are silvery.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Silver Leaf Mallet Wood.

Distribution:

Rhodamnia argentea is found south from the Fitzroy River in southern Queensland to Port Macquarie in central coastal New South Wales. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhodamnia argentea prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows adjacent to warm well developed rainforests, riparian rainforests, littoral rainforests or moist Eucalyptus forests. It is found in riparian zones, on alluvial flats and hillsides. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 960 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhodamnia argentea prefers better quality sandy loams to light clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, shale or basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however some flooding may occur for short periods in lower riparian zones. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:15m to 30m by 5m to 10m.

Characteristics:

Rhodamnia argentea grows as a tall, straight medium tree with a whitish bark with scattered pale pinkish-brown marking. It is somewhat papery and at times having a twisted appearance. The branches are pale grey and only becoming green near the apex where the newer leaf growth occurs. The branchlets are sparsely covered in white tomentose hairs.

The opposite, ovate to elliptical leaves of Rhodamnia argentea measure 50mm to 130mm in length by 25mm to 60mm in width. The bases are cuneate to broad cuneate while the apexes are acute-acuminate with an obtuse tip. The discolourous laminas are deep olive-green, semi glossy to glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is pale silvery-green, dull and sparsely covered in fawn tomentose hairs. The leaf margins are entire, flat or curve slightly upwards and decurve towards the apex. The mid vein and 2 main lateral veins are strongly prominent on the lower laminas from the base to the apex. The transverse secondary veins are clearly visible as is the intramarginal vein. The petiole measures 5mm to 20mm in length.

The inflorescences of Rhodamnia argentea are born singularly to 4 loose cymes from the leaf axils. Each cyme has 2 or 3 flowers. The pedicels are glabrous to sparsely covered in fawn tomentose hairs. The pedicels measure 6mm to 13mm in length. The hypanthia are densely covered in fawn tomentose hairs. The 4 fawn calyx lobes are divaricate, densely covered in fawn tomentose hairs externally and are glabrous internally. They measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length. The 4 white petals turn cream after anthesis and measure 3mm to 4mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in diameter.

The numerous stamens are free for their entire length and measure 3.5mm to 4.5mm in length. The filaments are white while the anthers are creamy yellow.

The white style and stigma are glabrous. The pistil measures 2mm to 4mm in length. Rhodamnia argentea’s mildly sweet scented flowers appear from early September through to late early February.

The fruits of Rhodamnia argentea are globose berries. The large berries are glabrous and covered in fine network of white markings. The green berries turn yellow before turning soft and deep purple black externally when ripe. The flesh is a creamy green to creamy white internally. The ripe fruits measure 8mm to 10mm in length by 8mm to 10mm in diameter. The calyx lobes are persistent on the ripe fruit.

The small glossy brown seeds are flattened ellipsoidal and woody. The fruit ripen from March through to June.

Wildlife:

Rhodamnia argentea’s do not appear to have any predators though the ripe fruits are eagerly sought out by the Green Cat Bird regent Bower Bird and various Honeyeaters.

The fruit has a slight guava taste and has a good amount of flesh. This is one tree that should have more work done it for commercial production as in good years the trees can produce large quantities of fruit. Research is needed to cull good producing trees with good size fruit and flavour.

Cultivation:

Rhodamnia argentea is a magnificent slow growing small tree that should be grown in association with other rainforest specie in riparian gardens, bush gardens or as small feature shade tree. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the small suburban rainforest. They also make great park trees offering good shade. In cultivation it grows from 12 meters to 15 meters in height by 8 meters to 10 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown closer together as a rainforest tree.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period. Trees on our property at Nana Glen responded admirably when fed on the same fertilizers and composts as our citrus trees.

It often reaches its full potential in just 12 to 15 years and flower from the sixth or eighth year from seed.

This tree could be used as a bonsai plant as I have seen some trees in the forest that have grown on brown basalt rocks with little to no soil cover.

Trees grown commercially or in close proximity to each other may suffer from myrtle rust on the leaves.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhodamnia argentea can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh seeds directly onto 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. Germination is slow and erratic.

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. For orchard management trees should be planted in rows 6 meters to 8 meters apart by 6 meters to 8 meter centers. Pruning of the trees to induce large bushy shrubs should commence once the plants reach 1 meter in height. Fertilizing should be on the lower side until the plants have developed a good root system and have been encouraged to send out side shoots which can be managed. Mass plantings for a park setting can be done at 12 meters to 20 meter centers or closer at 5 meter centers for a rainforest scenario.

I believe cuttings are difficult to strike and this will be essential for future commercial production.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhodamnia rubescens

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Myrtales

Family: Myrtaceae

Genus: From Rhódos, which is Ancient Greek for a rose, and Aminon, which is Latin for a bowl, in which the blood of lambs was poured after sacrifice. It refers to the bowl shaped calyx tubes resembling a sacrificial bowl.

Specie: From Rubescent, which is Latin for to become reddish or pale reddish-pink. It usually refers to the flower’s ovaries which turn pale pinkish-red after anthesis.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Scrub Turpentine or Scrub Mallet Wood.

Distribution:

Rhodamnia rubescens is found south from Callide River west of Gladstone in southern Queensland to Batemans Bay in southern New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

It prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows on the eastern slopes close to the coast in openings, adjacent to warm well developed rainforests, Riparian rainforests, littoral rainforests or moist Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1300 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhodamnia rubescens prefers soils that are sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from better quality decomposed shale, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however some flooding may occur for short periods in lower riparian zones. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 15m to 25m by 5m to 10m.

Characteristics:

The trunk of Rhodamnia rubescens is tall, straight, reddish-brown, fissured and often with greenish patches of lichens attached to older parts. The branches are pale grey-brown and scabrous, only becoming green nearer to the apex where the new growth occurs. The branchlets are pale green blue and covered in white tomentose hairs.

The opposite, ovate to elliptical leaves of Rhodamnia rubescens measure 50mm to 100mm in length by 20mm to 50mm in width. The bases are broad cuneate to rounded while the apexes are acuminate. The discolourous laminas are deep grey-green, dull, glabrous and sparsely covered in fawn hirtellous hairs on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler, dull and sparsely to densely covered in fawn hirtellous hairs. The leaf margins are entire, flat or curve slightly upwards and decurve towards the apex. The mid vein and 2 main lateral veins are strongly prominent on the lower laminas from the base to the apex. The transverse secondary veins are clearly visible as is the intramarginal vein. Oil glands are rather distinct. The petiole measures 5mm to 10mm in length.

Inflorescences of Rhodamnia rubescens are born singularly to 3 loose cymes from the leaf axils. Each cyme has 2 or 3 flowers. The peduncles are glabrous to sparsely covered in fawn tomentose hairs and measure 5mm to 22mm in length. The pedicels measure 2mm to 6mm in length. The hypanthia are sparsely covered in fawn puberulent hairs. The 4 fawn calyx lobes are divaricate, sparsely covered in fawn tomentose hairs externally and are glabrous internally. They measure 2mm to 3mm in length. The 4 white petals turn cream after anthesis and measure 4mm to 6mm in length by 4mm to 6mm in diameter.

The numerous stamens are free for their entire length and measure 3mm to 5mm in length. The filaments are white while the anthers are creamy yellow.

The white style and stigma are glabrous. The pistil measures 4mm to 5mm in length. Rhodamnia rubescens’s mildly sweet scented flowers appear from late June through to late early October.

The fruits of Rhodamnia rubescens are globose berries. The large berries are glabrous and glossy. The green berries turn yellow before turning soft and deep reddish maroon while the flesh is a creamy green internally. The ripe fruits measure 5mm to 8mm in length by 5mm to 8mm in diameter. The calyx lobes are not persistent on the ripe fruit.

The small glossy brown seeds are flattened ellipsoidal and woody. The fruit ripen from March through to June.

Wildlife:

Rhodamnia rubescens’s do not appear to have any predators though the ripe fruits are eagerly sought out by many fruit eating birds like the Regent Bower Bird, the satin Boer Bird, Green cat Bird, Fig Bird, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly Breasted Lorikeet, Emerald Pigeon and the Brown Cuckoo Doves.

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of guava with a slight Eucalyptus flavour. The texture is that of a guava.

Cultivation:

Rhodamnia rubescens is a magnificent small tree that should be grown in association with other rainforest specie. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest. They also make great park trees offering quick growth, and good shade. In cultivation they will grow from 12 meters to 15 meters in height by 8 meters to 10 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown closer together as a rainforest tree.

The trees are worthwhile growing in a park scenario mixed with trees of different barks so that the trunk is accentuated. Some good contrasting trunks on trees of similar size are Rhodamnia argentea, Tristaniopsis laurina, Elattostachys nervosa and Cupaniopsis anacharioides. A mixture of these trees also gives interest in the foliages and fruits. It is all great small shade trees that will grow well together.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

They often reach their full potential in just 12 to 15 years and flower from the sixth or eighth year from seed.

This tree could be used a s bonsai plant as I have seen some trees in the forest that have grown in some very difficult conditions take on some weird shapes.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhodamnia rubescens can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh 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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhodamnia whiteana

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Myrtales

Family: Myrtaceae

Genus: From Rhódos, which is Ancient Greek for a rose, and Aminon, which is Latin for a bowl, in which the blood of lambs was poured after sacrifice. It refers to the bowl shaped calyx tubes resembling a sacrificial bowl.

Specie:Is named in honour of Cyril Tenison White; 1890-1950, who was an Australian botanist. He became Queensland’s Government Botanist in 1917, where he evaluated native species for pastures and fodder.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Cliff Malletwood.

Distribution:

Rhodamnia whiteana is restricted to a small area of the border Ranges in far south eastern Queensland and far north eastern New South Wales.

It is found on the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

It prefers dappled shade to full sun. It chiefly grows in the transitional zones between sub tropical rainforest and dry rainforest. The altitude ranges from 350 meters ASL to 750 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 1500mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhodamnia whiteana prefers soils that are shallow loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from better quality decomposed black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 6pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however soils have good moisture retention. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 12m to 18m by 5m to 8m.

Characteristics:

The trunk of Rhodamnia whiteana is tall, straight, brown, verticle fissured with a corky appearance. The branches are pale grey-brown and somewhat scabrous, only becoming green nearer to the apex where the new growth occurs. The stems are mid green and are sparsely to moderately covered in fine white pubescent hairs soon becoming glabrescent.

The opposite, elliptic or lanceolate to ovate leaves of Rhodamnia whiteana measure 50mm to 100mm in length by 15mm to 30mm in width. The petiole is moderately covered in fine white pubescent hairs and measure 4mm to 8mm in length. The bases are broad cuneate to rounded while the apexes are strongly acuminate. The discolourous laminas are mid to deep grey-green, dull to semi glossy, glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is dull whitish-green and sparsely covered fine, white pubescent hairs. The leaf margins are entire, flat and decurve on s the apical third. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower laminas from the base to the apex, while the 2 main lateral veins are prominent on the lower lamina and run parallel and close to the margin. The lateral veins are at 65 to 70 degrees to the main vein. The reticulate venation is clearly visible. Oil glands are rather distinct. The oil glands numerous and distinct.

Inflorescences of Rhodamnia whiteana are born singularly or in pairs from the leaf axils. Each cyme has 3 or 9 flowers. The peduncles are glabrous to sparsely covered in fine, white pubescent hairs and measure 5mm to 9mm in length. The silvery-white hypanthia is glabrous. The 4 sepals are persistent and measure 2.5mm to 3mm in length. The 4 white petals measure 6.5mm to 7.5mm in length by 4mm to 5.5mm in width.

The 4 to 6 stamens are free for their entire length and measure 4mm to 6mm in length. The anthers are cream.

The white style and stigma are glabrous. The pistil measures 7mm to 8mm in length. Rhodamnia whiteana’s mildly sweet scented flowers appear from early December to late January.

The fruits of Rhodamnia whiteana are globose berries. The large berries are glabrous and glossy. The green berries turn yellow before turning red and finally to black. The ripe fruits measure 8mm to 13mm in diameter. The calyx lobes are not persistent on the ripe fruit.

The small glossy brown seeds are flattened ellipsoidal and woody. The fruit ripen from March through to June.

Wildlife:

Rhodamnia whiteana’s do not appear to have any predators though the ripe fruits are eagerly sought out by many fruit eating birds like the Regent Bower Bird, the satin Boer Bird, Green cat Bird, Fig Bird, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly Breasted Lorikeet, Emerald Pigeon and the Brown Cuckoo Doves.

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of guava with a slight Eucalyptus flavour. The texture is that of a guava.

Cultivation:

Rhodamnia whiteana is a magnificent small tree that should be grown in association with other rainforest specie. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest. It also makes great park trees offering relatively quick growth, and good shade. In cultivation it will grow from 6 meters to 8 meters in height by 5 meters to 7 meters in diameter when grown in the open as a multi trunked tree or taller and narrower if grown closer together as a single trunk rainforest tree.

The tree is worthwhile growing in a park scenario mixed with trees of different barks so that the trunk is accentuated. Some good contrasting trunks on trees of similar size are Rhodamnia argentea, Endiandra floydii, Elattostachys nervosa and Cupaniopsis anacharioides. A mixture of these trees also gives interest in the foliages and fruits. They are all great small to medium shade tree that will grow well together.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met it can cope with temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on an annual basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

It often reaches its full potential in just 12 to 15 years and flower from the sixth to eighth year from seed.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhodamnia whiteana can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh 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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhodanthe anthemoides

Classification:

Class: Eudicots

Subclass: Asterids

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Tribe: Inuleae

Genus: From Rhódon, which is Ancient Greek for a beautiful lady who Dianna turned into a rose and ántha/ánthos, which are Ancient Greek for the male reproductive organ in a flower or the flower. It refers to flowers which resemble a rose in colour or form.

Specie:From ántha/ánthos, which are Ancient Greek for the male reproductive organs in a flower or the flower and Eîdos/Oides, which is Ancient Greek for alike or similar to. It refers to plants, especially the leaves which resemble the Anthemis genus that also includes the Chamomile teas.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Chamomile Sunray.

Distribution:

Rhodanthe anthemoides is found south from the Kroombit Tablelands in central eastern Queensland to Lake Wonga and Mount Arapiles in the Grampians National Park in central western Victoria. It is found further west at Mount Remarkable, Goyder and in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia and a single population in Western Australia at Morawa. It is found on the Western Slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range but rarely extends to the coast plains.

In Tasmania it is found through the center of the state from the north west to the south east corner. It is not found in the south western Highlands or the north eastern highlands.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhodanthe anthemoides prefers dappled shade to full sun. It usually grows on rocky ledges and exposed rocky positions in montane situations or open woodlands. The altitude ranges from 30 meters ASL to 1450 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 5 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 300mm to 1600mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhodanthe anthemoides prefers soils that are sandy loams to light fatty clays with or without a high proportion of forest litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones or granites. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.2m to 0.3m by 0.3m to 0.4m.

Characteristics:

Rhodanthe anthemoides is an erect bushy herb with many slender stems arising from a perennial rootstock. The stems measure 200mm to 300mm in height. The stems are glabrous to sparsely covered in fine white puberulent hairs.

The opposite, almost crowded, thick, linear to narrow-oblong leaves of Rhodanthe anthemoides measure 10mm to 15mm in length by 0.5mm to 3mm in width. The sessile bases are broad cuneate while the apexes are acute to acuminate. The concolourous laminas are deep grey-green, green or blue-green, dull, glabrous or sparsely covered in white puberulent hairs. The laminas are flat and decurve downwards near the base and are sparsely covered in sunken, globose glands. The margins are entire. The mid vein is prominent on the lower laminas.

Inflorescences of Rhodanthe anthemoides are solitary heads born from the terminals. The peduncles are glabrous to sparsely covered in fawn tomentose hairs and measure 5mm to 22mm in length.

The broad turbinate to hemispherical heads measure 5mm to 8mm in length. The pastel brown outer and intermediate involucral bracts have a deep purple midrib and measure 5mm to 6mm in length. The broad elliptic involucral bracts are covered in white ciliate hairs. The white inner involucral bracts are elliptic, glossy and measure 6mm to 7mm in length.

The 16 to 20, white oblong ligules measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width. The numerous florets corollas measure 5mm to 6mm in length. The flowers appear from late October through to late February.

Rhodanthe anthemoides’s fruits are narrow, compressed cylindrical achenes. The large achenes are glabrous and glossy. The greenish achenes turn yellow before turning deep chocolate-brown when ripe. The ripe fruits measure 2mm to 2.2mm in length by 0.7mm to 0.8mm in width. The silky, pilose pappus is equal to the corolla and is covered in white ciliate hairs. The corolla is persistent until the achenes are released.

Wildlife:

Rhodanthe anthemoides’s wildlife varies from pests like the rabbit, slugs and snails; especially when introduced to humid climates, to native fauna like the Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), the Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus), various Aphids (Toxoptera genre) and the Rutherglen bug (Nysius clevelandensis) or (Nysius vinitor)

Cultivation:

Rhodanthe anthemoides is a beautiful small herb for use in mass plantings or as a border plant. It is ideal at the edge of a bush garden or on the edge of a heath garden. It also makes a great display when mass planted amongst other annuals with yellow or pink flowers. In cultivation they will grow from 0.3 meters to 0.4 meters in height by 0.2 meters to 0.3 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It is worthwhile growing in a park scenario beneath trees with different barks where plenty of light reaches the ground. Some good contrasting trunks on trees of similar size are Rhodamnia argentea, Tristaniopsis laurina, Elattostachys nervosa and Cupaniopsis anacharioides. A mixture of these trees also gives interest in the foliages and fruits as they drop to the ground. It is all great small shade trees that will grow well together but allow plenty of room for them to grow to their full potential and let light reach the plants below.

The soils moisture content must be maintained at an even level to ensure good flowering. A lack of water in the soil will cause buds to be aborted. The herbs can be cut back hard to a third as the last buds begin to flower to induce a second round of flowers.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhodanthe anthemoides’s seeds can be collected from mature flower heads as they start to expand and dissipate. The fresh seeds germinate rapidly and are usually completed in 7 to 16 days. Germination is usually around 100{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} from fresh seed so sow sparingly. Storing seed is best done by placing the seeds in the vegetable crisper over winter in a brown paper or calico bag.

Sow the fresh 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 20{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into their permanent position. Do not delay, as root bound plants will not recover or produce good flower heads.

Apparently Rhodanthe chlorocephala can be grown from cuttings though I have never attempted to grow it from cuttings as seed production is very easy and reliable.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhodanthe chlorocephala

Classification:

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Superorder: Asteraneae

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: From Rhódon, which is Ancient Greek for a beautiful lady who Dianna turned into a rose and ántha/ánthos, which are Ancient Greek for the male reproductive organ in a flower or the flower. It refers to flowers which resemble a rose in colour or form.

Specie: From Khloros, which is Ancient Greek for green or yellowish-green and Kephalḗ, which is Ancient Greek for a head. It refers to flower heads which have outstanding or exquisite beauty.

Sub specie: Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. Chlorocephala. From Khloros, which is Ancient Greek for green or yellowish-green and Kephalḗ, which is Ancient Greek for a head. It refers to flower heads which have outstanding or exquisite beauty.

Sub specie: Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosa. From Rhódon, which is Ancient Greek or Rosa, which is Latin for to have a rose or pink colour. It refers to flowers, which have a delicate rose pink colour.

Sub specie: Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. splendida. From Splendēns, which is Latin for to glisten or shine. It refers to plants, which have a real shine or are spectacular in flower.

Common Name: Paper Daisy or Sunray.

Distribution:

Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. Chlorocephala is found in several disjunct populations Wiluna and Agnew to Perth in south west, Western Australia.

Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosa is found south and west of a line from Carnarvon in Western Australia to Mount Lyndhurst in central South Australia.

The only population in the east is that of Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. splendida which was recovered 65 kilometres south of Burke.

The plants may be more widely distributed than the any maps or records indicate especially when Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. splendida is found in western New South Wales[A1] .

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhodanthe chlorocephala prefers full sun. It grows on open plains in open woodlands, open forests, woodland heaths on floodplains, seasonal creek and river banks and around salt lakes. The altitude ranges from 3 meters ASL to 670 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 150mm to 1000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhodanthe chlorocephala prefers better quality sandy loams to medium gritty clays or medium stony clays with or without a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones or granites. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however some flooding may occur for short periods in lower riparian zones. Slightly saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.1m to 0.6 m by 0.3m to 0.5m.

Characteristics:

Rhodanthe chlorocephala grows as an erect bushy herb with many slender stems arising from a perennial rootstock. The stems measure 200mm to 300mm in height. The bluish-green to grass-green stems are glabrous to sparsely covered in fine white puberulent hairs.

The opposite, linear to lanceolate leaves of Rhodanthe chlorocephala measure 30mm to 40mm in length by 1mm to 4.5mm in width. The sessile bases are broad cuneate while the apexes are acute to acuminate. The concolourous laminas are bluish-green, green or grass-green, dull, glabrous or sparsely covered in white puberulent hairs. The laminas are flat and decurve downwards near the base and are sparsely covered in sunken, globose glands. The margins are entire. The mid vein is prominent on the lower laminas.

Inflorescences of Rhodanthe chlorocephala are solitary heads or loose leafless corymbs born from the terminals. The peduncles are glabrous to sparsely covered in fawn tomentose hairs and measure 5mm to 22mm in length.

The broad turbinate to hemispherical heads measure 6mm to 10mm in length. The pastel brown to pale brown outer involucral bracts are broad ovate and measure 4mm to 7mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in width. The broad oblong to narrow spathulate involucral bracts are covered in white tomentose ciliate hairs. The white inner involucral bracts are narrow oblong and measure 4mm to 7mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in width.

The 15 to more than a hundred, white, pastel pink to deep pink oblong to linear ligules measure 4mm to 7mm in length by 1.5mm to 2.5mm in width. The 20 to 30 floret’s corollas are turbinate with irregular and unequal minute teeth. The florets measure 5mm to 6mm in length. The flowers appear from late September to early December.

Rhodanthe chlorocephala’ fruits are turbinate achenes. The large achenes are glabrous and glossy. The greenish achenes turn yellow before turning deep chocolate-brown when ripe. The ripe fruits measure 3mm to 4mm in length by 0.7mm to 1mm in width. The silky, pilose pappus is equal to the corolla and is covered in white ciliate hairs. The corolla tubes are persistent until the achenes are released.

Confusing Subspecies Varieties:

Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. chlorocephala’s flowers are white with 15 to 30 short, oblong ligulates.

Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosa’s flowers are pink with 100 long linear to narrow elliptical ligulates.

Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. splendida flowers are creamy to yellow with 100 linear to narrow elliptical ligulates.

Wildlife:

Rhodanthe chlorocephala’s wildlife varies from pests like the rabbit, slugs and snails; especially when introduced to humid climates, to native fauna like the Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), the Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus), various Aphids (Toxoptera genre) and the Rutherglen bug (Nysius clevelandensis) or (Nysius vinitor)

Cultivation:

Rhodanthe chlorocephala is a beautiful small herb for use in mass plantings or as a border plant. It is ideal at the edge of a bush garden or on the edge of a heath garden. It also makes a great display when mass planted amongst other annuals with yellow or pink flowers. In cultivation they will grow from 0.3 meters to 0.4 meters in height by 0.2 meters to 0.3 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It is worthwhile growing in a park scenario beneath trees with different barks where plenty of light reaches the ground. Some good contrasting trunks on trees of similar size are Rhodamnia argentea, Tristaniopsis laurina, Elattostachys nervosa and Cupaniopsis anacharioides. A mixture of these trees also gives interest in the foliages and fruits as they drop to the ground. It is all great small shade trees that will grow well together but allow plenty of room for them to grow to their full potential and let light reach the plants below.

The soils moisture content must be maintained at an even level to ensure good flowering. A lack of water in the soil will cause buds to be aborted.  The herbs can be cut back hard to a third as the last buds begin to flower to induce a second round of flowers.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhodanthe chlorocephala’s seeds can be collected from mature flower heads as they start to expand and dissipate. The fresh seeds germinate rapidly and are usually completed in 7 to 16 days. Germination is usually around 100{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} from fresh seed so sow sparingly. Storing seed is best done by placing the seeds in the vegetable crisper over winter in a brown paper or calico bag.

Sow the fresh 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 20{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house.

When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into their permanent position. Do not delay as root bound plants will not recover or produce good flower heads.

Apparently Rhodanthe chlorocephala can be grown from cuttings though I have never attempted to grow it from cuttings as seed production is very easy and reliable.

It responds well to a regular fertilize program 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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.” In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl and all aboriginal nations throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and future for the pleasures we have gained.

---

Rhododendron viriosum

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Ericales

Family: Ericaceae

Subfamily: Ericoideae

Genus: From Rhódon, which is Ancient Greek for a beautiful lady and Déndron, which is Ancient Greek for a tree. It refers to flowers, which as legend has it in Greek mythology, “Dianna angered by Rhodanthe turned her into a rose “thus the flowers have a resemblance to the rose flower with thorns.

Specie: From Virens, which is Latin for green. It refers to any structure or organ, which is bright green.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Native Azalea or Native Rhododendron.

Distribution:

Rhododendron viriosum is restricted to a small area from the Daintree National Park to near Lakewood in far north Queensland.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhododendron viriosum prefers dense shade to partial shade. It grows on the higher slopes of the Great Dividing Range. In its natural habitat it grows a lithophyte, epiphyte or more often on cliff faces or at times in the soil

The temperatures range from minus 5 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 1400mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhododendron viriosum prefers better quality sandy loams to light clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalts and black basalts. The soils pH range 5.5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

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

Characteristics:

The stems of Rhododendron viriosum are reddish-brown, glabrous, glossy and scabrous. They only become green as they approach the apex.

The opposite, leathery, elliptical leaves of Rhododendron viriosum measure 55mm to 105mm in length by 3mm to 60mm in width. The leaves snap in two when folded. The petiole is channelled on the upper surface and measures 25mm to 33mm in length. The bases are broad cuneate while the apexes are broadly acuminate. The concolourous laminas are deep green, semi glossy to glossy, glabrous while the lower laminas are sparsely covered in deep red-brown peltate scales. The leaf margins are entire, flat or curve slightly upwards and decurve towards the apex. The mid vein and lateral veins are prominent on the lower laminas while the lateral veins form loops inside the blade margin.

Inflorescences of Rhododendron viriosum are born in clusters of 3 to 12 from the leaf axils. The pedicels are glabrous and measure 12mm to 18mm in length. The corollas are strongly campanulate and measure 32mm to 45mm in length by 25mm to 32mm in diameter. The 5 obtuse lobes measure 10mm to 15mm in length. The corolla and lobes are glabrous externally and sparsely covered in small glands internally. The corolla is straight or slightly curved.

The 10 stamens are free for their entire length and measure 30mm to 43mm in length. The filaments are the same Colōr as the corolla while the anthers are deep brown while the pollen is white. The base of the ovary is surrounded by a raised disc from where the filaments emerge from.

The ovary is densely covered in white hirtellous hairs as is the lower half of the style. The stigma has 4 lobes. The pistil measures 30mm to 43mm in length. Rhododendron viriosum’s flowers appear from late June through to late early November.

The fruits of Rhododendron viriosum are long narrow capsules. The capsules measure 20mm to 40mm in length at the time of dehiscing. The green capsules turn deep reddish brown and papery when ripe. The calyx lobes are persistent on the ripe fruit as is the style.

The small filiform brown seeds measure 2mm to 5mm in length with a slender twisted wing on each end. The seeds may germinate inside the capsules in wet weather.

Wildlife:

Rhododendron viriosum’s is unknown to the author.

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of guava with a slight Eucalyptus flavour. The texture is that of a guava.

Cultivation:

Rhododendron viriosum is a magnificent shrub that should be grown in association with other rainforest specie in cool frost free areas or where only light frosts are infrequently experienced. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest particularly in riparian zones above the flood levels as they add Colōr to the home gardener’s rainforest floor which is unusual. They also make great displays at the edge of forest scenes or old English style gardens in semi shaded areas.

As the shrubs often grow as lithophytes they will insist on good drainage but at the same time their natural environment receives very high rainfall and extra moisture is received via thick fogs on an almost daily basis.

In cultivation it grows from 1 meter to 2.5 meters in height by 1 meter to 2.5 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met it can cope with temperatures as low as minus 2 degrees and up to 32 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

They often reach their full potential in just 2 to 3 years and flower from the third or fourth year from seed.

This tree could be used as a bonsai plant as I have seen some trees in the forest that have grown in some very difficult conditions take on some weird shapes.

For something spectacularly different try Rhododendron viriosum in a sandy or rocky terrain rock garden. If the rockery were placed on a gentle slope or a steep slope it would even be better for displaying the flowers. Here they can be used as the main feature with smaller sub shrubs as the fill in plants, scattered throughout the boulders. When you use them in an area that is strewn with large boulders do not over crowd the scene as the boulders are a formidable part of the scene. Rhododendron viriosum is well suited to such conditions so use contours to display the plants boulder country are almost always rising and falling in contour and have sharp rises. Plants must be planted sparingly with short annuals between to give vibrant Colōr. Make the scene so you can see over the tallest ones with the exception of one or two plants at the most. The idea is to achieve a feeling of starkness and harshness. This can be achieved with using Rhododendron viriosum’s deep olive green leaves contrasting with finer pale green or soft grey to glaucous coloured foliages. If large deep green leaf plants are wanted try using them as prostrate plants. Use a lot of procumbent plants like Hibbertia scandens to make the rocks stand out, in the spaces between the plants bigger. Mix them with other smaller shrubs so none of them dominate the scene but blend in to give a mosaic of foliage colours that you oversee. Here I immediately think of Actinotis helianthi or Grevillea obtusifolia for two great contrasting foliages however Actinotis species may be a little over powering against deeper colored rocks unless a strong contrast is desired.

This Rhododendron like Azaleas in China and other Rhododendrons in Africa make exceptional bonsai plants. The fact that it is happy growing on cliff faces and as an epiphyte proves that low nutrient and root restriction is not a problem.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhododendron viriosum can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh 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 to 80{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.

Cuttings:

Fortunately Rhododendron viriosum 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. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

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

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

6 Use a small dipple stick or old pencil to poke a hole into the soilless potting mix. Ensure the hole is slightly larger than the stem diameter and be careful not to wipe the rooting hormone off the cuttings base. Place 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.

Fertilize using seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

---

Rhodomyrtus psidioides

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Myrtales

Family: Myrtaceae

Genus: From Rhódon, which is Ancient Greek for a beautiful lady and Myrtle, which is Ancient Greek for the European Myrtles. It refers to flowers, which as legend has it in Greek mythology, “Dianna angered by Rhodanthe turned her into a rose “thus the flowers have a resemblance to the rose flower while it is produced on shrubs with Myrtle like leaves.

Specie: From Pisidium, which is Ancient Greek for the pomegranate fruit and Eîdos/Oides, which is Ancient Greek for alike or similar to. It refers to the fruits being similar to the exotic guavas in appearance and in taste.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Native Guava.

Distribution:

Rhodomyrtus psidioides is found south from the Callide River west of Gladstone in south eastern Queensland to Bunderoo National Park in central coastal New South Wales with 2 outlying populations further north near Rockhampton on the Fitzroy River and near MacKay. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhodomyrtus psidioides prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows on the eastern slopes close to the coast in openings or adjacent to warm well developed rainforests, Riparian rainforests, littoral rainforests and moist Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1260 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 5 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhodomyrtus psidioides prefer soils that are sandy loams to light clays with a high proportion of leaf litter derived from better quality decomposed sandstones, shales, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 6.5pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however some flooding may occur for short periods in lower riparian zones. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 6m to 12m by 4m to 6m.

Characteristics:

The trunk of Rhodomyrtus psidioides is tall, straight, pinkish-brown

and scaly. The branchlets are covered in pale fawn pubescent hairs.

The opposite, narrow ovate, elliptical or oblong leaves of Rhodomyrtus psidioides measure 50mm to 240mm in length by 25mm to 65mm in width. The bases are cuneate while the apexes are acute-acuminate. The discolourous laminas are deep green, semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler, dull and glabrous to sparsely covered in pale fawn pubescent hairs. The leaf margins are entire, flat and curve upwards towards the margins. The mid vein and main laterals are slightly prominent on the lower lamina. The intramarginal vein is absent on this species. The petiole measures 15mm to 20mm in length.

Inflorescences of Rhodomyrtus psidioides are born on cymes or small racemes from the leaf axils. The pale green blue peduncles and pedicels are glabrous to sparsely covered in fawn puberulent hairs and measure 10mm to 25mm in length and 5mm to 10mm in length respectfully. The oblong pale green blue sepals are covered in pale fawn puberulent hairs. The white or pale creamy pink elliptical petals measure 7mm to 10mm in length.

The numerous filaments are free for their entire length and measure 4mm to 5mm in length. The filaments are white while the anthers are deep pale creamy yellow.

The white style and stigma are glabrous while the 4 locular ovary is pale green and covered in white or pale fawn puberulent hairs. The pistil measures 4mm to 5mm in length. Rhodomyrtus psidioides’s flowers appear from early September through to late December

The fruits of Rhodomyrtus psidioides are globose to obovoidal berries. The large berries are glabrous and covered in white to pale fawn puberulent hairs and measure 15mm to 25mm in length by 12mm to 16mm in diameter.

The pale green blue berries turn pale yellow green when ripe. The strongly reflexed sepals and style are persistent on the ripe fruit and the remnants of the filaments are often seen as a ring around the hypanthia. The small glossy brown seeds are crunchy. The flesh is a pale creamy green.

Wildlife:

Rhodomyrtus psidioides’s do not appear to have any predators though the ripe fruits are eagerly sought out by many fruit eating birds like the Regent Bower Bird, the satin Boer Bird, Green cat Bird, Fig Bird, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly Breasted Lorikeet, Emerald Pigeon and the Brown Cuckoo Doves.

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of guavas. The texture is that of a guava. The fruits do not appear to be attacked by fruit fly. This small tree in cultivation has great potential for commercial fruit production either as fresh fruit or as dried fruit. Though the fresh shelf life is short the fruits dry very well and keep for long periods.

Cultivation:

Rhodomyrtus psidioides is a magnificent slow growing small tree that should be grown in association with other rainforest specie in riparian gardens, bush gardens or as small feature shade tree. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the small suburban rainforest. In cultivation they will grow from 8 meters to 12 meters in height by 8 meters to 10 meters in diameter when grown in the open or narrower if grown closer together as a rainforest tree.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established.

The tree is worthwhile growing in a park scenario mixed with trees of different barks so that the trunk is accentuated. Some good contrasting trunks on trees of similar size are Rhodamnia argentea, Rhodamnia rubescens, Tristaniopsis laurina, Elattostachys nervosa and Cupaniopsis anacharioides. A mixture of these trees also gives interest in the foliages and fruits. It is all great small shade trees that will grow well together.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period. The trees on our property at Nana Glen responded admirably when fed on the same fertilizers and composts as our citrus trees but were a little difficult in establishing themselves in their early years.

They often reach their full potential in just 12 to 15 years and flower from the sixth or eighth year from seed.

This tree could be used as a bonsai plant as I have seen some trees in the forest that have grown on brown basalt rocks with little to no soil cover.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhodomyrtus psidioides can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh seeds directly onto 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. Germination is rapid but erratic.

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. For orchard management trees should be planted in rows 6 meters to 8 meters apart by 6 meters to 8 meter centers. Pruning of the trees to induce large bushy shrubs should commence once the plants reach 1 meter in height. Fertilizing should be on the lower side until the plants have developed a good root system and have been encouraged to send out side shoots which can be managed. Mass plantings for a park setting can be done at 12 meters to 20 meter centers or closer at 5 meter centers for a rainforest scenario.

I believe cuttings are difficult to strike and this will need to be explored further for future commercial production.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

---

Rhodosphaera rhodanthema

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Sapindales

Family: Anacardiaceae

Genus: From Rhódon, which is Ancient Greek for a beautiful lady and Sphaîra, which is Ancient Greek or much later Sphaera, which is Late Latin for a globe or a ball. It refers to flowers, which as legend has it in Greek mythology, “Dianna angered by Rhodanthe’s antiques with suiters turned her into a rose “thus the flowers have a resemblance to the rose flower in form or colour and are followed by highly glossy reddish-brown, spherical fruits.

Specie: From Rhódon, which is Ancient Greek for a beautiful lady who Dianna turned into a rose and ántha/ánthos, which are Ancient Greek for the male reproductive organ in a flower or the flower. It refers to flowers which have a deep rose pink colour.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Yellow Wood or Yellow Cedar or Yellow Tulip Wood.

Distribution:

Rhodosphaera rhodanthema is found south from the Fitzroy River in central coastal Queensland to Newcastle in central coastal New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhodosphaera rhodanthema prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows on the eastern slopes close to the coast in openings, adjacent to warm well developed rainforests, Riparian rainforests, littoral rainforests or moist Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 20 meters ASL to 900 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhodosphaera rhodanthema prefers better quality sandy loams to light clays with a high proportion of forest litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, shale and basalts. The soils range from a PH of 5.5 to 7.It is not tolerant of water logged soils however some flooding may occur for short periods in lower riparian zones. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 15m to 20m by 6m to 10m.

Characteristics:

The trunk of Rhodosphaera rhodanthema is tall, straight, grey-brown, scabrous, scaly and with deeper coloured raised lenticels. The branches are pale grey and only becoming green near the apex where the newer leaf growth occurs. The branchlets are sparsely covered in reddish lenticels.

The alternate, odd pinnate leaves of Rhodosphaera rhodanthema measure 80mm to 240mm in length by 55mm to 190mm in width. The oblong-ovate to narrow elliptical leaflets measure 30mm to 90mm in length by 10mm to 25mm in width. The bases are round-cuneate asymmetrical with the mid vein being falcate within the lamina while the apexes are acuminate. The concolourous laminas are deep green, semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina has domatia which are covered in reddish brown hirsute hairs. The leaf margins are entire, flat or curve slightly upwards towards the margins and downwards near the apex. The mid vein and main laterals are prominent on both laminas. The petioles measure 30mm to 80mm in length while the petiolules measure 3mm to 5mm in length.

Inflorescences of Rhodosphaera rhodanthema are panicles born from the terminals. The panicles measure 100mm to 220mm in length by 70mm to 150mm in diameter. The lime green, glabrous pedicels measure 1mm to 2mm in length. The 5 scarlet red to crimson red calyxes lobes are erect, glabrous and measure 1.8mm to 2mm in length. The corolla tubes are scarlet red to crimson red externally and are white internally near the base turning scarlet red to crimson red as they approach the apex of the corolla lobes. The corollas turn a deeper red after anthesis and measure 3mm to 3.2mm in length while the strongly reflexed lobes measure 3mm to 3.2mm in length.

The inserted 5 filaments are free for their entire length and measure 2mm to 4mm in length. The filaments are white and broader than the anthers at the base while the anthers are deep pale fawn. The triangular anthers measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length by 0.6mm to 0.8mm in width at the base.

The white style and stigma are glabrous while the ovary is green. The pistil measures 6mm to 10mm in length. Rhodosphaera rhodanthema’s flowers appear from early September through to mid-November

The fruits of Rhodosphaera rhodanthema are globose drupes. The drupes are glabrous and measure 8mm to 11mm in length by 8mm to 11mm in diameter. The green capsules turn deep glossy maroon brown when ripe. The calyx lobes are persistent on the ripe fruit. The single ovate seed is woody grey and measures 6mm to 8mm in diameter. The ripe fruits hang on the trees for several months.

Wildlife:

Rhodosphaera rhodanthema’s do not appear to have any predators and this is born out by the fact that the fruits remain untouched for several months and many seeds germinate below the parent trees.

The leaves are attractive to a leaf folding catterpillar in mid Autumn where minimal damage occurrs.

The flowers are adorned by many native insects including the small native hive bee, Tetragonula carbonaria.

Cultivation:

Rhodosphaera rhodanthema is a magnificent small tree that should be grown in association with other rainforest specie. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest. It also makes a great park trees offering quick growth, and good shade. In cultivation it will grow from 12 meters to 15 meters in height by 12 meters to 15 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown closer together as a rainforest tree.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met it can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant. At the lower temperatures growth is very slow in the initial years. A tree we grew at Nana Glen only grew 5 meters in height by 1.5 meters wide in 10 years but following some protection and a warmer winter the tree doubled that height and trebled its width in the eleventh year. By the twelfth year it became very bushy and flowered for the first time.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

It often reaches its potential of flowering in the fifth or seventh year from seed.

This tree could be used as a bonsai plant as the slow growth of the above tree and others I have seen growing on skeletal rocks would indicate that they would respond well to restricted conditions.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rhodosphaera rhodanthema can be removed easily from the fruits. Seeds need to be nicked before sowing.

Sow freshly treated seeds directly into a deep 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 warm shaded area with 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house. When the seedlings are 30mm to 50mm 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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhynospora brownii

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Unranked: Commelinids

Order: Poales

Family: Cyperaceae

Genus: From Rhynkos, which is Ancient Greek for beak, nose or trunk and Spora, which is Ancient Greek for sowing or a seed. It refers to seeds, which have a nose like appendage.

Specie: Is named in honour of Robert Brown; 1773-1858, who was a naturalist who sailed with Mathew Flinders when he circumnavigated Australia and became South Australia’s first botanical collector.

Sub species:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rhynospora brownii is found in several isolated populations across the top end and down the east coast. In the Northern Territory it is found east from Bathurst Melville Islands to the Litchfield National Park and the southern third of Kakadu National Park, Cobourg Peninsular National park and Vanderlin Island.

In the east it is found south from the tip of Cape York Peninsular to Menangle Park near Campbelltown in central eastern New South Wales with a population further south in Victoria on Mount Beauty. It is found on the Western Plains, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhynospora brownii prefers full sun light to dappled shade. It grows in wet areas beside streams, in swamps, along drainage lines in dry sclerophyll forest or moist sclerophyll forest. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 950 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 550mm to an average of 2000mm.

Soil Requirements:

Rhynospora brownii prefers sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from sandstones, granites brown basalts or black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 7pH. It tolerates seasonal water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread: Wild Plants: 0.8m to 1.1m by 0.6m to 1m.

Characteristics:

Rhynospora brownii is a medium tufted, perennial grass which is semi aquatic or fully emergent. The rhizomes are short. The trigonous culms are smooth or slightly scabrous between the nodes. The culms measure 30mm to 90mm in length by 1.5mm to 2mm in diameter.

The alternate, linear leaves measure 10mm to 80mm in length by 2mm to 4mm in width. The bases taper to the sheath while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are grass-green to blue-green, dull and smooth to scaberulous. The laminas are flat or canaliculate while the margins are entire. The mid vein and parallel lateral veins are slightly prominent on the lower lamina and are visible on the upper lamina.

The inflorescence are narrow panicles consisting of 3 to 5 distant, dense to rather loose partial inflorescences with very unequal branches. The panicles measure 15mm to 100mm in length by 5mm to 30mm in diameter. The involucral bracts are as long as the partial inflorescence in their axils to reaching the next higher node.

The terete spikelets are sessile with 2 or 3 florets on each spike. The rachilla internodes are elongated below the proximal fertile floret. The bisexual flowers measure 3mm to 6mm in length.

The 5 to 8 similar glumes spiral around the spike. The lower and upper glumes surfaces are smooth and glabrous with acute to shortly mucronate. The reddish-brown glumes measure 3mm to 4mm in length.

The 1 to 3 stamens usually 2 stamens measure 0.5mm to 1.7mm in length. The bifid style measures 0.5mm to 1.7mm in length. The flowers appear from late November to early March.

Rhynospora brownii has fruits are obovoidal to broad obovoidal, ventrally compressed nuts. The nuts measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length by 1mm to 1.7mm in diameter. The pale green grains turn pastel to deep reddish-brown and are finely transversely wrinkled with the cells being longitudinally oblong when ripe.

Wildlife:

Rhynospora brownii is the host plant for the Little Native Mouse (Pseudomys delicatulus) and probably most other native mice and rats. It is also probably a stable food source for many small Parrots, Rosellas and finches however; as yet I have not witnessed these on the plants.

The leaves and stems are a source of food for the Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) and a stand by food source for the Pretty Face Wallaby (Macropus parryi) in times of drought.

Cultivation:

brownii is a medium compact erect grass for small to large gardens around the edges of dams or along slow moving water courses where it can form small colonies. It can be slashed and will recover very quickly but is not suitable for long term heavy grazing.

It is ideally suitable for full sun areas in low depressions where water lies for extended periods in ephemeral pools or the ground remains wet throughout the year.

It is not known whether it is a preferred fodder crop is unknown to the author as a food source of grazing stock but has been observed as a stand by grass for native animals when pressure mounts on surrounding grasses in times of drought. It has a strong dense root system which probably makes it ideal as a soil stabilizer in wet soggy ground though it does pull easy in softer ground.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be sown directly into a seed raising mix. Cover them with 2mm of fine sand and keep moist not wet. Place the tray in a warm sunny position. When the seedlings are 25mm to 50mm tall, prick them out in small groups and plant them into 20mm tubes using a good organic mix.

Once the seedlings reach 75mm to 80mm in height, plant them out into their permanent position and water thoroughly with our recommended fertilizer. Plant them at 500mm centers.

Alternatively the seed can be broadcast out in small areas or used in a seeder on broad acreage.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhysotoechia bifoliolata

Classification:

Class: Eudicots

Order: Sapindales

Family: Sapindaceae

Subfamily: Sapindoideae

Genus: From Rhyos, which is Ancient Greek for shrunken and Toichos, which is Ancient Greek for a wall. It refers to lobes, which shrink remarkably as the fruits develop.

Specie: From Bi/Bis, which is Greek/Latin for two and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to plants, which have two leaflets on a compound leaf.

Sub specie: Rhysotoechia bifoliolata subsp. bifoliolata. From Bi/Bis, which is Greek/Latin for two and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to plants, which have two leaflets on a compound leaf.

Sub specie: Rhysotoechia bifoliolata subsp. nítida. From Nitere/Nitidus, which is Latin for shiny, bright or polished. It refers to the leaves and stems being somewhat shinny.

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rhystoechia bifoliolata subsp. bifoliolata is found south from Rockhampton in central coastal Queensland Myall Lakes in central eastern New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

Rhysotoechia bifoliolata subsp. nítida is found near Coen to the coast on Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland.

It is also found in Borneo, the Malaysia, Moluccas, New Guinee Papua, Philippines and Sulawesi.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhysotoechia bifoliolata prefers dappled shade to full shade. It grows in openings and adjacent to warm moist Eucalyptus forests, dry Eucalyptus forests or especially in woodland heaths along the coast. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 960 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 1800mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhysotoechia bifoliolata prefers soils that are sandy to sandy loams with some peat. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones or skeletal sands. 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:15m to 20m by 10m to 15m.

Characteristics:

The stems are erect to semi pendulous, glabrous and pale grey. The juvenile and smaller stems are pale green to yellow green and covered in fine white caducous hirsute hairs.

The alternate, bipinnate or rarely 4 pinnate leaves measure 40mm to 140mm in length. The elliptic to oblong or obovate leaflets measure 40mm to 100mm in length by 25mm to 40mm in width. The terete or laterally compressed petioles measure 1m to 4mm in length. The bases are rounded while the apexes obtuse or broad acuminate. The discolourous laminas are deep green to sea-green, semi glossy and glabrous on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are yellowish-green and dull. The laminas recurve upwards from the mid vein to the margins, decurve downwards near the apexes and are slightly convex between the mid vein and the lateral veins. The margins are entire and undulate. The paler green mid vein is prominent on the upper lamina while the paler green pinnate lateral veins are finely prominent on the upper lamina.

Inflorescences are panicles born in leaf axils. The panicles measure 40mm to 100mm in length. The green peduncles, rachis and pedicels are glabrous. The pale greenish flowers measure 5mm to 7mm in diameter. The pedicels measure 10mm to 20mm in length.

The 4 pale creamy-green to pale green, sepals are orbicular, cupuliform and measure 2mm to 3mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in diameter. The pedicels measure 2mm to 5mm in length. The 4 ovate white petals are crenulate with a cordate base and broad acuminate apexes. The petals are attached to 4 of the broad filaments below the base of the anthers. The petals measure 1.5mm to 2.3mm in length by 1.5mm to 2.3mm in width.

The 7 or 8 dimorphic filaments are white and measure 0.8mm to 1.2mm in length. The filaments with the attached petals are broader while those that are adjacent to the petas are terete. The filaments are attached to the base of the ovary and are sparsely to moderately covered in white ciliate hairs. The adnately fixed anthers are adaxially positioned and are pale yellow.

The creamy-green to pale green globose pistil measures 1.5mm to 2mm in diameter at the base and tapers on the apical third to the stigma. The ovaries are sparsely covered in white puberulent hairs and sits on a yellow disc. The flowers appear from February to March.

The fruits are globose capsules that become strongly triquetrous when ripe. The capsules are glabrous or sparsely covered in fine white puberulent hairs. The green capsules turn dull, yellow-orange when ripe. They measure 15mm to 26mm in length by 10m to 30mm in diameter. The single, glossy, ellipsoid seed is black and glossy. The yellow aril partially surrounds the seed on the basal third. The fruits ripen from May to June.

Confusing Subspecie s Varieties:

Rhysotoechia bifoliolata subsp. bifoliolata’s leaf bases are asymmetrical, attenuate while the apexes are obtuse to acuminate and measure 40mm to 100mm by 25mm to 40mm in width. The laterally compressed petioles measure 1mm to 4mm in length.

Rhysotoechia bifoliolata subsp. nitida’s leaf bases are symmetrical, cuneate to attenuate while the apexes are acuminate and measure 50mm to 80mm by 20mm to 30mm in width. The terete petioles measure 2mm to 5mm in length.

Wildlife:

Rhysotoechia bifoliolata’s appear to be fertilized by hover flies. The young leaves especially those on juvenile trees are the host for the citrus leaf minor, Phyllocnistis citrella or similar sub leaf dwelling insects.

Cultivation:

Rhysotoechia bifoliolata hardiness on sandy loams to light fatty clays, drought resistance once established, cold tolerance down to minus 4 degrees and high temperatures to over 40 degrees the tree should are a must in most small gardens and school grounds in most gardens including those in semi-arid areas where conditions are far from ideal.

It is relatively fast growing in its natural habitat and with a little additional water, a good fertilizing regime the trees will quickly form a beautiful shade tree. Cultivated trees will grow from 8 meters to 12 meters in height by 8 meters to 12 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if planted in a dry rainforest situation.

It is a great tree for encouraging birds that will seek refuge and food. They have a relative small unobtrusive root system don’t drop a lot of leaves. Added to this the bark is ideal for epiphytic ferns and orchids, attracts a lot of native insects when in flower and supplies good yields of dark black honey. Insects are attracted to the flowers which in return attract insectivorous birds.

The trees would make very good accent trees in front of low set commercial, industrial sheds or lowest school buildings where they will break up hard rigid architectural lines and give warmth and breadth to a building and cooling the buildings in summer and giving warmth during the winter months. They would make excellent trees for nature strips especially in semi-arid districts especially where they could be grown in curved avenues.

Rhysotoechia bifoliolata is one of those trees that is very much under rated by gardeners but responds very favourably to a gardener’s attention. Try using the trees in irregular patterns in the lawn or as a central feature of four, five or six trees. Branches can be trimmed from an early stage to allow quicker growth so you can walk below the trees and enjoy the shade they provide or do some gardening. Do not force the trees in their early stages of establishment as the can be come top heavy and lean over or snap off.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow freshly nicked seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Do not over water as the seeds may rot off before germination takes place. Place the trays in a warm sunny position or an area with up to 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth for best results. I found 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth best when propagating this specie. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix. Be careful when transplanting as some losses will be experienced at this stage.

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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rhytidospermum procumbens

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Apiales

Family: Pittosporaceae

Genus: From Rhutís, which is Ancient Greek for wrinkled and Sporá, which is Ancient Greek for a seed or fern spore. It refers to seeds or spore, which have a wrinkled texture.

Specie: From Procumbent, which is Latin for bending forward. It refers to plants, which lay across the ground but do not root easily at the nodes or axis.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rhytidospermum procumbens is found in an area bounded by Boonoo, Nandawah Range and the Wollomombi Falls in northern New South Wales and from Summer Hill Creek near El Dorado in central New South Wales to the Grampians and Chapel Vale in southern Victoria. It is found further north on the Blackdown Tablelands. It is mainly found on the Great Dividing Range.

It is also found on Kangaroo Island in southern South Australia.

In Tasmania it is found along the northern coast line and on the eastern half of the state and the eastern Bass Straight Islands including the Flinders Island group.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rhytidospermum procumbens prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in warm moist Eucalyptus forests, dry Eucalyptus forests or woodlands heaths along the coast. The altitude ranges from 20 meters ASL to 650 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 400mm to 1500mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rhytidospermum procumbens prefers sandy loams, light fatty, gravelly clays with or without forest litter. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, granites or gritty metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.2m to 0.6m by 0.5m to 1m.

Characteristics:

It is a dwarf shrub or at times almost a prostrate shrub. The stems are glabrous to sparsely covered in long, white appressed tomentose to pilose hairs. The rootstock is slender with the stems appearing mainly from the basal half.

The alternate, linear to narrow-oblong leaves of measure 6mm to 20mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm in width. The sessile bases taper to the stems while the apexes are acute with a sharp blunt point. The discolourous laminas are deep green to sea-green, dull and glabrous to sparsely covered in long white appressed tomentose to pilose hairs on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and sparsely to moderately covered in long white appressed tomentose to pilose hairs. The laminas are flat and gently decurve downwards from near the base to near the apex. The margins are entire or have 3 teeth on the apical third and are thickened on the lower surface. The broad obtuse mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is clearly visible on the upper lamina as a depression.

The inflorescences are usually solitary or in small clusters of 2 or 3 born from the terminals or upper leaf axils. The mid green pedicels are glabrous or sparsely covered in long white tomentose or pilose hairs and measure 2mm to 3mm in length. The long linear pinkish-purple sepals are glabrous except for the margins which are sparsely covered in white ciliate hairs. The sepals measure 2mm to 3mm in length. The 5 elliptical, white petals are often tinged mauve on the edges and around the apexes. The petals measure 3mm to 7mm in length by 1.5mm to 3mm in width. The apexes are acute with a mucronate to apiculate cupuliform tip.

The 5 stamens narrow lanceolate white filaments measure 2mm to 5mm in length, are opposite the petals and attached next to the petals.

The pale pinkish style and stigma are glabrous while the globose ovary is strongly superior and green at the base turning pinkish as it approaches the style. The stigma has 6 short areole like lumps. The flowers appear from early September to November.

The fruits are slightly compressed ovoid to broad obovate capsules. The thin coriaceous capsules are glabrous and measure 4mm to 6mm in length by 5m to 8mm in width. The green capsules turn grey externally and cream internally when ripe. The pedicel is decurve or deflexed while the style is persistent on the ripe capsules. The valves have fine transverse wrinkles while the seeds are ovoidal and deeply wrinkled.

Wildlife:

Rhytidospermum procumbens’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Rhytidospermum procumbens is a beautiful small sub shrub for small gardens, rockeries or small dry heaths. It is ideal at the edge of a dry bush gardens or English style formal gardens. In cultivation it will grow from 0.4 meters to 0.6 meters in height by 0.4 meters to 0.6 meters in diameter when grown in an open sunny position.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter sandy soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 40 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

Rhytidospermum procumbens is a natural outstanding specimen for a drier heath garden as they grow naturally in heaths. Here they can be used as the taller growing plant scattered throughout the heath scene. When you design a flat heath garden which Ricinocarpos pinifolius is well suited don’t use contours to display the plants as heath lands are almost always flat or have a slight rise. Plants must be planted close together and be short so you can see over the tallest ones with the exception of one or two plants at the most. These will be feature plants. The idea is to achieve a feeling of expansive flatness. This can be achieved with using the lime green linear leaves contrasting with finer pale green or soft grey to glaucous coloured foliages. Use a lot of procumbent plants like Carpobrotus edulis or Hibbertia specie. Mix them with other smaller shrubs so none of them dominate the scene but blend in to give a mosaic of foliage colours that you oversee. Here I immediately think of Actinotis helianthi or Grevillea thelemanniana for two great contrasting foliages.

Rhytidospermum procumbens could be planted in a formal row at the front of a small garden or against dark coloured backdrop to good effect. Use smaller shrubs with deep coloured flowers and contrasting foliages in the background. Instantly I think of Melaleuca thymifolia, Verticordia auriculata or for something a little taller try Verticordia blepharophylla.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the capsules.

Sow fresh seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Do not over water as the seeds may rot off before germination takes place. Place the trays in a warm sunny position or an area with up to 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth for best results. I found 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth best when propagating this specie. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix. Be careful when transplanting as some losses will be experienced at this stage.

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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ricinocarpos pinifolius

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Subfamily: Crotonoideae

Tribe:       Ricinocarpeae

Genus: From Ricinus, which is Latin for a tick and Karpós, which is Ancient Greek for a fruit. It refers to seeds, which somewhat resemble a tick or the seeds of the Caster Oil plant, Ricinus communis.

Specie: From Pinus, which is Latin for a pine tree and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to plants, which have leaves that resemble those of a typical pine tree.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Wedding Bush or Bush Wedding Plant.

Distribution:

Ricinocarpos pinifolius is found south from Proserpine in north eastern Queensland except the Grampians in Victoria. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast except for a population in Carnarvon Gorge in central Queensland.

It is also found on the Bass Straight Islands and along the east coast to south of Hobart in Tasmania.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ricinocarpos pinifolius prefer dappled shade to full sun. It grows on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range in openings in and adjacent to warm moist Eucalyptus forests, dry Eucalyptus forests or especially in woodland heaths along the coast. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 360 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 1800mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ricinocarpos pinifolius prefers skeletal to deep coarse sands, fine sands sandy loams often with peat. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones or accumulated peaty beach sands. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:1.5m to 3m by 1.5m to 2.5m.

Characteristics:

Ricinocarpos pinifolius are straight to semi weeping, glabrous and pale grey. The smaller stems are pale green to yellow green and glabrous.

The alternate, linear leaves of Ricinocarpos pinifolius measure 10mm to 40mm in length by 1mm to 3mm in width. The bases are rounded while the apexes are obtuse with a blunt point. The apexes are distinctly yellow in colour. The discolourous laminas are deep lime green to sea-green, semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and dull. The leaf margins are entire, strongly recurved to revolute. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina. The petiole measures 2m to 3mm in length.

Inflorescences of Ricinocarpos pinifolius are born in terminal clusters of 1 female flower to 3 to 6 male flowers. The pale yellow green pedicels are glabrous and measure 10mm to 20mm in length. The yellow green sepals measure 3mm to 4mm in length. The 5 or 6 oblong pure white petals measure 10mm to 15mm in length turn creamy white shortly after anthesis. The apexes are obtuse. The flowers are very unusual in that it is male, female or hermaphrodite. The hermaphrodite flowers stigma become at a different stage to prevent self-fertilization. If self-fertilization does occur the plants abort the fruits early.

The 10 stamens are bright yellow and measure 1.5mm to 3mm in length and surround the ovary.

The bright yellow style and stigma are glabrous while the ovary is bright lime green. The style has 3 to 6 divaricate appendages spreading out over the ovary. Ricinocarpos pinifolius’s flowers appear from early June through to late October.

The fruits of Ricinocarpos pinifolius are globose capsules. The capsules are covered densely covered in long soft pale yellow green spines. They measure 12mm to 16mm in length by 11m to 13mm in diameter. The green capsules turn grey externally and cream internally when ripe. The single, glossy, white, ellipsoidal seed measures 8mm to 10mm in length by 5mm to 7mm in diameter. The fruit ripen from September to December.

Wildlife:

Ricinocarpos pinifolius’s appear to be fertilized by hover flies including the Blue Banded Bee, Amegilla cingulata.

Cultivation:

Ricinocarpos pinifolius is a magnificent medium shrub that should be grown in association with other heath plants. It is ideal at the edge of a moist bush gardens or moist heath lands. They also make great English style garden plants. In cultivation they will grow from 1 meter to 3 meters in height by 1 meter to 2 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter sandy soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

It often reaches its full potential in just 2 to 3 years and flower from the second or third year from seed.

Ricinocarpos pinifolius is a natural outstanding specimen for a moist heath garden as it grows naturally in moist sandy, heaths or open dry forests. Here it can be used as the taller growing plant scattered throughout the heath scene. When you design a flat heath garden which Ricinocarpos pinifolius is well suited don’t use contours to display the plants as heath lands are almost always flat or have a slight rise. Plants must be planted close together and be short so you can see over the tallest ones with the exception of one or two plants at the most. These will be feature plants. The idea is to achieve a feeling of expansive flatness. This can be achieved with using the Ricinocarpos pinifolius’s lime green linear leaves contrasting with finer pale green or soft grey to glaucous coloured foliages. Use a lot of procumbent plants like Carpobrotus edulis or Hibbertia. Mix them with other smaller shrubs so none of them dominate the scene but blend in to give a mosaic of foliage colours that you oversee. Here I immediately think of Actinotis helianthi or Grevillea thelemanniana for two great contrasting foliages.

Ricinocarpos pinifolius could be planted in a formal row at the back of a small garden against dark coloured backdrop to good effect. Use smaller shrubs with deep coloured flowers and contrasting foliages in the foreground. Instantly I think of Melaleuca thymifolia, Verticordia auriculata or for something a little taller try Verticordia blepharophylla.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Ricinocarpos pinifolius can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow freshly nicked seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Do not over water as the seeds may rot off before germination takes place. Place the trays in a warm sunny position or an area with up to 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth for best results. I found 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth best when propagating this specie. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix. Be careful when transplanting as some losses will be experienced at this stage.

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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Cuttings:

Fortunately Ricinocarpos pinifolius are relatively easy to strike from cuttings. Use 80mm to 120mm 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. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

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

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

6 Use a small dipple stick or old pencil to poke a hole into the soilless potting mix. Ensure the hole is slightly larger than the stem diameter and be careful not to wipe the rooting hormone off the cuttings base. Place 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.

Fertilize using seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ricinocarpos speciosus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Rosids

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Subfamily: Crotonoideae

Tribe: Ricinocarpeae

Genus: From Ricinus, which is Latin for a tick and Karpós, which is Ancient Greek for a fruit. It refers to seeds, which somewhat resemble a tick or the seeds of the Caster Oil plant, Ricinus communis.

Specie: From Speciōsus, which is Latin for to have the appearance of. It refers to plants, structures or at times organs, which display an appearance of being good-looking, handsome, beautiful splendid, brilliant or showier than other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Wedding Bush or Coastal Wedding Plant.

Distribution:

Ricinocarpos speciosus is found south from Maryborough in south eastern Queensland to Grafton in north eastern New South Wales. It is mainly found east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ricinocarpos speciosus prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in openings along creeks, moist gullies adjacent to warm well developed rainforests, riparian zones, moist Eucalyptus forests or coastal woodland heaths. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 460 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in July to 39 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 1100mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ricinocarpos speciosus prefers soils that are sandy loams to light gritty clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones shale or basalts. The soils pH ranges 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to very saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:1.5m to 3m by 1m to 2m.

Characteristics:

Ricinocarpos speciosus grows as an erect shrub with grey, scabrous branches. The branchlets are pinkish-brown and densely covered in pinkish-brown, caducous stellate hairs.

The alternate, lanceolate to oblong leaves of Ricinocarpos speciosus measure 20mm to 80mm in length by 50mm to 12mm in width. The bases are rounded while the apexes are obtuse. The concolourous laminas are mid green to deep green, semi glossy and sparsely covered in pale pinkish-brown stellate hairs on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is densely covered in rusty-pink tomentose hairs. The leaf margins are entire, decurve downwards towards the margins and near the apex. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina and is distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The petiole measures 3mm to 8mm in length.

The inflorescences of Ricinocarpos speciosus are born in clusters of 1 female flower to 5 male flowers from the leaf axils. The pale blue green pedicels are covered in rusty-pink stellate hairs and measure 10mm to 20mm in length. The blue green, elliptical sepals are covered in rusty-pink stellate hairs externally and are glabrous internally. They measure 3.5mm to 4.5mm in length. The 5 ovate pure white petals measure 8mm to 11mm in length. The apexes are obtuse.

The 10 or rarely 15 divaricate stamens have white filaments with fawn to yellow-fawn anthers and measure 3mm to 4mm in length and radiate out from the center of the ovary.

The white style and stigma are glabrous while the ovary is pale pink to med pink. Ricinocarpos pinifolius’s flowers appear from early September through to late November.

Ricinocarpos speciosus’s fruits are oblong capsules. The capsules are densely covered in long thick stellate hairs. They measure 8 to 12mm in length by 6m to 9mm in diameter. The green capsules turn grey externally and cream internally when ripe. The single, glossy, white, ellipsoidal seed measures 5mm to 8mm in length by 4mm to 6mm in diameter. The style is persistent on the capsules.

Wildlife:

Ricinocarpos speciosus’s appear to be fertilized by hover flies.

Cultivation:

Ricinocarpos speciosus is a magnificent medium shrub that should be grown in association with other heath plants. It is ideal at the edge of a moist bush gardens or moist heath lands. They also make great English style garden plants. In cultivation they will grow from 1 meter to 3 meters in height by 1 meter to 2 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter sandy soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

They often reach their full potential in just 2 to 3 years and flower from the seventh or eighth year from seed.

Ricinocarpos speciosus is a natural outstanding specimen for a moist heath garden as they grow naturally in moist heaths. Here they can be used as the taller growing plant scattered throughout the heath scene. When you design a flat heath garden which Ricinocarpos speciosus is well suited don’t use contours to display the plants as heath lands are almost always flat or have a slight rise. Plants must be planted close together and be short so you can see over the tallest ones with the exception of one or two plants at the most. These will be feature plants. The idea is to achieve a feeling of expansive flatness. This can be achieved with using the Ricinocarpos speciosus’s lime green linear leaves contrasting with finer pale green or soft grey to glaucous coloured foliages. Use a lot of procumbent plants like Helichrysum or Hibbertia. Mix them with other smaller shrubs so none of them dominate the scene but blend in to give a mosaic of foliage colours that you oversee. Here I immediately think of Actinotis helianthi or Grevillea thelemanniana for two great contrasting foliages.

Ricinocarpos speciosus could be planted in a formal row at the back of a small garden against dark coloured backdrop to good effect. Use smaller shrubs with deep coloured flowers and contrasting foliages in the foreground. Instantly I think of Melaleuca thymifolia, Verticordia auriculata or for something a little taller try Verticordia blepharophylla.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Ricinocarpos speciosus can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow freshly nicked seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. Do not over water as the seeds may rot off before germination takes place. Place the trays in a warm sunny position or an area with up to 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth for best results. I found 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth best when propagating this specie. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a good organic mix. Be careful when transplanting as some losses will be experienced at this stage.

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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Cuttings:

Fortunately Ricinocarpos speciosus are relatively easy to strike from cuttings. Use 80mm to 120mm 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. Look for a stem with two or three nodes,

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

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

6 Use a small dipple stick or old pencil to poke a hole into the soilless potting mix. Ensure the hole is slightly larger than the stem diameter and be careful not to wipe the rooting hormone off the cuttings base. Place 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.

Fertilize using seaweed, fish emulsion or organic chicken pellets soaked in water on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September or March to maintain health, vitality and better flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ripogonum album

Classification:

Class: Monocots

Order: Liliales

Family: Ripogonaceae

Genus: From Rhipos, which is Ancient Greek for wicker work or a wicker and Gonos, which is Ancient Greek for an angle or joint. It refers to the suppleness of the plant’s stems or canes, which have disjunct knee like joints on the stems.

Specie: From Albus, which is Latin for white. It usually refers to flowers, which are white or off white compared to other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: White supple Jack.

Distribution:

Ripogonum album is found in several disjunct populations south from the Cooktown to the Paluma National Park and from Bowen to the Eungella National Park. Further south it is found from the Byfield National Park to Malacoota in north eastern Victoria. It is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ripogonum album prefer dappled shade to full sun. It grows on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast in openings along creeks and moist gullies in and adjacent to warm well developed rainforests, riparian zones and moist Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 25 meters ASL to 1360 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 900mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ripogonum album prefers soils that are sandy loams to light gritty clays with a high proportion of forest or heath litter. The soils are derived from better quality decomposed sandstones, shales, brown basalts, black basalts or accumulated peaty beach sands. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:4m to 15m by 2m to 5m

Characteristics:

The stems of Ripogonum albumare tall, straight or pendulant, deep sea-green, scabrous and usually covered in short deep sea-green prickles. The branchlets are deep green scabrous and covered in small, soft, flexible prickles.

The opposite, adjacent or in whirls, leaves of Ripogonum album are thick, leathery and elliptical to ovate. They measure 80mm to 170mm in length by 30mm to 55mm in width. The bases are broad cuneate to tapering while the apexes are acute. The discolourous laminas are deep sea-green, semi glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and dull. The leaf margins are entire, flat or undulating and are decurve near the apex. The mid vein is strongly prominent on the lower lamina while it is distinctly visible from the lower lamina. The 4 main lateral veins and intramarginal veins are slightly prominent on the lower lamina and are either faintly visible or non-visible from the upper lamina. The petiole is thickened near the base and twists up to 90 degrees and measures 5mm to 13mm in length.

Inflorescences of Ripogonum album are born on short spikes from the leaf axils. There are 7 to 33 individual flowers on a spike. The deep green peduncles are glabrous and become pale yellow green as they approach the apex. The pedicels measure 2mm to 7mm in length. The 6 white elliptical tepals are divaricate or slightly decurve and glabrous. The tepals apexes are recurved while the margins are sparsely covered in white ciliate hairs. They measure 6mm to 8mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in width.

The 6 pale creamy white stamens are free for their entire length and measure 7mm to 9mm in length. The filaments are narrower than the anthers and measure 2mm to 2.5mm in length. The anthers are adnately fixed to the filaments for 1mm to 1.3mm of their 5mm to 7mm length.

The pale lime green style, stigma and ovary are glabrous. The pistil measures 6mm to 8mm in length. Ripogonum album’s sweet scented flowers appear from late September through to late December.

Ripogonum album’s fruits are globose to obovoidal berries. The large berries are glabrous and measure 8mm to 15mm in length by 8mm to 15mm in diameter. The green berries turn deep red maroon when ripe. The tepals reduce in size and are persistent on the ripe fruit. The 1 to 5 glossy black seeds are flattened ellipsoidal and hard.

Wildlife:

Ripogonum album’s do not appear to have any predators.

Cultivation:

Ripogonum album is a slender vine which often starts life as a sub shrub before climbing. It is well suited to semi protected areas in the garden and are worthy of being grown with other rainforest specie. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest. In cultivation they will grow from 6 meters to 8 meters in height by 2 meters to 3 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown in a rainforest situation.

They respond well to regular heavy pruning and can be maintained as a sub shrub where they will flower quite profusely though they appear to be biennial bloomers. As a sub shrub they can be to 1 meter to 1.5 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 38 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond admirably with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

This climber could make an ideal hanging basket plant or totem specimen in confined areas where clothing won’t get caught.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Ripogonum album can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh 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} to 80{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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ripogonum brevifolium

Classification:

Class: Monocots

Order: Liliales

Family: Ripogonaceae

Genus: From Rhipos, which is Ancient Greek for wicker work or a wicker and Gonos, which is Ancient Greek for an angle or joint. It refers to the suppleness of the plant’s stems or canes, which have disjunct knee like joints on the stems.

Specie: From Brevis, which is Latin for short and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to leaves, whichare much shorter than other species within the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Small Leaved Supple Jack.

Distribution:

Ripogonum brevifolium is found south from Dalrymple Heights in central eastern Queensland to Mount Crow and Mount Lindesay near Tamworth and the Horton Creek near Nymboida in north eastern New South Wales. There is a population further south on the Crawford River near Bulahdelah. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ripogonum brevifolium prefer dappled shade to full sun. It grows in openings along creeks and moist gullies in and adjacent to warm dry rainforests, and warm temperate rainforests riparian zones or moist Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 15 meters ASL to 1160 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 500mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ripogonum brevifolium prefers better quality soils that are sandy loams to light clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from better quality decomposed shale, granite, brown basalts, black basalts or metamorphic rocks. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:3m to 10m by 3m to 5m.

Characteristics:

The stems of Ripogonum brevifoliumare long, erect or semi pendulant. The deep green to sea-green stems are usually glabrous or at times sparsely covered in white puberulent hairs. The stems are usually devoid of prickles.

The opposite or adjacent usually elliptical or at times broad elliptical to broad elliptical-ovate leaves of Ripogonum brevifolium are thick, coriaceous and usually measure 30mm to 80mm in length by 15mm to 30mm in width or at times to 50mm in width. The glabrous petioles measure 4mm to 8mm in length. The bases taper to the petiole while the apexes are acute. The concolourous twisting laminas are deep sea-green, semi glossy and glabrous. The laminas are flat and undulating and gently decurve near the bases and again near the apexes. The margins are entire. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from the upper lamina.

Inflorescences of Ripogonum brevifolium are born on short spikes from the leaf axils. There are 5 to 14 individual flowers on a spike. The deep green peduncles are glabrous while the individual flowers are sessile. The 6 to 8 white, narrow oblong tepals are divaricate and 6mm to 8mm in length by 2mm to 2.5mm in width.

The 6 white to creamy-white stamens are usually opposite the tepals and measure 6mm to 9mm in length. The filaments are narrower than the white anthers.

The white style, stigma and globose ovary are glabrous. The pistil measures 5mm to 7mm in length. Ripogonum album’s sweet scented flowers appear from late June through to late October.

Ripogonum brevifolium’s fruits are globose to obovoidal berries. The glabrous berries measure 8mm to 15mm in length by 8mm to 15mm in diameter. The green berries turn black when ripe. The tepals and style remnant are persistent on the ripe berries. The usually single seed is globose and hard and measure 5mm to 8mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Ripogonum brevifolium’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Ripogonum brevifolium is a slender vine which often starts life as a sub shrub before climbing. It is well suited to semi protected areas in the garden and are worthy of being grown with other rainforest specie. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest. In cultivation they will grow from 6 meters to 8 meters in height by 2 meters to 3 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown in a rainforest situation.

They respond well to regular heavy pruning and can be maintained as a sub shrub where they will flower quite profusely though they appear to be biennial bloomers. As a sub shrub they can be to 1 meter to 1.5 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 38 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond admirably with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

This climber could make an ideal hanging basket plant or totem specimen in confined areas where clothing won’t get caught.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Ripogonum brevifolium can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh 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} to 80{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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ripogonum discolor

Classification:

Class: Monocots

Order: Liliales

Family: Ripogonaceae

Genus: From Rhipos, which is Ancient Greek for wicker work or a wicker and Gonos, which is Ancient Greek for an angle or joint. It refers to the suppleness of the plant’s stems or canes, which have disjunct knee like joints on the stems.

Specie: From Di/Dis, which are Ancient Greek for two and Color, which is Latin a tint or hue. It refers to structures or organs usually the leaves, which have a different colour on each surface.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Prickly Supple Jack.

Distribution:

Ripogonum discolor is found in several disjunct populations on and east of the Great Dividing Range south from Tinaroo in north eastern Queensland to the Hunter River in central New South Wales.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ripogonum discolor prefers dappled shade to medium shade. It grows on the escarpments in openings along creeks and moist gullies in or adjacent to warm well developed rainforests, riparian zones, littoral rainforests or moist Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 20 meters ASL to 700 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 900mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ripogonum discolor prefers soils that are sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, shales, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 10m to 15m by 4m to 6m.

Characteristics:

The stems of Ripogonum discolorare deep green to deep sea-green, scabrous and covered in short deep green prickles. The smaller stems are sparsely covered in lighter coloured lenticels while the new growth is densely covered in white and pink pilose and tomentose hairs.

The opposite, oblong to oblong-elliptical leaves of Ripogonum discolor measure 120mm to 200mm in length by 33mm to 50mm in width. There are 2 small caducous triangular stipules at the base of the petioles. The petioles are flattened and bend 90 degrees from the stem to the base of the leaf. They measure 5mm to 7mm in length. The bases are rounded while the apexes are acute. The discolourous laminas are deep green to sea-green, semi glossy to glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is much paler and dull. The leaf margins are entire, flat and decurve at the apex. The mid vein and 2 main laterals are prominent on the lower lamina and distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The young leaves are densely covered in caducous white and pink pilose and tomentose hairs.

Inflorescences of Ripogonum discolor re born on short spikes from the leaf axils. There are 12 to 40 individual flowers on a spike. The deep green peduncles are glabrous and become pale yellow green as they approach the apex. The pedicels are sessile to 2mm in length. The 6 creamy elliptical tepals have a pinkish longitudinal stripe externally and are creamy yellow internally with or without very fine pink spots closer the apex. The tepals are divaricate or slightly decurve and glabrous with an acute apex. They measure 7mm to 9mm in length by 3.5mm to 4mm in width.

The 6 pale creamy white stamens are free for their entire length and measure 12mm to 15mm in length. The filaments are narrower than the anthers and measure 8mm to 10mm in length. The anthers are dorsifixed to the filaments but run parallel to the filament for 2mm to 2.5mm of their 4.5mm to 5mm length.

The glossy, globose, pale pinkish yellow to pale yellow style, stigma and ovary are glabrous. The pistil measures 5mm to 6mm in length. Ripogonum discolor’s sweet scented flowers appear from late June through to late September.

Ripogonum discolor’s fruits are globose berries. The large berries are glabrous and measure 10mm to 15mm in length by 10mm to 15mm in diameter. The green berries turn deep red maroon when ripe. The tepals reduce in size and are persistent on the ripe fruit. The single, glossy black seed is ellipsoidal and hard.

Wildlife:

Ripogonum discolor’s do not appear to have any predators.

Cultivation:

Ripogonum discolor is a slender vine which often starts life as a sub shrub before climbing. It is well suited to semi protected areas in the garden and are worthy of being grown with other rainforest specie. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest away from paths. In cultivation it grows from 6 meters to 8 meters in height by 2 meters to 3 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown in a rainforest situation.

They respond well to regular heavy pruning and can be maintained as a sub shrub where they will flower quite profusely though they appear to be biennial bloomers. As a sub shrub they can be to 1 meter to 1.5 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 38 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond admirably with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Ripogonum discolorcan be removed easily from the fruits.

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} to 80{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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ripogonum elseyanum

Classification:

Class: Monocots

Order: Liliales

Family: Ripogonaceae

Genus: From Rhipos, which is Ancient Greek for wicker work or a wicker and Gonos, which is Ancient Greek for an angle or joint. It refers to the suppleness of the plant’s stems or canes, which have disjunct knee like joints on the stems.

Specie: Is named in honour of John Ravenscroft Elsey; 1834-1857, who was an English surgeon, naturalist and explorer on the Gregory expedition into central Australia.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Hairy Supple Jack.

Distribution:

Ripogonum elseyanum is found in 2 disjunct populations on and east of the Great Dividing Range. The northern population is found around Bana Wiingina (Lake Eacham) in far north eastern Queensland then much further south from Gympie in southern coastal Queensland to the trail to the Never Never Picnic area near Dorrigo and Bellingen in north eastern coastal New South Wale. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

It is also found in New Guinee, New Zealand and Papua.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ripogonum elseyanum prefers dappled shade to full shade. It grows on the escarpments in openings along creeks and moist gullies in and adjacent to warm moist, well developed tropical rainforests, sub-tropical rainforests, riparian zones, littoral rainforests or moist gallery rainforests. The altitude ranges from 20 meters ASL to 830 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls usually range from lows of 1000mm to 2100mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ripogonum elseyanum prefers better quality light sandy clays to medium clays with a high proportion of rainforest litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, shale, metamorphic rocks, brown basalts, black basalts or accumulated peaty beach sands. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 6m to 8m by 3m to 4m.

Characteristics:

Ripogonum elseyanum grows as a long, erect or semi pendulant climber. The deep green to sea-green stems is moderately covered in rusty tomentose hairs while the older stems are usually covered in short of prickles.

The opposite, elliptical to ovate-oblong leaves of Ripogonum elseyanum are thick, coriaceous and usually measure 60mm to 200mm in length by 30mm to 70mm in width. The petioles are covered in rusty tomentose hairs and measure 3mm to 6mm in length. The bases are rounded to finely cordate while the apexes are acute to acute-acuminate. The concolourous twisting laminas are deep sea-green, semi glossy and glabrous. The laminas are strongly convex from the mid vein to the single pair of pinnate lateral vein and are slightly undulating between the reticulated veins. The margins are entire and undulating. The mid vein and 2 pinnate lateral veins are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and are moderately to densely covered in rusty tomentose and hirsute hairs. The reticulated veins are faintly to slightly prominent on the lower laminas. The new leaves are rusty –brown to pinkish and densely covered in pale rusty tomentose hairs.

The inflorescences of Ripogonum elseyanum are born on spikes from the leaf axils. There are 10 to 20 individual flowers on the 70mm to 110mm spikes. The deep green peduncles and rachis are densely covered in rusty tomentose and hirsute hairs while the individual flowers are pedicels measure 0mm to 2mm in length. The bracts measure 3mm to 6mm in length. The 3 creamy-white, ovate sepals measure 4mm to 5mm in length by 2.5mm to 3mm in width. The 3 creamy–white, ovate petals measure 5.5mm to 7mm in length by 3mm to 3.5mm in width.

The 6 pale creamy white stamens are free for their entire length and measure 12mm to 15mm in length. The filaments are narrower than the anthers and measure 8mm to 10mm in length. The anthers are dorsifixed to the filaments but run parallel to the filament for 2mm to 2.5mm of their 4.5mm to 5mm length.

The 6 pale creamy white stamens are free for their entire length and measure 5mm to 6mm in length. The filaments are narrower than the anthers. The dorsifixed anthers measure 4.5mm to 5mm length.

The globose ovaries measure 1.5 mm in length by 1.5mm in diameter and are densely covered in long brown tomentose to floccose hairs. The creamy-white stigma is tri lobed. There is 1 ovules one per locule. The sweet scented flowers appear from late June through to late October.

Ripogonum elseyanum fruits are globose to obovoidal berries. The glabrous berries measure 4mm to 15mm in length by 6mm to 18mm in diameter. The green berries turn orange-red when ripe and are sparsely to moderately covered in rusty tomentose hairs. The sepals and petals turn papery brown and dry and are persistent on the ripe berries. The single or at times 2 or rarely 3 seeds are compressed orbicular, hard and measure 8mm to 9mm in length by 7 to 8mm in diameter.

Wildlife:

Ripogonum elseyanum’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Ripogonum elseyanum is a slender vine which often starts life as a sub shrub before climbing. It is well suited to semi protected areas in the garden and are worthy of being grown with other rainforest specie. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest. In cultivation they will grow from 6 meters to 8 meters in height by 2 meters to 3 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown in a rainforest situation.

They respond well to regular heavy pruning and can be maintained as a sub shrub where they will flower quite profusely though they appear to be biennial bloomers. As a sub shrub they can be to 1 meter to 1.5 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 38 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond admirably with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Ripogonum elseyanum can be removed easily from the fruits.

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} to 80{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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ripogonum fawcettianum

Classification:

Class: Monocots

Order: Liliales

Family: Ripogonaceae

Genus: From Rhipos, which is Ancient Greek for wicker work or a wicker and Gonos, which is Ancient Greek for an angle or joint. It refers to the suppleness of the plant’s stems or canes, which have disjunct knee like joints on the stems.

Specie: Is named in honour of Hugh Charles Fawcett; 1812-1890, who was an Australian policeman who collected specimens for Ferdinand Von Mueller in the Richmond River District in northern New South Wales.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Small Supple Jack.

Distribution:

Ripogonum fawcettianum is found in several disjunct populations on and east of the Great Dividing Range from the Macpherson Ranges in south eastern Queensland to Bradys Gully near Gosford in central coastal New South Wales.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ripogonum fawcettianum prefers dappled shade to dense shade. It grows in and adjacent to moist, warm, well developed rainforests, riparian zones, gallery forests or littoral rainforests. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1050 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 1000mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ripogonum fawcettianum prefers soils that are sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, shale or brown or black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerant of water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

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

Characteristics:

Ripogonum fawcettianum grows as a creeper with long, erect or semi pendulant. The deep green to sea-green stems are moderately covered in yellowish to brownish tomentose and hirsute hairs while the older stems are usually sparsely covered in short of prickles.

The opposite, lanceolate leaves of Ripogonum fawcettianum are thick, coriaceous and usually measure 50mm to 100mm in length by 25mm to 40mm in width. The petioles are covered in rusty tomentose hairs and measure 4mm to 7mm in length. The bases are cordate while the apexes are acute. The discolourous twisting laminas are deep green, semi glossy and glabrous on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler. The laminas gently curve slightly upwards from the mid vein before decurving gently downwards to the margins and decurve downwards near the apexes. The margins are entire and slightly undulate. The mid vein and 2 pinnate lateral veins are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and are moderately to densely covered in brownish tomentose and hirsute hairs. The reticulated veins are prominent on the lower laminas. The new leaves are rusty–brown to pinkish and densely covered in brownish tomentose hairs.

The inflorescences of Ripogonum fawcettianum are born on spikes from the leaf axils. There are 10 to 20 individual flowers on the 40mm to 60mm spikes. The green peduncles and rachis are glabrous to moderately covered in rusty-brown hirsute hairs while the individual flowers are pedicels measure 2mm to 5mm in length. The 6 white, oblong tepals measure 4mm to 5mm in length by 2.2mm to 2.8mm in width.

The 6 white to creamy-white filaments measure 2mm to 3mm in length. The filaments are narrower than the anthers. The pastel pink, dorsifixed anthers measure 2mm to 3mm length.

The globose ovaries measure 1.5 mm in length by 1.5mm in diameter and is glabrous. The style is cream while the tri lobed stigma is pastel creamy-pink. There is a single ovule in each locule. The sweet scented flowers appear from late June through to late October.

Ripogonum fawcettianum fruits are globose berries. The glabrous berries measure 7mm to 11mm in length by 8mm to 12mm in diameter. The green berries turn orange-red when ripe and are sparsely to moderately covered in rusty tomentose hairs. The sepals and petals turn papery brown and dry and are persistent on the ripe berries. The single seed is orbicular.

Wildlife:

Ripogonum fawcettianum’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Ripogonum fawcettianum is a slender vine which often starts life as a sub shrub before climbing. It is well suited to semi protected areas in the garden and are worthy of being grown with other rainforest specie. It is ideal at the edge of a rain forest or deep in the center of the rainforest. In cultivation they will grow from 3 meters to 8 meters in height by 3 meters to 4 meters in diameter when grown in the open or taller and narrower if grown in a rainforest situation.

They respond well to regular heavy pruning and can be maintained as a sub shrub where they will flower quite profusely though they appear to be biennial bloomers. As a sub shrub they can be to 1 meter to 1.5 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 38 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond admirably with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Ripogonum fawcettianumcan be removed easily from the fruits.

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} to 80{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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rorippa dictyosperma

Classification:

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Brassicales

Family: Brassicaceae

Genus: From Rorippen, which is Latinized from the Saxon vernacular name for the plant studied by Euricius Cordus.

Specie: From Diktyon, which is Ancient Greek for a network and Spérma, which is Ancient Greek for a seed. It refers to seeds, which have a network pattern of vein like markings on the surface.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rorippa dictyosperma is found along the Warren River to the Gorge in the Porongorup Range along the coast in south west Western Australia.

It is found south from Mount Cordeaux near Boonah in southern Queensland to Swamp Lagoon on the Narracoorte coastal Plains then further west at Heathfield and Langhorne Creek south eastern south eastern South Australia.

It is also found in a line east and north from Mount Franklin in the north west to Taranna on the south east coast of Tasmania as well as the eastern Islands of Bass Straight.

It is probably a lot more common than the maps indicates.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rorippa dictyosperma prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in alluvial swampy forests along muddy river banks, ephemeral pools and shallow depressions usually in locations where water ponds over winter and spring. It is common around billabongs lakes and dams. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1050 meters ASL.

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

The rainfall ranges from lows of 400mm to 2000mm average per annum however actual rainfall is not as important as permanent ground water supply.

Soil Requirements:

Rorippa dictyosperma prefers to grow on fine medium silts to heavy fine clay silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts, and metamorphic rocks, granites deposited as river deltas deposits or river meander deposits. The soils pH ranges from 4pH to 8pH. It tolerates water logged soils and long periods of being inundated. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.15m to 0.9m by 0.2m to 0.6m when in flower.

Characteristics:

It grows as a small erect to spreading annual or perennial. It is decumbent at base and many branched and erect above when in flower. The stems are pale grey-green, blue green, smooth and glabrous with few branches from near the base and branch freely above the base.

The basal pinnatisect leaves measure 100mm to 200mm in length by 15mm to 60mm in width. The bases taper to the petiole and then are attenuate while the apexes are broad acute. The cauline leaves reduce in size as they advance up the stems. They become lanceolate, entire and petiolate. The concolourous laminas are pale grass-green, pale grey-green, blue green, smooth and glabrous. The laminas are flat and decurve gently downwards from the base to the apexes. The terminal lobes are large while the lateral lobe segments are ovate to oblong, entire or toothed.

The inflorescences are born on long, open, slender panicles from the base of the basal leaves. The peduncle, rachis and pedicels are pale grass-green, smooth and glabrous. The peduncle and rachis measure 300mm to 900mm in length while the pedicels measure 10mm to 23mm in length.

The 4 narrow elliptical, mid grey-green, blue-green sepals are often tinged pink or purple and are smooth and glabrous. The sepals measure 2.5mm to 5mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The corollas measure 5mm to 10mm in length while the 4 white or at times pastel pink petals measure 7.5mm to 14mm in length by 5mm to 7.5mm in width.

The 6 white filaments turn pastel pink after anthesis and remain attached to the base of the ovary after the sepals and petals have fallen. The filaments measure 4mm to 6mm in length. The cream to pastel fawn anthers are oblong and measure 0.7mm to 1mm in length.

The ovaries are smooth and glabrous. The white style and stigma turn pastel pink after anthesis and remain attached to the base of the ovaries after the sepals and petals have fallen. The style measures 4mm to 6mm in length. The flowers appear from September to February.

Rorippa dictyosperma’s fruits are long, narrow, and straight, to slightly curved cylindrical siliquas. The pedicels are spreading to reflexed and measure 8mm to 20mm in length. The smooth, glabrous siliquas are bluish-green and turn pale fawn or greyish-fawn when ripe. The siliquas measure 25mm to 60mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in diameter. The brown seeds are in 2 rows per locule and are not mucilaginous when wet. The compressed spherical seeds are surrounded by a short wing and measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length by 1.4mm to 1.8mm in width. The testa is smooth. The ripe capsules appear from November to March.

Confusing Species:

Rorippa dictyosperma’s leaves are attenuate.

Rorippa gigantea’s leaves are sessile.

Rorippa glaciniata’s leaves are petiolate and very variable often cuneate.

Wildlife:

The leaves are often eaten by the exotic Cabbage White butterfly (Pieris rapae) but it appears to favour other Brassicaceae over the native species.

The young leaves can be boiled or steamed as a vegetable substitute. The seeds probably contain high quality protein oil and have an oily consistency when eaten. Plants are related to the common Brassica and Rape which canola oil is extracted. The seed oil should be investigated further as an alternative to canola oil in Australia.

Cultivation:

dictyosperma should be more widely grown in subtropical and temperate gardens. It is ideal at the edge of a forest or as the pioneer herbs in open country to help bind the soil and add potash and colour to the scene in a short time.  As it seems to only grow on disturbed land it makes it an ideal starter plant in the bush garden to help break up heavier soils adding quick colour and organic matter without becoming weedy or problemsome. In cultivation they will grow from 0.5 meters to 0.6 meters in height by 0.5 meters to 0.6 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils, heavy soils and thrive on pindan soils given just 1 or 2 thorough soakings. It can cope with temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees and up to 42 degrees.

Add to the above, if it is given a little native fertilizer on being planted out as a seedling will respond with good flowering and good fruit set over a long period.

Mass plantings or scattered through the bush add quick colour throughout the year. It can be rotated as forage crop. Spent flowers should be removed to promote longer flowering and better quality flowers or terminal flowers removed to improve better quality seed.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the siliquas once they dry. Once the siliquas have died and the first seeds have appear remove the siliquas and place them in a brown paper bag and store them in a cool dry place until required for sowing. The seeds will remain viable for several decades under ideal conditions.

Sow the seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into their permanent position. Do not delay as they will develop knotty root quickly and fail to grow into strong, healthy plants.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rorippa gigantea

Classification:

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Brassicales

Family: Brassicaceae

Genus: From Rorippen, which is Latinized from the Saxon vernacular name for the plant studied by Euricius Cordus.

Specie: From Giganteus, which is Latin for enormous or very large. It refers to plant, structures or organs usually the flowers or fruits, which are exceptionally large compared to other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rorippa gigantea is found in several disjunct populations south from Rose Gum Mountain near Townsville in northern coastal Queensland to the Grampians in south western Victoria. It is found further west around Lake Alexandrina in southern South Australia.

It is found on all the Bass Straight Islands and in Tasmania at Circular Head, Port Dalrymple and Mercy Valley near Liena then south from Blue Lake on Mount Cameron to Lune River down the east coast.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rorippa gigantea prefer dappled shade to full sun. It grows on alluvial swampy forests along muddy river banks, ephemeral pools and shallow depressions usually in locations where water ponds over winter and spring. It is common around billabongs lakes and dams. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 850 meters ASL.

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

The rainfall ranges from lows of 550mm to 2000mm average per annum however actual rainfall is not as important as permanent ground water supply.

Soil Requirements:

Rorippa gigantea prefer to grow on fine medium silts to heavy fine clay silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed brown basalt, black basalts, and metamorphic rocks, granites deposited as river deltas, podsolic soils or river meander deposits. The soils pH ranges from 4pH to 8pH. It tolerates water logged soils and long periods of being inundated. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.5m to 1.2m by 0.3m to 0.5m.

Characteristics:

Rorippa gigantea grows as a small erect to decumbent annual or perennial. It is decumbent at the base and many branched and erect above by the time of flowering. The stems are pale grey-green, blue green, smooth and glabrous with few branches from near the base and branch freely above the base.

The basal oblong to lanceolate leaves measure 800mm to 120mm in length by 15mm to 60mm in width. The sessile bases taper to the stem and are narrowly cauline while the apexes are broad obtuse. The stem leaves are sagittate and reduce in size as they advance up the stems. The concolourous laminas are pale grass-green, pale grey-green, blue green, smooth and glabrous. The laminas are flat, straight and slight undulating. The basal leaves and lower leaves margins are entire while the upper stem leaves margins are entire or shallowly toothed with disjunct teeth.

The inflorescences are born on long, open, slender panicles from the base of the basal leaves. The peduncle, rachis and pedicels are pale grass-green, smooth and glabrous. The peduncle and rachis measure 600mm to 1200mm in length while the pedicels measure 3mm to 6mm in length.

The 4 narrow elliptical, mid green, mid grey-green, blue-green sepals are often tinged pink or purple and are smooth and glabrous. The sepals measure 0.5mm to 2mm in length by 0.5mm to 1.5mm in width. The corollas measure 2mm to 5mm in length while the 4 white petals measure 2.5mm to 5mm in length by 2.5mm to 5mm in width.

The 4 green filaments remain attached to the base of the ovary after the sepals and petals have fallen. The filaments measure 1.5mm to 2.5mm in length. The anthers are pastel fawn.

The ovaries are pale green, smooth and glabrous. The pale green style and stigma remain attached to the base of the ovaries after the sepals and petals have fallen. The flowers appear from September to February.

Rorippa gigantea’s fruits are long, narrow, straight cylindrical siliquas. The pedicels are positioned horizontally and measure 3mm to 8mm in length. The smooth, glabrous siliquas are mid green, bluish-green and turn pale fawn or greyish-fawn when ripe. The siliquas are horizontal to semi erect and measure 15mm to 40mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in diameter. The brown seeds are in 2 rows off center, per locule, are loosely surrounded by white pith and are not mucilaginous when wet. The compressed spherical seeds are surrounded by a short wing and measure 1.5mm to 1.8mm in length by 1mm to 1.2mm in width. The testa is reticulate or tuberculate while the ripe capsules appear from November to March.

Confusing Species:

Rorippa gigantea’s leaves are sessile.

Rorippa dictyosperma’s are attenuate.

Rorippa glaciniata’s leaves are petiolate and very variable often cuneate.

Wildlife:

Rorippa gigantea’s leaves are often eaten by the exotic Cabbage White butterfly (Pieris rapae) but it appears to favour other Brassicaceae over the native species.

The young leaves can be boiled or steamed as a vegetable substitute. The seeds probably contain high quality protein oil and have an oily consistency when eaten. Plants are related to the common Brassica and Rape which canola oil is extracted. The seed oil should be investigated further as an alternative to canola oil in Australia.

Cultivation:

Rorippa gigantea should be more widely grown in subtropical and temperate gardens. It is ideal at the edge of a forest or as the pioneer herbs in open country to help bind the soil and add potash and colour to the scene in a short time.  As it seems to only grow on disturbed land it makes it an ideal starter plant in the bush garden to help break up heavier soils adding quick colour and organic matter without becoming weedy or problemsome. In cultivation they will grow from 0.5 meters to 0.6 meters in height by 0.5 meters to 0.6 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils, heavy soils and thrive on pindan soils given just 1 or 2 thorough soakings. It can cope with temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees and up to 42 degrees.

Add to the above, if it is given a little native fertilizer on being planted out as a seedling will respond with good flowering and good fruit set over a long period.

Mass plantings or scattered through the bush add quick colour throughout the year. It can be rotated as forage crop. Spent flowers should be removed to promote longer flowering and better quality flowers or terminal flowers removed to improve better quality seed.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the siliquas once they dry. Once the siliquas have died and the first seeds have appeared remove the siliquas and place them in a brown paper bag and store them in a cool dry place until required for sowing. The seeds will remain viable for several decades under ideal conditions.

Sow the seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into their permanent position. Do not delay as they will develop knotty root quickly and fail to grow into strong, healthy plants.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rorippa laciniata

Classification:

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Brassicales

Family: Brassicaceae

Genus: From Rorippen, which is Latinized from the Saxon vernacular name for the plant studied by Euricius Cordus.

Specie: From Laciniāta, which is Latin for narrowly slashed or jaggered lobes. It refers to leaves or at times petals or calyx lobes, which have jaggered lobe margins.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rorippa laciniata is found east and south of a line from Connors Range and Sapphire to Wondoan in central Queensland to the Little Desert National Park and on the Merrie River near Warnambool in western Victoria. It is also found further west along the Murray River to Lake Alexandrina in South Australia and from the Adelaide Hills to the coast. It is mainly found on the Western Plains, on the Western Slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rorippa laciniata prefer dappled shade to full sun. It grows in alluvial swampy forests along muddy river banks, ephemeral pools and shallow depressions usually in locations where water ponds over winter and spring. It is common around billabongs lakes and dams. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 650 meters ASL.

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

The rainfall ranges from lows of 400mm to 1600mm average per annum however actual rainfall is not as important as permanent ground water supply.

Soil Requirements:

Rorippa laciniata prefer to grow on fine medium silts to heavy fine clay silts. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstone or granites or at times brown basalt, black basalts, metamorphic rocks, deposited as river deltas, podsolic soils or river meander deposits. The soils pH ranges from 4pH to 8pH. It tolerates water logged soils and long periods of being inundated. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.2m to 0.8m by 0.3m to 0.6m.

Characteristics:

Rorippa laciniata grows as a small erect to decumbent annual or perennial with a long creamy-white, woody tap root. It is decumbent at the base with 1 or more erect leafy, somewhat flaccid rosettes close to the base by the time of flowering. The stems are pale grey-green, blue green, smooth and glabrous with few branches from near the base and branch freely above the base.

The lyrate pinnatifid to lyrate pinnatisect or simple mainly basal leaves of Rorippa laciniata are narrow elliptic, elliptic to broad elliptic or rhomboidal. The leaves measure 20mm to 150mm in length by 30mm to 50mm in width. The petioles measure 50mm to 100mm in length. The bases taper to the stem and are narrow attenuate while the apexes are broad obtuse. The stem leaves are few and reduce in size as they advance up the stems. The discolourous laminas are deep green to deep reddish-green smooth and glabrous. The laminas are flat or recurve slightly upwards from the mid vein to the margins, are straight or decurve slightly downwards from the bases to the apexes or are plano convex and slight undulating. The margins are entire or irregularly or at times deeply toothed or lobed. The segments are broadly to narrowly linear, often deeply toothed, with a terminal lobe and 1 to 4 pairs of narrow lobes. The margins are covered in short, white ciliate hairs to 0.3 mm in length. 

The inflorescences are born long, open, slender panicles from the base of the basal leaves. The panicles are sprawling to ascending, often flaccid which are supported by adjacent vegetation. The peduncle, rachis and pedicels are mid green to deep green to deep reddish-green, smooth and glabrous. The peduncle and rachis measure 200mm to 800mm in length while the pedicels measure 3mm to 6mm in length. The pedicels are erecto-patent at flowering and are divaricate when in fruit. The pedicels measure 9.2mm to 12.2mm in length.

There are 10 to 30 or more individual flowers on the branches of the panicles

The 4 linear-lanceolate or subulate sepals are deep green, yellow-green to reddish-green with white margins. The sepals are smooth and glabrous with a saccate obtuse apex. The sepals measure 2.3mm to 4.5mm in length by 1.2mm to 1.3mm in width.

The 4 oblong, white petals are pale lavender at senescence, measure 3.6mm to 5.5mm in length by 1.9mm to 2.3mm in width and are always slightly longer than the sepals. The claw measures 0.8mm to 1.2mm in length.

The 4 white filaments remain attached to the base of the ovary after the sepals and petals have fallen. The filaments measure 2.5mm to 4mm in length. The anthers are pastel yellow. The anthers measure 0.6mm to 0.8mm by 0.4mm in diameter. The terete, green ovary measures 1.8mm to 4mm in length. The style measures 0.5mm to 0.7mm in length. The protogynous stigma is clavate, capitate to weakly bilobed and measures 0.6mm in diameter. The flowers appear from September to February.

Rorippa laciniata’s fruits are long, narrow, straight cylindrical siliquas. The pedicels are positioned horizontally and measure 10mm to 13mm in length. The smooth, glabrous siliquas are mid green, deep green to reddish-green and turn pale fawn or greyish-fawn when ripe. The siliquas are horizontal to semi erect and measure 15mm to 46mm in length by 1.3mm to 1.8mm in diameter. The valves are inconspicuous with the mid rib indistinguishable at the apex. The style remnant measures 0.5mm to 0.9mm and is persistent on the ripe siliquas.

The pale orange-brown seeds are in a single row per locule, are loosely surrounded by white pith and are mucilaginous when wet. The compressed spherical seeds are surrounded by a short wing and measure 1.3mm to 1.4mm in length by 0.9mm to 1mm in width. The testa is punctate. The ripe capsules appear from November to March.

Wildlife:

Rorippa laciniata’s wildlife is unknown to the author though several unknown small butterflies are attracted to the flowers. The leaves are often damaged by an unknown butterfly or moth larvae.

The young leaves can be boiled or steamed as a vegetable substitute. The seeds probably contain high quality protein oil and have an oily consistency when eaten. Plants are related to the common Brassica and Rape which canola oil is extracted. The seed oil should be investigated further as an alternative to canola oil in Australia.

Cultivation:

Rorippa laciniata should be more widely grown in subtropical and temperate gardens. It is ideal at the edge of a forest or as the pioneer herbs in open country to help bind the soil and add potash and colour to the scene in a short time.  As it seems to only grow on disturbed land it makes it an ideal starter plant in the bush garden to help break up heavier soils adding quick colour and organic matter without becoming weedy or problemsome. In cultivation they will grow from 0.4 meters to 0.8 meters in height by 0.5 meters to 0.8 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils, heavy soils and thrive on pindan soils given just 1 or 2 thorough soakings. It can cope with temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees and up to 42 degrees.

Add to the above, if it is given a little native fertilizer on being planted out as a seedling will respond with good flowering and good fruit set over a long period.

Mass plantings or scattered through the bush add quick colour throughout the year. It can be rotated as forage crop. Spent flowers should be removed to promote longer flowering and better quality flowers or terminal flowers removed to improve better quality seed.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the siliquas once they dry. Once the siliquas have died and the first seeds have appear remove the siliquas and place them in a brown paper bag and store them in a cool dry place until required for sowing. The seeds will remain viable for several decades under ideal conditions.

Sow the seeds directly into a seed raising mix, keeping them moist not wet. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, prick them out and plant them into their permanent position. Do not delay as they will develop knotty root quickly and fail to grow into strong, healthy plants.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rubus moluccanus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Subfamily: Rosoideae

Tribe: Rubeae

Genus: From Rubēns, which is Latin for reddish. It refers to the aggregates, which are scarlet-red to crimson-red.

Specie: From Moluccānum, which is Latin for the Molong district and Anum/Ensis, which is Latin for to originate from. It refers to plants, which were first discovered in the Molucca Islands.

Variety: Rubus moluccanus var. austropacifica. From Terra Australis, which is Latin for land of the south and Pācifica, which is Latin for peaceful, calm or peacemaking. It refers to the Pacific Ocean and the adjacent Islands along the east coast of Australia. (The Pacific Ocean is regarded as being calmer than the other Oceans of the world).

Variety: Rubus moluccanus var. dendrocharis. From Déndron, which is Ancient Greek for a tree and Kháris, which is Ancient Greek for beauty, elegance, charm and grace or Khárites which is ancient Greek for one of the three goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity, and fertility. It refers to plants, which are more upright and have a greater charm, grace and beauty than the other species in the genus. It may also refer to the fruits, which are more beautiful and bountiful or larger than other species in the genus thus referring to the fertility of the plants.

Variety: Rubus moluccanus var. moluccanus. From Moluccānum, which is Latin for the Molong district and Anum/Ensis, which is Latin for to originate from. It refers to plants, which were first discovered in the Molucca Islands.

Variety: Rubus moluccanus var. trilobus. From Treîs/Tría, which are Ancient Greek or Tri, which is Latin for three and Lobos/Lobī, which is Ancient Greek or Lobus which is Latin for a lobe. It refers leaves which have three lobes.

Common Name: Native Raspberry or Molucca Bramble or Queensland Raspberry.

The local Gumbaynggirr know it as Bagulam

Distribution:

Rubus moluccanus var. austropacifica is found south from Cape York Peninsular in far north eastern Queensland to Orbost in far north eastern Victoria. It is found on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

Rubus moluccanus var. dendrocharis is found south from Cape York Peninsular in far north eastern Queensland to Baw Baw in eastern Victoria. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

Rubus moluccanus var. moluccanus is found south from Cape York Peninsular in far north eastern Queensland to Orbost in far north eastern Victoria. It is found on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

Rubus moluccanus var. trilobus is found south from the Daintree River in far north eastern Queensland to Bell Bird Creek eastern Victoria. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

It is also native to Assam, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Bougainville, India, Jawa, Laos, Lesser Sunda Islands, Malaysia, Maluku, Myanmar, New Guinea, Papua, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Thailand, Victoria and Vietnam.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rubus moluccanus prefers dense shade to light dappled sun. It grows on and east of the Great Dividing Range in openings in riparian and moist gallery forests adjacent to warm, drier types of well-developed rainforests, riparian zones, littoral rainforests, moist Eucalyptus forests or moist gallery rainforests. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1260 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 650mm to 3200mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rubus moluccanus prefer soils that are sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from better quality decomposed shale, metamorphic rocks, heavier types of sandstone or brown or black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 2m to 4m by many meters in width as the canes will root where they touch the ground.

Characteristics:

Rubus moluccanus grows as a bramble with long arching canes. The canes are pale purple-green, glabrous and sparsely covered in purple-green recurved prickles. The smaller stems near the apex vary from pale blue green to pale green with purple striations or pale blue green. The apexes are covered in pale fawn puberulent hairs.

The alternate, cordate to cordate-deltoid leaves of Rubus moluccanus var. moluccanus are often shallowly lobed with 3 to 5 lobes. The leaves measure 50mm to 110mm in length by 40mm to 75mm in width. The bases are truncate to cordate while the apexes are broadly acute to broadly acuminate or broadly obtuse with a mucronate tip. The discolourous laminas are green to deep green, glabrous to sparsely covered in fawn puberulent hairs on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler and densely covered in soft white pubescent hairs. The leaf margins are serrate or double serrate, flat or slightly decurve close to the margins and apex. The mid vein and main laterals are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The reticulate veins are slightly prominent on the lower lamina. The petioles are sparsely covered in long brown hirsute hairs and sparsely covered in fine recurved prickles. There is a longitudinal midrib on the lower surface. The petioles measure 40mm to 50mm in length. The stipules are attached to the stems immediately behind the petiole base and measure 7mm to 15mm in length. The margins are deeply lobed 7 to 9 times.

The alternate, cordate to cordate-deltoid leaves of Rubus moluccanus var. trilobus are often shallowly lobed with 3 lobes. The leaves measure 70mm to 80mm in length by 80mm to 90mm in width. The bases are truncate to cordate while the apexes are broadly acute to broadly acuminate or broadly obtuse with a mucronate tip. The discolourous laminas are green to deep green, glabrous with a sparsely covered of fawn puberulent hairs along the mid vein and main lateral veins on the upper lamina. The lower lamina is paler and densely covered in soft white canescent hairs. The leaf margins are serrate or double serrate, flat or slightly decurve close to the margins and apex. The mid vein and main laterals are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The reticulate veins are slightly prominent on the lower lamina. The petioles are sparsely covered in long brown hirsute hairs and sparsely covered in fine recurved prickles. There is a longitudinal midrib on the lower surface. The petioles measure 25mm to 35mm in length. The stipules are attached to the stems immediately behind the petiole base and measure 6mm to 10mm in length. The margins are lacinate to deeply lobed.

Inflorescences of Rubus moluccanus var. moluccanus are born on irregular panicles or a few in a loose cluster from the leaf axils. The flowers measure 12mm to 16mm in diameter. The pale blue green peduncules and pedicels are sparsely to densely covered in pale golden villous hairs. The peduncules measure 6mm to 10mm in length while the pedicels measure 5mm to 8mm in length. The 5 pale blue green calyxes lobes are narrow triangular are covered in golden villous hairs externally and white pubescent hairs internally. The calyx lobes measure 5mm to 7mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The 5 white to rose pink petals are broadly spathulate with undulating margins. The white flowers are usually pale pink at the base while the pink flowers are a deep pink to purple pink near the base. They measure 3mm to 5mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in width.

The 50 to 60 filaments are free for their entire length and are white with a deep pink to red base. They measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The slender filaments have basil-fixed white anthers.

The white style stigma and carpels are glabrous. There are 30 or more carpels to a flower with each carpel containing one ovule. The pistil measures 3.5mm to 4mm in length. Rubus moluccanus var. moluccanus’s flowers appear from late August through to late January however some flowers may appear throughout the year when the seasons are favourable.

Inflorescences of Rubus moluccanus var. trilobus are born on irregular panicles or a few in a loose cluster from the leaf axils. The flowers measure 12mm to 16mm in diameter. The pale blue green peduncules and pedicels are densely covered in pale fawn or white villous hairs. The peduncules measure 6mm to 10mm in length while the pedicels measure 5mm to 8mm in length. The 5 pale blue green calyxes lobes are narrow triangular are covered in pale fawn to white hairs on both surfaces. The calyx lobes measure 5mm to 7mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The 5 rose pink petals are broadly spathulate with undulating margins. The petals measure 4mm to 6mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in width.

The 50 to 60 filaments are free for their entire length and are white with a deep pink to red base. They measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The slender filaments have basil-fixed white anthers.

The white style and stigma are glabrous, deep rose pink at the base as are the carpels. There are 30 or more carpels to a flower with each carpel containing one ovule. The pistil measures 3.5mm to 4mm in length. Rubus moluccanus var. trilobus’s flowers appear from late August through to late January however some flowers may appear throughout the year when the seasons are favourable.

The fruits of Rubus moluccanus var. moluccanus and Rubus moluccanus var. trilobus are globose to obovoidal aggregates. The aggregates are glabrous and measure 10mm to 12mm in length by 10mm to 12mm in diameter. The green aggregates turn glossy scarlet red when ripe. The calyx lobes are persistent at the base of the ripe fruit while the style is persistent on each apex. The single, small, glossy brown seed is rugose or netted.

Wildlife:

Rubus moluccanus’s are eaten by most fruitigrove birds including the Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), the  Green Cat Bird (Ailuroedus-crassirostris‎), Lewin’s Honey Eater (Meliphaga lewinii), the Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus), the Silver Eyes including the Common silver eye (Zosterops lateralis) and fruit eating doves including the Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica).

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of the exotic raspberry are sweeter, juicier and are more flavoursome with a texture more like a round blackberry. The fruits can be eaten raw, made into pies, conserves and ice-creams or flavourings. The problem is the fruits are much smaller than the conventional raspberry.

The leaves are abortifacient meaning they can bring on abortion, and are emmenagogue meaning they can induce menstrual flow during a period.

Cultivation:

Rubus moluccanus is a magnificent smaller bramble which responds very well to pruning once the roots have established themselves. They should be more widely grown in association with other rainforest specie or as a fruit crop. It is ideal at the edge of a rainforest or deep in the center of the rainforest. It is quick growing particularly in light dappled shaded situations. In cultivation they will grow from 1.5 meters to 2 meters in height by 3 meters to 5 meters in diameter when grown in the open on a trellis or from 1.5 meters to 2 meters in height by 3 meters to 4 meters in diameter when grown in the open as a sub-shrub.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however fruit set will be greatly affected.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

They often reach their full potential in just 2 to 3 years and flower from the third or fourth year from seed.

Cultivated plants for fruit have many advantages over the exotic plants from Europe in that they can tolerate the warmer tropical climates better and tolerate greater variation in local climatic conditions better. The plants are ideal in permaculture gardens and produce fruit over a longer period than the exotics meaning there is a better chance to receive higher prices for the fruit. The fruits have a similar shelf life which means they can compete with their exotic counter parts. I do not know the yield comparisons but considering the other benefits in higher prices for out of season fruits this may well and truly mean higher returns as labour would also be less of a problem. Once farming ceases plants do not have to be eradicated.

When it is grown in an orchard situation attention should be given to growing plants from proven reliable fruiting plants with good flavour, good quantities, size of fruit and plants that are less prickly. Fruit quantity varies considerably amongst wild plants.

Rows should be on an east west basis so the plants get maximum sunlight. Rows are best maintained at 3 meters to 5 meters depending on what machinery is used in the orchard.

Once the cane has produced its fruit it should be cut back to ground level to allow new canes to develop and to maintain vigour within the plant. Rogue canes should also be removed

Research undertaken at Charles Sturt University suggests the berries could be developed for their anti-bacterial properties. The antimicrobial activity of Rubus moluccanus berry juice and dried berries were investigated against five human pathogenic bacteria, and both sub specie were found to significantly reduce the growth of several species of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Alcaligenes faecalis and Escherichia Coli.

An analysis of the fruits of the Australian varieties is fairly similar and is as follows. This will vary on the methods of growing and to a limited extent to the type of soil. Generally organic and wild fruits are higher in vitamins and minerals and lower in water and major elements:

Water 80 to 83{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Calories 58 to 75{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Protein 1.2 to 1.5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Fat 0.5 to 1.4{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Carbohydrates 14 to 16{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} and Fibber greater than 1{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}.

Vitamin and Mineral percentages are in recommended daily allowances for 125grams consumed by an average adult male:

Vitamins:

Vitamin A 40-42IU 1{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Vitamin C 32mg 54{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Vitamin E 1-1.2mg 5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Vitamin K 9-10mcg 12{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Thiamin less than 1mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f},  Riboflavin less than 1mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Niacin 0.7mg 4{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Vitamin B6 0.1mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Foliate 25-26mcg 6{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Pantothenis Acid 0.4mg 4{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}.

Minerals: Calcium 31mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Iron 0.8mg 5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Magnesium 27-28mg 7{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Phosphorous 35-37mg 4{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Potassium 186mg 5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Sodium 1.2 less than 0.5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Zinc 0.5mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Copper 0.1mg 6{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Manganese 0.8mg 41{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Selenium 0.2mcg 0.5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} and Chlorides all sources 15mg.(U.S.A Dept. of Agriculture figures)

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rubus moluccanus can be removed easily from the fruits.

Sow fresh 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.

Cuttings:

Plants must be re struck on a biannual basis from rooted canes to maintain and guaranteed excellent fruiting characteristics.

Agricultural plants would need to be grown from cuttings using the best quality material available.

The best method is to remove root cuttings as they sucker from the adult plants. Sever the sucker at about 50mm to 75mm behind the roots and in front of the new cane sucker Transplant into 150mm pots and treat as seedlings.

Another method is to layer the canes which have produced good fruit and as soon as they shoot a new cane sever the old cane 50mm to 70mm behind and in front of the new cane and treat as for seedlings. After removing the new plant cut the old cane off at the base of the plant.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rubus nebulosus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Tribe: Rubeae

Subfamily: Rosoideae

Genus: From Rubēns, which is Latin for reddish. It refers to the aggregates, which are scarlet-red to crimson-red.

Specie: From Nebulōsus, which is Latin for a cloud with distinct stormy features. It refers to plants, which prefer environments that are cloudy, frequently covered in mists or orographic precipitation.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Green Leaved Bramble.

The local Gumbaynggirr know it as Bagulam

Distribution:

Rubus nebulosus is found south from the Macpherson Ranges in far south eastern Queensland to Bateman’s Bay in New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rubus nebulosus prefers dense shade to dappled sunlight. It grows in openings along creeks and moist gullies adjacent to warm moist well developed rainforests, riparian zones, littoral rainforests or moist gallery forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1260 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 700mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rubus nebulosus prefers better quality sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, shales, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils pH ranges 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 10m by 1m to 10m.

Characteristics:

Rubus nebulosus grows as a bramble with long arching canes. The canes near the base are pale fawn to orange-fawn and glabrous. The smaller stems near the apex vary from lime green to green with purple patches and striations and are sparsely covered in fine green recurved prickles. The apexes are glabrous.

The opposite, leaves of Rubus nebulosus are 5 foliate. The leaflets are oblong-elliptical to oblong-ovate and measure 40mm to 100mm in length by 10mm to 40mm in width. The middle leaflet is equal to or slightly longer than the lateral leaflets. The bases are rounded while the apexes are broadly acuminate. The concolourous laminas are green to deep olive-green, glabrous and semi glossy. The leaflet margins are toothed and are recurved close to the margins and decurve near the apex. The mid vein and main laterals are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The reticulate veins are slightly prominent on the lower lamina. The mid vein has a row of fine recurved prickles. The petioles measure 50mm to 80mm in length while the lateral petiolules measure 5mm to 20mm in length and the terminal leaflet petiolule measures 25mm to 50mm in length. The petiolules and petioles are covered in fine recurved prickles. The petiole is greatly swollen at the junction with the petiolules.

Inflorescences of Rubus nebulosus are born on a spikes or panicles from the leaf axils. The lime green pedicels are glabrous, sparsely covered in small recurved prickles and measure 50mm to 130mm in length. The 5 pale green sepals are divaricate, glabrous and measure 5mm to 6mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The 5 white petals are broadly spathulate with undulating margins. The petals measure 8mm to 11mm in length by 8mm to 10mm in width.

The 50 to 60 filaments are free for their entire length and are white with a deep pink to red base. They measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The slender filaments have basil-fixed white anthers.

The white style and stigma are glabrous, deep rose pink at the base as are the carpels. There are 30 or more carpels to a flower with each carpel containing one ovule. The pistil measures 3.5mm to 4mm in length. Rubus nebulosus’s flowers appear from late August through to late November or mid-December when the seasons are favourable.

The fruits of Rubus nebulosus are globose to obovoidal aggregates. The aggregates are glabrous and measure 8mm to 10mm in length by 8mm to 10mm in diameter. The green aggregates turn deep, glossy, purple red when ripe. The calyx lobes are persistent at the base of the ripe fruit while the style is persistent on each apex. The single, small, glossy brown seed is rugose or netted.

Wildlife:

Rubus nebulosus’s are eaten by most fruitigrove birds including the Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), the  Green Cat Bird (Ailuroedus-crassirostris‎), Lewin’s Honey Eater (Meliphaga lewinii), the Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus), the Silver Eyes including the Common silver eye (Zosterops lateralis) and fruit eating doves including the Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica).

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of the exotic raspberry but are not as sweet but are more flavoursome. The texture is that of the exotic raspberry. The fruits can be eaten raw, made into pies, conserves and ice-creams or flavourings.

Cultivation:

Rubus nebulosus is a magnificent smaller bramble which responds very well to pruning once the roots have established themselves. They should be more widely grown in association with other rainforest specie or as a fruit crop. It is ideal at the edge of a rainforest or deep in the center of the rainforest. It is quick growing particularly in light dappled shaded situations. In cultivation it grows from 1.5 meters to 2 meters in height by 3 meters to 5 meters in diameter when grown in the open on a trellis or from 1.5 meters to 2 meters in height by 3 meters to 4 meters in diameter when grown in the open as a sub-shrub.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however fruit set will be greatly affected.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

They often reach their full potential in just 2 to 3 years and flower from the third or fourth year from seed.

Cultivated plants for fruit have many advantages over the exotic plants from Europe in that they can tolerate the warmer tropical climates better and tolerate greater variation in local climatic conditions better. The plants are ideal in permaculture gardens and produce fruit over a longer period than the exotics meaning there is a better chance to receive higher prices for the fruit. The fruits have a similar shelf life which means they can compete with their exotic counter parts.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rubus nebulosus can be removed easily from the fruits.

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.

Plants must be re struck on an annual basis from rooted canes to maintain and guaranteed excellent fruiting characteristics.

Agricultural plants would need to be grown from cuttings using the best quality material available.

The best method is to remove root cuttings as they sucker from the adult plants. Sever the sucker about 50mm to 75mm behind and in front of the new cane sucker Transplant into 150mm pots and treat as seedlings.

Another method is to layer the canes which have produced fruit and as soon as they shoot a new cane sever the old cane 50mm to 70mm behind and in front of the new cane and treat as for seedlings. After removing the new plant cut the old cane off at the base of the plant.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rubus parvifolius

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Tribe: Rubeae

Subfamily: Rosoideae

Genus: From Rubēns, which is Latin for reddish. It refers to the aggregates, which are scarlet-red to crimson-red.

Specie: From Paûros, which is Ancient Greek or Parvum, which is Latin for small and Folius, which is Latin for a foliage. It refers to leaves, which are rather small or smaller than other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Native Raspberry or Small Leaf Bramble.

In the Aboriginal language it is known as Eepaeep or Bagulum in the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal language.

Distribution:

Rubus parvifolius is found south from the Atherton Tableland in far north east Queensland to Mount Gambier in south eastern South Australia.

In South Australia it is found south from Elizabeth to the eastern end of Kangaroo Island.

In Tasmania it is found from the north west corner to the south east corner.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rubus parvifolius prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in and adjacent to cool, moist well developed rainforests, riparian zones, moist gallery forests, littoral rainforests or tall moist Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1460 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 5 degrees in July to 36 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 500mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rubus parvifolius prefers sands, loamy soils to medium clays with a high proportion of forest litter. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, shales, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils pH ranges 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 3m by 1m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Rubus parvifolius grows as a bramble with long arching canes. The canes near the base are pale fawn to pale brown and glabrous and sparsely covered in small prickles. The smaller stems near the apex vary from lime green to green or pale pinkish near the apex. It is covered in small fine green, decurve, recurved or straight prickles. The apexes are covered in white puberulent to tomentose hairs becoming glabrescent with age.

The alternate leaves of Rubus parvifolius are trifoliate in the northern populations. The southern populations are usually 5 foliate though trifoliate plants are not rare. The leaflets are ovate to rhomboidal and measure 10mm to 40mm in length by 10mm to 35mm in width. The middle leaflet is larger than the lateral leaflets. Where there are 5 leaflets the base pair are the smallest. The two linear stipules measure 6mm to 18mm in length. The terminal leaflet petioles measure 10mm to 25mm in length while the lateral leaflets are sessile. The bases are rounded to broadly cuneate while the apexes are obtuse, broadly acute to broadly acuminate. The discolourous laminas are lime green to deep lime green and dull to semi glossy on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is white and densely covered in white tomentose hairs. The leaflet margins can be shallowly lobed and are serrated or double serrated. The mid vein and main laterals are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and are distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The reticulate veins are slightly prominent on the lower lamina. The lamina is strongly convex between the main vein and lateral veins and weakly convex between the reticulated veins. The mid vein is very sparsely covered to covered in fine recurved or divaricate prickles.

Inflorescences of Rubus parvifolius are born on short panicles from the terminals or solitary from the leaf axils. The lime green pedicels are covered white puberulent hairs and very sparsely covered in small recurved prickles. They measure 15mm to 30mm in length. The 5 pale greenish-fawn, oblong to oblong-elliptical sepals have a rounded base while the apexes are caudate to abruptly acuminate. It is divaricate, densely covered in white pubescent hairs and sparsely covered in small fine prickles externally. The sepals measure 10mm to 13mm in length by 4mm to 5mm in width. The 5 rose pink petals are broadly triangular are contorted and remain folded. The apexes are broadly acute. The petals measure 10mm to 15mm in length by 8mm to 10mm in width near the base.

The 100 plus filaments are free for their entire length and are white with a deep pink to red base. They measure 1.3mm to 2mm in length. The anthers are creamy-yellow to creamy fawn.

The creamy yellow style and stigma are glabrous and are deep rose pink at the base as are the carpels. There are 30 or more carpels to a flower with each carpel containing one ovule. The pistil measures 3.5mm to 4mm in length. Rubus parvifolius’s flowers appear from late August through to late November or throughout the year when the seasons are favourable.

The fruits of Rubus parvifolius are spherical aggregates. The aggregates are glabrous and measure 8mm to 12mm in length by 8mm to 12mm in diameter. The green aggregates turn yellow, orange then scarlet red or at times are orange-red when ripe. The calyx lobes are persistent at the base of the ripe fruit while the style is persistent on each apex. The single, small, glossy brown seed is rugose or netted.

Wildlife:

Rubus parvifolius’s are eaten by most fruitigrove birds including the Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), the  Green Cat Bird (Ailuroedus-crassirostris‎), Lewin’s Honey Eater (Meliphaga lewinii), the Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus), the Silver Eyes including the Common silver eye (Zosterops lateralis) and fruit eating doves including the Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica).

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of the exotic raspberry but are more flavoursome. The texture is that of the exotic raspberry. The fruits can be eaten raw, made into pies, conserves and ice-creams or flavourings.

Rubus parvifolius are erratic in flowering but good specimens can be absolutely prolific bearers. Prolific bearing plants are more likely to have shorter fruiting seasons. I have no hard evidence on this other than casual observation of plants at Nana Glen.

It has shown good signs of being hepatic protective with excellent antioxidant properties.

Cultivation:

Rubus parvifolius is a magnificent smaller bramble which responds very well to pruning once the roots have established themselves. They should be more widely grown in association with other rainforest specie or as a fruit crop. It is ideal at the edge of a rainforest or deep in the center of the rainforest. It is quick growing particularly in light dappled shaded situations. In cultivation they will grow from 1 meter to 1.5 meters in height by 2.5 meters to 4 meters in diameter when grown in the open on a trellis

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils and prefer deep covering of leaf litter to keep the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however fruit set will be greatly affected.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

They often reach their full potential in just 2 to 3 years and flower from the third or fourth year from seed.

Cultivated plants for fruit have many advantages over the exotic plants from Europe in that they can tolerate the warmer tropical climates better and tolerate greater variation in local climatic conditions better. The plants are ideal in permaculture gardens and produce fruit over a longer period than the exotics meaning there is a better chance to receive higher prices for the fruit. The fruits have a similar shelf life which means they can compete with their exotic counter parts. I do not know the yield comparisons but considering the other benefits in higher prices for out of season fruits this may well and truly mean higher returns as labour would also be less of a problem. Once farming ceases plants do not have to be eradicated.

When it is grown in an orchard situation attention should be given to growing plants from proven reliable fruiting plants with good flavour, good quantities, size of fruit and plants that are less prickly. Fruit quantity varies considerably amongst wild plants.

Rows should be on an east west basis so the plants get maximum sunlight. Rows are best kept to 3 meters to 5 meters depending on what machinery is used in the orchard.

Once the cane has produced its fruit it should be cut back to ground level to allow new canes to develop and to maintain vigour within the plant. Rogue canes should also be removed

Research undertaken at Charles Sturt University suggests the berries could be developed for their anti-bacterial properties. The antimicrobial activity of Rubus parvifolius berry juice and dried berries were investigated against five human pathogenic bacteria, and both sub specie were found to significantly reduce the growth of several species of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Alcaligenes faecalis and Escherichia coli.

An analysis of the fruits of the Australian varieties is fairly similar and is as follows. This will vary on the methods of growing and to a limited extent to the type of soil. Generally organic and wild fruits are higher in vitamins and minerals and lower in water and major elements:

Water 80 to 83{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Calories 58 to 75{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Protein 1.2 to 1.5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Fat 0.5 to 1.4{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Carbohydrates 14 to 16{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} and Fibber greater than 1{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}.

Vitamin and Mineral percentages are in recommended daily allowances for 125grams consumed by an average adult male:

Vitamins:

Vitamin A 40-42IU 1{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Vitamin C 32mg 54{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Vitamin E 1-1.2mg 5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Vitamin K 9-10mcg 12{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Thiamin less than 1mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f},  Riboflavin less than 1mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Niacin 0.7mg 4{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Vitamin B6 0.1mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Foliate 25-26mcg 6{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Pantothenis Acid 0.4mg 4{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}.

Minerals: Calcium 31mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Iron 0.8mg 5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Magnesium 27-28mg 7{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Phosphorous 35-37mg 4{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Potassium 186mg 5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Sodium 1.2 less than 0.5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Zinc 0.5mg 3{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Copper 0.1mg 6{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Manganese 0.8mg 41{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f}, Selenium 0.2mcg 0.5{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} and Chlorides all sources 15mg.(U.S.A Dept. of Agriculture figures)

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rubus parvifolius can be removed easily from the fruits.

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.

Plants must be re struck on a biannual basis from rooted canes to maintain and guaranteed excellent fruiting characteristics.

Agricultural plants would need to be grown from cuttings using the best quality material available.

The best method is to remove root cuttings as they sucker from the adult plants. Sever the sucker about 50mm to 75mm behind and in front of the new cane sucker Transplant into 150mm pots and treat as seedlings.

Another method is to layer the canes which have produced fruit and as soon as they shoot a new cane sever the old cane 50mm to 70mm behind and in front of the new cane and treat as for seedlings. After removing the new plant cut the old cane off at the base of the plant.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rubus probus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Tribe: Rubeae

Subfamily: Rosoideae

Genus: From Rubēns, which is Latin for reddish. It refers to the aggregates, which are scarlet-red to crimson-red.

Specie: From Probus, which is Latin for good, serviceable, excellent, superior, and able. It usually refers to fruits, which are of superior quality for eating.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Native Raspberry.

The local Gumbaynggirr know it as Bagulam

Distribution:

Rubus probus is found south from the Torres Straight Islands and Cape York Peninsular in far north Queensland to south east Queensland. It is common in and around the Bunya Mountains though it is mainly found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rubus probus prefers heavy shade to almost full sun. It grows in openings along creeks and moist gullies in and adjacent to warm well developed littoral rainforests, montane rainforests, riparian zones, or moist gallery rainforests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1150 meters ASL in Australia though it is found up to 1600 meters in New Guinea and South East Asia.

The temperatures range from 3 degrees in July to 40 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 3200mm average per annum in Australia and higher in New Guinea and some places in south East Asia.

Soil Requirements:

Rubus probus prefers soils that are sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are usually derived from better quality decomposed granites, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils range from a pH of 5pH to 7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils but prefers even soil moisture throughout the year. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:2m to 2.5m by 3m to 4m.

Characteristics:

Rubus probus grows more of a shrubby bramble than most other Rubus species. The erect to semi erect canes near the base are brownish, glabrous and are sparsely covered in 2mm to 4mm long prickles. The smaller stems near the apex vary from lime green and sparsely covered in fine green recurved prickles. The apexes are glabrous.

The alternate, odd pinnate, leaves of Rubus probus have 7 or 9 leaflets. The petiole, rachis and petiolules are lime-green to pale grass-green are glabrous except for a few lime-green to pale grass-green prickles that measure 2mm to 4mm in length. The petiole measures 30mm to 90mm in length while the rachis measures 30mm to 90mm in length and the lateral petiolules measure 2mm to 3mm in length. The terminal petiolule measure 7mm to 10mm in length. The petiole, rachis and petiolules are sparsely covered in recurved prickles.

The narrowly ovate to broadly ovate-lanceolate leaflets measure 35mm to 95mm in length by 20mm to 48mm in width. The terminal leaflet is longer than the lateral leaflets. The linear to filiform stipules measure 4mm to 12mm in length. The bases are rounded, slightly oblique or not oblique while the apexes are tapering acute. The discolourous laminas are pale lime-green to mid grass-green, glabrous, dull to semi glossy on the upper laminas while the lower laminas are paler. The laminas curve upwards slightly from the midvein to the margins and decurve downwards from the base to the apexes. The upper blade is raised between the mid vein and lateral veins. The leaflet margins are irregularly toothed with long acuminate tips. The mid vein and main laterals are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The midvein has 1 to 3 recurved prickles on the basal half which measure 1.5mm to 3mm in length.

Inflorescences of Rubus probus are born singularly from the leaf axils. The lime green pedicels are glabrous, sparsely covered in short recurved prickles and measure 15mm to 20mm in length. The sepals are glabrous except for a few yellowish glands externally and densely covered in short, soft, white, pubescent hairs internally. The 5 pale greenish-brown, triangular sepals are divaricating to decurve and measure 6mm to 13mm in length by 2mm to 3.5mm in width.

The 5 white petals are oval with an obtuse-truncate apex. The petals measure 8mm to 13mm in length by 7mm to 12mm in diameter.

The white filaments are free for their entire length and form a distinct ring around the ovary. They measure 2mm to 3 mm in length. The anthers are white and turn fawn after anthesis.

The styles and stigmas are glabrous while the carpels are lime green. There are 30 or more carpels to a flower with each carpel containing one ovule and is attached to a globular receptacle. The pistil measures 1mm to 1.5mm in length and is white to pastel green at anthesis turning pale pink shortly after anthesis. Rubus probus’s flowers appear throughout the year in favourable seasons.

The fruits of Rubus probus are flattened globose aggregates. The aggregates are glabrous and measure 10mm to 15mm in length by 10mm to 17mm in diameter. The green aggregates turn scarlet red when ripe. The calyx lobes turn fawnish-brown and are persistent at the base of the ripe fruit while the styles turn black and are persistent on most of the aggregates. The single, small, glossy brown seed is rugose, pitted and finely netted.

Wildlife:

Rubus probus’s are eaten by most fruitigrove birds including the Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), the  Green Cat Bird (Ailuroedus-crassirostris‎), Lewin’s Honey Eater (Meliphaga lewinii), the Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus), the Silver Eyes including the Common silver eye (Zosterops lateralis) and fruit eating doves including the Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica).

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of the exotic raspberry but are not as sweet but are more flavoursome. The texture is rather moist. The fruits can be eaten raw, made into pies, conserves and ice-creams or flavourings.

Cultivation:

Rubus probus is a smaller bramble which responds very well to pruning once the roots have established themselves. It should be more widely grown in association with other rainforest specie in tropical areas. It is an ideal bramble at the edge of a rainforest or deep in the center of the rainforest being smaller and more upright compared to the other native Rubus species. It is quick growing particularly in light dappled shaded situations. In cultivation it grows from 2 meters to 2.5 meters in height by 2.5 meters to 3 meters in diameter when grown in the open or can be trained on to a trellis where it grows from 1.6 meters to 2 meters in height by 2.5 meters to 3.5 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met it can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however fruit set will be greatly affected.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

It often reaches its full potential in just 2 to 3 years and flower from the third or fourth year from seed. Following maturing the plants can be divided using the previous season’s canes.

Cultivated plants for fruit have many advantages over the exotic plants from Europe in that they can tolerate the warmer tropical climates better and tolerate greater variation in local climatic conditions better. The plants are ideal in permaculture gardens and produce fruit over a longer period than the exotics meaning there is a better chance to receive higher prices for the fruit. The fruits have a similar shelf life which means they can compete with their exotic counter parts. The disadvantage is that the fruits are dry to eat fresh however make good conserves and jams. The big disadvantage with raspberries is the fruit is attractive to many birds.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rubus probus can be removed easily from the fruits.

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.

Plants must be re struck on an annual basis from rooted canes to maintain and guaranteed excellent fruiting characteristics.

The best method is to remove root cuttings as they sucker from the adult plants. Sever the sucker about 50mm to 75mm behind and in front of the new cane sucker Transplant into 150mm pots and treat as seedlings.

Another method is to layer the canes which have produced fruit and as soon as they shoot a new cane sever the old cane 50mm to 70mm behind and in front of the new cane and treat as for seedlings. After removing the new plant cut the old cane off at the base of the plant.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rubus queenslandicus

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Tribe: Rubeae

Subfamily: Rosoideae

Genus: From Rubēns, which is Latin for reddish. It refers to the aggregates, which are scarlet-red to crimson-red.

Specie: From Queensland, which is Latinized for the state of Queensland. It refers to species which were first discovered in Queensland.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Queensland Raspberry or Rose leaf Bramble or Rose Leaf Raspberry or Native Raspberry.

Distribution:

Rubus queenslandica is found on and eastern side of the Great Dividing Range south from Princess Charlotte Bay on Cape York Peninsular to Townsville.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rubus queenslandica prefers heavy shade to full sun. It grows in openings along creeks and moist gullies adjacent to warm well developed rainforests, riparian zones, littoral rainforests or moist gallery rainforests. The altitude ranges from 680 meters ASL to 1250 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 1550mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rubus queenslandica prefers soils that are sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from decomposed granites, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils range from a PH of 5 to 6.It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.8m to 1m by 1m to 2.5m.

Characteristics:

Rubus queenslandica grows as a bramble with long arching canes. The canes near the base are pale fawn, glabrous and sparsely covered in 2mm prickles. The smaller stems near the apex vary from lime green and sparsely covered in fine green recurved prickles. The apexes are glabrous.

The alternate, leaves of Rubus queenslandica are 5 foliate. The leaflets are narrowly ovate to broadly ovate-lanceolate and measure 45mm to 80mm in length by 15mm to 27mm in width. The terminal leaflet is larger than the lateral leaflets. The bases are rounded to truncate while the apexes are narrowly acute. The discolourous laminas are pale lime green to mid green, glabrous, dull to semi glossy and sparsely covered in short white puberulent hairs on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is paler with scattered pale yellow glands. The leaflet margins are irregularly toothed and flat. The mid vein and main laterals are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The linear to filiform stipules measure 7mm to 8mm in length and are attached to the base of the rachis. The rachis measure 70mm to 100mm in length while the lateral petiolules measure 1mm to 2mm in length and the terminal leaflet petiolule measures 8mm to 13mm in length. The rachis and petioles are very sparsely covered in fine recurved prickles.

Inflorescences of Rubus queenslandica are born on singularly from the leaf axils or on short panicles from the terminals. The lime green pedicels are glabrous, sparsely covered in small recurved prickles and measure 15mm to 20mm in length. The calyx is covered in short, soft, white, puberulent hairs externally and short, soft, white, pulverulent hairs internally. The 5 pale green, triangular sepals are divaricate, glabrous to sparsely covered in short, white puberulent hairs and measure 6mm to 12mm in length by 2mm to 3.5mm in width. The 5 white petals or rarely double flowers with 10 petals are oval with an obtuse-truncate apex. The petals measure 9mm to 12mm in length by 5mm to 9mm in width.

The 70 to 80 white filaments are free for their entire length and form a distinct ring around the ovary. They measure 2mm to 3.5mm in length. The anthers are white and turn fawn after anthesis.

The white style stigma are glabrous while the carpels are lime green. There are 140 or more carpels to a flower with each carpel containing one ovule. The pistil measures 0.5mm to 0.8mm in length. Rubus queenslandica’s flowers appear from late August throughout the year in favourable seasons.

The fruits of Rubus queenslandica are elongated globose aggregates. The aggregates are glabrous and measure 14mm to 22mm in length by 8mm to 13mm in diameter. The green aggregates turn scarlet red when ripe. The calyx lobes turn fawn and are persistent at the base of the ripe fruit while the styles are persistent on most of the apexes. The single, small, glossy brown seed is rugose or netted.

Confusing species:

Rubus rosifolius is a pinnate leaved species, which is generally found at lower altitudes from northern New South Wales through to China and Taiwan. It has 5 petals or 9 to13 glabrous petals depending on the variety.  It has red fruits, which are moisture in texture.

Rubus queenslandicus is a pinnate leaved species, which is generally found at higher altitudes on the coastal ranges in far north eastern Queensland, especially the Atherton Tableland. It has hairless stems and leaves, the longer stalks on the leaflets. It is sparsely covered with glands on the leaves and the 5 petals are sparsely to moderately covered in soft hirsute hairy.

Wildlife:

Rubus queenslandica’s are eaten by most fruitigrove birds including the Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), the  Green Cat Bird (Ailuroedus-crassirostris‎), Lewin’s Honey Eater (Meliphaga lewinii), the Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus), the Silver Eyes including the Common silver eye (Zosterops lateralis) and fruit eating doves including the Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica).

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of the exotic raspberry but are not as sweet but are more flavoursome. The texture is rather dry. The fruits can be eaten raw, made into pies, conserves and ice-creams or flavourings.

Cultivation:

Rubus queenslandica is a smaller bramble which responds very well to pruning once the roots have established themselves. They should be more widely grown in association with other rainforest specie in tropical areas. It is ideal at the edge of a rainforest or deep in the center of the rainforest. It is quick growing particularly in light dappled shaded situations. In cultivation they will grow from 1 meter to 1.2 meters in height by 2 meters to 2.5 meters in diameter when grown in the open on a trellis or from 1 meter to 1.2 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter when grown in the open as a sub-shrub.

They grow exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however fruit set will be greatly affected.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

They often reach their full potential in just 2 to 3 years and flower from the third or fourth year from seed.

Cultivated plants for fruit have many advantages over the exotic plants from Europe in that they can tolerate the warmer tropical climates better and tolerate greater variation in local climatic conditions better. The plants are ideal in permaculture gardens and produce fruit over a longer period than the exotics meaning there is a better chance to receive higher prices for the fruit. The fruits have a similar shelf life which means they can compete with their exotic counter parts. The disadvantage is that the fruits are dry to eat fresh however make good conserves and jams.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rubus queenslandica can be removed easily from the fruits.

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.

Plants must be re struck on an annual basis from rooted canes to maintain and guaranteed excellent fruiting characteristics.

The best method is to remove root cuttings as they sucker from the adult plants. Sever the sucker about 50mm to 75mm behind and in front of the new cane sucker Transplant into 150mm pots and treat as seedlings.

Another method is to layer the canes which have produced fruit and as soon as they shoot a new cane sever the old cane 50mm to 70mm behind and in front of the new cane and treat as for seedlings. After removing the new plant cut the old cane off at the base of the plant.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rubus rosifolius

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Order: Rosales

Family: Rosaceae

Tribe: Rubeae

Subfamily: Rosoideae

Genus: From Rubēns, which is Latin for reddish. It refers to the aggregates, which are scarlet-red to crimson-red.

Specie: From Rhódon, which is Ancient Greek or Rosa, which is Latin for to be filled with roses and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to foliage, which resembles that of the Rose bush.

Variety: Rubus rosifolius var. commersonii. Is named in honour of Philibert Comerson; 1727-1773, who was a French naturalist and explorer.

Variety: Rubus rosifolius var. rosifolius. From Rhódon, which is Ancient Greek or Rosa, which is Latin for to be filled with roses and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to foliage, which resembles that of the Rose bush.

Common Name: Rose Leaf Raspberry.

In the Aboriginal language it is known as Eepaeep or Bagulum in the Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal language.

Distribution:

Rubus rosifolius var. commersonii is found south from Gympie in south eastern Queensland to Kempsey in north eastern New South Wales. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

Rubus rosifolius var. rosifolius is found south from Kroombit Tops National Park in south eastern Queensland to the Mitchel River near Bairnsdale in eastern Victoria. It is found on and east of the Great Dividing Range.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rubus rosifolius prefers heavy shade to full sun. It grows in openings along creeks and moist gullies adjacent to warm well developed rainforests, riparian zones, littoral rainforests, moist Eucalyptus forests or moist gallery forests. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 1330 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 900mm to 3000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rubus rosifolius prefers soils that are sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, shales, brown or black basalts. The soils pH ranges 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 2m to 4m.

Characteristics:

Rubus rosifolius grows as a bramble with long arching canes. The canes near the base are pale fawn, glabrous. The smaller stems near the apex vary from lime green to mid green and are sparsely covered in white glandular hairs and are sparsely covered in green recurved prickles.

The opposite, leaves of Rubus rosifoliusare 5 to 7 foliate. The leaflets are lanceolate to narrowly elliptical and measure 30mm to 80mm in length by 10mm to 20mm in width. The terminal leaflet is larger than the lateral leaflets.

Rubus rosifolius var. commersonii’s lateral leaflets are roughly of equal size. The bases are rounded to truncate while the apexes are narrowly tapering acute.

Rubus rosifolius var. rosifolius’s lateral, base leaflets are larger than the intermediate lateral leaflets. The bases are rounded while the apexes are narrowly tapering acute.

The concolourous laminas are pale lime green to mid green, glabrous, dull to semi glossy and covered in short white glandular hairs. The leaflet margins are irregularly and deeply toothed and flat. The mid vein and main laterals are strongly prominent on the lower lamina and distinctly visible from the upper lamina. The linear to filiform stipules measure 6mm to 8mm in length and are attached to the base of the rachis.

Rubus rosifolius var. commersonii rachis measure 17mm to 36mm in length while the lateral petioles measure 0.5mm to 1mm in length and the terminal leaflet petiole measures 7mm to 16mm in length. The rachis and petioles are very sparsely covered in fine recurved prickles.

Rubus rosifolius var. rosifolius’s rachis measure 17mm to 36mm in length while the lateral petioles measure 0.5mm to 1mm in length and the terminal leaflet petiole measures 5mm to 10mm in length. The rachis and petioles are very sparsely covered in fine recurved prickles.

Inflorescences of Rubus rosifolius are born singularly from the leaf axils or in loose panicles from the terminals. The pale green pedicels are covered in glandular hairs and measure 15mm to 25mm in length. The 5 pale green, narrowly triangular sepals are strongly decurve back onto the pedicel and covered in white glandular hairs externally and glabrous internally. They measure 15mm to 25mm in length by 3mm to 4mm in width. The 5 white petals are oval with an obtuse to acute apex. The margins are ruffled and undulating. The petals measure 10mm to 13mm in length by 9mm to 12mm in width.

The 80 to 100 white filaments are free for their entire length and form a distinct ring around the ovary. They measure 4.5mm to 6mm in length. The anthers are fawn.

The white style stigma are glabrous while the carpels are lime green. There are 100 or more carpels to a flower with each carpel containing one ovule. The pistil measures 1mm to 1.8mm in length. Rubus rosifolius’s flowers appear throughout the year especially under favourable weather conditions.

The fruits of Rubus rosifolius are globose aggregates on Rubus rosifolius var. rosifolius and more elongated on Rubus rosifolius var. commersonii. The aggregates are glabrous and measure 14mm to 22mm in length by 12mm to 20mm in diameter. The green aggregates turn scarlet red to crimson red when ripe. The calyx lobes turn fawn and are persistent at the base of the ripe fruit while the styles are persistent on the apexes. The single, small, glossy creamy brown seed is rugose and measures 1mm to 1.2mm in length by 0.6mm to 0.75mm in diameter.

Rubus rosifolius var. commersonii’s flowers have 9 to 13 petals while the fruits have a more pronounced point.

Rubus rosifolius var. rosifolius’s flowers have 5 petals while the fruits are more spherical.

Wildlife:

Rubus rosifolius’s are eaten by most fruitigrove birds including the Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), the  Green Cat Bird (Ailuroedus-crassirostris‎), Lewin’s Honey Eater (Meliphaga lewinii), the Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus), the Silver Eyes including the Common silver eye (Zosterops lateralis) and fruit eating doves including the Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica).

The fruits have a taste reminiscent of dry insipid raspberries. The texture is rather dry. The fruits can be eaten raw, made into pies, conserves and ice-creams or flavourings.

Cultivation:

Rubus rosifolius is a smaller bramble which responds very well to pruning once the roots have established themselves. They should be more widely grown in association with other rainforest specie in warm temperate and cool tropical areas. It is ideal at the edge of a rainforest. It is quick growing particularly in light dappled shady situations. In cultivation they will grow from 1 meter to 1.2 meters in height by 2 meters to 2.5 meters in diameter when grown in the open on a trellis or from 1 meter to 1.2 meters in height by 1.5 meters to 2 meters in diameter when grown in the open as a sub-shrub.

It grows exceptionally well on lighter soils where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met it can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 36 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant once established however fruit set will be greatly affected.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants will respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

It often reaches its full potential in just 2 to 3 years and flower from the third or fourth year from seed.

Cultivated plants for fruit have many advantages over the exotic plants from Europe in that they can tolerate the warmer tropical climates better and tolerate greater variation in local climatic conditions better. The plants are ideal in permaculture gardens and produce fruit over a longer period than the exotics meaning there is a better chance to receive higher prices for the fruit. The fruits have a similar shelf life which means they can compete with their exotic counter parts. The disadvantage is that the fruits are dry to eat fresh however they make good conserves and jams.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rubus rosifolius can be removed easily from the fruits.

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 as plants will become root bound very quickly, with some set back occurring until the new roots emerge.

Plants must be re struck on an annual basis from rooted canes to maintain and guaranteed excellent fruiting characteristics.

The best method is to remove root cuttings as they sucker from the adult plants. Sever the sucker about 50mm to 75mm behind and in front of the new cane sucker Transplant into 150mm pots and treat as seedlings.

Another method is to layer the canes which have produced fruit and as soon as they shoot a new cane sever the old cane 50mm to 70mm behind and in front of the new cane and treat as for seedlings. After removing the new plant cut the old cane off at the base of the plant.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rumex brownii

Classification:

Class: Eudicots

Order: Caryophyllales

Family: Polygonaceae

Genus: From Rūmen, which is Latin for to turn over or chew again. It refers to organs, which appear as though they have been gnawed on.

Specie: Is named in honour of Robert Brown; 1773-1858, who was a naturalist who sailed with Mathew Flinders when he circumnavigated Australia and became South Australia’s first botanical collector.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Swamp Dock.

Distribution:

Rumex brownii is found in several disjunct and isolated populations in the southern half of Australia. In the west it is found south and west of a line from Bootoo Swamp in Bashford Nature Reserve to Jerramungup Swamp in southern Western Australia with a single population in the Northern Territory at Olyiperenye near Alice Springs.

The eastern populations are found south from the Atherton Tablelands in far north eastern Queensland south to the Eyre Peninsular and Kangaroo Island in southern South Australia and across Bass Straight into most of Tasmania.

It is also found on Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rumex brownii prefers dappled shade to full shade. It grows in and adjacent to moist, warm, well developed rainforests, riparian zones, gallery forests, dry rainforests, littoral rainforests and moist Eucalyptus forests on drier slopes. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1200 meters ASL.

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

The rainfalls range from lows of 300mm to 2600mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rumex brownii prefers soils that are in fluctuation in fertility that are sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, shale, metamorphic rocks, limestones, brown basalts, black basalts, accumulated peaty beach sands especially fertile alluvial silts after floods. The soils pH ranges from 4.5pH to 8pH. It tolerates water logged soils especially where seasonal floods occur. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.4m to 1m by 0.2m to 0.3m.

Characteristics:

The stems of Rumex brownii are deep olive-green, deep green to deep sea-green often with various shades of reddish tinges. The slender, erect smooth, glabrous stems have few elongate leafless branches. The plants often die down to the rootstock at the end of the dry season only to remerge once good seasonal mid-autumn rains return.

The basal rosette leaves are variable in shape and size. The oblong, lanceolate, usually narrow or long sagittate shaped leaves measure 50mm to 120mm in length by 10mm to 40mm in width. The thick, glabrous petioles measure 25mm to 120mm in length. The bases are rounded, truncate or cordate while the apexes are tapering to a point, acute to sub obtuse. The few stem leaves are confined to lowest third of stem and are cordate. The usually concolourous laminas are pale grass-green, deep green to sea-green, dull, semi glossy to glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower lamina is similar or slightly paler and dull. The laminas are flat, recurve upwards from the mid vein too the margins and usually recurve upwards near the apexes. The margins are usually entire or at times finely toothed and are flat or undulating. The mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is distinctly visible from the upper lamina often being reddish in colour.

The inflorescences are born in whirls on the erect branched stems. There are usually 6 to 8 individual flowers in a whirl but can vary from 5 to 15.The olive-green pedicles are glabrous and measure 2mm to 4mm in length. The disjunct whirls are above the highest stem leaves. The pale green to pale olive-green tinged red floral valves measure 2.5mm to 4mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. There are 3 to 8 hooked linear lobes on each side of the valve with a hooked tip. The lateral lobes measure 1.2mm to 2mm in length while the apex lobe measures 2mm to 2.5mm in length. The flowers appear September to December.

Rumex fruits are compressed valves with a single seed. The thin fruiting pedicels measure 3mm to 5mm in length and are articulate in lowest third. The seed valves are deep reddish-brown when ripe. The seeds are distributed by animals as the linear hooked lobes cling to fur and clothing when brushed against.

Confusing Species:

The leaf margins are usually entire or at times are finely toothed. The leaves completely disintegrate prior to the following season’s growth appears. Drier habitats with native shrubs are an indication that the species is native as it is less tolerant of wet sites. The flowers and fruits linear lobes are hooked.

Rumex dumosus’s leaves are narrower with the margins being entire or finely toothed. The branching stems are upright with few branches appearing on the apical third. The leaves completely disintegrate prior to the following season’s growth appears. Drier habitats with native shrubs are an indication that the species is native as it is less tolerant of wet sites. The flowers and fruits linear lobes are hooked.

The introduced specie Rumex crispus’s leaf margins are crisped. The leaves do not disintegrate from one season to the next with the remains of the previous seasons basal leaves remaining in situation as the new seasons growth is fully developed even through to flowering and often through to fruiting. Moist habitats on disturbed sites in shallow depressions are the favoured habitats. The flowers and fruits linear lobes are not hooked.

Rumex brownii and Rumex dumosus may prove to be more difficult to distinguish apart especially where the habitats overlap as they have been known to hybridize with a full cross spectra of intermediate forms amongst the offspring.

Wildlife:

The leaves are a valuable source of food for the Pretty Face Wallaby (Macropus parryi), the Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and possibly the Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) as I have seen it consume the leaves of the exotic Rumex, Rumex crispus in low lying areas and assume it will eat the leaves of Rumex brownii on the adjacent slopes as well.

Cultivation:

Rumex brownii is considered a weed in the lawn and gardens of everyone I have met. In cultivation it will grow from 0.6 meters to 1.2 meters in height by 0.3 meters to 0.5 meters in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on most soils especially those in transitional stages of fertility where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met it can cope with temperatures as low as minus 5 degrees and up to 38 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given an adequate supply of water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants respond admirably with excellent flowering and huge quantities of seed.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds of Rumex brownii can be removed easily from the dying stems.

Sow fresh 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 20{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 30{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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rumohra adiantiformis

Classification:

Unranked: Pteridiophyta

Class: Pteridopsida

Order: Polypodiales

Family: Pteridaceae

Genus: Is named in honour of Freiderich von Rumorh; 1785-1843, who was a German artist, and draftsman.

Specie: From A, which is Ancient Greek for without or not having, Diantos, which is Ancient Greek for to moisten or moistened and Forme, which is Latin for to take the shape or form of. It refers to fronds, which resemble those of the Adiantum genus, in that they have the ability to repel water.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Rock Felt Fern.

Distribution:

Rumohra adiantiformis is found around Meringas near Cairns in far north eastern Queensland then south from Jacobs Well in southern coastal Queensland to the Grampians in western Victoria.

It is also found on the Bass Straight Islands and most of Tasmania except the central highlands.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rumohra adiantiformis prefers dappled light to full shade or at times full sun. It usually grows as a lithophyte, as an epiphyte on the trunks and branches of trees especially as an epiphyte in the nests of other larger ferns or at times in the ground. It grows in and adjacent to well-developed cool sub-tropical rainforests, warm well developed temperate rainforests, cool well developed temperate rainforests, littoral rainforests or wet Eucalyptus forests. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 650 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus3 degree in July to 38 degrees in January.

The rainfall ranges from lows of 1200mm to 2500mm average per annum in the north while southern plants rainfall varies from lows of 600mm to 3200mm average per annum in western Tasmania.

Soil Requirements:

Rumohra adiantiformis prefers to grow on trees as an epiphyte or on rocks as a lithophyte. When it grows as a terrestrial fern the soils are usually light clays with copious quantities of rainforest litter. The soils are derived from decomposed granites, brown basalt, black basalts, or sandstones. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 6.7pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to slightly saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.1m to 0.7m by 1m to 3m.

Characteristics:

Rumohra adiantiformis grows as a fern with long, thick, creeping, freely branching rhizomes. The rhizomes measure 3mm to 8mm in diameter. The rhizomes are densely covered in brown and pale greenish scales. The chartaceous scales are narrow ovate with acuminate apexes and measure 2.5mm to 5mm in length by 0.9mm to 1.5mm in width.

Rumohra adiantiformis fertile frond’s stipes are slender and measure 150mm to 300mm in length. The stipes are covered in pale greenish and brown, chartaceous scales.

The laminas of Rumohra adiantiformis are broad triangular, bipinnate with pinnae pinnatisect to tripinnate fronds. The fronds measure 200mm to 650mm in length by 120mm to 380mm in width. The laminas are deep green and glossy. The discolourous thick coriaceous laminas are sea-green to deep sea-green, semi glossy to glossy and glabrous on the upper lamina while the lower laminas are paler and dull. The obtuse mid vein is prominent on the lower lamina and is visible from the upper lamina.

The fertile and sterile fronds are similar. The numerous sori are slightly sunken, in 2 rows one each side of the mid vein, midway between margin and midvein. The indusium is usually persistent, is peltately attached on the outer edge of the sporangia and has a dark centre. The spores are relatively large and black.

Wildlife:

Rumohra adiantiformis’s wildlife is unknown to the author however the plants are eaten by an unknown moth or butterfly larvae on rare occasions. Following outbreaks of Phytophthora cinnamomi in floral areas in Rumohra adiantiformis experiments were carried out on Rumohra adiantiformis in conjunction with the Redland research station in mid-1980 where Phytophthora cinnamomi was introduced to healthy plants in our organic mix. The ferns proved resistant to the disease where the disease failed to establish itself. The reason for the failure was not determined and the experiments were abandoned using organic mixes. They could range from the organic mix harbouring an active pathogen, resistant stock or a combination of affects.

Cultivation:

Rumohra adiantiformis is an excellent fern for cultivation that look great on slabs of tree fern bark, in the soils in shady protected gardens or in large hanging basket.

Rumohra adiantiformis is very hardy and is another of those easy to grow ferns that just require a moist garden position where it can get light shade to medium shade and cool air with fairly high level of moisture. It is ideally suited to rainforest gardens but will establish itself in any suitable microclimate.

It always looks green and fresh giving a tropical look in a short time.

Small to medium frog or fish ponds are made even more attractive when surrounded by this fern growing on rocks which will spread over small areas if given the opportunity without becoming problemsome. Their size makes for a balance setting where medium to large rocks or boulders are used with other small rainforest understory herbs.

If grown as a potted bush house plant, place the pot on a saucer filled with gravel and water to ensure better humidity and mist frequently. Trim or pinch off dried fronds to keep it tidy and at its beautiful best. Fertilize every month during the growing season or during the warmer months with a half strength solution of our recommended organic fertilizer.

Ferns can be increased by dividing older plants into 2 or 3 new plants using a sharp knife and cutting them into 2 or 3 equal sections of around 100square centimetres or more.

The fronds last well once cut and remain green for several weeks indoors.

Propagation Fern 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, forestry, 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.

Rumohra adiantiformis is one of the easier ferns to grow from spore therefore it is a great fern for beginners to start with and to refine their techniques. 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 similar. Remember nature has been doing this for millions of years and has been very successful. This fern is very easy to propagate from spore.

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.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Ruppia maritima

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Order: Alismatales

Family: Ruppiaceae

Genus: Is most likely named in honour of Heinrich Bernard Ruppius; 1688/9-1719, who was a German botanist.

Specie: From Marīnum, which is Latin for of the sea. It refers to plants, which grow along the coastline.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Sea Tassel, Beaked Tasselweed, Ditch Grass, Tassel Pondweed or Widgeon Grass.

Distribution:

Ruppia maritima is mainly found around the Australian coast line south from pools in the lower reaches of the Harding River to near Lake Grace in south west Western Australia.

In the east it is found from the Iron Range National Park on Cape York Peninsular in far North Queensland south to Port Arthur in southern Tasmania and west to Lake Newland on Eyre Peninsular in South Australia.

It is also found extensively throughout the center of Australia from Taylor Well in the Northern Territory, south west Queensland and western New South Wales as part of the greater Lake Eyre catchment to the South Australian coast.

It is barely possible to distinguish the plants from estuaries and ports old and new, from those growing inland. It is possible that those plants growing in ports represented by introduction from ship ballast whereas the inland plants would definitely be native. With local and exotic gene pools in harbours cross breeding inland plants would be the only plants having pure genetic lineages.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Ruppia maritima prefer light shade to full sun. It grows in brackish to hyper saline pools in coastal estuaries, harbours, ports, saline inland lakes and seasonal saline creeks, streams and rivers where permanent water remains throughout the year. The altitude ranges from 9 meters BSL to 450 meters ASL.

The air temperatures range from minus 2 degrees in July to 43 degrees in January February.

The rainfalls range from lows of 150mm to 2400mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Ruppia maritima prefer soils that are sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, granites or at times shale, brown basalts, black basalts and accumulated peaty beach sands or accumulated coral sands deposited as fine silts to course silts. The soils pH ranges from 6pH to 8pH. It tolerates water logged soils growing as a submerged. Non saline soils to extremely saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:6m to 12m by 6m to 10m often grows as a sub shrub on itself, where its dimensions are 2m to 2.5m by 3m to 4m.

Characteristics:

The stems Ruppia maritima is a submerged perennial with glabrous stems to 80mm in length and without turions.

The alternate, long, linear leaves measure 100mm to 150mm in length by 0.3mm to 0.6mm in width. The bases are cordate while the apexes are obtuse to acute. The concolourous laminas are mid grass-green to sea-green and glabrous. The laminas are usually terete or at times convex or flat while the margins are entire. The mid vein and main lateral veins are not prominent or visible from either lamina.

The inflorescences are simple cymes born from the upper leaf axils. The 1 to 10 individual flower heads are pollinated and mature below the surface of the water. The glabrous peduncle and pedicels are mid grass-green. The peduncles measure 20mm to 52mm in length while the pedicels measure 10mm to 40mm in length. The 2 to 5 carpels are subsessile while the pistil usually measures 10mm in length but can vary from 8mm to 20mm in length.

The flowers appear from late October to Late May in the north.

Ruppia fruits are lanceolate to long obloidal capsules which dehisce along one side. The pale green capsules are glabrous, covered in a pale green leaf like spadix and turn black when ripe. The capsules measure 2mm to 4mm in length by 1mm to 1.5mm in width with a 0.5mm beak. There is a narrow ovate to ovate perforation along each side.

The pedicels become recurved in fruit while the stipes lengthen as the carpel matures, until it is longer than the carpel and protrudes to the outside.

Wildlife:

Ruppia maritima’s unknown to the author however I would suspect that the plants are important fish breeding grounds and essential to the development and protection of fish fry.

Cultivation:

Ruppia maritima is a magnificent small perennial herb which is suitable for marine aquariums where adequate light is available.

Propagation:

Seeds: The seeds can be removed easily from the plants.

Sow fresh seeds directly into a salt water aquarium with a sandy substrata or place the seeds into 25mm tubes and stand the tubes in 100mm deep sea water or estuarine saline water. Place the trays in a warm area with 20{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house. When the seedlings are 20mm to 25mm tall, plant them into the aquarium. If the plants are to be used for restoration work, retube the seedlings into 50mm native tubes. Again place the tubes in 200mm deep sea water or estuarine saline water place the trays beneath 20{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} to 30{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade in a warm location.

As the seedlings roots reach the bottom of the 50mm native tubes plant them out into their permanent position.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rutidosis heterogama

Classification:

Unranked: Eudicots

Unranked: Asterids

Order: Asterales

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: From Rutidosus, which is Latin for wrinkled or shinny. It refers to plants, which have characteristics that are wrinkled yet still have a glow about them.

Specie: From Heteros, which is Ancient Greek for other or different and Gamos, which is Ancient Greek for marriage or to be married. It refers to Capitulum/Compositae the florets, which have ray florets that are either neuter or female, and those of the disk male or the ray florets are neuter or unisexual, and those of the disk hermaphrodite that is they are pistillate and staminate in the same flower.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rutidosis heterogama is restricted to 3 disjunct populations from Evans head to Newcastle in eastern New South Wales.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rutidosis heterogama prefers dappled shade to full sun. It grows in moist heaths, often along disturbed roadsides or clearings. The altitude ranges from 10 meters ASL to 750 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from minus 3 degrees in July to 37 degrees in January.

The rainfalls range from lows of 800mm to 1600mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rutidosis heterogama prefers sandy loams to medium clays with a high proportion of leaf litter. The soils are usually derived from decomposed sandstones, granites or accumulated peaty beach sands. The soils pH ranges from 5pH to 6pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants:0.2m to 0.3m by 0.2m to 0.3m.

Characteristics:

The trunk is a perennial herb with decumbent or erect stems. The stems are glabrous to slightly covered in white tomentose or floccose hairs and measure 150mm to 300mm in length. They arise from a woody base.

The opposite, linear leaves measure 15mm to 36mm in length by 2mm to 3mm in width. The bases are sessile while the apexes are acute. The concolourous laminas are mid green, to grey-green, dull and sparsely covered in white caducous puberulent hairs on the upper laminas eventually becoming slightly scabrous while the margins and lower laminas are sparsely to moderately covered in white pubescent hairs. The laminas are revolute or recurve from the mid vein to the margins while the margins are entire. The mid vein is slightly prominent on the lower lamina and is distinctly visible from the upper lamina.

The inflorescences are solitary heads born from the terminals of leafless or leafy, unbranched peduncles. The individual flowers measure 15mm to 20mm in diameter. The mid grass-green peduncles measure 30mm to 50mm in length. The 6 to 8 seriate, involucral bracts measure 3mm to 10mmin length. The involucral bracts are glossy and hyaline. The outer bracts are shorter than the inner bracts. The ligulates are absent in this genus.

The florets are mostly bisexual with some of the outer florets being female. The bright yellow florets measure 5mm to 7mm in length overall. The 5 narrow triangular lobes measure 1.6mm to 2.4mm in length.

The bright yellow stamens are inserted while the pistils measures 6mm to 7.5mm including the 1mm to 1.5mm bifid stigma. The flowers may appear throughout the year when unseasonable favourable conditions occur but are usually appear from March to May.

The fruits are cylindrical, tuberculate achenes. The achenes measure 1mm to 1.5mm. The green samaras turn pale yellowish fawn when ripe. The pappus is scaly with 7 to 15 retrorse elliptical scales with ciliate hairs. The pappus measure 1.5mm to 2mm in length.

Wildlife:

Rutidosis heterogama’s wildlife is unknown to the author.

Cultivation:

Rutidosis heterogama is a small perennial herb. It makes a particularly attractive heath herb when mass planted as a fill in plant or a border plant in the fore ground. In cultivation it will grow 250mm to 400mm in height by 300mm to 450mm in diameter when grown in the open.

It grows exceptionally well on most soils types where deep leaf litter keeps the soil cool and moisture at an even level. If these requirements are met they can cope with temperatures as low as minus 3 degrees and up to 40 degrees. It is moderately drought resistant.

Add to the above, if it is given a little extra water and a little native fertilizer on a regular basis the plants should respond with good flowering and fruit over a long period.

Mass plantings are best achieved by planting them at 300mm to 400mm centres.

Propagation:

Seeds:

The achenes can be removed easily from the plants.

Sow fresh 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 warm shaded area with 50{98c9b985d4dc543f86c0cb8c6df3d397ea5754df614d759fdd5c1720a0a9cf2f} shade cloth in the bush house. When the seedlings are 20 to 25 mm 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 on an alternate basis. Fertilize every two months until the plants are established then twice annually in early September and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rytidosperma longifolium

Classification:

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Superorder: Lilianae

Order: Poales

Family: Poaceae

Genus: From Rytido, which is Latin for wrinkled and Spérma, which is Ancient Greek for a grain or seed. It refers to grains or seeds, which are strongly marked with a network of wrinkles.

Specie: From Longitia/Longus, which is Latin for long in length and Folium, which is Latin for foliage. It refers to leaves, which are much longer than many other species in the genus.

Sub specie:

Common Name: Long Leaved Wallaby Grass.

Distribution:

Rytidosperma longifolium is found south from Gladstone in southern Queensland to Kaniva with a population found further south on Clarkes Island in Bass Straight. It is found on the Western Plains, Western Slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rytidosperma longifolium prefers light dappled shade to sun light. It grows in open woodlands or open forests often on skeletal soils amongst rocks. The altitude ranges from 20 meters ASL to 1000 meters ASL.

The temperatures range from 3 degrees in August to 36 degrees in January.

Rainfalls range from lows of 1300mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rytidosperma longifolium prefers better quality sands to light fatty clays. The soils are derived from decomposed granites, sandstones, shales, metamorphic rocks, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 8pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.5m to 0.8m by 0.6m to 1m.

Characteristics:

Rytidosperma longifolium grows as a densely tufted perennial grass with glabrous culms. The culms measure 200mm to 750mm in length by 1.5mm to 2.2mm in diameter. There are usually more than 5 nodes along the culms. The sheaths often become loose from the culms as they mature. The sheaths are striated to smooth and are as long as the internodes by 5.5mm to 6mm in width when flattened out. The ligule is usually reduced to a ring of short ciliate hairs that measure 0.1mm to 0.2mm long or at times is absent.

The long, filiformis, linear leaves measures 50mm to 350mm in length by 1.5mm to 3mm in width. The concolourous laminas are mid grass-green and glabrous. The margins are entire and involute especially as they approach the sheath. The apexes are acute.

The inflorescences are solid linear panicles born from the bases. The rachises, peduncles and pedicels are glabrous. The panicles measure 50mm to 150mm in length.

The spikelets are pedicillate. The fertile spikelets many flowered with at least 2 fertile florets to a spike. The 5 to 6 florets comprise of 5 to 6 fertile florets diminish as they approach the apexes. The cuneate to laterally compressed, spikelets measure 7mm to 12mm in length.

The similar glumes are thinner than fertile lemmas. The lower glumes are lanceolate, scarious, without keels and have 5 nerves. The upper glumes are lanceolate, scarious, keeless with 5 nerves.  The glumes measure 8mm to 13mm in length.

The fertile lemmas are without keels and have 9 nerves and are covered in fine white pulverulent hairs. The lemmas measure 1.4mm to 3mm in length. The lemma’s apexes are lobed with 3 awns.

The palea is narrow lanceolate to narrow oblanceolate and covered in off white villous on the back.

The principal awn is from a sinus and measures 7mm to 11mm in length overall and has a twisted column. The lodicules are present.

The 3 anthers are pale yellow. The flowers appear from November to December.

The fruits are narrow ellipsoidal grains. The green grains turn fawnish-yellow when ripe. The grains measure 1.1mm to 1.4mm in length.

Confusing Species:

Rytidosperma longifolium is easily confused with Rytidosperma semiannulare and with intermediate characteristics it is almost impossible to separate in the field other than its distribution. Its distribution is from Queensland and New South Wales with doubtful records from northern Victoria. There are usually 5 or more nodes on the culms.

Rytidosperma semiannulare’s distribution is from Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia with doubtful records from southern New South Wales. There are usually 3 nodes on the culms.

Wildlife:

Rytidosperma longifolium is the host plant for the Little Native Mouse (Pseudomys delicatulus) and probably most other native mice and rats. It is also probably a stable food source for many small Parrots, Rosellas and finches however; as yet I have not witnessed these on the plants.

Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) has been seen collecting the seeds for the soft lining of their nests in Nana Glen.

The leaves and stems are an important source of food for the Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), the Pretty Face Wallaby (Macropus parryi), the Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) and the Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii).

Cultivation:

Rytidosperma longifolium is a medium, compact, erect, tufted grass better suited for areas above the high water mark of dams or above the water lines of slow moving water courses where it can form small colonies. It can be slashed and will recover very quickly but is not suitable for long term heavy grazing.

It is ideally suited for growing in full sun to lightly shaded areas on gentle slopes or where it is free draining and rapidly dries out.

It is a preferred fodder crop is unknown to the author as a food source of grazing stock but has been observed as a stand by grass for native animals when pressure mounts on surrounding grasses in times of drought. It has a strong dense root system which probably makes it ideal as a soil stabilizer in wet soggy ground though it does pull easy in softer ground.

Propagation:

Seeds: Collect fruits from around trees where fruits have started to split and drop to the ground. Again I have never collected the seeds despite being around trees that have had many capsules lying on the ground so some vigilance may be required.

Treat the seeds similar to those of Harpullia pendula by sowing them directly into a seed raising mix. When the seedlings are 25mm to 40mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 175mm in height plant them out into their permanent position.

When planting in small groups for a feature in parks or larger gardens try using 3 to 7 individual plants at 0.7 meter to 0.8 meter centers and have the centers at least 5 meters apart.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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

Rytidosperma tenuius

Classification:

Unranked: Monocots

Unranked: Commelinids

Order: Poales

Family: Poaceae

Genus: From Rytido, which is Latin for wrinkled and Spérma, which is Ancient Greek for a grain or seed. It refers to grains or seeds, which are strongly marked with a network of wrinkles.

Specie: From Tanu, which is Ancient Greek or later Tenue, which is Latin for slender and fine and –Issima, which is Latin for the most. It refers to plants, which are the slenderest, of all the species within the genus which is naturally slender.

Sub specie:

Common Name:

Distribution:

Rytidosperma tenuius is found south from Gladstone in central Queensland to Port Augusta in South Australia. It is found on the Western Plains, Western Slopes, on and east of the Great Dividing Range to the coast.

It is found over most of Tasmania except the south western highlands and along the north coast.

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

Habitat Aspect Climate:

Rytidosperma tenuius prefer partial shade to dappled sun light. It grows in open woodlands, open forests, dry savannah woodlands. The altitude ranges from 5 meters ASL to 1300 meters ASL.

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

Rainfalls range from lows of 300mm to 2000mm average per annum.

Soil Requirements:

Rytidosperma tenuius prefers better quality sandy loams to medium clays. The soils are derived from decomposed sandstones, granites, metamorphic rocks, brown basalts or black basalts. The soils pH ranges from 5.5pH to 8pH. It does not tolerate water logged soils however annual inundations are acceptable for short periods where it grows in riparian zones. Non saline soils to moderately saline soils are tolerated.

Height & Spread:

Wild Plants: 0.6m to 1.2m by 0.8m to 1.5m.

Characteristics:

Rytidosperma tenuius is an erect, caespitose perennial grass with smooth, glabrous culms. The culms measure 200mm to 1200mm in length by 1.5mm to 3.2mm in diameter. The 3 or 4 nodes along the culms are glabrous. The sheaths often become loose from the culms as they mature. The sheaths are smooth, glabrous to moderately covered in white hirsute hairs and are as long as the internodes by 5.5mm to 6mm in width when flattened out. The ligule is a ring of short ciliate hairs with long soft white velutinous hairs the margins and on the collar that measure 7mm to 10mm in length.

The long, filiformis, linear leaves measure 50mm to 220mm in length by 1mm to 3mm in width. The concolourous laminas are mid grass-green and glabrous to sparsely covered in white hirsute hairs. The margins are entire or are inrolled to involute. The apexes are acute.

The inflorescences are solid linear panicles born from the lower nodes. The rachises, peduncles and pedicels are glabrous. The linear, lanceolate-ovate or lanceolate panicles have numerous spikelets. The panicles measure 50mm to 200mm in length.

The spikelets are pedicillate. There are 4 to 6 florets on a spikelet. The florets are much shorter than the glumes.

The dissimilar glumes are thinner than fertile lemmas. The lower glumes are elliptical, with 4 or 5 horizontal rows of long, off white, hirsute hairs, are without keels and have 5 nerves. The upper glumes are elliptical and are without keels and have 5 nerves. The glumes measure 10mm to 17mm in length with firm membranous margins that are purplish.

The fertile lemmas are without keels, nerveless it is covered in long, off white, hirsute hairs which are in 3 to 5 distinct rows. The lanceolate lemmas measure 3mm to 3.5mm in length. The lemma’s apexes are lobed with 3 awns.

The central awn shortly exceeds the lateral setae, the lower portion is rusty-brown to brown and is spirally twisted once or twice.

The obtuse palea is covered in off white hirsute hairs on the back, between the keels and margins in the lower sections.

The 3 anthers are pale yellow. The flowers appear from October to February.

The fruits are narrow ellipsoidal grains. The green grains turn fawnish-yellow when ripe. The grains measure 1.1mm to 1.4mm in length.

Wildlife:

Rytidosperma tenuius is the host plant for the Little Native Mouse (Pseudomys delicatulus) and probably most other native mice and rats. It is also probably a stable food source for many small Parrots, Rosellas and finches however; as yet I have not witnessed these on the plants.

The leaves and stems are an important source of food for the Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor), the Pretty Face Wallaby (Macropus parryi), the Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), the Common Wombat (Vombatus ursinus) and the Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii).

Cultivation:

Rytidosperma tenuius is a medium, compact, erect, tufted grass for small to large gardens above the high water mark of dams or above the water lines of slow moving water courses where it can form small colonies. It can be slashed and will recover very quickly but is not suitable for long term heavy grazing.

It is ideally suited for growing in full sun to lightly shaded areas on flats where it is free draining but maintains soil moisture for extended periods following good rain.

It is a preferred fodder crop is unknown to the author as a food source of grazing stock but has been observed as a stand by grass for native animals when pressure mounts on surrounding grasses in times of drought. It has a strong dense root system which probably makes it ideal as a soil stabilizer in wet soggy ground though it does pull easy in softer ground.

Propagation:

Seeds: Collect seeds from around trees where fruits have started to split and drop to the ground. Again I have never collected the seeds despite being around trees that have had many capsules lying on the ground.

Treat the seeds similar to those of Harpullia pendula by sowing them directly into a seed raising mix. When the seedlings are 25mm to 40mm tall, prick them out and plant them into 50mm native tubes using a seed raising mix.

Once the seedlings reach 150mm to 175mm in height plant them out into their permanent position.

When planting in small groups for a feature in parks use 15 meter to 20 meter centers.

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 and March to maintain better colour, health, vitality and flowering.

Further Comments from Readers:

“Hi reader, it seems you use The Bible of Botany a lot. That’s great as we have great pleasure in bringing it to you! It’s a little awkward for us to ask, but our first aim is to purchase land approximately 1,600 hectares to link several parcels of N.P. into one at The Pinnacles NSW Australia, but we need your help. We’re not salespeople. We’re amateur botanists who have dedicated over 30 years to saving the environment in a practical way. We depend on donations to reach our goal. If you donate just $5, the price of your coffee this Sunday, We can help to keep the planet alive in a real way and continue to bring you regular updates and features on Australian plants all in one Botanical Bible. Any support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

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