Melaleuca nesophila

Melaleuca nesophila

I spotted a new-to-me Australian native in the grounds of my local university. Showy Honey-Myrtle is endemic to an area near Albany in Western Australia. The Noongar indigenous name is mindiyet.

Melaleuca nesophila is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It grows in full sun to part shade, in sandy or clay loam soils. Once established, it will tolerate extended dry periods as well as coastal conditions. This species is naturalised in some parts of Victoria where it is considered a serious environmental weed, as it replaces the local native plants.

more summer sewing

moresewing

It’s still hot, and I’m still sewing summer clothes. The bottom left garment is the latest effort, but I’m not sure how much wear it’ll get as the fabric doesn’t feel great against my skin. Now that I’ve tweaked the pattern to fit me, I’ll make it again in a different fabric.

Psidium guajava

Psidium guajava

I’ve never grown common guavas—this tree is in my MIL’s yard—so I don’t know if this growth pattern is normal. I don’t see it on any of the images that a quick search pulls up. Part of the flower (a sepal?) persists as the fruit grows, forming a tough ”hood”. Looking at variously-sized fruits on the tree, it seems that this hood stays the same size as the fruit enlarges. Presumably it eventually falls off. What is the purpose of this phenomenon? Is it unique to this tree?

Woolsey tribute?

crosscreekranch

We have a fairly new, almost empty, shopping centre in town (like we needed another one!). I had a bit of a wander through, and noticed this public art out front. It’s comprised of columns of burnt burls of wood. Between some of the lumps are ceramic collars stamped with words like ‘fire’, ‘ash’ and ‘transform’. There’s no plaque, but I’m guessing it’s meant as a reminder of the Woolsey Fire which wreaked such devastation on our area nearly six years ago.