A very sweet fragrance may greet you on walks in Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park or at Sea Acres National Park at the moment.
It will be the flowers of the ancient plant, Bolwarra (Eupomatia laurina), which is a common tall shrub or small tree growing in the rainforests and other moist forest types along the east coast from East Gippsland to far north Queensland and New Guinea.
The plant has attractive dark glossy green leaves and remarkable cream flowers. A weevil (Elleschodes hamiltonii) eats the inner infertile petal-like stamens (male part of flower) and probably picks up pollen from the outer fertile stamens in the process, thus acting as a pollinator. The petals and sepals (the colourful parts of most flowers) are modified into a cap as in most species of eucalypts and it is shed as the flower opens. The numerous carpels (female part) are joined and set in the broad base of the flower. The edible green fruit which follows, resembles that of a garden rose.
Landcare nursery
This plant is often on sale at the Port Macquarie Landcare Nursery and
would make an attractive addition to a shady garden.
Learn more about the nursery at www.landcareportmac.com.au
