Page 14 - Tropic Magazine Issue 22

TROPIC • UP FRONT

In Season The umbrella tree frequently grows as a
multi-stemmed specimen and each of
these stems is likely to produce a ‘crown’
EXPLORE
of flower-covered stalks that present 2
Tropic’s expert guide to nature themselves so invitingly to nectar feeders. like sharing the sugary goodness, and
this February and March. When flowering is finished, the fruits chase their competitors away.
that form attract an equally enthusiastic
Words: Nicky Horstmann following, making umbrella trees an However, there is a softer side to their
important contributor to the ecosystem character. These birds love a good bath.
around them. Helmeted friarbirds take repeated
The seeds contained in the fruit are dips into our lilypond, flying into
distributed by birds, along with an nearby vegetation to shake and preen
in between. They even bathe in pairs,
individual application of organic fertiliser,
and germinate readily. Umbrella tree mostly alternating dives, but occasionally
seedlings pop up in all sorts of places, together. Can they use the well-worn
including the forks of trees and cracks human excuse that they are saving water
in rocks, and will continue to thrive as or are they simply having a good time?
Who knows?
their individual root systems develop.
This species of tree is a real survivor.
Unfortunately, this has become a problem WHO’S THE CROSS
1
for some parts of Australia and overseas Arachnids
UNDER OUR UMBRELLA as garden specimens ‘escape’ and become One of the helmeted friarbird’s favourite
Trees invasive weeds. They do say that beauty is non-nectar foods is the St Andrew’s
in the eye of the beholder!
Most of us are familiar with the humble Cross Spider. Argiope keyserlingi is one
umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla). Also variety that we encounter in FNQ.
known as the octopus tree, this species ON THE HONEY Like many other spider species, these
forms a part of many childhood memories; Birds critters have really sorted out the whole
misogyny debate. The females are
whether it’s the shiny leaflets pleasingly One of the more noticeable honey-eaters
arranged as the spokes of an umbrella in our region is perhaps one of the least non-aggressive, more colourful and
or the magic crown of red flowers that attractive by conventional wisdom, much bigger than their mates. They also
rises above the foliage. It might even be looking like some sort of baby vulture. construct fancier webs, containing up to
the switch-like leaf stems that could be It’s the Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon four heavier silken strands organised in
the shape of the St Andrew’s Cross. What
wielded as intimidating weapons on the buceroides). Wearing its leather-like mask,
way home from school. Who knows? The complete with bump on the nose, and its is even more significant is that these
fact is that this native tropical tree variety bald patch on the back of the neck this female spiders remain enigmatic about
has been part of the Australian back yard larger brown bird is an addicted nectar the reasons why they have incorporated
for a very long time. feeder. Bossy by nature, friarbirds don’t this pattern into their web design. It is
left for us to speculate. Does the cross
provide improved stability, or attract
RUSTY’S MARKETS their prey, or does it present a warning

Exotic fruits to their predators, or are there other
factors at play… the mystery of the
While our summer season does female psyche, perhaps?
make it difficult to grow much of
the Mediterranean produce that HIGH TIMES
we love, Rusty’s still provides us
with the opportunities to sample Tides
and enjoy exotic fruits. Make sure King tides are with us again, and the
that you try a juicy and refreshing highest tide for Cairns in 2020 falls on
Carambola. You’ll find it difficult March 9 at 9.10am. It should peak at
to stop at one and, in general, the 3.48m. This year, February has a 3.35m
golden varieties are sweetest if that king tide on both the 9th and the 10th
is your preference. The star-shaped at 9.33 and 10.12am respectively. Set a
cross section makes this fruit great calendar date to check these out.
for decoration as well particularly
on the top of a tropical pavlova. 1. Umbrella tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
2. Helmeted Friarbird (Philemon buceroides)

14 • Tropic • Issue 22