From Australia: Pararistolochia praevenosa

Pararistolochia praevenosa: Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Vine

Reaching the sun drenched outer limits in the canopy over the vine forest, after a mammoth vertical, always tortuous climb; and still growing a woody striated girth, around whatever it can find, the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa) spreads out in search of the green/blue horizon.

Below in the canopy, the liana projects its glabrous, sometimes rusty pubescent new growth into adult leaves, leathery & shiny.  This is the foliage that attracts one of the largest, sweetly coloured butterflies in Australia.  The Richmond Birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondii) glides by, inspecting for sites to deposit, greenish-yellow eggs, singly or in small clusters, as the climber appears to rest.

Pararistolochia is a member of the Aristolochia family, commonly called the "Dutchman's Pipe" or "Pipevine" in reference to the ‘pipe’ shaped flowers.  It is represented in Australia with about 7 species.  Aristolochia littoralis or A. elegans (Calico Flower) a closely related species is an intruder, both in the southern United States and Australia.  Here in Australia the Birdwing Butterfly is attracted to the foliage of this species but unfortunately it kills the caterpillars. Efforts to avoid this plant’s spread are ongoing.

 

To A Butterfly by William Wordsworth

I've watched you now a full half-hour,
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;
And, little Butterfly! indeed
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless! - not frozen seas
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!

 

 

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.

Prickly Alyxia (Alyxia ruscifolia)

Here in Australia it’s spring and I have chosen an often overlooked plant, the Prickly Alyxia or Chain Fruit (Alyxia ruscifolia) a member of the Dogbane family Apocynaceae, as the theme.

Commonly found growing as an erect shrub of around two or three meters tall in the understorey of many of the rainforest types in the high rainfall areas that stretch from southern New South Wales to New Guinea; and from sea level to the mountain ranges.

As a general rule plants in this family exude a milky sap if bruised and many species are poisonous if ingested.  The sap is one of the defence mechanisms, which in effect deters herbivores from feeding on the plant.  Apparently the common family name refers to the plant's toxic nature and which has been described as poisonous to dogs.  Derived from the Greek words where apo means ‘away’ and cyno refers to ‘dog.’  The family includes many garden ornamentals such as Golden Bell (Allamanda), Periwinkle (Vinca), Oleander (Nerium), Yellow oleander (Thevetia) and Frangipani (Plumeria).

Alyxia ruscifolia also produces milky latex if any part is broken.  One unique feature is the foliage, with shiny stiff leaves that can be arranged oppositely or in whorls of from three to six.  The leaves are usually not toothed around the edges but have a very sharp pointed tip, hence the term ‘prickly.’  Another interesting aspect is the arrangement of the fruit, a drupe, which may come singly, in pairs or other numbers as an orange/reddish chain; thus ‘chain fruit’.  The plants may be pruned and shaped; and perhaps used as a hedge, or a prickly deterrent along the border of your property.

In the evening, the small white flowers, which besides reflecting the limited amount of light available, also emit the sweetest of perfumes.  By these means the Prickly Alyxia attracts night flying insects for pollination; and as a bonus enhances the surrounding environment for us to enjoy.

For those who enjoy a nightly dose of the sweet taste of spring then the Prickly Alyxia is a must have for the garden.

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.