If you are walking alongside one of many many tracks in our bushland reserves between October and December you could likelihood across a Kunzea ambigua (White Kunzea or Tick Bush).
This bush is fairly frequent, particularly in open scrubby woodland and heath with sandy soils. It is amongst the first to regrow after its habitat has been disturbed by clearing.
In perfect conditions, this bush which can grow up to three metres tall, and in season, may be lined with a prolific crop of delicate white flowers with very long stamens which conceal the petals.
Kunzea Native Flower: A Symphony of Colors and Scents
Native FlowersThese flowers present a welcome supply of nectar for all sorts of insects in addition to small nectar feeding and insectivorous birds.
When taking the time to look into the bush it is attainable to watch a few of the bugs that choose to live in its neighborhood.
This explicit species is sometimes used in gardens, especially these that includes a variety of native vegetation. When stored compact by pruning it presents nicely as a seasonal specimen plant.
The identify “Tick Bush” apparently comes from individuals observing that some native animals like to put beneath the bush. It was thought that the aromatic oil content of the foliage might deter ticks and mites.
Growing in an identical habitat is the much less common Kunzea capitata (Pink Kunzea). This smaller selection could grow to around 1.5 metres excessive, and will be in flower generally from September to October.
Native FlowersThe deep pink flowers have small white pin head measurement globular dots on the ends of the stamens. Hidden in the Hills Kunzeas are clustered together towards the ends of branches which have a particular reddish-brown colouration.
This shrub is often more compact than its relative. It too can be grown as an ornamental specimen in a home native garden.