Sunday 12 December 2010

Paddington in bloom (2)


Can photography turn a sow's ear into a silk purse?

This scene is close to the corner of Stephen Street and Lawson Street. It is unremarkable until shown in selective detail.

However, the tree is another matter. It has been classified as a weed being a threat to biodiversity and a danger to our native ecosystems. Being a native of South America, the Tipu Tipuana (Rosewood) tree was only introduced to Australia in the 1970s and is used by farmers to fatten stock. It reminds me of the Camphour-Laurel tree that we had on the farm as a kid, but which is also a weed.

10 comments:

TheChieftess said...

Wow! Interesting flower, and beautiful color!!!

Anonymous said...

Is that what those trees are! I often passed by a vacant block of land, left for a year or so while a proposed development was sorted out. All these trees grew quickly on the block and I thought they must be a pest. They certainly look like these trees.

Ann said...

Can photography turn a sow's ear into a silk purse - most definitely! And vice versa. Beautiful shot.

brattcat said...

beautiful alchemy.

Unknown said...

It has wrinkled flowers. Such a nice little tree who covers the sidewalk with yellow carpet, then more is the pity is labeled a weed for its trouble. There on the city street it gives shade and color to whoever passes. What a shame to deride it. Maybe in another place, but not here. A rose in a cornfield is a weed.

Julie said...

The big hassle is that this tree has nearly 100% germination from its spinning seed pods. They can be seen all over Stephen Street and the Aged Care home on one frontage.

Lovely, but a menace.

Joan Elizabeth said...

hee hee Julie posting photos of beautiful weeds .. what is the world coming to. Yes, selective detail does make the most hideous scenes look beautiful. Your shots of the fall of yellow by the rustic brick wall are beautiful.

Mark said...

This tree is planted at my workplace. It grows really fast and has hard little seeds. I didn't realise it is a pest but am not surprised.
Funny how you mention Camphor Laurels as I had an idea for a post this morning about them.

Peter said...

wow a yellow carpet

Jilly said...

Never seen this tree before. So beautiful, that carpet of colour is fabulous. What a pity it's a pest in Australia.