Monthly Archives: September 2011

Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden – Sep 2011

I’ve fallen into a pattern of going out on an expedition on the weekend then posting the photos and descriptions during the week. This has worked well so far, starting today I’m going to post about the trips too.

The whole family went to visit Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden on Sunday. The gardens are really just a very well maintained collection of bush tracks next to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. There is a great play area for the kids, complete with semi tame wallabies that hop around. The main track we’ve been taking is sealed and easy to navigate with strolers and bikes / scooters. Many of the plants beside the track are labeled with common and scientific name, sometimes with a short description too. Perfect if you’re trying to learn to identify what you’re looking at!

Today we did the Solander Trail loop. It’s a good one for the kids, and with the stroller for Tom ( and Will when he gets tired ) it’s the only one we could really do. Jess had her scooter and was practicing gliding along with both feet off the ground. Tom was good as usual, after a feed at the playground he sat happily in the bottom of the stroller and watched the world go by. Will walked about 1/2 the distance before going in the stroller. He’s been in the wars a bit lately, he fell down the steps when we got home ( he insisted on wearing a gumboot on one foot ) I pulled a big splinter out of one of his knuckles and a little spike out of his foot tonight too.

Snack stop
Mid track snack - When the hunger hits they drop on the spot and eat.
Playground
Jess and Will enjoyed the playground
beetle with patterned back
There were a swarm of these on a tree in the playground.

Sydney Rock Orchid

Dendrobium speciosum

“A spectacular epiphytic orchid with stout swollen pseudobulbs, found in clumps on cliffs and rock ledges…” NPOS p.262

Somtimes called the rock orchid or rock lily. There are a few of these on the rocks in the front yard (where the picture was taken). In some places they are competeing with some Agapanthus which I will remove at some stage.

Sydney Rock Orchid
Sydney Rock Orchid in flower from the front yard

more info:

Pine-leaf Geebung

Persoonia pinifolia

“A spreading shrub 2-4m high, with crowded pine like leaves” NPOS p.103

The Pine-leaf Geebung is pretty easy to identify when in flower or fruit. The fruit is edible once it turns purpple, but whenever I’ve tried some they’ve been strongly astringent, not a good meal!

Don’t miss Banjo Paterson’s “The Geebung Polo Club”

 

Pine-leaf Geebung in fruit
Pine-leaf Geebung in fruit. You can suposedly eath the fruit once it has turned purple
Pine-leaf Geebung fruit
Pine-leaf Geebung fruit

 

more info:

 

Swamp Wallaby

Wallabia bicolor

I’m still amazed that there can be wallabies in backyards this close to the city. Growing up around here I never saw a wallaby in the bush, or even heard of anyone seeing one. I wonder what’s brought them back.

They seem to hang about near the house much more during winter and spring, they’re often here in the morning having breakfast, and sometimes stay for the day lounging in the sun.

Swamp Wallaby with Joey
Swamp Wallaby with Joey

more info: