In Flower This Week A weekly news-sheet prepared by a Gardens volunteer Numbers in brackets [ ] refer to garden bed 'Sections'.

6 February 1998

This week’s walk is along the Main Path but look first at the pots just outside the Visitor Centre, Verticordia blepharophylla takes the eye with its mauve pink feather flowers along the stem.

At the start of the Main Path on the left is Scaevola aemula [Section 212], purple fan flowers which are found in coastal areas near Sydney, across the Continent to Western Australia and Tasmania.

On enterin the Rainforest walk a little way and there is Sambucus australasica [Section 148], the Native Elderberry, it has delicate creamy flowers arranged in a panicle, there are yellow fruits also. Syzygium australe [Section 148], the Bush Cherry, from the same family as the eucalypts, Myrtaceae, is displaying cream fowers with prominent stamens, petals underneath, very decorative - beautiful. Turn right at the bridge, enjoy the cool of the Rainforest, tree ferns abound creating a canopy of umbrellas up and down the gully.

Leaving the Rainforest walk through the Gymnosperm Section to Banksia aemula [Section 16], its leathery long serrated leaves and lime green flowerheads are a delight to observe. Further along to the right is Podocarpus elatus [Section 110], its bluish-black, plum-like fruits are present, always curious to look at.

Walk past the waterfall in the Rockery, and ust before leaving the area is Prostanthera porcata [Section 15R], an endangered species, has light magenta tubular flowers with deeper magenta dots inside the tube, plus a touch of cream. In the Hakea Section very large fruits on Hakea constablei [Section 20] can be seen. Across the road, continue through the Wattle Section notice the graceful stems of Acacia cognata [Section 19] on the right. Further on the Eucalypt Lawn with its many different species is showing a variety of patterns on the barked trunks.

The Sydney Region Flora which represents plants from Newcastle in the north, Nowra in the south and as far west as Rylstone is showing Grevillea asplenifolia [Section 191]. Crimson red toothbrush flowers are displayed with long straplike leaves. Actinotus helianthi [Section 191u], the Flannel Flower, is a strange and beautiful plant which has soft creamy white velvet like petals with centres mimicing the daisy family.

More to see.

Lesley Page.