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Articles Pindan Post 89 Pindan Post No 89630 words Trees and shrubs with some wonderful highly scented flowers abound at present in bush around Broome. Despite months without rain, some species put on a considerable flower show at this time of year, followed by rapidly ripening fruits to take advantage of the monsoonal rainfall when it arrives. The endangered Monsoon Vine Forest behind the sand dunes in Minyirr Park and along the coast of the Dampier Peninsular contains many of these species as does the adjacent woodland. The Conkerberry, Carissa lanceolata is one of these and has masses of small white flowers with a strongly sweet scented aroma that pervades the air in the immediate vicinity of the plant. Growing to 2 or 3 metres, this bush is known better by its local name Koongera. Narrow leaves are opposite on a zig-zag stem with thorns to 2 cm long. Green fruits soon develop and change to purple when ripe and are very sweet. They can even be picked from the ground below the shrub, reconstituted in water and eaten. It is rare to find a shrub heavily laden with fruit, as it is often found by birds first, but is a rare treat if you find it first. Old and dried wood is used for smoking ceremonies and is easily identified by its orange heartwood. Other useful qualities include medicinal uses and as an insect repellant when leaves are burnt. Oily sap from the plant when broken up into small pieces was used as a liniment for rheumatism and a concoction of boiled wood pulp was drunk to treat colds. This species is widespread across Northern Australia and its dense habit provides a safe haven for reptiles and birds due to the sharp thorns. Competing with this species in bush behind the Industrial area of Port Drive is the Native Gardenia, Gardenia pyriformis. Also highly scented when flowering, this species is also widespread across the Kimberley and its large white flowers help make this an attractive shrub or small tree. Sometimes called Turpentine Tree, this species has a yellowish bark, lanceolate leaves that are dark green and glossy and the fruits are golf ball sized drupes containing several fleshy seeds embedded in an unusual smelling pulp. It is found across Northern Australia and can reach 5 metres. Both of these species can survive hot fires, unlike many wattles and some gum trees. The bark on the Gardenia is fire resistant, and the Conkerberry regrows in a multi-stemmed fashion like some wattles including the Pindan Wattle, Acacia eriopoda. Other species presently flowering with aromatic scented flowers growing in the same vicinity with these include the Cable Beach Ghost Gum, Corymbia paractia, which has a mass display of white to cream flowers along the stems, and Eucalyptus tectifica, the Darwin Box. This medium to large tree is very common around Broome and the Kimberley, has small white flowers scattered all over the tree and is easy to identify by its grey box like bark. Many other fruits are also becoming available in the same area such as the Wild Pear, Persoonia falcata, with this years crop of succulent drupes being very prodigious, ripening when fallen during the early wet season, and are excellent eating. This species grows to 6 metres and has long narrow falcate or curved leaves and creamy yellow flowers. An infusion of leaves and bark of this species was also used to treat sore throats and colds. Red berries of Tinospora smilacina, the Snakevine, are also hanging in clusters. The stems, bark and leaves are sometimes still used for pain relief such as stings or headaches. This climber is easily identified by its glossy heart shaped leaves and is also common in gardens and nature strips where trees are available to climb up on. 30/10 |
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