Newsletter SGAP Cairns March 2014 Society for Growing Australian , Cairns Branch

this issue Most people are familiar with the concept of photosynthesis – the Photosynthesis P.1 complex biochemical mechanism by which plants capture sunlight February Excursion Report P.1 energy, and use it to create sugars from carbon dioxide and water. News from the ATH P.2 However, the different modes of photosynthesis are less familiar – Botanic Explorers Display P.4 they are known as C3, C4 and CAM. Upcoming Events P.6

C3 photosynthesis is by far the most common type where temperatures are moderate and water supplies are adequate. In the first step of this process, carbon dioxide is used to create a sugar molecule with three carbon atoms, hence “C3”.

In warmer, drier environments, C4 photosynthesis is a more efficient Our February 2014 outing commenced difficult. noted were several Ficus way of capturing sunlight energy. very pleasantly around the barbeque area and Cassia species both native and In these plants ( e.g. maize), the east of The Lagoon, with Chef Stuart exotic, including a beautifully captured carbon dioxide is used to turning out sausage and onion treats flowering Rainbow Cassia – hybrid of create an organic acid molecule better than Bunnings ever offered. We C. fistula and C. javanica , Tuckeroo with four carbon atoms (C4), discussed future outings and activities which is transported to distinctive (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) , a Syzygium during lunch and Boyd outlined the cells surrounding the veins hemilamprum which Rob pointed out where the photosynthesis detailed work he has done so far on the was recovering from an attack of reactions are completed. Banks and Solander project at Cairns Myrtle Rust, Bumpy Satinash Syzygium However, it icosts the a lot in Flecker Botanic Gardens. cormiflorum ,and Beach Calophyllum terms of energy, and therefore is Calophyllum inophyllum. less common in temperate plants. Our plan, devised by Stuart, was to stroll through the inner city and discuss the Moving on, we approached the Casino Crassulacean Acid Metabolism street plantings, their suitability and where the erstwhile Anzac Park still (CAM) is a variant of C4 found state of health. We had Rob and Stuart to mostly in arid zone plants such as preserves an array of mature trees, guide us on our journey of discovery, and pineapples and members of the notable among which is an Elaeodendron Crassulaceae family. To avoid we set off in 33 degree heat and burning angulatum [Editor’s Note – this name is drying, leaf stomata are only open sunshine, moving from shade to shade. not recorded in the standard at night. Carbon dioxide is used to create the four carbon organic The Lagoon area is sensibly planted with acids, which are stored in fleshy numerous shade trees but the open sunny . During the day, stomata areas were Melanoma Central with hordes are closed, but the stored organic of scantily-clothed tourists making acids can be used to complete the objective botanical observations quite photosynthesis cycle. NEWS FROM THE ATH

The extremely rare and immensely cute little kangaroo, the Northern The Streets of Cairns (cont…) Bettong, has benefitted from studies by ATH associates. This small, references] planted long Redneck Palm Dypsis the waterfront area into a exceedingly shy marsupial ago by noted botanist lastelliana – all the rage in tropical showpiece, using feeds mostly on hypogeous Walter Hill. These trees the eighties when it was existing trees and making fungi, more popularly supported a number of Neodypsis lastelliana with its extensive use of recycled known as truffles. Truffles epiphytic orchids and compact growth and large baulks of old timbers. are the fruiting bodies of ferns. The Golden Orchid striking fuzzy-red A childrens’ playground mycorrhizal fungi – fungi Dendrobium discolor and the crownshaft. They are now has been cleverly that are intimately and Pencil Orchid Dockrillia tall skinny trees with not established among the obligately associated with the roots of plants, for calamiformis are found all much going for them. roots and branches of a whom they gather soil over the Cairns area as is giant Benjamin Fig and Recent exceptionally high nutrients and exchange for the orchid-like fern Pyrrosia various so-called Artworks plant sugars. longifolia . A young Umbrella king tides had encroached litter the area. Of interest is Tree Schefflera actinophylla on waterside gardens with a sign pronouncing that The bettong survives d uring was growing well in a tree resulting salt-burn on low Cairns was once known to seasons of low truffle fork – doubtless planted by plants. Two noted the original people as abundance by digging up the underground shoots of a bird. Umbrella trees are survivors were a rampant “Gimuy” which was their patch of Ipomea pes-caprae Alloteropsis semialata in brilliant scarlet name for the Blue Fig Ficus (cockatoo grass). The with hand-sized dark green throughout the area at benjamina. Northe rn Bettong is difficult present, attracting clouds leaves and a native grass to survey, as it is shy and of butterflies and birds. Zoysia matrella. Rob says Near the Port offices street does not often enter traps. that this grass occurs along plantings comprised an However, each time a Street plants approaching the foreshores of Cairns’ array of natives. Of interest bettong digs down to reach the Casino are Beach northern beaches. Like were Barringtonia acutangula the shoots of cockatoo Barringtonia Barrringtonia Ipomoea it is accustomed to showing small three sided grass, it leaves a little hole asiatica showing immature sea water and these two and the remains of and, uniquely, a little spit of grass fibres – physical fruit and long-stamened plant species were their long tresses of scarlet evidence of its presence in profusion. The outstanding in their flowers, and Dogbane that can be used to survey gardens of the five star resilience to harsh Cerbera manghas already in activity. Another project is area show signs of having conditions. fruit despite their small looking at the role of native been professionally planted size. The walk went on marsupials in spreading some years ago using An exotic I had not but the heat was hypogeous fungi. mostly exotic palms and seen before was Sea Grape oppressive and in spite of Once again, it appears an . These gardens are Coccoloba uvifera which has Stuart’s promise that an ice lime green, red-veined improved scientific now mature; the palms are creamery was near I left understanding of plant leaves and attractive leggy, bare patches show the group after an evolution will lead to name where odd plants may have bunches of round fruit. instructive and interesting changes. This time, died, and the once lush Unless it has some walk. I feel that we should Annonaceae has been the tropical gardens are in property such as weed do something similar in the target of researchers. need of more care than can potential or poisonous cooler time of year, in Annonaceae is a large, tropical and widespread be given them by an fruit, Coccoloba deserves parts of the inner city CBD wider planting. family, factors which have occasional weed and water where there are flowering historically inhibited large- regime. An example is the trees to be discovered. Cairns Regional Council scale reviews. However, once highly popular has in recent years brought recent DNA studies may overturn many familiar genera. More to come. 2

But is it art? Dennis Nona’s sculptures on the boardwalk. Pandanus bordering Wharf Street

Cerbera manghas – who needs frangipanis Cerbera manghas .

Coccoba uvifera (sea grape) – a native of the Caribbean. Cassia fistula x javanica, another colourful exotic.

3 Family Violaceae. Perennial herbs up to 60 cm tall with Suggested Garden erect stems; stems longitudinally ribbed and clothed in scabrid hairs. plants for “Botanic Cunningham: Explorers” display viscosa subsp. angustifolia Boyd Lenne Acacia leptocarpa At our last meeting, we discussed at length the plants which might Coronidium rupicola best suit the planned botanist commemorative beds at the Centenary Pittosporum ferrugineum Lakes Section of the Cairns Botanic Gardens. The compiled list follows Family Pittosporaceae. A small tree not exceeding 30 cm (some with notes): dbh. Neoroepera banksii Family Picrodendraceae Usually flowers and fruits as a Banks and Solander: shrub about 1-2 m tall. Clerodendrum floribundum var. floribundum Cyperus cristulatus

Family Lamiaceae, A small tree not exceeding 30 cmLarge Dillenia alata terminal clusters of long tubular flowers are followed by Family Dilleniaceae. Red Beech black fruits in the red calyx. This plant used medicinally by Leea indica Aborigines, decoction drunk for aches and pains. Family Vitaceae Ficus opposita Family Moraceae. Usually grows into a small tree but can flower and fruit as a shrub 1-3 m tall Fitzalan Hibiscus meraukensis Syzygium cryptophlebium Family Malvaceae. Flowers and fruits as a herb or shrub to Myrtaceae about 2 m tall. Jasminum simplicifolium subsp. australiense Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum Jasmine, Family Oleaceae

Family Melastomataceae. Usually flowers and fruits as a Deplanchea tetraphylla - shrub about 1-3 m tall. Bignonia, Family Bignoniaceae Thryptomene oligandra Polyscias elegans Family Myrtaceae. Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub Black Pencil Cedar, Araliaceae about 1-5 m tall but sometimes flowers when smaller. Occasionally grows into of a poorly formed tree. Orthosiphon aristatus Cats' Whiskers, Java Tea, Family Lamiaceae Davallia denticulata Davalliaceae. This is a large epiphytic fern with a long, Micromelum minutum

fleshy, creeping rhizome that is slightly flattened and Micromelum, Family Rutaceae covered in scales. The roots are found on the ventral Delarbrea michieana surface of the rhizome. The fronds are bipinnate Family Myodocarpaceae Pyrrosia longifolia Psilotum complanatum Polypodiaceae. Under 0.5 metres high, under 0.5 metres Flat Fork Fern. Psilotaceae wide Vandasina retusa Lomandra banksii Family Fabaceae

Family Asparagaceae. Clumping Mat-rush Melastoma malabathricum subsp. Malabathricum Dendrobium discolor Family Melastomataceae Dendrobium canaliculatum Coronidium rupicola Leptaspis banksii Family Asteraceae Family Poaceae Cordyline cannifolia Pittosporum ferrugineum Family Asparagaceae Family Pittosporaceae. A small tree not exceeding 30 cm Callitris macleayana dbh. Brush Cypress, Family Cupressaceae Grevillea parallela Phyllanthus lamprophyllus Grevillea pteridifolia Family Phyllanthaceae Family Proteaceae Sterculia quadrifida Dodonaea polyandra Kuman, Family Malvaceae Family Vitex trifolia var. trifolia Hybanthus enneaspermus Family Lamiaceae

Pothos longipes Family Rubiaceae Family Araceae Bridelia insulana Phylanthus lamprophyllus Family Euphorbiaceae Family Phyllanthaceae Pavetta australiensis var. australiensis Family Rubiaceae Cowley Hollandaea sayeriana

Syzygium hemilamprum subsp. hemilamprum Sayer's Silky Oak, Family Proteaceae Family Myrtaceae Pittosporum rubiginosum Flecker Family Pittosporaceae Pandanus monticola Eustrephus latifolius Codiaeum variegatum Wombat Berry, Family Asparagaceae Dianella ensifolia Eupomatia laurina Alpinia caerulea Bolwarra, Family Eupomatiaceae Cyperus javanicus Breynia cernua Cordia subcordata Family Phyllanthaceae Cerbera manghas Carallia brachiata Archidendron lucyi Lasianthus strigosus Family Fabaceae Clerodendrum longiflorum Clerodendrum inerme Gymnostachys anceps Scambling Clerodendrum Cleistanthus semiopacus Family Lamiaceae Myrsine subsessilis Harpullia rhyticarpa Mackinlaya confusa Family Sapindaceae Persoonia falcate Linospadix minor Sayer: Freycinetia excelsa Tarenna dallachiana subsp. dallachiana

An email has been received from Dr Rojrawee Rawirash, seeking seeds of Mitrephora zippeliana (also called Mitrephora diversifolia ), a shrub in the family Annonaceae that’s native to northern Cape York. Photos of this plant can be seen at:

keys.trin.org.au/key-server/data/0e0f0504-0103-430d-8004-

Rojrawee is keen to obtain/purchase plants or seeds. He can be contacted at [email protected].

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CAIRNS SGAP TABLELANDS SGAP TOWNSVILLE SGAP OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST

th nd Saturday 15th March Meetings on the 4 Wednesday of Meets on the 2 Wednesday of the month . the month , February to 12 noon. Annual General Meeting, November, in Annandale Cairns Botanic Gardens Visitor Excursion the following Sunday. Community Centre at 8pm, and Centre, Collins Avenue, Edge Hill. holds excursions the following Any queries, please contact Chris Sunday. Bring lunch, and suggestions for Jaminon on 4091 4565 or email excursions. [email protected] See www.sgaptownsville.org.au/ for more information.

PO Box 199 SGAP CAIRNS 2013 COMMITTEE Earlville Chairperson Rob Jago Queensland, 4870 Vice-chairperson Mary Gandini www.sgapcairns.org.au Treasurer Stuart Worboys Secretary Boyd Lenne Newsletter Stuart Worboys Webmaster Tony Roberts

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