From Australia: Christmas Bells

First up, let me introduce Planted Cloud's Australian correspondent, Garry Thomas. 

Garry Thomas is a practicing ecologist with over 20 years of field survey and scientific reporting experience.  Living on the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland he specializes in plant ecology and his research work involves extensive travel throughout Australia, often to remote locations.  Garry has a comprehensive understanding of the Australian flora and is particularly interested in the ecology and distribution of regional ecosystems, threatened species as well as the environmental impacts of naturalized species.  In the field of conservation biology his discoveries have helped secure key biodiversity areas.  Some specific examples of his outstanding botanical achievements include the discovery of the most northerly populations of the threatened species Eucalyptus conglomerata, Triunia robusta and Baloghia marmorata, as well as the rediscovery of Romnalda strobilacea in Kin Kin, another threatened plant which had not been recorded from the area since 1917.  In addition to his extensive field experience, Garry has successfully tutored in plant identification and ecology.

This is Garry's first contribution to the blog -- I'm happy to have him here so he can keep us up to date on Australian botany!

Christmas Bells - Blandfordia species

During the summer festive season here in Australia, around December to January, small herbaceous plants belonging to an endemic genus of only 4 species burst into flower.  These species, which are often difficult to separate morphologically, belong to a genus that was named by English botanist James Edward Smith in 1804 as recognition of George Spencer-Churchill’s (1766-1840) contribution to botany, plants and landscaping in general.  This aristocrat, who became the 5th Duke of Marlborough, was given the title Marquis of Blandford at birth.  Hence the plant’s name Blandfordia (bland-FORD-ee-a); the only genus in the family Blandfordiaceae.

Blandfordia grandiflora growing amongst the wet heath land plants in SE Queensland

 Small remnants of the Marquis of Blandford’s historic and famous ‘fairy-tale’ landscaping can be seen in what is now known as the Whiteknights Park in Berkshire England.  The park is situated within the largest campus (Whiteknights) of the Reading University and includes a large lake, a grotto and scattered old trees.

Christmas Bells are geographically restricted to southeastern Australia; predominately they are found in coastal regions, but also occur on the nearby ranges and extend from Tasmania in the south to around Fraser Island (SE Queensland) in the north.  Generally they inhabit areas of high rainfall; but to some extent, specific ecologically restrictions can occur; these include south facing slopes; sandstone substrates; sandy, wet, peaty heath land; clayey sands with moderate acidity and so on.

The species, Blandfordia cunninghamii, B. grandiflora, B. nobilis and B. punicea, are slow-growing, grass-like plants.  They have narrow strappy leaves arranged in a clump; the much sought after, brightly coloured, red and/or yellow bell-shaped flowers arise on stems springing from the centre of the leafy cluster.  The plants are repeatedly visited by honey eating birds for the nectar contained in their flowers.

From time to time Blandfordia species are cultivated as garden features in Australia, North America and Europe; they are also very popular as cutflowers.  Interestingly, Blandus is a Latin word meaning caressing, flattering.   Perhaps a species of Christmas Bells, tolerant of cooler climates such as B. punicea, would be a fitting addition to the landscaping within the fairy-tale gardens at Whiteknights.  Whitenights Park was once a renowned attraction, a desire of kings and a place harboring many rare plants.