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Articles Pindan Post 82 Pindan Post No 82324 words Flowering and fruiting vines are predominant in the coastal region at present. The Monsoonal Vine Forest community occurs along the coast between Bidyadanga and Cape Leveque and includes the narrow strips of valleys between sand dunes and the immediate region behind the sand dunes and into the adjoining pindan woodland. Conservation and Land Management staff and volunteers from the Broome Botanical Society recently completed a long running survey of all these vine forest communities that are regarded as endangered. Flowering extensively along the coastal strip is an attractive twining species to 2 metres with masses of small lilac flowers with the unusual name Jacquemontia paniculata. Easily spotted in burnt coastal scrub this species recovers well after fire, new shoots emerging from underground tubers then climbing all over the dead trunks of local wattles. This species is quite variable across to the NT and Queensland. A related species that occurs in woodland adjacent to the vine forest is Jacquemontia pannosa, a metre high or prostrate twining shrub with white, light blue or pink to purple flowers up to 30mm across. This species can be easily seen in woodland around the Crab Creek turn-off. Recently a separate species of Jacquemontia was found near the Rubbish Tip by a botanist doing a survey of a new gas pipe line, only seen before near Kununurra. All these species belong to the same Convolvulus Family as Bush Yams and Morning Glories and are characterized by growing from tubers, some of which are edible. The Crab-eye Bean, Abrus precatorius is widespread throughout the vine forest plant community with its pretty mauve pea flowers, dainty pinnate leaves and attractive scarlet and black beads. These seeds are very poisonous however, though in India, the toxin abrin is used to treat some eye diseases. Another common twining climber is the Snake Vine, Tinospora smilacina. Developing thick stems and sending down aerial roots, this species has clusters of small red fruits when ripe and eagerly sought by birds. Heart shaped leaves and the stems are still used as analgesics, the stripped bark can be wrapped around the affected body parts as a pain killer by warming the plant material first. This vine is common on Broome verges and gardens, often in Jigal, Bauhinia cunninghamii trees. The tiny Mistletoe Bird is a regular diner on these berries and it is a treat to see these fabulous little black and red birds in home gardens with their sweet high-pitched singsong at the high end of our audible range. The parasitic twiner, Dodder is also widespread in the vine forest and is represented by two species, one of which has edible translucent looking white berries. This species, Cassytha filiformis is known by the Yawuru name, Yugulu, and has a tendency to completely cover trees and shrubs with its net like mesh of stems. This plant material was used as footwear, as well as being used by Bardis to catch fish. It is easily spread by birds and can become quite impenetrable until burnt or flattened in storms. Local favourite vine forest and woodland tree, the Jigal is already in full flower, the red flowers developing along stems and branches. These flowers are full of sweet nectar, and it is irresistible to squeeze some flowers between your fingers and sucking the nectar that oozes out. Some very handsome specimens of this tree can be found in many parts of town, particularly in Old Broome. Local Bloodwoods, are continuing to flower, with clusters of white flowers expected to continue for several more months. These include the Broome Bloodwood, Eucalyptus zygophylla, with large nuts, and Eucalyptus polycarpa, the Long-fruited Bloodwood, a large tree of which can be seen next to the Council Chambers in Haas Street. 26/05/06 |
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