Archive for the 'Climbers and Ground Covers' Category

Kunzea pomifera (Muntries) In The Scrub

1 Comment »25th March, 2007; Category: Bush Tucker, Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants

Kunzea pomifera (Muntries) out in the Mallee

Last week we went the long way around to an Australian Plant Society meeting out in the Mallee Scrub. I wanted to take some photos of Banksias that had been planted in an area near a soak.

The photo shows some of the Kunzea pomifera (Muntries), that grow in this area. There were acres of the plants. The green patches on the ground are patches of Muntries. Very few weeds grow in the patches, just the occasional grasses. There were still berries on the plants and they were sweet to eat. I was surprised that the birds had not got to them all.

Kunzea pomifera (Muntries) As Bush Tucker

1 Comment »14th March, 2007; Category: Bush Tucker, Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants, Hardy Australian Native PLants

Kunzea pomifera (Muntries)

Some comments on a previous article about Muntries that I wrote some time ago has prompted this article. Apparently there was a session on Land Line (ABC TV) recently about growing Muntries, probably commercially as Bush Tucker. (I did not see the programme).

A few weeks ago the local green grocer had a plate of Muntries for customers to sample. They had small punnets of the berries (like those in which strawberries are packed and sold) to sell. This is the first time I had seen them in the fresh fruit market. The berries were quite large compared to the ones I had picked out bush. I know some selecting had been done to find plants yielding larger fruits. The problem is that the sweet apple-like flavour was missing completely. I was not impressed with the larger fruit as they had a floury texture.

Why is it that people are content with a loss of flavour for the sake of larger fruit and therefore the economic advantages associated with handling? The same thing has been happening to tomatoes for years. It was certainly doing a diservice to what is a delicious small fruit.

There is another article I have written about Muntries here.

Eremophila veneta (metallica) and Birds

No Comments »27th January, 2007; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants, Eremophila, Frost Hardy Plants

Eremophila veneta (was metallica)

Most books on plants and birds state that in order to attract birds to the garden one needs to plant red flowering plants. There is no doubt that red flowering plants may well attract honeyeaters but Eremophila veneta (which used to be called Eremophila metallica) is always being investigated by the Honeyeaters. This plant has silvery coloured flowers which blend with the foliage. It is definitely not the colour of the flowers that attracts them. I am convinced that they can smell nectar rich flowers and are attracted by that.

Eremophila veneta is a hardy ground covering plant with silver and green flowers. It grows to about 15-30cm tall by 1-1.5m wide. It thrives in a dry, hot position with good drainage.

I am sure that the Shingle Back Lizards find the water in the bird bath which is on the ground in the same way. I have watched them walk quite a distance in a very purposeful manner, heading in a direct line for the dish.

More information can be found here.

Eremophilas (Emu Bushes) and Birds

No Comments »24th January, 2007; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants, Frost Hardy Plants

Eremophila glabra prostrate, red form

I have been entertained by the antics of the Honeyeaters on the prostrate Eremophila glabra (Emu Bush) which I can see from the table. This red flowered Eremophila has been in flower for a few months and is attracting 5 different species of Honeyeater.

The antics of the New Holland Honeyeater are amusing. There is a daisy bush growing beside this plant and it has light twiggy growth low down in the bush. The New Holland Honeyeaters hang by their claws like a trapeze artist to reach their beaks and long tongues into the flowers. Then they decide that it is just as easy to get at the nectar by hopping all over the plant as the other species do.

This particular plant has made roots along some stems and in doing so collects more moisture. The Eremophila glabra forms are all very hardy but like all plants appreciates water during mid summer. We had 33mm (about an inch and a quarter) rainfall last weekend and everything has perked up even though this rain was sopped up by the ground very quickly.

More information about Honeyeaters can be found at Trevor’s Birding.

Disphyma crassifolium (Rounded Noon-Flower)

No Comments »27th October, 2006; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants, Frost Hardy Plants

Disphyma crassifolium (Rounded Noon-Flower)

This is another of the Australian Native succulents. This one is found on saline soils, rocky cliffs at the sea side and saline soils inland. This is a very hardy plant being frost and drought tolerant. It is especially good for areas where salinity is a problem. It would be good on an embankment which is the use I have for it. The plant makes roots at each node where it touches the soil.

The leaves seem to take on the reddish hew when it is in a dry position.