8 September 2023
Bird of Paradise! I think it is one of the most fascinating plants. It absolutely does look like a gorgeous colorful bird.
Its scientific name is Strelitzia and it is native to South Africa. Strelitzia was named by Joseph Banks in honour of the British queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
7 September 2023
Having dropped off my dog at the groomers, I was walking home the usual path when I noticed a tree with little orange fruit all over it. How have I never seen it before?
I did my best to check what it was called. I am pretty sure it is Heptapleurum arboricola (Schefflera arboricola), also known as dwarf umbrella tree.
The tree was quite tall though so I still have doubts if I identified it correctly. The leaves and fruit seems to fit though. I might go and have another look at it to be sure.
Schefflera is a popular indoor plant and I used to grow it in a pot at home. It was really cool to see how large it can grow outside. And all these beautiful golden orange fruits looked stunning. Apparently, they will turn violet red or black when they mature.
6 September 2023
Today on the school drop off I noticed a tree in someone’s front garden that was covered in small orange fruit that didn’t look like anything I have seen before.
I took a few photos and searched online what it could be. Turns out it is called loquat (Eriobotrya japonica).
Its fruit is edible and even the leaves can be used to make herbal tea.
Loquat is native to China and its name literally translates from Cantonese as ‘black orange’. It has also been naturalised in many different countries in the warmer parts of the world.
Sometimes loquat is also called Chinese plum and Japanese plum.
Loquat belongs to the Rosaceae family that also includes apples, pears, quinces, medlars, almonds, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and roses.
I will be looking out for loquat in fruit shops. Would love to taste it!
4 September 2023
Abundance of colour on the walk with my dog today.
Sweet Pea Shrub (Polygala myrtifolia). It belongs to the milkwort family and is also known as the myrtle-leaf milkwort. The genus name Polygala comes from the Greek for ‘much milk’. Farmers believed that cows produced more milk after eating these shrubs. Native to South Africa.
Beautiful Camelia flower.
Camelia in someone’s front yard in Vaucluse.
Magnolia. One of my absolute favourites.
African Daisy (osteospermum). Even my dog was enjoying sniffing them.
More African Daisies
Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). Also known as shoeblack plant as its petals were used to produce a black dye for shoe polishing. In many countries the flowers are also used to make hibiscus tea.
Jasmine – so fragrant and beautiful.
This gorgeous plant is called Pig Face. Will need to look into why – very curious. It comes in many colours – orange is my favourite.
Bush lily (clivia miniata) – another orange beauty.
3 September 2023
Saw this beauty during our family walk today in Christison Park in Vaucluse. It is called Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica). Native to China, it is drought tolerant and salt tolerant. Perfect plant for Sydney coastal areas.
The abundant white flowers had a beautiful sweet smell. No surprise there were lots of bees all around them.
The white flowers should be followed by bluish-black berries in late summer. Some varieties are edible and some are not. Will keep an eye out for the berries in a few months.
Indian Hawthorn in bloom.
Bees were buzzing everywhere collecting nectar.
It almost looks like it is covered in snow ❄️
2 September 2023
Today we had a great time at Mutch park in the Sydney suburb of Eastgardens catching up with friends and enjoying the sunshine. The kids were skateboarding and running around, the dogs were chasing each other and the parents had fun chatting and walking.
I noticed another beautiful wattle tree in bloom at the top of the hill and we started climbing the hill to have a closer look.
The wattle was stunning as always but there was also a nice surprise right behind it which we couldn’t see from the bottom of the hill.
It was a magnificent tree with flaming red flowers on the branches without any leaves on them. Turns out was a Coral Tree (Erythrina), of the pea family, Fabaceae.
It sure did look like coral, both the flowers and the shape of the branches. What a find!
Spectacular flowers of the Coral Tree.
… and the whole of the Coral Tree.
1 September 2023
Today is 1 September 2023 and it is a National Wattle Day in Australia.
The golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is Australia’s national floral emblem.
Its gorgeous gold and green colours are also our national sporting colours.
1 September is the first day of spring in Australia and the spectacular wattles are in full bloom.
Glorious Golden Wattle flowers.
How good is this Wattle Tree, all covered in bright yellow flowers!