Education Articles
Samford’s local flora
Purple Bush Pea (Hovea acutifolia)
Also known as Narrow-leaved Hovea, this open upright shrub to 1–2 m is common in our local woodland, but is mainly noticed when it bursts into flower in early spring. The Purple Bush Pea has alternate, narrow, oval-shaped dark green leaves to 7 cm, with young growth...
read moreSwamp Banksia (Banksia robur)
The Swamp Banksia is an open shrub to 1.5 to 2 m found in woodlands, moist sandy areas and wallum heathlands in Queensland and NSW. The compound flower spikes usually appear in autumn and winter, but occasionally at other times of year. These are relished equally by...
read moreLarge-leaved Cheese Tree (Glochidion sumatranum)
Also, known as Buttonwood or Umbrella Cheese Tree, this small tree to 6–10 m is found in rainforests, wet sclerophyll forest and along creeks and rivers. It is fast-growing pioneer that favours disturbed areas. It is widely distributed from northern NSW, Queensland...
read moreLemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)
This widely cultivated large shrub or small tree is found naturally in rainforests in Queensland and NSW. The opposite leaves are strongly lemon scented when crushed, making it a very popular bush food plant. The leaves can be steeped in boiling water to make a...
read moreGreen Tamarind (Elattostachys nervosa)
Also known as the Beetroot Tree because of the brilliant red colour of the new growth, this spreading canopy tree is found in the rainforests of south-east Queensland and northern NSW. The flanged trunk is covered in smooth grey bark. The alternate glossy leaves have...
read morePavetta (Pavetta australiensis)
This beautiful shrub is found in drier rainforests in northern NSW and throughout eastern Queensland. Often known as the ‘butterfly bush’, the flowers of the Pavetta attract a wide range of other beneficial insects besides butterflies. Honeyeaters are also fond of the...
read moreQuinine Berry (Petalostigma triloculare)
Also known as Long-leaved Bitter Bark, this attractive large shrub to 3–5 m is found naturally along the edge of our local rainforests and in moist gullies in eucalypt woodland. The Quinine Berry has glossy dark green elliptical leaves (which are greyish below) and is...
read morePink Heart (Medicosma cunninghamii)
Also known as Bonewood, this attractive large shrub or small tree to 3–5 m is found naturally along the edges of dry or subtropical rainforest. The opposite elliptical leaves are aromatic when crushed. In summer, the distinctive four-petalled white flowers to 25 mm...
read moreCoffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia)
This small to medium open shrub to 2–3 m is found naturally along the edge of our local rainforests and in moist gullies in eucalypt woodland. It is an important butterfly host plant for the common grass yellow butterfly Eurema hecabe (so it is preferable not to spray...
read moreChain Fruit (Alyxia ruscifolia)
This medium open shrub to 2–4 m is found naturally along the edge of our local rainforests and moister eucalypt forests. The foliage provides vital nesting habitat for our local birds and a safe refuge for other creatures, so is a good replacement for Lantana. The...
read moreSamford’s local fauna
Spiny Leaf Insect (Extatosoma tiaratum)
Also known the Giant Prickly Stick Insect, this extremely well-camouflaged phasmid is easily overlooked in the eucalypt or wattle foliage where it usually lives. If disturbed, it will curl up its tail and raise the front legs and mimic a scorpion to deter predators...
read moreGrey Goshawk (Accipiter novaehollandiae)
This magnificent, powerful raptor (bird of prey) is a moderately common resident in the greater Samford district, but it is secretive so not often seen. It is a stealth predator: usually waiting on a shady branch for a chance to launch at unwary birds or mammals in...
read moreCollared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrhocephalus)
This relatively small, fiece raptor (bird of prey) is reasonably common in the greater Samford district, but is not often seen. It is an ambush predator: usually waiting on a concealed perch for a chance to launch at unwary birds, which it takes mainly from trees and...
read moreSplendid Ochre (Trapezites symmomus)
Also known as the Symmomus Rush-skipper, this fast flying butterfly is common in local bushland, often landing and resting in the characteristic skipper manner (but sometimes with closed wings). This is one of the largest skippers (wingspan 42–46 mm), with females...
read moreEastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis)
Also known as the Snake-necked Turtle, this very common species spends most of its life in fresh water, and is most often seen crossing local roads after rain in search of new waterholes or nesting sites. The carapace (upper ‘shell’) is dark brown or black and up to...
read moreScarlet-sided Popplebonk (Limnodynastes terraereginae)
The wonderful common name for this large (~75 mm) rotund frog is derived from its resonant call: a loud ‘bonk ... bonk ... bonk’, usually made following rain from October to May while concealed by water in dams or ditches, or from holes in a bank. It is also known as...
read moreGrey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis)
The Samford district is one of the few places in South-East Queensland east of the great Dividing Ranges where you can see this charismatic bird. Sadly, the population seems to be in decline, but the cause in uncertain: possibly a combination of habitat clearance and...
read moreApostlebird (Struthidea cinerea)
Like the Grey-crowned Babbler, the Samford valley is one of the few places in South-East Queensland you can see this mud-nesting, gregarious species east of the great Dividing Ranges. Members of Birds Queensland often visit the Wights Mountain area looking for these...
read moreEastern Spinebill (Acanthorynchus tenuirostris)
This very active small honeyeater (about 13–14 cm) has a distinctive long downcurved bill used for probing flowers. It occupies a wide range of habitats from eucalypt forest and rainforest to parks and gardens. It is mostly a winter visitor to the lower altitudes of...
read moreEastern Sedgefrog (Litoria fallax)
This small (~25 mm) elongated green frog is very common throughout the Samford district, usually close to water. It is also known as the Dwarf Tree Frog or Green Reed Frog. The Eastern Sedgefrog is usually uniform green above (sometimes with dark flecking), but may be...
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