While clearing weeds on the bank of Enoggera Creek, bushcare volunteers at Walton Bridge Reserve recently noticed there were Lomandra hystrix growing in the trees.
Hard to believe but there were two Waterhousea floribunda, side by side, on the bank of Enoggera Creek and both of them had Lomandra hystrix lodged in crevices and growing happily.
Walton Bridge group leader Anne Jones said she’s never seen anything like it after more than 20 years as a bushcare volunteer.
“Lomandra are very hardy. They thrive in creek beds, on rocky ground, endure drought and flooding rain. Why not in a tree?” she said.
Anne’s theory is that the Lomandra lodged in the trees during a flood, possibly as recent as 2022.
“Both the Lomandra are on the upstream side of the Waterhousea. During floods even Lomandra get dislodged and may float down the creek. Better to end up in a tree than Moreton Bay,” Anne said.
The tree-dwelling Lomandra are upstream from Walton Bridge on the opposite bank to the skatepark. The nearest side street is Jevons Street close to the intersection with Waterworks Road. The area is subject to flooding in heavy rain.
Two adjacent Waterhousea floribunda with epiphytic Lomandra hystrix. Photo: Mark Crocker
Walton Bridge volunteers stand underneath a Lomandra hystrix. L-R Libby Jones, Anne Jones, David Matthews, Janet Angel, Sandra Taylor and Marina Novak in November 2024. Photo: Mark Crocker
