Okay, here is a collection of shots taken over the last few weeks whilst wandering around the three Botanic Gardens here in Townsville. I will break each group into each of the Bot Gardens and I hope you enjoy the ride…
First up, a skipper found at the Palmetum.
The Palmetum was first planted in 1982 and opened in 1988. Known for its huge collection of Palms, the Palmetum also contains a decent collection of Pandanus.
This one is gorgeous with its red trimming to its long spiky leaves…
The Palmetum has a fantastic Xerophyte garden, full of succulents and cacti and Euphorbias…
Here’s an Aloe. Magnificent form which breaks up any garden with too many soft leafed foliage plants…
all Pandanus have an “M” shaped profile to their leaves, but sometimes it is their fruit which draws the eye…
another trunk of a palm, not at Queen’s but at the Palmetum… Great angular bark which dicots cannot reproduce…
Now where was I… oh yeah, Palms can provide some dramatic arrangements within a garden. Myself though, I believe that they require enough space as they can get lost when crowded amongst others. Not only can their rough exterior provide the form impact, but their fruit can also be impressive…
but what about the flowers? of Palms I say? Here’s a decent spray…
back to Palms later…
I think the reason why everyone loves water lillies is the whole freeze frame anticipation of watching a bud emerge from the surface of the water rising up (or uprising for fans of Muse) and then opening to the sun, only to shortly get smashed around by the wind… but then leave such a super Water Lillie-Hip…
here’s a plant that we have discussed on this forum in the past… Bamboo, some love it, some don’t but most have an opinion. This one has a fantastic colour…
and Bamboo shoots…
oh yeah, xerophytes… The Palmetum has a great collection of arid, poor soil loving cacti and succulents. The whole area is raised up and while it is adjacent to the lowest boggy lake part of the garden, the raised platform of stone, rocks and gravel provides an area where these Xerophytes can’t get boggy and soggy feet. I sat on a rock next to a flowering aloe and watched a Yellow Bellied Sunbird feeding on nectar.
Nice bamboo shots PM. And the others of course.
My bamboo is quite prolific ATM. Needs some decent rain to allow the last years growth to leaf up.
I just planted 6 or so more as a further screen.
The Oldhamii are now about 10m plus in their third year. Awesome.
Longy said:
Nice bamboo shots PM. And the others of course.
My bamboo is quite prolific ATM. Needs some decent rain to allow the last years growth to leaf up.
I just planted 6 or so more as a further screen.
The Oldhamii are now about 10m plus in their third year. Awesome.
Cheers Longy.
pain master said:
The Palmetum was first planted in 1982 and opened in 1988. Known for its huge collection of Palms, the Palmetum also contains a decent collection of Pandanus.This one is gorgeous with its red trimming to its long spiky leaves…
I’m going to get up there one day. You’ve inspired me. I like Pandanus. I’ve got a few of that one. Vicious spikes though. Like most pandanas I know.
pomolo said:
pain master said:
The Palmetum was first planted in 1982 and opened in 1988. Known for its huge collection of Palms, the Palmetum also contains a decent collection of Pandanus.This one is gorgeous with its red trimming to its long spiky leaves…
I’m going to get up there one day. You’ve inspired me. I like Pandanus. I’ve got a few of that one. Vicious spikes though. Like most pandanas I know.
Do let me know… I might take time from my wanderings to stop and have a drink from a roadside cafe???
pain master said:
but what about the flowers? of Palms I say? Here’s a decent spray…
Nothing daisy shaped about that!
pain master said:
back to Palms later…I think the reason why everyone loves water lillies is the whole freeze frame anticipation of watching a bud emerge from the surface of the water rising up (or uprising for fans of Muse) and then opening to the sun, only to shortly get smashed around by the wind… but then leave such a super Water Lillie-Hip…
I think ducks find something edible in the hips. There are often broken off ones lying around our dam along with duck droppings. Squishy droppings they are too.
Longy said:
Nice bamboo shots PM. And the others of course.
My bamboo is quite prolific ATM. Needs some decent rain to allow the last years growth to leaf up.
I just planted 6 or so more as a further screen.
The Oldhamii are now about 10m plus in their third year. Awesome.
Do you intend to eat the shoots of Oldhamii LF? I’ve got one plant but it’s just a baby yet.
pain master said:
pomolo said:
pain master said:
The Palmetum was first planted in 1982 and opened in 1988. Known for its huge collection of Palms, the Palmetum also contains a decent collection of Pandanus.This one is gorgeous with its red trimming to its long spiky leaves…
I’m going to get up there one day. You’ve inspired me. I like Pandanus. I’ve got a few of that one. Vicious spikes though. Like most pandanas I know.
Do let me know… I might take time from my wanderings to stop and have a drink from a roadside cafe???
You bet ya boots!
pain master said:
The Palmetum was first planted in 1982 and opened in 1988. Known for its huge collection of Palms, the Palmetum also contains a decent collection of Pandanus.
Before my time, and explains why I was not aware of it both times I lived in Townsville…hope I can look these gardens up if I ever get to Townsville again…
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
The Palmetum was first planted in 1982 and opened in 1988. Known for its huge collection of Palms, the Palmetum also contains a decent collection of Pandanus.Before my time, and explains why I was not aware of it both times I lived in Townsville…hope I can look these gardens up if I ever get to Townsville again…
I’ll meet you there D.
pomolo said:
Dinetta said:Before my time, and explains why I was not aware of it both times I lived in Townsville…hope I can look these gardens up if I ever get to Townsville again…
I’ll meet you there D.
That would be brilliant! Looking forward to it…
and would you send me an email to the cabbage patch hotmail address please? I only have your old one for some reason…do you still have mine?
Do you intend to eat the shoots of Oldhamii LF? I’ve got one plant but it’s just a baby yet.
+++++++++++++++
Yeah reckon so Pom. I’ve given it 3 years to establish, coming into its 4th Summer.
So this next growth period i should get shoots at least 6 or 7 cm in diameter. Should be worth a feed i reckon. Gees they’re nice now. They actually get doves nesting in them:-)
Longy said:
Do you intend to eat the shoots of Oldhamii LF? I’ve got one plant but it’s just a baby yet.+++++++++++++++
Yeah reckon so Pom. I’ve given it 3 years to establish, coming into its 4th Summer.
So this next growth period i should get shoots at least 6 or 7 cm in diameter. Should be worth a feed i reckon. Gees they’re nice now. They actually get doves nesting in them:-)
The doves nesting sounds charming…
The doves nesting sounds charming…
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yeah. And tasty too!
Longy said:
The doves nesting sounds charming…+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yeah. And tasty too!
Not listening!
Dinetta said:
Longy said:
Do you intend to eat the shoots of Oldhamii LF? I’ve got one plant but it’s just a baby yet.+++++++++++++++
Yeah reckon so Pom. I’ve given it 3 years to establish, coming into its 4th Summer.
So this next growth period i should get shoots at least 6 or 7 cm in diameter. Should be worth a feed i reckon. Gees they’re nice now. They actually get doves nesting in them:-)The doves nesting sounds charming…
This was them a few months back. Lookin good
difficult to know if i’m looking at form – or is it colour, lighting or texture?
but they are beautiful to look at
your piccies are always enjoyable PM.
(and your knowledge is awesome – at times LOL)
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
The Palmetum was first planted in 1982 and opened in 1988. Known for its huge collection of Palms, the Palmetum also contains a decent collection of Pandanus.Before my time, and explains why I was not aware of it both times I lived in Townsville…hope I can look these gardens up if I ever get to Townsville again…
the same offer is available to you dinetta0 as to Pom….
Dinetta said:
Longy said:
Do you intend to eat the shoots of Oldhamii LF? I’ve got one plant but it’s just a baby yet.+++++++++++++++
Yeah reckon so Pom. I’ve given it 3 years to establish, coming into its 4th Summer.
So this next growth period i should get shoots at least 6 or 7 cm in diameter. Should be worth a feed i reckon. Gees they’re nice now. They actually get doves nesting in them:-)The doves nesting sounds charming…
It doesn’t take much to scare bloody doves out of your tree…
Longy said:
Dinetta said:
Longy said:
Do you intend to eat the shoots of Oldhamii LF? I’ve got one plant but it’s just a baby yet.+++++++++++++++
Yeah reckon so Pom. I’ve given it 3 years to establish, coming into its 4th Summer.
So this next growth period i should get shoots at least 6 or 7 cm in diameter. Should be worth a feed i reckon. Gees they’re nice now. They actually get doves nesting in them:-)The doves nesting sounds charming…
This was them a few months back. Lookin good
Nice one Longy!
pepe said:
difficult to know if i’m looking at form – or is it colour, lighting or texture?
but they are beautiful to look at
your piccies are always enjoyable PM.
(and your knowledge is awesome – at times LOL)
More Form to come… and colour, texture and lighting…. ;)
okay, no form here, but a Wallaby… and in the suburbs. You know all those Poms who come out here (I’m talking family) and they expect Kangaroos hopping down the Main Street. Well in Townsville it happens.
I love the form of this creeper as it winds its way skyward…
and more leaves, shade and colour….
and we’re back on Palms at the Palmetum… how’s this for angular?
and for lovers of the movie “saw”…
and I love me Palm Fruit!
better chuck something pretty in….
here’s more bright and pretty, and stingy….
and this is just itchy…. I present “ItchyDickTree” as I used to call it in my youth…. Brachychiton something or other…
pain master said:
and this is just itchy…. I present “ItchyDickTree” as I used to call it in my youth…. Brachychiton something or other…
Kurrajong…will need to google the brachychiton name…
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
and this is just itchy…. I present “ItchyDickTree” as I used to call it in my youth…. Brachychiton something or other…
Kurrajong…will need to google the brachychiton name…
B. rupestre?
pain master said:
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
and this is just itchy…. I present “ItchyDickTree” as I used to call it in my youth…. Brachychiton something or other…
Kurrajong…will need to google the brachychiton name…
B. rupestre?
Haven’t checked yet, but I do believe you are right…
pain master said:
and I love me Palm Fruit!
a silhouette is a shape –
form = shape (outline) plus contents (bulk?)
this one only barely has shape but its form is of repititious spheres.
sounds good to me – now back to the photos
pain master said:
here’s more bright and pretty, and stingy….
golden – seems to be dripping in the sunset light – beauty
Dinetta said:
pomolo said:
Dinetta said:Before my time, and explains why I was not aware of it both times I lived in Townsville…hope I can look these gardens up if I ever get to Townsville again…
I’ll meet you there D.
That would be brilliant! Looking forward to it…
and would you send me an email to the cabbage patch hotmail address please? I only have your old one for some reason…do you still have mine?
Done.
Longy said:
Do you intend to eat the shoots of Oldhamii LF? I’ve got one plant but it’s just a baby yet.+++++++++++++++
Yeah reckon so Pom. I’ve given it 3 years to establish, coming into its 4th Summer.
So this next growth period i should get shoots at least 6 or 7 cm in diameter. Should be worth a feed i reckon. Gees they’re nice now. They actually get doves nesting in them:-)
Our miner bird population won’t let anything ever nest in ours. Nothing gets to nest round here except the miners. They have formed a gang and nothing can invade their territory.
Longy said:
Dinetta said:
Longy said:
Do you intend to eat the shoots of Oldhamii LF? I’ve got one plant but it’s just a baby yet.+++++++++++++++
Yeah reckon so Pom. I’ve given it 3 years to establish, coming into its 4th Summer.
So this next growth period i should get shoots at least 6 or 7 cm in diameter. Should be worth a feed i reckon. Gees they’re nice now. They actually get doves nesting in them:-)The doves nesting sounds charming…
This was them a few months back. Lookin good
I’m sure they are lookin good……………if I had a magnifying glass!
pomolo said:
Dinetta said:and would you send me an email to the cabbage patch hotmail address please? I only have your old one for some reason…do you still have mine?
Done.
Must be still coming? That’s cabbage patch chook with underscores between the second and third words?
pomolo said:
Longy said:
Do you intend to eat the shoots of Oldhamii LF? I’ve got one plant but it’s just a baby yet.+++++++++++++++
Yeah reckon so Pom. I’ve given it 3 years to establish, coming into its 4th Summer.
So this next growth period i should get shoots at least 6 or 7 cm in diameter. Should be worth a feed i reckon. Gees they’re nice now. They actually get doves nesting in them:-)Our miner bird population won’t let anything ever nest in ours. Nothing gets to nest round here except the miners. They have formed a gang and nothing can invade their territory.
Not even Crows? Kestrels? Magpies? Willie Wagtails?
pomolo said:
Longy said:
Dinetta said:The doves nesting sounds charming…
This was them a few months back. Lookin good
I’m sure they are lookin good……………if I had a magnifying glass!
Yes, I was going to ask Longy if he could put up a thumbnail that can be enlarged…
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
and this is just itchy…. I present “ItchyDickTree” as I used to call it in my youth…. Brachychiton something or other…
Kurrajong…will need to google the brachychiton name…
It could be the flame tree also. They both have seeds the same as that.
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
and this is just itchy…. I present “ItchyDickTree” as I used to call it in my youth…. Brachychiton something or other…
Kurrajong…will need to google the brachychiton name…
I don’t think there is doves in the pictures, I think Longy is just showing his bamboos…
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
and this is just itchy…. I present “ItchyDickTree” as I used to call it in my youth…. Brachychiton something or other…
Kurrajong…will need to google the brachychiton name…
I should have added I have lots of seeds of the flame tree if anybody wants some.
pomolo said:
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
and this is just itchy…. I present “ItchyDickTree” as I used to call it in my youth…. Brachychiton something or other…
Kurrajong…will need to google the brachychiton name…
It could be the flame tree also. They both have seeds the same as that.
Illawarra flame tree? I haven’t seen their seed pods…love the tree in flower tho’…Stuart Macoboy (What tree is that?) suggested an avenue of Illawarras and Jacarandas…but I’ve noticed they flower at different times…
Dinetta said:
pomolo said:
Dinetta said:and would you send me an email to the cabbage patch hotmail address please? I only have your old one for some reason…do you still have mine?
Done.
Must be still coming? That’s cabbage patch chook with underscores between the second and third words?
I’m not doing very well am I. Forgot the underscores. I’ll try again.
Dinetta said:
I don’t think there is doves in the pictures, I think Longy is just showing his bamboos…
Showing off actually. We all like to do it with our gardens.
Dinetta said:
pomolo said:
Dinetta said:Kurrajong…will need to google the brachychiton name…
It could be the flame tree also. They both have seeds the same as that.
Illawarra flame tree? I haven’t seen their seed pods…love the tree in flower tho’…Stuart Macoboy (What tree is that?) suggested an avenue of Illawarras and Jacarandas…but I’ve noticed they flower at different times…
Flame trees are at the very least, irratic with flowering. There are some stunning ones but mostly I see half the tree flowering and half still in leaf or variations of that type. Perhaps they get better with maturity.
pepe said:
pain master said:
here’s more bright and pretty, and stingy….
golden – seems to be dripping in the sunset light – beauty
thanks pepe, ‘twas an afternoon shot….
pomolo said:
Dinetta said:Must be still coming? That’s cabbage patch chook with underscores between the second and third words?
I’m not doing very well am I. Forgot the underscores. I’ll try again.
Dinetta said:
Stuart Macoboy (What tree is that?) suggested an avenue of Illawarras and Jacarandas…but I’ve noticed they flower at different times…
if you alternate them then you will have an extended flowering season.
bluegreen said:
Dinetta said:
Stuart Macoboy (What tree is that?) suggested an avenue of Illawarras and Jacarandas…but I’ve noticed they flower at different times…
if you alternate them then you will have an extended flowering season.
Ah, OK…but the thought of the two of them flowering simultaneously does make a nice “mind picture” doesn’t it?
okay Lipstick Palm, doesn’t mind wet feet and easy to tell why it has it’s name….
I like this palm, Bismarckia nobilis. Lucky head to the old glass house in the Bot Gardens and you’ll find one of these…
How’s this for old Hairy Palms… fans of Asterix and Obelix please nod approvingly…
and Palms can attract fantastic insects, like this Damselfly…
back to some pretties, and one of my favourite names for a plant… Pachystachys lutea!
and Gingers! With fantastic bold strong leathery leaves!
and other forms of Gingers…
and finally we return to the Xerophyte Garden of the Palmetum…
pain master said:
How’s this for old Hairy Palms… fans of Asterix and Obelix please nod approvingly…
nods approvingly
pain master said:
and Gingers! With fantastic bold strong leathery leaves!
Oh, yes!
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
How’s this for old Hairy Palms… fans of Asterix and Obelix please nod approvingly…
nods approvingly
By Toutatis!
pain master said:
and other forms of Gingers…
They look like either wood carvings or elaborate chocolates!
pain master said:
and finally we return to the Xerophyte Garden of the Palmetum…
plenty of “form” there!
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
and other forms of Gingers…
They look like either wood carvings or elaborate chocolates!
Mmmmm Chocolate…
pain master said:
Dinetta said:
pain master said:
and other forms of Gingers…They look like either wood carvings or elaborate chocolates!
Mmmmm Chocolate…
Don’t hijack your own thread, LOL!!
pain master said:
I like this palm, Bismarckia nobilis. Lucky head to the old glass house in the Bot Gardens and you’ll find one of these…
My favourite palm. I have one in a large pot.
pain master said:
and Gingers! With fantastic bold strong leathery leaves!
Striking!
pomolo said:
pain master said:
I like this palm, Bismarckia nobilis. Lucky head to the old glass house in the Bot Gardens and you’ll find one of these…
My favourite palm. I have one in a large pot.
Wanna be a big pot!
pain master said:
pomolo said:
pain master said:
I like this palm, Bismarckia nobilis. Lucky head to the old glass house in the Bot Gardens and you’ll find one of these…
My favourite palm. I have one in a large pot.
It’s not the largest pot but I couldn’t handle the thought of planting it in the ground and having forthcoming dam water submerging it in a few years. Didn’t know of any other way to have my cake and eat it too.
Wanna be a big pot!
pain master said:
i hope the pretty stems are female LOL or are the red ones young ones?
okay Lipstick Palm, doesn’t mind wet feet and easy to tell why it has it’s name….
pain master said:
How’s this for old Hairy Palms… fans of Asterix and Obelix please nod approvingly…
are they from Gaul?
pain master said:
and Gingers! With fantastic bold strong leathery leaves!
alarming – beautiful red folds but where’s its heart?
your most ghoulish photo so far LOL.
pepe said:
pain master said:i hope the pretty stems are female LOL or are the red ones young ones?
okay Lipstick Palm, doesn’t mind wet feet and easy to tell why it has it’s name….
The red stems do tend to be the younger ones…. I may have to think about this when I next look at them…
pepe said:
pain master said:
How’s this for old Hairy Palms… fans of Asterix and Obelix please nod approvingly…
are they from Gaul?
the palms aren’t but the old Hairy Palm reference is… see page 34 of Asterix the Legionary.
the palms aren’t but the old Hairy Palm reference is… see page 34 of Asterix the Legionary.
————————————-
we’re digressing – but how many asterix comics do you have?
i have a hardback in spanish.
pepe said:
the palms aren’t but the old Hairy Palm reference is… see page 34 of Asterix the Legionary.
————————————-
we’re digressing – but how many asterix comics do you have?
i have a hardback in spanish.
17 in soft cover, one copy of Asterix in Switzerland in hardcover and Asterix and the Class Act, one hard cover that contains 6 stories and a Complete Guide to Asterix (including discount pass to the Asterix Theme Park)
pain master said:
pepe said:
the palms aren’t but the old Hairy Palm reference is… see page 34 of Asterix the Legionary.
————————————-
we’re digressing – but how many asterix comics do you have?
i have a hardback in spanish.
17 in soft cover, one copy of Asterix in Switzerland in hardcover and Asterix and the Class Act, one hard cover that contains 6 stories and a Complete Guide to Asterix (including discount pass to the Asterix Theme Park)
thanks
i’m glad the palm is not from gaul. and i won’t ask where the theme park is – gaul is too obvious an answer. great comics i agree.
pepe said:
pain master said:
pepe said:
the palms aren’t but the old Hairy Palm reference is… see page 34 of Asterix the Legionary.
————————————-
we’re digressing – but how many asterix comics do you have?
i have a hardback in spanish.
17 in soft cover, one copy of Asterix in Switzerland in hardcover and Asterix and the Class Act, one hard cover that contains 6 stories and a Complete Guide to Asterix (including discount pass to the Asterix Theme Park)
thanks
i’m glad the palm is not from gaul. and i won’t ask where the theme park is – gaul is too obvious an answer. great comics i agree.
The theme park is in Francais. And the character who talks about Old Hairy Palms (read: Hands) is from Egypt where it is likely that Bismarckia nobilis is more likely to live….