Experience the magnificant colours and frangrances of blooming beauties and sensational seeds and fruits on show in our Gardens... now.
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Cordyline manners-suttoniae -
Giant Palm Lily I’m a palm lily native to coastal Queensland, where I’m found in rainforests, often in swampy situations.
In spring or summer, I produce an attractive panicle of white flowers, followed by cascades of bright berries which transform in colour from green, yellowish green, sometime pinkish to red. You can find specimens of this plant in the Tropical Shade Garden of the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens and next to the path to the left of the welcome sign at the main entrance adjacent to the carpark. At the moment you can see displays of the flowers and the berries at the same time. A glorious sight.
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Morinda citrifolia-
Cheese Fruit The Cheese Fruit Tree is always found growing close to the coastline in tropical areas. It looks more like a bush than a tree with low set large broad glossy green leaves. The flowers are small, white and sweet scented. The fruit is elongated in shape with irregular depressions on the outer surface. The fruit turns from green to whitish-yellow when fully ripe. The fruit is unmistakable, with translucent flesh, many brown - bluish seeds and a powerful aroma similar to rancid cheese when very ripe. It is best eaten when two thirds ripe. The fruit is produced throughout the year. It can be eaten raw or cooked and the young leaves are also edible.
The tree is also referred to as the Noni or the Native Custard Apple. Cheese fruit trees can be found in the Tropical Shade Garden of the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens and along the lagoon paths near the Heritage Gardens and approaching the Eulamere Boardwalk entrance.
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Mackay Regional Council Queens Park houses the 'Ken Burgess Display House' commonly called the ORCHID HOUSE.
This fabulous collection of orchids is situated in Queens Park in East Mackay, not at the Botanic Gardens which is in West Mackay. Admission is free and well worth a look.
To have a seek peek at what's flowering at the Orchid House click here...
