HP 6.4: The Rainforest Garden Room
A native rainforest tree, the Native Gardenia called Randia Fitzalanii …. see the many images of
the tree. It grows as a woody shrub or small tree some 3-10 m (9.8 – 32.8 ft) in height.
The trunk is covered by smooth grey bark. The large glossy dark green leaves are obovate
to oval-shaped and range from 1018 cm (3.97.1 in) long by 35 cm (22.0 in) wide.
The yellowish veins and midrib are prominent on the leaf. The new growth is a bright lime green
in colour. The small (2-2.5 cm or 1 inch) white fragrant flowers appear from September to November,
occur singly and have five lanceolate petals around a tube. The round- or oval-shaped fruit is 34 cm
in diameter and ripens in April to June. The fragrance of the flowers resembles
that of the common gardenia, and fruit can be eaten fresh.
….. Bangalow Palms above and below ….
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… Newly Planted Rainforest Garden area from 2012 ….
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The Rest of the Rainforest Garden Room
Possum in the branches of a low growing rainforest tree in the middle of
the day …. instead of night when they come out.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Alocasia macrorrhizos is a species of flowering plant in the arum family, Araceae, that it is native to rainforests from Malaysia to Queensland and has long been cultivated on many Pacific islands and elsewhere in the tropics. Common names include Giant Taro and Elephant Ear Taro, while words for the plant in the various Polynesian languages include Kape (Futunan, Niuean, Tongan, Wallisian), Ape (Cook Islands MÄori, Tahitian, Hawaiian), “ta’amu” in Samoan language, and Pulaka (Tuvalu). In Australia it is known as the “cunjevoi” (although that term also refers to a marine animal). It is edible if cooked for a long time but its sap irritates the skin due to calcium oxalate crystals, or raphides which are needle like. Alocasia species are commonly found in marketplaces in Samoa and Tonga and other parts of Polynesia. The varieties recognized in Tahiti are the Ape oa, haparu, maota, and uahea. The giant heart-shaped leaves make impromptu umbrellas in tropical downpours.
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See the next post: Post 5: Subtropical Garden Room
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