Geebungs
Hidden In The Hills By Lachlan Turner Numerous native plants found in local bushland are edible. It is said that the Narrow-leafed Geebung (Persoonia pinifolia) which is a small to medium shrub of open habit is one that its fruit may be eaten. It can be found in open forest, scrub and woodland habitats and is usually in flower […]
Hidden in the Hills: Native Iris
By Lachlan Turner When walking along any bush track that passes through open forest and into heathland it is possible to have your attention drawn to small splashes of purplish blue which stand out in contrast to the surrounding vegetation. The colour is more pronounced if the sun is shining directly onto the flower. This […]
Hidden in the Hills: Sydney Wildlife Carers
By Lachlan Turner It is more than likely that when driving along roads in and around the Sydney Hills District that you may have seen an animal on the side of the road that has been hit and possibly killed by a motor vehicle. It is also likely that you may not be aware of […]
Guest Speaker Mark Massey – Australian Natives
Bromeliad Society Meeting: Mark Massey on Australian Natives – July 12th at Castle Hill Showground. The Bromeliad Society of Australia Inc will hold their next meeting at the Federation Pavilion, Castle Hill Showground on Saturday, 12th July with plant sales to the public from 10am and the meeting commencing at 12noon. Our guest speaker is MARK […]
Hidden in the Hills: Eucalyptus Paniculata – Grey Ironbark
One of the larger trees that is particularly noticeable in local bushland areas belongs to the Eucalpypt family. The Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata) is a tall tree growing to around 35 metres in height. Its crown and spreading canopy can be covered with a mass of creamy white flowers, generally between May to January. Its […]
Hidden In The Hills – Ferals and Invasives
By Lachlan Turner Hills district residents may be surprised to know that there are a considerable number of feral animals roaming unchecked throughout the region. Residents may also be surprised at the number of invasive garden escapee plant species that are colonising our bushland and adjacent areas. Most feral and invasive pests are the direct […]
Hidden In The Hills: Old Man Banksia
This month we take a look at the Old Man Banksia (Banksia serrata), which grows throughout open woodland forests of the Hills region. Old Man Banksia of “Snugglepot and Cuddlepie” fame is featured in the May Gibbs’ childrens book. This Banksia has a long flowering period of between December and June. Some of the more […]
Bigger Better Bushfires
I can’t bear the thought of clearing it to make what they call an “asset protection zone” around my house and around other assets that I value. What will happen to the small birds, wallabies, possums, echidnas, goannas, water dragons etc. who provide us with much entertainment? But lately other news has been intruding into […]
Hidden In The Hills: Scribbly Gum
BY LACHLAN TURNER The name “Scribbly Gum” can refer to a number of eucalypts. The main owner of the name Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma) is possibly the best known example in our Hills District bushland. This tree generally is not very tall with a number of short trunks growing from a single root system similar […]
Hidden In The Hills: Terrestrial Orchids
There are many ground hugging orchid plants that flower in early autumn, lasting through to late spring. The flower of the Trim Greenhood Orchid (Pterostylis concinna) stands about 250mm above the grass. It is often found in quite large colonies in open woodland growing amongst shorter sedges and grasses, in dappled sunlight. The Red […]