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Articles Pindan Post 81 Pindan Post No 81626words Over the last 2 weeks, the pindan woodland north of Broome has changed from greens and silvers to golden yellow. The Pindan Wattle, Acacia eriopoda has started flowering up the Dampier Peninsular. Near Coconut Wells, the wattles have recovered after a severe fire a few years ago and are approaching 4 to 6 metres high. When fully grown these wattles reach 8metres and over their lifespan of 25 years, the trunk achieves a very solid structure. However this is quite rare due to the many wild fires that create havoc throughout the Kimberley region each year. This wattle suckers from underground rootstock after fires and often grows multi-stemmed trunks, causing the bush to become dense, and along with dead wood from the last burn, a bigger hazard. The Soap Wattle, Acacia colei however is killed outright after even mild fires, and only the prolific number of seeds ensures its survival. This species has a normal life span of about 7 years. It can also reach 6 metres quite rapidly and often forms dense thickets. The phyllodes, flattened stems in the shape of leaves, are bright silver at this time of year and stands out along Port Drive. Another local common wattle is Acacia tumida, with strongly curved lime-green phyllodes. This species around Broome is quite spreading to 3 or 4 metres high and wide and recovers from fire quite well. Near Prices Point this wattle rarely grows above 1 metre along the wind exposed cliffs, yet near Derby it reaches a stature of 8 or 9 metres. The variability of this species is not just restricted to its size. The phyllodes range from lime-green to grey and the trunks become dark and fibrous near the base with a smooth light colored upper trunk. When this wattle flowers in July or August it is really the most spectacular golden show. A good range of Kimberley wattles in parks and gardens have been flowering continuously since the wet and now the Grevillea refracta are just starting to flower. This Silver-leaf Grevillea is adored by honeyeaters and is now found in many local gardens. This species is found in the same wattle woodland and Its habitat reaches across into the Northern Territory. Nut trees are scattered in this same woodland with the Pindan Walnut standing out. One of several Terminalia species found in the Kimberley, this species Terminalia cunninghamii is a spreading small tree with a dense corky bark and unusual angular stems and branches. The nuts are found in numbers on the ground beneath the tree, and as these trees are often found in groves of up to 50 trees, there can be large numbers. The taste of the kernels inside is superb and not unlike almonds in shape and texture. However they are not easy to get out. I had a sore thumb for some time! You need to find an expert, one of the locals if pain is to be avoided. Roasting on hot coals will do the trick. Also found on the road to Prices Point is the Desert Walnut, Owenia reticulata, a larger tree with large dark green leaves and a fissured corky bark. The fruit are also large but very tough and woody with small edible kernels that can only be extracted by roasting. It is found more commonly towards Port Hedland and in the Sandy Desert. Pundulmurra College in Hedland was named after this important tree. When leafless, large specimens have a somewhat prehistoric look, especially when you find a valley between sand dunes in the Great Sandy Desert with dozens of large trees. This species has still to be propagated but quite a few of the Pindan Walnut have been planted around town in the last year. 5/5/06 |
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