Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Rogers Reserve Footpath Construction Progress

The construction of the O'Brien Road Footpath on the edge of the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve has begun.

These photos show the progress and stages of the construction process.  The Orange tape around the trees on the edge of the reserve is to show the areas in which the footpath will need to be raised over tree roots to ensure they aren't damaged during the footpath construction.

26/11/2014 - O'Brien Road Footpath Construction on the edge of Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields.


12/11/14 - Construction Begins.
10/11/14 - Orange Bollards in place for the footpath works to begin. 



Flowers of the Lacebark Kurrajong Highfields

These beautiful pink flowers are from the Lacebark Tree (Brachychiton discolor) (Aka Pink Flame Tree)  which is in thw Kurrajoing family.  The large bell shaped flowers form in clusters at the end of the branches of the tree and are then followed by large seed pods. Today when I photographed these flowers, the tree only had a few flowers left on it, with many already fallen to the ground.

This particular tree can be found at the Community Court Entrance of Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields, on the left hand side of the nature trail just after the reserve sign.

For more information on the Lacebark Kurrajoing Tree (Brachychiton discolor) please visit the Toowoomba Plants Blog here...

J.G.

Flowers on the forest floor from th Lacebark Kurrajoing Tree (Brachychiton discolor) at Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields.
A Lacebark Flower still on the tree at the Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields.

Lacebark Kurrajoing Tree (Brachychiton discolor) Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve


Thursday, November 6, 2014

Native Hibiscus in Bloom at Highfields

This "Native Hibiscus" or "Native Rosella" (Hibiscus heterophyllus) is currently in flower at the Charles and Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve at Highfields.  The flowers are sparse however but it is good to see a touch of spring appearing in these terribly dry times.

This Native Rosella/Hibiscus shrub is a tall open shrub which grows to 6 meters high and has prickly stems. This particular specimen can be found on the outer edge of the reserve on the corner of Polzin Road and O'Brien Road.

This species of Native Hibiscus was first recorded by Allan Cunningham in 1824.  Aboriginals used it for medicinal purposes and created twine and nets from the bark.

J.G.

Information Source:  Plants of Charles & Motee Rogers Reserve List by Trish Gardener & Mangroves to Mountains - Field Guide to Native Plants of South-east Queensland, www.hibiscus.org


"Native Hibiscus" or "Native Rosella" (Hibiscus heterophyllus) at Charles & Motee Rogers Bushland Reserve, Highfields 06/11/2014

"Native Hibiscus" or "Native Rosella" (Hibiscus heterophyllus)

Un-opened bud of the "Native Hibiscus" or "Native Rosella" (Hibiscus heterophyllus) Highfields.