Page 12 - Tropic Magazine Issue 24

TROPIC • UP FRONT

1. Golden Penda (Xanthostemon chrysanthus)
2. Yellow-spotted Honeyeater (Meliphaga notata)
on a flower at Atherton Tablelands
3. Black Sapote (Diospyros digyna)

1
In Season 2

EXPLORE
Tropic’s local guide to the best although there are some rare red and also
of nature this June and July. green varieties.
Perhaps the most commonly recognised
Words: Nicky Horstmann species is Xanthostemon chrysanthus
with its rich golden blossoms literally
Now that our far-northern winter is upon beckoning birds and insects to join them.
us, we can really make the best of all that As the Pendas flower over extended
is on offer. The cooler days and nights periods of time, they make wonderful 3
encourage us to move outdoors and revel garden additions. There is nearly always RUSTY’S MARKETS
in our amazing surroundings. For some something going on in a Penda, be it
of us that might mean picnics and walks birds chasing insects or nectar – free Pudding treat
in the region, for others it might mean entertainment for those with extra time One of the many exotic fruits
activities in the back yard or admiring the on their hands. that grow so well in Far North
view from the balcony. Whichever is your Queensland is the Chocolate
reality, enjoy your enhanced connection LITTLE BEAUTY Pudding fruit or Black Sapote
with the environment without the extra (Diospyros digyna) and a visit to
sweat and biting insects! Birds Rusty’s Markets should be all it
One of the honeyeater species that visits takes to try one of these beauties.
CAIRNS EMBLEM our Penda on a regular basis is the Maybe the use of the epithet
Flora Yellow-Spotted Honeyeater (Meliphaga ‘beauties’ could be contested by
notata). Like so many of the honeyeaters,
first time consumers of this fruit
How many of you know the floral emblem the plumage on this species lies in the as, when ripe, their appearance
of Cairns? Strangely enough this plant olive and grey colour range, with some could easily described as ‘yuck’.
is now seen in parks, gardens and street pale-yellow highlights. Size-wise, they Black Sapotes are a type of
plantings over a very wide area of the are about half as big again as a sunbird persimmon, and like the old-
Aussie east coast. It is recognised as a with a shorter, stouter, slightly curved fashioned persimmons, need to
relatively quick growing tree that puts on bill that allows them to feed on fruit, be eaten when fully ripe. So, you
an awe-inspiring show when in flower, so insects and nectar. So why the name might buy them when they are
much so that it was planted extensively of Yellow-Spotted? It refers to the pale firm and look green all over, but
in Brisbane in preparation for Expo 88. yellow ‘earpatch’ located behind their you don’t eat them until they are
It was the case of yet another FNQ tree eye. The shape of this patch is typically squishy and dark brown. However,
species taking the world by storm. an oval-like shape, as opposed to the the dangers of being caught with
The Pendas or Xanthostemon spp are trees crescent of the Lewin’s honeyeater or brown, squidgy stuff all over your
and shrubs that can be found mostly in the circular-diamond shape of the hands and face are far outweighed
rainforest areas. They might be large trees Graceful. All three of these species share by the delight of eating these
or relatively small shrubs, depending similar colourings and what is known delicious fruits. Personally, I love
both on species and habitat. They all as a yellow gape (or line) running from the combination with strawberries
produce flowerheads that are made up of the corners of the mouth back under the and yoghurt in a smoothie. Buy
many individual flowers with super-long eyes. Distinguishing between them can a black sapote and try it in the
stamens. Once again, depending on present quite a challenge, but does it safety of your own home. You
the species, these flower heads are really matter? Surely their presence is all won’t regret it.
generally in the yellow spectrum, that matters.

12 • Tropic • Issue 24