Golden Penda

Xanthostemon chrysanthus is a rainforest tree that occurs naturally in northern Queensland, reaching 30 metres in height.

It is part of the vast Myrtaceae (myrtle) family and was first described by the Victorian Government botanist Ferdinand von Mueller as Meterosideros chrysantha in 1864. It was reclassified shortly afterwards in Flora Australiensis as part of the genus Xanthostemon The name is derived from the Ancient Greek chrysos meaning ‘golden’ and anthos meaning ‘flower’. Funnily enough, the name Metrosideros persists and is still used by some nurseries. In cultivation, it is much smaller with a bushy form and beautiful glossy leaves, deep green in maturity, with new, young leaves being a slightly pink, pale green.

It can be pruned to become a hedge or windbreak and is rarely more than 10 metres tall so is an ideal street tree that deserves to be more widely planted.

It mostly flowers in late summer and autumn but the trusses of brilliant yellow flowers can appear all year round.

Golden Penda is fast growing in wet or dry conditions; it doesn’t drop leaves or branches and does not have an invasive root system. It has no pests or diseases and is a favourite with a large range of nectar feeders and the brilliant yellow flowers are followed by green and brown woody capsules which ripen during spring and summer providing yet more food for creatures large and small.

For best results, mulch heavily with compost or organic material and encourage more rapid growth where desired by the use of good soil improver or fertiliser. It is not phosphorus sensitive, but fertilisers should be really well watered in. It can be frost tender.

For Expo 88 in Brisbane, it was renamed ‘Expo Gold’ and was selected as the theme tree for the Expo. Cuttings from a superior specimen north of Brisbane were propagated and planted at Southbank and in the suburbs of Brisbane with the intention of providing a golden canopy for this marvellous six-monthlong festival that changed the face and fate of Brisbane, and they can still be enjoyed en masse there.

Further north, Golden Penda is also the floral emblem of Cairns.

News from the Shed

The Bangalow Men’s Shed run ‘Shed Mates’, a men’s wellbeing project, once a month morning tea event at the shed. Each month there is a guest speaker offering wisdom and insights, this month, Stan is talking about work safety at the Shed, a very important topic. Shed Members are also invited to discuss potential topic ideas with Andy or Peter to present to the group at future meetings. Phone Peter on 0414 410 406 to find out more. Shed members who are feeling a bit peckish can also hang around for the weekly Wednesday two-dollar lunch (that’s not a misprint!) and a natter.