Hibiscus arnottianus is a shrub or small tree generally 4.5-6.0 metres in height though a few individuals will grow taller. These specimens can be up to 6 metres in diameter. Individual plants vary in appearance from open and airy to compact. The leaves are oval with a smooth upper surface and smooth or slightly toothed edges. The leaves are 10-15 cm long and often have red veins and stems.
The single white flowers are pinwheel shaped, up to 10 cm across, and borne at the ends of the branches. The staminal column is pink to red (except in subspecies immaculatus which has a white column). The flowers may be slightly pink or may age to pale pink, and are slightly fragrant, with a smell reminiscent of the fragrant cyclamen. In cultivation, Hibiscus arnottianus blooms almost continuously.
Hibiscus arnottianus is a Hawaiian endemic plant with one endangered subspecies. It is native to the moist to wet forests of the mountains of Moloka'i and O'ahu. Subspecies arnottianus grows at elevations of 120 to 760 metres in the Wai'anae and eastern Ko'olau mountains of O'ahu. Subspecies immaculatus is extremely rare and grows in a few valleys on Moloka'i. Subspecies punaluuensis grows in the Ko'olau Mountains at elevations of 200 to 670 metres. The shrub grows extremely well in Melbourne's climate.
This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.
Australia is hotter and drier than normal this summer as a weak El Niño pattern has developed across the Pacific Ocean. This is in stark contrast to the past two years, which were dominated by La Niña, conditions that contributed to heavy rainfall and cooler temperatures across much of the country. This year's El Niño will also combine with a phenomenon known as the "Indian Ocean Dipole" (IOD). We are experiencing a drier phase of the IOD as a result of cooler waters off the north-west coast of Australia.
The drier phase, combined with weakening easterly trade winds across the tropical Pacific, lead to lower moisture levels over the Southeastern part of the country and warmer daytime temperatures. As a result bushfires have caused enormous destruction in the Southern part of our continent. This is in contrast to the Northeastern regions where tropical cyclones are causing strong winds, massive rainfall and widespread flooding...
This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme.
M. Clyde Jones was a Northcote Councillor from 1929/30 to 1951/2, and was Northcote Mayor in 1933/4. He stood for the Northcote council North Ward 1929 and lived at 10 Gooch Street, Thornbury, from around 1918. His father was a councillor in Tasmania representing Sheffield Borough, where he served for over 40 years. He was also President a number of times of that borough.
Clyde Jones worked in the Tasmanian Railways and, after moving to Victoria, later became a partner in the firm of Boyd & Jones, which he managed (ca 1929). He was President of the Federation of Retail Grocers Association of Australia and President of the United Retailers Council of Victoria. One of the founders of the Grocery Technical Class established at the Melbourne Technical School (RMIT). He was the President of the Parents' Committee of the 2nd Thornbury Boy Scout Troop. Clyde-Jones Reserve on the corner of Clyde & Victoria Streets, Thornbury, and Clyde Street are named in his honour.
The Reserve has wide paths around a well-equipped playground. There is a concrete surface in good condition with flat gradient throughout park. The surprise is the entrances tot he Reserve that feature low walls with some delightful bas-relief colourful murals. These look as though thy have been based on designs by children and are very appropriate for the playground.
This post is part of the Monday Murals meme,
and also part of the Mellow Yellow meme,
and also part of the Mandarin Orange Monday meme
A $75,000 public art sculpture installed last October in Darebin Parklands has divided residents, with some saying the egg-shaped work looks out of place in bushland. Darebin council’s art and culture department commissioned the artwork, "The Nest" which was made by artists David Bell and Gary Tippett from recycled materials. The artwork itself has been praised by residents, but some have criticised the location chosen. Darebin Parklands Association president Ingrid Svendsen said there was no community desire for artwork in the park and said the push came from council bureaucrats.
Council’s acting director of city design and environment, David Shepard, said the council had received positive feedback from parklands users. He said the council’s Public Art Strategy involved a ‘‘very detailed’’ community consultation process. Love it or hate it, it is a very imposing structure and it commands attention from several key viewpoints. Besides which, it is very photogenic, I think you'll agree with me...
This post is part of the Scenic Sunday meme,
and also part of the Nature Footsteps Waters meme.
Atlas once perched proudly on top of the original Atlas Assurance Company building that was constructed in the late 1800s, on the same site where he now resides, on Collins St, just up from Queen St. During the 1950s a new Altas Building was constructed and the statue was moved the front of the new building at ground level to be admired by all who passed. During the 1970s the building was again demolished to make way for the latest structure that occupies 406 Collins Street. This once proud statue now sits high up in a corner, where he is ignored by most rushing past him...
This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme,
and also part of the Weekly TopShot Meme.
The climatic conditions and the bushfires around Melbourne have given us some spectacular sunrises and sunsets lately. These shots were taken earlier this week around my neighbourhood, in inner suburban Melbourne.
This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.
My apologies for not visiting your blogs lately. Since going back to work on January 2, I have been replacing a couple of staff members who left and also have been doing some video lectures. Consequently, it has been a struggle and I've been getting about four hours sleep a night. I have just been managing to get these daily blogs out...
