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Articles Pindan Post 85 Pindan Post No 85 678 words The cool nights and warm days we currently experience bodes well for the continued flowering of many local species. Low growing wattles such as Acacia adoxa and Acacia hippuroides are still flowering months later and look like continuing for some time. Both these species have small narrow phyllodes (leaves) in whorls around the stems, yellow ball flowers and sticky resinous pods containing small black seeds. Acacia adoxa is common on the Broome Peninsular between the Power Station and the Port and grows in dense patches to half a metre high along Kavite Road. Acacia hippuroides is found north of Coconut Wells, reaches to a metre and a half in height and can be found in bush alongside the Beagle Bay road near the Willie Creek turnoff. Both of these species can be found growing in Broome gardens. In areas where both are found, a hybrid appears but does not produce seed and can also be found in an occasional garden. Many Acacias hybridise easily , particularly those from related groups like the two mentioned above. Also flowering near the Port is the rare and endangered Keraudrenia exastia alongside Kavite road, with very pretty lilac to blue and mauve flowers with yellow stamens similar to bush tomato flowers. The leaves of this metre high shrub are small and silver to grey and very attractive. This species has never been observed to set seed and as it is only found at the port it is believed to spread only from underground root stock. Under Conservation and Land Management’s ‘Rare’ classification, it is illegal to destroy or remove any plant material from this species. It however still remains threatened from Port expansion pressures. While in the Port area, take a look at the Manbana Aquaculture Park entrance where a fabulous show of pink star flowers covers most of the front entrance. From the Myrtaceae Family that includes gum trees and paperbarks, this species is the Turkey Bush, Calytrix exstipulata, a 3 metre shrub with strongly ti-tree oil scented tiny leaves held close to stems covered with masses of pink star flowers. They are also prominently in flower in front of the Lottery’s House main building. Alongside Manbana and growing on the edge of the firebreak are a few superb specimens of Velleia panduriformis, a very unusual shrub with clusters of yellow flowers clasped around long stems that can reach 2 metres but usually are half that. The slightly toothed leaves are orbicular shaped around the stems and each plant has a rosette of leaves around the base. This species is often found around the local coastline and at Gantheaume Point as well as in adjacent woodland and is in the same Family as Goodenia and Scaevola species. The woodland south of the Industrial area and across to the Racecourse is very species rich and contains some of the best examples of the Mangarr tree, Pouteria sericea. Ripe fruits can be eaten from these when the colour changes from green to purple and are currently available now. These trees are easily identified by their large shape, dense dark green foliage and are often surrounded by smaller shrubs that grow from seed dropped by fruit eating birds whilst roosting in the dense foliage. Two excellent examples in town include one in front of the Bowling Club in Herbert Street and another ancient specimen is in Anne Street. These trees are home to many species of reptiles and birds and are very important to local indigenous people. In the same area, the Blackberry Tree or Marool is common. This species is Terminalia petiolaris and is a relative of the Gubinge growing to 8 or 10 metres and has a wide spreading canopy, and ripening purple fruits. A large dark trunk specimen is growing on the grass oval behind the Catholic Church and others can be found in scattered Parks and gardens around town, many growing under where birds roost, often under power lines and need careful pruning to shape or removal to prevent a future altercation with the power authorities. 18/06 |
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