Category Archives: Botanical Oddities

Treubia – Making leaves their own way

Posted on January 9, 2010 by David Tng

Students of mosses (muscologists) have their agendas to see the Globe Moss when they come to Tasmania.  For students of liverworts (a.k.a hepaticologists), Tasmania houses yet another bryological treasure – a genus of liverworts known as Treubia. Worldwide, Treubia has … Continue reading →

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‘Cerberus’ Manfern spotted in Tasmania’s Northwest!

Posted on January 1, 2010 by David Tng

A three-headed manfern (Dicksonia antarctica) found in Northwest Tasmania! Of all places, it was found growing as a cultivated specimen at the carpark of Bischoff Hotel, Waratah, Northwest Tasmania. This 1.5m or so tall monstrosity of a manfern reminded me … Continue reading →

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The Coral Heath that got sidetracked

Posted on December 13, 2009 by David Tng

The Coral Heath (Epacris gunnii) is a fairly common shrub that may be found in wet heath to highland plateaus. This ornamentally attractive plant has heart-shaped leaves with a pointed tip and in it’s full flowering glory produces in a … Continue reading →

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The gall to be beautiful

Posted on November 22, 2009 by David Tng

In 2004 I encountered some strange growths on the glasswort (Sarcocornia quinqueflora), a common saltmarsh plant of the Amaranth family (Amaranthaceae) in Southern Australia and Tasmania. Knowing little of the glasswort, I thought the structures were it’s succulent fruits. It … Continue reading →

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